Dr. David Allen Lewis of Springfield, Missouri, well-known author and
lecturer on eschatology and Israel ended his ministry here on earth and
went to be the Lord on June 2, 2007 at the age of 74. Dr. Lewis was
ordained with the Assemblies of God in 1956 and served in the ministry
for over 50 years. He graduated from Central Bible College in 1954 and
later earned a master of arts degree in theological studies and a
doctorate of theological studies.
Dr. Lewis felt strongly that God called him to be a Christian
ambassador to the nation of Israel and for the nation of Israel. In 1975
he formed the great organization, Christians United For Israel (CUFI),
following a prayer demonstration that he led in front of the White
House. His advocates displayed a large banner proclaiming their group of
about one hundred clergy to be Christians United for the biblical right
of Israel to her land! As their prayer vigil ended they were invited to
meet with President Gerald Ford's top advisor on Mid East affairs, Mr.
Robert Oakley. Their delegation conferred with Mr. Oakley for over an
hour.
As
a clergyman, lecturer, researcher and publisher he had been very active
in national and international circles in promoting the well-being and
needs of the Christian church, Israel and the Jewish people. David Lewis
felt God called him to be a Christian ambassador to the nation of
Israel. In 1975 he founded Christians United for Israel (CUFI). He also
was one of the founders of the National Christian Leadership Conference
for Israel, and was the current chairman of the board.
Later in 1978 Dr. Lewis was one of the five founders of the National
Christian Leadership Conference for Israel (NCLCI). David led this group
in a similar demonstration in Lafayette Park, across from the White
House in Washington D.C. Once again their delegation was invited to a
conference. Their meeting that time was with Morton Blackwell, who was
an advisor to President Ronald Reagan.
In March of 1992 Dr. Lewis co-sponsored the First Annual Evangelical
Christian Zionist Conference in San Antonio, Texas. He was also a
speaker for the First Christian Zionist Leadership Congress in Basel,
Switzerland, and later at CZLC Congresses in Jerusalem, Israel. He spoke
for the Christian Celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem
and at various locations in the United States.
Dr. Lewis authored over 40 books, produced thirty-nine television
documentaries on location throughout Israel and traveled to the Middle
East sixty-seven times. He is remembered for his radio program,
God's Word For Today's World, and his publications, Jerusalem
Courier and Prophecy Digest, Prophecy Watch, Audio
Prophecy Digest, and his Tape of the Month Service. He
also operated the Prophecy Research Center and directed the Springfield
Regional Eschatology Club. His wife, Ramona was very involved with his
ministry.
Some books by Dr. Lewis include Magog Cancelled 1982 (New Leaf
Press, 1982), Signs of His Coming (New Leaf Press, 1999),
Prophecy 2000 (New Leaf Press, 2001), Mysteries of the Bible
Now Revealed (New Leaf Press, 2001), The Last War (New Leaf
Press, 2001), and Can Israel Survive in a Hostile World? (New
Leaf Press, 2001).
David was greatly loved by the Israeli people forming lifelong
friendships with many of them. H often
met with Israeli dignitaries on his frequent trips to Israel,
including Menachem Begin
even before he became prime minister. Begin was giving a speech and Dr.
Lewis was in the audience. He was so impressed with the way Menachem
Begin made constant reference to the Bible during his speech that he
even commented a number of times he thought that Begin would become
prime minister one day. After Dr. Lewis passed away his family and
ministry received the following letter from Freda Keet, an Israeli
journalist:
As a Jew
and an Israeli it is my great privilege to write these words in tribute
to the life and work of Dr. David Lewis, 'zichrono le bracha', of
blessed memory.I had the great pleasure of meeting Dr. Lewis more than
twenty-five years ago in Springfield, and was moved beyond words, not
only by the extraordinary breadth and depth of his knowledge but for his
remarkable dedication and devotion to Israel, my beloved country, to the
Land and to its people.
This was
at a time when there were few who were willing to go out on this risky
limb and state their positions in so forthright a manner. Israel was
still largely unknown territory, but Dr. Lewis through his very many
visits to the Land and based on his wondrous knowledge of Scripture was
able to bring to all who heard him and read him a new understanding of
the meaning of the return of the Jewish People and their re-birth and
restoration in their ancient homeland.
He was
able to build bridges across time, he married his Bible to modern events
and this remarkable understanding made him a staunch and unyielding
friend at a time when Israel had few such. And during all the years
since then and in spite of failing health and when the world
increasingly turned against us, and our enemies were legion and the
attacks against us venomous, Dr. Lewis was a great pathfinder and a
"watchman on the walls of Jerusalem."
He leaves a
great legacy of teaching and preaching and his words will live on in his
writings and in the memory of all who knew him. 'Yihiye zichro baruch,'
may his memory be blessed--Freeda Keet, Jerusalem, Israel
David Allen
gave his all to ministering to others holding Israel high on his list of
priorities. Surely when he came face-to-face with the Lord upon his
death, he must have heard the words, "Well done my good and faithful
servant."