Israel

Israel Matters

God Almighty, Creator of all, chose to bring Salvation into the world through a nation called Israel.

Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, was renamed Israel by God Himself. So the name Israel refers to a person and a nation.

God’s relationship with Abraham was unique, and in God’s design, He chose to bless Abraham, promising him a multitude of descendants and a land that would belong to him and his people. Isaac inherited this promise, which promise then fell to Jacob. The nation took the name Israel after Jacob, their forefather.

In blessing Abraham, God’s intentions were to also bless all nations. Through Abraham’s lineage came Jesus of Nazareth, the One Who became the Savior of all who would yield to Him.

Man often wants to question God. Why the Jews? Why Israel? Why Abraham?

But our place is not to question the Almighty. Instead, with grateful hearts we should praise the One Who planned for us to be redeemed from our lostness. How He wanted to do that and whom He wanted to use to enter our world is His choice. Our Creator and Savior is worthy of all our worship and praise.

Our Connection to Israel

In blessing Abraham (known as Abram at the time,) God told him something that affects us now.

“I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3, NKJV).

It is our blessing to bless Israel.

Some want to argue that the present day Israel isn’t the people group God mentioned thousands of years ago. But what other nation has ever been dispersed to the ends of the earth, effectively becoming dead to the world, only to revive centuries later, with its people returning to the same land they originally were promised by God, speaking the same language spoken before the people were scattered?

Supporting Israel

Today we watch in amazement the miracles of YHWH, the God of Israel. When we read Scripture and watch the news of the day, we can see God’s prophecies coming to pass.

It is often assumed Jews have nothing to do with Jesus. Yet, Jesus Himself walked this earth as a Jew. His first followers were Jews. And today, there are many Jews who recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah. They call themselves Messianic Jews and are eager for their fellow Jews to know the One Who died for them.

Israel as a nation is presently secular. But God is at work breathing life into the nation He loves.

Below is a list of ministries I am familiar with and believe are sincere in their efforts to bless Israel. Ministries you can learn from or support if you wish, knowing these are ministries eager for the Jewish people to fully know their God, to recognize their Messiah has come and is returning soon.

Because Israel as a nation today has a mix of people and religions in the land, there is a mix of ministries listed here. Some reach out to Jewish Israelis while others minister to Arab Israelis. And some of these ministries reach out to all the people groups in Israel or the surrounding nations. Feel free to check out the links provided and do further research of your own. I encourage you to bless the people of Israel as you are able, by praying for them and giving financially if God leads. And if you have an opportunity, visit the land. You will be blessed!

Ministries Focused on Israel

Baptist Related Ministries:

Nazareth Baptist School (https://www.baptist.co.il/history/)

Nazareth Baptist School is a K-12 private evangelical Christian School located in Nazareth, Israel. It is well-regarded in the city and the nation as a school with excellent test scores. For believers, it’s nice to know there is this light for Christ shining in the Arab city of Nazareth.

Friends of Nazareth (https://www.friendsofnazareth.org)

Because the school no longer is funded by the Baptists directly, a group of people founded Friends of Nazareth as a means of raising funds for the school. People can sign up to go to Israel with Friends of Nazareth to see the land and learn about the school and what God is doing there.

Jerusalem Baptist Church (https://jerusalembaptistchurch.org)

The Baptist House is owned by Baptists, and several churches meet at this location.

Al Nucciarone (https://my.fca.org/?form=albertnucciarone)

Al Nucciarone is the pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church and is in Israel on mission with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He ministers in many ways both in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Tel Aviv, and helps sponsor Christian sports camps in various locations.

Jerusalem Prayer Center (https://jerusalemprayercenter.com)

The Jerusalem Prayer Center is situated on the border of East and West Jerusalem. The back of the property faces a Jewish section of the city while the front faces an Arab section. The gates stay locked for security reasons, but during open hours, everyone is welcome to enter upon request. Inside you will find a tranquil place for prayer and fellowship. Georgia Baptist Women’s and Missionary Union (WMU) helped at the center in various ways, including helping establish the prayer garden on the premises.

