Center for Israel

Faith, Heritage, Mission

Fostering a deeper understanding of the people of Israel, Liberty University’s Center for Israel (CFI) helps to create a university atmosphere of awareness and support.

Our purpose is to encourage a biblical understanding of Israel’s role within God’s redemptive purposes and to promote thoughtful reflection on the relationship between the church, the Jewish people, and the nations.

See our core beliefs and key principles

Center for Israel Objectives

Gospel Advocacy: Proclaim salvation only through repentance and faith in Jesus the Messiah, who reconciles Jew and Gentile into one redeemed people.
Educational Excellence: Provide academic content that covers Israel’s theological importance, history, politics, culture, and contributions to global society.
Research and Scholarship: Support and conduct research on topics related to Israel, including its theological and eschatological significance, geopolitical position, and cultural heritage.
Community Engagement: Facilitate meaningful interactions between Liberty University, the broader evangelical world, and the Jewish community through events, exchanges, and collaborative projects both locally and nationally.
Cultural Awareness: Promote awareness and appreciation of Israeli culture through art, music, literature, and culinary experiences.

Connect With Us

Contact

cfi@liberty.edu

Location

Freedom Tower, School of Divinity, Liberty University

Israel in the News

Dr. Dondi Costin, Liberty University President

“As Champions for Christ, our aim is to equip and train our students spiritually and intellectually to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. The new center for Israel holds both strategic importance and historic significance for our nation, Israel, and the world. Our students will gain from both real-life experiences and critical scholarship that strengthen Liberty as a leading evangelical institution.”

Scott Hicks, Liberty University Provost and Chief Academic Officer

“This new center offers an extraordinary opportunity for our Liberty students to enrich their academic experience and deepen their intellectual and theological understanding of both historic and contemporary issues related to Israel. As we pursue missional-driven excellence in our educational programs, we see this center as a reflection of our historical doctrinal commitments and our ongoing duty to equip and train the next generation of Champions for Christ to defend the faith.”

Dr. Troy W. Temple, Dean of the Rawlings School of Divinity, Liberty University

“Liberty University has always championed God’s promises to Israel and this new center reaffirms our commitment. Our goal is to cultivate a heart for God’s chosen people and His call for them to know him and make Him known as the saving Messiah. We want our students to grow in their love for those whom God chose to bless and be a blessing in Genesis 12:3.”

Chancellor Jonathan Falwell, Liberty University

“This is a significant moment for Liberty University to uphold our historic theological foundations and reaffirm our commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as it relates to God’s unfolding promises for His people based on the Word of God. This center will equip our students with a deeper understanding, appreciation, and support for Israel while fostering an even greater sense of community built on the love of Christ, rooted in biblical truth.”

Center for Israel Events and Focused Initiatives

Israel Awareness Week
Guest speaker series
Cultural festivals
Research symposium
Interfaith dialogues
Community service projects

Study abroad programs
Israel-focused curriculum
Funding for CFI programs
Partnerships with Israeli organizations
Outreach strategies

Leadership Team

Dr. Troy W. Temple

Director

Dr. Troy Temple serves as the Director of the Center for Israel and Dean of the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University.

Dr. Johnnie Moore

Senior Founding Fellow

Dr. Johnnie Moore is the founder and CEO of The KAIROS Company and previously served as Senior Vice President of Liberty University.

Mission Statement

The Center for Israel at Liberty University helps to foster a deep understanding of God’s promises to His people that began with the Abrahamic Covenant and continue to today. This initiative encourages the Liberty community to pray for the nation of Israel and provides resources to guide the church in supporting Israel and the hope of the Gospel.

Rooted in God’s Word

The Center for Israel advances a biblically grounded understanding of God’s redemptive purposes as revealed in Scripture and fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Rooted in the authority of God’s inspired Word, CFI speaks with theological clarity, humility, and gospel conviction.

Every initiative—academic, cultural, or civic—flows from confidence in Scripture, commitment to proclaiming salvation through Christ alone, and recognition of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises for the church, Israel, and the world.

Our Key Principles

The Center for Israel:

Stands on the unity of Scripture, affirming the Bible as the inspired Word of God through which all truth claims about the Jewish people, the nations, and redemption are understood.
Proclaims God’s covenantal faithfulness, recognizing His promises to the Jewish people as enduring testimonies of His steadfast love, justice, and mercy—fulfilled in Christ Jesus and extended to all who believe in Him.
Upholds the centrality of Christ and the gospel, affirming that salvation comes only through repentance and faith in Jesus the Messiah, who reconciles Jew and Gentile into one redeemed people.
Affirms both the enduring identity of the Jewish people and the unity of the church, acknowledging that the church does not replace Israel but participates in God’s redemptive purposes, bearing witness together to His wisdom and mercy.
Commits to humility and respect in all theological engagement, including prayer, conviction with compassion, dialogue with grace, and unity in the gospel that transcends division.