Israeli Pastor Speaks of Mid-East Awakening
Sunday, May 25, 2014 | Charles Gardner ISRAEL TODAY
A Jesus movement among both Jews and Muslims in the Middle East has been described by a Japanese-American pastor as a spiritual awakening that has never been seen before.
Peter Tsukahira was addressing a conference in Jerusalem aimed at strengthening the bonds of reconciliation between the sons of Abraham (Isaac and Ishmael). An invitation-only event, At the Crossroads was hosted in the Old City by Christ Church, the oldest Protestant church in the region.
Arab, Iranian, Turkish and Kurdish delegates attending from countries perceived as enemies of Israel risked their lives to come and enjoy the hospitality of their Jewish brothers, quite apart from the fact that Christians are suffering severe persecution in many of the Muslim-background nations represented.
Pastor Tsukahira, who is co-leader of a church on Mt Carmel in the north of Israel made up of both Jews and Arabs, said an awakening was taking place along the so-called ‘Isaiah 19 Highway’, which runs from Egypt to Assyria (including much of the Arab Middle East) via Israel. The prophet Isaiah had foretold of a time when these nations would become a blessing to one another.
The pastor said the church at large was in danger of entering a ‘dark age’, but could change the world if they affected every facet of life and culture with biblical foundations.
“Christianity is at a crossroads,” said Tsukahira. “One day Islam is going to fall, and then the Christians are going to have to step up with the answer and fill the vacuum. However, the kingdom of God is more than a gospel of church growth.”
One area in which the church had failed over the centuries was in cutting itself off from its Hebraic roots. But the last few verses of the Old Testament (in Malachi) speaks of how the hearts of the fathers will turn to their children, and the children to their fathers – paving the way for the Messiah’s second coming.
This, he says, refers to Christians re-connecting with their Jewish founding fathers. After all, God’s promise to Abraham was that he would be a blessing to all nations.
“I think it’s like going to a long movie after the intermission. We never understand why it ends the way it does, or learn of the part played by characters earlier on.”
Tsukahira believes that a big breakthrough among Arab Moslems would come quickly and suddenly, and would provoke the Jews to jealousy, paving the way for Israel’s national acceptance of Jesus as Messiah.
Photo Credit: Carino Casas, Christ Church
Charles Gardner is author of Israel the Chosen. He recently reported live from At the Crossroads in Jerusalem. His previous reports can be found here:
Arab & Jew Unite in Mideast Breakthrough
Peace in Our Time - in Jerusalem!
Muslim Goes to Mecca - and Finds Jesus!
Israel and Iran Pray for Each Other
From Baghdad to Jerusalem
Setting the Stage for the 'Isaiah 19' Highway
Iranian Woman Shares Journey of Faith in Jerusalem
Peace in Our Time - in Jerusalem!
Muslim Goes to Mecca - and Finds Jesus!
Israel and Iran Pray for Each Other
From Baghdad to Jerusalem
Setting the Stage for the 'Isaiah 19' Highway
Iranian Woman Shares Journey of Faith in Jerusalem
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