By Sarah Arkin
Danville Register & Bee
Published: May 6, 2008

The International Fellowship of Christian Businessmen and Mount Calvary Church of Axton are bringing a unique and rarely heard voice to Virginia.

The Rev. Dr. Hani Shehadeh from Galilee, Israel, will speak Thursday at the IFCB dinner and spend Sunday at Mount Calvary Church.

“He’s very insightful and gives a different viewpoint,” said Gary Robertson, pastor of Mount Calvary Church.

In addition to a doctorate in church history with a focus on the relationship between Jewish and Christian faiths, Shehadeh “brings not only that expertise, (he also) looks at church history and the scriptures from a Middle Eastern mindset because that’s his background upbringing,” Robertson said.

“The Bible, of course, was written from that vantage point.”

James Barts, president of the fellowship, agreed that Shehadeh’s Middle Eastern perspective on scripture is something Virginians don’t necessarily get.

“(Hani) is someone who was actually born and raised in Israel,” he said, adding that hearing a voice from the Holy Land brings out “little things you never think about not being over there. …It gives you so much insight, and brings so much to you.”

Christians comprise roughly two percent of Israel’s overall population, but Shehadeh is out to change that.

Two and a half years ago when he started the Apostolic Ministry in the heart of the Galilee, in Northern Israel, he and his wife were two of seven members. Now, with two churches, the Apostolic Ministry boasts attendance of around 250 people, Shehadeh said.

“We are trying to not only preach gospel among Christians, but to everybody in Israel,” he said, adding many of the congregants are Muslims who have converted.

People have been particularly drawn to the ministries of deliverance and healing, Shehadeh said.

“With God’s plan everything is ready, we just have to be obedient,” he said.

Though enthused by Evangelical activity in the United States, Shehadeh said he has one great concern.

“I thank God for the Evangelical community of the United States of America,” he said, “…what is troubling me here is a special group of evangelicals (who) have come to the conclusion, and they teach it, that the Jews do not need Christ.

“They are misleading the Jewish people, and leading them to destruction.”

Shehadeh said the Evangelicals have done an excellent job of instilling trust in the Jewish community of the church — trust which was rightfully lost during the Crusades and the Holocaust.

“But what we have to do is give them the gospel,” he said.

Shehadeh believes the mission of the church will have greater implications for the Middle East.

He said he’s happy to be here to “speak about Israel from a Christian perspective, not a CNN perspective.”

Shehadeh said while people get caught up in the politicization of the conflict between Israel and its neighbors, it really is a spiritual battle.

“We look at (the conflict) as a battle between Mohammed and Moses, not as battles between humans,” he said. “It is a spiritual war.”

Shehadeh contends there is only one way to move forward.

“It is the prince of peace, Jesus Christ,” he said. “I’ve seen Muslims coming to Jesus and loving people around them. …I’ve seen Jews coming to Jesus and they are loving peace. Nothing is impossible with God.

“People want to see solutions, miraculous solutions. If you want to see a state of Israel, and it’s the Promised Land …give them God, that’s where our mission lies.”

Contact Sarah Arkin at or (434) 791-7983.