BUFFALO, N.Y., July 23, 2007 – From its Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem held every October (
www.daytopray.com) to its Watchmen on the Wall and Israel Experience programs, Eagles’ Wings ministries has become a key player in fostering understanding and relationship between U.S. Christians and the State of Israel.
Jewish dignitaries from former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Israeli Knesset member Gilad Erdan have expressed their appreciation for the work that Eagles’ Wings ministries and its founder the Rev. Robert Stearns are doing on behalf of Israel.
“I am encouraged by the efforts being made by Robert Stearns and the Jerusalem Projects to educate Christians,” Erdan said. “These programs are raising up educated ambassadors to take a stand for truth in a world infected by lies and propaganda against Israel and our shared Judeo-Christian values.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu added “I think that speaking out, exposing this, fighting back against those who want to eliminate Israel is terribly important, and I am very excited about Christian Americans coming to Israel. The experience of these programs will be indelibly etched in their minds and hearts.”
Daniel Ayalon, former ambassador of Israel to the United States, specifically is encouraged by the understanding and relationships fostered between Israel and the U.S. through Eagles Wings’ Israel Experience College Scholarship Program. “Investing in the lives of future world leaders through education and firsthand experience is the single most important way by which we can secure a peaceful future for Israel and for all who embrace democratic values,” he said.
Rev. Stearns founded Eagles’ Wings ministries more than 15 years ago to encourage Christians to support and pray for Israel and the Jewish people. “We as believers in the God of Israel have been grafted into the Covenant of Abraham through faith (Romans 11), and we are ever mindful that the Jewish faith is the root that supports us, the branch,” Rev. Stearns said. “We want to help Christians understand this, and to hear clearly the biblical mandate to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
“That is the reason we established Eagles’ Wings ministries and why so many of our projects are done in support of Israel or to help increase understanding and knowledge about the Jewish faith as part of our Christian heritage,” Rev. Stearns continued. “Not only does this bring a blessing to us, but it brings a blessing to the people of Israel, as well.”
Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, founding rabbi of the City of Ephrat in Israel, agrees with Rev. Stearns. “Nothing has greater impact on humanity than ‘truth.’ Giving Christians the opportunity to encounter the truth about Israel and its people, connecting them to the Jewish roots of their faith, and teaching them about their own Christian heritage as it relates to Jews, will have a far-reaching impact on the future,” Rabbi Riskin said.
Another Knesset Member, Orit Noked, added “The Eagles’ Wings Jerusalem Projects are so important to the people and the State of Israel. Christian Leaders like Robert Stearns are focusing the attention of the worldwide Christian community upon Israel. The global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, the Israel Experience College Scholarship, and the Watchmen on the Wall Training Program are helping Christians to know how to help Israel, which is so necessary at this time.”
Even Arab Christians recognize the need for such an effort. Dr. T. Hamid, head of the IslamicReformation.com, said “I am an Arab, Egyptian, with a Muslim background. One of my dreams in life was to see such a day when the whole world prays for the peace of Jerusalem. I am so happy to see this dream happening.”
Naim Khoury, a Palestinian Arab and pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, adds “Our church has been bombed fourteen times because we stand for this land and for this nation (Israel). We need…to stand with Israel, to support this nation, and to keep Jerusalem a united city forever and ever. As the Bible says in Isaiah chapter forty, we need to comfort Israel…and pray that God will protect it from its enemies.”
Several times a year Eagles’ Wings Ministries brings Christians to Israel to connect with the land and the people, bringing support and strength to Jewish communities and leaders. The organization also sponsors other initiatives such as the Israel Experience college program and the Watchmen on the Wall Program, which build connections between the Jewish people, the people of Israel, and the Christian Church.
Finally, Eagles' Wings serves as the catalyst for the global Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, an international prayer effort that includes more than 150,000 churches in over by Dr. Jack Hayford, president of the Foursquare Denomination International and chancellor of The King’s College and Seminary, and Rev. Stearns. 100 nations, partnering in prayer for the city of Jerusalem on the first Sunday of every October. The initiative is co-chaired
The Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem events, which will occur this year on Oct. 7, will include Sunday worship service attendees from hundreds of thousands of churches across the globe. The day will be observed with a worldwide 24-hour teleconference call where Christians around the world join one another in “virtual prayer rooms.” In addition, there are regional observances with Israeli and Jewish representatives uniting with Christian leaders in worship and prayer; a Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem celebration service in Jerusalem; and worldwide coverage of the Day of Prayer events on GodTV.
Information is available online at
www.daytopray.com for use by churches in planning an entire service devoted to the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem, or to include a short time of prayer in the middle of a regular service. Audio and video clips, bulletin inserts, sermons, articles and brochures are downloadable by participating churches and individuals. Volunteers can sign up to be coordinators and others can look up their local coordinator to affirm their commitment to pray or offer their assistance in recruiting others to pray. Volunteer state coordinators are still needed in Colorado, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Nevada, South Carolina and Wyoming.