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GREENWICH — This past weekend Iran launched over three-hundred rockets and missiles at Israel. It is the first time in Israel’s history an attack has come from Iranian soil. The largest drone attack in world history was a reprisal to Israel’s April 1st strike on a military consulate in Damascus. The North Central Ohio region is known for its staunch support of the Jewish State. In response to the unprecedented attack, several faith leaders in the Buckeye Bible Belt responded with a joint statement the day after.
“War has come to the Middle East,” Pastor Ricky Branham declared. “The faith community in the Buckeye Bible Belt has shown unwavering support for the Nation of Israel and her ability to defend itself,”
The Willard Pastor went on to explain, “In 2017, lead clergymen from one hundred-three congregations corresponded with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu apologizing for the position of the U.S. federal government for not supporting Israeli sovereignty over the Promised Land. In 2020-21, a band of lead clergy endorsed and purchased Israeli bonds. In 2023, lead clergymen from 135 congregations called for state recognition of Jerusalem as the ‘Eternal Capital of Israel.’ Following the tragic October 6th massacre of over 1,300 Israelis, lead clergymen from 155 congregations condemned Hamas for its genocidal atrocity; faith leaders also raised thousands of dollars to support Israeli victims,” he said.
Pastor Mark Wireman commented, “Last night on April 13th, 2024 Iran fired over three hundred kamikaze drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles at Israel in its first-ever direct attack on the Jewish State. Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and Yemen’s Houthis also attacked with missiles simultaneously. With supernatural assistance from the Holy One of Israel, and the help of Israeli Defense Forces and its coalition forces, 99% of the projectiles launched by Iran were successfully intercepted. While several ballistic missiles hit, it is believed that not one drone or cruise missile managed to enter Israeli airspace.”
The Greenwich Pastor exclaimed, “The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our GOD? The One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth?”
“For though the nations rage against you O Jerusalem, Know this: that the LORD Your GOD is with you. For does not the Prophet Isaiah say, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper? So fear not O Jerusalem, Fear not Tel Aviv, Fear not Haifa, and Tiberias. Fear not Sons of David. For the LORD your GOD is with you.”
Clergy statement by North Central Ohio faith leaders
The Iranian retaliation stemmed from an April 1st Israeli attack involving a command post located beside the Iranian Embassy. The Israeli strike resulted in the deaths of seven Iranian military advisers, including a senior commander in its Islamic Revolutionary Guard that was Iran’s point-man on Hamas’ Oct. 7th assault on Israel.
During the clergy press conference, Pastor LaMont Lindsay recited Psalm 121 saying, “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you.”
The clergy statement warned, “As Ohio faith leaders, we believe Israel must rely on the Holy One of Israel, and not on any foreign government, including the United States. It is important to note that since the beginning of the Biden Administration, The U.S. federal government has gifted the terrorist-state of Iran with over 80 billion dollars. When Iran launched missiles at Jerusalem last night, not only did Iran attack the Capital of the Jewish State, Iran also attacked the third holiest city in Islam. Arab nations should be appalled by Iran’s actions.”
The Book of Ecclesiastes says, There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven,” Pastor Lindsay said. “A time to be born, and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot. A time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build….And further on it states, there is also a time for war. As a deterrence for future attacks on the Holy Land, we believe Israel must defend itself and eliminate its attackers. We believe the time for war is now,” the Mansfield Pastor cautioned.
Pastor Branham declared, “For though the nations rage against you O Jerusalem, Know this: that the LORD Your GOD is with you. For does not the Prophet Isaiah say, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper? So fear not O Jerusalem, Fear not Tel Aviv, Fear not Haifa, and Tiberias. Fear not Sons of David. For the LORD your GOD is with you.”
The Bottom Line:
The Bible says in Zechariah Twelve, “All the nations on earth will gather together against Jerusalem. Then it will become like a rock that cannot be moved. All the nations that try to move it will only hurt themselves.”
View slideshow of recent faith-based advocacy for Israel in the Buckeye Bible Belt.
In 2023, Rabbi William Hallbrook and 155 lead clergy call Oct. 7th massacre, ‘Israel’s 911’ with human depravity of ‘the highest magnitude.’ (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
Eeki Elner, Founder of the Israeli Leadership Institute, has been instrumental to Ohio-Israeli relations. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
In 2023, a “Night for Israel’ event in Ontario, Ohio raised $7,000 of donations for Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
In 2023, Pastor Russell Stanford, along with 135 lead clergy, call on Ohio lawmakers to formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel Capital. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
In 2023, nine area mayors, including Butler Mayor Wes Dingus give proclamations commemorating 75th anniversary of Israel. (Photo courtesy of Butler Village). 
In 2021, Benjamin Netanyahu thanks Ohio clergy for investing in Israel bonds (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
In 2021, former Shiloh, Israel Mayor David Rubin, visits Ontario, Ohio. Rubin leads a ministry for victims of terrorism. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
In 2020, 32 lead clergy invest in Israel bonds & persuade county governments to do same. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
In 2018, Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, Hilik Bar visits North Central Ohio to thank area for its support of Israel. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
In 2017, l03 lead clergy in North Central Ohio send letter to Israeli Prime Minister apologizing for Obama Administration’s opposition of Israeli sovereignty. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio) 
In 2024, North Central Ohio faith leaders give joint statement supporting Israel after Iranian missile attack. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
View video of April 14th, 2024 clergy press conference addressing Iranian attack on Israel below (5 min.)
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