Some Delegates at the 2017 ALS pose in front of the Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem |
Church Arise! was
privileged to participate in the 3rd edition of the biennial ALS
which held August 25-Sept 1 at Jerusalem.
The Summit was convened to provide a connection between Africa’s
businesses and institutions with Israel’s, with the ultimate aim of connecting Africa
with the Abrahamic covenant.
The timing could
not have been more auspicious, with the State of Israel prophetically looking
forward to new initiatives and alliances as she marks a number of significant
anniversaries. These included 120 years (to the week) since the first Zionist
Conference held in Basel, 100 years since the Balfour Declaration, committing
the British Empire to the establishment of a Jewish state in the ancient
homeland, 70 years since the declaration of Independence by the State (1948),
and a Jubilee (50 years) since Jews took possession of the Temple Mount again
in 1967, after more than 2000 years absence!
Main speakers at
the Summit included key Israeli national figures such as Nathan Sharansky (a
highly respected national hero), and his Deputy at the highly strategic Jewish
Agency for Israel, Danielle Mor. Sharansky
recalled Theodore Herzl’s rather puzzling statement at the first Zionist
Convention, when he said: “After I have liberated Israel, I must turn to
liberate Africa” confirming that Israel’s interest and commitment to forging an
enduring link with Africa is not a frivolous recent opportunistic move at all. Ambassador Gil Haskel who heads the Moshav (Israel’s Agency for International Development
Cooperation) spoke extensively of the Agency’s commitment to the world. He
repeatedly emphasized that Israel knows exactly what it means to be refugees
with no property. And having come out of
such a state, she is very willing to help others who are grappling with the
same issues today.
Nir Barkat, the
Mayor of Jerusalem explained in great depth the uniqueness of Jerusalem in her
status as a melting point for different cultures, peoples, and religions. He explained from secular and Jewish
perspectives why ‘maintaining “status quo”
is a sacrosanct concept in Jerusalem. He pointed out that right from biblical
times, Jerusalem had not been assigned to any of the 12 tribes of Israel, but
all were expected to ascend there and worship God.
The amiable and
eminent Prof Jerry Gana of Nigeria responded on behalf of Africa; pointing out
how Africa had always been there for Israel, when it mattered most: whether in
the raising up of the great princes of Israel, Joseph and Moses; or in providing
refuge for Israel’s most famous son, the Lord Jesus Christ, during Herod’s
pogrom. In concluding the Response, Prof
Gana prophesied: “Africa with Israel together will give something new to the
world. We did it before, we will do it
again.” In his main address later in the
Summit, Prof Jerry Gana spoke extensively with incisive examples, on challenges
facing leadership in business and politics in Africa. He also proffered a
number of possible godly solutions.
The spiritual discussions took the
Summit to yet another dimension entirely.
Messianic Jew, Pastor Benjamin Berger spoke on the “De-Judaization of
Scriptures”, while his brother Pastor Reuven Berger provided further insights
into the spiritual mystery of Jerusalem.
See page
*** for more on Pastor Reuven’s
message.
Contributing
various side dishes to the spiritual buffet during the Summit were Pastors John
AdejoroOluwa from Nigeria (a disciple of the revered Pa John Elton), David
Kaberere from Kenya, Sis Margaret Aduol from Kenya (her Holy Spirit-given
prayer language is Hebrew!), and Apostle Linda Gbogodo from South Africa. The main spiritual dish was presented by
Pastor Segun Olanipekun who leads the Pretoria-based Institute for Christian
Leadership (ICLD), main conveners of the Summit. His key message addressed the
subject of Covenants as a vital means of bringing enduring blessing into a
community, and the timeliness of Africa connecting into the Abrahamic Covenant.
Pastor Segun noted on the sideline that the root of the problem at the Temple
Mount is the two covenants described in Gal. 4:21-31 as co-existing on one
territory. That sounded very much like the conclusion of the National Christian
Elders Forum that the root of Nigeria’s problem is the existence of dual
ideology, with both Sharia and Democracy co-existing in the same constitution.
A major highlight
of the Summit was the launch of the Africa-Israel Chambers of Commerce coordinated
by Vulzewa Nyakaza of South Africa (visit https://africa-israelchamber.com/ ). In the same vein the proposal
for an African Agency was mooted. Joshua
Ojo of CA! was priviledged to be nominated into the eminent Group chosen to
work out the feasibility and details of
the Agency. Yet another highlight was the launch of the Book of Signatures
amassing signatures from Africans affirming Africa’s support for Israel, and
recognition of Jerusalem as her eternal capital. Copies of the book, which will be concluded
at the 4th ALS in 2019, were presented to Natan Sharansky, Ambassador
Gil Haskel, and Mayor Barkat.
Participants at
the ALS came from Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, South Africa, as well as from the Diaspora
(outside Africa). A four-day prophetic
tour capped the highly edifiying Summit. The Summit was widely reported in
several international media including Jerusalem
Post, and Israel
Collective. Watch videos at www.icld.co.za
No comments:
Post a Comment