By Laurina Driesse and Jon Simmons

The Feast began on the third day with in-depth seminar teachings by ICEJ Senior Vice President David Parsons, local Israeli pastors Peter Tsukahira and Israel Pochtar, and pastor Li Hsieh Tsung from Taiwan.

In the evening, the ICEJ hosted Israeli guests for a special Feast program, featuring all the nations represented at the Feast taking part in the colourful ‘Roll Call of the Nations’ flag procession.

The evening opened with warm words from Dr. Mojmir Kallus, ICEJ Vice President for International Affairs, who extended heartfelt greetings to the Israeli guests on behalf of Christians from more than seventy nations. “We have come from the ends of the earth to stand with you, to celebrate the faithfulness of the God of Israel,” he declared, as the audience responded with resounding applause. Dr. Kallus highlighted the top five nations among the seventy-one represented at the Feast. These were Brazil with 101 delegates, Norway with 102 delegates, Germany with 119 delegates, Finland with 140 delegates, and the United States of America with 143 delegates.

H.E. President of the State of Israel, Isaac Herzog, took the podium as the Keynote speaker and warmly greeted and thanked those present for coming to Israel during this challenging time.

“It is no coincidence, friends, that you have gathered here at a decisive moment in the history of this region. You, lovers of Zion, have arrived here at a crossroads in which the choice for blessing or curse, for life and liberty or death and destruction, is laid out before us,” said Herzog. “Of course, your love for Israel is not new. For decades, your embassy in Jerusalem, the ICEJ, has been a global voice of Christian friendship, solidarity, and action for Israel. When others left Jerusalem, you came and said, like Abraham, Hineini, ‘we are here.’ We stand with the State of Israel, with the people of Israel, and with the Holy City.”

The President extended a word of thanks to the ICEJ: “I want to thank the ICEJ, its president, Dr. Jürgen Bühler and his excellent team. And Christian Zionist communities around the world. And I want to thank each of you who have made this pilgrimage of body, heart, and spirit to Israel. And those joining us now from around the world,” he said. “May God bless you for blessing Israel. May He bless Jerusalem. May He bring our hostages home as soon as possible. And may He spread His tabernacle, His canopy, His sukkah of peace, over all who love this land. Thank you.”

The atmosphere was rich with worship and unity as Hon. Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji, began by proclaiming from Isaiah 42:10: 

“Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you coastlands and you inhabitants of them.” 

With deep conviction, he added, “Fijians know that God is with Israel. For decades, Christians in Fiji have longed to see our government stand in Jerusalem—the eternal capital of Israel. We do not boast in ourselves; we boast in the Lord. We are here to lift a new song of praise to the God of Israel.” 

Referring to Zechariah 8:22–23, he affirmed that “many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem… for we have heard that God is with you.” “That word is alive today,” he declared. “Fiji is small but growing in Spirit. We stand unashamedly with Israel and unshakably upon the Word of God. We are a people guided by faith, a people of prayer, and a nation that stands with God’s Word.” 

The Christian Embassy also honoured the seven nations that have opened embassies in Jerusalem over recent years, including the United States of America, Guatemala, Paraguay, Kosovo, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji. A special moment of honour followed as ICEJ presented the “Jerusalem Ambassador’s Award” to representatives who have established their embassies in Jerusalem: 

1. United States – represented by David R. Parsons, ICEJ Vice President and Senior Spokesman, on behalf of Ambassador Mike Huckabee 
2. Guatemala – Hon. Jay Allan, Deputy Ambassador and Minister Counselor 
3. Paraguay – Hon. Alejandro Rubin, Ambassador 
4. Kosovo – Hon. Ines Demiri, Ambassador 
5. Honduras – Hon. Tesla Flores Abadie, Chargé d’Affaires 
6. Papua New Guinea – Hon. Henry J. Mokono, Ambassador 
7. Fiji – Hon. Viliame Gavoka, Deputy Prime Minister 

Ambassador Huckabee, unable to attend sent a heartfelt message to the gathering: 

“The ICEJ is a wonderful organisation that has been a strong presence and voice for the Christian community in Israel. I was delighted to be able to share in the Succot ceremonies with you. Thank you for all you do for the cause of peace and understanding in the Land of the Bible. I hope I can make it up to you—with gratitude and respect.” — Ambassador Mike Huckabee 

Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel expressed her gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister of Fiji and to all seven nations for their consistent friendship and moral clarity in standing with Israel. “Let us continue together,” she said, “in the spirit of truth, faith, and courage.” 

The evening also included a special recognition for Rev. Malcolm Hedding, former ICEJ Executive Director, who received the prestigious Nehemiah Award for his decades of faithful leadership and contribution to the global Christian Zionist movement and Jewish communities. 

Nicole Yoder, ICEJ Vice President for AID and Aliyah, shared updates on the Embassy’s growing AID projects and Shimon Shamila, Director of Global Program of Aliyah & Integration, The Jewish Agency For Israel advised on the increased number of new immigrants to Israel. “Since October 7, more than 50,000 new Olim have arrived in Israel.” He also thanked the ICEJ for its consistent support of Aliyah. The ICEJ is partnering with the Jewish Agency For Israel and presented a check for $576,000 to them for a new digital platform, the ‘Aliyapp’, designed to help Jewish immigrants integrate into Israeli society. The initiative will assist thousands of olim in connecting with supportive communities nationwide, significantly enhancing their absorption into Israeli society. 

Closing the evening, ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler reflected on the resilience of the Israeli people. He spoke movingly of the courage of the Israeli people displayed since October 7th. “The people of Israel have risen like a lion,” he said. “Not only the soldiers, but civilians who ran toward danger to help their brothers and sisters. Since that day, something has shifted. The support for Israel among Pentecostal and evangelical believers worldwide has become unprecedented. Israel—you are not alone.” 

Watch the Feast highlight video

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