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January 6, 2025 · 9:00 AM

The Enduring Call of Romans 1:16

I am writing this brief letter to you right before I visit Israel this month. This is going to be a very significant trip, and I hope you will pray for me.

I cannot easily describe the level of suffering and anguish the last sixteen months have brought upon Israelis, Palestinians, Chosen People Ministries—Israel staff, and for Jewish people globally because of the wave of antisemitism that has erupted since the beginning of this horrible war.

Life in Israel During Wartime

As I write, quite a few of our staff are still moving in and out of bomb shelters on an almost daily basis. The missile sirens seem to be going off day and night, even though the Israel Defense Forces have destroyed so many of the missile launchers in Gaza and southern Lebanon. There are usually between twenty and one hundred (sometimes even more!) explosives fired every day. A number of civilians, both Arab and Jewish, are killed within Israel because the missile defense systems cannot shoot down every projectile or drone.

Israeli soldiers—most of them in their early twenties—are also dying daily both in Gaza and Lebanon . . . more than 800 so far! May I also remind you that there are still more than one hundred hostages held by Hamas in Gaza? As of November, Israeli intelligence has assessed that half the hostages are still alive. Mothers and fathers, husband and wives, and children continue to be distraught and spend hours shedding tears of grief because of the extreme adversity their loved ones continue to endure in the dark underground tunnels of Gaza.

Pray for My Trip to Israel

I will admit that it is a bit dangerous for me and for the two other godly men joining me on this trip to Israel, yet we really do not spend our time thinking about it. Our beloved staff endure this stress day in and day out, and all I want to do is support them. I do hope that you will pray for fruitfulness and safety for our little team as well as for our staff.

We hope to meet and pray with our staff members individually and with their families. We love them so much, and I am personally inspired by and grateful for their bravery during this difficult time. They not only care for their own family, but they are out and about each day meeting the needs of suffering and displaced Israelis. If you have given a gift already to our work in Israel, I want to assure you that it is being used well, as our staff continue their ministry amid ongoing danger.

I will also be reviewing the progress of our new Tel Aviv Messianic Center. I am so grateful for the huge outpouring of support for this new and much-needed center. We are now able to celebrate the completion of our two-year, $6.5 million campaign, which means we now own this beautiful new center in the heart of the Holy Land—debt-free. Thank you so much!

The construction has continued miraculously and should be completed by mid-February. Even our elevator, needed to ensure everyone can participate in our ministry activities, has come six weeks earlier than thought after being fabricated in Germany. All I can say is hallelujah!

The Enduring Call of Romans 1:16

Throughout the month of January, we emphasize the theme of Romans 1:16, where the apostle Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (emphasis added). This text is foundational to our ministry of 131 years. We are still unashamed; the gospel is still God’s power for salvation, and the message is still for everyone who believes—“to the Jew first” and also to the Gentiles!

We are praying for an outpouring of prayer and financial support during this month as we begin the year with a deep concern for the well-being of Jewish people. I cannot tell you how much your prayers, encouragement, and generous support mean to us.

The psalmist wrote, “pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you” (Psalm 122:6). It is love which is at the heart of our generosity, and this new center was built with the love of faithful Jesus-followers for Jewish people.

The time of salvation is NOW, and your support and prayers are needed NOW . . . and the need to bring the gospel to Israelis and Jewish people around the globe is NOW.

May I also ask whether your local church has invited a Chosen People Ministries speaker? If not, please talk to your pastor and let them know that we are available. You can call our Church Ministries department at (561)-737-1431 or email us at churches@chosenpeople.com. We would be honored to send someone to speak at your church. Your pastor might especially consider a “Messiah in the Passover” presentation during the Easter season.

My wife Zhava and I pray you will know the power of His resurrection and the joy of His presence in the new year.

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December 16, 2024 · 9:00 AM

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and an early prayer for His blessings to fill your home in 2025! 

I am more convinced than ever that the gospel is our only hope! Jesus rose from the dead, burying our sins at Calvary, and because He conquered death, we will overcome the world through Him. The apostle Paul reminded the believers in Corinth—and us—of this great truth, when he wrote, 

But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Cor 15:54–56)

I am warmly comforted, knowing that because Jesus was fully human, yet without sin, He endured the personal pain we feel when this world disappoints or hurts us deeply. He understands us and is our only hope. 

One of the reasons I love the Christmas season is because of all the focus on the person of Jesus the Messiah. These days are supposed to cause us to reflect on His birth, yet for me, Christmas rekindles my hope that Jesus will return so on and establish His throne, removing the curse of sin forever (Romans 8:22)!

In fact, I cannot think about the first coming of Jesus without yearning for His return!

Our hope is in the One who overcame the world, and because He did, we will as well. As followers of Jesus, we have something this world cannot give—a certain and sure hope for today and tomorrow! He is the God of hope, as Paul described our loving Father, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

Hope is refined by suffering. As believers we are not exempt from the troubles of this life. Jesus Himself teaches this by example. One of the most moving moments in the life of our Savior is when He wept after hearing about the death of His friend Lazarus:

When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, “See how He loved him!” (John 11:33–36, emphasis added)

We are in a season of monumental suffering for so many around the globe. Wars, hurricanes, floods, famine, and other disasters have exacerbated personal difficulties like health challenges, financial woes, and grief. When I pray for you, myself, my children, our country, Israel, and Jewish people, I ask the Lord to strengthen us through this gift of hope!

We see sparkles of hope every time God answers a prayer for healing, for deliverance from some type of bondage. Yet, it is clear that suffering in this life is one step along the pathway to hope as we follow the Savior and we walk in His footsteps. He never lost hope, and neither should we. 

Permit me to tell you a story about one of the early lessons the Lord taught me about hope.

I became friends with a pastor, who later became the president of a Bible institute. After several years, I heard this pastor was very ill with cancer and in a great deal of pain because the cancer had spread to his bones. I went to visit this wonderful man who was living with his daughter. When I saw him lying on his bed, he was obviously in some discomfort.

I very much wanted to pray with my pastor friend, thinking, of course, that I was ministering to him. I could tell he was at peace but in pain, and he asked me to pray with him. When he began praying, the presence of God was palpable in the room, and I felt as if I had come face-to-face with God himself. The prayer did not last long, but I think this experience forever changed my life, as I had never sensed such peace and hope before as a believer.

As we were saying goodbye, I perceived that his entire countenance spoke of the hope in his soul. His parting words to me, as you might expect, were something like, “I am ready to go be with the Lord, and that is all I want. I cannot wait!” I will never forget my dear friend, his faith, or his parting words. I left  the room filled with hope and a holy confidence imparted to me by someone in great pain who was dying yet fully aware the Lord was with him and that he would be with the Lord forever.

I held back my tears because I did not want to upset him. As I was about to walk out the door, his daughter came running after me saying, “Hold on one second. My dad wants to give you something.” She came back with a hand-scrawled $1,000 check for our ministry. My friend relayed to me—through her—his burning belief in the importance of reaching Jewish people for Jesus Christ. As Paul said, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” (Romans 10:1).

I was stunned and grateful.

I will never forget his face, the sparkle of his eyes, the hope he exuded, and his generosity. I am so grateful that the Lord enabled me to get to know this dear man. Decades later, I still remember this experience. It is one of the ways the Lord infused hope within me during my early years of ministry.

Today, I am confident Jesus overcame death and lives forever and that, one day, I will join my pastor friend and live forever with the Lord. This is the Christmas message. It is not simply that the Lord has come, but that He died, rose, ascended to the Father, and will return so we will live with Him forever. This is our hope. He is our hope!

