American Pastors Network and Shalom Ministries Explore ‘Finding Jesus Through Hanukkah’ on Stand in the Gap TV

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Christmas is one of the most universally celebrated Christian holidays but its primary focus of Jesus as being the Promised Jewish Redeemer is mostly unknown. Yet, says the American Pastors Network (APN), when Jesus is viewed through the Jewish lens of Hanukkah, Christmas and Jesus become truly alive and our attention is drawn to the fact that God keeps His promises.

APN recently explored this interesting topic on its weekly television program, “Stand in the Gap” TV, which airs on several regional networks, including in Philadelphia and Milwaukee, and nationally on Upliftv.

For the show, APN president and “Stand in the Gap” TV host Sam Rohrer welcomed Dr. Craig Hartman, founder and director of Shalom Ministries in New York City.

“The rich Jewish history, prophecy and importance of Jesus’ first and second coming and the connection to Hanukkah and temple worship is often carelessly discarded or simply unknown to Christians generally to the collective harm of both Jew and Gentile,” Rohrer said. “Christianity generally but sadly starts with Jesus in the manger not the Promised Redeemer in the Garden of Eden and covenanted through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Christianity also ignores the strategic holy days and convocations established by God for the Jews—and the Gentiles—so they would recognize Jesus when He came and the promise of eternal security that He guarantees to all who are His sheep.”

Rohrer added that the show had several goals so that Christians and Jews alike can find common ground and reason to celebrate.

  • To establish a connection between the Jewish observance of Hanukkah and Christmas
  • To lay the groundwork for the prophetical significance of the dedicated Temple, the historical fulfillment of this prophecy in Hanukkah and the glorious description of Jesus the unspotted sacrifice and the rededicated Temple
  • To establish the challenge to both Jew and Gentile of what should be the real focus for the entire world during the Christmas and Hanukkah observances

“It is most unfortunate that in America and the western world—which rose to historic worldwide prominence by embracing the Judeo-Christian worldview of an eternal god, a creation, a fall and then redemption—has failed to learn the amazing significance of Hanukkah to our Christian faith. These four basic elements are the essence of a biblical worldview. In previous ‘Stand in the Gap’ programs, we’ve emphasized the character and nature of God, highlighting Him as Creator and mankind as the highest of God’s creations with an eternal soul and created in God’s image. We’ve gone into depth on cultural issues that arise out the fall and sin.

Now,” Rohrer continued, “we can focus on the aspect of redemption that was promised following the fall and realized in the first coming of Jesus Christ in his miraculous but prophesied birth in Bethlehem—the event we call Christmas. Yet Christmas is wonderfully linked to the festival of Hanukkah because it draws our minds and hearts to Jesus as Shepherd, Redeemer and Guarantor of eternal security for those who are true believers, because Jesus Himself celebrated Hanukkah every year He was on earth.”

“Finding Jesus through Hanukkah—The Untold Christmas Story” aired Sunday, Dec. 23 and will be rebroadcasted later in the week. Watch the program HERE or view a clip from the show here.

Besides the television program, which has explored such topics as gun control, immigration, opioid addiction, race relations, Israel, Islam, marriage, voting and more, APN offers three national radio programs—“Stand in the Gap Today,” “Stand in the Gap Minute” and “Stand in the Gap Weekend”—airing on hundreds of stations nationwide at different times of day and reaching millions each week. These very popular and well-received programs consider the most important concerns facing the world from a biblical and constitutional perspective.

Photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash

APN 2018 NEWSLETTER: With God, Mission Possible!

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Dear Friend,

Have you heard what pastors and radio listeners are saying about our ministry?

Here’s a quote from a recent letter we received:

“I applaud your leadership of the American Pastors Network. In an age when far too many pastors are becoming ambassadors from the World to the Church, rather than ambassadors from Christ’s Church to the World, a resource such as the APN is critically needed. John Wesley’s wise observation that, ‘In all cases, the Church is to be judged by the Scripture, not the Scripture by the Church’ is often forgotten.’”

Here’s another comment from a thankful pastor in PA:

 “I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you and the American Pastors Network for everything you are doing for pastors and our beloved country. The men and women on APN who offer wise words, helpful advice, and – most importantly – much needed encouragement, have been very valuable to my daily calling as a pastor… Please continue to lead this effort as you so effectively do every day. You have made a huge difference not only in my life, but I know in others too! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! God bless you and APN. I will do my best to support you and APN, especially considering what APN has done for me!”

These words of encouragement confirm the vital need for an organization like ours.

It’s been five years since the American Pastors Network was born under God’s grace and

guidance. Much has been accomplished, but there’s still much more to do.

