HISTORY
The Israel Christian Nexus was founded by two visionary leaders—Pastor Jack Hayford and Israeli General Shimon Erem.
Together, they recognized the need to create a platform for Christian leaders to engage with Israel, both biblically and politically. The Nexus was conceived as a “meeting place” between rabbis and pastors, building bridges between the Jewish and Christian communities starting in Los Angeles and then quickly moving far beyond.
General Shimon Erem
The vision and inspiration for the Israel Christian Nexus came from the late Israeli GENERAL SHIMON EREM (of blessed memory), who led the Nexus program until his passing in 2012. A hero and friend to world leaders and to Jews and Christians in the U.S. and internationally, Gen. Erem played a crucial role in the founding and survival of the modern State of Israel, commanding troops in Israel’s War of Independence, the Sinai crisis, the Six Day War, and the Yom Kippur War. He dedicated his later years to building bridges between the Jewish and Christian communities. It was his belief that collaboration between these faith communities was essential to ensure the survival of Israel and the Jewish people, and to defend Christians and Jews in the Middle East, the United States, and around the world against the threat of radical Islam.
Pastor Jack Hayford
Jack Hayford served as Chancellor of The King’s University (formerly The King’s College and Seminary) in Southlake, Texas, which he founded in 1997. From 2004 to 2009, he also served as President of The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. He was probably best known, however, as “Pastor Jack,” founding pastor of The Church On The Way in Van Nuys, California, where he served as senior pastor for more than three decades.
A prolific and best-selling writer, Pastor Hayford was the author (or co-author) of more than fifty books and composed 500 hymns and choruses.
He was an acknowledged “bridge-builder,” helping to forge healthy bonds among all segments of the church. He was recognized for his balance in preaching the scripture, avoiding extremes while not diluting or compromising the demands of truth. Pastor Jack’s heart to bring unity across all denominational and racial boundaries gave him an open door to minister in all kinds of settings.
Pastor Jack passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 8, 2023, in his home in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 88.