More than 1,000 American pastors and Christian influencers have been in the Holy Land, hearing from former Hamas hostages and paying their respects to Israel’s fallen soldiers.
The Ambassador Summit 2025 was organised as a partnership between Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Friends of Zion Museum in Jerusalem.
They said it was the largest gathering of its kind since the founding of modern Israel.
Friends of Zion (FOZ) founder Mike Evans told CBN News: “It’s the first time in history the State of Israel has officially partnered with 1,000 strategic pastors to commission them as ambassadors to combat antisemitism and reach the youth of their generation.”
“ISRAEL NEEDS EVANGELICALS TO HELP FIGHT AN IDEOLOGICAL WAR IT IS LOSING”
“Right now, there’s an ideological war that Israel is losing, so, they need the Evangelicals, they need the Zionists, to fight an ideological war which is massive.”
“It’s being funded by countries like Qatar and others through an anti-Christ-type AI, pounding away with bots to marginalise people and silence them.”
“One of the goals of this delegation is to strengthen Christian support during a time of rising global antisemitism.”
DELEGATION HEARS FROM FORMER HOSTAGES AT NOVA FESTIVAL MASS MURDER SITE
At the site of the Nova Music Festival where Hamas murdered hundreds of young people, the American Christian leaders heard former hostages tell stories of their capture, their release and their recovery.
Moran Stella Yanai who was abducted from the site, expressed gratitude to God, to the soldiers, and to the people of Israel.
“After two and a half years, I stand before the world to show that I chose life,” she said.
“I call myself a hero. I have won, and I celebrate my victory.”
“The very fact that I am here is proof that we prevailed.”
DEEPENING POLITICAL AND SPIRITUAL ALLIANCE BETWEEN US EVANGELICALS AND ISRAEL
When survivor Emily Damari thanked “God, the soldiers and President Trump,” the delegation rose to their feet in applause.
They also heard from first responders about the horrific scenes they encountered.
The event was about more than bearing witness to the October 7 massacre.
It was also about deepening a political and spiritual alliance with Israel that many of the Americans believe has been strengthened during the Trump administration, and which they now hope to defend in their churches, communities, and on US campuses.
US PASTORS HONOUR ISRAEL’S FALLEN SOLDIERS
The Jerusalem Post reports the group underwent comprehensive training to serve as pro-Israel “ambassadors” in their communities and on university campuses.
The US delegation attended an emotional memorial ceremony at Mount Herzl, a national cemetery also known as the Mount of Remembrance, where the Christians laid Israeli flags and flowers on the graves of fallen soldiers.
Among those taking part were the widows of Israeli heroes Lt.-Col. Tomer Greenberg and armoured unit fighter Naftali Gordon, as well as the father of Nova hero Staff Sgt. Aner Shapira.
WAR WIDOW: “MY HUSBAND WOULD HAVE BEEN DEEPLY MOVED BY THIS MOMENT”
Ashira Greenberg shared how her husband rescued the twin babies of the Berdichevsky family from the Kfar Aza kibbutz.
He called her and said that despite the death and the intense battles they had faced, the babies renewed his sense of mission.
The widow recalled how he used to tell his soldiers that the harder the situation became, the stronger the motivation to act and fight, and the greater the desire to create change and do good.
She concluded: “Tomer would have been deeply moved by this moment.”
“EVERYONE MUST SHARE THE BURDEN OF DEFENDING ISRAEL”
Pesi Gordon’s message was that the history of the Jewish people teaches what can happen when Israel does not have a state and does not have an army to defend it.
“Every individual has a duty to step forward, to enlist in the mission of saving the people of Israel, and to serve.”
“We must not leave the task of defending our people to a small group,” she added.
“Everyone must share the burden despite the difficulty.”
“THIS IS A BATTLE OF THE SPIRIT OF GOOD AGAINST EVIL”
Moshe Shapira, the father of Aner Shapira, shared the story of his son’s heroism at Nova.
He held off armed terrorists for half an hour with his bare hands and saved many lives.
The proud father stressed that Aner’s struggle “was not a battle of force against force, but a battle of the spirit of good against evil.”
“Aner left a legacy that evil must be fought through universal Biblical values of human dignity.”
HOPES, PRAYERS AND DREAMS AT THE WESTERN WALL
The 1000-strong US delegation also experienced “a truly powerful and unforgettable moment” at the Western Wall.
They placed their personal notes between the ancient stones with each one carrying hopes, prayers, and dreams from deep within the heart.
In a rare and meaningful gathering, they joined the Rabbi of the Western Wall in a shared prayer for unity, healing, and strength
It was a moment of reflection, emotion, and profound gratitude that will stay with each pastor for a long time.
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