As Anti-Semitism Rages, Christians Stand with Israel

By John Waage

CBN News Sr. Editor

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Ad Feedback

At a Washington conference on extremism last week, President Barack Obama claimed the world's terror threats were not rooted in Islam. He sees the issue as a law enforcement problem -- a battle with difficult rogues of all faiths, not a civilizational war.

The president told the conference hosted by the State Department, "The notion that the West is at war with Islam is an ugly lie, and all of us, regardless of our faith, have a responsibility to reject it."

But his remarks come as much of the globe is engulfed in a growing flood of hatred of Jews and persecution of Christians, a large portion of it coming from the Muslim world.

That includes terror groups such as ISIS, the founders of an Islamic empire, and Iran, whose leaders have preached the extermination of Israel for decades.

In addition, French President Francois Hollande visited a cemetery where Jewish graves, some hundreds of years old, had been defaced. He warned that acts of anti-Semitism there doubled in the past two years, with the number skyrocketing in 2015.

The most tragic were the murders in a kosher deli near Paris following the mass slayings at the Charlie Hebdo newspaper.

The murder of a Jewish man in Copenhagen; the January assassination in Argentina of prosecutor Alberto Nisman, who was investigating Iranian connections to a bombing at a Jewish community center in 1994 that killed 85 people; and the killings of 21 Egyptian Christian Copts in Libya -- these are just a partial list of atrocities committed in 2015 against Jews and Christians by Muslim radicals.

Now, a new survey shows anti-Semitism is rampant on U.S. college campuses. Fifty-four percent of Jewish students say they saw acts of anti-Semitism at their colleges across the nation during the first six months of the 2013-2014 academic year. That's according to a study released by Trinity College and Brandeis University.

At another conference in Colorado, Christians and Jews heard a very different message from the one outlined by the president: to stand firm in the face of the growing persecution.

Wayne Hilsden, senior pastor at King of Kings Community in Jerusalem, spoke at a "Stand Firm for Israel Summit" hosted by Resurrection Fellowship in Loveland earlier this month.

He exhorted believers in Jesus to speak up on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people and to brace for fierce opposition.

Hilsden asked participants from more than a dozen nations and nearly two dozen states, "How many of you know that the more hatred comes against the Jewish people, those who stand with them in their time of trouble will also be hated?"

"We will also be slandered. We will also be lied against and falsely accused. It goes with the package," he said.

At the summit, Hilsden announced the launching of a new group called FIRM: the Fellowship of Israel-Related Ministries. The goal is for believers to learn from the book of Daniel -- to learn from the times we're in and to take a stand, regardless of what it costs -- and to do it in love.

"This is one of the most intimidating times in history, when the attacks of the enemy can spread like wildfire around the world, never eradicated," he cautioned. "And when we are attacked, we will be tempted to attack our accusers in return. But when we stand firm, let us be like Daniel and not return evil for evil; let us love our enemies."

Messianic Jewish leader Jonathan Bernis is president of Jewish Voice and a FIRM board member. He said fundamental Islam is the "carrier of the new anti-Semitism" and that Christians won't be spared in the spirtual battle that is upon us.

"I think the answer for the Muslim world is the same as the answer for the Jewish world, and His name is Yeshua -- Jesus," he told CBN News.

The leaders at the Colorado summit believe there is a special calling for young people, who respond better to calls of support for Israel and the Jewish people when they understand that the character of God's name is at stake.

"Because God's covenant is, endures forever. Because God's covenant is everlasting; because He's a faithful God. Because the calling and the gifts of God are irrevocable, that's why we stand with Israel," explained 22-year-old Michael Mistretta, one of the summit's Jerusalem-based organizers.

Christians Urged to 'Stand Firm' with Israel at CO Summit

CBNNews.com

Thursday, February 05, 2015

Ad Feedback

Hundreds of Christians and Messianic Jewish believers from nearly two dozen states and more than a dozen countries have gathered in Loveland, Colorado, for a Stand Firm with Israel summit.

