Source: Chicago Sun-Times

On December 8, 1999, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, stated that Southern Baptists "have crossed the line of responsible witness" in calling for 100,000 Baptists to come to Chicago seeking converts next summer. Eckstein stated: "I have broken with the Southern Baptist leadership, and I would urge all Jewish institutions to do likewise...I want to make it clear that it doesn't mean Jewish institutions should break with every Southern Baptist church, institution or individual...It certainly does not mean breaking with evangelical groups, but rather with the Southern Baptist Convention institution." SBC president Paige Patterson dismissed the split: "It's not a problem. We're still open to talking with him." Patterson continued by saying that all of this publicity about the Chicago visit next summer has strengthened his commitment for it: "I wasn't sure that we could have gotten that many people to come. Now we may. I wasn't planning on coming next summer. Now I will."