Evangelist Rev. Bill Prankard, Founder of the Bill Prankard Evangelistic Association joins Jeff on the podcast today to talk about his adventures in Israel over nearly 50 years and why Christians have such a deep spiritual connection to The Land. Bill challenges us to 'get with the program' and start blessing Israel through proven Christian and Messianic ministries in Israel.
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting the show HERE so that our Bible-based message about Israel can continue. God blesses those who bless Israel! We agree with God's Word that He will bless you richly in return!
Evangelist Rev. Bill Prankard, Founder of the Bill Prankard Evangelistic Association joins Jeff on the podcast today to talk about his adventures in Israel over nearly 50 years and why Christians have such a deep spiritual connection to The Land. Bill challenges us to 'get with the program' and start blessing Israel through proven Christian and Messianic ministries in Israel.
If you enjoy our podcast, please consider supporting the show HERE so that our Bible-based message about Israel can continue. God blesses those who bless Israel! We agree with God's Word that He will bless you richly in return!
Welcome to the Keeping it Israel podcast with Jeff Futers, where Jeff and his guests talk. Everything Israel as it relates to Christian faith and the church. If you are a Christian and you stand with Israel, you will be encouraged and challenged by this podcast. And if you're not so sure about the whole Israel thing, you need to learn how your faith connects with Israel, and why standing with Israel matters. Now, here's Jeff with today's guest.
Jeff Futers :Hi, my name is Jeff and I'll be your host today. I'm also the Executive Director of First Century Foundations. My guest today is Reverend Bill Prankard, Bill is an evangelist has been for many years, head of the Bill Prankard Evangelistic Association until just recently, when he handed direction and control over to Steve Carleton, but Bill has a wealth of experience both in ministry but also in traveling to Israel and being involved in supporting ministry in Israel as well. And so want you to listen to our conversation together, and hope you glean some really important thoughts from this podcast. Welcome to the keeping Israel podcast and my guest today is Bill Prankard. And I won't say too much about you, Bill, because, well, there's just so much to say. But tell us a little bit about who you are, first of all,
Bill Prankard :Well, you know what, I'm a person who just fell in love with Jesus a long time ago, fell in love with Canada. And you know, I'm a Canadian born raised here, and, and really believe that God is going to do something great in our nation.I've given my life to that. But I'm an evangelist. Just just shy of 50 years full time evangelism, so I'm getting the hang of it. And people ask me what I do. I say 'well I travel and speak.' However, I'm not traveling and I'm not speaking right now. But that's what that's that's the plan. And so I've been doing that married to an amazing lady. 56 years this year, four kids 12 grandchildren 10 great grandchildren. The army's growing just loving it look great family and in so that's that's who we are. We lived in Ottawa. Most of our ministry headquartered here. Love this city and love this country, and I love Israel. That's who I am.
Jeff Futers :Okay, so you love Israel. Now. We your ministry has been mostly as an evangelist. You started out in the pastorate, right?
Bill Prankard :Yes. Yeah, we did, I think about the first six years, we were pastoring small churches and then ended up pastoring the Ottawa Valley in Beachburg and went with a group of people on the bus to Pittsburg to a Kathryn Kuhlman service, not realizing that that would change everything forever. Thank you, Jesus. I had a real encounter with Holy Spirit there. And obviously I received impartation even though I didn't understand all that at the time. Gwen and I were 27 at the time, so which we think looking back that's very, very young. And coming back on the bus, people got healed just without me doing anything. And then back in Beachburg and the word got out about the bus trip. So people came and miracles broke out and and that launched us into a, you know, evangelism because the village couldn't handle what was happening, and we saw real revival there in the Ottawa Valley, and then ended up moving into Ottawa to accommodate the crowds and what God was doing, it was in the 1972. So in the charismatic revival renewal and we had the privilege of riding the wave of that and the Full Gospel Businessmen in those days, were having the big conventions all over the country. And so I had the privilege of speaking most of them, and teaming up with, you know, the who's who, from the United States and other parts of the world who were the charismatic leaders, at the time most of them became very dear friends that we, you know, walked together and and just saw that, but God gave me a vision during those days of Canada and revival. And I knew, I knew that's what God wanted to do. And I knew that I'd give my life for it. And I have and I am in and out of that, of course, if you're going to believe for Canada, you have to do more than go to sea to sea, you have to go from the river to the ends of the earth, which is the Arctic, and we started doing that back in the 1970s. And one of the greatest decisions in my life I fell in love with the people there. So we've helped build churches, train leaders, and now Stephen Carleton who leads our ministry does such a great job is leading Artic Hope, which is really to see suicide stop and raise up young adults to have encounters with God and change their community. And it's happening. It's phenomenal what's happening. And for the first time that I can remember in history, the suicide rates have been going down in Nunavut amongst young people, which is phenomenal. So we're great. And I believe we're closer now to seeing seeing the vision fulfilled than ever. So I'm planning on sticking around and being part of it,
Jeff Futers :Praise God. That's important work up in the north and I met Steve, you introduced Steve to me a few years back. And just a great great young man. I think the leadership is in good hands.
