Local Pastor Visited Israel During Recent Ceasefire

By Aris Theofanopoulos

The ceasefire between the Israelis and the Palestinians provided the backdrop as a local pastor visited Israel.

Pastor Jonathan Leath of the Destiny Church in Burlington Township represented New Jersey, as he visited Israel last week.

A pastor from each state, as well as the District Of Columbia, were chosen from the official organization known as, Christians United For Israel to take the trip.

“We got connected with Christians United For Israel about two years ago because people believe Israel was either a villain or a hero,” Leath said. “We are just bible believing people who know that God made a covenant with the Jews and he hasn’t broken that covenant.”

The nearly 12-hour trip was actually a last minute occurrence.

“Last Wednesday I got a text asking if I wanted to go to Israel that Monday,” Leath said. “I told my wife and she said, ‘Isn’t there like a war going on?’”

What was astonishing about the group’s trip was that they arrived under a temporary ceasefire. The sides have been in conflict since July 8, and over 10,000 people have been injured in the most recent conflict. The ceasefire began just before the pastors arrived, and ended almost one hour after the plane was in the air back in route to America.

“Each of these churches these pastors were from were praying for Israel,” Leath said. “I literally believe it was the prayers of the Christians in America for their pastors while they were going, I believe that was what caused that ceasefire to happen. That was a miracle.”

Leath and his party visited the towns that were under attack. According to Leath, the people were appreciative.

“They were amazed that 60 passengers would come from the U.S. to Israel during a war to show support. The whole purpose was to show them that we were with them,” Leath said.

While speaking with the troops, Leath explained that they all expressed similar sentiments: Israel does not want to fight; it just wants peace.

Every year the Christians United For Israel organization travels to Capitol Hill in Washington to lobby an issue.

“This year the hot-button issue was having the United States continue to fund Israel in their struggle against Hamas,” Leath said.

Recently President Barack Obama suspended shipments of vital arms to Israel. The C.U.F.I. has also a created a petition against those shipments.

Leath and the Christians United said the Israelis value human life and want to avoid as many civilian deaths as possible.

Leath has been head pastor for the Destiny Church in Willingboro for over seven years.

After first creating the church with under 20 people, the church has grown to over 100 members.

The church is holding a backpack drive for the upcoming school year. School supplies will be accepted for grades kindergarten through high school.

This is the second annual event and will take place in the park at Pemberton.

Additional supplies can also be dropped off at the William Allen Middle School in Moorestown.

For information, contact 609-386-3142.

The attached photo was posted on destinynj.org.