Charles (Chuck) M. Kopp passed away on Tuesday, April 27th, 2021 at his home in Jerusalem. He first came to Israel from the USA in 1959, but has permanently lived in the Land since 1966. During the decades that elapsed he became well known among both expatriate Evangelicals in Israel and local Messianic Jews, as well as among Arab Christians. For many years he was involved in numerous public activities and associated with many groups and individuals in the country.

In this column, and in the next part which will follow, I will share my own personal experience with Chuck within a rather broad historical context. By highlighting several issues in the historical background and referring to the networking between various personalities, I wish to provide a deeper look at the broad environment in which Chuck had lived and operated.

The United Christian Council in Israel (UCCI)

My close acquaintance with Chuck, who often endeavored to avoid formalistic titles and arcane dress, was mainly during the decade of the 1990s. During these years we both served on the...