CHICAGO — As the world prepares to mark the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has announced that more than 1,300 churches, universities and synagogues, and 1 million congregants from all 50 states will plant over 1.6 million flags and stand in solidarity with Israel this year to raise a message of hope as part of its second annual Flags of Fellowship (FOF) campaign.
The movement, which engaged 220 organizations and over 90,000 people in prayer during its inaugural campaign last year, aims to unite communities of faith across North America and unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people as anti-Semitism continues to increase globally.
“Flags of Fellowship began as a way to honor the innocent lives lost on that horrific day, and to bring hope and light amidst unimaginable darkness,” said Yael Eckstein, President and Global CEO of The Fellowship. “And at a time when we see others burning Israeli flags, to have 1,200 churches and synagogues plant over 1 million Israeli flags is a bold, beautiful reminder that the Christian community—the silenced majority—continues to stand with Israel and the Jewish people.”
From October 2-8, each participating church, synagogue and university will display a field of 1,200 Israeli flags—each representing a life lost on October 7, 2023—as part of Flags of Fellowship services in remembrance of the attacks. For the second year, World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, will host the flagship FOF event with its 10,000 congregants, under the leadership of Pastor Allen Jackson.
“As Christians, we carry a sacred responsibility to bless Israel and the Jewish people and to stand against evil in all its forms,” said Pastor Allen Jackson of World Outreach Church. “Planting flags across our campus provides a tangible way to remember what has happened in Israel since October 7, 2023, and the importance of our continued prayers for the Jewish people and the peace of Jerusalem.”
In addition, other leading evangelical churches from around the country will also participate in the event, such as Awaken Church, with 20,000 congregants across eight campuses in California; Hope Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Cristo Vive in Miami, Florida; Freedom Life Church Atglen, Pennsylvania, and more.
On Wednesday, October 8, Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, will host a campus-wide event with speakers including Robertson School of Government dean Michele Bachmann, Virginia Beach mayor Bobby Dyer, former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, Institute for Israel Studies at Regent University director Dr. A.J. Nolte, and October 7 survivor Shye Klein.
To date, The Fellowship has provided more than $250 million in emergency humanitarian aid to those impacted by the October 7 attacks and the ongoing war. Flags of Fellowship equips believers across the nation to continue to support Israel, encouraging participants to pray and raise awareness in their local communities.
For more information, or to learn how to participate next year in the 2026 Flags of Fellowship program, please visit www.ifcj.org/fof.
