Korean Christians Show Support for Israel
By Peter Darg
From Seoul, Korea
CWNews
August 26 , 2005
CWNews.com – Christians worldwide are praying for the nation of Israel. There is a spiritual link between Korean Christians and Israel. The Israeli pullout from Gaza and northern Samaria has been difficult for Jews and for Christians worldwide. Many believe it strengthens Israel’s enemies and will lead to greater violence. So some Christians are taking an extra step to show public support for Israel.
The Orient and the Middle East came together in Seoul, Korea as nearly 500 pastors from Korean churches joined with Jewish political leaders from Jerusalem for a two-day Summit called Asia II. This gathering of Jews and Christians was intended, as was the first, to open a dialog between the two faiths.
Korean Christian members of the National Assembly spoke and held meetings with their counterparts from the Israeli Parliament. Many of the Korean pastors have a Bible-view understanding of Israel, but knew less about the contemporary situation. They wanted to pray effectively. By the end of this conference, the delegates knew a great deal more, so they could fully support a joint declaration, a resolution.
The resolution was explained by Josh Reinstein, who is with the Christian Caucus Israel Parliament. He said, “The resolution states that lobby groups would be formed and press on the respective governments in Asia, so that there will be a movement. A movement to move the respective embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a city that is important to all men and women of faith. Also, to lobby their governments not to vote on biased resolutions in the U.N. And put extreme pressure on politicians that give money toward the Palestinian Authority, to monitor it, to be sure it does not go towards terrorism.”
The declaration committed Korean churches to take a much stronger stand in support of Israel, than they had in the past. That would include promoting tourism, trade and spiritual ties with the Jewish State.
This objective has long been in the heart of a Philippines woman, Marissa Albert, who organized the Asia Summits.
She said, “No peace can be founded on the absence of the knowledge on which that peace is based. The fact is that Jerusalem is the City of Peace originally: Jeru-shalom meaning peace. Any division, from a vision of peace connected to Jerusalem, would divide any individual or any church that hopes to aspire to be at peace with the total vision of God.”
Organizers anticipate holding more Summits in Asia next year. And are expanding the conferences to South Africa and Europe, as well