OKLAHOMANS UNITE TO HONOR ISRAEL

By Chuck King

“Boomers”, the land-hungry ranchers, farmers and settlers who made the historic land run of 1889 into Oklahoma Indian Territory, realized their dream when the land “where the wind comes sweeping down the plain” was incorporated as the 46th state on November 16, 1907. The promising discovery of oil in Oklahoma’s fertile soil brought hopeful immigrants from around the world, seeking their fortunes in the now teeming oil fields.

At the same time, halfway around the world, the 8th Zionist Congress was convening in The Hague, Netherlands. While the second modern wave of Jewish immigration to Israel had already begun, the intellectual concepts of Zionism were morphing into a national movement to establish a Jewish state on the neglected soil of what was then known as “Palestine”. David Ben Gurion, who eventually led Israel into its own statehood in 1948, first set foot in the Holy Land in 1907, along with other giants of Israel’s modern history: Yitzhak Ben Tzvi, Chaim Weizmann, Arthur Ruppin, and Shmuel Agnon all arrived that same year.

On January 8, 2007, my own feet alighted the stage of Oklahoma City’s historic and beautifully renovated Civic Center Music Hall. Rehearsals were about to begin for Oklahoma City’s “Night to Honor Israel” one of 36 such events being held across the United States under the direction of John Hagee Ministries, and Christians United for Israel. Below me in the orchestra pit, local professional musicians were tuning their instruments, preparing for the downbeat. Behind me, oversized flags of the United States and Israel hung in glorious display. Rising high above the proscenium was a glittering banner announcing Oklahoma’s 1907-2007 Centennial Celebrations. And inside, my heart beat proudly as a native Oklahoman, living more than a decade in Jerusalem, but now home to represent both the Lands that I love.

The Civic Center soon filled to its capacity of close to 2500 enthusiastic participants, and Gary Bachman, prominent attorney and Midwest City municipal judge who acted as Master of Ceremonies addressed the crowd:

"Tonight Christians and Jewish people alike are joined together in oneness, and we're gong to send a message: We stand for Israel. Together we are going to stand,” said Bachman. His remarks garnered a standing ovation from the crowd made up mostly of Christians, which, according to Bachman, came from 46 cities across Oklahoma.

Gary was a natural choice to host the evening’s festivities. A long time friend and lover of Israel, Gary and his wife Connie have in many ways pioneered the Christian solidarity with Israel movement in Oklahoma City. For many years, they have led a faithful entourage of “Okies” who march annually in the Jerusalem Parade, hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Making their way through the streets of Jerusalem alongside delegations of thousands of international pilgrims they carry a large banner proclaiming, “OKLAHOMA LOVES ISRAEL!” The local organizers of the Oklahoma City event, Carolyn and Jerry McCurry, are also among those who make the annual march.

The Oklahoma sentiment toward Israel was backed up with action when the McCurry’s presented a check to the Oklahoma Jewish Federation in behalf of Oklahoma Christians--$40,000 to help in their relief work in the war torn northern border areas of the Jewish state.

Members of the Dove Dance Company participated with Chuck in the Oklahoma City Night to Honor Israel.

Interspersed between lively Israeli music and dance, the audience enjoyed video greetings from John Hagee, and U.S. Republican Representative Mary Fallin. The prestigious affair also included live addresses from Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty of Victory Christian Center in Tulsa, and Billye Brim, a regional director for Christians United for Israel, and Rabbi Emeritus David Packman of Temple B’nai Israel in Oklahoma City.

Particularly moving were the heartfelt words of Belaynesh Zevadia, Southwestern Deputy Consul General for Israel. She said Israel faces several threats, one from Iran and its plan to advance a nuclear weapon program, and the other from the election of Hamas to power in the Palestinian government. Having the support of Americans like the Oklahomans in the crowd enables Israel to face these challenges, she said. "We share the unbreakable bond between our two nations,” said Zevadia. “Tonight as we stand together. We are saying despite the obstacles, we are here.”

Rabbi Packman echoed those sentiments. He said the first Jewish Oklahomans tried hard to fit in their new-found home, and people of other faiths who came to the state "saw in their Jewish neighbors people who were striving just like they were.”

"Tonight as we stand together. We are saying despite the obstacles, we are here.”

The decision to move my family to the conflicted region of the Middle East presented its own set of obstacles, although certainly not as difficult as the ones faced by those early pioneers of both Oklahoma and Israel. Nevertheless, coming from the tough stock of Irish and German sharecroppers who endured the Dust Bowl days, I inherited a certain amount of the Oklahoma pioneer spirit that eventually led me to Jerusalem. And nothing made me more proud than to stand before the very Oklahomans who sent me here and lead them in the Star Spangled Banner, and Hatikva, Israel’s National Anthem. God willing, I will still be standing with other Christians united for Israel when she celebrates her own Centennial in 2048.

Chuck King is the Music Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem.