As the leader of Christians for Israel (C4i), a charity with branches in Canada and the US, Rev. Tweedie has long worked to support Israel’s most vulnerable populations.
Rev. John Tweedie(photo credit: Christians for Israel)ByGIL LEWINSKYIn a world hungry for hope and clarity, Rev. John Tweedie’s powerful video series Israel: The Prophetic Connection reaches millions globally through cable television and thousands more via social media and YouTube. With a heart for Israel, he speaks to the audience from different locations in Israel, trying to form a distinct connection. Beginning with the stark reminder of the October 7 attacks, the latest series (23) features enlightening discussions with renowned historian Rabbi Ken Spiro and a deep dive into the Book of Joshua, revealing the significance of Gaza as part of the Tribe of Judah’s inheritance.
As the leader of Christians for Israel (C4i), a charity with branches in Canada and the US, Rev. Tweedie has long worked to support Israel’s most vulnerable populations. While the organization’s stated purpose is to assist Israel’s poor, its mission extends further: to inspire Christians to express love for Israel through action, present a biblical perspective on God’s plan for Israel, and encourage global support for the Jewish state. Since 1980, Tweedie has visited Israel annually – often twice a year – to provide aid, document the land’s history, and deepen his connection to its people. Despite his extensive travels, he humorously admits to occasional struggles with Israel’s parking regulations, despite knowing the geography better from decades of transversing than many native Israelis.
Tweedie’s love for Israel stems from what he describes as a dual divine calling: one to serve as a Christian pastor and the other to support the Jewish people. At age 27, he began taking the Bible seriously, later earning a master of divinity degree from the University of Toronto. His passion for Zionism is deeply rooted in prophetic biblical revelations. “Hashem raised up a special nation through Abraham and declared the land of Canaan to be an everlasting inheritance for his descendants,” he explains. He also emphasized the Bible’s recurring promise of a messiah and the prophetic visions of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others that foretell the Jewish people’s return to their homeland. “When I understood these prophecies, I saw the Bible as true. God has kept His word,” he says, viewing the Jewish return to Israel as a modern miracle.
Over the years, C4i has partnered with 10 Israel-based charities to support Holocaust survivors, impoverished children, and individuals with disabilities. Among its key initiatives is funding Meir Panim’s food distribution center in Dimona, which serves Holocaust survivors and others in need. Tweedie proudly recalls providing a golf cart to help seniors access the facility and bus stops. Another long-standing partnership is with the Jaffa Institute’s David Portowicz, which aids Tel Aviv’s impoverished children and Holocaust survivors. In 2018, the institute recognized C4i’s contributions with the Pillar of Righteousness award.
C4i also supports ADI’s facility in Ofakim for individuals with special needs, founded with the help of Doron Almog, now the head of the Jewish Agency. Additionally, the charity collaborates with Christian organizations like King of Kings in Jerusalem, which helps feed the poor. To maintain its integrity and avoid political or religious entanglements, C4i ensures an “arms’ length” relationship with its partners, focusing solely on providing funds for humanitarian aid.
The introductory title for Rev. John Tweedie's webshow Israel: The prophetic connection. (credit: Christians for Israel)Perhaps Tweedie’s most profound impact lies in his media work, which aims to counter anti-Israel narratives and promote biblical and historical truths. “The pro-Palestinian demonstrators get their information from the media,” he notes. “My platform is the media. If I show what the Bible teaches and place the Jewish people in their biblical and historical context, the facts speak for themselves.”
His television series, now translated into Farsi, reaches millions worldwide, including audiences in Iran and Afghanistan. The show challenges replacement theology and emphasizes Israel’s biblical significance. To reinvigorate the discussion, especially after October 7, Tweedie has updated his earlier documentaries, such as Israel: A Journey through Time and Israel: A Journey of Light, which highlight Israel’s history, innovation, and global contributions. His new series, Israel: A Blessing to All Nations, focuses on Israel’s positive impact, from its influence on the American Constitution to its Nobel Prize winners and hi-tech achievements.
The efforts are driven by the belief that the Jewish people were chosen by God to represent Him on Earth.
“It will begin to air globally very soon. Its goal is to counteract the anti-Israel sentiments and the propaganda against Israel. So we are telling the story of Israel to the audience. We owe Israel a lot and a debt of gratitude. In our Christian context we would say, Remember Jesus of Nazareth is Jewish. Remember I am not trying to reach Jewish people, but I’m trying to reach the church, and to influence the church.”
Reflecting on October 7
Tweedie’s latest visit to Israel coincided with October 7. After finishing a video shoot near the Valley of Elah, where David fought Goliath, he contemplated visiting the Gaza envelope to explore the ruins of Goliath’s Gath but decided against it. Early Saturday morning, he looked out for flashes in the Jerusalem sky before heading to Ben-Gurion Airport. There, he and his crew were forced to take cover as rockets began to target the area. It was only mid-flight, over Europe, that he learned of the scale of the Hamas massacre and the subsequent declaration of war.
Tweedie’s thoughts remain with the people of Israel, particularly those near the war zone. He reflected on Israel’s unique sense of unity during times of crisis. “When Israel is called to fight, everyone steps up, regardless of their civilian roles. Today, as described in a memory at a military cemetery on Yom Ha’atzmaut, officers and soldiers alike are making tremendous sacrifices and are being buried side by side,” he says.
Challenges in advocacy
Tweedie acknowledges the growing challenges in advocating for Israel, particularly amid rising anti-Israel sentiments.
The demographic changes in Canada, like in the UK and some European countries, account for a lot of the rise of the anti-Israel climate. “Their ability to protest by sheer numbers is remarkable,” he notes.
C4i is treading carefully as a charity, with the charity recently undergoing an audit by the Canada Revenue Agency. Last year, JNF Canada lost its charitable status, and charity law in the country states that a charity cannot be political. “We have to walk a very fine line. The paper we publish needs to reflect a balanced approach. It’s not exclusively all about the Jewish people of Israel but also about the Arab citizens. It isn’t always criticizing Palestinian and Arab people. Need to be wise.” The cover story of his February 2025 issue, for example, features Israeli Arabs along the border area with Lebanon and their struggle for acceptance within Israeli society, where they are viewed with suspicion. He also highlights the approval the charity receives to air its documentaries through the CRTC (the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission), which is an asset to promote his message. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without public relations wisdom,” he emphasizes.
There is a societal polarization where one is “forced” to pick a side – Israeli or Palestinian. It opens an opportunity for him to reach out to them through his presence in the media.
Especially in light of the climate, Tweedie believes in fostering interfaith dialogue and solidarity, so he regularly attends interfaith gatherings.
Recently, he spoke at a synagogue luncheon organized by Christian leaders to demonstrate solidarity with the Jewish community. “You don’t know who I am,” he told the rabbis at the luncheon. “We are meeting for the first time today, you haven’t realized what I do, what my organization has been doing for the last 20 years, and I am less than 20 km. from where you live here in Hamilton.”
He also engages with Christian denominations, such as a meeting with Filipino pastors in Toronto, to strengthen support for Israel. “People of goodwill need to speak out and decide which side they are on,” he says. “We are standing by the Jewish people because they face unprecedented challenges. The current times are reminiscent of the 1930s in Europe, with rising antisemitism and attacks on synagogues and schools.
“The Jewish people have many more friends than they are aware of. I would say that the evangelical Christians, who believe and think the way I do, are their biggest friends. While they may not necessarily see us or hear us, we are doing the most we can do. Why would I devote my life and even risk my life to do this for Israel? Why would I be helping the less fortunate in Israel when we have tent cities and homeless people to feed in Canada?”■
