Shalom or Peace! Yeshua (Jesus) said to His disciples,
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) It’s not hard to see that we are living in troublesome times where it’s natural, in the human sense, to be pessimistically anxious and worried about the world we have grown accustomed to, changing rapidly for the worse! Yeshua warned us about such times before His return to triumphantly deal with evil. We are living in an ever intensifying worldwide battle between good and evil where it seems evil is forcefully advancing. Indeed, our peace is being put to the test! Signs of the End of the Age appear to be emerging,
“But let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid!” Yeshua said,
“Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in My Name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” (Matthew 24:4-8) But this is not bad news; it's good news---God is Sovereign and in control! The King and His Kingdom are coming soon! In the midst of all this mishegoss (Yiddish: insanity or craziness) His Kingdom is advancing here and now. For instance:
RUSSIA---I just returned home from my ministry trip to Russia. Several events took place, which began first in St. Petersburg, Russia. Almost immediately after my flight landed at St. Pete Airport, Yura Mokhort (our main leader in Russia) and I met with and mentored a married couple in his congregational leadership team. The next day we met with Evgeny, the Messianic pastor of the Vyborg, Russia Messianic congregation to plan outreach endeavors the three of us would spearhead. I also preached at two different Shabbat services, conducted a Passover Seder for 50 plus people, and then led a home Seder for two elderly Jewish shut-ins who are believers in Yeshua and members of Yura’s congregation.
Our God’s Grace International Congregational Leaders Conference, which takes place twice a year, was held in Moscow with seventeen of our leaders from eight of our Messianic Congregations throughout Russia. These meetings focused on relevant teaching, leadership encouragement, goal setting and accountability. Each leader is given time to share what’s happening in their respective ministries, followed by me praying for each one individually. Several are planting additional Messianic works. For instance, the congregation I started in Moscow in 1994, Shomer Yisrael Synagogue, has started another congregation in Moscow. Shomer Yisrael had 180 people attend their Purim service, and they conducted three Passover Seders.
On our departure by train from Moscow to St. Petersburg, Yura and I planned some apostolic work to plant new works in four different Russian cities where there is no Messianic Jewish work established. We have been in contact with small groups of Messianic Jewish believers and some supportive churches who are encouraging us to start a congregation.
We have prioritized the four different cities, and will focus on scouting out the first city during my next trip to Russia. So stay tuned, and please pray the Holy Spirit’s touch on these hearts prior to our arrival, as well as for His anointing upon us.
ISRAEL---“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…” (Psalm 122:6) Indeed, Israel needs our prayers NOW! Adolph Hitler is no more, but in every generation, other madmen arise who threaten to annihilate Israel and the Jewish people, such as President Ahmadinejad of Iran. We must not be complacent and uninvolved when evil lurks to exterminate God’s people. The Church in Germany knew Jewish genocide was taking place in their land, and many around the world knew a Holocaust was emerging, but said nothing to speak against it! The world is either increasingly turning a
blind-eye to the hatred for Israel and the Jewish people, or fervently joining the battle cry that "Jews are the reason for all the ills of the world!" Believers in Yeshua, however, must
see and not be
silent! Our hearts must speak forth God’s love in God’s call to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
In my many ministry trips to Israel in the past three years, I have sensed a spiritual awakening emerging towards the only one who gives true-and-lasting salvation---
“…the Name which is above every name”---Yeshua HaMashiach! (Philippians 2:9) And finally, God’s Grace International is excited to share the following outreach event that was held in Tel Aviv, Israel about two weeks ago.
Through our affiliate organization, Helping Hand Coalition’s persistent daily humanitarian aid efforts to care for Holocaust survivors, widows and orphans, the poor, and distressed over these many years, the fruit is coming ripe unto harvest. The time has come to reap what has been sown as we watch the harvest unfold before our very eyes! God’s promise and compassion is stirring hearts through the Holy Spirit! With the few photos shown in this letter, you will see people we have worked with in southern Israel through meetings, concerts, and personal visits organized and conducted by Helping Hand Coalition. Three years ago, as far as we could see, nothing was happening spiritually!
With your gifts and prayers, we organized an outreach conference in Tel Aviv, Israel with evangelist David Hathaway. Over 2000 people attended the 3-day conference, most of whom were non-believers in Yeshua, many being a part of the last generation of Holocaust survivors. Their response was overwhelming! The first night, 300 went forward to receive Yeshua as Messiah, and by the end of the conference, well over 500 came to faith. We have never seen such a large number of people in Israel respond to the Good News message of Yeshua! When we are consistent in reaching out with the love of Yeshua, people see the real Jesus! This was an historic event; something that hasn’t been seen in modern day Israel! What a privilege to be a part of this---it brings tears to our eyes seeing ancient prophecies fulfilled before our very eyes.
Praise GOD for His Miracle! It is
thanks to you for your prayers and financial support.
You made this Happen! Your investment in the salvation of Israel has truly become God’s
helping hands!
If you have not already, would you please consider becoming a partner with God’s Grace International and Helping Hand Coalition in this amazing ministry God has privileged us with at such a time as this? Whatever amount you are able to give, large or small---$5,000, $500, or $5---it is significant, it matters, and will make a difference to the Jewish people who know Yeshua in their hearts, or as yet don’t know Him. They need to see Messianic Jews and Gentile Christians care deeply for them. Thank you for your gifts. You can use our secure online donation site at:
http://godsgraceinternational.org/donate.htm
As always, all overhead and administration expenses for God’s Grace International are 100% paid by its founder. Any gifts from you will go fully to God’s work in ministry to His people’s needs. We are co-laborers serving His Kingdom.
