'One heart' solution

Charity | Christian ministries believe the gospel is the key to Middle East peace | Warren Cole Smith, Rusty Leonard

Associated Press/Photo by Khalil Hamra

The elections of Barack Obama as president of the United States and of Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister of Israel are widely seen as defining moments in U.S.-Israeli relations since both took office earlier this year. But defining what? At a minimum, their taking office seems to be defining a new interest in Christian groups working in Israel.

At least six organizations that focus ministry on Israel or the Jewish people are on MinistryWatch.com's list of the 500 largest Christian ministries in the country. Contacted by WORLD, all six report that despite the economic downturn, their donations are either holding steady or are on the rise.

Gary Bauer is on the board of Christians United For Israel (CUFI). He is a former presidential candidate who has been an outspoken supporter of Israel. "Overall, there is a growing anxiety among our supporters that President Obama is leaning on Israel rather than leaning on the terrorists," Bauer said. "But that anxiety is creating an active coalition of Christians and Jews that could be a strong counterbalance to the direction Obama is moving." A spokesman for CUFI said the group does not "comment specifically about fundraising issues." However, Bauer said that the election of Obama has "spurred greater interest in churches to have events that honor Israel."