Christian Friends of Israel Community Development Foundation is an international organization that is working to enlist Christian support for the nation of Israel. While it is encouraging strong vocal encouragement from Christian churches for Israel, its work focuses more on practical demonstrations of support that materially impact the lives of Israelis on a continuing basis.

Ted Beckett, founder and international director of CF/ICDF, has had a vision for enlisting Christian congregations to adopt a settlement in Israel. The immigration of Jews from Russia and other eastern European nations into Israel has produced great demand for housing and other services. One of the Israeli government’s answers to these needs has been the development of completely new settlements (many on the so-called West Bank).

Christian Friends of Israel Community Development Foundation is matching congregations in the United States that have a love for Israel with settlements in the land so that practical support in terms of funds and materiel can be given by those who love Zion to those who live in the land who need their support.

Bette Laughrun is executive director of CF/ICDF. She travels throughout the United States speaking to church groups about the "Adopt-a-Settlement" program. Her love for Israel and the Jewish people is contagious and challenging to Christians who have had a love for Israel but have not found an outlet for practical demonstration of that love. "Israel and the church [are] God’s two witnesses to the world," she says, noting that Christians have a connection with Israel that must be strengthened by practical demonstrations of love and support.

Restoration Foundation recommends the ministry of Christian Friends of Israel Community Development Foundation as a worthy investment for those who truly seek rapprochement with the Jewish people. The work of CF/ICDF and information on the nation of Israel are reported in the organization’s newsletter, Israelink.

To find how you can be involved in this work, write: