Prepare the way, rebuild the walls, pass through the gates - this was the theme for the 1st International Lutheran Conference on Jewish Evangelism held in Israel from July 2-6, 2001.

This International Lutheran Conference was the result of a small group meeting at the 6th International Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism in New York in 1999. That small group appointed Steve Cohen, Torkild Masvie and Hartmut Renz as the steering committee for the planned Israel encounter. A substantial board of reference was assembled from theologians and church leaders on both sides of the Atlantic.

In January of 2001, I queried our Board of Directors as to whether we should continue with the plans for this conference in light of increasing hostilities through the intifada (Palestinian uprising), or should we change location, postpone or cancel altogether. Rev. John Brunette of Faith Lutheran Church in Oakville clearly, almost prophetically, said "If the hostilities increase, that is all the more reason we need to be present in the land, even if it just to pray for peace." So we proceeded.

The pre-conference planning meeting took place on July 1st with prayer that the Lord would help us to:

1. Renew our commitment to the Great Commission
   
   
2. Restore the joy of our salvation
   
   
3. Review the possibilities of partnership ministries
   
   
4. Recognize the gifts He has given His people and see how we can compliment ministries.
   
   

Lutherans from Japan, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Israel and the USA gathered in Israel July 2-6, 2001 to focus on reaching Jewish people with the Gospel and consider new partnership possibilities.

In January of 2001, as the intifada intensified in the foreshadow of Israeli elections, we questioned whether we should change venues, postpone or cancel altogether. But one board member from the Apple of His Eye said, "If there are going to be hostilities, that is all the more reason we need to be in the land!"

The conference began Monday evening with stirring music by David and Lisa Loden. The opening message helped set the tone for the presentations and papers to follow. Aarne Tapanainen provided the score to Prepare The Way, a new song written by Steve Cohen framing the conference theme.

The presentations provided ample food for discussion around the dinner tables. Presenters included: Rev. Greg Smith from St. Louis, Missouri for "Bible thoughts" - a Close-up Look at the Great Commission; Jouni Turtiainen gave the first missiological reflection on the Great Commission; Kai Kjer-Hansen presented the first theological reflection: The Gospel - Still to the Jew First. Lisa Loden shared her heart of compassion for reconciliation between Jewish and Arabic believers. Daniel Yahav from Tiberias spoke concerning what is happening in the land of Israel. Baruch Maoz gave a stirring and thought provoking presentation called A Church Among the Jews. Bodil Skjott took us on a short Old City of Jerusalem tour culminating with a meeting with the Bishop of the Lutheran Church, Munib Younan. He challenged the group with his passion to see Palestinian evangelization as an integral part of ministry in the land. Heinrich Pederson from Denmark spoke on the influence of eastern religions on Jewish people and his desire to see teams of trained people bring the Gospel to Nepal to reach the growing number of Israelis there. Kevin Parviz from the USA spoke of messianic congregations and what we as Lutherans can adopt and what we must reject. Torkild Masvie tied the pieces together at the end in reflection of what we had done together. Bodil Skjott from Denmark helped us along through her able role as moderator of our conference.

The conference statement committee released the following declaration that was unanimously agreed to:

THE LUTHERAN CONFERENCE ON JEWISH EVANGELISM STATEMENT:

Lutherans from around the world gathered in Israel from July 2 to 6, 2001 for an International Conference on Jewish Evangelism.

This gathering of Lutherans interested and involved in Jewish evangelism sprang from a group meeting at the sixth International Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism held in New York in 1999.

We, as Lutherans, reaffirm our commitment to the Great Commission to reach all people. Therefore, in the light of the Biblical call to present the Gospel to the Jew first (Romans 1:16), we deny the Two Covenant Theory which excludes Jewish people from the Great Commission.

We call on our respective churches to adopt in principal The 1989 Willowbank Declaration on The Christian Gospel and the Jewish People and to act accordingly. A new committee consisting of Rolf Heitman from Norway, Steve Cohen from the USA and Jukka Koistinen from Finland was appointed to plan the next meeting in Helsinki in 2003.

Upon reflection, this was a unique event to bring some of the key people together and consider what we might be able to do together through the agency of our common Lutheran link. Those attending came with a wide spectrum of histories: some mission groups go back 150 years while the Apple of His Eye Ministries are barely a decade old. Those from Japan are just considering what new possibilities exist in Asia.

Because of our various backgrounds, it is obvious that some of the attendees are far more mature in their theological and missiological frameworks, while others are brand new. This could have led to the conclusion that expectations were not met. However, when we conceived this gathering, the steering committee prayed for some basic objectives: to meet together, cultivate relationships and new networks, carefully reflect on issues that are in common, develop a forum that could lead to stepping up Jewish evangelism in Israel and around the world.

Those goals were met, and now there is a platform to build for the future. As we move ahead, we covet your prayers knowing that some liberal Lutherans will take strong exception to our statement. Still, we choose to press on and join in common cause in light of Paul's declaration: I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for this is God's power for salvation for all who will believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).

For background information on The Apple of His Eye, see our web site: appleofhiseye.org.