 Over these past five years, God has bestowed His divine blessings on this ministry and our mission to encourage and equip pastors and Believers to “Stand in the Gap for Truth.” None of what’s been done is possible without Him – or without you. God is alive, and He provides direction and wisdom for our friends, donors, TV viewers, radio listeners and all those who commit in obedience to serve Him.

 Looking Back

In 2013, God led us to form a ministry that would serve as a nationwide framework for biblically faithful pastors and their church members to encourage and equip the Remnant with a goal of building a permanent infrastructure of like-minded and committed Christians who:

  • affirm the authority of Scripture
  • take seriously Jesus’ command to be the “salt and light” to the culture
  • encourage informed Christian thinking about contemporary cultural issues
  • examine public policy issues from a biblical worldview perspective.

 We’ve stayed true to that mission, and God’s blessings have been miraculous. So much has been done with so little. There have been no single deep pockets, no large benefactor and certainly no government funding. Yet God has done great things in five years.

Can I share just a few of the miracles with you?

 Over the past five years, God has permitted APN to start and expand three distinct national radio programs: Stand in the Gap Today, Stand in the Gap Minute and Stand in the Gap Weekend. Each started on just a few stations and God has grown this distribution to over a thousand radio stations nationwide and reaching millions each week! These very popular and well-received programs analyze headline news and the most important cultural concerns facing our world from a biblical and constitutional perspective.

  • In April, God miraculously opened the door for APN to begin a new weekly television program, which considers transcending cultural issues – those controversial issues which seem to have no solution – and provide solutions from the pages of God’s Word and a Biblical worldview perspective. Stand in the Gap TV first aired on WBPH in Philadelphia, in April 2018, and has expanded to VCY-TV and Upliftv. And praise God, more than 27 million households have access to this program – in fewer than 6 months!
  • APN leaders continue to have editorials and interviews featured in both secular and
    Christian media each week. These leading publications and outlets, consisting of
    radio, television and print media, reach over 25 million people monthly with APN’s
    biblical and constitutional perspectives on key cultural issues.
  • APN is blessed to be working with eight state chapters – Arkansas, Michigan,
    Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia – and
    three others are now preparing to launch!

 Looking Ahead

Over the past five years, God has established a national platform and foundation on which to meet the challenges facing our culture, the church and the nation. Through all the efforts, projects and accomplishments listed above, God has blessed APN with the credibility, and the dedicated people and opportunities to equip pastors to assist families struggling with such issues as deteriorating traditional marriage, pornography, rampant sexual permissiveness, the undermining of a biblical worldview in our public schools, abortion and other evils that seek to destroy the core teachings of our Christian faith. He has opened doors and prepared us “for such a time as this.”

This miraculous platform of state chapters, radio, TV, print and leadership has produced a framework for how we feel God is leading APN for the next five years and beyond. I believe as well that – if the Lord tarries – that He desires an even greater leadership role in expanding our voice for the Truth. I pray that God may use you to be a critical part of the next five years.

Not only do I ask that you as a previous partner and friend and listener pray about what you can do in an increased financial capacity, but if you’ve partnered with us, to start right now. In addition, I would ask you to consider walking with us daily in prayer and monthly in finances and 24 hours a day as “boots on the ground” and Stand in the Gap for Truth where you are.

Regardless of what level of commitment you choose, we – as God’s faithful – must now move ahead with boldness and faith, and not shrink and fade away. While God has done great things, He wants to do more “very good things,” and if He tarries, permit us and those like you to companion with us in these most critical days.

Looking Around

I likely don’t have to point out why this is all so important. After all, you are witness to everything that’s happening in our culture daily in your communities, workplaces, schools, churches and families. It’s no secret that America is in deep trouble morally. Our families are broken, our government system is derailed, our people divided. We are deep in debt; our enemies have surrounded us and have infiltrated our society. America has rejected God in practice and in law and has become arrogant.

Likewise, the American Church is lethargic, silent and mostly adulterous. The next generations are God-rejecting, feelings-oriented and devoid of a relationship with Christ. They are incapable of “keeping the Republic,” as Benjamin Franklin warned. Based on all this, APN and the Stand in the Gap family of programming is specifically designed to “Stand in the Gap for Truth” and to provide the leadership from the pulpit for truth.

We hope you will now join us in this very important mission!

 Looking to You

If God has shown us one thing over the past five years, it’s that He’s not done with us yet.

There is still so much more on the horizon for the American Pastors Network and Stand in the Gap Media. Specifically, we are looking to God for His provision using you and our other friends, partners and listeners to meet these immediate and future needs:

  • CORE MINISTRY NEEDS: To meet the internal growth needs related to radio, TV and direct work with pastors, we need a fresh commitment of $10,000 per month. Your scheduled monthly giving can help with this basic need and ensure our basic operating costs.

