From March 11th to 15th, Christian leaders and multipliers participated in a delegation trip to Israel organized by CSI. They wanted to gain firsthand experience of the current situation and atmosphere on the ground and express their solidarity and friendship with Israel. Participants included Reinhardt Schink (Evangelical Alliance Germany), Alexander Garth (Evangelical Alliance Germany), the musical duo O'Bros (Alexander and Maximilian Oberschelp), Kai Flottmann (FCG Bayreuth), and René Wagner (ZEAL Church Leipzig). In a conversation with CSI Chairman Luca Hezel, who led the trip, they shared their experiences.
Luca Hezel: Why did you travel to Israel?
Reinhardt Schink: For me, the trip was a visible sign of solidarity with Israel in this challenging situation. In such situations, given the misinformation and disinformation circulating, firsthand information is essential. My aim was to get a sense of the mood in the country and to understand what would truly help people in this situation – be it aid projects, communication about the situation, or simply prayer requests. One thing I consciously left at home was unsolicited advice from someone who doesn't have to live in this situation. Know-it-all attitudes from those not directly affected were not a reason for any of us to make the trip.
Kai Flottmann: This was my first trip to Israel ever. I would have preferred different circumstances, but ultimately, there couldn't have been a better time. It was important to me to express in this way that I stand by Israel's side precisely when it seems most needed.
Alexander Garth: Israel needs our solidarity, especially in the current situation. We owe the Jews a debt of gratitude, firstly because they are our elder brothers and sisters, secondly because we Christians, due to our anti-Jewish history, must bear witness to God's love and faithfulness to Israel, and thirdly because we Germans, due to our history of guilt, must support and encourage Israel and the Jews in a special way.
Alex Oberschelp: After graduating from high school, I spent six months in Israel, which forged a very deep connection to the country. Israel is also highly relevant for us Germans from a historical perspective, especially in light of the Holocaust. But above all, from a biblical point of view, the country is more than just a sideshow. The Bible leaves no room for misunderstanding – for the living God, Israel was, is, and always will be a key country.
What experiences did you have in Israel?
Alexander Garth: I encountered a wounded and traumatized country that nevertheless faces the future with strength, determination and hope.
René Wagner: The trip to Israel was one of the most emotionally charged trips I've ever taken. We met an incredibly large number of open-minded people who were delighted that others were coming and interested in their experiences, hoping to gain an independent perspective. Although the people were so warm and welcoming, it was very shocking to see how traumatized the entire country is. At the same time, it was moving to witness the unity with which the people stand together.
Kai Flottmann: I was very surprised by how openly and warmly people reacted to us as Germans. How happy they were and how deeply they appreciated our presence. They sensed that Israel wasn't a matter of indifference to us, but that we had a genuine interest in learning how they were doing and how we could offer support.
Reinhardt Schink: It's unsettling and surreal: on spring days in a seemingly peaceful environment, to suddenly witness the horrific destruction and the effects of blind hatred at the sites of the massacre. I am appalled by what people are capable of and simultaneously shaken by how quickly these terrible acts of terror are repressed and how a reversal of perpetrator and victim roles occurs in the global perception. I've been reflecting on how quickly and easily good can be labeled evil and evil good.
What was new or particularly impressive for you?
Kai Flottmann: To witness that almost half a year after October 7th, the country is still in a state of shock and processing its trauma. Everyone we met was personally affected by the war in some way. Grief, pain, and worry were palpable. But despite all the emotions, there was neither hatred nor a desire for revenge, but rather a longing for a peaceful life in the Land of Israel. It became very clear to me that for Jews, there truly is no alternative to a safe life in the Land of Israel, their legitimate homeland. The encounters with the people moved me the most.
Alexander Garth: We met people who had experienced unimaginable evil and cruelty. I admire their courage.
Alex Oberschelp: There's a Jewish proverb, "Every person is a whole world," which always seemed rather abstract to me. But when I felt the pain felt by the people for every single hostage abducted or killed, I realized how seriously the Israelis take this. While the hostages are hardly mentioned in German media anymore, they are the defining issue of the conflict there.
Which moments will you remember for a long time?
Alexander Garth: The days in Israel were probably the most intense time I have ever experienced: conversations with victims, politicians, leaders of organizations that advocate for the victims, and discussions with (army spokesman) Arye Shalicar about the war situation. What affected me most was the encounter with Zaka, an organization of Orthodox Jews that works to identify people who have lost their lives. The exchange within our group helped me to process what I had heard and seen and to bring it before God in prayer and lament.
Maxi Oberschelp: I will always remember the man who was part of the volunteer team that had to collect and sort the human remains of the massacre with his own hands. These are scenes that are almost unimaginable.
Kai Flottmann: When we visited the sites of the horrors of October 7th and heard about the experiences of those affected, we could truly empathize with their pain and genuinely share in their suffering. For me, Paul's words, "If one part of the body suffers, all of the body suffers with it," became a deeply personal experience. We were able to pray for and with people time and again, and those were truly sacred moments that one doesn't easily forget.
Reinhardt Schink: The encounters with Israelis who directly experienced the terror and also lost family members. And who, despite their grief, are prepared to work for a peaceful future and give no space to hatred in their hearts.
How did you fare in the days following your trip to Israel?
René Wagner: After the trip, I spent at least two weeks processing and coming to terms with what I had seen and experienced. All the images and impressions still resonate with me and continue to affect me to this day.
Kai Flottmann: I am still very grateful to have made this trip, and it was important to me to share my experiences and the stories of the people I met. When you experience something firsthand, it's no longer just news reports and statistics, no longer something far away, but something very close and personally affecting you. Since then, I live my responsibility to support Israel in a much more concrete and practical way.
Maxi Oberschelp: When you come home from an active war zone to your comfortable surroundings, it naturally stays with you for a long time. For me, these were such profound experiences that they kept me up for several nights. Witnessing the suffering of so many people can't leave you unmoved.
Reinhardt Schink: I couldn't simply return to my everyday life as if nothing had happened. Since the trip, I've been following the situation in Israel and the Middle East much more closely and praying about it more often. There's a lot of disinformation and lies. Seemingly simple solutions fall short and don't do justice to reality. Combating antisemitism is more important than ever. Standing up to it is a must for all churches and every follower of Jesus.
What are your key takeaways from this trip?
René Wagner: The trip to Israel ignited an even deeper love for the people of Israel within me. It motivated me even more to pray for Israel and to stand up for the truth.
Kai Flottmann: My love for Israel has gained a new depth through this trip, and my understanding of the country and its people has grown. Since then, I read the Bible with different eyes and am strengthened by the belief that God will fulfill his promises to his people.
Alexander Garth: My love for the land and people of Israel has grown, and my conviction has intensified as to how much Israel needs our support. When I participated in the trip, I was working on a new book. The trip challenged me to write a chapter about Israel, to convey to readers the unique character of this country, its people, and its history. In doing so, I am also writing against the growing antisemitism in our country.
Alex and Maxi Oberschelp: The experience that evil exists in this world. And courage. Courage to stand up for the truth.
Thank you so much for sharing your impressions!
This article first appeared in our newspaper "Israelaktuell," issue 137. You can order the newspaper here . We would also be happy to send you several copies to display and distribute.
