The nation of Israel was birthed – or re-birthed – in May, 1948. Since that time, large numbers of American Christian leaders have visited “the Holy Land.” Earlier this month, the largest group ever of American Christian leaders visited for a week on a mission with a purpose.
The group included pastors and Christian leaders from Alabama.
A delegation of 1,000-plus U.S. Christian pastors and lay leaders arrived December 3 as part of a “Friends of Zion” project.
The trip, organized in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was designed to prepare participants to be unofficial ambassadors for Israel in their communities.
“We are ambassadors for Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:20.
Dr. Mike Evans — head of “Friends of Zion” and a counselor to President Donald Trump — said most Bible believers are Zionists, meaning that they support the right of the Israeli people to live in the “promised land” and it be an eternal home for the often-displaced Jews.
The huge group of pastors met with survivors of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas at the Supernova Music Festival.
“These devils that hate Jews hate Christians just as much. What is now being said against the state of Israel is one hundred times worse than what the Nazis said in their party platform in 1920, and everyone is ignoring it. They don’t realize how dangerous this is,” Evans said.
“The new wars of the 21st century are media wars, ideological wars, economic wars and proxy wars. And while Israel has never fought an ideological war, its enemies have,” he added.
“The 1,000 pastors represent tens of millions of Americans and have major media and social media influence.”
The initiative was approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The group included Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel and former Governor of Arkansas.
Evans said the Muslim Brotherhood has waged ideological warfare, describing it as a “powerful demon because it doesn’t clear customs, and you can’t kill it with a bullet.”
“More than half of the Palestinian population embraces Hamas’ ideology of radical Islam,” he claimed, “which isn’t based on land for peace but on establishing an Islamic state and eradicating the Jewish state.”
Evans noted that the Evangelical movement, representing 9.7% of the global population, has significantly influenced U.S. foreign policy through its belief that the Biblical land belongs to the Jewish people.
“The President loves us and knows how we feel about Israel,” he said. “We believe the President respects us and that we have his confidence and ear. We would not have had the hostages back without him. He will stand with us and will not cave in to Jew-haters’ intentions regarding Judea and Samaria or a Palestinian state. He will try everything he can to help Israel,” Evans added.
“We are seeking to unify — and demonstrate that unity — between evangelical Christian leaders in America, Israel and the Jewish people, and to counter any perception that this community is divided on the issue, because it is not,” Pastor Mike Atkins, a member of the delegation, told Fox News Digital.
“The antisemitism that erupted had long been simmering beneath the surface on university campuses and in major European cities. This is an open stand against the lies, and a declaration of our commitment to truth,” he said.
Atkins explained that the delegation has been exposed “at the highest levels” to firsthand insights — visiting the site of Hamas’ October 7, 2023 massacre, listening to victims and seeing the realities on the ground in Israel. Delegates, he said, have also received extensive information through symposium speakers on how to combat antisemitic deception and will continue to do so as they coalesce into a coalition.
“To the youth, I say: join the movement. Commit to never again allowing the poisonous deception of antisemitism to penetrate our culture. Take a stand, speak up and do not remain silent,” he said.
“The best medicine for Jewish Derangement Syndrome, an acute form of bigotry and antisemitism, is for people to come to Israel and see and hear for themselves. These American spiritual leaders are committed to using their pulpits and influence to provide truth,” Ambassador Huckabee said.
“Truth is the best antibiotic to combat the conspiracy theories and falsehoods said about the United States, its partnership with Israel and the Jewish people,” he added.
One of the organizers of the group was Travis Johnson, Pastor of Pathway Church in Mobile and Baldwin Counties. Johnson said:
“A thousand pastors came into Israel in the aftermath of October 7 and ongoing attacks from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis to stand with Israel. Rising antisemitism has been visible on the left for some time. Seeing it on the right through the megaphone of certain talking heads and their followers has been difficult to see. It is also very dangerous. Islamic extremism is wreaking havoc on Africa. Europe has bowed to it. And, America has its own problem with it as well. I’m proud to pray for Israel, stand with Israel, and to stand against this violent system of military conquest disguised as religion. My prayers are with the hostage families and the families of those who were killed on October 7. Not only is praying for the peace of Israel Biblical, it’s common sense. Israel is the ONLY bulwark against Islamic extremism in the Middle East —Would you join me in praying for the peace of Israel?”
Alabama’s Greg Davis was a part of the delegation. He is president and CEO of Alabama Citizens Action Program (ALCAP), a Christian lobbying group. He has a radio talk show “Priority Talk Radio,” that covers North Alabama.
One longtime backer of the group is former Alabama Governor Fob James.
The group had 2,000 applicants to go on the mission but only approved about 1,000 of them. They intend to go again in 2026.
For more information on Friends of Zion and Dr. Mike Evans, go to About – Jerusalem Prayer Team.
Jim Zig Zeigler is a contributing writer for Yellowhammer News. His beat includes the positive and colorful about Alabama – her people, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former State Auditor and Public Service Commissioner. You can reach him at [email protected]
