Support Is Welcomed and Requires Review

Tomorrow, Tuesday January 17th, the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus will hold its sixth annual “Night to Honor Our Christian Allies” in conjunction with the World Jewish Congress. Knesset members from across the political spectrum and government leaders will join both Jews and Christians will attend a reception in honor of Christians who have been steadfast in their commitment to Israel.

I attended last year's event.

This year, organizers have chosen to award Bishop Daniel Williams, Lead Pastor of Christ the Redeemer Church in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida and former Chairman of Teen Mania, in recognition of his activities on behalf of Israel. In the Statement of Beliefs of Teen Mania, I found this:

We believe in the resurrection of the saved to eternal life, and the everlasting punishment of those who have rejected God’s offer of forgiveness and salvation through His Son.

I would like to know exactly what that means or, at least, to whom does that refer.

I also note that he:

founded Go To Nations, which spreads the Christian faith and provides for humanitarian needs in in 86 countries but does not do missionary work in Israel. Go To Nations has started more than 1,000 churches in the former Soviet Union since the Iron Curtain fell and was also involved in saving Soviet Jews. He said:

I am not so sure I am worthy of being honored in Jerusalem. I am proud that I helped the caucus advance legislation in parliaments around the world getting Jerusalem recognized as the eternal capital of Israel. My advice to the Israeli government is to stay the course and be as fair as possible to all of its people, while protecting them. I hope that yet more Christians around the world will support Israel.

The caucus, together with the Ministry for Tourism, will also honor Juergen Buehler, executive director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, for his contribution to Israeli tourism *.

Caucus chairman MK Dudu Rotem will address guests on the importance of developing Judeo-Christian relations based on the two religions’ mutual values as will fellow Caucus member, and Chairman of the World Jewish Congress Israel, MK Shai Hermesh. Other speakers include, Deputy Minister Ayoob Kara, WJC Secretary-General Dan Diker, KCAC director Josh Reinstein, Bridges for Peace President Rebecca Brimmer and Dr. Naim Khoury Pastor of First Baptist Bethlehem.

The KCAC is a multi-partisan caucus comprised of seventeen Knesset members. Established in 2004 by the late Dr Yuri Shtern, it is today chaired by Knesset Member David Rotem. The caucus aims to forge direct lines of communication between Knesset members and Christian leaders, organizations and political representatives in Israel and throughout the world.

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* If this is an example of tourism, I would wish to see the Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria added to the itinerary soon. There is always room for improvement.

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