< PreviousJerusalem Jubilee Celebration 50 years of Jerusalem’s reunification. MONDAY, JULY 17, 2017 The Middle East Briefing Influential voices in Israeli and American foreign policy hold discussions on recent developments in Israel, the Middle East and Washington, DC. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Live via satellite. Camp CUFI CUFI Kids/CUFI Youth Capitol Hill Talking Points CUFI’s Director David Brog’s briefing on Capitol Hill. CUFI WASHINGTON SUMMIT 2017 10 CUFI FALL 2017 “My third year attending - always a heart-stirring blessing!” – Donna Mcginty – Topeka, Kansas “An impactful event for Christians and Jews to strengthen the ties between the religions in support of the Jewish State of Israel.” – Brian Grodman – Manchester, New Hampshire Gary Bauer, Washington Director, CUFI Action Fund Lt. Col. Allen WestMalcolm Hoenlein Pastor John Hagee, CUFI Founder and Chairman Erick Stakelbeck, Host of The Watchman, Ambassador John Bolton, Malcolm Hoenlein, Lt. Col. Allen West, Pastor John Hagee Pastor John Hagee, CUFI Founder and Chairman opens the Washington Summit. 1967 IDF Soldier, Yaki Hetz receives the Defender of Israel Award. Yoram Hazony, President of the Herzl Institute in Jerusalem.A Night to Honor Israel Celebration in support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. CUFI WASHINGTON SUMMIT 2017 11 CUFI FALL 2017 “While listening to the testimonies of the people of Israel my eyes just start weeping with compassion and my heart gets a feeling of homesick for a land that I have never been to. It’s hard to explain.” – David Todd – Bristo, West Virginia “This is a wonderful opportunity to learn the truth about how important Jerusalem is to the USA and the world. To appreciate the blessings given through the military, economic, technological and health developments which have come from this beacon of light in such a dark area of the world.” – Carmen Metzger – Topeka, Kansas “I learned so much about the reality of what is happening in Israel that is not told in the news! I left the Summit with more passion and conviction for spreading the word to get others to support CUFI and Israel! I feel more empowered to speak about the issues and the legislation that should be passed. Thank you for all the great speakers and information.” – Beckie Greer – Scottsdale, Arizona “Attending the CUFI Summit was very informative and exciting. My husband and I enjoyed the fellowship with people who have the same beliefs and values for Israel’s safety and prosperity. Listening to the speakers provided information that we do not hear in the media. It was wonderful to hear the truth! Meeting our state representative and senators was eye-opening. Our group provided information that was apparently eye-opening to them. My husband and I would like to thank Pastor John Hagee, Diana Hagee and David Brog for the outstanding Summit that was organized for 2017. God Bless You for all you do for Israel and the U.S.” – Bonnie Davis – Homer City, Pennsylvania “Since my return back home I have personally invited several people and encouraged others to go to the Washington CUFI Summit next year and if possible to go the website cufi.org to support the organization. I obtained a clearer understanding of the role of CUFI as a supporter and friend of Israel.” – Zebria Coffey – Charlotte, North Carolina , David Brog, CUFI Founding Director Pastor John HageeAmbassador Ron DermerVice President Mike Pence Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg, CUFI Rabbinical Advisor Pastor Matt Hagee Erick Stakelbeck Pastor Scott Thomas, CUFI Florida State Director Emily Jones, Regent University12 CUFI FALL 2017 “Life changing, gives us hope and the tools we need to defend America and Israel in our community and our states.” – Thomas Wallace – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina MONDAY, JULY 17, 2017 CUFI WASHINGTON SUMMIT 2017 A Night to Honor Israel Celebration in support for the State of Israel and the Jewish people. “The CUFI Summit is always an inspirational experience. I look forward to being informed on the most current issues affecting Israel and the Jewish people. The speakers are always top-notch and have a zeal for the best interests of Israel. It is empowering as a US citizen to be able to go to Capitol Hill and speak to our elected officials. ... I really enjoy seeing familiar faces year after year. CUFI is like having a second family that is dedicated to the best interests of Israel and the USA!” – Dawn Morris – Hutto, Texas “WOW! WHAT A SUMMIT! It was my first one ever and I absolutely loved it! Being in the midst of thousands of people who love and support Israel as I do, moved me very deeply. I still tear up when I think about it. How can anyone forget the live satellite greeting from Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu or Vice President Mike Pence's address... or The Middle East Briefing by professionals with such expertise and knowledge on the events in that region. Many of them I have watched from my television screen for years, so it was a real treat to see them in person! Great experience and one I shall never forget. I will be writing about it for months on my FB page. Lord willing, I will be back next year! Thank you CUFI! Shalom!” – Marcy Smith – Sierra Vista, Arizona “If you want to experience citizen activism that focuses on preserving liberty and freedom, this summit is for you. The speakers will motivate you to action and show you how to interact with your elected federal officials.” – Carl Draper – Sulphur, Indiana Senator Joni Ernst Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White Skaggs, Musical Guests Pastor John and Diana Hagee13 CUFI FALL 2017 Donor Appreciation Banquet A special banquet to honor those who have donated to CUFI since July 2016. Speakers: Knesset member Avi Dichter, Chairman of the Israeli Cyber Defense Sub-committee, Dr. Sebastian Gorka, Deputy Assistant to President Trump and Musical Guests Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White Skaggs. Capitol Hill Meetings CUFI Support for Israel on Capitol Hill. CUFI WASHINGTON SUMMIT 2017 TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2017 View from the Hill Congress supports Israel and the quest for peace in the Middle East. CUFI on Campus Congressman Doug Lamborn David Brog, CUFI Founding Director Bishop Keith Butler, CUFI Executive Board Congressman Louie Gohmert Senator John Cornyn Senator Joni Ernst Congressman Trent Franks Marylou Cooke – CUFI on Campus student Cindy Thomas, CUFI Florida State Director Irving Roth, Holocaust Survivor Jessica Marzucco, CUFI on Campus National Director Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White Skaggs, Musical Guests Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg, CUFI Rabbinical Advisor Lyndon Allen, CUFI Central Regional Coordinator Avi Dichter, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Pastor John and Diana Hagee Pastor Jay Bailey, CUFI Georgia State Director Ron Acosta, Watchman Award Recipient Pastor Gary Trenum, CUFI City Director, Dayton OH Pastor George Morrison, CUFI Executive Board and Region 3 Director Sebastian Gorka 14 CUFI FALL 2017 CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL REFLECTION FROM THE 2017 DC SUMMIT “The reason I am such an avid supporter of Israel is that I happen to believe one of the very best things we can do for the United States of America is be the best friend Israel has.” -Representative Louie Gohmert “The Christian friends of Israel, you are always there for us. We have no better friends on earth than you. Thank you.” -Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “I am thrilled to be with you this morning. I want to thank you, first, for your wonderful passion and your advocacy and dedication to Israel. Christians United for Israel, you are great friends to all of us, so thank you.” -Senator Joni Ernst “And today, through Christians United for Israel, more than 3.3 million believers have raised their voices, have not been silent in support of Israel, and you can be heard in every city and town across America and in every office on Capitol Hill. And rest assured, the man down the street at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue hears you, too.” -Vice President Mike Pence“You know, it was only 11 years ago that my friend Pastor John Hagee had the courage and the vision to unite American Christians to rally around those ancient words “for Zion’s sake, I will not keep silent.” And, Pastor John Hagee, I thank you for your leadership on behalf of this nation and the Jewish state of Israel.” - Vice President Mike Pence “I fell in love with CUFI last January in San Antonio. You simply conquered my heart.” -Knesset Member Avi Dichter “This Summit is a demonstration of our commitment, and I continue to encourage all of you, and express my gratitude to you, for staying engaged and to keep reaching out to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Our support for the nation of Israel should never become a partisan issue.” -Senator John Cornyn “CUFI is one of the best grassroots organizations in America, and the cause that you support is like no other.” -Representative Doug Lamborn “Thank you Pastor Hagee. You are indeed not only a longstanding friend, but a friend through thick or thin.” -Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “For decades, America has been the backbone of Israel’s support in the world. Well, the backbone of that backbone is the support of millions of devout Christians across this great country. More than any other Christian organization, CUFI works year after year to