 SPECIAL PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES

  •  REACHING THE NEXT GENERATION: To be able to effectively reach 18- to 35-year-olds with the unchanging truth of biblical principles, as addressed on our Stand in the Gap Radio and TV programs, APN is in need of $100,000 to launch a newly focused social media campaign that digitizes our content and delivers it to the next generation.
  • RADIO EXPANSION: To enable more listeners to hear the timeless truths we provide through our daily radio programming, Stand in the Gap Today radio airtime purchases will cost roughly $75,000. No other media outlet is providing a biblical and constitutional perspective to our current issues, and our culture desperately needs these truths.
  • BOOK LAUNCH: APN leadership is planning to publish a new book titled, Grand Design: Recovering God’s Extraordinary Blueprint for Government. Funding of $25,000 is necessary to complete this critical project.

These are the four areas of need and opportunity where we see God leading APN, and we hope you’ll join us.

 Please consider walking with us in the days ahead by providing a generous one-time financial gift today, or even better, by becoming a monthly partner as God guides us to move forward. Please consider including us in your year-end giving as well. Know that we also immensely value your prayers!

We know we’re changing hearts and minds. Will you be a part of the future of the American Pastors Network and Stand in the Gap Media?

“Standing in the Gap for Truth,”

Sam Rohrer

American Pastors Network President

True Christians Love Jewish People: An Article by Dr. Gary Dull

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by Dr. Gary Dull, Executive Director of the PA Pastors Network

Originally published in the Altoona Mirror HERE.

My heart was broken when I heard about the massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh last month.

I was sitting in my study preparing my sermon when the alert came. I immediately prayed, asking God to protect the people there. It was not until later that I heard 11 precious lives were taken by a very wicked man, and that others, including police officers, were injured.

Upon hearing the news, I was both angered at the shooter and sorrowful for those who were injured, killed or now deep in grief.

Personally, I cannot understand how anyone can go into a place of worship and kill innocent people. But, theologically, I realize this is possible because of the wicked sin nature that dwells within.

I agonize still because the shooter stated that “all Jews must die.”

That cuts deep into my soul even now. And yet I realize that many from all religions have disliked Jews as far back as Abraham. But this dislike should never be the case among biblical Christians.

In fact, biblical Christians absolutely love the Jewish people and love them absolutely.

Christians’ spiritual heritage is founded in Old Testament teachings, which are Jewish. Our beloved savior was Jewish.

And we often talk about our “Judeo-Christian heritage,” which is built upon Jewish doctrine and law. Without the Jewish people and Jewish teachings, we would have no Christian “religion,” no savior and, frankly, no hope of heaven.

In fact, everything we as Christians believe is grounded in Genesis, and the greatest description of our savior, Jesus Christ, is portrayed in Isaiah Chapter 53.

Christians cannot deny their spiritual relationship with the Jewish people and neither will they be separated from it throughout all of eternity. In fact, through faith in Jesus Christ the Messiah, believing Jews and believing Gentiles are a part of one eternal Body of Christ forever.

Corinthians 12:13 teaches this wonderful truth — and, during this Thanksgiving season, we should be grateful for that truth.

Yes, every true Christian loves Israel and the Jewish people. If one claims to be a Christian and has any dislike for Jews, then I seriously question the genuineness of that person’s salvation. True Christians want to see the nation of Israel protected and Jews live in peace.

On the Monday following the terrible shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue on Oct. 27, I had a strong urge to travel two hours to see what I, as a Baptist pastor, could do to stand with those of the Jewish congregation who were hurting.

As soon as I arrived, I began speaking with Jewish people and rabbis. I immediately sensed a bond of love and felt they were reaching out to me emotionally.

One of the rabbis hugged me and asked me to sing with him. Of course, I did, even though I did not know the song. Afterward, I learned the theme of the song focused on how God can turn hatred into love — amazing in light of the terrible act of hatred that took place just two days earlier.

As I look back on that day, I believe the mercy of God was at work in the heart of that rabbi. There we were — a Jewish rabbi and a Baptist pastor singing together on the sidewalk about God turning hatred into love.

With some, I shared a prayer and scripture; Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

It was a precious time I will never forget. And I am praying that God will allow me the opportunity to build that beautiful relationship with the people of the Tree of Life Synagogue.

Yes, true Christians love the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. We must pray for them. We must show the love of God to them. We must stand with them in their time of need.

Those who bless the Jewish people will be blessed by God. And I am convinced that every true Christian loves to love God’s special people, the Jews.

Pastor Gary Dull is the executive director of the Pennsylvania Pastors Network, a board member of the American Pastors Network and a co-host of APN’s “Stand in the Gap Today” daily radio program. He also pastors Faith Baptist Church of Altoona.

Photo by Yosef Pregadio on Unsplash