Bill Prankard :He's amazing, he's amazing. I should say people need to pray for him. They have three beautiful little girls, and they just gave birth to twin little girls. So they have five little girls So, Steven, he'd like to travel a bit right now. He's,...yeah, they're amazing. And then we love them and they're doing such a great job. And I think, you know, at our stage and age, if we believe what we're doing is important, we need to see it, you know, entrusted to the next generation. And Steven and Becky worked with us and walked with us for years prior to this, we did it slowly, our partners have embraced them love them, and just phenomenal people and so and, and they've kept me on to be the evangelist still, so hey, wonderful.
Jeff Futers :Yeah, well, it's it's good. We've, you know, watched with interest, your transition. I think it's been a really positive and healthy one. And, you know, I listen to your heart for Canada. Our founder, Clyde Williamson, has a heart for Canada as well as in spite of, you know, the ministry that he's been involved in in Israel for so many years has His real passion these days is...is Canada and revival. And so it's
Bill Prankard :Well Clyde, Clyde was, was in Bible school with us where we go way way back and, and you would know but most people wouldn't I mean, He's a phenomenal guy and as you say a heart for Canada and whatnot and when David Mainse was launching 100 Huntley Street, my recollection is because we were quite involved in those days was Clyde was the first person he hired. And he didn't hire producers, directors, technical people hired him to do the prayer call center. And because he said without prayer, this this nationwide ministry is not going to happen and so yeah, I we hat's off to the man he he's, he's been so consistent for so long and we we just love the guy.
Jeff Futers :Yeah, well, praise God. We do too. And we're looking for a time when we can gather and do the do the proper honouring of Clyde and Marian and and that, that public handoff. But anyway, I mentioned that you introduced Steve to me, you know we have we have a mutual connection in Chris Atkins, Chris did a lot of the video I think worked with you guys for many years. When I took over First Century Foundations, of course, he had worked with my predecessor. And so he and I traveled to Israel and began to shoot our TV show over there. And one day when we were there together, you were also in town. And I got invited along to a dinner with you and with Steve and with Greg Ball from from Naples and it was a wonderful time, and I'm not sure I think you might have even paid. I think that was that was the highlight of the night really. Right. You remember that?
Bill Prankard :But hopefully I did. Yes. Hopefully. I did.
Jeff Futers :Well, listen, it was, the fellowship was wonderful...
Bill Prankard :I hope somebody paid. Yeah,
Jeff Futers :Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's important. So so we met in Israel and and one of the questions I had here to ask you was, you know, when in your ministry did you feel... start feeling it was important to visit Israel to be a part of that?
Bill Prankard :Well that's a great question. And and by the way, it was it was such a delight to really get to know you because we we knew your dad, of course, dad and mom, way, way back and just outstanding people. You know, I hadn't, I hadn't really thought much about Israel, honestly, you know, growing up in that and Gwen and I both said the same that we never even dreamed that we could actually go there. I mean, that was just in the world that we lived in. And, and the financial state that we grew up in, it was just never, you know, we never thought that'd be an option. When the ministry launched in 1972, we fairly quickly ended up on television and that's that was a series of things but we were producing our weekly show out of Ottawa out of the CTV station. And we had hired a gentleman who had worked with Rex Humbard This is really dating me way back and and had headed up his Canadian office and, and Sam Shirard? was hired to be our agent to book the time so we we ended up television right across the country. And I was preaching in Toronto at the old Evangel Temple and that was ongoing revival thing there. And he said I got a friend coming to seeing this tonight wants to meet you and his name was Wayne Campbell and Wayne was out of Niagara Falls he had to travel agency. Well, Wayne came up with this thing he wanted to, me to take a trip to Israel and he saw the real potential. With the numbers of people that were coming to the meetings and being touched, they want to go. And he presented it as a business operation that this would be a way for the ministry to make money and that, which which I Wayne and I became very close friends for years. And we worked with them for years. But at that time I found that really unsavory. I said, No, if we're going to take people to Israel, and I liked the idea, I said, we're not going to do it as a business, we're going to do it as a ministry, so I made the decision, whatever he charged us, we would charge the people we wouldn't make a penny. And we had no idea what we were doing, Jeff. So the first tour we did was, I think was an eight day tour to Israel which were in in those days, because the days in those days were much longer than they are now. Of course, of