Millennial Pastors See Israel through 'Fresh Lens' - CBN New Chris Mitchell

Millennial Pastors in Israel

Millennial Pastors See Israel through 'Fresh Lens'

03-28-2017

CBN New  Chris Mitchell

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JERUSALEM, Israel – For decades, the term "generation gap" has been used to define how younger people see the world compared with their parents. Those differences range from culture to politics to relationships, and as we found out, it also applies to Israel. That's why one ministry is introducing millennial pastors to the land of the Bible.

In their first visit to Israel, these young pastors got a special look at the country and its history.

"We need to represent Israel in a fresh lens and in a new way and cultivate that heart so that's why these trips are so important," Robert Stearns, founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings told CBN News.

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Stearns believes Israel is too often portrayed as a villain by the media, the U.N. and movements like BDS, which calls for boycott, divestment and sanctions against the Jewish state.

"Too often in a narrow first-glance look, Israel can be painted as the Goliath and the Palestinians as the David, and so it's really vital to come here and understand the realities on the ground," Stearns explained.

Those realities include seeing an Israel beyond the headlines and other noise.

"So many in my generation are saying 'I don't know what to believe any more,'" said Full Life Assembly of God Lead Pastor Nick Serban. "I'm going to have to see it to believe it. So coming here you see the truth and you connect with people. You talk with people. You do find out what actually is going on here."

Some felt that as millennials motivated by social justice, they need to hear the Jewish side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

"Taking the journey really of the Jewish people and being able to walk that with them and then being able to now say, 'I stand with Israel,'" said Pastor Christian Aranza with Church of the Highlands. "After seeing their journey there's no other side to stand on. You can't grasp that unless you're here."

Rabbi Pini Dunner, one of America's leading young rabbis, joined this group of evangelical pastors.

"I think that they get it and I think that the more that Jews realize that they have brothers and friends in the evangelical world, particularly with the emerging generation of millennials, I think the greater the chances for the success of the State of Israel and for the coming of the Messiah," Rabbi Dunner said.
Many felt it was time to make the trip to Israel.

"I would challenge everyone to do whatever it is, whatever sacrifice they have to make, whatever they have to set aside, to make this trip because it's life changing," said Pastor Terrell Snead with Worship Center Community Church.  

"For me, it's completely opened up my eyes for God's plan here for the Jewish people and for Christians this partnership that's starting to come together," Pastor Serban said. "It's history in the making." 

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Kathie Lee Gifford Inspires at Jerusalem Banquet - STEPHEN JENKS CHARISMA NEWS

Kathie Lee Gifford Inspires at Jerusalem Banquet

 6/9/2016 STEPHEN JENKS  charisma news

Eagles' Wings held its 10th annual Jerusalem Banquet at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park on June 2, 2016. The room was packed to capacity with dignitaries, celebrities, business leaders and religious leaders from both the Jewish and Christian community.

The high-energy evening included an address from Consul General of Israel in New York, Ido Aharoni. Prominent leaders of the evening included Jon Loew, Bishop David Thomas, Dr. Charlotte Frank, Irwin Hochberg, Pastor Juan Rivera and Kathie Lee Gifford.

Culminating the gathering, Aharoni presented Gifford the Ha Tikvah Award in honor of her strong support for Israel. Mrs. Gifford, an author, recording artist and Emmy-award-winning television host of the Today Show, recently traveled to Israel and did a series of segments helping her audience see the beauty of Israel and its people.

"We read in Genesis that the Spirit of God, which is translated in Hebrew as shalom, hovered over chaos before creation," Gifford said. "Each of us has the opportunity to bring shalom to the chaos of our world. Thank you Rev. Stearns for this honor and the great work you are doing to bring shalom."

Event chair Rev. Robert Stearns spoke to the crowd, enthusiastically sharing, "Tonight we are standing together as Jews and Christians united in our love and support for Israel and the Jewish people. Tonight in this room, we can change history."

The event centered on celebrating the legacy of amazing leaders in the Jewish and Christian communities, and equipping the next generation to be strong voices in support of Israel and the Jewish people. Dr. Charlotte Frank, vice president of McGraw Hill Education and chair of the Executive Committee of America-Israel Friendship League, was honored for her life of impact in education, advocacy and strengthening ties between Israel and America. Thomas, senior leader of the 5,000-member Victory Christian Center, whose ministry has touched many tens of thousands around the world, was honored for his years of faithful leadership and his steadfast support for Israel. 

