Christian Friends of Israel - UK
Christian Friends of Israel describes itself as a groups 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]
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.
Contents
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
- Derek White – Founder
- Roy Thurley - Director 2000-2007, Area Representative 2007-present[4]
- Geoffrey Smith – Director, June 2009-April 2010
- Jacob Vince - Chief Executive / Director, June 2012 - present
- John Caladine - Company secretary
- David Soakell – Church liaison officer
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
- Love Never Fails – part of this 'umbrella organisation' which connects 'over twenty ministries in the UK who understand God's purposes for Israel’
- Isrelate – CFI’s sister site for young people
- Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland – joint annual lobby of parliament
Contact
- Registered charity number: 1101899
- Company number: 04984515
- Website: www.cfi.org.uk
- Email: info@cfi.org.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)1323 410810
- Address:
- PO BOX 2687
- Eastbourne
- East Sussex
- BN22 7LZ
References
- ↑ Who We Are, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
- ↑ The Foundation Principles of Christian Friends of Israel, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
- ↑ How We Began, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
- ↑ Roy Thurley, LinkedIn, accessed 7 January 2013
- ↑ CFI Charitable Trust Trustees Report and Accounts for the Year Ending 31 December 2011, Charity Commission, accessed 7 January 2023
- ↑ Shop, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
- ↑ What We Do, Christian Friends of Israel, accessed 7 January 2013
- ↑ CFI Charitable Trust Trustees Report and Accounts for the Year Ending 31 December 2011, Charity Commission, accessed 7 January 2023