course. Yeah. And so Wayne charged us $595. That included airfare hotel guides, meals, everything. And so we charge people $595. We had, I think it was 86 people signed up. And again, we had no idea what we were doing. But we then we had to take several staff people to take care of which we had to pay for. And so we made lots of friends and lost quite a bit of money on the first trip. But when we when we got to Israel, my life changed. Honestly, when we got to Jerusalem, I can't explain it, I think you'll understand it. People that have never been cannot understand it. You know, people say, Well, I don't have a thing, but when I got to Jerusalem, I felt like I'd come home. Yeah, and it like it looks nothing like home. It sounds nothing like home. It smells nothing of home. I felt it was home and oh my goodness to walk where Jesus was walking, you know, as you know, there are lots of places it could have been here could have been there could have been, but there are certain places you know, he was right here you are standing, you know, the steps outside Caiaphas the high priest's house, you know, we went up and down the steps and in those days you could you could walk right on the steps. And and when we left Jerusalem to head home, I said to Gwen, my wife, I'm homesick I'm homesick and and honestly I thought, well, you know, it's like going anywhere else. You go there once and then where do we go next? And I said, I'm homesick. I really felt that and she said we're going to have to come back. Well, that was 1973/74 probably. And I've been there I think 48 times now so I've have gone back several times. Yeah, have gone but but I fell in love. I fell in love with it. There is no place on earth like Israel. I mean, it's such a small piece of property. But it's got such diversity. The first time Steven came with me, I took him several years ago. And we landed in Tel Aviv and we're driving into towards Jerusalem. And he said, I can't believe how flat it is here. Well, it is there because it's on the coast. Well, I said, Just wait, you've got the mountains, you've got the desert. You've got it. I mean, you've got everything. It's just, I mean, you know, you go up by Caesarea Philippi. And you can see snow up on the mountains and I mean... You've got absolutely everything but but it's, it's our that's our roots. Yeah, it's our roots. It's where we come from. It's where we are. And in every rock, every stone seems to scream out an answer. And everywhere they dig, they find something. I mean, it's just every time you go back, they're excited about a new discovery. New and all of it confirming the Bible confirming the stories in the Bible and confirming the life of Jesus. So that's a long answer, but I totally fell in love and I have to keep going back and last year was the first year I guess since the early 70s that I haven't been back and it was just a series of things because I thought we'll go back now this year. And of course this year happened if I'd known this was going to happen. I guess if all of us had known, we would have done a lot different last year but..., because we certainly had plans to go and I was to be there this past June for the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast again and then going to spend some time and the last few years I mean, we took tours you know for years, we took two year fall and spring and just loved it love taking Canadians over there and letting them experience it in the experience Him in the land. I mean, it's not as you can go anywhere else, and you can just sightsee you don't sightsee there, you experience God in the land. And this is his land. I mean, he loves that land. And it's, it's phenomenal. So, you know, the largest group we took was 150. And we said we'd never do that again. Because we know when we go with people, we try to, you know, be with everybody and trying to keep three buses together. And then we thought, okay, our group thing is over, we're not going to do it. But two years ago, we took another tour with Greg Ball and took 100 people over in two buses. That's that's pretty manageable, but most of the time we try to keep it to one bus load. So we can really get to know and minister to people in that and, and so over the years, you know, we've had the opportunity taking a lot of people and having an experience and almost entirely people who go want to go back, they feel they have to go back to and many do go back and write case you you get it it's addictive. Yeah.
Jeff Futers :Well I certainly love it and my experience was much like your experience my first time I wasn't really sure about you know why I needed to go and get all of that but went with my dad and felt that same feeling I felt the home being at home feeling
