At a time when Israel stands at the center of global attention and the Jewish people face mounting challenges, I had the privilege this past week of traveling across the United States and encountering something deeply encouraging: a rising tide of Christian leaders and communities turning toward the God of Israel, the Torah, and the eternal teachings of the Hebrew Bible.
My journey began in Kansas City, where I was hosted by Pastor Marilyn Griffin at Ministries of New Life for their 2026 convocation. Speaking before approximately 150 pastors, ministers, and community members from across the country, I shared the Jewish understanding of teshuva—not merely repentance, but return. In the Hebrew Bible, teshuva is a call to return to God, to take responsibility for the past, and to actively repair what has been broken. It is a message as urgent today as ever, not only on a personal level, but for nations and leaders seeking moral clarity in a turbulent world.
From there, I continued to Seattle, Washington, where I joined Pastor Mark Biltz at Congregation El Shaddai. There, I encountered a community deeply committed to engaging with Torah and understanding the Hebrew roots of their faith. I addressed more than 100 participants in person, while over 1,000 additional viewers joined via livestream from more than 20 countries. Together, we explored the themes of the month of Elul and the powerful teaching that “the King is in the field”—that in this sacred time leading up to the High Holy Days, God draws close to His people, inviting a renewed relationship grounded in sincerity and return.
What was most striking throughout these encounters was not only the scale of participation, but the depth of sincerity. These were not casual observers. These were leaders and communities actively seeking truth, turning to the Hebrew Bible not as an abstract text, but as a living guide for faith and action. Their desire to learn, to connect, and to stand with the Jewish people was both genuine and deeply felt.
At Israel365, we speak often about building bridges between Jews and Christians who share a love for the Land and People of Israel. This past week, I saw those bridges in action. I witnessed Christian leaders who are not only teaching about Israel, but who are cultivating authentic relationships with the Jewish people—relationships rooted in respect, shared values, and a recognition of the centrality of the God of Israel in our collective story.
On a personal level, I was deeply moved by the warmth, care, and friendship extended to me by both Pastor Marilyn Griffin and Pastor Mark Biltz. Their concern for Israel and the Jewish people is not theoretical—it is heartfelt, lived, and expressed through action.
I returned from this journey with a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Even in challenging times, there is a growing global movement of individuals and communities who are seeking the truth of the Hebrew Bible, embracing the message of return, and standing side by side with the Jewish people.
This is the work of Israel365. And this is the future we are building – together.
