550 Christian Leaders From 51 Nations Gather in Israel
They came from Manila and Nairobi, from São Paulo and San José, from Lagos and San Diego. More than 550 Christian leaders from 51 nations landed in Israel in early October 2026 — not for a conference, not for tourism, but for something deeper: to stand with the people of Israel, to worship on its ancient hills, and to carry what they saw back to their nations.
The ten-day delegation, organized by Eagles' Wings and its founder Bishop Robert Stearns in partnership with Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, arrived during Sukkot — and in the days surrounding the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks.
Who Were the 550 Leaders?
This was not a crowd of tourists. The delegation brought together senior Christian leaders, dignitaries, and traditional rulers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the United States — people whose churches and networks collectively reach tens of millions of believers.
Among them: the King and Queen of the Warri Kingdom, His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III and Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III. Bishop Dr. David A. Sobrepeña of the Philippines, founder of one of the country's largest evangelical churches. Rev. Ricardo Castillo Medina of Costa Rica, who leads the World Hispanic Assemblies of God. Rev. Dr. Reinaldo dos Santos of Brazil. Bishop Dr. Gibson Anduvate of Kenya. Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Nuhu Kure of Nigeria.
Fifty-one nations. One shared conviction: that showing up matters.
What Did They Do in Israel?
The delegation was designed for firsthand encounters, not photo opportunities. The leaders met with Israeli political and security officials, representatives of the Israel Defense Forces and the Foreign Ministry, and Jewish and Christian faith leaders.
They sat with returned hostages and bereaved families — listening to stories no headline can carry. They received strategic briefings on Israel's security environment. And they worshipped: on October 3, the Tower of David became a gathering place for the Awake Jerusalem music festival, with international Christian artists leading worship, broadcast by Daystar television to audiences around the world. Organizers called it "an encounter with God in the land of the Bible."
Then, on October 7 itself, the delegation joined approximately 2,000 Jewish and Christian participants from 117 countries at Jerusalem's Southern Wall for a global commemoration of the attacks — organized by Friends of Zion, with ambassadors, diplomats, wounded Israelis, and families of the fallen standing side by side.
Why Does This Gathering Matter?
Bishop Stearns put it in words that stopped me when I read them:
"October 7 reminded us that genuine friendship is not measured by what we say when times are easy, but by whether we show up when times are hard. True friendship means coming close, listening, and refusing to walk away."
That is the whole story in one paragraph. It is easy to post a flag emoji. It is harder to board a plane, sit across from a grieving mother, and weep with her.
The organizers hope these leaders will return home changed — not with talking points, but with friendships. "Then they can speak not merely from information, but from personal experience, and stand with people they now know as friends."
That is how the Body of Christ is supposed to work. When one part suffers, every part suffers with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). These 550 leaders took that verse literally.
What Can We Learn From Their Example?
Most of us will never join a delegation to Jerusalem. But the principle travels:
Show up. A text message is nice. A visit is better. Presence is the most underrated ministry in the world.
Listen before you speak. The leaders went to hear Israelis' stories firsthand — not to lecture, but to listen. Wounds open to ears, not opinions.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6 is not a suggestion. Whatever your views on the region's politics, the Bible asks us to pray for this city and its people — Jewish and Arab, Israeli and Palestinian alike.
Build bridges, not walls. In a world quick to pick sides and shout, 550 leaders chose the harder road: relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
A ten-day gathering in October 2026 of more than 550 Christian leaders from 51 nations, organized by Eagles' Wings founder Bishop Robert Stearns with Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including worship events and meetings with Israeli officials and families affected by October 7.
The delegation took place during Sukkot and around the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023 attacks — to stand in solidarity with Israel, build relationships, and worship together, including the Awake Jerusalem festival at the Tower of David.
Bishop Robert Stearns, founder and president of Eagles' Wings, led the delegation, which included senior church leaders from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe, and the United States.
- 69% of Christians Now Live in the Global South — the nations these leaders represent
- 8 Million More Americans Now Attending Church — faith stirring across the West