Bill Prankard :And the only way to explain that Jeff is it's a spiritual thing. It's It's It's the atmosphere you can't..it doesn't make any sense really because you're all the time I'm rationalizing or trying to why why but it just you are you are because if if this is his land and it's our land because he's in us and something but you know, the last few trips, the last I think seven times now I've gone without a group. Just pick one or two three. Well, yeah, I think once it was one but normally two or three others in which I take them we rented a vehicle and we just we just travel and we hike we we climb we you know and I absolutely love it just taking the time to worship there and just breathing in the air I feel life I come back so revived and renewed every time every time so yeah, I'm sold on Israel love Israel and and i think you know the the there's a spiritual thing that this here at the fact is that you know I was going up to the Western Wall to pray the Wailing Wall as many call it and an older Jewish man came right in front of me and just kind of blocked me and he just grabbed my face. Are you Jewish? Are you a Jew? And I said, No, sir, I'm a Christian. Why are you here? And I said, Well, I'm here because I'm selfish. Really? I said yes. I said, because our scriptures, tell us and your Scriptures tell us that if we bless Israel, I will be blessed. If I bless the people, the Jewish people, I will be blessed. And I said, I'm really selfish. I want to be blessed. I like being blessed. So I said, I come here, praying, I come right to the spot to pray that God will bless Israel and bless His people. And I said I look for opportunities that I can bless the people. And we do we our ministry supports a number of ministries that are doing great things in Israel and the man, he just he just embraced me. He embraced me and he took my arm and escorted me right up to the wall. And he was orthodox and I'm a Christian, but it's absolutely true. I mean, you know, it's one of those Scriptures Jeff that you Don't have to say, Well, I wonder how you'd interpret that. I mean, you know, there's no discussion. I mean, it's simple. If you bless Israel, you'll be blessed. And, and and for a nation. You know, to me, we had such blessing in our nation under our previous government, because we had a Prime Minister that was obsessed with blessing Israel. I mean, he just was, you know, I, I, I remember after one visit, I saw Jason Kenney, who was a cabinet minister at the time at a restaurant he came in and so we were chatting and I said, Jason, I just got back from Israel. And I got to know people, you know, say where you're from, or whatever the moment I say I'm from Canada, young and old, almost standard attention and say, we love Stephen Harper. And he's, he said, He's a when's the last time anybody in Israel knew the first name of a Canadian Prime Minister, but I have a friend who was in Mr. Harper's government who went on one of the trips that he took to Israel. He said, I mean, it was pretty neat. They basically closed down the nation for them and just highways for them and when he went and because they understand the importance, but but the blessing comes, the blessing comes when we bless Israel, and, and that's it's not really a political thing. It's a spiritual thing. If our nation wants to be blessed, we need to be blessing Israel and our nation isn't right now. That's the bottom line, it's not and we need to we need to.
Jeff Futers :Wow. Well, you did many tours over the years. I've been taking tour since about 2006. We're trying to continue to do tours. Maybe we should do one together. That'd be a lot of fun. And who knows. Once we can travel again, we can chat about that perhaps.
Bill Prankard :Absolutely, absolutely. Well, I'll be going back. I'll tell you that and and if we don't do a tour together we'll meet and I'll buy you dinner again.
Jeff Futers :I'm always open to that. By the way, we don't have to be in Jerusalem for that to happen. I you know,
Bill Prankard :that's that's true. Yeah, it's really you take a free meal anytime, anywhere, anytime, right?
Jeff Futers :I really would. I am no respecter of a free meal, that's for sure. Well, listen, what you know, you talk about the experience, you talk about about feeling at home, you talked about the the blessing that we get, because we bless Israel. If you were speaking to a group of Christians, who, you know, don't understand the connection that we have to Israel the way that you and I understand it, what would you say to them what why would what would you tell them would be the reason that they should make a connection with Israel that they should go to Israel?
Bill Prankard :Well, that's a great question, Jeff. And, you know, I really get concerned when I meet pastors, leaders and a lot of younger pastors, particularly who don't get it, they don't get it. And you mention Israel, they're, you know, they they just go by media reports, they think it's political. We don't get involved in that stuff. I'm concerned about any church or ministry that is not involved in supporting Israel, because of the blessing. I mean, you know, I had the opportunity A few years ago, being down in San Antonio with John Hagee. And just hearing his personal thing is he shared with me that their ministry exploded when he started trying to invest in Israel and bless Israel. And, you know, they, you know, there's history there, good history, but it, it's for you, like coming back to, you know, the political thing. Joe Clark, who was a Prime Minister for a very A short period of time. I talked to him after that, and had the opportunity on a few occasions to meet with him and talk with him. And I said, you may not ever believe this. But I believe you would have continued to be prime minister if you've done things different. You, you're too young to remember him probably. But when he ran for office during the election when he ran for, you know, the, the elections...
Jeff Futers :I remember Joe Who...
