ICEJ branches show solidarity with Israel and interact with their communities in unique and creative ways around the world!

German Christians join mass prayer rally for Israel 
Around 1,000 German Christians recently took part in a mass prayer rally for Israel, the Middle East, and local Jewish communities, which was held at the Münsterplatz in the city of Ulm, in southern Germany. Members of the regional Jewish community and various other Jewish and Christian organizations took part in the solidarity and prayer event arranged the German branch of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Bestselling Israeli author Alon Penzel was welcomed as the guest of honor. 

ICEJ-UK Hosts Israel Conference in heart of London 
 
In September, the ICEJ-UK branch hosted its latest regional conference at the Kingdom Faith church in the heart of London, just a few blocks from Big Ben and the British Parliament. Host pastor Jonathan Croft is a member of our UK Board of Trustees, and along with his wife Helena oversees the Kingdom Faith fellowship, which was planted in this strategic location to raise a godly standard and intercede for the nation in the very center of this highly influential city. 

ICEJ Senior Vice President & Spokesman David Parsons arrived from Jerusalem to deliver a series of timely biblical messages on why Christians need to be standing with Israel in this difficult season. Later in the afternoon, hundreds of thousands of patriotic British citizens, including many Christians, took part in a massive march not far away, along a route where many strident anti-Israel demonstrations have been held in recent years.

Central African Republic celebrates the Feast: by Pastor Fermin

When lack of visas or other obstacles hinder travel to Israel, there is no need to be discouraged. Thanks to modern technology, our nation was represented at this year’s ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles, without having to board an airplane. We began our Feast celebration on Sunday, 5 October with the opening service at the Arpin Apostolic Church in Bangui, the capital and largest city of the Central African Republic. Worshippers and leaders from different denominations stood alongside the gathering in Israel to honour the Lord. For the rest of the week, we continued with a live stream of the celebration in real time from the Feast venues in Jerusalem. 

We were delighted to be able to organise this Feast Watch Party to allow Christians here in Central Africa to follow the celebration online starting Monday, 6 October, uniting hundreds of Christians from all Evangelical backgrounds in the Central African Republic, along with many ministry leaders and pastors. We know that our nation is being blessed by this prophetic celebration. Today, we can honestly say that we have heard the call of God to the nations, including our own country. We give glory to the Lord for being there alongside Israel in this significant celebration from Deuteronomy 16:16 and Zechariah 8:23. 

We continued at the Arpin church throughout the week until Monday, 13 October, when we concluded with a thanksgiving service and a family meal for all participants, organised and funded by our ICEJ-CAR branch. I am very happy to give thanks to the Lord for allowing our Central African Republic team to feel associated with the main Feast of Tabernacles celebration in Jerusalem this year by being connected online. 

ICEJ-Canada co-hosts actor Nathaniel Buzolic at pro-Israel rally  

ICEJ-Canada national director Donna Holbrook and her team recently co-hosted a rally in Toronto with Friends of JNF-Canada which was headlined by Australian and Hollywood actor Nathaniel Buzolic, who has become an outspoken Christian supporter of Israel on social media.  

Nate Buzz, as he is known by millions on social media, has become a prominent voice in the Christian Zionist movement, calling on Christians worldwide to stand with Israel. The popular actor is co-founder of Rova Media—an initiative launched after the October 7 massacres to combat antisemitism and misinformation about Israel. Wanting authenticity in his reporting, he has gone beyond visiting just Israel but also has spent time in Gaza. His global advocacy videos have accumulated over 50 million views. And in May 2024, he was selected as the first non-Israeli, non-Jew to light a torch on Israel’s Independence Day. 

At the Toronto rally, Nate spoke passionately and unapologetically about how Christians must take our Biblical stand with Israel and our Jewish friends. Nate also shared about his life journey to befriending Israel… from being abandoned by his father at age two, to his Croatian-Egyptian mother, and how he grew up not knowing anyone Jewish, just Arab Muslims. Nate went searching to fill a deep void in his heart, which led him to the unsafe territory of Iraq, where God met him and eventually led him to Israel and the Jewish side he did not yet know.  

The mixed Jewish-Christian audience included a large number of young Israelis living in Toronto who were encouraged by his Christian activism for Israel and the Jewish people. 

“The venue was a well-known Pentecostal church but that night it had a majority attendance from our Toronto Jewish community”, said Donna Holbrook. “Many of them had never been in a church before, but they know of our support and friendship. The evening filled our Jewish friends with hope, knowing that they are not alone.” 

ICEJ-Philippines holds October 7 Memorial: by Sally Maddatu, ICEJ-Philippines board member 

The ICEJ-Philippines branch recently sponsored, with support from nine other Christian Zionist organisations, a memorial event in Manila to remember the 1,200 victims of the October 7 terror invasion against Israel two years ago. Over one thousand people attended the gathering, which was held under the theme “Comfort, Comfort, My People”, from Isaiah 40:1. It was a night of many “firsts”. This was the first Christian event attended by the new Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Dana Kursh. It also was the first known time that a rabbi blew the shofar in a Christian gathering in a Christian church in the Philippines. In addition, it was the first time that the president of the local B’nai B’rith chapter prayed the She’ma in a Christian event. Finally, it was the first time that the president of the local Jewish community delivered a message in a Christian auditorium. His greeting included a warm expression of heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the Jewish community for all the Christians who have offered love and prayers, and taken a firm stand with Israel, which helps them feel that they are not alone. One other highlight was the candle-lighting ceremony led by Bishop Vince Javier, founder of Jesus Reigns Ministries, which contained a blend of mourning over October 7 and rejoicing in the Lord over Israel’s victory.