make that backbone stronger and straighter than ever.” -Ambassador Ron Dermer “When I prayed at the Western Wall, it was there CUFI was born. And now thousands of Christians, millions of Christians, have risen up to be the defenders of Israel!” - Pastor John Hagee “Christians United for Israel plays such an important role in supporting the US-Israel relationship, and it’s extremely important for Christian groups like this to continue to stand strong for Israel. I cannot emphasize that in strong enough terms.” -Representative Trent Franks “If apathy is the problem, we’ve found the solution. It’s called CUFI on Campus.” - David Brog16 CUFI FALL 2017 O ver 450 college students attended Student Advocacy Training at the Washington DC Summit. Looking across the room at the opening event, the ballroom was packed with passionate young faces. Amazingly, the dedicated students in this room represented only half of the 400 schools where CUFI on Campus has a presence. The students who came to DC this year were the cream of the crop, and some flew from as far away as Hawaii and Alaska to be there. Their energy, enthusiasm, and engagement were palpable from the moment they arrived. All year long, CUFI members give generously, and sometimes sacrificially, to provide the scholarships for these young Christian college students to receive Israel advocacy training at the Summit. At the beginning of Student Advocacy Training, students heard the touching story of a Holocaust survivor who wrote a check to provide scholarships to CUFI on Campus students. An audible gasp could be heard from nearly every student in the room when they realized who had enabled them to be in DC for this event. More than a few wiped tears away, and you could see in their faces a determination to live up to the sacred trust to secure the future for Israel their benefactors had placed in them. What happened next proved that this trust is well-deserved. A diverse array of top CUFI on Campus student leaders shared their personal motivation for supporting Israel in an inspiring new segment called “Our Students Speak.” This set the tone for the rest of the Summit, and immediately captured the attention of students who were new to CUFI. The testimonies these student leaders shared of their connection to Israel’s story illustrated the core values of the Millennial generation: compassion, justice, and a strong desire to make the world a better place. Israel naturally fits those values, and for this reason young Christians are drawn to the Jewish State when they learn Israel’s story. Chan Bird, a member of the Crow Nation in Montana, was the first student to speak. As a Native American, Chan identifies strongly with the Jewish people as the indigenous people in the Land of Israel. “I believe that Native America has many commonalities with the people of Israel today. So for example, it is not a hard thing for a Native American to acknowledge the fact that Jews hold cultural, traditional and historical ties to the Land of Israel. Native Americans also likewise understand Israel’s current fight and desire for peace between its neighboring nations and the struggling fight to exist in the midst of hostile detestation of its surrounding nations. But I would like to acknowledge that, as the equivalent fact as Native America is the aboriginals to America, the Jewish people are in fact the aboriginals to Israel.” OUR STUDENTS SPEAK: Why ISRAEL Matters to Young Christians17 CUFI FALL 2017 Chan went on to explain that those who claim the Palestinian Arabs are the indigenous people of the land and have the stronger right to it are indisputably contradicted by the archaeological evidence that Jews have an unbroken presence in the Land of Israel for over 3,000 years. As a Native American, Chan knows the significance and sacredness of the tie between an indigenous people and their ancestral lands, and he knows how to identify the truth of the Jewish claim to Israel based on simple historical fact. The next student to speak was Hovsep Chaparian, the son of Armenian Christian immigrants from Syria and Lebanon whose family has suffered intense religious persecution in their native homelands. Before the Holocaust, Armenian Christians suffered a genocide 1.5 million were murdered in 1915. This tragedy is still not globally recognized as an official genocide, but the pain of it has not left the consciousness of the Armenian people. Hovsep’s great-great-grandfather was murdered while his family was forced to watch. He grew up hearing hundreds of horrific stories from his family members of what has happened to his people because of their faith. When he visited Israel in 2016 with CUFI on Campus, Hovsep met and spoke with Armenian Christians and Arab Christians living in Israel. Then this summer he went to Lebanon and saw the