One of the highlights of the evening was hearing passionate speeches from young Israel Experience Scholars. The Israel Experience which has been dubbed the "Christian Birthright" trains the best and brightest Christian college and university students to be informed ambassadors for Israel in the midst of a rising tide of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel sentiment on university campuses. 

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Inoculating Christian Leaders Against Replacement Theology - Ryan Jones ISRAEL TODAY

Inoculating Christian Leaders Against Replacement Theology

Monday, April 04, 2016 |  Ryan Jones  ISRAEL TODAY

Israel Today speaks to Robert Stearns of Eagles' Wings ministries about his efforts to inoculate young Christians against the new incarnations of Replacement Theology and anti-Semitism.

The full feature appears in the April 2016 issue of Israel Today Magazine.
CLICK HERE to read it all

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Annual Day of Prayer for Jerusalem - Sunday Oct. 4, 2015

Annual Day of Prayer for Jerusalem 

Sunday Oct. 4, 2015  

CBNNews.com

Friday, October 02, 2015

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JERUSALEM, Israel -- This Sunday Christians around the world will join together for the annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.

The event is sponsored by Eagles' Wings Ministry and is televised live overlooking Jerusalem's Old City.

At last year's event, Eagles' Wings Director Robert Stearns told Christians what the basis of the annual Day of Prayer is all about.

"But this day, this day is different. This day is a day of prayer in a city whose ultimate calling is to be a house of prayer for all nations," Stearns said.

Organizers estimate hundreds of millions of Christians join together on the first Sunday of October each year to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).

They say the day is set aside to raise global awareness and intercession for God's purposes in Israel.

Their goal is to unite believers worldwide on this day in what they say is "raising a cry to heaven on behalf of this troubled, but strategic land and its people."

Charismatic Churches Turn Toward Jerusalem

The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem is set for October 4. (Facebook )

Charismatic Churches Turn Toward Jerusalem

 9/22/2015 STEPHEN JANKS/EAGLES WINGS MINISTRIES  charisma news

The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem welcomes Jeff Farmer, President of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA) as a partnering leader in the annual global prayer movement for Jerusalem.

PCCNA represents over 480,000 churches and nearly 90 million followers of Christ worldwide. Farmer has officially endorsed the international prayer initiative for Jerusalem and has committed to mobilizing membership churches to join millions of Christians in prayer on Oct. 4.

"Praying for the peace of Jerusalem should be among our highest priorities in this life of knowing, loving and serving Christ," Farmer said. "Oh Father, inflame our hearts with fervent, unceasing prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. Amen!"

Robert Stearns, co-founder of the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, remarked, "We are deeply honored to have Dr. Jeff Farmer join us in praying for Jerusalem on Oct. 4. As the first president of PCCNA, Farmer has served as chairman for the past five years."

Farmer says the partnership is a strategic stepping stone to PCCNA's future and comes in the wake of five years of sustained membership growth.

PCCNA remains committed to bringing down walls that have separated different races and provides a framework for fellowship, dialogue and cooperation between the various Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations, churches and ministries in North America.

Farmer joins 1,300 other Christian endorsers who represent all different cultures, and denominations—among them are Paul Cedar, Ron Luce, Kay Arthur, Jane Hansen, T. D. Jakes and Ravi Zacharias. Their united call is for all believers to fulfill the Lord's mandate in Ps. 122:6, to pray for God's peace, blessing and love to Jews, Arabs and Christians alike in God's Holy City—Jerusalem.

Co-founded by Dr. Robert Stearns and Dr. Jack Hayford, the annual Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem—the first Sunday of every October—is one of the largest Israel-focused prayer events in history, with churches participating last year from over 175 nations, including those "underground" in seven Muslim nations.

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Why Some Jews Will Never Trust Evangelical Christians - ROBERT STEARNS

Why Some Jews Will Never Trust Evangelical Christians

12/5/2014 ROBERT STEARNS/FOR THE JERUSALEM POST  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Will Jews ever come to trust evangelical Christians? (Wikimedia Commons)

Evangelicals, while maintaining their view of Scripture and their faith in Jesus as the Messiah, are largely motivated in standing with Israel and the Jewish people worldwide.

