Bethlehem/Beit Jala, October 13, 2025
by Burghard Schunkert
We are now entering the next phase of the expansion of the Lifegate building and are about to tackle the next floor of our facility.
When we began planning the Lifegate Center in 2004 it was already part of the overall concept that we would have 6 floors. The elevator is designed for six floors and the expansion parts are waiting in our warehouse. We also have 12 air/heat pumps, purchased and in operation, that are capable of heating and cooling 6 floors.
This next phase means building 3 new floors on top of the existing 3 storey building. The top two floors will remain in shell form whilst the 4th floor will be fitted out and put into operation. By constructing all three new floors now we can put the roof in its final place.
This final placement of the roof will enable us to install the photovoltaic system with solar panels for hot water and install a roof garden. We are also planning a fish farm where the nutrient-rich water needed for the fish can be reused to enable us to grow vegetables and spices, for our own use, but also for sale.
We are very grateful that we have already received funding for the 4th floor, which will expand the facilities for the school, work for the severely disabled, assistive device supply, and an orthopedic workshop.
The construction of the last two floors in shell form will cost around €950,000, of which €350,000 has already been saved. Can we find people, foundations, companies, organizations, etc. who will help us on this stage of our journey with the Lifegate Center and help us come closer to realising the vision that we had in 2004?
What was our vision in 2004 and how does it relate to expanding the space available in the Lifegate Center?
The new space will mean that local families (including those from Gaza) will be able to receive encouragement, counseling, therapy, and medical care for their disabled children and relatives.
But the increased space will also enable us to extend our vision beyond helping people locally. We want to be able to welcome people from the Middle East and around the world to seminars, further education courses and barrier-free travel in the Holy Land.
Our collaboration with the American organization Joni and Friends has enabled us to establish many contacts with our neighboring countries. We are networked with Christians in Jordan, Egypt, Armenia, Iraq, Turkey, as well as Lebanon and Syria, whom we want to strengthen and provide with aids for people with disabilities that benefit all people in these countries.
The Lifegate Center (geographically in the center) can become a „lighthouse” from which light and hope can shine out for the people of these countries. Perhaps even a beautiful and appropriate name for this project: „Lifegate Lighthouse”. Joni Erikson Tada and Samuel Koch have assumed patronage for this project.
It is our prayer that people, even in the present circumstances, will learn anew how to live in peace. But we are not waiting for it to happen through politics. Such a change must come from the grassroots of society by way of good examples that inspire people and give them the courage to become peacemakers. And it is particularly inspiring when these examples come from people who have no lobby. We talk little and do much. The results and impact speak for themselves.
It would be a real source of joy to see hearts and doors open to funding this next stage of our project so that we can further pursue the well-being of the people we live amongst. It is the same good news that was born into this world in Beit Jala/Bethlehem and that can still bring healing and prospering to this wounded world.
With kind regards and blessings
Yours, Burghard Schunkert and the Lifegate team