A Quick Word about Hope in the Midst of War

I am also encouraged by the faith and courage of our workers in Israel, who continue to serve the Lord in wartime. For instance, I recently spoke to one of our dear staff members in Israel about how he was doing during this avalanche of missiles falling throughout Israel. He said to me that it was terrible. He reflected on his coming to Israel to help build the Holy Land and stand with His own Jewish people.

He admitted that he had never experienced such disappointment and concern for the safety of His wife and children. But he reminded me of the unshakable hope he had in the promises of God. He declared that nothing on this earth could keep the Lord from fulfilling His promises to Jewish people. He had no doubts about God’s faithfulness and ability to keep His promises.

I was moved by the clarity and power of his expectations and willingness to struggle each day with the current conflicts in light of the hope of tomorrow. We know that, according to God’s word, all wars will end one day and the Lord will reign. We do not know when, but until that great day, we will proclaim the hope we have with friends, family, and all who need to know the salvation our Savior purchased through His perfect sacrifice.

Our hope for the future is gloriously described by the prophet Isaiah, who paints a picture of the future God has prepared for those who love Him,

And He [the Messiah] will judge between the nations and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war. (Isaiah 2:4, emphasis added) 

During this wonderful season of hope, please remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the release of the hostages.

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November 29, 2024 · 9:00 AM

Bringing Hope to Israel

Shalom during this delightful season of the year, which begins with Thanksgiving and ends with Hanukkah, Christmas, and the New Year. This is a time of great hope as we look forward to all the Lord will do in the days and months ahead. I am hopeful because of the dedicated and effective team at Chosen People Global Ministries, which consists of about 200 of us serving the Lord faithfully among our Jewish people worldwide. It is a privilege to serve with each staff member, and I appreciate your prayers for our ministries among the 15-plus million Jewish people around the world.

Israel in Need of Hope 

But, as you know, there is a very special l and where hope is elusive—our beloved Israel. Hope should abound in the Holy Land, but at this time in the history of the modern state, Israel has endured tragedy upon tragedy, including one of its worst on October 7, 2023. As I write, Israel is defending itself on several fronts—in Gaza, southern Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, and even Syria and Iraq. Another front in this raging war for survival extends beyond the borders of this tiny state as antisemitism is growing rapidly in many different countries, including our own.

Furthermore, there is a growing and unfortunate lack of support for Israel on the part of democracies around the world. Israel is not perfect. Like any country, it makes mistakes, but the scrutiny and accusations hurled at Israel are unfair, as Israelis are fighting for their existence. And if not for October 7, Israel would still be working out the Abraham Accords, a normalization agreement with Saudi Arabia, and other diplomatic solutions to the challenges of building a modern Jewish state in a sea of hatred and hostility.

Courage Abounds in Israel

The stories of heroism today, in the face of grave danger, are innumerable. They remind me of the great stories of Hanukkah where the Jewish followers of Judah Maccabee were outnumbered by the Syrian Greeks and their leader, Antiochus Epiphanes. This mad leader attempted to turn Jewish people into Greeks and thereby rid the world of Jewish people. But he failed as God proved faithful once again and promised to sustain His chosen people. The promise in Jeremiah 31:35–36 says it all:

Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the Lord of hosts is His name: “If this fixed order departs from before Me,” declares the Lord, “then the offspring of Israel also will cease from being a nation before Me forever.”

And God always keeps His promises. The Lord is using today’s Israelis to fulfill His promises to Jewish people. He always works through people! I think of what our own staff, dozens of dedicated ministers of the gospel, are going through with their families. They have my heart and respect for staying the course and going beyond the call of duty to serve those suffering while they are enduring adversity themselves.

May I tell you about one way we are providing spiritual and emotional healing to Israelis in the Holy Land?

Our Growing Ministry in Tel Aviv

In June 2017, we opened a rented Messianic center in Ramat Gan, a busy suburb of Tel Aviv, one of the largest municipal regions in Israel. Over the first seven years of ministry, HaMercaz (Hebrew for “the center”) became a thriving spiritual home for Israelis of all ages, including many young families and elderly Holocaust survivors.

Our outreach and discipleship programs were so well received that every month hundreds of mostly young Israelis—believers and not-yet-believers—began attending our events. Our concerts, Sabbath dinners, and worship nights were bursting at the seams, as our 1,600-square-foot space accommodates fewer than a hundred people at a time. We have known for a while we have outgrown our rented space, and we have prayed about how to expand.

The New Tel Aviv Messianic Center

In 2022, after years of praying and searching for a desperately needed larger facility to keep pace with this growing demand, the Lord graciously provided a 4,000-square-foot space for a new center. It is near Tel Aviv’s downtown area with convenient access to its light rail system. We will be surrounded by Israelis who have never heard the gospel message!

The buildout of the new Tel Aviv Messianic Center, which will be completed in early spring 2025, slowed down because of the war. The center will more than double our capacity for outreach and events. It will play a vital role in providing our ministry staff with an excellent place to continue to serve the needs of Israelis now dealing with trauma, job loss, war injuries, personal loss, and grief. The new center is a step toward the future of God’s work in Israel and will also allow us to plant a much-needed congregation. 

Ministry Post-October 7, 2023

I love Proverbs 16:9: “The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” We had plans to develop this wonderful property, but He had His own plans. The attacks of October 7, 2023, took Israelis—including the Israel Defense Forces and one of the best intelligence service in the world—by complete surprise.

At first our staff, like most Israelis, were stunned by the magnitude and viciousness of the attacks, but soon the Lord began turning the tragedy into an opportunity to bring His love to hurting Israelis.

Serving Israelis in Need

Almost immediately our staff efforts shifted to war relief among those Israelis we were already serving, and many others we met for the first time. During the first three months of the war, our Messianic centers in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv served the needs of Jewish people of all ages, providing housing, relief aid, food, and supplies that our staff delivered to those in need.

Our staff and volunteers continue to serve the practical needs of Israelis, as these everyday needs are still great. Yet, the spiritual and emotional need is far greater. By God’s grace and the prayers and generous support of our fellow believers, we have been able to continue and even increase our number of Bible studies, prayer meetings, and worship events, along with retreats for children, families, and elderly Holocaust survivors.

The overwhelming challenges of ministry in the midst of tragedy and war reminds us so powerfully that the Prince of Peace is still our only hope for peace and His peace only comes through our accepting Yeshua as Messiah and Lord.

Proclaiming the Gospel in Israel

This is why we cannot separate our support and prayers for the State of Israel from our efforts to bring His peace to Jewish people in Israel and around the world. If we love Israel and do not proclaim the gospel, then there will be no lasting peace in the hearts and lives of Jewish people we love. 

Bringing the good news of Jesus to our Jewish friends and neighbors in Israel and around the globe is vital. We live in a day when hope so easily slips through our fingers, yet we can be a great blessing to our friends and family by telling them about the magnificent hope we have through Jesus the Messiah.

We cannot live without hope. And hope is superficial when it is not rooted in our personal relationship with the One who conquered death through His resurrection from the dead. We bear the message of true hope and joy, forgiveness of sin, and the promise of eternal life. We cannot remain silent. The hour is late, and the gospel is desperately needed in the Land of Israel.

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November 15, 2024 · 9:00 AM

A New Approach to Reach Traveling Israelis

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you will enjoy some delicious food and fun times with your family and friends this month. There is nothing like a bountiful Thanksgiving meal to remind us how God uses food and hospitality to unite families and friends. 

Thanksgiving is not the only holiday with special foods intended to help us remember the past. Every Jewish holiday has its unique cuisine. For example, we eat a dish at Passover called tzimmes, usually made with carrots and dried fruits. The secret ingredients to excellent traditional tzimmes are honey and cinnamon. Why? Because redemption from slavery is always sweet! Our Jewish culinary customs encourage us to find joy despite life’s difficulties because God is a mighty deliverer. We are alive today to eat the sweet mixture on Passover only because of His covenantal faithfulness! 