Pastor Wayne Hilsden of Jerusalem's King of Kings Congregation and Pastor Jonathan Wiggins of Resurrection Fellowship in Loveland organized the summit amid growing concerns that Christians around the world need to stand with Israel in a time of growing danger to Jews and Christians and rapidly growing anti-Semitism, especially in Europe.

Hilsden also announced the formation of a group called FIRM, Fellowship of Israel-Related Ministries, to emphasize the biblically based importance of supporting Israel and the Jewish people.

Standing with Israel doesn't necessarily mean agreeing with every decision made by the Israeli government, Hilsden explained. But it does mean acknowledging the eternal covenant the Lord made with the Jewish people in the land with Israel.

It's Urgent That We Stand FIRM With Israel - Steve Strang Report

It's Urgent That We Stand FIRM With Israel

1/22/2015 STEVE STRANG  CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Wayne Hilsden (King of Kings Jerusalem)

Every once in a while something comes along that is so important it rises above many other things that are clamoring for our attention. Two weeks from now in Colorado, a new organization will be formed uniting Christian ministries who love and support Israel.

It is called the Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries (FIRM). They are holding their Israel Summit from Feb. 4-6 at Resurrection Fellowship Church in Loveland, Colorado.

There are many organizations that support Israel, and most have different functions. Some are more focused on lobbying and working with the Jewish community and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). 

I believe that it is time for Christian ministries to join together to support Israel, even embracing those believers who come from a Jewish background who are often excluded from participation in other pro-Israel organizations.

You know that I have been a big supporter of Israel. I have donated my time and resources helping to do what I could. Now I am throwing my weight behind Wayne Hilsden, the visionary and founder of FIRM. He is the pastor of King of Kings Community Jerusalem in the heart of the Israeli capital.

A Canadian by birth, he has pastored that congregation for more than 30 years. He has written for us numerous times, and I've had the privilege of visiting his congregation and seeing the impressive work, also over time becoming friends.

So when asked me to be involved, I jumped at the chance. I am planning to attend this important summit. I understand that more than 1,200 already have registered and the number continues to grow. Additionally, between 450 and 500 high school students who will be attending Friday's sessions, along with 75 to 90 Youth With a Mission (YWAM) students.

The Israel Summit is for all ages but Wayne says, "it will especially inspire and challenge youth to stand united with the Jewish people as anti-Semitism is spreading like a cancer."

"We'll hear God's heart for the Jewish people and reveal our biblical mandate to stand with Israel at this critical moment in history," Wayne says.

The cost is only $39, which is very reasonable. I urge you to quickly make plans in the two weeks that are left to participate in what I believe will be a historic event.

Featured speakers at the conference include Hilsden, Pastor Jack Hayford, Dr. Michael Brown, Calev Myers of the Jerusalem Institute of Justice and Jewish Voice Ministries International's Jonathan Bernis. Other leaders from Israel and around the world will be in attendance as well.

Billy Graham's daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, voiced her endorsement for FIRM on her Facebook page:

"My good friend, Wayne Hillsden, founded and pastors King of Kings Church in downtown Jerusalem. I have spoken there on two occasions, and each time I've been thrilled by what God is doing in the midst of the city He uniquely loves. Wayne has begun an initiative that is seeking to bring together ministries that stand with Israel during these very difficult days. His first public launch is a conference called the Israel Summit ... ."

Please share this link about the Israel Summit by email and social media to spread the word. Be sure to share this Strang Report as well.

As Wayne says, "There is a sense of urgency, and we need to rally the troops now, especially younger people, for worldwide support of Israel."

Steve Strang is the founding editor and publisher of Charisma. Follow him on Twitter @sstrang or Facebook (stephenestrang).

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive CHARISMA MAGAZINE by email.

King of Kings Community Jerusalem - Making Time for Community!

