Conceived in Cape Town within months of the rebirth of Israel, 70-year-old Charles Gardner was brought up in South Africa before joining his half-Jewish grandmother in London as a 21st birthday present, which turned out to be permanent. As with the Jewish state, he too was duly born again and, as he grew in his Christian faith, became increasingly aware of the crucial place of Israel in God’s purposes.

After a spell as correspondent for the South African Press Association, he moved to Yorkshire, England where he worked as reporter and later editor of various newspapers while also founding Christian publications.

Descended from Portuguese Sephardic Jews who managed to survive the Spanish Inquisition, he is married to Linda, 62, who teaches Christianity and the Jewish festivals in primary schools.

Author of several books including Israel the Chosen (Amazon), Peace in Jerusalem (olivepresspublisher.com) and A Nation Reborn (Christian Publications International), he has four children and nine grandchildren, loves sport and is still a keen runner.