On a recent episode of The UPside with Marion, I had the privilege of interviewing Chris Mitchell, the longtime Middle East Bureau Chief for CBN News and host of Jerusalem Dateline. For more than two decades, Chris has reported from Jerusalem, covering wars, politics, faith, and the spiritual significance of the region. With more than 25 years reporting from Israel, he has witnessed some of the most pivotal events in the modern Middle East while helping audiences understand the deeper spiritual context behind the headlines.
During our conversation, Chris shared the inspiration behind his new series “Israel Under Fire: History, Prophecy, and What You Need to Know.” He created the series to help pastors, church leaders, and believers navigate the growing confusion surrounding Israel in today’s media landscape. In recent years, misinformation and conflicting narratives have left many Christians uncertain about Israel’s biblical role and modern reality. Through interviews with historians, survivors of the October 7 attacks, and Middle East experts, the series offers a biblical, historical, and prophetic framework for understanding the events unfolding in Israel today.
Chris also introduced his second series, “Exploring the Land of the Bible,” which takes viewers on a journey through Israel for those who may never have the opportunity to travel there themselves. Filmed in locations such as Caesarea, Megiddo, Masada, the Sea of Galilee, and Jerusalem, the series brings scripture to life by connecting the geography of the land with the stories of the Bible. Chris explained that he designed the series for three groups of people: those who may never visit Israel, those preparing for a trip, and those who want to relive the experience of walking where the Bible happened. Both series are available through his website at chrismitchellnews.com, where viewers can learn more and access the content.
Chris’s passion for Israel and biblical storytelling is rooted in a deeply personal journey of faith. Raised Catholic, he spent years searching for deeper spiritual meaning until a life-changing encounter with Christ on May 8, 1977, during a conversation at a McDonald’s in Washington, D.C. That moment transformed his life and ultimately led him toward a calling in journalism and ministry that would take him to Jerusalem. Today, through his reporting and projects like these series, Chris continues helping believers understand not only the headlines coming out of the Middle East—but also the spiritual story unfolding behind them.
Watch the full interview here:
[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSfkXk24N6mlywdN0Wq6jQbawWK9j2qCj]
