Norwegian Christian Leaders to be Honored in Jerusalem

Knesset members from across the political spectrum will take part in an event at Jerusalem’s Waldorf Astoria on Thursday night honoring an international Christian leader who died in a plane crash in November, media in Jerusalem reports.

The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and the Tourism Ministry will honor Dr. Myles Munroe at their ninth annual “Night to Honor Our Christian Allies.”

Munroe was an evangelical pastor and motivational speaker based in the Bahamas and a strong advocate of Israel who brought groups to the Jewish state twice a year. The award will be accepted in his memory by his son, Myles Munroe Jr.

Also at the event, the World Jewish Congress will present an award to Leif Wellerop, a Norwegian Christian leader, who has advocated for Israel for more than 30 years and has spearheaded numerous humanitarian projects throughout the Jewish state.

“To me this award is a wonderful handshake from our Jewish brethern,” said Wellerop, who is a former chairman of the International Christain Embassy Jerusalem.

The Knesset Christian Allies Caucus aims to forge direct lines of communication between Knesset members and Christian leaders, organizations and political representatives in Israel and throughout the world. Its 31 reciprocal Israel Allies Caucuses exist in legislatures worldwide through the coordinating efforts of the Israel Allies Foundation.

“We have a lot to thank our Cristian Allies for what happened in 2014,” caucus director Josh Reinstein said. “This past year, we saw faith-based diplomacy around the world influence political decisions in ways that we could have never dreamed of just a few years ago.”

The World Jewish Congress is the international organization representing Jewish communities in 100 countries to governments, parliaments and international organizations.

“Not only do we share the same Judeo-Christian values, but today more than ever we share the same fate and we must cooperate in order to combat the rise of religious extremism,” WJC chairman Shai Hermesh, a former Kadima MK, said. ‘At our annual event we commemorate the strong support of our Christian allies who stand with the Jewish state of Israel.