Inviting others to our homes and tables is rewarding and can also be a powerful ministry strategy, especially among our Jewish friends and neighbors. Food is central to Jewish life. There is a well-known saying within the Jewish community when summarizing the history of the Jewish people: “They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat!” 

Food is a stunning reminder of God’s love and care for us! Jesus said it Himself in the Sermon on the Mount: “Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” (Matthew 6:26)

Throughout the years, I have found that one of the most fruitful ways to show God’s love and proclaim the gospel with others is through the ministry of hospitality, which—you guessed it—involves lots of food! 

This month, I am delighted to explain how you can become part of God’s great plan to redeem Israel by showing hospitality. But first, let me describe how this innovative ministry began and recount a few good stories of how God works through believers when we bring His love to life around the table.

REACHING ISRAELIS THROUGH HOSPITALITY

One of the pioneers of our hospitality ministries to traveling Israelis is a Jewish believer who grew up in the Washington, D.C., area and eventually led one of our Chosen People Ministries Messianic congregations in Maryland. Scott describes why and how he left a thriving congregation to move early 9,000 miles to serve Israeli backpackers in New Zealand:

My wife and I motorcycled throughout New Zealand’s wild South Island to celebrate our thirtieth anniversary. We discovered scores of young travelers—Israeli and otherwise—everywhere we went who seemed primed and ready for spiritual conversation.

We moved to the South Island the very next year to test the idea of a hospitality ministry. We soon discovered evangelistic opportunities were even better than we initially thought! I remember one night, it took me four hours to finish a forty-five-minute cleaning chore at the campground where we had planted ourselves. No, I was not slacking off, and my sponge was not broken. Young Israelis at the camp kept stopping me, wanting to talk about God, Jesus, and the Bible! 

The ministry in New Zealand grew, and with some help from the United States, our New Zealand team bought a beautiful fifty-plus-bed youth hostel in Wanaka, one of the most beautiful places you have ever seen. We call it the Zula Lodge because, in Hebrew, the name implies a place of rest and relaxation. Young Israelis come to this charming town by the thousands each year after getting out of the army. 

Our hospitality ministry in New Zealand, which is a natural wonderland for young Israelis, is still going strong! Michael and Teresa, our current directors there, had this to say:

Zohar, a native-born Israeli on our team, frequently checks the New Zealand “Israeli Travelers WhatsApp group” to see if Israelis need a place to stay in the visually spectacular town of Dunedin. He asked us if we could host two women for just a day. “We would be delighted!” Teresa responded. The next day, Maya* and Shoshanah* arrived! They met at the Zula Lodge and decided to travel for a few weeks together.

One night turned into three, and on the third night, we all had dinner together. Luckily, Teresa is used to cooking plant-based meals, as both were vegan! The usual question came up: “Why do you host Israelis?” We talked for two hours, during which I had the opportunity to share our testimonies and our love for the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua!

THE HOSPITALITY MINISTRY EXPANDS

One of our newest guest houses, Beit Samurai (“House of the Servant”), is in Tokyo, Japan. The couple who leads this ministry has already hosted hundreds of Israelis!

Ori* and Abigail* stayed with us for a few days in December. As they walked up to our house from the train station, Abigail told Ori, “I am really craving challah1 right now after being away from home for so long.”

One of our staff offered the some challah she had baked the night before. Abigail could not believe her eyes. She marveled at how crazy and unexpected it was because she never imagined eating challah in Japan! The offer of physical bread opened the door for her to receive spiritual bread as our staff embodied the love of Jesus. Stories like these illustrate why our hospitality ministry to Israelis has blossomed among mission-minded believers worldwide. We now have hostels in New Zealand, India, Japan, and Australia. We also have hosts ready to welcome Israelis in Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, and now, the United States. 

We cannot have hostels or rent apartments everywhere. However, God is drawing people from every nation whom He is eager to use to provoke Israel to jealousy—and here is where you come in!

INTRODUCING OUR “HOST ISRAELIS” PROGRAM!

This month, I am delighted to announce the official launch of “Host Israelis,” a program in which God can use you in young Israelis’ lives by inviting them to your table! 

There is no need to speak Hebrew or know much about Israel—though it might help. Most important is having a heart for blessing Jewish people everywhere with hospitality, friendship, love, and the good news of the Messiah. 

Your Mission to the Jewish People provides training and resources on Israeli culture and how to recognize opportunities for spiritual conversations. When you connect with “Host Israelis,” you join a global network of like-minded believers overseen by seasoned Chosen People Ministries missionaries. 

A few American hosts have already welcomed Israelis to their table! I was amazed to hear what God did while we were still beta testing the program. If the following story can happen with just a few host families, imagine what can happen when we have a nationwide network of Christian hosts passionate about the salvation of Israel!

One Israeli family traveling across the United States stayed with eleven hosts on our network. Our host families are all reporting they had an amazing time. This Israeli family is very open to the gospel. They are reading the New Testament and listening to Christian worship music! They like Jesus. The husband believes He is the Messiah. The wife is also very warm and open to Jesus, but she has questions.

HOSPITALITY AND JESUS

Showing love through hospitality can be a powerful way to draw Jewish people to the Messiah! We see it through stories like the one above and in the Scriptures. The Gospels often depict Jesus dining with people. He broke bread not only with His disciples but also with outcasts and members of society not accustomed to sitting with rabbis. He was known for “eating with the tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 9:11; cf. Mark 2:16; Luke 5:30). In many cases, a communal meal provided the context for revealing Himself as the Messiah.

HOW IT WORKS

It is simple! Go to chosenpeople.com/host and click the link to fill out the online application. We request two references from people who know you well and will set up an interview to get to know you better and answer any questions. Once you are approved, you will have access to our many training videos to help you understand how to navigate the app, create your listing, engage Israeli culture, and talk about Jesus with your guests. As soon as your listing is made active, Israelis can contact you through WhatsApp and view your profile.

WILL YOU JOIN US?

We hope you will partner with us in this exciting work of reaching Israelis traveling worldwide—including in your backyard! At the same time, we understand not everyone can host guests overnight. You can still play a key role by being a day host or supporting this ministry in prayer and financial support. 

If you are seeking a spiritual adventure, you can even come to help us at some of our international hostels on a short-term mission trip.

Whether you invite Israelis to your table, support this outreach, or pray for us, we know the Lord will use you with your Chosen People Ministries partners to reach Jewish people around the globe.

Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!

* Names changed

  1. Challah is a braided bread traditionally eaten on the Sabbath. ↩︎

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November 1, 2024 · 9:00 AM

November 2024 President’s Letter: New TAMC

Forgive me for taking a moment to talk about myself and my ministry as president of Chosen People Ministries. I know you pray for me and for all our staff, especially our faithful workers in Israel, where God is still at work. So, thanks for taking the time to read and pray.

My Full November Calendar

This is an especially busy month. We have leadership and board meetings in Chicago and then a major conference all day on Saturday, November 9, entitled, “Summit on Opposing Antisemitism,” to be held at Moody Bible Institute, our partner for this important event. The speakers include Mark Jobe, President of Moody Bible Institute; Michael Rydelnik, Vice President and Academic Dean at Moody; and Don Sweeting, Chancellor of Colorado Christian University. We will also hear from Saleem Shalash, a wonderful Arab pastor from Nazareth and several Israeli Moody students who served in the Israel Defense Forces during the current war. You can register at http://www.chosenpeople.com/moodysummit/.

