Church hosts night to honor Israel
Photo by Timothy Ramsey
Rabbi Mark Cohn speaks during Agape Faith Church’s Night to Honor Israel on Sunday, April 10.
BY TIMOTHY RAMSEY
FOR THE CHRONICLE
On Sunday, April 10, the Agape Faith Church located at 2101 Lewisville-Clemmons Road in Clemmons, together with Christians United for Israel (CUFI), held a special event entitled “A Night to Honor Israel.”
CUFI, founded in 2006, is the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States with over 2.5 million members. Their mission is to educate America’s Christians about the biblical and moral imperative to support Israel. They also look to provide a national association through which every pro-Israel church, parachurch organization, ministry or individual in America can speak and act with one voice in support of Israel in matters related to biblical issues.
Senior Pastor of Agape Faith Church, J.B. Whitfield, served as MC for the event. Pastor Whitfield is also the CUFI North Carolina State Director.
Rabbi Mark Cohn of Temple Emanuel in Winston-Salem spoke about how Jewish people and the land of Israel will always be connected no matter if they live there or not. Furthermore, Jewish people all over the world take pride in the accomplishments of their people and feel the pain of being belittled or attacked. He went on to say that Jewish people are not alone in their connection with the land of Israel. The beauty of the evening is for Jews and non-Jews to honor Israel together.
Ron Brummer, Deputy Consul General of Israel, excited everyone in the crowd immediately by telling them that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that CUFI is an “essential part of Israel’s national security.” He thanked everyone in the organization for their commitment and special bond to Israel, calling it an “Ultimate Alliance” due to the shared values based on the Ten Commandments. Brummer went on to express his concerns for anti-Semitic vandalism on college campuses in the U.S., as well as terrorist attacks on innocent civilians in Israel.
On behalf of Governor Pat McCrory, Jeff Epstein, the Secretary of the Department of Revenue, attended the event to share a letter that the governor had written.
In between the panelists, the Agape Faith Church Praise and Worship team took the stage and performed “Lord You’re Mighty,” which lifted the spirits of all in attendance. 2007 Dove Nominee Ladonna Taylor also performed various selections with her violin.
Pastor Victor Styrsky, the Eastern Regional Coordinator for CUFI, introduced the keynote speaker, Gary L. Bauer. Bauer, President of American Values and CUFI Executive Board Member, started his speech by conveying the point of when Christians and Jews stand together, they are the “worst nightmare” for Islamic terrorists. Bauer touched on his displeasure for the reaction of U.S. politicians on the terror attacks of innocent Israeli citizens by Palestinian rebel youth. He concluded by saying, “Does anyone believe that a Palestinian state carved out of these areas with half of Jerusalem as its capital would be a free society with religious tolerance willing to live in peace side by side with their Israeli neighbors?”
The CUFI will be holding a Summit in Washington D.C., July 18-19 where they look forward to celebrating a decade of solidarity with Israel and the Jewish People.
