Largest U.S. Christian Pastor Delegation Visits Israel to Strengthen Ties and Combat Antisemitism
JERUSALEM, Israel — A historic delegation of 1,000 U.S. Christian pastors and influencers arrived in Israel last week, marking the largest group of American Christian leaders to visit the Jewish state since its founding. Organized by the Friends of Zion Heritage Center in partnership with the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the mission aims to train these pastors as unofficial ambassadors who will advocate for Israel and combat antisemitism within their communities across the United States.
Dr. Mike Evans, founder of the Friends of Zion Heritage Center and a longtime confidant of former President Donald Trump, emphasized the critical role Evangelical Christians play as staunch Zionists. “These 1,000 pastors represent tens of millions of Americans and have major media and social media influence,” Evans told Fox News Digital. He warned of the growing dangers of antisemitism, describing the rhetoric against Israel as “one hundred times worse than what the Nazis said on their party platform in 1920,” and stressed the urgency of confronting these threats.
The initiative, which received approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes a rigorous vetting process to ensure participants have no hidden agendas and have signed pledges to stand in solidarity with the Jewish people. “We had over 2,000 applicants and selected those best suited for this first trip,” Evans explained.
During their visit, the delegation met with former Hamas captives at the site of the Supernova music festival, a poignant reminder of the ongoing conflict and the human cost borne by Israelis. Tamryn Foley, a member of the National Faith Advisory Board’s executive team, recounted an emotional encounter at Mount Herzl where a widow shared her story of loss. “Her daughter no longer has a daddy. Thinking that my little girl might not have her dad broke my heart. I connected on a deep personal level,” Foley said.
The National Faith Advisory Board, led by Pastor Paula White-Cain, is the largest coalition advocating for people of faith in the U.S. Its agenda prioritizes protecting religious freedom, promoting a strong America, defending life at all stages, and honoring family values, with a particular emphasis on the U.S.-Israel alliance.
Dr. Evans highlighted that the new battles of the 21st century are fought on ideological, economic, and media fronts, with Israel’s enemies engaging in proxy wars and ideological attacks. “While Israel has never fought an ideological war, its enemies have,” he said.
This mission is not only a symbolic gesture of solidarity but also a strategic effort to amplify pro-Israel voices in American society. By equipping pastors with firsthand experiences and knowledge, the Friends of Zion Ambassador Program seeks to strengthen grassroots support for Israel and raise awareness about the dangers of antisemitism.
For more information on Israel’s diplomatic efforts and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visit the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Details on combating antisemitism and hate crimes can be found through the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. The Friends of Zion Heritage Center’s initiatives are detailed at friendsofzion.org, while broader U.S.-Israel relations are covered by the U.S. Department of State.
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