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Chosen People Ministries’ Affirmation of Israel:
A Response to the War Between Israel and Hamas

Preamble


As a ministry to Jewish people and a fellowship of Messianic congregations comprised of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus, we deplore the actions of Hamas and their sympathizers and are horrified by the heinous acts which commenced on October 7, 2023 and continue to this day.

We pray steps will be taken to eliminate the lethal presence of Hamas terrorists, the hostages be freed, Israel’s borders be secured and noncombatant Palestinians in Gaza and other parts of Israel be spared from the evils of these and other Islamic terrorists.

We also affirm our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; in His Messiah Jesus; and in the Holy Scriptures. In them we find truth and guidance for all areas of life, including the current war between Israel and Hamas.

The following affirmations articulate these fundamental beliefs which will guide our prayers and efforts during this difficult season. We call upon all who follow the Messiah Jesus to understand and embrace these affirmations as well.


Affirmations


  1. The Bible teaches God created Jewish people, giving the land of Israel as a rightful inheritance (Genesis 15:18–21, 17:1–6; Joshua 15:4–7; Romans 11:29).
  2. The Bible teaches God promised to bless Jewish people and chose His people to be a light and witness of His truth among the nations (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 44:8, 60:3).
  3. The Bible teaches God will remain faithful to Jewish people in keeping with His covenant promises (Jeremiah 31:35–37; Romans 11:28–29).
  4. The Bible teaches Satan has sought and will continue to seek the destruction of Jewish people through Israel’s enemies but will ultimately fail (Daniel 10:18–21, 12:1–4; Zechariah 12:9–12, 14:2–3).
  5. The Bible teaches Israel will embrace the gospel in the end of days through Jesus the Messiah, who will return to reign as King (Romans 11:25–36; Zechariah 12:10, 14:9–19, Matthew 23:37–39).
  6. The Bible calls all to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
  7. The Bible teaches Gentile believers in Jesus, “who formerly were far off [but] have been brought near by the blood of Christ,” should identify with the people of Israel, bearing their burdens, concerns, and challenges (Romans 11:17; Ephesians 2:12; Psalm 122:8–9).
  8. The Bible calls believers to love and bear witness to Jewish people and to comfort those who mourn, especially those whose loved ones were murdered or kidnapped since October 7, 2023 (Romans 11:11, 12:15; Matthew 25:31–40).

Conclusion


At this critical time in Israel’s history, we, as a ministry to Jewish people, are compelled to explicitly declare these affirmations. We invite you to join us in standing with Israel during this difficult time.

