5,000 pack church in Israel's honor

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5,000 pack church in Israel's honor

By Abe Levy, The San Antonio Express-News, October 23, 2006

Five thousand people packed Cornerstone Church on Sunday night, clapping and cheering for Israel with speeches and songs of solidarity led by a Christian congregation thankful for its Hebrew roots.

On the stage sat about 20 men, a mix of Christian pastors and Jewish rabbis and leaders who have united in a special service of Judeo-Christianity started 21/2 decades ago and called the Night to Honor Israel.

And while much time was spent honoring the Jewish people and their homeland, the main message of the night was the global war on terror and Israel's role as the key defender of freedom.

"Pharaoh threatened Israel and he ended up fish food," said Cornerstone Pastor John Hagee, evoking a standing ovation. "When you predict that Israel is going to go away in a sudden storm, you may be predicting the way you disappear."

Hagee was referring to Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who he and others Sunday night said was Israel's biggest enemy because of his pursuit of nuclear weapons.

The Jewish and Christian leadership Sunday night also spent time thanking Hagee for being vocal about Christian Zionism, a belief that the Bible mandates support for Israel, whose creation nearly 60 years ago signals the imminent return of Christ.

Hagee founded Christians United for Israel in February as a way to unify the Christian Zionist voice in America and further strengthen U.S.-Israeli relations.

CUFI drew 3,500 people to Washington, D. C., for a summer lobbying effort that leaders said they hope to double next year.

"We have the momentum. We have the force. And soon the largest Christian organization in America will be the one fighting for the survival of Israel," said David Brog, who is Jewish and CUFI's executive director.

$7 million for Israel
During the night, Hagee announced new funding for Israel to the tune of $7 million, which will go toward bringing more Jews to Israel and helping Jewish orphans, among other causes.

Many Jews locally and as far away as Israel attended the Night to Honor Israel, including Ilan Sharon, head of Made in Israel, a company that helps Israeli-owned businesses sell their products to pro-Israel audiences.

Next to Cornerstone's sanctuary, a tent was set up where Sharon facilitated the sale of products from more than 70 Israeli vendors during the weekend.

"(Christian Zionists) make me even more proud to be a Jew. It makes me a stronger Jew," said Sharon.

"They are really doing it out of their heart. They do it to be a blessing to Israel."

But Hagee and his colleagues worried at least a small group in the audience who are critical of Christian Zionists.

They question how Christ's teachings of mercy and love fit into the Christian Zionist world, including Palestinian Christians and Muslims whose human rights while living under Israeli control are routinely violated, they say.

"It's a show, a performance," said Art Preisinger, a retired Lutheran minister and theology professor from San Antonio. "It's well orchestrated.

"In a sense, it's rah-rah for Israel, but from a theological point of view, I think it's idolatrous because it does not hold up Jesus Christ.

"It's the Republican Party at prayer," Preisinger said.

He was one of seven people in the audience who are associated with the Institute for the Study of Christian Zionism, which was formed last year in Chicago.

Earlier in the day, four protesters stood in the median of Stone Oak Parkway outside Cornerstone, holding signs that read:

"What would Jesus bomb?" and "Zionism equals hatred."

They said they felt compelled to protest because Hagee and his church appear to have the biggest forum to advocate for their cause in the heated conflict over what peace means in the Middle East.

"They need to realize that not everyone follows the Christian Bible," said Katie McDonough, a 24-year-old St. Mary's University student.

"They need to be more tolerant of other religions and people," she said.

Several drivers sent them thumbs down and disapproving nods of the head.

One driver pulled out of the Cornerstone Church driveway and stopped in his vehicle to ask why they were protesting.

"We are here because of the death of innocent children in Palestine and Lebanon," McDonough told the driver.

"Hagee doesn't support that," the driver said. "What he's talking about is so much bigger than that."

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