| December 2009 Newsletter Summary |
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Download the complete December 2009 newsletter in PDF format. Belarus
This year, CJFM initiated a major reorganization of our efforts in Belarus, beginning a new partnership with the Union of Evangelical Christian-Baptist Churches. Working together with this large, established faith body has permitted us to minister more freely. We have also avoided the government harassment and persecution that often plagues minority faiths. Through the Baptist Union’s membership, God has given us theologically sound men with a heart for Jewish ministry. Our partnership is already bearing fruit. Over the summer, we cosponsored a conference entitled “Israel: Past, Present, and Future.” The conference—attended by more than 200 pastors, their wives, and other interested Belarus believers—provided impetus and inspiration to those interested in sharing the Gospel with the Jewish people. God is now multiplying our efforts there many times over—and providing many workers for the harvest. In the coming year, you will hear much more about our work in this part of the world. Redemption 2000 | Director of International Ministries, Gideon Levytam Israel
CJFM hosts three different tours to the Holy Land every year (see cjfm.org/tours for details). During each tour, participants have an opportunity to hear a short presentation from some of our workers in Israel. The Book of Revelation tour members recently heard the exciting news that God is at work not only among the Jewish people of Israel, but also among the Arabs. Given the degree of hostility that normally exists between these two ethnic groups, such news is nothing short of miraculous. Another positive is the growing cooperation between Jewish and Arab believers in Israel. That cooperation is most notably evident in the annual Jewish/Arab believer “Gathering in Galilee.” Every year, Yossi Ovadia is actively involved in this Fall gathering. The yearly picnic brings together Jewish and Arab believers from congregations throughout the region to promote fellowship and give visible witness to the unity of all believers in Yeshua. As the keynote speaker at this year’s gathering, Yossi encouraged participants to “gather treasures in Heaven,” using Matthew 6:19-33 as his text. There is an incredible sense of unity among the believers, despite the very real differences between them. Yossi’s congregation in Karmiel not only celebrated their 20th anniversary this year, but recently had the privilege of planting another church in the Jezreel Valley. As usually happens in such a case, however, trained leadership and faithful members move from one congregation to the other, leaving holes in the sending congregation. Please pray that both the new fellowship and Yossi’s congregation will have all their needs met—including the need for a newer, more reliable van. The Karmiel congregation’s current van breaks down regularly and is no longer cost effective to repair. This van is used for numerous activities, including transporting people to Bible studies and Shabbat services (no buses run on Shabbat in Israel, and many people do not have a car). The van is also needed for traveling to baptisms, transporting the youth to camp and other outings, as well as delivering tables, chairs, and other equipment to outdoor meetings and picnics. We also ask your prayers for two older teens from Yossi’s congregation. These young believers go out each week to witness at the central bus station, speaking primarily with young Israeli soldiers. This takes no small amount of courage as messianic Jews in Israel are often treated as pariahs, and are targeted for harassment and even violence. Pray for their safety, and that they may see fruit from their labors. To the northwest of Karmiel, we find our sister Ruth and the growing congregation there. After her husband Albert’s sudden death in January 2007, Ruth unexpectedly found her ministry expanding: along with serving the messianic congregation that meets in her home, her ministry now includes working with Arabs and Palestinians! It’s an amazing turn of events that this Jewish widow never could have imagined. She regularly interacts with an Arab pastor in Haifa, accepting speaking engagements together with him on behalf of their individual ministries. The diverse congregation that meets in Ruth’s home is testimony to the warm welcome Ruth offers everyone. Among the regular attendees you will find believing and non-believing Jewish people, Gentiles from a number of countries, and at least one Arab! At any given Shabbat service or midweek Bible study, you will hear people speaking Hebrew, English, German, Russian, Spanish, Dutch, and Arabic. The fellowship continues to grow despite the leadership void left by Albert’s death. A number of local pastors and Bible teachers have alternated preaching and teaching responsibilities. Their messages have been excellent, but the congregation clearly needs its own permanent shepherd. CJFM Israel Tours | Ruth Nessim | Yossi Ovadia | Give to the Karmiel van fund |