As someone who has spent the last 20 years of my life at the intersection of Jewish and Christian communities worldwide, I have been asked countless times by Jewish friends: "Why do evangelicals possess such love for the Jewish people and the land of Israel?"

The question is usually presented with a mixture of perplexed amazement when a Jew first encounters this unwavering support along with an often unspoken skepticism attempting to uncover the real reason for this phenomenon and this unique offer of friendship. The skepticism is due, of course, with concerns regarding the evangelical agenda, the proselytization of the Jews, or relating an awareness of an apocalyptic theory that all Jews must return to Israel before the Second Coming of Christ.

The skepticism is well understood. Christian history has not been good for the Jews, and though many Jews welcome this commitment of friendship, nonetheless, it comes with deserved suspicion.

Pundits who would write off evangelical support to a cloaked, conspiratorial strategy for mass proselytization or wide-eyed hyper-apocalyptic theories simply do a vast disservice to reality. Reporting evangelical support for Israel as such is willful ignorance and shoddy journalism at best. It is blatant misleading of the public at worst.

Consider the brief history of evangelical support. It can be argued that modern organized Christian Zionist movement has found its structure and voice only over the past 35 years or so. Without question, the movement was profoundly catalyzed and impacted by rebirth of the State of Israel.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Bible-believing Christians, those who maintain a high view of Scripture as the inspired Word of God, viewed the rebirth of the State of Israel as perhaps the greatest prophetic fulfillment of Scripture since the birth of Jesus. It should be understood that the great majority of the Scriptures which evidence this are found in the Hebrew Bible, not so much in the New Testament.

Thus, Christians were amazed and rejoiced to witness the fulfillment of a prophetic promise from the Bible coming to pass in front of their eyes. It gave rise to a sense that Christians of today were living in prophetic times, and perhaps the return of Christ was at hand. The same Jewish texts that foretold the regathering of the Jews often made reference to the Messianic Age.

While this may have been the emotional, spiritual milieu into which the modern Christian Zionist movement was established 35 years ago, it is incorrect and borderline ridiculous to think that the movement has not grown and matured over the ensuing years. Indeed, especially those of us in its leadership, have wrestled with and as a result deepened our theology and have grown in our understanding of the sensitivities that exist in the newly established Jewish-Christian friendship and cooperation. While certainly still informed by the miraculous (even by agnostic standards) re-birth of Israel, today, my experience is that evangelicals, while maintaining their view of Scripture and their faith in Jesus as the Messiah, are largely motivated in standing with Israel and the Jewish  people worldwide by three certainties.

First, evangelicals feel an enormous sense of gratitude towards the Jewish people. There is a solid and increasing sense of appreciation for the Jewish foundation of the Christian faith. The Scriptures, the prophets, the Ten Commandments, the Mosaic foundation of Western law, the Jew Jesus, the early Christian leaders, who were all Jewish—these are all an absolute, a byproduct of Jewish fidelity to Jewish identity, which often came at the ultimate price of persecution or martyrdom of the Jews. Evangelical Christians stand in awe and are profoundly grateful that we in the West live in an ethical monotheism that is the result of Jewish faith and perseverance.

Secondly, evangelicals have a tremendous sense of repentance—tshuvah—for the past horrors perpetrated against the Jewish people, especially those done under the banner of Christianity. It should be noted that evangelicals do not relate to crusaders or more modern Christian expressions of anti-Semitism as even remotely Christian.

Indeed, this a significant disconnect from Rome-based Christianity, for an evangelical has validation in history and the current day. Like the Jews, Proto-evangelicals were often persecuted in times such as the Inquisition. Moreover, today, there is great tension and even animosity between Catholicism and evangelicalism throughout Latin America, as, for example, evangelical growth often results as Catholics abandon Catholicism for evangelicalism.

Simply put, evangelical Christianity is distinctly philo-Semitic in its theological orientation, while historic Rome-based Christianity has not been so, the blessed progress of Nostre Aetate, and the graciousness of John Paul II notwithstanding. Thus, evangelicals feel a tremendous sense of pain and sadness for what has been done in ancient and modern history to the Jews in the name of Christianity, coupled with a profound sense of wanting to help right that wrong.

