Christians call it the Holy Land, but a decreasing number of Christians call it home.

Sources differ about the exact numbers, but all show a marked shift in the religious demographics of the West Bank city, with many estimates suggesting that fewer than 10 percent of Bethlehem’s population today are Christians.

The city has deep religious significance in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

On Sunday, a couple from Bethlehem visited Hope Lutheran Church in Ottawa Hills and urged parishioners there to buy religious-themed olive wood handicrafts made by the remaining Christians of Bethlehem.

“Our ministry is to support the Christians who live in the Holy Land, especially in Bethlehem,” said Marina Alshomali, as she addressed the Hope Lutheran congregation.

Ms. Alshomali was born in Beth

See Full Page