A Friend of Israel—Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
These words from the Bible—spoken from the Gentile Ruth to her Jewish mother-in-law, Naomi—were quoted in a Christian publication in 1932.
As anti-Semitism rose in Germany—soon to spread across Europe, along with the Second World War—even then, Christians were standing up for their Jewish brothers and sisters. In this particular article, taken from the published archives of the Assemblies of God (AG), church leaders call on Christians to be like Ruth, supporting their needy Jewish loved ones.
This instance of bravery ended up on the right side of history. But it was just one in a long line of Christian and Jewish bridge-building and fellowship displayed by this denomination founded back in 1911. By 1915, the AG is condemning anti-Semitism in Europe—long before the Holocaust, Jews faced pogroms in Russia and elsewhere. And as soon as the Nazis began their rise to power, the AG voiced their stance against anti-Semitism and for the Jewish people, loudly and to the world.
This history of friendship between Christians and Jews is why Yael was excited to invite AG Director of Communications and Public Relations Mark Forrester to the podcast. Having served the AG for 16 years, Mark also published Trending Up: Social Media Strategies for Today’s Churches in collaboration with close friends across denominational lines.
A true bridge builder, Mark shares instances of historic and heroic support for the Jewish people. And a true friend of Israel, Mark talks about his first trip to Israel, as well as a visit to a southern kibbutz near Gaza shortly before the October 7th attacks. Join Yael for this inspiring conversation.
For more information on today’s episode visit mybiblicalroots.org.
Episode Notes:
Founded in 1911, by August of 1915 the Assemblies of God (AG) had already begun following God’s call to bless Israel. As anti-Semitic pogroms targeted and killed Jews in Russia and elsewhere in Europe, the AG called for Christians to stand with their Jewish brothers and sisters. And then, after the First World War ended and anti-Semitism began its horrifying rise in Germany, the AG was among the first to loudly denounce this hatred and proudly stand with God’s people.
As Director of Communications and Public Relations for the AG—one the largest Christian denominations, with 86.1 million members around the world in more than 450,000 churches—Mark Forrester has found these instances of Christian support for Israel, and more. And in his position, it’s not only his mission to share these messages of friendship between our faiths, but to inspire others to do the same.
Inspired in life and faith by his grandmother, herself a lifelong supporter of Israel, Mark received from her a trip to the Holy Land as a graduation gift. And in the years since, he has returned to Israel, each time finding something new and inspiring to his own faith. This included a trip to Nirim, a kibbutz on the Gaza border that faced deadly attacks on October 7th. Visiting the kibbutz shortly before the attacks, Mark met Nirim resident and attack survivor Adele Raemer, and saw what life was like before Hamas invaded.
In our troubled times, we need more people willing to build bridges of faith, friendship, and fellowship. And Israel certainly needs more friends, as her people face an ongoing war and constant threats to her existence. People like Mark Forrester and all of his brothers and sisters in the Assemblies of God.