Finally, there is undeniably an exponential increase of Christian martyrdom at the hands of jihadi Muslims around the world. There is a growing sense that much of the more liberal, mainline versions of Christianity are drying up and may soon cease to exist. Yet today, evangelicalism is experiencing exponential growth. That growth tragically has come with increasing persecution, especially at the hands of Islamists. Evangelicals understand intuitively that radical Islam is a threat to the Jewish people, the State of Israel, evangelicals and, in reality, the modern, civilized people of every background.

Evangelicals understand the need to forge alliances in light of this threat, and that the future existence of our world may well depend on how we bond together.

Evangelicals are natural allies of the modern State of Israel at a time when identifying and cultivating these supporters is crucial. We as a community have demonstrated unwavering support for decades in every way imaginable.

Continuing to buy into media stereotypes for evangelical motivation does a great disservice to this important relationship and slows progress towards mutual goals. In short, the Jewish community would do well to be as welcoming in reaching out and developing relationship with the evangelical community as they have with mainline Christian denominations and other interfaith groups.

Sometimes, people just want to be your friend.

Robert Stearns is the founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings, a global movement of churches, ministries and leaders. For the original article, visit jpost.com.

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"Jerusalem's Peace... A Day To Pray Together" Robert Stearns

"Jerusalem's Peace... A Day To Pray Together"

Robert Stearns, Clarence, NY

Dear Praying Friends,

GOD is stirring the hearts of His people to pray for Jerusalem as never before.

Join me in this global chorus of prayer on Sunday, October 5th as hundreds of millions of Christians in literally every corner of this planet will unite for the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ) – a day specifically set aside annually for the Church to gather and pray for Jerusalem. This prayer call has come from more than 1,300 global leaders.

Let your voice be heard on behalf of Israel and her inhabitants by doing these three (3) simple things:

1. Please forward this e-mail to as many people as you can.

Our goal is to reach 150 million Christians within the next 30 days with this timely message for the Body of Christ. Help us meet this goal. If you will simply take a moment right now and forward this on, especially to your pastor, close friends, and prayer partners, we can literally sound a global trumpet to bring clear focus and awareness to this urgent prayer effort. In just minutes you can make a difference.

2. Sign the "Call to Prayer Resolution."

Thousands of Christians from all over the world have signed this document calling for a day of global prayer for Jerusalem and all her inhabitants. Add your name to this growing number today. Click Here to add YOUR name to the Prayer Resolution.

3. Become the DPPJ Representative for your local church or city.

Make sure that your church is praying. The DPPJ is not a single location event but rather a worldwide celebration day when local churches pray for Jerusalem in their Sunday services, in accordance with Psalm 122:6:

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you."

There will be a Jerusalem Celebration on this day carried live on GOD TV around the world, but the real thrust of the initiative is on the local church level.

Order a FREE Prayer for Jerusalem Packet which contains helpful materials such as posters, prayer cards, videos, flyers, and children's resources for your local church.

In Jerusalem? Click Here if you will be in Jerusalem on Oct. 5th and would like to attend the Jerusalem celebration of the DPPJ that will be broadcast by GOD TV around the world, for more information.

We thank you for putting action to your prayers and for taking part in seeing God's true peace for Jerusalem unfold in this hour of history!

May the Lord's Shalom rest over each of you,

Rev. Robert Stearns
Co-Chairman, Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

Dr. Jack Hayford
Co-Chairman, Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

Dr. Paul Cedar
Executive Committee, Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

P.S. If you have not yet done so, please make sure to add your name to the tens of thousands of Christians around the world who have signed the "Call To Prayer Resolution." Be sure to check out the free online resources as well as the DPPJ materials available in more than 20 languages.

QUICK LINKS

Order your FREE Prayer for Jerusalem Packet (U.S. and Canada only)

Download FREE Prayer resources in 20+ languages

Download FREE Kids Curriculum (3-18 years old)

Download FREE College Student materials

Become a DPPJ coordinator in your region

Spread the Word! – Web banners, Links, and more to post to your own website

For more information, call the DPPJ office at 1-800-519-4647 or visit daytopray.com.