Signees
    Mitch Glaser, PhD
    President & Chief Executive Officer
    Rich Freeman, DMin
    Vice President of Church Ministries and Conferences
    Mitch Forman
    Vice President of U.S. Ministries
    David Sedaca
    Vice President
    Gregory Hagg, PhD
    Vice President of Academic Training
    Dave Lee, CPA
    Chief Financial Officer
    Roy Schwarcz
    Vice President of Congregational Ministries
    Ryan Karp
    Midwest Regional Director
    Mitch Forman
    New England Regional Director
    Michael Cohen
    West Coast Regional Director
    Olivier Melnick
    Southwest Regional Director
    Robert Walter
    Greater New York Regional Director
    Michael Herts, PsyD
    Southeast Regional Director
    Dennis Karp
    Mid-Atlantic Regional Director
    Daniel Nessim, PhD
    Northwest Regional Director
    Brian Crawford, DMin
    Director of Digital Evangelism
    Lawrence Hirsch
    Executive Director of Celebrate Messiah Australia
    Fernando Mercado
    Vice President of Communications and Marketing
    Cindy Forbes
    Partnership Director
    Scott Brown
    Staff Member
    Pirooz Abir
    Board Member
    Terry Amick
    Board Member
    Richard E. Averbeck, PhD
    Board Member
    Darrell L. Bock, PhD
    Board Member
    Jason Elam
    Board Member
    Thomas J. McHugh
    Chairman of the Board
    Barbara Medlin
    Board Member
    Ronald Regenstreif
    Board Member
    David Schiller
    Board Member
    Rande Spiegelman, CPA, CFP
    Vice Chairman of the Board
    Larry Feldman
    Regional Director Emeritus
    Ben Alpert
    Missionary
    Joanne Lazenby
    Youth worker
    Darlene Line
    Missionary
    Joseph Gray
    Pastor
    Michele Fisher
    Missionary to Japan
    Carl Harris
    Pastor
    Kenneth Trevithick
    Chaplain
    Linda Ahrens
    Chaplain
    John Shook
    Pastor/Teacher
    Erik Dye
    Pastor
    Ferenando Murga
    Pastor of Casa Fellowship Congregation Japan
    James Wilkerson
    Pastor
    Manfred Nochomowitz
    Ministry leader
    Joe Paolella
    Chaplain and Evangelist
    Jeffrey Kipp
    Messianic Pastor and Evangelist
    Norton Smith
    Pastor
    Scott Goodman
    Pastor
    Grace Youlden
    Campus minister
    Tommy Miller
    Senior Pastor
    Amer Olson
    Pastor, Olive Tree Congregation
    Scott Brown
    Missionary
    Paul Cohen
    Messianic Rabbi
    David E Williams Jr
    Pastor/EHS Manager
    Osazuwa Inneh
    Pastor/ Missionary
    Kenneth Larter
    Minister Emeritus Deerfield Presbyterian Church
    David Anderson
    Retired pastor
    Jesuyemi Timotheu Oloidi
    Mission/Missionary Evangelist
    Russell Nixon
    Pastor
    Collene Kent
    Missionary
    Ryan Wheeler
    Pastor
    Res Spears
    Pastor
    Dale Ribble
    Chaplain
    Tina Tripp
    Bible Teacher
    David Spaugh
    Pastor
    Stephen Baberadt
    Pastor
    Steve Ryu
    Pastor
    Robert Miles
    Messianic Pastor
    Jay Smith
    Pastor
    Gregory Jenkins
    Minister of Music
    Sharon Frankel
    Pastor
    Stephen Sinclair
    Pastor
    Steve Grooms
    Pastor
    Joe Kurry
    Senior Pastor
    Maria McCarthy
    Clergy
    Michael Brown
    Messianic Pastor
    Julia Schatz
    Missionary
    David Kemp
    Pastor
    Robert Sundholm
    Minister with SCORE International
    John Coad
    Pastor
    Terry Scott
    Pastor
    Sara Swinson
    Hospice Chaplain
    Brian Borger
    Pastor
    Lois Goodman
    Missionary
    Yaacov Ismach
    Pastor
    Glenn Blank
    Messianic Rabbi
    Jaime Luis Fret
    Pastor
    Carl Menefee
    Pastor
    Glenn Hall
    Pastor
    Wilma Sullivan
    Retired Missionary
    Jim Tilley
    Retired Pastor, Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology
    Siew Ping Crane
    Church Minister
    Russell G. Whitaker
    Pastor
    Sharon Phinney
    Bible Study Leader – Shuvah Yisrael
    Daniel Wendell
    Pastor
    Joyce Snyder
    Minister
    Charles Tutt
    Pastor
    Joe and Sheila Gonzalez
    Pastor
    Melvin Rahrig
    Pastor/Retired
    Glenn Butts
    Pastor
    Rebekah Johnston
    Pastor
    Gerald Waldron
    Pastor
    Robert Fritch
    Bible Teacher
    Stephen Feinstein
    Pastor
    Daniel Minton
    Pastor
    Scott Tiede
    Senior Pastor
    Penny Hall
    Pastor
    Walter Fletcher
    Pastor
    William Scarle
    Retired Clergy
    Greg Weems
    Minister
    Luke Long
    Ministry HOP Director
    Catherine Blanch
    Minister
    Tom Ranous
    Rabbi
    Linda Bass
    Pastor
    David Corbin
    Retired Pastor/Educator
    Nancy Harris
    Pastor
    Michael Coleman
    Minister
    Donald Francis
    Pastor
    Walter Minto
    Sr. Pastor
    Ellen Ravelin
    Church Pastor
    Charles Darrell Lynn
    Pastor and Counselor
    Jerry Rueb
    Pastor/Author/Missiologist
    Larry Feldman
    Messianic Rabbi and Branch Director