EXCITEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES

BY DR. MOJMIR KALLUS, ICEJ VICE PRESIDENT FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Ivisited the Philippines in June to encourage our local ICEJ office, which is one of the oldest in our global network. It began back in the 1990s and Sally Maddatu, the organisational spirit behind its development, is a walking encyclopedia on its history and growth over the decades. She remembers not only the late Dr. Johan Luckhoff who inaugurated the branch, but all the Israeli ambassadors to the Philippines for the last 25 years. Good relations with the Israel Embassy always result in a courtesy visit by guests from Jerusalem, and so it was this time.

The Philippines is considered the friendliest country to Israel in Asia. It was the only Asian country which voted for the establishment of Israel in the UN partition resolution in November 1947, and even before, in the 1930s, President Manuel Quezon distinguished himself by opening the country to over 1200 Jewish refugees, saving them from the Holocaust.

Sally Maddatu also was instrumental in organizing a Christian celebration of Israel’s 75th anniversary in Manila in July. The successful evening was held under the umbrella of the Bless Israel Movement, a new alliance composed of ICEJ-Philippines and several other nationwide church and prayer groups. The gala celebration was attended by over

1,200 Christians, including many church and ministry leaders. Israeli Ambassador Ilan Fluss was guest of honour and was joined by two other Israeli diplomats and four bishops of large denominations in the Philippines, among other dignitaries. The event included numerous speakers, worship and dance teams, and prayers of blessing for Israel by 12 national Christian leaders.

ICEJ-Philippines has been especially successful in raising awareness of Israel among churches nationwide. One of the key tools for this has been the monthly Rosh Chodesh prayer chains. The country keeps adding hours dedicated to prayer for Israel every month and has become a clear leader among all our national offices. I witnessed the dynamics behind this growth when I attended a meeting with key Rosh Chodesh panelists organised by our National Director, Pastor Steve Mirpuri. It was an impressive, diverse group of about 30 people, some pastors, some business professionals, young and old, representing several streams and ministries. They are all excited to participate in Rosh Chodesh, consider it a privilege, and are inviting their own friends into the prayer chain. This natural growth is the secret behind their high number of over 70 prayer slots, and it is evident they will keep growing.

Different churches are also getting ready for the Feast of Tabernacles, and indications are that they will bring a record group this year, including the Raise the Banner team, which also served at last year’s Feast.