The Tower of David became a gathering place for Christian worshippers from around the world on Saturday night, October 3, when Eagles’ Wings presented its annual Awake Jerusalem music festival. The event brought international Christian artists to Jerusalem for an evening of music and worship, with a live broadcast by Daystar television, planned for audiences abroad.
The festival is a centerpiece of a ten-day visit led by Eagles’ Wings founder and president Bishop Robert Stearns in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More than 550 Christian leaders from 51 nations arrived in Israel for the delegation, which began during Sukkot and continues through the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
For the organizers, the gathering at the Tower of David was intended to carry a message beyond the concert itself. The visiting leaders represent churches and networks that collectively reach tens of millions of Christians. Eagles’ Wings hopes they will return home with a deeper understanding of Israel, its people and the experiences of the past three years.
Organizers have described Awake Jerusalem as “more than a concert,” calling it “an encounter with God in the land of the Bible.” The event brought delegates together with Christian artists from across the world and was streamed through Christian television and media platforms, extending the gathering beyond those present in Jerusalem.
Among the visiting faith leaders were Bishop Dr. David A. Sobrepeña, Founder and Senior Pastor of Word of Hope Christian Church, one of the Philippines’ largest evangelical churches; Rev. Ricardo Castillo Medina, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Costa Rica and President of the World Hispanic Assemblies of God; and Rev. Dr. Reinaldo dos Santos of Brazil.
High-level delegations from Nigeria also participated. They included His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III and Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III of the Warri Kingdom.
The itinerary extends well beyond the festival. Delegates are due to meet with Israeli leaders, Israel Defense Forces and Foreign Ministry officials, as well as faith leaders, returned hostages and bereaved families. Eagles’ Wings organized the encounters to give participants firsthand perspectives on Israel and the challenges it has faced since October 2023.
A strategic briefing with Israeli officials and faith leaders will examine Israel’s security challenges and its position in the region. The briefing is intended to equip the visiting leaders with context they can bring back to their congregations and wider networks.
“We are here to let the people of Israel know that we are standing firmly by their side,” Stearns said. “We have come to add tangible actions to our prayers for Israel and Jerusalem, and to make a statement to our spheres of influence that an accurate understanding of and fervent support for Israel are of urgent importance in this hour.”
The delegation’s arrival during Sukkot adds another dimension to the visit. The festival drew visitors to Jerusalem from around the world, while this year’s gathering also falls just days before October 7. Eagles’ Wings has framed the trip as an opportunity for Christian leaders to meet Israelis personally and express solidarity at a time when the memory and consequences of the attacks remain immediate for many families.
For three decades, Eagles’ Wings has brought Christians to Israel to explore the roots of their faith and encounter the country firsthand. This visit places those encounters alongside public events that can reach audiences far beyond Jerusalem.
Awake Jerusalem provided the most visible moment of that effort: hundreds of leaders from dozens of nations gathered in one of the city’s best-known landmarks, then carrying their experiences home to communities across the world.
Written in collaboration with Eagles' Wings and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.