Tributes paid to Notts missionary worker murdered in Israel
FRIENDS of a Notts missionary worker have spoken of their shock after she was found murdered in Israel.
Kristine Luken’s body was discovered bound and repeatedly stabbed outside Jerusalem.
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Kristine Luken
She and her friend Kay Wilson were out walking on Saturday when they were attacked by two men who asked them for water.
Ms Wilson survived despite being stabbed several times.
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Miss Luken, 44, of Blidworth, was a member of the Trent Vineyard Church, in Lenton.
A statement from John and Debby Wright, senior pastors at the church, said: “We were deeply shocked and saddened at the news of Kristine Luken’s tragic death in Israel.
“Kristine had recently joined our church and people that knew her described her as a beautiful and positive person who showed a real desire to serve those in need. She will be sorely missed.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family in the USA and with all her friends around the world.”
Miss Luken, who was originally from the USA, moved to Notts to take up a post with missionary organisation CMJ UK in Farnsfield last year.
Robin Aldridge, chief executive of CMJ UK – which stands for the Church’s Ministry among Jewish people – said: “We are deeply shocked by the violent death in Israel of our much-loved administrator Kristine Luken.
“Kristine had worked for the ministry for one year having previously worked for the American government. As a committed Christian with a deep love for the Jewish people she had contact with CMJ in America, Israel and the UK.”
Mr Aldridge said Miss Luken had recently taken on responsibility for Shoresh Tours, a CMJ company which organises tours to Israel.
He said she had been visiting friends in Israel, including Briton Ms Wilson, who is the senior tour guide for Shoresh.
After the attack, Ms Wilson told authorities the assailants at one point carefully removed her Star of David necklace and then stabbed her in the place it had rested on her chest.
Ms Wilson, 46, said: “It all happened so fast. They came and attacked us.
“It was clear that they came to kill. Who carries around a knife like that?”
CMJ UK currently has about 70 workers in Israel, although no others are from Notts.
Mr Aldridge, of Oxton, said: “We have been ministering in Israel since 1840 and this is the first time we have had staff assaulted, let alone killed. This is a tragic and isolated incident.”
He added: “CMJ will continue to share the gospel with the Jewish people and to work for forgiveness and reconciliation in Israel.”
Israeli authorities believe the murder was a politically-motivated attack by two Arab men.
Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a manhunt was under way. for the assailants.
He said: “The main lead line is that the attack was nationalistic, but we haven’t ruled out the possibility that it was criminal.”
Comments
by Steve, Notts
Thursday, December 23 2010, 5:29PM
“Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth. A survivor stated the attackers had Arabic Accents.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Thursday, December 23 2010, 10:27AM
“Steve I am all for informed comment and discussion. What I deplore is using a tragic incident to launch conspiracy theories and prejudices. I take it you picked up the "Arabic accents" from some other source. On the limited information available in the article it sounds likely that this was a premeditated attack but lets wait until the evidence is established before jumping to conclusions.”
by Rob, Nottingham
Thursday, December 23 2010, 7:53AM
“"Speculation"? "Two and two to make five"? The Star of David incident makes it pretty clear there was some kind of political motive. Thoughtful discussion may help understand the dynamics better. Why do I bother to read stuff about the organisation? Because I think informed and thoughtful comments are more useful than uninformed and ignorant rantings.”
by Steve, Notts
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 10:28PM
“Barry, Stapleford. There is nothing wrong with speculating, most discussions are speculation, so are we not allowed to comment from now on? You¿re starting to sound like Bill wanting to turn this into an obituary page. It would become quite sterile if no one could express an opinion. The evidence points to this being an Islamic attack on westerners because the murderers had Arabic accents and with there being more than one attacker it¿s unlikely they were mentally ill, unless of course you would class a fanatical Muslim as having a mental illness. You postulate an idea based on no evidence, wrong place, wrong time, man with a mental illness etc. and then hypocritically go on to accuse others of having conspiracy theories.”
by Non believer, and not living with an imaginary friend.
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 9:45PM
“Rob, Nottingham. Why even bother reading up on something that doesn¿t even exist. None of what you say makes any sense its all nonsense. I read your post and the two words that jumped out were "naive" and "eccentric" which just about summed it all up. I can explain what you¿re trying to explain in one sentence. "Religion causes a lot of problems in the world".”
by Barry, Stapleford
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 9:40PM
“Its a very unfortunate wrong place, wrong time, probable mentally ill man stabbing to death someone for no reason. The fact that it was a British Missionary and the setting was near Jerusalem, Israel is irrelevant. The types of tragic incidents, happen worldwide inc. The UK.
To the conspiracy morons, I suppose you believe Mossad trained a shark to eat humans and put it in The Red Sea to eat tourists in Sharm El Sheik. Grow up you tiny minded idiotic morons.”
by Steve, Notts
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 9:30PM
“Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
So no more comments Bill, Only sycophantic obituary notices allowed from now on.”
by Josephine, Derbyshire
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 9:11PM
“Although conjecture and theorising are relevant when the article itself quotes conjecture and theorising by the Israeli authorities, I agree that empathy and condolences for the lady's family and friends are more important.
I hope this approach includes discussion about doughnuts, and will apply in other news items also.”
by Bill Lawrenson, Keyworth
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 8:53PM
“Anyone else want to put two and two together and make five ? How about stopping the conjecture and theorising. It is a time for condolences and sorrow for the relative of the lady who was murdered and hope for a good recovery by Ms Wilson.”
by Josephine, Derbyshire
Wednesday, December 22 2010, 8:47PM
“Banned From This Is Derby. Are you still a member of MOSSAD, or have you joined the KKK?”