Immediately after the event, I fly to Korea where I will participate in a Bible conference with our Chosen People Ministries team in Korea. I will be exploring locations, homes, and youth hostels where traveling Israelis find housing and enjoy Korean Christian hospitality. Many Israelis are interested in Asia and sometimes prefer going East instead of West. There are so many wonderful Christians in Korea who love the Lord and love Jewish people, and I hope to meet those who want to be part of our hosting network.

Hosting Israelis is the topic of our November newsletter as well. Please pray and consider hosting traveling Israelis. This is a great way to meet them and present the gospel right in your own home. All you need to do is love them and open up a room in your house for two or three days. I know you will find this to be a great way to build lasting friendships with Israelis and have a loving testimony of God’s grace in Jesus the Messiah through your family. We have seen tremendous fruit through this ministry. All you need to do is be your Jesus-loving self and allow the Lord to work through you.

After I return from Korea, I travel to San Diego to be part of the Evangelical Theological Society’s annual meeting where I will present a paper on the growth of the modern Messianic movement—and it is growing, praise God, both in the United States and in Israel! I will then have the joy of speaking at our local Messianic congregation in Orange County and will finally return home to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family.

Sound busy? It is! But I know you are busy, too. As believers, we are not just busy for busyness’ sake, but we are called to be fruitful in making the gospel known. What matters in this life more than serving the Lord?

My life verse is the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” These are most comforting and encouraging words. They remind me, whatever we do for the Lord—whether it seems big or little—is an expression of our heartfelt devotion and love for Jesus.

Life in Israel 

I will try to get to Israel during December to see how our staff is faring and also to encourage those in charge of our Messianic center building project. We now expect our new Tel Aviv Messianic Center to be completed by the end of January. I am including some pictures of the building on the way to completion. 

May I tell you a little bit about the new facility? First, we are installing an elevator, even though there are only two floors, because we have many elderly Holocaust survivors and others who come to our events who cannot easily navigate stairs. We love these precious Israelis and want them to be able to attend our events and services. 

We will also have an advanced sound system as there are one hundred apartments above us filled with Israeli families. Talk about the Lord bringing the mission field to your doorstep! We are busy soundproofing so the instruments and our joyful singing will not annoy those we hope to reach! We will hold concerts once or twice a month, which are an incredible draw for younger people.

After I signed the contract with the builders some months ago to buy this 4,000-square-foot, two-story facility, I went back to our rented center, a facility we have been using for the last seven years. It was filled with more than a hundred young people enjoying a Messianic gospel concert in Hebrew. Our current space can only comfortably handle seventy or eighty people, so we recently needed to turn people away and invite fewer people as the Lord’s work continues to grow. By January this will change!

Our new space will enable us to seat 140 comfortably for a concert and more than 100 for a meal. So, our ever-increasing activities at the new Tel Aviv Messianic Center will be able to go forward in this wonderful new space.

We are also excited about our new children’s classrooms, which are so needed as we draw many kids. These classrooms will also be used for our various adult Bible studies. The completed new facility will allow us to finally fulfill my long-term dream of establishing a Messianic congregation. Adults can worship upstairs while we teach and care for fifty or sixty of their children downstairs.

You can see our new center is mission driven. We will be serving adults, youth, elderly Holocaust survivors, and children. Please pray as we finish the building.

With all transparency, the overall cost of the center is $6.5 million. The good news is we already have raised over $6 million toward the purchase, renovation, furniture, and equipment. We are left with about $500,000 needed to complete this beautiful center. 

I cannot wait to repeat the words of Nehemiah when he said, “So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of the month Elul, in fifty-two days” (Neh 6:15). What a moment for the hero of this great story as his embattled team finished the task.

I believe we will complete the work sometime in December or January. Can you believe we are so close? The Lord has shown His grace amid what might be the most difficult period in the life of modern Israel since its founding in 1948.

A Bright Future for Tel Aviv

I cannot tell you how excited I am about this possibility. I know it will transform lives in the greater Tel Aviv area. We also know many ministries in Israel will use this facility, and we hope to let them use it for free. This is God’s gift for the whole body of Messiah in Israel, and you are our partners whom we love and appreciate. Thank you for all you do you to help Israel is, especially in this difficult season, hear the gospel.

On behalf of the Chosen People Ministries staff and board, I want to thank you for your help inreaching the more than 4.7 million Jewish people living in the greater Tel Aviv area. We can do this together and enter the new year with a paid-for building and the opportunity to open this building as a center for the proclamation of the gospel in the greater Tel Aviv area.

Now you know how to pray for me this month and also for the future of Your Mission to the Jewish People in the city with the largest concentration of Jewish people in the world. Happy Thanksgiving! I love this holiday because it is an opportunity to fan the flames of gratitude for the Lord and all He has done for our family and ministry. I pray your Thanksgiving will be rich with the presence of the Lord and you and your family will experience His love and joy.

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September 19, 2024 · 2:49 PM

Blow a Trumpet in Zion

Jewish people are getting ready to celebrate the Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashanah, at the very beginning of next month. I hope you take the time to wish a Jewish friend, Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday)! 

During Rosh Hashanah, we have a wonderful Jewish tradition of serving apples and honey to family and friends, representing our wishes for them to enjoy a happy and sweet year! So, do not be shy. Bring over a nice plate of apples and honey to a Jewish friend or a Rosh Hashanah card as an act of kindness to build your friendships with the Jewish people in your life. 

A HIGH HOLIDAY GIFT FOR CHRISTIAN CHILDREN

I also have some great news for you: We have completed our latest Jewish holiday animated video—this one is about the Jewish New Year and is ideal for Sunday school-age kids. 

We would love to see this resource help Christian children understand their Jewish neighbors and begin to develop a love for Jewish people at a young age. This animated video is delightful and has a very powerful gospel presentation geared for children. You can show it to a Sunday school class, at a Christian school or homeschool group, in your own home, at a Good News Club, or at a Vacation Bible School. All you need is a phone, tablet, or television. 

So, dear friend, mom, dad, or grandparent, please use the video. Who knows, maybe you will have the opportunity to show the animation to a Jewish child or two as well! 

THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS POINT TO JESUS

I love the Jewish holidays because God designed each one to promote some of the most significant themes of Scripture, which describe His person, plan, and promises. Let me start by giving you a few essential facts about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. 

MORE ABOUT THE JEWISH NEW YEAR

I must first tell you the words “New Year” or Rosh Hashanah (“the head of the year”) are not used in the Bible. Jewish tradition, however, connects it to Leviticus chapter 23:23, which mentions a day of rest and a day of trumpet (or shofar) blasts. This holiday also falls in the seventh month of the year. 

The Hebrew calendar is quite different from the Gregorian calendar most widely used today, and the Hebrew month Tishrei, the seventh month, usually aligns with our September or October, which is why the holiday is observed in the fall. 

Why do Jewish people observe the New Year in the seventh month? It is a good question, which most Jewish people cannot answer. But if you saw the movie Fiddler on the Roof, you probably remember the song, “Tradition!” Jewish tradition tells us the New Year should be linked to the holiday described in the biblical text as the month of the blowing of the shofar, or ram’s horn. 

Tradition is not bad, but you must be able to separate tradition from Scripture. The Hebrew word rosh means “head,” and shanah means “year.” So, the festival named in the Bible as the “Blowing of the Shofar” is now viewed as the “Head of the Year,” or Rosh Hashanah, and the holiday when we blow the shofar. 

May I take us one step deeper into the Jewish background and meaning of Hebrew terms? The Hebrew Bible does not include the word “blowing” (Lev 23:24). The Hebrew word used, teruah, is one of the sounds the shofar makes when blown! I find it best to translate the term as “toot toot.” Of course, I smile when I write this. But it is true; the literal name of the festival is a sound. But it is a very important sound. 

