(AgapePress) - When Paul Brooks selected the date for a multi-faith rally to show support for Israel, he had no idea that the United States would stand on the brink of war with Iraq. As it turns out, his timing could not have been better.

More than 1,500 people -- representing 40 churches and five Jewish synagogues -- packed into First Baptist Church of Raytown on February 24 for The Gathering. The event was a citywide prayer meeting of Jews and Christians to share and express common hopes and prayers for the peace of Jerusalem.

"Last spring, I was asked to speak at a political rally in support of Israel after the Passover massacre," said Brooks, senior pastor of First Baptist. "While I was there, I kept thinking how great it would be if the Christians and Jews at the rally came together to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Alan Cohen, rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom, and Amy Wallk Katz, president of the Rabbinical Association of Greater Kansas City, shared my vision. They thought it was a great idea."

So did Esther Levins, president of National Unity Coalition for Israel in Shawnee Mission, Kansas. She has devoted her life to bringing Christians and Jews together in support of Israel.

"I started 12 or 13 years ago with twenty people on my back porch," she said. "Now, we represent as many as 40 million people combined in 200 Jewish and Christian organizations."

Rabbis and pastors shared the podium at First Baptist. Brooks, Dr. Douglas Rumford of Colonial Presbyterian Church and Adam Hamilton of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection were among the many local pastors who shared readings or prayers. Rabbis and priests led attendees in prayer for Israel, the United States and the men and women who are serving their nation.

For Levin, one of the most moving moments was a performance by the combined children's choirs of Congregation B'nai Jehudah, Congregation Beth Torah, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy and Congregation Beth Shalom.

"It was magnificent," she said. "It was done to perfection. Everyone participated in the singing."

Brooks agreed. "It was a tremendous crowd and very responsive," he said. "There was a real spirit of harmony. Many people from both communities said `let's do this again'."

People who missed the event can watch the video at First Baptist Raytown. Excerpts will be televised beginning the week of March 9, on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on Channel 50; Mondays from 8 a.m. to 8:30 am. on Channel 38; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 75; and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 16 and Time-Warner Channel 4. Videos also can be ordered from the church, with proceeds going to TheVFund for the Victims of Terror.

Levin reminds area Christians that The Gathering was a beginning, not an end. She encourages people to continue to remember Israel in these uncertain times.

"Pray that there will be few casualties and that the anticipated biological and chemical weapons will not be launched," she said. "For all of its existence, Israel has suffered from the same kind of terrorism that we are just beginning to experience. When it gets down to it, Israel and the United States are fighting the same battle." Levin, Brooks and other organizers expect nothing but good things to come from the opening of a closer dialogue between area Jews and Christians. "Several Jewish people expressed to me their newfound discovery of support from the evangelical Christian community," Brooks said.

Christians and Jews, for all their differences, share deep roots, said Cohen of Beth Shalom.

"On reflection, the event was very positive," he said. "It was an opportunity for members of the Jewish and Christian communities to come together out of a mutual feeling and commitment to the safety and security of Israel. Although there may be many issues where we don't agree, we are able to respect each other as part of God's creation."

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