I remember my high school history classes. World War II. The Holocaust.

When I first came to follow Christ at fifteen years of age, one of the first books that profoundly impacted my life was The Hiding Place. Through the story of Corrie ten Boom and her family, I learned how ordinary believers could demonstrate extraordinary faith and courage during one of history’s darkest chapters.

I never imagined that, decades later, we would be witnessing stories of Jewish people being harassed, mistreated, and publicly shamed on the streets of our own Canadian cities.

Yet here we are.

These realities are part of what makes the upcoming Jerusalem Summit, hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ), so significant. From June 9-11, more than 200 Christian theologians, pastors, scholars, and ministry leaders from over 30 nations will gather in Jerusalem to address the alarming rise of antisemitism and to explore the Church’s biblical relationship with Israel and the Jewish people.

The gathering will feature an exceptional lineup of speakers, including Christian leaders from Anglican, Catholic, and evangelical traditions, alongside Israeli officials and Jewish community representatives. Together, they will wrestle with some of the most important spiritual and cultural questions facing the Church today.

Recently, one of my granddaughters asked me what I thought about everything happening in the Middle East. “Who is right in this mess?” she wanted to know.

My answer caused her to pause.

I asked her, “Do you know why miners used to carry a canary in a cage down into the mine?”

She knew the answer. Those small birds could detect dangerous gases long before the miners could. When the canary was in distress, it was a warning that something was seriously wrong.

Then I told her, “The way we treat our Jewish neighbours is often a reflection of the health of our culture. We should pay close attention.”

That conversation has stayed with me.

It is a distinct honour to have been invited to participate in this historic gathering in Jerusalem. Yet what weighs on me even more is the responsibility that comes with it. What will I do with what I learn? How will I help communicate truth, wisdom, and hope in a world that often seems increasingly confused and divided?

Scripture reminds us that “to whom much is given, much is required.”

As I travel to Jerusalem, I would value your prayers. Pray that the Lord will grant wisdom and discernment to all who participate. Pray that truth and understanding will prevail over fear and division. And pray that Inspire.FM will continue to be a voice for truth and light in these increasingly challenging days.

Dr. Terry Branscombe
CEO, Inspire.FM

To participate in this summit, you are encouraged to register online for free at this link. Registration remains open until the end of the summit on June 11. You will then have 6 months’ access to the recordings.