Shalom Friends! We hope that you are healthy and well and enjoyed a wonderful Passover and Easter season! We have had a busy few months here as we've spent time investing in what we truly believe in: community.  The Esco Bistro youth program has been steadily growing! This past weekend, a group of 19 students and staff went camping along the Sea of Galilee. They went hiking, swimming and climbed a ropes course. When they weren't running arund, they spent time learning about Peter, no better place than the Sea of Galilee! Earlier this month Esco Bistro had a bake sale to fund the trip and raised over $700! We love having them as a part of our community and seeing then grow in their walk with the Lord. In addition to our younger community members, our students at Kings School of Media participated in the Second, Annual KSM Mini Oscars! The students produced their own films and submitted them one week before the event for judging, then that evening winners for announced for categories from "Best Film" to "Best Cinematography" and "Best Sound Editing." The Jerusalem Post sent a reporter to attend the event and Kings School of Media had a write up in the paper the following week!  In order to further reach out beyond our community, the women on our staff organized a Women's Tea. They originally expected around 30 women, but over 80 signed up and attended! Ladies from communities all around Israel gathered in the Pavilion for tea, a light lunch and to be encouraged by different guest speakers. It was demanded that it become an annual event!

Finally, we are also thrilled to tell you that the floors on the P1 and C1 level of the Clal building have been cleaned and polished! As some of you may know, we have have been earnestly praying that the Clal building would be restored and seen as a place of beauty. Now under new management, the first order of action was to clean up the floors! It has brought new life and light to the area surrounding King of Kings, Cafe Forte and the Anchor of Hope Family Counseling Center. We are so excited and thankful for this answer to prayer!  You are a part of our community as well, so thank you for taking some time to read and learn about all the Lord is doing here at King of Kings! Don't forget to stop in and visit us at KKCJ.org or join us for service each Sunday through Live Stream, the links are below! Many blessings! Wayne Hilsden and the King of Kings Team +1 Forward to Friend Share Tweet

Donate to King of Kings Ministries King of Kings on Livestream Copyright © 2014 King of Kings Community Jerusalem, All rights reserved. You're receiving this newsletter because you indicated you wanted us to keep in contact with you when you gave us your email. Our mailing address is: King of Kings Community Jerusalem P.O. Box 427 Jerusalem 91003 Israel

CharismaNews - Steve Strang "Why Christians Must Pray for and Support Israel"

Why Christians Must Pray for and Support Israel

11/21/2013 STEVE STRANG, Charismanews

36

8

0

42

Steve Strang (center) poses for a photo in Efrat, Israel, with (left to right) rabbi David Nekrutman, Anne Ayalon, Sherry Khoury and her husband, pastor Steven Khoury, at the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation.

JERUSALEM, Israel—My sixth trip to Israel makes me realize more than ever the importance of Bible-believing Christians standing with Israel.

Nearly all my adult life, I’ve supported Israel by raising money to help the Jewish people, sponsoring events that foster support for Israel with other leaders such as John Hagee or encouraging people to travel to Israel, as my wife and I are doing this week with our friend and author Perry Stone.

I flew to Israel early, before the tour, to network with key leaders in a whirlwind couple of days of nonstop meetings that will provide story ideas for our print magazines or online. As soon as I have time to digest all I saw and learned, I will write articles about the interesting people I met.

But now I want to give an overview of who I met and what I learned, much of which is important not only for me but for each of us.

1. We must stand with other Christian believers in the land.

I met with Dan Juster, one of the apostolic leaders that is also one of the deepest thinkers in the modern Messianic movement. He helped me understand spiritually what’s going on in the land and how believers need prayer and support.

I then attended the exciting King of Kings congregation in downtown Jerusalem, pastored by my friend Wayne Hilsden. I had time to only attend one service while in Israel. While I would have enjoyed being at a service in Hebrew, I was more comfortable in Wayne’s English service that had the same spirit and style I’m used to in my own church. You can see their worship here.

I also learned firsthand of the opposition and persecution some believers face in Israel. Wayne pointed out an “anti-missionary” standing outside the service to urge young Jewish believers in Yeshua to turn away.

2. We must pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for a spiritual awakening in the land.

King of Kings has prayer 16 hours a day atop a 17-story building. The view over the city was magnificent. What a strategic location! The next day, I visited another 24/7 prayer ministry in a mixed Jewish and Arab area south of the Old City. To avoid attention, this group posts only small signs that say “24/7,” which the initiated know means intercessory prayer is offered there around the clock.

