Che Ahn in Jerusalem: Running for California Governor with Pastor's Heart, Strong Commitment to Israel
JERUSALEM, Israel – Last year, Pasadena Pastor Che Ahn, who founded Harvest Rock Church, one of the largest congregations in Southern California, felt the Lord was prompting him to run for governor in America's most populous state.
He was reluctant and told the Lord he didn't want to do it, but out of obedience to His leading, he filed the papers to run.
Just before his 70th birthday this month, the Korean-born pastor joined us in CBN News' Jerusalem studio to talk not only about his quest in the political arena, but also his strong stand for Israel and against the rampant global antisemitism. As you can tell from our interview, he still retains his pastor's heart, and he told us that only a God-ordained spiritual awakening can transform California and the world.
Click on the video above to watch our interview.
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About The Author
CBN News Middle East Bureau Chief
In a time where the world's attention is riveted on events in the Middle East, CBN viewers have come to appreciate Chris Mitchell's timely reports from this explosive region of the world. Mitchell brings a Biblical and prophetic perspective to these daily news events that shape our world.
Chris first began reporting on the Middle East in the mid-1990s. He repeatedly traveled there to report on the religious and political issues facing Israel and the surrounding Arab states. One of his more significant reports focused on the emigration of persecuted Christians from the Middle East.
In the past, Chris's reporting has been distinguished by award-winning coverage of revival movements and other spiritual issues. In addition to the Brownsville revival in Pensacola, Fla., he also covered an outbreak of revival in Missouri. His report on the "holy laughter" revivals in Toronto and London was named CBN's "Focus Story of the Year" in 1994.
That same year, Chris also earned a "Short Story of the Year" award for his examination of religious coverage in network news. He has also reported on such movements as the Promise Keepers and the annual "Prayer and Fasting" campaign led by the late Campus Crusade founder Dr. Bill Bright.
In addition to his reports for The 700 Club, Chris is also a regular contributor to Christian World News, a weekly 30-minute newscast that airs nationally in multiple markets.
Prior to joining CBN News in 1992, Chris worked for three years as a researcher, producer, and reporter for the Features/Testimonies department of The 700 Club.
A native of the Boston area, Chris earned a B.A. in History at the University of New Hampshire in 1975. In 1987, he graduated with honors from Regent University, earning an M.A. in Communication. While a student at Regent (then CBN University), Chris anchored "Newsight," a student-produced Christian news program.
Chris's goal at CBN News is to provide in his stories the Biblical "understanding of the times" described in I Chronicles 12:32.