Bill Prankard :Joe Who yeah, when he ran to be prime minister, he, he campaigned on the fact that he would, he would bless Israel that he would move the embassy to Jeru... to Jerusalem. And that was big. He got the Jewish vote. And and he won, and immediately the pressure from the Arab nations and the threats, made them pull back and they totally broke their promise. And broke their promise to Israel but I believe broke a covenant that is more serious that they made that God heard and with God and and he was he was quickly removed from office I mean you know, things turned and he wasn't Prime Minister anymore and I told him I I said and he you know he didn't really say anything he just looked at me and whether he ever believes that or not doesn't matter I believe it and I believe that the same with the church I believe it same with ministries that I know for us my goodness if we're looking for soil to sow in we'll sow in Israel and and you know, there's as you know, there's so many ministries now in Israel and doing things in Israel. So you need to, it's the same as anything else. You need to be careful where you sow you find out who are these people get to know them, and I'm part of the advisory board on Avi Mizrachi's ministry in Tel Aviv who, I love what they're doing during the pandemic, they're distributing food to the poor and doing all kinds of amazing things, you know, and they've got the prayer tower going that people can come and pray over Tel Aviv that needs God and, and, you know, we're involved in the Aliyah Return Center up by Galilee. I love that helping Jewish people come back to Israel as they are and, and all of that and then some other ministries but so, so so and because there's, as you know, there's a principle if you give is going to be given if you bless, you're going to be blessed if but sowing in Israel is just the best and has nothing to do with politics. It has to do there's a principle here that God's promise God promised he'd bless. And it's like anything else that God puts his word on, put Him to the test, try it. But I think you know, a lot of ministries struggle because they they don't get it and, and so you know, we would encourage every pastor, every ministry leader to go to Israel and not just on a you know, fact finding trip but go there and with a group that you can worship and experience God and, and and what you find in in pastors of course they can take groups like we took one when we had no idea what we were doing, you know, and and as you know, there's so set up the guides to be a guide in Israel, you have to be very knowledgeable I mean to qualify in all of the, you know the history, not only just their history, but the bible history, they have to know the scriptures Old and New Testament. And so and they do all the arrangements I mean, they the driver drives and the guide guides and then then the pastor all he has to do is the spiritual part and just minister to people and have has have some times of worship at different places and but it is life changing to go to Israel changes your life into two To be involved and connected with Israel changes your life and you know and some people say I don't even know how to bless Israel. Well, the moment the moment you traveled Israel your blessing them. I mean, you're putting you're putting money into the economy and and we were talking before this podcast that is so I mean it's crippling all over the world economically but but tourism is one of the top industries for the nation if not the top and for them to not have tourists for all of this these almost all of this year I can't even imagine and so and and at the same time, record number of Jews are returning to Israel which which are, you know, that cost the government a lot of money. And at the same time, the, the neighbors neighboring nations are threatening and doing stuff more than ever, and so the majority of their budget goes towards military and all that and in my advice, Jenny nation in the world, if you're going to go to war, I wouldn't pick a war against Israel. Because you know, you're not gonna you're not gonna win. I mean, they've got help. They've got help. Avi in Tel Aviv said, you know, we don't mind going to war once in a while we always get more land at the end of it, and it usually doesn't take too long. But no, I think it's really important Jeff for we as Canada, Canadians to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, for Israel, and to get involved and really to for pastors to get involved and to understand. I mean, just read the Bible. And understand this has nothing to do with supporting a government or politics. But it's to do with supporting something that's so close to the heart of God. Yeah, I mean, God, God loves the church. God loves Israel. God loves us. So let's Get together here.
Jeff Futers :You said so many great things there. And I'll just take a minute to, you know, a little commercial. But, you know, First Century Foundations as a ministry here in Canada, we have, you know, done the hard work of building relationships and vetting ministries, in the Land of Israel. There are so many, so many to choose from. And I think when people support and bless Israel, they want to make sure that the money they give us is going toward the ministry there. And so yeah, we encourage people to connect through us will will help them to connect with one of over 70 ministries that I visit, personally, every year with the exception maybe of 2020. It's been hard to get over and travel, obviously. But we did our visits by Zoom this this spring and connected with all of those ministries that we're doing projects with, and so, so yeah, just encourage people that way. But also, you know, you talked about How important it is to sort of travel and support. Prayer is one of those things that, that we are advocating for people here in North America to to do to pray for not just that general sort of peace of Jerusalem, but to pray specifically for ministries, and ministry leaders, who are, who are involved in the work, they're in the land of Israel, and we get regular updates from them. We get fresh prayer requests every couple of weeks. And we put those out for people to pray every day. And we just encourage people to connect that way. And so, yeah...
Bill Prankard :If I can say, Jeff, I I hardly agree with that. Because, you know, I've heard of people just going on their own Israel or just sending money to whoever in Israel and you say you've done the hard work and you've checked them out and you know, you have a relationship with them. So really encourage people to support your mission. industry as you are funneling it to others, and it's an easy way for Canadians to start blessing is where you got to start somewhere. And, and you know, some people say, Well, I don't have that much Well, as you know, every bit counts, and if they could do anything each month to support your ministry, and then it goes out, it's multiplied. So, really encourage that and, and hats off to you for, for building the relationships and, and you know, the fact that you say there's over 70 now seven zero, I mean, because it wasn't like that back in the early 70s. I mean, there weren't many believers in the land, you know, as far as Messianic believers or Christians, and now, it's phenomenal and what God's doing something, you know, somebody said, You know, I believe God's getting ready to do something. I said, Oh, no, no, no, God is doing something and and Jesus said, you know, if you want to know what time it is, look at Israel. Well that goes on all points. I mean, you look at what's happening. I mean, Russia is right there. I mean, come on when I came into the church in the 1960s, and I heard these prophetic teachers, these prophecy teachers come with the bear coming down, Russia's gonna know that could never happen well they're there in Syria and they're threatening and all of this and now China is getting involved and I mean, It's all crazy and realizing that he is the real Messiah, so so God bless you and your ministry and we encourage people to lock in with you.