persecution of Christians there with his own eyes. Hovsep shared with the students what he learned from those two experiences. “I reflected a year ago, when I went to Israel with CUFI, and there I saw the Muslim call to prayer in the mornings, Christian evangelical churches, and Jewish temples side by side I thought about the contrast between Lebanon and Israel, and I realized – I knew this again, but I realized firsthand – that Israel is the only safe space for Christians in the Middle East. And this is one of the many reasons why I as an Armenian and as a Christian am proud to be pro-Israel.” One of the students who spoke, Ashley Garrett, lived in Israel for the past year. She gave a powerful testimony of how Israel’s commitment to humanitarian aid has blessed the world. She also praised the Israel Defense Forces as the most moral army in the world, a fact which has been corroborated by top military officials from other countries who have studied the actions and policies of the IDF. In Israel, Ashley experienced what it is like for Israelis to live in constant awareness that they are surrounded by people who might want to kill them. This confident, fearless American young woman discovered the fear that comes from seeing an abandoned bag on a bus in Israel, which could be a bomb. She worried about her friends who served in the IDF, realizing every time they left that they might not come back. But the incident that really drove home for Ashley what it is like to be an Israeli came when her necklace, a menorah, attracted the attention and hostility of a man on the streets. After noticing her necklace, the man asked if she was Jewish in a tone that suggested she might be in danger. Ashley froze in fear, and in her mind she wondered why it would be an issue even if she was Jewish. But when she told him she was a Christian, the man relaxed and acted as if everything was OK. That angered her. “This is the reality that they face. They just want to live. They just want to experience life, and just by being Jewish they’re hated in their own country. It’s disgusting!” Yet despite this reality, and in fact because of it, Israel leads the world in the skill, technology and readiness to be the first responder to humanitarian disasters around the globe. Ashley saw for herself the selflessness of Israelis who put themselves in danger every day in order to save lives, and that is why she admires Israel. She strongly encouraged the students in the room to use Israel’s humanitarian aid as the primary way to combat BDS and disarm the arguments of the people who hate Israel. For another student, Hannah Washington, it is Israel’s empowerment of women compared to the oppression and abuse of women in surrounding Middle Eastern countries that speaks to her. “Israeli women are not immune to violence, because of course Israel is not a perfect place, but unlike these surrounding countries women are not treated as second-class citizens in their own country. They are completely equal, and their country does not glorify or tolerate things like honor killings or female genital mutilation. Not only that, women in Israel thrive.” Other students gave additional personal reasons for supporting Israel and they all spoke with passion, conviction, and the undeniable honesty of their own experience. These are the things no anti-Israel activist can argue against, because these stories belong to the students and cannot be twisted. Hearing these stories at the beginning of the Student Advocacy Training electrified the whole group, and empowered them to take ownership of Israel’s story in a personal way. For students new to CUFI, these testimonies from their more seasoned peers inspired them that supporting Israel and being part of this organization is an excellent way to achieve their goal of making the world a better place. For veteran CUFI on Campus activists, these stories inspired them to use their own experiences as the foundation of their lifelong pro-Israel advocacy. For all of them, this event and the rest of their Summit experiences left an indelible mark on their hearts that will reverberate throughout their future careers, families, communities and churches for many generations to come. Whatever you have done and will do, as a member of CUFI, to support these students will have an eternal impact. Israel’s future is in good hands.18 CUFI FALL 2017 Flying thousands of feet in the air, Tel Aviv comes in sight. With us are twenty-four precious high school students buzzing with expectation for the Holy Land. Ranging in age from 16-17 years old, their eyes were bright with the future. Little did they know that many of those eyes would be filled with tears of compassion by the end of our ten day journey led by Destiny Albritton of CUFI on Campus and me. These young men and women