Christian leaders, artists and dignitaries from around the world gathered at Jerusalem’s historic Tower of David for Awake Jerusalem, and over two hours’ evening of music, prayer and solidarity hosted by Eagles’ Wings founder and president Bishop Robert Stearns. The setting carried particular symbolism for an evening centered on music: the biblical King David was not only a king and warrior, but also a musician and poet whose psalms have spoken to the hearts of generations for thousands of years.
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Bishop Robert Stearns. The gathering was part of a 10-day Eagles’ Wings delegation that brought more than 550 Christian leaders from 51 nations to Israel
(Photo: Dudu Koren)
(Photo: Dudu Koren)
The evening opened with the Shema, one of Judaism’s central Hebrew prayers, before moving into a musical program featuring performers from countries and communities around the world. In another powerful moment, members of the international delegation sounded shofars together in a shared prayer, their calls echoing through the historic Jerusalem setting. The gathering was part of a 10-day Eagles’ Wings delegation that brought more than 550 Christian leaders from 51 nations to Israel during Sukkot and ahead of the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
Artists taking part included Nate Diaz, Paul Wilbur, Jesse Alcantara, Brad & Rebekah, Hebron Antonio, Isaque Valadao, Daps Gwom, Matheus Goncalves, Victor Valente, Alton Kiing, Israel Portnoy, Greatman Takit, Emanuel Roro, Antonio & Allison Marin, and others. Through music, a language capable of crossing borders, beliefs and politics and reaching people at an emotional level, the performers brought together voices from different nations and generations in the heart of Jerusalem.
Nate Diaz. Through music, a language capable of crossing borders, beliefs and politics and reaching people at an emotional level, the performers brought together voices from different nations and generations
(Photo: Dudu Koren)
(Photo: Dudu Koren)
For Stearns, the evening reflected the message he emphasized ahead of the gathering: prayer must ultimately lead to action. By bringing hundreds of Christian leaders to Israel and gathering them for music and prayer in Jerusalem, Awake Jerusalem sought to strengthen the bridge between Christians, Israel and the Jewish people, and send participants home ready to turn solidarity into engagement within their own communities.
The king of the Warri Kingdom Ogiame Atuwatse III and Bishop Robert Stearns
(Photo: Dudu Koren)
(Photo: Dudu Koren)