Jeff Futers :Well, thank you for that. And you know, just one little story. I know that I'm interviewing and you're supposed to be telling the story but but small, smaller kind of medium sized church in the Ottawa Valley. I got connected with them a couple of years ago, and they had really never done much in this in this area. We went we did some teaching and connected with them. And they felt really in their hearts that they wanted to do something to bless Israel. Yeah. And so they asked us what are what are two ministries that we can that we can help in the land and I connected them with a couple of ministries, we started to have them correspond back and forth, and they began to support. And about two years later, I went back to speak, and the pastor took me out for lunch and, and took me aside and he said, you know, a couple of years ago, when we had you in, we were struggling to meet our budget, we we were having a rough time, at the end of every month, we were always dipping a little bit into the little bit into the you know, overdraft or into our, into our savings. And he said, he said, I felt so strongly to support something to do with Israel. And he said, I just want you to know, he said, I haven't really said too much to the board or to anybody else. But I want you to I want you to know that when we started to make this commitment to support Israel out of our out of our funds. I noticed that every single month we had enough. Wow. Not only did we have enough, he said, I've been watching. And over that period of 18 to 24 months, we've actually seen just a slight increase. We've always had a little bit more than enough and then a little bit more than enough. And you know that church, not a big church. Yeah. Started by sending $5,000 to Israel that first Yeah, wow. Last year, they gave us over $23,000 to help ministries in the land of Israel, and God is blessing them. And it's just one illustration of what happens when we you know, are obedient to the Scripture. And you know, and we bless Israel. So, you're not you're not wrong when you say that when we bless, we will be blessed. It's not always the reason we should do it, you know, but it's a principle that works.
Bill Prankard :I love that get with the program. Yeah, you get with the program, find out what God loves and what God's blessing and and join in with it and that that's a great testimony and and I believe there are many testimonies like that, but there needs to be many more and we believe there will be.
Jeff Futers :I'm a little bit sad we had we had lined up 30 students from Master's College & Seminary to go on a tour to Israel in August. Wow, We had set it up. We were supporting or we were, we were what's the word? I'm looking for?...subsidizing it heavily so that students could go. And we had set up important meetings with ministries there with some government officials, some different things and we've had to cancel the tour. And so, you know, pray with us that that we'll be able to have this impact because my heart from the very beginning when I took over at first century was we need to reach not just pastors but but pastoral candidates before they become pastors. So that God can spark this vision in their hearts as as you know, Bible college students, and their ministries will be impacted, you know forever and I really believe that that's one way that God has called us to sort of get the get the word out and reach the younger generation.
Bill Prankard :Jeff I love that because I've said ever since I got connect with Israel, it should be part of every Bible College, Bible School curriculum. I mean, cuz you know, a lot of them add so much into a missions trip or whatever. Israel should be mandatory to get go there and get involved maybe for a month, you know, volunteering there something and seeing the land. Because the tragedy is that many of the pastors we've had many ministers come with us, most of them are retired. It's been a dream to go. You know, we had one man, he was in his 90s. He preached the gospel all his life. He's retired. I mean, he's, you know, he's, he's in the twilight days of his life. And he goes through, it's been his dream and he loved it. But the other man, your ministry would have taken on such a different approach if you'd been there when you're young, because Jeff, you know, like, whether you're preaching or whether you're sitting in a service and somebody mentions a place, you you get it. Or if you just read, Jesus went from Jericho up to Jerusalem, I mean, you visualize it and the hills and the trip and all of this and it just it changes, it makes you know people say... people say the Bible comes to life. Well, it really does. And so I love I love that idea of, of taking, you know, ministry students, that's the time they need to learn and they get it so God bless you.
Jeff Futers :Well, we we had it all set every they were they were paid ahead. And was ready to go. But we believe there's a reason that it's happened this way. And we hope that we can re engage re engage them next year. But we, Bible College had agreed to make it a course for credit. It was an elective. It wasn't mandatory, but but an elective for anybody that wants to take it. Wonderful. And so yeah, we're we're working with Masters and hoping that other schools will come on board. I mean, that's
Bill Prankard :Yeah. That's, that's amazing. Yeah. Well, why don't we say next year in Jerusalem, eh?
Jeff Futers :Yeah, yeah. Amen. Well, listen, I've taken a lot of your time. But last question. And this is a loaded one. But you know, what do you believe are God's purposes for Israel in the future? And how can how can we as North American Christians partner in those plans and purposes that God has for the for the Jewish people?
