Napoleon's invasion of the Eastern Mediterranean in 1798 provoked a battle between the European empires for control of that strategic region, placed as it was between Europe and the wealth of the East, especially India. From the 1800's the eyes of the West began to cast their glances towards the East beyond Europe.

For the Jewish people, dwelling in Diaspora since the days of Hadrian and the Bar Kochva revolt, this battle also resurrected Jewish hopes of a return to their ancient homeland, a hope strongly supported by countless Bible-believing Christians, especially in Britain. 

During the course of the following one hundred and fifty years this battle between the empires also witnessed the active involvement of CMJ, a London based Mission Society in the Land of Israel. The Faith of the founders including Lord Shaftesbury, William Wilberforce, Charles Simeon, Lewis Way and Joseph Frey propelled them to work tenaciously to establish first a British Consulate and then a Protestant Bishopric in Jerusalem. Changing forever the status quo of the Holy City and introducing Protestant Christianity to the Middle East. The introduction of modern buildings to Jerusalem by CMJ, hospitals and schools provoked the other communities of the city to follow suit and improve facilities for their own constituencies. 

All the while the Society's aim was threefold:

1. Restore the Gospel of Jesus as Messiah to the Jews
2. Restore the Jewish Roots of the Faith to the Church
3. Restore the Jewish people to the Land of Israel