Ex–SA Idols Winner, Now Pastor, Heads Pro-Israel Conference in Jerusalem

From the stage of a national singing competition to the spiritual heart of Jerusalem, Heinz Winckler’s journey has taken a powerful turn and this time, his message is one of faith and unwavering support for Israel.

The former “Idols SA” winner, now a pastor, led and participated in the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem’s Envision Conference, held February 2–6. The gathering brought Christian leaders from around the world to Israel’s capital to express solidarity following the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre and to discuss practical ways to combat antisemitism.

The conference, themed “Israel and Your Church,” focused on strengthening Christian engagement with Israel and deepening theological understanding of the Jewish state’s role in biblical history and modern times.

Since October 7, Winckler said his congregation has prayed weekly for Israel and for Jewish communities facing rising antisemitism worldwide. Being in Jerusalem, he noted, offered an opportunity to connect with theologians, scholars, and Israeli leaders who share a commitment to standing with the Jewish people.

Participants met senior Israeli officials at the Knesset and the Foreign Ministry, received security briefings, and toured both northern and southern border regions. They also visited Kibbutz Be’eri and the site of the Nova music festival, locations deeply scarred by the Hamas attack.

“It was tough emotionally to see and try to imagine what it must have been like,” Winckler reflected. “To see the destruction is overwhelming.”

Beyond solidarity visits, the conference addressed antisemitism within Christian communities and emphasized what participants described as “healthy Zionism” support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself, independent of agreement with any specific government policy.

In parallel developments, South African Christian leader Rachel Kalidass has called for a national day of prayer and fasting on March 2, aligning with the Fast of Esther ahead of Purim. Kalidass, who leads the Prayer and Repentance Movement, said the story of Esther highlights both courage and divine faithfulness toward the Jewish people.

“The story of Esther is about courage, but it is also about G-d’s faithfulness that He will always save Israel and the Jewish people,” she said, urging people of all faiths to join in prayer.

At a time when Israel faces intense scrutiny and rising hostility in parts of the world, voices like Winckler’s signal that support for the Jewish state continues to resonate deeply within global Christian communities.

Jerusalem has long stood as a meeting place of faith and history. This week, it also stood as a reminder that friendship and moral clarity still matter.

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