I recently returned from an exciting, long-awaited conference in Jerusalem. More than 300 of our staff, board members, and families from around the world converged on God’s holy city, Jerusalem, to encourage and inspire one another in our crucial evangelistic work among Jewish people. Our conference theme was “Building for the Future,” based upon Nehemiah 2:17–18. After hearing the testimonies of our workers around the globe, I am happy to tell you the future of the Lord’s work among the Jewish people is bright!
After all, proclaiming the gospel among Jewish people is the only form of evangelism with a guarantee. As Paul wrote, there is “a remnant according to God’s gracious choice” (Romans 11:5). We see this remnant growing today—especially in Israel!
Our conference was a wonderful occasion to strengthen our global relationships. We heard updates on our work in fourteen of the twenty countries comprising our Chosen People Global Ministries network. The Chosen People Ministries attendees came from various nations, cultures, and languages. We confirmed our commitments to one another and our sacred task echoed in Paul’s words, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” (Romans 10:1).
Our theme of building for the future came from the book of Nehemiah. The Bible often compares the building of the church with the construction of a building! Many ancient cities—Jerusalem included—had walls built around them for protection. As God used Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, we see the Lord working through our global family of ministries building the modern Messianic Jewish community. Paul also mentioned the movement of Jewish people coming to the Lord in Romans 11:25–29 as a sign of the last days!
Though Nehemiah faced opposition, his little ragtag team succeeded in rebuilding the wall in a staggering fifty-two days (Neh 6:15). In Jewish ministry, we also endure opposition, both from individuals and the spiritual forces Paul described in Ephesians chapter 6.
To build successfully, we must build according to His plans detailed in Scripture and with trust in the One who has called us to this ministry!
After hearing the many incredible testimonies from our partners across the globe, I can confidently confirm God is at work. We see people coming to faith and growing in discipleship.
Again, I cannot tell you how encouraged I am by what I see God doing today!
BUILDING GLOBALLY FOR THE FUTURE
May I tell you a few stories?
Last November, in partnership with a young couple in Japan and one of our Israeli staff who has a great heart for reaching traveling Israelis in Japan, we began a guesthouse in Tokyo. In less than a year, they welcomed 120 Israeli guests.
This couple stays in contact—sometimes daily—with several of their guests. While in Israel for the conference, they even hosted a reunion event in Tel Aviv, where they continued to build upon the relationships formed with Israelis they met in Japan.
Another outreach we recently launched is our Host Israelis Global Network. We are asking believers to open their homes to traveling Israelis. We already host thousands of Israelis backpacking after their two or three years in the Israeli army at our youth hostels around the globe, which are great tools for this ministry. But the bread and butter (bagel and cream cheese?) of this ministry is Jesus-loving believers hosting these young adults in their homes and showing them the love of the Messiah in both word and deed.
If you are interested in hosting Israeli travelers in your home, go to http://www.hostisraelis.com. You can find out more by watching an introductory video and reading reports of how God is using everyday believers to bring the good news to Israeli travelers.
UKRAINE UPDATE
We also heard updates from our staff leading the outreach and relief efforts for suffering Ukrainians, both within Ukraine and within Israel. Since the start of the crisis, our partners in Poland have helped distribute hundreds of tons of food in addition to hygiene products, medicine, and other necessities. Some of our partners and volunteers have traveled very close to the eastern front war zones, and we praise God for keeping them safe.
We also support hundreds of displaced brothers and sisters who fled from eastern Ukraine to western cities, like Lviv. We provide food, rent money, medicines, and more for these dear people, many of whom were part of Messianic congregations Chosen People Ministries planted or supported in Ukraine over the last four decades.
As one of our staff said, “We do not bring food only; we are bringing hope.” We long for people to see the love of Jesus through us. Even in these dark, heartbreaking situations, God is at work. Ukrainian Messianic congregations in our network are growing, and dozens of people have come to faith. We have brought thousands of Bibles into the country, even in the midst of war.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE IN ISRAEL
Our ministry in Israel has grown tremendously over the past thirty years. At first, we had only a few Israeli staff members, but now our team includes about thirty workers, and all of them are Israelis! I believe the Messianic community in Israel has a bright and vibrant future. We witnessed it for ourselves as we interacted with these dear Israeli brothers and sisters.
One of the highlights of our Israel conference was a visit to our Tel Aviv Messianic centers—both our current rented center and the commercial space we recently purchased. Our outreach there includes three or four events (concerts, dinners, lectures on practical and biblical topics) per month, along with Bible studies, small groups, and one-on-one ministry.
After visiting our current center, we visited our future one. The new center is two-and-a-half times the size of the present, rented center. We will have room for our children’s programs, Bible studies, and training classes. Thee first floor will house a conference room, a coffee bar, and ample space for Israelis to sit, relax, and chat. The second floor will be our main auditorium, where we will host larger events like worship nights, concerts, and cultural programs.
A PERSONAL INVITATION FOR YOU!
I would like to invite you to become a partner in supporting our new Tel Aviv Messianic Center. Please pray the renovation process goes quickly and smoothly so we can open the new center for ministry as soon as possible.
If you want to see the new center for yourself, we invite you to join our dedication tour this December 6–15, during the week Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication! We will light a menorah in the sanctuary of our new facility, tour this beautiful country, worship together, pray, and hear about what God is doing through our staff. I know you will love this once-in-a-lifetime trip!
We will explore Israel during the beautiful season of Hanukkah, when the country is lit with menorahs from north to south and east to west. It will be really spectacular, so join us! We might not be completely done with the build-out of the new center, but we should be well on our way. To learn more and register, go to http://www.chosenpeople.com/dedicationtour.
As always, thank you so much for your prayers and support. We are so glad we are joining what God is doing in Israel to build the future of Jewish evangelism together!
Dr. Mitch Glaser 