The prayer room is located in the TBN building and has a view of the Dome of the Rock. I didn’t interview anyone there. Instead, I joined the prayers for the peace of Jerusalem for strengthening believers, for nations standing with Israel and for ways to reach the Arab community with the gospel.

3. The Arab Christian community needs our support.

It is well known that at one time, the majority of the population in Bethlehem was Christian. According to a 2012 article in Israel Hayom, the municipality says that 40 percent of the 32,000 residents of Bethlehem are Christian. But, unofficial data suggests the percentage is actually lower. While many Arab Christians are nominal Christians whose families have been Christians for generations, there is a small and struggling evangelical Christian Arab community there.

One of the most impressive meetings I had was with a young Arab pastor named Steven Khoury, whose Calvary Church reaches about 400 people a week in the part of Jerusalem around the Mount of Olives. It is the only evangelical church in that area. They have a hard time even finding a place to meet. Members of his church have been killed by radicals, and he has had trouble raising the funds he needs to operate and buy property. I was impressed by this passionate young man, and I plan to write more about his church later.

4. There is a new era of understanding between evangelicals and some Orthodox Jews.

Steven Khoury is a good friend to a young Orthodox rabbi named David Nekrutman, the executive director of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation. In the biblical town of Efrat, it is the first example I’ve seen of the Orthodox community reaching out to evangelicals. That impressed me as well, and I will also write about it later.

My personal experience with the Orthodox has been no cooperation and often hostility. So I’m encouraged to hear about the breakthroughs between the two groups and to hear that at least at this center, the Orthodox seem to value the support that Christian Zionists give Israel.

5. It’s good to know a networker in a foreign land.

The friend who set up most of my appointments is Anne Ayalon, the wife of Danny Ayalon, who has served as an Israeli ambassador to the United States, in the Knesset and in many other important posts. Anne is a humble woman who has done as much as anyone I know to bridge the evangelical Christian and Jewish communities. Born an American, she converted to Judaism when she got married but describes herself only as a “woman of faith.” She declined to be interviewed because she prefers to be behind the scenes, where she is a connector and influencer.

I had many other wonderful meetings, including one with Chris Mitchell, bureau chief of the CBN Jerusalem bureau, who recently wrote an important new book called Dateline Jerusalem, which he calls an “eyewitness account of prophecies unfolding in the Middle East.” I also met some Israeli intellectuals who teach leadership principles from Bible characters to officers in the Israeli Defense Forces. And I got a very quick tour of the Bible Lands Museum by its director and saw the "Book of Books" display. I plan to go back to spend hours learning more about this wonderful land that gave us the Bible, which is God’s revelation to man.

My meetings have not ended. Later, I’m meeting with leaders of Magen David Adom—the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross which is the first responder in disasters—and with leaders of Operation Lifeshield. Both are charities for which we’ve raised money in the past. I also am meeting the head of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and a local publisher.

As I process what I’ve learned and do more research, I’ll write more. And I’ll tell you about this amazing tour with Perry Stone. My head is spinning after the first day of visiting the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Church of the Ascension, the Hill of Ill Counsel, the recently discovered Pool of Siloam, a kibbutz where a pivotal battle was won in the war of 1948, and some archeological digs south of the Temple Mount with actual pavement where Jesus would have walked. I can’t wait until tomorrow. I have six more days before the trip ends!

If you stand with Israel, if you’ve had a life-changing trip to Israel or if you learned anything from this column, leave your comments below.

Steve Strang is the founder and publisher of Charisma. Follow him on Twitter at @sstrang or Facebook (stephenestrang).

Did you enjoy this blog? Click here to receive it by email.

Jerusalem's Succat Hallel 24/7 New Prayer Room Dedication

On Nov. 4, 2013, Rick Ridings, leader of Succat Hallel prayer ministry in Jerusalem, and standing room only dedicated their new location. It is a few miles south of their former place which was next to the Mount Zion Hotel.

We were blessed to be in Jerusalem at the time and join them in praise, worship, prayer and greetings from such as Tom Hess, Wayne Hilsden (King of Kings), Richard and Carolyn Hyde and more. Joshua Aaron led the worship time.

