Black Zionists

Based on his in-depth research, I ask, what will happen to the Jewish people when Christ returns? Pastor Roosevelt grins uncomfortably. Pastor Al begins to fidget with a picture frame. Nevertheless, Pastor Roosevelt is admirably explicit: “His return will afford those Jews who are still alive the chance to correct their mistake and embrace Jesus and take their rightful place as sons and daughters of God.” Evidence of this happening is already underway, he assures me, citing as proof the good work of groups like Jews for Jesus. I ask them if the Corinth Baptist Church has forged a relationship with Jews for Jesus. Pastor Roosevelt says no, and then looks at his brother and suggests that this is an idea worth exploring.

Although neither pastor has been to Israel, Pastor Al is planning a trip shortly. “We have a zest and a zeal to get more involved with Israel and the Jewish people,” Roosevelt says. But he is most concerned about when the Temple will be rebuilt. He tells me -- “as proof that he knows what he is talking about” -- that there is already money put away by “people” for the construction of the Temple. “So tell me,” he asks as I rise to leave, “when will the Jews rebuild the Temple?”

Pastor Willie Wooten is distracted, and this time his mind is not preoccupied by a dream. When Hurricane Katrina breached the levee system, and the toxic stew of lake water poured into New Orleans, the Gideon Christian Fellowship, which consists of five modern looking buildings situated prominently on a hill overlooking Interstate 610, was severely damaged. Much of the church’s property was either swept away or left ensconced in fetid mold. Several of the large stained-glass windows that had graced the front of the sanctuary, a source of great pride, were reduced to pastel-tinged shards. “You can look right through the front of the building,” Wooten tells me, the pain of the loss still fresh in his voice.

It was Glenn Plummer who delivered the good news to him. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was offering to help reconstruct his devastated ministry. “It was $50,000 you know, it was kind of shocking,” says Wooten.

To Wooten and his beleaguered flock, it was a fulfillment of biblical prophecy, God’s way of saying thank you for their sacrifices on behalf of the Jewish people -- His chosen people. (“The apple of His eye,” was how one parishioner described Jews to me.) “We were all excited that a divine thing was taking place,” Wooten tells me. “God was really honoring his word that he would bless those who bless Israel. We found it to be an exciting time, especially in light of all the difficulties. Here was an oasis in the midst of a desert.

“I see a gathering now,” Wooten told me the last time we spoke. “There are more African Americans coming to the forefront on this issue. When I started getting involved I thought I was the only one. But now they are all around and they are bubbling up.”

Evan Goldstein is a staff editor at The Chronicle for Higher Education.

This article was first published by Moment magazine, a Patheos Partner, and is reprinted with permission.