We must dive even deeper, though, into the overall background of the Jewish festivals to better understand this first holiday of the seventh month! 

THE FESTIVALS’ ROAD TO REDEMPTION

We find the seven great festivals of Jewish people meticulously detailed in Leviticus 23. All the festivals point to the past, the present, and the future in one way or another as each festival is prophetic. To help you understand Rosh Hashanah—the first fall festival—let us examine the Sabbath and the spring festivals. 

The Sabbath (Leviticus 23:3):

Leviticus 23 begins by introducing us to the archetypal festival, the weekly Sabbath. 

The Sabbath, which is in many ways the foundation for the seven annual festivals, looks back to God’s rest from His labor after creating the heavens and the earth in six days. Moses then commanded Jewish people to cease from work every seventh day from Sinai onward. However, many Jewish people fully understand how the past and present Sabbath also points to a greater Sabbath to come, when the ultimate Davidic King will sit on the throne of David, and there will be peace throughout the earth (Isaiah 9:7). We believe this Davidic King is none other than Jesus, the Jewish Messiah for all. 

Passover and Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:5–8):

The first holiday of the Jewish year points to the redeeming Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world in a greater way than the lamb slain by the Israelites in Egypt and whose blood they splashed upon their doorposts. 

We know Jesus, the Messiah, fulfills this prophetic picture. The Festival of Unleavened Bread is a picture of how He lived a life without sin, as leaven is a symbol of sin. But this prophetic roadmap to redemption does not end with His death! 

First Fruits (Leviticus 23:9–14):

The Feast of First Fruits is the third festival in the spring. This holiday was divinely scheduled to fall the day after the Sabbath related to Passover. Jesus died on Friday, the beginning of the Sabbath, and was in the grave Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday, then He rose in power as “the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). 

Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) (Leviticus 23:15–21):

Pentecost (from the Greek word meaning “fifty”) is next and is the day God chose for the Holy Spirit to fall upon the early band of Messianic Jewish future evangelists, who obediently waited for the promise of the Father. 

Many Jewish sages and scholars believe the first Pentecost reflects the giving of the law at Mount Sinai when the Israelites saw similar signs and wonders as God Himself gave new revelation. 

A GREATER ISAAC

Hashanah (Lev 23:23–25). At the heart of this first fall festival is the blowing of the shofar, the ram’s horn. In Jewish tradition, this looks back to Genesis chapter 22, known as the Akedah in Hebrew, which translates to “binding” or “tying” in English. 

This passage describes Abraham’s son Isaac, who was bound to the altar by his loving and obedient father whom God tested to see if he would kill his son with a knife as a sign of his faith. Thank God we know his hand was stayed, and God provided a ram caught by its horns in the thicket as a substitutionary sacrifice for Isaac. His potential sacrifice on Mount Moriah represented the first of multiple thousands of animal sacrifices eventually offered at this same location where King Solomon later built the Temple. 

Isaac is a type—a pattern—of the Messiah. He was innocent, beloved by his father, and almost sacrificed, though there was no reason for his untimely death. God called Abraham to climb the mountain and sacrifice his son as a test. The shofar is blown to remind Jewish people of Abraham’s obedience and Isaac’s willingness to be sacrificed. As Messianic Jews and Gentile Christians, we are certain this prophetic pattern was fulfilled in the death and ultimate resurrection of Jesus the Messiah. God, in His great love, sent His only perfect Son to atone for the sins of all humanity. 

Yet, we still wait for another blowing of the shofar one day, which will announce the coming of the Lord. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Cor 15:52). 

We pray for the salvation of Jewish people and all people! We especially pray many Jewish people today will recognize the greater Isaac, Jesus, who through His atoning sacrifice, sets us free from sin and death at the very moment we give our lives to Him and recognize He is our Savior and Lord! Our staff in the United States, Israel, and eighteen other countries around the globe proclaim this message to our beloved Jewish people. 

While we long for His return, we also want more time because we hope to see so many others come to faith. Nevertheless, our hearts still cry out, “Come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20). May we hear the sound of the heavenly trumpet soon! 

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September 3, 2024 · 8:30 AM

Hope Is Rising in Tel Aviv

Shalom in His grace. I am delighted to write and bring you up to date on what God is doing through our 130-year-old mission to Jewish people.

Israel is still deeply in turmoil, which keeps me on my knees. Even if Israel agreed to some type of peace accord with Gaza, welcomed all the living hostages back, received the bodies of those who died in captivity, and secured the safe return of the tens of thousands of Israelis who evacuated their homes near the border, Israel would still have to face all the challenges of a future plan for Gaza! Even if Israel fully dismantles the threat of Hamas (and Hezbollah), how long would peace last? 

POSSIBLE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ISRAEL

There is also the question of potential governing bodies who would partner with Israel in controlling any future terrorism from Gaza. If an alliance of Arab countries with Israel had equal authority in the Gaza Strip, would this partnership endure? I realize these scenarios are hard to imagine, and we cannot predict the future. We can only follow the One who can!

Who could logically believe this alliance could work? The Palestinian Authority, who controls the West Bank (Judea and Samaria), has proven itself to be an undependable partner in peace. Judea and Samaria have been rife with terrorism, and it is possible more Israeli soldiers will die in this territory than in Gaza!

And what about Hezbollah’s frequent rocket attacks into northern Israel, destroying homes and causing raging wildfires? Can we really trust Hezbollah, Iran’s proxy, to remain within the demilitarized zone already established at the Litani River in 1985? Hezbollah moved into southern Lebanon after the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was forced out in 1982. What assurance does Israel have they will not use their Iranian-supplied arms to bring destruction to the north, including to cities like Haifa or in the Galilee? Many believe their rockets and missiles can even reach Jerusalem and Tel Aviv as well. You can see Israel’s options for partners is getting slimmer as time goes by.

SOME OF ISRAEL’S HISTORY WITH LEBANON

This is not the first time Israel thought a solution would work in southern Lebanon. An Israeli news source, Ynet News, describes the first Lebanon war:

The 1982 Lebanon War began on June 6, 1982, as what was supposed to be a short-term military operation—Operation Peace for Galilee. The operation was meant to destroy [Palestinian] militant infrastructure on the Lebanese-Israeli border, which had been used by terrorists to attack [the Israel Defense Forces] . . . as well as the Israeli communities abject to the border. In 1978 Israel launched Operation Litani, temporarily occupying southern Lebanon up to the Litani River. Once the IDF withdrew its forces later that year, an alliance was formed between the IDF and the South Lebanon Army (SLA), resulting in a buffer zone along Israel’s border.1

However, this plan for northern security did not hold as Ynet further describes,

January of 1985 saw the Israeli government decide to gradually withdraw from Lebanon, and by springtime most of the IDF’s troops—with the exception of those stationed in the south Lebanese buffer zone—were out of Lebanon. 

According to the Defense Ministry, Israel suffered 1,217 fatalities in the war itself, which lasted between 1982 and 1985. 

The rising number of fatalities among IDF soldier[s] stationed in the buffer zone led to a growing public outcry to pull all troops out of the area and in 1999, then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak led his government to vote for the complete withdrawal from Lebanon.

The last Israeli soldiers left Lebanon on May 24, 2000.2

Why would the lack of lasting peace be any different today? Israelis old enough to remember these events ask themselves this question. What has changed other than Iran and Hezbollah drawing closer and becoming more militarily capable?

Israel will do whatever it takes to survive. If viciously attacked, Israel will defend herself once again. Only this time, with the memory of what happened previously, Israel’s response will be fierce and decisive, leading to further and more massive destruction on all sides.

