Day 5 of Trip to Israel - 07/23/07

One of the main reasons Pastor Mike and I are here is to represent New Hope Mililani at the annual Foursquare denomination convention. It has been a wonderful experience as God is granting us a greater love, understanding, and vision for this city called Jerusalem, this land called Israel, and the people who are Jewish both here and across the world.













This is the Israel Convention Center where our convention is being held.













Ken Medema led us in morning worship. This man continues to amaze me with his anointing. Here he uses his chest as a drum.













Throughout the day, we are continually praying and rejoicing in unison.













I appreciate how Pastor Jack blends in with the culture.













This is Ari Sorko-Ram, a pastor to the Messianic Jewish people. He gave a strong biblical message on how the Christian faith started with the Jewish people, was extended to the Gentiles, and now needs to be renewed with the Jewish people.













Tommy Walker led us in worship for the second morning session.













You may have read back in April when three Christians were murdered by young Muslims in Turkey. Because of that one act, this pastor, Ihsan Ozbek, was interviewed on international TV and radio and was able to spread the gospel. It is a reminder that the Christian life is not just a life of love and joy, but one of suffering and death.













Pastor David Davis leads a church that ministers to Jewish, Arab and Ethiopian Christians. Here, his wife, Karen Davis, representing the Jewish people, and Anna Hayford, the wife of Jack Hayford, representing the nations, light the menorah, as a symbol of the Jewish people and the other nations being united as one.













The evening session again started with prayer and praise.













This is Pedro Eustache, an accomplished musician, who has handcrafted 500 instruments, many of them wind instruments. He has performed on the soundtracks of the Passion of the Christ and Pirates of the Caribbean.













Pastor Jack gave the evening message...













...and concluded it by handing out to everyone anointing oil where we all laid hands on one another and prayed.













Pastor Jack there are six reasons why Jerusalem is special:
1) This is the only city where the Lord has put His name here.
2) Salvation came from this place.
3) Jesus was crucified here.
4) Jesus resurrected here.
5) Jesus ascended from here.
6) Jesus will return to here.

One of the things they did at the convention was to honor those who has served in the Foursquare denomination for 25, 50, and 60 years. Here Ken Medema composes a song on the spot while the slides (which he can't see) scrolls. It's pretty amazing how he can end right when the show ends.


Tommy Walker was asked to compose a song to help the American people fall in love with Israel. I believe the title of this is "Celebrate the Land of Israel."