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Israel & Christians Today
Biblical understanding about Israel
Africa Aflame for Israel (UGANDA 2011) 
What has formally been referred to as the ‘Dark Continent’ has become increasingly, in recent years at least, a place illuminated by the knowledge that God loves Israel. Perhaps because of their own tortured history, more and more Africans are beginning to identify with Israel’s current isolation suffering. This is true in particular for Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya and Cameroon where Christians for Israel has been much more proactive and because of relationships established by Jos van Westing, C4I International’s Director for Africa, with African students who had chosen to study theology in Europe. Some of these students have since returned home carrying with them the understanding of why and how Israel has become the most maligned nation on earth. They also have a burning desire to share this awareness with others and to raise prayer support for Israel thereby.
Israel- focused conferences held in Cameroon and Nigeria, coupled with a series of conferences held in Uganda in October, 2009, have created interest in Israel and spawned a growing number of tours to Israel from various African nations. This year’s March Tour is a case in point. Imagine a group of 98 participants - nearly 50 Africans on one bus and 43 Americans and Canadians on another - all of them experiencing and learning about Israel together, including what it means to be under Grad Rocket attack during an overnight stay in Ashkelon.
Undeterred by this experience that allowed them to identify with Israelis who live under the incessant threat of Gaza’s rocket squads, Africans are planning yet another coordinated tour with Canadians for March, 2012.
Given this growing African interest in Israel as a nation chosen by the Almighty God to bring light to all nations, it’s not surprising that a second series of mega conferences is planned for Uganda in late September and early October this year. Evangelist Drake Kanaabo, Chairman of C4I Uganda, and Board Member of Christians for Israel International representing Uganda, is the driving force behind this latest initiative. As a well established and recognized evangelist on the African continent, Drake’s influence is evident in the fact that Christians for Israel’s first official branch office in Africa was opened by Rev. Dr. John Tweedie, C4I’s International Chairman, when he was in Uganda for the 2009 series of conferences. He will be the featured speaker again this year.
In fact, the C4I Ugandan office, which is located in the capital city of Kampala, is mistakenly thought by some to be the Israeli Embassy - which it is - if just not in an official sense. Its central African location certainly has a strategic function by acting as a nerve center for pro-Israel activity in the heart of Africa. In future, it is hoped, this will allow the office to be used as a springboard for the establishment of other C4I branch offices throughout Africa.
Also worth noting is the fact that, when the 2009 conferences were held in Uganda, they were attended by pastors and people from many neighboring nations. In fact, as the conferences were ending people were still arriving; such was the widespread interest in live teaching about Israel. This spill-over effect is anticipated again this year. Brochures and posters have been distributed in advance throughout Uganda and, in some instances, are promoting the teaching on Israel in conjunction with other Crusade happenings under Drake Kanaabo’s leadership. All that is needed now is a firm foundation of prayer.
Prayer, in combination with the Holy Spirit’s anointing, should cause Africa to be even more aflame for Israel even as its people continue to enjoy the blessings promised to those who bless God’s Chosen People (Genesis 12:3). Simply put: Africa can no longer be called ‘The Dark Continent’ because many Africans are embracing God’s plans and purposes. Regrettably, the same cannot be said of all other continents.