come from three separate churches in the Central Region of CUFI: Cornerstone Christian School of Pastor John and Diana Hagee’s Cornerstone Church in Texas, Living Word Christian Center pastored by Mac and Lynne Hammond in Minnesota and Word of Faith International Christian Center led by Pastors Keith and Deborah Butler. No doubt; these are sharp students. Each organization sent a chaperone who provided solid preparation for their respective students before the trip. First stop Caesarea. The Mediterranean shore line wowed them with unexpected beauty and a history that set the tone for the remainder of the trip. The Bible began to come alive for them like never before; they were now seeing what they have only been reading about. The city where Cornelius lived was just the beginning of our tour (Acts 10). Moreover, our guide was Kool. Really, that was his name Philip Kool, fitting for a group of social media savvy high schoolers who ran away with the #CufiKoolYT. Yes, we had a Kool youth tour. We showed them the Mount of Beatitudes, boated upon the Sea of Galilee, visited Capernaum and drove through the Golan Heights, visiting IDF soldiers. Then, things took a more somber tone while in the north when all twenty-nine of us stood in a bomb shelter in Kibbutz Malkia with leader Eitan Oren. He explained what life would be like having a prolonged stay with several families in a bomb shelter. With that, I posed this question to the students: “How many of you have a bomb shelter beneath your house?” Of course, none responded. The seriousness of Israel’s reality settled deep within them. Here, they realized that their counterparts in the Holy Land were under regular physical and mental pressure. Life in their cities back home was far from this. Next, the students braved Masada at sunrise, hiking up the siege ramp side of the fortress. This site served to be a place of bonding for the students as the group rallied around one young lady who overcame her fear of heights atop Herod’s desert home. Every step squeezed out fear through every tear she cried. By the end of our time on Masada, this sweet young lady boldly stepped into the cable car that would bring us below, all the while being cheered by her peers. What an experience for all of us to have witnessed. She started in tears in the morning, by that afternoon, joy and laughter. She became an overcomer in Israel. On Shabbat night the Lord revealed the depth of the profound experience our youth were having. During our dinner, Nathan Cohen, our host, asked each of us for a brief introduction and to share our experiences thus far. That’s when the water works welled up in the eyes of all of us as one-by-one the impact of the trip began to be expressed through the heart of each student. Several stood and explained through tears the sorrow they felt for their peers in Israel having to live with the constant threat of harm. The gravity of which could not be experienced apart from coming to the land itself. The purpose of the trip had been captured; hearts were connected to Israel and the Jewish people. Walking in the physical localities of Christ’s ministry, being baptized in the Jordan River and floating in the Dead Sea, without question brought excitement to the trip. Not to mention their time in the Old City. However, when you see high schoolers shedding tears for the plight of their counterparts in Israel, you know a connection was made! At CUFI, our desire is to see the minds and hearts of future leaders gain a deeper understanding of the Word of God and to connect with the people of Israel and the land with zeal of the Lord (Zechariah 8:2). In the end, the passion for Israel and the Jewish people must not fizzle out in my generation but must be handed down to the next. Waving the national flags of Israel and the USA at events has its place but nothing can compare to the important step of seeing the next generation open their own hearts to the land and the people who have so touched ours. The future looks even brighter; it beams from their eyes. by Pastor Lyndon Allen ISRAEL: High School Eyes Have It Pastor Lyndon Allen serves as CUFI’s Central Regional Coordinator. Allen launched Total Life Victory, an organization dedicated to teaching about the importance of the Hebraic roots of the Church. Allen holds a degree from Biola University in La Mirada, CA focused on Organizational Leadership with an emphasis on Biblical Studies and Apologetics.IMPACT ISSUES GET INVOLVED TAKE ACTION GET INVOLVED INTRODUCING THE NEW CUFI WEBSITE Together, We Stand with Israel CHRISTIANS UNITED FOR ISRAEL We make Israel stronger and her people safer one person at a time. Add us all together, and we are millions of Christians speaking with one loud voice. But it starts with you. JOIN US AND LEARN/ACT/BE HEARD/STAND CUFI.ORGNext >