FAIRHOPE — Outgoing Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said that he believed the city's success is due in part to its relationship with Israel.
Before Stimpson became mayor, he met the founder of Ariel, Israel, Ron Nachman. He said Nachman's story of jumping out of a helicopter to select a place for a new settlement inspired him before he became the mayor of Mobile. Stimpson said he believes God had a hand in their meeting and in Mobile becoming Ariel's sister city.
"I am 100% convinced that those that bless the Jewish nation and bless the Jews, they will be blessed," Stimpson said. "And I can tell you as the outgoing mayor of Mobile, we have been blessed because of being the sister city of Ariel. The prayers have been lifted up."
Stimpson emphasized the importance of prayer and faith in God when it comes to leading the second-largest city in Alabama.
"There is so much at risk of where we are in this world," Stimpson said with tears in his eyes. "I don't know what the future for the city of Mobile is on the world stage, but I know today that there are other cities that wonder, 'How in the world were they able to get things done in Mobile that other places haven't gotten done?' Now it all goes back to prayer and it goes back to believing in God and wanting to glorify God. You know, He is the one that made it happen."
Stimpson made the comments following a presentation in Fairhope by JH Israel CEO Heather Johnston. Johnson created the non-profit to build a network of leaders who collaborate on developing innovative initiatives to strengthen Israel's future.
Johnston said the event was already planned but came at a time of celebration for the release of 20 hostages two years after the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.
"We're living in incredible times," said Johnston. "We have a shot at peace in the region, really, for the first time. So, hats off to President Donald Trump, but the highest praise be to God alone because so much of this has been out of the hands of man and into the hands of God. It is supernaturally, super intense, and all of this, by the way, He's written about it in His Word."
Johnston said it is important to continue supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship.
"We take people over to Israel and go see things. We are guiding them into a biblical understanding of their role as it concerns Israel," Johnston said of the nation's leaders. "They have to take up a position. They need to be leading. They need to be carrying forward in an actionable way in the leadership role of the U.S. Congress. That's what we're doing."
Eran Glazer, the director of the National Leadership Center in Israel, joined Johnston for the event. He thanked supporters and explained how he works to serve students by teaching them about their biblical heritage and helping families who have faced tragedy.
"I think it's a great place to announce that we are not just a place, we are a movement," Glazer said.
The center has served 130,000 students and plans to serve 25,000 more in 2026.
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