Steve Martin
Love For His People

Pre-dedication music on the piano

Friends from St. Giles in Charlotte, NC

Tom Hess

Joshua Aaron

Rick Ridings greets the gathered.

Joshua Aaron - worship leader

Tom Hess and Wayne Hilsden (middle two)

Carolyn and Richard Hyde

Videos of the dedication that I recorded 

can be found on our YouTube Channel:

Love For His People

Back To The Future...

Ben and I leave Saturday, Nov. 2 at 11 am, for our annual fall Ahava Adventures trip to Israel. (This is my 11th trip. Ben's 2nd.)

These trips are part of our Love for His People ministries, which Laurie and I started in April, 2010. We are committed to go each year to meet with those we support on a monthly basis with contributions received. These are either Christians working as volunteers in ministries there, or believers who live in Israel. We have been doing  this even beyond the three years of the ministry.

On this ministry trip we will be joined by our good friend, 70 yr old pastor friend from India, John Ebenezer. I went to India in Feb. 2010 and spent four days teaching 75 pastors, that he oversees, on the importance of blessing Israel and the Jews. He is so excited about coming and getting baptized in the Jordan, among other events on his 1st time to Israel.

Pastor John Ebenezer from Hyderabad, A.P., India

(on the left)

Pastor John praying with one of his pastors in training.

Steve at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv

We land Sunday afternoon (Israel time) in Tel Aviv, are picked up by our friends from Christian Friends of Israel, and then drive to Tiberias on the Sea of Galillee. Supper is with a Messianic Jewish couple who moved there from Cleveland many years ago. 

We are also delivering 40 lbs of bandanas form the USA for the IDF soldiers (Israel Defense Force) which fills an extra suitcase I am bringing. Imprinted on the bandanas (scarves) is Psalm 91, both in Hebrew and English. We will personally give some of them to the young men and women on Monday when we visit a base in northern Israel.

                           

IDF (Israel Defense Force) soliders. Typically 18-21 yrs old.

Young women in the IDF.

Other highlights include dinners at five Israeli homes, again of those families/ministries we support; my meeting with the head pastor of Kings of Kings (for 30 years) in Jerusalem) and the Producer/Editor of Israel Today magazine, Aviel Schneider - both in Jerusalem.

Steve with Aviel Schneider 

of Israel Today magazine - Jerusalem

On Shabbat, Friday night, we will be with a young Jewish family of six, with another child due in 2014. Their apartment in central Jerusalem is less than 700 sq. ft. Packed, but full of love and hospitality!

Ben and I enjoyed a Shabbat meal with them during our last time in Jerusalem in 2010. We (Love For His People) send them $200 a month in regular support. We hope you join us in supporting families like these in The Land.

Click here to: Donate Even Now 

using our safe PayPal account

Another most important aspect of the trip, in addition to being with our friends, is to pray at the Western Wall (The Kotel in Hebrew). I will again place names in cracks in the Wall. Be blessed and send me your name and family members via e-mail (loveforhispeople@gmail.com). I will do it.

In order to keep our costs down, we only stay one night in a hotel. The other nights are with our friends. We walk a lot, and/or take the city bus and train to historic and spiritual locations. Keeps it cheap, and adventurous at the same time. We meet more of the local people this way, and share our ahava (love in Hebrew.)

Please pray for us as we journey to the Promised Land. Our solid commitment is to give strong, ongoing support to the Lord's Chosen people. It grows in our hearts every year. We love His provision, connections, and protection always.

Shalom and ahava! (Peace and love in Hebrew),

Steve, Laurie and Ben Martin

P.S. I am taking my camera (of course!) and laptop. Expect to see photos and videos on this blog and Facebook pages nightly! (Did you think otherwise??!!)

Next year in Jerusalem for you or a loved one?

Check this out by seeing our full website:

Love for His People - Ahava Adventures 2014

My good friend George Payne 

gave me this

Ahava Adventures jacket!

Young David in Jerusalem.

You can join with us 

in blessing families in Israel.

Please use the donate button

in the right hand column

to go to the 

Love For His People, Inc. 

contribution page.