Bill Prankard :Well, long term, I mean, God's plan is that Jesus is going to return and set up his throne there. That's the long term. I mean, his feet are going to touch the Mount of Olives, and he's going to enter the city through the Golden Gate that's sealed, that's long term. Present day, you know, I think God's plan is to bless Israel. And, and, you know, you I've seen you know, since the 70s the transformation of a country. I mean, because most of the wilderness was just wilderness. Well, now it's farms that they're, I mean, they they're so smart they irrigation systems they developed with very little water. And you know, you read in the Bible that the you know, the desert is gonna be blossoming like a rose Well, it is, it is and to see that technology and the developments that of Israel and and the blessing of God is an Israel so I believe God's intention is to continue to bless Israel and and to keep it and preserve it and and that's all of the territory that God gave them in Scripture will be theirs and will be, you know, Israel government and, and be governed by them. And we, and it's a place it's the only place in the Middle East where Christians can go and and be free. Or Muslims, I will say, you know, and even people of other lifestyles I mean, the whole homosexual community if they go to other, you know, Arab nations, I mean, they could be killed, they could be killed, they go to Israel, they're protected and they're they've given rights I mean, Israel is the only democracy in that area and, and is doing so well. And you look, I look, every time I go anything they have done so amazing, with so little, and then with all of the challenges they've got, and the answer is the blessing of God. So I believe it's God's intention to keep blessing, and and that we need to get hooked up with what God is blessing. That seems like a no brainer, doesn't it? But you know, as our Premiere said yesterday's it seems like some the cheese's slipped off the cracker with some people and they don't get it but we get it.
Jeff Futers :Well, you know, the Paul talks in Romans about about the fact that that all Israel will be saved. And, you know, I talk with lots of people about what that might look like, and and even, you know, peace in Jerusalem, you know, we say, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Scripture tells us we should do that. And, you know, what, what does that look like? I think that well, it doesn't matter what I think I'm asking you questions, but, you know, what, do you see the peace of Jerusalem looking like, in in these days?
Bill Prankard :Well you know, it's interesting because, of course, many people don't go to Israel, because they're afraid. They're afraid. Because they watch the news. And they think, you know, there's bombs going off everywhere and rockets hitting everywhere. And first of all, I think the safest place in the world to be is in Israel...the security, the protection is is phenomenal. But I've been in Israel in Jerusalem or in Galilee area, whatever even Tel Aviv and you sense such peace. We know that Jerusalem is the city of peace and in spite of the fact it's had more wars and more tension and more violence than any other city that I've been to, there's there's an atmosphere of peace. And I so I think the peace again, is is not necessarily, you know, a peace treaty with other people or nations think it's a spirit, you know, and He is the Prince of Peace and there's more and more and more People in Israel finding the Prince of Peace. I mean, as you know, there are many Russian congregations because there's so many Russians and Russian speaking people have immigrated and and they're reaching that segment of the population and others and so I just believe more and more in in Christian television is being broadcast in Israel on basic cable I'm involved in one of the ministries that that is broadcasting their day star and it's phenomenal You know, I'm there and I'm you know, do something maybe live in the evening from their their studio overlooking Mount Zion and whatnot, in the Mount of Olives and then the next day walking in Jerusalem and Jewish people will come up and say, we saw you last night. We watched you last night, so they're watching and and so the gospel is going forth in so many different ways and then through ministries that are in humanitarian things and, and I think Jesus is really being seen. And because when I first went there, what I couldn't get into my head is why doesn't everybody here believe? I mean, it's here, I mean, the hill, you know, and the tomb and everything is here. And their guide said, well, a lot of what they've seen here, and this was years ago, it's just Christians fighting for this this place or this place fighting over this site, it's this site or we're making businesses out of things and and i think while there still obviously will always be some of that I think there's been a lot of changes and, and the ministries that you're connected with have been raised up to show, show the love of God to people and demonstrat it and rather than preaching at them to live it, and there's more people living it and so, you know, first of all people need to know it's safe to go No matter what the news says it's safe to, because I mean, you're not going to take people if if it's not safe, and the Israeli government's not going to let people come in. And, you know, and we've been in Israel, and if there's an area where something's happening, then you just don't go there that day, you know, then the guides keeping up to that, but but I think, you know, there there is peace right now in Jerusalem, there really is. And I love sitting in the garden of the Christ Church, guesthouse, having a coffee and just so peaceful there and there's, I believe there's going to be peace in Israel, peace in Jerusalem and that they're all going to know how wonderful the Messiah really is.
