Ninety delegates from Christians for Israel (C4I) from over 25 countries met in Israel from October 30 to November 3, 2025 for the biennial C4I Forum.
For nearly thirty years, Christians for Israel (C4I) worldwide, establishing and supporting Christian groups that carry out the C4I mission: to educate communities about Israel, to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and to comfort the Jewish people. Every two years, the leaders of our national and regional partner organizations from around the world gather in Jerusalem to learn from one another, nurture long-standing friendships, engage with the Jewish people, and plan for the future. Here are some impressions from the tenth International Forum of Christians for Israel:
Our shared hope in the Messiah
Our Jewish friend David Nekrutman (Isaiah Projects) encourages Christians to understand Jesus' words in Luke 4 as an invitation to celebrate Shabbat: "God doesn't want mechanical faith. He wants us to freely choose His will. That is what we celebrate on Shabbat—resting in God and awaiting the Messiah." In a moving talk, Benjamin Philip (Hineni) encourages us to remain focused on our mission to unite Christians and Jews in these Messianic times.
New Chairman at C4I International
The newly appointed chairman of C4I International is Willem Griffioen. Willem is no stranger to Christians for Israel ; as a young man, he helped his father establish C4I in the United States almost thirty years ago. Since then, he has served for many years as chairman of the Israel Allies Foundation and has founded and led numerous businesses and mission organizations. Willem currently lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife Kathy and their children. “I sense that C4I is entering a new phase—God wants to accomplish new things, and I am very excited to be a part of it.”
Kfar Aza
On our journey to the sites of the October 7 massacre, we visited Kfar Aza, a kibbutz whose fields stretch to the border with the Gaza Strip. The kibbutz was attacked early that morning of that Black Shabbat by approximately 250 Palestinian terrorists. They took 19 hostages. 62 residents were brutally murdered. Later that same day, looters arrived. We witnessed the utter devastation, the burned and damaged houses. We spoke with survivors, people who had dedicated themselves to peace and peaceful coexistence with their neighbors. On October 7, they saw these very people, with whom they had always worked, standing in their kitchens, looting and murdering.
The new antisemitism
According to Michal Cotler-Wunsch, until recently Israel's special envoy for combating antisemitism, the appropriation, perversion, and instrumentalization of the international legal system has fueled antisemitism. It laid the groundwork for the October 7 massacre and made it possible to justify Hamas's genocidal terror while demonizing and delegitimizing Israel. Our shared moral values have collapsed. Together, we urgently need to reclaim Zionism and reject all forms of antisemitism.
Celebration of Hope
The forum's closing event was a reception with our Israeli friends and partners at the Train Theatre in Jerusalem, a picturesque venue near the old Mandate-era train station. We celebrated the 45th anniversary of the founding of Christians for Israel in 1980. The keynote speaker was Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel.
Danielle Mor of the Jewish Agency thanked Christians for Israel for decades of supporting and facilitating the Aliyah of Jewish people to Israel. She and her colleagues spoke movingly about the exceptional work of Koen Carlier and his team in Ukraine, who have helped Israel and the Jewish people in countless ways, especially during the difficult years of the war in Ukraine.
Testimony: Monique Rijkers – YouTube FaktaIsrael (Indonesia)
“Thanks to C4I, I, as an Indonesian Christian, first learned about Israel in 2012. After receiving a vision from God in November 2012, C4I held a seminar about Israel in Jakarta three weeks later. At that time, Pastor Willem Glashouwer seemed to be speaking directly to me. Today, our organization spreads the truth about Israel and has millions of followers in Indonesia. Our attendance at the C4I Forum 2025 was to express our gratitude for the seeds sown by C4I. You servants of God everywhere—you may never see the impact of your words. But believe me, God’s word is never in vain!”
Certificate Edda Fogorollo – C4I Italy
“Since 2008, C4I International helped me fulfill my calling as a teacher of Holocaust Studies. Thanks to your support, we have been able to build a wonderful team of talented young Christians in Italy over the years, who now organize numerous events – both nationally and online – to educate Christians and comfort and strengthen the Jewish people. Glory to God!”
Testimonial Ian and Mandy Worby – C4I Australia
“It was wonderful to be with our international C4I family – it felt like a true reunion! We greatly appreciated the fellowship, the teaching, and the mutual encouragement. It was especially meaningful to visit projects and see how our support brings comfort and solidarity to our Jewish and Israeli brothers and sisters. The briefings on geopolitics and legal disputes, as well as the assistance in defending our beliefs, were invaluable. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the success of the forum.”
This article first appeared in English in the December issue of Israel & Christians Today.