The Baptist Village (https://www.thebaptistvillage.com)

Many groups use the campgrounds at the Baptist Village. Nazareth Baptist School holds summer camps there. The photo above is the goodbye notes written on a white board at the Baptist Village. The notes were written by young Israelis who were part of Lech L’Cha, a Messianic Jewish ministry to young adults transitioning from their mandatory army service to civilian life. They met for a few months and the Baptist Village was their location for living and learning.

First Baptist Church Bethlehem (https://www.fbcbethlehem.com/join-our)

This photo is of the entrance to Shepherds’ Fields in Bethlehem. The church doesn’t meet here, but it ministers to all of Bethlehem.

Evangelical Messianic Jewish Ministries:

Chosen People Ministries (https://chosenpeople.com)

Chosen People Ministries began in the late 1890s in Brooklyn, NY. Today they minister in 20 countries, reaching Jewish people with the good news of Jesus the Messiah. They have staff who live in several cities in Israel. During this time of war, more and more Jewish people are looking for hope and peace.

Jews for Jesus (https://jewsforjesus.org)

This photo is of the sign on the wall in the Jews for Jesus office in Tel Aviv. They have multiple ministries in Israel and around the world. Jews for Jesus is a ministry which was birthed from Chosen People Ministries. Each ministry has its own ways of reaching out to Jewish people, and between them, the two ministries reach many Jews for Jesus.

L’Chaim Israel (part of Olive Tree Minstries) (https://myemail.constantcontact.com/I-Will-Do-a-New-Thing.htmlsoid=1101818841456&aid=SRsdTUYTjxI)

Jan Markell is a Messianic Jew who began a teaching ministry called Olive Tree Ministries. Recently, the ministry closed their radio teaching ministry and are putting their funds into hands-on ministry in Israel.

Declaring Zion International (https://www.declaringzioninternational.org)

Known as the Couple from Galilee, Deborah and Noam Cohen minister to Israelis while also helping the Church understand the place of Israel and the Jews in God’s kingdom.

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (https://www.icej.org).

I recently encountered ICEJ and am amazed at the information and care they have available to help believers understand the place of Jews in God’s kingdom.

Pro-life Ministry in Israel: 

Be’ad Chaim (https://www.beadchaim.com)

I was stunned and saddened when I learned how many abortions are performed in Israel. But then I heard of Be’ad Chaim, and am encouraged by the love and passion of the counselors with this pro-life organization. The photo above is of the doors to the Be’ad Chaim office in Jerusalem. I was impressed when I visited and saw the way they provide support for women in unplanned or unwanted pregnancies.

Ministry to People in Israel and Neighboring Areas: 

The Joshua Fund (https://joshuafund.com)

I first met Joel Rosenberg through his Christian fiction books. His knowledge of the Middle East and of end times events as recorded in Scripture led him to write stories with amazing reality. He and his family moved to Israel and Joel began a ministry for outreach to Israel and her neighbors. The Joshua Fund gives aid to various local ministries to help people in that region based on need. One recent aid given went to help in the translation and publication of a modern Hebrew Bible. Many Jews have a hard time reading the original Hebrew and need help to understand God’s word.

Reliable Information on Israel, Jewish issues, and the Middle East:

Amir Tsarfati (get the telegram app and follow him at https://t.me/s/beholdisraelchannel)

This is my primary source of information for what is happening in the Middle East and beyond. Amir is Messianic Jew living above the Jezreel Valley. As a believer in Yeshua as Messiah and a former IDF soldier, he understands the events happening in Israel and the Middle East in light of Scripture.

Behold Israel (https://beholdisrael.org/)

For additional teaching or connections to Prophecy Roundtable discussions, you can check out Behold Israel’s website and dig deeper into God’s word regarding the end times.

Olive Tree Ministries (https://olivetreeviews.org)

Jan Markell, who began Olive Tree Ministries, is acquainted with many preachers who know God’s word well, especially regarding prophecy in the Bible. Her ministry has excellent teaching resources available from these various pastors and teachers, as well as Jan’s teachings and insights as a Jewish believer.

Jerusalem Dateline (https://cbn.com/news/jerusalem-dateline)

You can find Chris Mitchell, Julie Stahl, and other reporters with Jerusalem Dateline on YouTube or Facebook, and hear excellent up-to-date reporting from Israel. The website listed will also take you to their information on the CBN web page.