ISRAEL’S DILEMMA

As you can see, Israel is still in a very difficult situation. I do not want to leave you feeling hopeless but to help you get a sense of what our staff in Israel is going through as they reach Israelis at this critical time with the message of true hope through the Messiah. Not even one of our workers permanently left Israel during the war—though many of them could have gone elsewhere. I am so proud of their dedication and selfless service.

I could not be more pleased with the way our staff has served the Messiah and shown His love in dozens of ways, touching the lives of thousands of Israelis who feel so vulnerable and hopeless at times.

So, our staff continues to serve faithfully, and they can do this because you care and stand with them in their efforts!

A WARTIME MIRACLE: THE NEW NEW TEL AVIV CENTER

Now, let me tell you about what I can only call a wartime miracle. Our beautiful new ministry center in Tel Aviv is almost done. Can you believe it? We still need a little more than a half million dollars toward this $6.5-million-dollar project. 

But the true miracle is not the funding but rather overcoming the lack of labor over the last year as building projects in Israel so often depend upon Palestinian laborers—many of whom came in through Gaza each day. 

And yet God provided laborers from among Christian Arabs and Israelis to get us very close to the finish line on the building. We cannot tell you how thrilled we are to see God’s provision. It reminds me of the miracle of the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:13–21). We did not bring much to the table by way of labor, but God maximized what we brought. 

THE FREEDOM TOWER, A SYMBOL OF HOPE

May I explain to you a little bit more how I feel about what the Lord has done? 

I lived through the 9/11 tragedy in New York City. My house in Brooklyn is downwind from the World Trade Center towers, meaning smoke was clearly visible from my home. I cannot tell you about the horror of those moments, when more than 2,977 people died. In September 2021, on the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, we honored the hundreds of law enforcement, fire department, military, and Christian workers who perished as they worked to save others. We also thanked those who rallied to the challenge to help rebuild New York City. 

I am sorry to say both Israel and the United States have a common enemy. Those who perpetrated the awful tragedy of 9/11 and those who are behind the war in Israel have a common ideology. This ideology of evil goes far beyond borders and resides across many nations. These adherents hate the West, hate Jewish people, hate Christians, hate the Lord, and hate Judeo-Christian values. But the Lord overcomes our enemies! 

I watched the new Freedom Tower being built for years. Today, it stands grand and proud as a symbol of our freedom and our enemies’ inability to destroy us. 

HELP US FINISH THE NEW TEL AVIV MESSIANIC CENTER

I want our new Messianic center in Tel Aviv to stand as a sign of God’s faithfulness to Israel, Jewish people, and in particular to the Messianic Jewish movement within Israel, which is growing by leaps and bounds over the last twenty-five years. Our Romans 11:5 remnant is increasing, and Chosen People Ministries—Your Mission to the Jewish People—is one of the largest ministries in Israel.

In Tel Aviv, we hope to plant a congregation, continue our outreach concerts, and implement other ministries. Our staff across Israel will continue to reach out to children, young adults, elderly Holocaust survivors, and many others.

Endnotes

1 “The Lebanon War (1982),” Ynet News, November 30, 2008, https://www.ynetnews.com/ articles/0,7340,L-3631005,00.html.

2 Ibid.

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May 15, 2024 · 9:00 AM

Say “No” to Antisemitism!

As the war in Israel continues, our hearts go out to those suffering due to the actions of Hamas and Hezbollah! The impact of the conflict now stretches across the globe. It has caused the rise of new challenges for the worldwide Jewish community and for Your Mission to the Jewish People, as you can see from the following reports about the growing number of antisemitic incidents in the United States. Sadly, I am certain further events will have transpired by the time my letter crosses your desk or kitchen table. Yet, the pro-Hamas protestors act as if October 7 never happened!

THE CHILLING TRENDS

The Anti-Defamation League, the world’s leading organization tracking and opposing antisemitism, reported in early January, 

In the three months since the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel, U.S. antisemitic incidents have skyrocketed, reaching a total of 3,291* incidents between Oct. 7 and Jan. 7, according to ADL’s (the Anti-Defamation League) preliminary data. This represents a 361-percent increase compared to the same period one year prior, which saw 712 incidents.

The preliminary three-month tally is higher than the total number of antisemitic incidents tracked in any year in the last decade, except for calendar year 2022, when the total number of incidents reached a historic high of 3,697. Since Oct. 7, there was an average of nearly 34 antisemitic incidents per day, putting 2023 on track to be the highest year for antisemitic acts against Jews since ADL started tracking this data in the late 1970s.1

Although these statistics are from the United States, this dramatic rise in antisemitic incidents is global, especially affecting Western countries where you might not expect this dramatic rise in Jewish hatred.

I am especially astounded by the antisemitism currently raging in England. According to the Community Security Trust, which gathers information on antisemitism in the United Kingdom, there were 3,328 incidents of abusive behavior, 266 assaults, 305 threats, and 182 acts of damage and desecration throughout 2023. The charity said there was a total of 4,103 antisemitic incidents in the United Kingdom in 2023, up from the previous annual record of 2,261 in 2021.2

Similar occurrences of antisemitic hatred were recorded in Canada and Australia, home to hundreds of thousands of Jewish people.

MY FAMILY’S STORY

My maternal grandparents emigrated from Belarus to the United States to escape the everyday horrors of antisemitism. Little did they know the most extreme, diabolical, and destructive expression of antisemitism would soon come from Germany, one of the most sophisticated and Christianized countries in Western Europe.

My grandparents left their homes and families behind because of the attacks against Jewish people (called pogroms), which motivated them to make the dramatic move to an unknown country! Like so many Jewish people, they were desperate to get away from those who sought their destruction and build a better life for their children. They willingly left the land, language, and life they knew to live in a land built upon freedom of religion.

The United States still had some restrictions prohibiting or limiting Jewish people at colleges and fraternal organizations and in certain professions. But my grandparents could still own property, get a better education, and enjoy opportunities in their new homeland they could not get in Europe.

COUNTERING THE CURRENT WAVE OF ANTISEMITISM

So much of the current wave of antisemitism is rooted in the belief in Israel and Jewish people in general as aggressors. We would not suggest every criticism of the policies and actions of the State of Israel, valid or not, springs from the poison of antisemitism. Yet, from what we have seen taking place across the United States, anti-Zionism and the belief Israel is an illegitimate state is often fueled by antisemitism.

I am sorry to say Jewish students on our university campuses are feeling the brunt of a growing, unreasonable anger and hatred. They are often targeted by Hamas sympathizers, who are abetted by administrations at various—and not just “elite”—schools, which seem to look the other way and tolerate targeted protests.

One of the groups countering the growing antisemitism on campuses across our country is the Brandeis Center in Boston—part of the enduring legacy of the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, the late Louis Brandeis. He was a staunch supporter of Jewish rights and the State of Israel. The Brandeis Center plays a vital role in opposing antisemitism on campus.

Let me give you a couple of examples of what they are doing:

The Brandeis Center and Jewish on Campus (JOC) filed a joint complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on behalf of numerous Jewish students at American University (AU) who have been assaulted, threatened, harassed and intimidated in dormitories, classrooms and campus spaces. According to the complaint, AU was fully aware of the pervasive and hostile environment for Jewish students, and not only ignored it, in some cases, it chose to subject Jewish whistleblowers to harassment and disciplinary proceedings.3

And further,

In another story, on the downfall of Harvard’s and UPenn’s presidents and the double standard applied to Jewish students by campus Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, Marcus [president of the Center] stated: “DEI offices have often acted as if Jewish Americans were outside their scope of responsibility.” When Jewish students go to DEI offices seeking support, “they will receive a cold shoulder from administrators who are quicker to support members of other groups such as African American, Hispanics, or gay or lesbian students.”4

Whereas we hope all those who feel the pain of discrimination and prejudice will find help, the overt dismissal of Jewish student concerns is intolerable and unfair. I believe followers of Jesus need to spring into action on behalf of Jewish people.

