Christian Friends of Israel - UK

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Not to be confused with the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (UK)


Christian Friends of Israel, based in the UK, describes itself as a group of 'Christians who love Israel and its peoples and believe that God has a special place for them in His Kingdom purposes before the return of Messiah'[1] It is an affiliate of the Zionist Federation and thus a formal part of the Zionist movement.

The group's support for Israel is founded on an interpretation of the Bible which includes the belief that 'the restoration of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel is in accordance with promises contained in the Old and New Testaments, and that God's time to 'favour Zion' has begun.'[2]

As well as maintaining a UK office, it says it has offices or representatives 'in many nations of the world'. These include Israel, the USA and Germany.

Origins

CFI's website describes how it 'began with a meeting of a few Christian leaders in Jerusalem in December 1985, from the UK, USA, France and Israel, who were aware of an urgent need to set up a framework in which they could serve the Lord and bless Israel as true friends'. Christian preachers Lance Lambert and David Bivin are named as key early organisers.[3]

People

Trustees

Jennifer Forbes | John Gilmore | David Greer | Robert Hobbs (Chairman) | Rev. Clive Jones | David Linnell [5]

Activities

CFI publishes a range of publications outlining why and how it believes Christians should support Israel. It produces a quarterly magazine called ‘In Touch’ available online since June 2009. It also sells a range of products including books, CDs and DVDs by authors including Martin Gilbert, Nonie Darwish, Robin Shepherd and Daniel Pipes.[6]

It offers a ten week course called Kesher which examines the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and fundraises for various projects in Israel. CFI also states that it engages in '[c]ountering misinformation and propaganda with truthful reporting from Christians on the spot'.[7]

It organises trips to Israel every year, and also teams up with the Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland for its annual lobby of parliament.

Funding

In 2011 CFI’s income was £537,418. Its expenditure was also above half a million at £561,670.[8]

Affiliations

Branches

Christian Friends of Israel Nederland | CFI Jerusalem | CFI - All Amigos Cristianos de Israel | CFI - America | CFI - Australia | CFI - Belgium | CFI - Brazil | CFI - Bulgaria | CFI - Canada | CFI - Cuba | CFI - France | CFI - Germany | CFI - Honduras | CFI - Hong Kong | CFI - India | CFI - Kenya | CFI - Mexico | CFI - Poland | CFI - Singapore | CFI - Slovakia | CFI - South Africa | CFI - Spain | CFI - Sri Lanka | CFI - Switzerland | CFI - Uganda | CFI - USA

Contact

Registered charity number: 1101899
Company number: 04984515
Website: cfi.org.uk
Email: info@cfi.org.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1323 410810
Address:
PO BOX 2687
Eastbourne
East Sussex
BN22 7LZ

References

  1. Who We Are, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
  2. The Foundation Principles of Christian Friends of Israel, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
  3. How We Began, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
  4. Roy Thurley, LinkedIn, accessed 7 January 2013
  5. CFI Charitable Trust Trustees Report and Accounts for the Year Ending 31 December 2011, Charity Commission, accessed 7 January 2023
  6. Shop, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
  7. What We Do, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
  8. CFI Charitable Trust Trustees Report and Accounts for the Year Ending 31 December 2011, Charity Commission, accessed 7 January 2023