December 2024

The Chosen People Newsletter

Last year, one of our missionaries was invited to speak on a podcast hosted by two Orthodox Jewish men. Making no effort to conceal his identity as a Gentile missionary to the Jewish people on the show, he challenged their kabbalistic (Jewish mystical) beliefs by explaining Kabbalah’s gnostic (heretical Christian philosophy) influences.

Recently, our staff member had lunch with one of the podcast hosts. They met in a kosher food court and discussed various topics, but they mainly focused on progressive revelation—the idea that the Hebrew prophets provided more information about various matters than Moses in the Torah. Our missionary also had the opportunity to open the New Testament with the podcast host for the first time.

In the middle of their conversation, an Orthodox man approached their table and started talking to the podcast host. After catching up for a bit, the man turned to our staff, identified him by name, and said, “I saw you on their show!” He then eagerly reached out to shake our missionary’s hand and tell him how much he appreciated his work. Praise God for the straightforward witness of Jesus among the harder-to-reach Orthodox Jewish community!

It is incredible to see the work of the Lord, even during wartime. One of our missionaries recounts the story of one of his congregants called up to fight for Israel:

As a relatively new believer, Nathaniel* set off for war against Hamas in Gaza. Despite many dangerous situations, he stayed safe with God’s help. His unit was comprised of soldiers mostly from religious (Orthodox) backgrounds. Every evening after they finished the traditional Jewish prayers, Nathaniel started discussing God and the Bible using all the information he had learned from our staff.

At one point, Nathaniel’s unit got trapped in a building. After an incredible explosion, five members of the unit died, five others were critically wounded, and only Nathaniel and one other soldier were able to walk despite both of them being severely injured. While Nathaniel was making his way out of the destroyed building, one critically wounded soldier, a rabbi, called to him and said he did not want to die. Nathaniel was able to whisper into the rabbi’s ear that only God could save his life, and he offered to pray. Down on his knees amid the rubble, Nathaniel prayed for God to save the rabbi’s life, and he ended his prayer with the words, “In Yeshua’s (Jesus’) name.”

After three months in the hospital, against all the odds and the medical personnel’s disbelief, the rabbi was discharged to rehabilitation. Hallelujah!

Please pray this rabbi will be reminded that his life was spared because of Yeshua. Pray for Nathaniel’s complete recovery and his family. Do not forget to pray for the countless opportunities this terrible war has created for our Jewish people to learn about Jesus.

This fall, one of our missionaries in New England gathered a team to visit some of the Boston universities so they could stand up for Israel, for Jewish students, and Jesus. Below are some snippets of their encounters during their outreach:

Harvard University: “We started our time on campus directly across from Harvard Yard and in front of the Smith Campus Center, where students eat, study, and hang out. Right away, an Orthodox Jewish man who had just come from Hillel, a Jewish student organization, had a long chat with one of our volunteers. He wanted to know why a Gentile Christian was so adamant about standing up for Israel and Jewish students. Our volunteer gave the man our pamphlet, “Never Again, Never Alone,” and even got a chance to pray for him.”

Boston University: “One of our volunteers got his first taste of hostility from a Jewish student who screamed at us to leave campus. The student returned two more times, his words laced with profanity, but we stood strong. We wanted to engage him more deeply, but he left in a hurry.”

MIT: “Because the Jewish president of this famous school stood up for Jewish students during congressional hearings last year, we decided to set up a book table outside the Stratton Student Center. At this campus, we received quite a few thank yous and thumbs ups—mostly from Jewish students who appreciated our being there for them.”

It is incredibly exciting to report that Host Israelis has reached nearly 200 Israelis who have signed up to travel and stay with our network of hosts. Israelis of all ages and demographics love this program, and the word is spreading! We are receiving wonderful reports from hosts and guests alike.

One of our hosts, Melissa, runs a guesthouse for Israelis in Tokyo called Beit Samurai. A Jewish man named Zohar* stayed with Melissa and her family on October 7, 2023. He soon learned his best friend had been killed and was being buried that day. While cooking together, Zohar shared his pain and heartache with Melissa.

Melissa and her family were a source of comfort to Zohar on that terrible day when he was so far from home. He never forgot their lovingkindness. Zohar told his friends back home about his special time with this family of believers in Tokyo. One of Zohar’s closest friends recently showed up in Tokyo and reached out to Melissa. He did not think they would remember Zohar from a year ago, but how could they forget?

Word gets around among Israelis about the wonderful Christian families who love and welcome them during their travels. Hosts and travelers form deep friendships and have spiritual conversations, often cooking together, sharing meals, or playing board games. Who would have thought that ministry and sharing one’s faith could be so fun, simple, and powerful?!

If you are interested in hosting, learn more at hostisraelis.com.