SHOULD CHRISTIANS OPPOSE ANTISEMITISM?

We must ask ourselves the question: “Is opposing antisemitism a spiritual duty for all believers in Jesus?”

Today’s antisemitism, seen in synagogue shootings, attacks on a kosher market in France, the taking of hostages at a synagogue in Dallas, and through the growing presence of antisemitism on social media, is no longer merely latent. To a large degree, tensions in the Middle East have exacerbated this growing antisemitism.

However, we would be mistaken in thinking this “oldest hatred” did not exist prior to October 7 or before Israel became a modern state.

After October 7, it did not take long for antisemites to begin targeting Jewish people in the United States, Germany, England, and across the globe. It is apparent their hatred of Jewish people was not new, and the events of October 7 simply sparked what was already there, causing it to rise to the surface. Really, the opposite should have been the case. It is also remarkable how quickly Hamas sympathizers swept the atrocities committed by the terrorist organization on October 7 under the rug.

Jewish people worldwide are now the objects of anger and contempt by these same sympathizers. It seems as if any Jewish event on campus and in various communities is subject to the wrath of radical and violent advocates who believe their mission is to remove Israel “from the river to the sea.”

This terrible surge of global antisemitism needs to be stopped. First, by our prayers, followed by our actions.

THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSIONS OF ANTISEMITISM

The roots of antisemitism remain deeply woven into our culture and those of many Western countries, as well as those nations part of the Arab world. Yet, the problem goes deeper than this!

As I have mentioned in the past, the root of antisemitism is profoundly spiritual.

We affirm God chose Jewish people to be His people and to accomplish His purposes (Genesis 12:1–3). At the exact moment God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants, the devil chose Jewish people as his target throughout the ages. The devil hates God, our Messiah, the Bible, and Jewish people.

As believers in Jesus, we must support Jewish people globally, even if we have political disagreements with the modern State of Israel. Affirming God’s chosen people is a personal duty for all Christians and requires our standing against antisemitism.

In light of God’s far-reaching purposes for the global Jewish community, we have no option other than to find ways in this hateful environment to defend and protect Jewish people and to oppose antisemitism wherever we see it today.

Thanks for your love, prayers, and support for Israel and Jewish people—and all who are oppressed by Hamas—especially for the hostages held in Gaza since October 7. The next section of the newsletter will offer some practical suggestions for ways Christians can support Jewish people and oppose antisemitism.

Endnotes

*Note: This is preliminary data. An earlier version of this press release was updated on January 17, 2024 to reflect the latest findings.

1 “U.S. Antisemitic Incidents Skyrocketed 360% in Aftermath of Attack in Israel, According to Latest ADL Data,” ADL, January 17, 2024, https://www.adl.org/resources/press-release/us-antisemitic-incidents-skyrocketed-360-aftermath-attack-israel-according.

2 Yoni Gordon-Teller, “Antisemitic Incidents 2023,” Community Security Trust, 2024, https://cst.org.uk/data/file/9/f/Antisemitic_Incidents_Report_2023.1707834969.pdf.

3 “February 2024 Brandeis Brief,” Brandeis Center (blog), February 8, 2024, https://brandeiscenter.com/february-2024-brandeis-brief/.

4 “February 2024 Brandeis Brief.”

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April 15, 2024 · 8:30 AM

Passover Points to a God Who Keeps His Promises

I would like to wish you a Happy Passover and Easter.

Since the exodus, Jewish people have celebrated Passover as a memorial to God’s love, power, and plan for His chosen people. It is a reminder of how the Lord of the universe, against all odds, promised to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and bring them back to the land of Israel (Genesis 15:13–14). Passover reminds us God has not forgotten His promises to His people.

If God keeps His promises to Jewish people, then we have further confidence He will keep His promises to all those who have trusted in Jesus!

Each year, on the fourteenth day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar, God asks the people of Israel to stop whatever they are doing and observe the Passover—regardless of circumstances. The Jewish community observed the festival amid the darkest moments of Jewish history—the Crusades, pogroms in Eastern Europe, the Holocaust, and the wars following the formation of the modern State of Israel in 1948. 

Despite the terrible loss of life on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing war we currently face in Israel, Jewish people will again remember God’s miraculous redemption and faithfulness revealed in the Passover! The observance of Passover is a higher priority than all other events or challenges we face as families and as Jewish individuals. Our busy schedules must bow to the Lord’s commands and plans—this is true not only for Jewish people but for every follower of Jesus as well! 

The prioritizing of God’s will we learn from observing the Passover and other holidays is a critical lesson for those who want to follow the Lord. We need to be ready to drop what we are doing in order to obey the Lord and follow Him. This practice is an important lesson Christians can learn from Jewish people. 

PASSOVER: HOPE FOR SHATTERED TRUST

On October 7, most Israelis lost trust in the army and government, whose preparation for and response to the flagrant violation of Israel’s borders was insufficient at best. I cannot blame my fellow Jewish people living in Israel for feeling this way, as they were profoundly disappointed by those entrusted to protect them. When we draw back the curtains of history and look at the story of Passover, we see there is only One who merits our complete trust—God Himself. 

Egypt trusted in their numerous gods, but the God of Israel proved Himself stronger than them all. The Lord delivered His people “with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm” (Deuteronomy 26:8). Passover teaches us God shows up at the right time, even when it seems all odds are stacked against Jewish people. We trust in God alone for Israel’s ultimate deliverance from her enemies at the end of days.

The Bible teaches all humankind is damaged by sin, which clouds our judgment and often causes us to place the concerns of this world above God’s concerns. Even the people we love sometimes disappoint us because of sin. Sin also taints all human institutions, which ultimately disappoint us.

God warned Israel not to trust in man but rather in God:

Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the Lord! (Isaiah 31:1)

I understand this passage very personally, as I trusted in the world until the day I met the Jewish Messiah, who delivered me from my false reliance and enabled me to stand upon the rock of His faithfulness. Though it may take some time, and we may struggle with trusting in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding—or the understanding of others—the Lord will always prove Himself trustworthy. My prayer for my people today is for this disenchantment with institutions and people to lead to a deeper trust in the God of Israel and His promises.

IN GOD WE SHOULD TRUST

When I think about the future of Jewish people, I think of passages in the prophets like Isaiah 62, Amos 9, and Jeremiah 31. Perhaps we can take a quick look at this last passage and remember God’s promises of Israel’s deliverance: 

Thus says the Lord, “If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out below, then I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 31:37)

God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham will not allow Him to stand by and watch the destruction of His chosen people. The Lord Himself will make sure Israel fulfills the purposes for which He created and chose them. Passover is an excellent example. For the Israelites to fulfill their divine calling, they had to dwell in the land of promise. Egypt’s power could not stand in the way, and God rescued His people with great signs. Passover is a reminder of God’s faithful track record. Because He has saved and sustained His people thus far, we can be confident He will continue.

We already see signs of Jesus’ soon return when all Israel will recognize Him as the Savior. Many Jewish people have returned to the land of Israel in unbelief and will one day experience the fullness of the Spirit of God. The dry bones of Ezekiel 37 will come alive! Yet, this fulfillment is only the beginning. Jewish people simply living in the land does not satisfy the totality of the Abrahamic promise, as Israel must inherit the land and dwell in peace with her neighbors:

In that day Israel will be the third party with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth, whom the Lord of hosts has blessed, saying, “Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.” (Isaiah 19:24–25) 

As we well know, this has yet to happen! However, it will come to pass when Jewish people turn to Jesus, and He returns to reign as King. Jerusalem, Israel, and the world will then be transformed.

