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Pastor Josh Konrad of Abundant Life Church in Winchester recently returned safely from a 10-day trip to Israel just hours before the nation launched a series of military strikes against Iran.

The trip, hosted by Eagles’ Wings Ministries, brought together more than 40 pastors from across the United States for a leadership and prayer mission through key biblical and political sites in Israel.

Konrad’s return flight was among the final departures before Israel closed much of its airspace and shifted into a state of high alert.

While in the region, the group of pastors, which included Konrad, met with Ambassador Mike Huckabee, who addressed the pastors regarding escalating tensions involving Hamas and the threat posed by Iran’s advancing nuclear capabilities.

When one of the pastors asked the ambassador how the church should pray, Huckabee responded with a clear message: “Pray for wisdom and boldness.”

Regarding his personal experience in Israel, Pastor Konrad noted: “One of my biggest takeaways is that Israel truly seeks and desires peace. I learned that 20 percent of their population consists of non-Jewish people, all of which live peacefully amongst one another. There is even a non-Jewish member of the Israeli Supreme Court.

“Therefore, I would encourage people to educate themselves and not believe the false narrative that Israel is a nation bent on war and racial indifference. My experience is that they are defending themselves against extremist terror groups such as Hamas.”

Konrad’s visit offered a firsthand glimpse into the spiritual atmosphere and global significance of Israel during a time of mounting pressure.

“In a time when global events feel unstable, the church must be spiritually awake and ready,” Konrad said. “Being in Israel during this critical moment was not accidental — it was a divine assignment.”