Jeff Futers :Amen, Amen. Well, Bill, thank you. Thank you for taking some time today to share with us and I agree with you that that we will get back to Israel sometime soon. And you We were praying that travel will open up. I'm not going to go too soon. I am not anxious to get the virus just yet. But yeah, we want to make sure that we're wise and that we're careful. But we certainly, you know, we'll be planning another trip and inviting people to come along with us, for all the reasons that that we discussed. And yeah, you know, you you say that the Prince of Peace really is the difference maker in Jerusalem. And I agree with you. I think that when we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, what we're praying for is that the Jewish people will, their eyes will be opened and they will receive Yeshua as their Messiah. Amen. The more of them that do that the more peace will come. You know, it may not be political. When I look at that picture, and think about the future, you know, I don't think peace in that sense is coming anytime real soon. Yeah, but it is. It is amazing to know that there are many coming to know your shoe as you know, when you started going in the 70s might have been what 500 believers in the whole country? Maybe
Bill Prankard :If that if that really it, you know and the ministries were hard to find, I mean, there were people like Merv and Merla Watson and J and Mary Jo Rawlings. You know, they were there 50 plus years ago, right. And, but it was, yeah, they're pretty lonely. And then when the Christian Embassy in Jerusalem started, I mean, it was just like, pioneering things. And now it's great. But you know, the Scriptures is where do wars come from? They come from an inner war. And so where does peace come from? comes from an inner peace. It says,
Jeff Futers :Yeah, yeah. Yeah, well, maybe so maybe 500 in those days today. Yeah. Conservative numbers. We're hearing that there's anywhere between 25 and 30,000.
Bill Prankard :It's amazing
Jeff Futers :believers in Yeshua in the land, and it is amazing. It is amazing. And yet, you know, like you I have lots of people that say to me, why why why are we sending money to Israel? Doesn't it doesn't everybody believe in Jesus there? I mean, it's the Holy Land...
Bill Prankard :Yeah,
Jeff Futers :I actually had somebody on on a tour bus in Israel say that to me one day. And so I explained to them listen this, even if there are 30,000 that's like 0.2% of the entire population.
Bill Prankard :It's, it's, it's a shock to some people like to go to say places like Tel Aviv, one of the most secular cities in the world, one of the most ungodly I mean, that is it's just crazy. And young people come from all over the world to party and sin and all of that. And, and that's Israel. And that's why you know, we have to believe for all Israel shall be saved and yeah, yeah. Well, Jeff, Shalom, shalom to you and your ministry and your family and know listen, I love I love Israel, and I love Anybody that's doing anything positive for Israel and the people there in you and your ministry are doing so many wonderful things, what you're doing is very important. And so we encourage you and I so delighted that you're, you're doing stuff during this pandemic, and this season will come to pass because we've got lots to do afterwards. But we just do say Shalom, shalom to you and to your partners and just pray the blessing of God over you.
Jeff Futers :Thank you, Bill and Shalom to you and to Gwen and to your family. And to Stephen, his family. I haven't chatted with him lately, but give him my regards. Tell him that we're praying for him extra hard now that he has five.
Bill Prankard :Exactly, and he's, he's a lover of Israel, too. He loves it. Yeah, yeah...
Jeff Futers :All right. Well, blessings and
Bill Prankard :God bless you, my friend.
Jeff Futers :Have a wonderful day.
Bill Prankard :Thank you.
Jeff Futers :Well, thank you for tuning into the podcast. Today, I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Bill Prankard. I always enjoy chatting with Bill and he just has such a heart and such a passion for Jesus but also for Israel. And you can just hear it as he shared with us today. I appreciate so much how that Bill talked about the fact that Israel is a life changing experience and that every Christian should be involved in trying to go to Israel being involved praying for Israel supporting Israel, and the discoveries that are being made. You know, he pointed out that every week every year, they're finding something new. And all of those discoveries are confirming the stories of the Bible. We see it so often. And I wanted to mention that we have our Miraculous Victories of Israel documentary series coming out at the end of August. And this is a great series. You're going to enjoy it. We shot it on location in Israel. We talked to a number experts and we're going to talk about why God stands with Israel, why there have been so many miraculous victories, both in the Old Testament and all the way through to the modern era. We have six different one hour documentaries, you're going to want to get a copy of these, you can check out information about that on miraculousvictories.com, miraculousvictories.com. And I want to challenge you to do that. Bill also mentioned you know, that a great way to get involved in blessing Israel is to support ministries in the land of Israel. And you can do that through First Century Foundations. Go to our website, firstcenturyfoundations.com/donate and he he mentioned you know, monthly doing something, I think that's maybe a challenge that I want to just throw out there today. If you would like to help us out monthly, maybe the cost of a cup of coffee a day. I don't know what you're paying for coffee these days. I pay a couple of bucks and so If you want to do $30, $40 $50 a month, and set that up, we can accommodate you on the website. There's the option for you to do that. We should encourage you to do it. And we would appreciate so much your support of the ministries in the land of Israel. Thanks for tuning in today. And God bless you. Remember, as Christians, we stand with Israel.