Too often, we end Israel’s story at the cross and see Jewish people replaced by those who follow Jesus—including Jewish people and Gentile nations—without understanding the day will come when Jewish people return to the Lord and Messiah. Only then will the world be blessed as the Holy One promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:3).

Darrell Bock, a New Testament scholar, often says the inclusion of the Gentiles does not demand the exclusion of the Jewish people from the purposes of God (Romans 11:17–18).

Another incredible blessing we look forward to when Jesus returns is God Himself will once again rule over His creation without the limitations the fall caused. As Jeremiah wrote:

They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, “Know the Lord,” for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, declares the Lord, for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)

For those who follow Jesus, part of this verse has already come to pass, as God has forgiven all our sins because of our faith in the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world. However, this prophecy has obviously yet to be fulfilled entirely. Nevertheless, I believe the universal reign of the one true King is one of the glorious results of the second coming of Jesus!

Passover not only reminds Jewish people of God’s plan of redemption but also reminds those who love the Jewish Messiah today He will come again to deliver our beautiful-but-broken world from the darkness and frailty of sin once and for all. 

Passover makes me cry out: “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Happy Easter and Passover from your Chosen People Ministries family,
Mitch

P.S. My heart still breaks for the hostages. We must not forget about them but continue to pray for their release from captivity, especially during Passover!

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March 1, 2024 · 9:00 AM

A Report from Our Staff in Israel

This month, I want to honor the selfless work of our team in Israel, especially since October 7.

The barbaric Hamas massacre traumatized the nation and changed Israel forever. The bloodbath shattered Israelis’ trust in their leaders and defenses. Given Israel’s relatively small size, virtually everyone in Israel knows someone who was murdered, injured, or taken hostage.

Our staff immediately sprang into action. Though they, too, grapple with grief, fear, and the new normal of running to bomb shelters, they are doing all they can to serve others.

The following are just some of the ways our brothers and sisters in Israel are bringing practical aid and the hope of the gospel to Israelis enduring these horrific trials.

SERVING ISRAELI SOLDIERS

Some soldiers, like those stationed near the northern border, are facing harsh, cold conditions. Our staff gave out hundreds of packages of supplies to these Israeli soldiers, including socks, thermal underwear, watches, water packs, sleeping bags, and lights to wear on their helmets to see at night. Some of our staff met with believers at different army bases and distributed these essential items.

After a few weeks, we knew we needed more help as we did not have enough people to drive to every base. We partnered with those in the Messianic community who could deliver the resources we gathered for the 500–600 Israeli believers scattered among the various army bases. Since we knew believers in most units, we asked them to distribute the items to their fellow soldiers.

Among the most meaningful aid we provided was fresh, home-cooked food. On one occasion, we brought this nutritious food to soldiers guarding the Lebanese border. We had the privilege of reaching a unit on the very outskirts of the border area. Our staff member described the encounter:

The commander kept shaking my hand, and he said, “You have no idea how much this means to our soldiers. Yes, we have food, but it’s tuna fish in a can.” Home cooking means so much for the soldiers. Everyone was really grateful, and we took time to pray.

Shortly after October 7, supplies became hard to find. But, somehow, God opened doors of provision. Here is just one story from our staff about God’s faithfulness:

We needed to find battery packs to give out to soldiers. I called around and couldn’t find any. But, after looking and praying, we found one of the larger stores in Israel had 200. So, we bought 100 of them. Then, by God’s grace, we were able to contact an importer and get wholesale prices for the same items. We were very grateful for the ability to meet real needs and also do it in a way that exercised good stewardship of the funds we had. Each item was distributed with a warm smile and, of course, when asked, we told them clearly we were Jewish believers in Jesus who loved them! 

SERVING EVACUEES, CHILDREN, AND HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS

In the months following October 7, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon continued to fire rockets into Israel. As the Israeli Defense Forces fortified these borders, more than 120,000 Israelis living in those areas were displaced. 

We reached out to Israelis forced to evacuate their homes on the northern and southern borders. By partnering with other faithful, Bible-believing organizations in Israel, we had the opportunity to minister to individuals living in hotels. One of these ministries covered the expenses of this work. We assigned one of our young staff members to serve in a hotel filled with evacuees. 

Our hearts were especially broken over the condition of the children who fled their homes and had to abandon all their normal routines. Most of these children lost a couple of months of school! This loss not only slowed their education but added to the sense of instability both parents and children felt. The need for someone to stay home with the kids interrupted parents’ work schedules. Other households temporarily had only one parent as Israel mobilized much of its reserve force. These sudden changes wreaked financial and mental strain on numerous Israeli families. 

A few new opportunities arose to assist families and children impacted by the war. For example, we received the blessing of providing dozens of tablet devices for kids to use for their education. These children were staying at the Baptist Village in the city of Petah Tikva so they could attend school online, but there were not enough tablets for all the children. We also bought and gave toys to the kids as gifts. Additionally, we organized food distribution for dozens of Holocaust survivors too afraid to leave their houses, either because of the constant rocket attacks or the trauma from Black Saturday, as the Israelis call October 7.

Practical aid often led to the opportunity to proclaim the gospel. The assistance our staff provided stimulated many great conversations about the Lord, and our team encouraged many Israelis during this harrowing time. Most of the Holocaust survivors are in their 90s and full of anxiety and fear. Having us visit, talk, and pray with them greatly ministered to their shattered hearts. Too many of these precious elderly Israelis lost friends to the brutality of the Hamas terrorists who stormed their villages on October 7. Would you please pray for them as well?

Despite the immense, ongoing hardship, we praise God for what we accomplished. However, there is still so much more to do!

SERVING A TRAUMATIZED NATION: NEXT STEPS

We are ready to continue and expand these ministries to all the people we serve in Israel, as the Lord guides us. There are many needs, which we believe we can meet with your help.

I received this note from one of our most experienced missionaries who described the displacement of Israelis as a result of the war:

Hi, everyone!

Due to the outbreak of war, more than 120,000 citizens have been displaced and are currently seeking temporary housing. The evacuees can be categorized as follows:

    • those from the war zone near the Gaza Strip who face long-term displacement due to the destruction of their homes
    • evacuees from communities near Gaza with a higher probability of returning home once the war ends
    • evacuees from the north who left their homes in haste

    I write this letter after conversations with social workers from different hotels, each housing hundreds of evacuees from the south and north. While there is no immediate shortage of necessities like food, clothing, toys, and hygiene products, their prolonged stays in hotels have led to increased aggression and adverse social phenomena, including violence between individuals, and vandalism.

To address these issues, Chosen People Ministries Israel proposed a number of projects last year: 

  • organizing activities for evacuees (including children and Holocaust survivors) in hotels, like do-it-yourself crafts, music classes, and clubs to help alleviate their restlessness and provide a sense of purpose 
  • scheduling events with musicians, artists, and games to bring some joy and entertainment to the evacuees
  • conducting seminars with Christian psychologists who can provide much-needed emotional support
  • assisting individuals with special needs, who are not adequately supported by the state, by providing transportation for medical appointments or catering to families with children with specific requirements 
  • organizing fun-filled days for children to help create a positive atmosphere and bring some normalcy to their lives during this challenging time

We already have shown the love of Jesus through some of these activities and through the opportunities to speak to those who ask about Him.

I am so grateful for your love, prayers, and sacrificial support.

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