Eagles’ Wings and its advocacy arm, the Israel Christian Nexus, led by Bishop Robert Stearns, launched Israel Advocacy Day last week in the nation’s capital. Held in partnership with the American Christian Leaders for Israel (ACLI) and led by Dr. Susan Michael, Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA, the summit continues a growing movement of strategic interfaith gatherings on behalf of the Jewish people and the state of Israel.

(More than 300 pastors, rabbis, and political and social leaders attended the Israel Advocacy
Day Summit in Washington, D.C.)

From May 5–7, over 300 rabbis, pastors, and civic leaders convened to demonstrate their
unified support for Israel and to forge deeper relationships among their communities as they
advocate for robust U.S. policy in support of the Jewish state.

Among the most significant aspects of this event was the strong presence of Hispanic
evangelical leaders from across the country, with a notable delegation representing the
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC). These leaders brought a clear
message of solidarity with the Jewish community.

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the NHCLC, shared:

“The NHCLC and our tens of thousands of churches across the United States and
Latin America are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my dear friend Bishop
Robert Stearns, the Israel Christian Nexus, and our other coalition partners.
Together, we are building an unshakable firewall against the rising tide of
antisemitism and standing boldly on behalf of the Jewish people and the state of
Israel. This is more than alliance—it is a shared covenant rooted in our biblical
mandate to bless Israel and seek justice.”

Abraham Hernandez, Executive Director for the NHCLC Northeast region, added:

“Having the opportunity to walk through Capitol Hill standing shoulder to shoulder
with Rabbis from our country was indeed a true honor and blessing. As a member
of the NHCLC, we understand the moral imperative for us, the Hispanic Evangelicals
in America, to be alongside the Jewish community in this critical juncture of Israel’s
history in the 21st century. What a privilege it was to be in attendance.”

Tony Suarez, Pastor and Chief Operating Officer of the NHCLC, added:

“I want to express my deep gratitude to Bishop Robert Stearns and Dr. Susan
Michael for their leadership in convening this prophetic gathering. On behalf of the
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) and our president, Rev.
Sam Rodriguez, I’m proud to affirm our unwavering support for Israel and to
celebrate our growing partnership with Eagles’ Wings. It is an honor and something
that we’re proud of—to announce that there are millions of Latino Christians
around this country who stand with Israel. This partnership is not just strategic, it’s
sacred to us—it’s built on shared values that transcend geography and politics
because our foundation is built on a Godly covenant. The United States and Israel
are united by a commitment to democracy, to human dignity, to religious freedom,
and to a shared Judeo-Christian heritage that forms the moral foundation of our
society.”

(Pastor Tony Suarez, Chief Operating Officer of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership
Conference (NHCLC), addresses guests at the Israel Advocacy Day kickoff dinner at the Museum
of the Bible on May 5, 2025)

Rabbi Marc Schneier, president of The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and former vice
president of the World Jewish Congress, highlighted the leadership driving the movement:

“My dear friend Bishop Robert Stearns is one of the most capable and forward-
thinking faith leaders of our generation. His commitment to Jewish-Christian
friendship, and to respect and peace for the whole human family, is inspiring and
unparalleled.”

Dr. Susan Michael spoke to the roots and urgency of this coalition:

“American Christian Leaders for Israel was born out of an urgent need to stop the
2015 deal that President Barack Obama struck with Iran over their uranium enrichment program. We are just as committed today as we were 10 years ago to talk about the existential threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran. President Donald Trump’s call for a ‘total dismantlement’ of Iran’s nuclear program earlier this week is one we welcome and support. Now is the time to leverage Iran’s weaken

(Pictured: Senator Cory Booker, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, White House Faith Office
Representative Jennifer Korn)

These leaders, representing diverse political and religious perspectives, are united by a singular
purpose: to strengthen support for Israel and the Jewish people in this critical hour.

On Tuesday, May 6, the summit continued with high-level meetings on Capitol Hill, including
private sessions with Representative Scott Peters of California and Representative Ritchie
Torres of New York. In total, the delegation facilitated more than 100 lobbying meetings with
members of Congress and their staff, speaking with clarity and conviction in defense of Israel,
calling for stronger responses to antisemitism on college campuses, and advocating for the
moral alliance between the United States and Israel.

This incredible week also marked the official launch of the Israel Christian Nexus—a new
network uniting Christian pastors in education, advocacy, and partnership with and for the
Jewish community. The atmosphere throughout the summit was charged with purpose. As one
attendee put it:

“It felt like we were stepping into something far greater than ourselves.”

At the livestreamed launch event on May 5, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson praised the
initiative, stating:

“Bishop Stearns and all of you—I just applaud what you’re doing. Standing without apology right now, we have to speak with moral clarity, with conviction, and with consistency like never before, because the times call for that.”

Later in the evening, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey—who was in Israel during the October
7 attacks—offered deeply personal and stirring remarks:

“The relationship between Israel and America is not a political one—it is a spiritual one. And I believe in the power of God Almighty, and we, His children, must make His love real on earth.”

The Israel Christian Nexus is founded on three pillars: education, relationship, and advocacy.
These values will guide ongoing collaboration, outreach, and training for the growing network
of faith leaders.

(Event leaders and organizers: Bishop Robert Stearns of Eagles’ Wings and Dr. Susan Michael of
the American Christian Leaders for Israel)

Bishop Robert Stearns, founder and executive director of Eagles’ Wings and president of the
Israel Christian Nexus, concluded:

“This unprecedented interfaith, bipartisan, and multi-denominational gathering of
pastors and rabbis marks a historic moment in American history—a moment in
which we unite across our differences for the higher calling of human dignity and
the common good. Together, we stand resolute against the existential threat of a
nuclear Iran and the rising tide of antisemitism. Setting aside our important
distinctions, we walk a shared path of peace and solidarity—against hate and
toward hope. This coalition stands as a powerful testament to what is possible
when people of faith and conscience unite with clarity of purpose and unwavering
resolve.”

(Pastor Ryan Arguinzoni Kuklinski (far right) and Bishop Robert Stearns (center right) with
NHCLC leaders and guests at the Museum of the Bible during Israel Advocacy Day in
Washington, D.C.)

The newly launched Nexus pastors network also includes the opportunity for Christian leaders to participate in curated tours of Israel. Past participants frequently report that these visits dramatically deepen their understanding and galvanize their commitment to supporting Israel. Many return with congregants, multiplying the long-term impact.

To learn more about these groundbreaking efforts in Washington, D.C., and around the nation—as well as the many additional initiatives of Eagles’ Wings—visit eagleswings.org and israelchristiannexus.org.