The Council of Heads of Churches in Jordan has reviewed plans for a future Museum of the Baptism of the Lord at Al-Maghtas, the site traditionally associated with the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist.

The meeting was held in Amman and attended by representatives of Jordan’s Christian churches, officials from relevant organizations, and Ihab Ammarin, director of the Jordan Museum. Participants were presented with a preliminary concept for the exhibition and the proposed structure of the museum’s galleries. The meeting was reported on social media by the press service of the Jordanian Diocese of the Jerusalem Church.

The project aims to present Al-Maghtas not only as an archaeological site, but also as an important Christian pilgrimage destination. The museum’s exhibitions are expected to bring together the biblical account of Christ’s baptism, the theological significance of the sacrament, archaeological discoveries, and the history of Christianity in Jordan.

Developers have identified three central themes for the museum: the desert, water, and witness. Representatives of different Christian traditions are also expected to contribute to the development of the museum’s content. The Council of Heads of Churches plans to provide the project team with theological, biblical, and patristic materials.

Al-Maghtas is located on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, approximately nine kilometers north of the Dead Sea. UNESCO added the Baptism Site, known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, to the World Heritage List in 2015.

The site contains the remains of Roman and Byzantine-era churches and chapels, a monastery, hermits’ caves, ancient water systems, and baptismal pools. Most Christian denominations recognize Al-Maghtas as being associated with the baptism of Jesus.

The museum will form part of a broader development program for Al-Maghtas. In August, Jordanian authorities announced major projects planned ahead of 2030, when the 2,000th anniversary of Christ’s baptism is expected to be commemorated.

Approximately $120 million is expected to be allocated to the development of the area surrounding the holy site. In addition to the museum, the plans include a village for pilgrims and tourists, infrastructure improvements, and the creation of a green corridor.

Preliminary work is expected to begin by the end of the first quarter of 2027, while the main facilities are scheduled for completion in early 2029.

Al-Maghtas’s development is also expanding beyond tourism infrastructure. In May 2026, the International Orthodox University opened at the site, becoming the first Christian institution of higher education in Jordan. The opening ceremony was attended by King Abdullah II of Jordan, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, and representatives of several Christian traditions.