Robert Stearns is widely recognized as a visionary leader, compelling communicator, gifted strategist, and influential bridge builder. He is the founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings, a global movement of churches, ministries, and leaders. Eagles' Wings is involved in a variety of strategic projects around the world, with a unique emphasis on interfaith dialogue and humanitarian care. Robert's life flows out of deep commitment to Jesus that is characterized by a distinct prophetic edge. A noted author, world-class musician, and highly sought after public speaker, his written works have been translated into 8 languages, his music is appreciated around the world, and he has ministered in over thirty nations while maintaining a distinct focus on Israel.

Stearns is the founder of the worldwide prayer initiative, The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, which is observed every year the first Sunday in October. Dr. Stearns and Dr. Jack Hayford serve together as co-chairmen of this massive prayer mobilization, representing a growing coalition of 1,200 major global leaders of influence in the Christian church focused upon prayer for Jerusalem and all her inhabitants (www.daytopray.com).

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Jerusalem of Gold music video with Robert Stearns - "Let the Lion Roar" movie

Robert Stearns

Published on Jun 18, 2014

"Let The Lion Roar" is a book and Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack that will open your eyes to the truth of God's plans for the church. For more information see http://www.letthelionroar.com

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Robert Stearns: Open Gates and the Power of Imagination

Robert Stearns:

Open Gates and the Power of Imagination

Word of the Lord received on September 6, 2013, while in Sedona, AZ:

A Vision of Ancient Gates

I was caught up in the Spirit, and I was brought to a place with enormous Ancient Gates. The gates were covered over by debris and overrun by neglect.

The gates were enormous and were guarding access to a place of great authority and power. The question rose in my heart, "What can it be that these Gates guard and release?"

As I stood before the Gates, the wind of God began to blow upon them. Stronger and with increasing force, the breath of God began to blow away the debris that was covering the Gates.

As the Wind increased with greater force, I saw the name of the Gates that were written at the top of them. IMAGINATION was the name of these Ancient Gates.

As the breath of God breathed on them, all of a sudden, the word NATION became highlighted and glowing bright.

After a few moments, the word IMAGE began to glow with intensity, with even greater glory than the word NATION.

Finally, the full word, IMAGINATION was pulsing with a living light.

Creativity and the Power of Imagination

I heard the Spirit of The Lord say:

"Access to Creativity and the Power of Imagination, which is a gift from Me, has been in large measure locked up and withheld by the spirit of religion and earthly wisdom. The healing and blessing of Imagination, which I have created humanity with a great capacity for, has been locked up and minimized and perverted."

"But now," says The Lord, "I will open these Ancient Gates to My people. Two things will happen as these gates open. First, I will gather together My people as a Holy NATION unto Me. A global Holy Nation will gather together to the sound and light of Holy Imagination. Their peoplehood and unity and oneness will be restored as they think My thoughts and dream My dreams again."

"Second, I will release the authority for a restoration of the Image of God into the heart of humanity. 

For I, The Lord, have created humanity in My image, holy and pleasing to Me. As the anointing of Imagination is released with great impact now, the Image of My children will be healed. Places of great brokenness and pain will be restored in a moment as the glory of Holy Imagination is released."

The Lord is opening the Ancient Gates of the Power of Imagination. As this generation is flooded with this anointing, a Holy Nation will be called together, and the image of God will be restored where there has been pain and brokenness.

Robert Stearns
Executive Director, Eagles' Wings

Email: office@eagleswings.to

Website: eagleswings.to

Robert Stearns is widely recognized as a visionary leader, compelling communicator, gifted strategist, and influential bridge builder. He is the founder and executive director of Eagles' Wings, a global movement of churches, ministries, and leaders. A noted author, world-class musician, and highly sought after public speaker, his written works have been translated into 8 languages, his music is appreciated around the world, and he has ministered in over thirty nations while maintaining a distinct focus on Israel.

Stearns is the founder of the worldwide prayer initiative, The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, which is observed every year the first Sunday in October. Dr. Stearns and Dr. Jack Hayford serve together as co-chairmen of this massive prayer mobilization, representing a growing coalition of 1,200 major global leaders of influence in the Christian church focused upon prayer for Jerusalem and all her inhabitants. (www.daytopray.com).

Word was shared from: Elijah List

Editor's Note: We had the joy of being a part of the worship team at Mahesh Chavda Ministries conferences in Charlotte, NC in the 1990's when Robert Stearns led worship. What an awesome time! And we tremendously appreciate Robert's heart and support of Israel and the Jewish people. Steve Martin