Credit: Courtesy of Eagles' Wings Last Thursday, 120 prominent Christian women leaders from the United States and other countries stepped off a plane at Ben Gurion Airport, fully aware that the situation in Israel was tense and unpredictable. This didn’t stop them from moving forward with a trip they had planned for months, and which took on a whole new meaning almost immediately. Within a day of their arrival, war with Iran began. As sirens sounded and missiles followed, what was meant to be a series of meetings and visits quickly turned into something very different.
Now, with Israeli airspace closed, the delegation is unable to leave. Instead of waiting it out quietly, the women have decided to use their time to speak up. From hotel lobbies and bomb shelters, they are posting updates to their social media platforms, sharing what they are seeing and hearing in real time. They are praying publicly for the safety of Israeli civilians and, at the same time, for peace for the Iranian people.
The group represents a wide range of backgrounds. Among them are pastors and ministry leaders, media figures, academics, CEOs, and even a social influencer from the Arab world. Many lead major churches or work alongside senior pastors at some of the largest congregations in the United States. Together, they reach hundreds of thousands of Christians. Back home, their pastors and communities are closely following events in Israel and joining them in prayer.
Before the war began, the women were scheduled to meet with Israel’s president and first lady, female ministers, members of Knesset from both coalition and opposition parties, and a hostage survivor. All of those meetings were canceled once the fighting started.
The delegation was organized by Eagles’ Wings, a Christian organization that has spent more than three decades building relationships between Christians and Jews and encouraging support for Israel. Over the years, it has brought more than 40,000 Christian visitors to the country and led hundreds of pastors on solidarity missions, including two dozen trips since October 7.
The group is led by Bishop Robert Stearns, its founder and president, who said, "I am proud of our courageous women leaders who are demonstrating steadfast solidarity with Israel."
For now, the women remain in Israel, waiting for airspace to reopen. Until then, they continue to watch, pray, and speak, determined that their presence will mean something in a moment that feels anything but ordinary.