February 2023
The Chosen People Newsletter
Tel Aviv: Gateway to Israel
Shalom in His grace, and again, Happy New Year! I pray 2023 will be a year of joy and peace for you and your family in the Prince of Peace! I do not know about you, but I have this incredible sense of forward motion these days in many areas of life. I find myself filled with hope, excitement, and expectation in the Lord.
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The modern history of Tel Aviv began in 1909 when sixty families founded what they called Ahuzat Bayit (roughly, “Homestead”). This neighborhood merged with Nachalat Binyamin(“property of Benjamin”) and Geula under the name of Tel Aviv, meaning “hill of spring.” The term comes from …
Tel Aviv is a vibrant city, attracting people from all walks of life. It is a very Israeli city, as its population reflects the diversity seen among the Jewish communities at large. Jewish people of Central or Eastern European background…
Let’s take a stroll in Tel Aviv. We might see an assortment of electric scooters for rent or an outdoor art exhibit along the streets. We pass chic cafés brimming with Israelis working or chatting over espresso. The restaurants serve…
HaMercaz has become a home and refuge for many young single ladies here in the Tel Aviv area. These ladies stay for hours after scheduled events to discuss deep, personal issues with our female staff and are looking for a godly perspective and hope in light of the Scriptures. We have built an authentic community of believers.
One of our staff had the chance to speak with Hannah,* who came with her daughter to our center for a Sabbath dinner. Hannah told one of our workers the story of how she grew up in a religious community and, after coming to believe in Yeshua (Jesus), was ostracized for her faith. She told her how much she appreciated the safe and welcoming environment of our community.
These women really feel like they are part of the body of Messiah and appreciate the unity. With such a central location near the train station, people also often comment how they love how many people come to HaMercaz from so many different congregations and diverse regions.
We invited one of many groups of Japanese believers who come to Israel to experience the land of the Bible to help host a cultural event at our Tel Aviv Messianic Center. Japanese culture is very popular in Israel, and many Israeli young people attended. The Christian group from Japan talked about life in their country and took the opportunity to proclaim the good news to between seventy and eighty Israeli participants!
For many, it was their first time hearing the gospel!
A young Israeli believer, Rebekah,* brought her friend Esther,* who is not yet a believer, to a worship night. As everyone was singing, the two friends sat whispering and talking. This went on most of the night. Afterward, one of our staff asked Rebekah what they were chatting about. She said her friend was asking all sorts of questions: “What do ‘mercy’ and ‘grace’ mean? And salvation from what?” She knew the words in general but wanted to know their meaning in the context of Jesus and the worship. Rebekah got to explain in great depth the gospel and her personal relationship with Jesus.
After the worship time, they stayed for coffee. Esther met other believers and said she could feel the love in our center. We are so thankful for a place where people feel comfortable to bring friends who do not yet know Jesus.
We praise God our ministry center truly ministers to both believers and non-believers alike!
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THE TEL AVIV MESSIANIC CENTER Chosen People Ministries began a dynamic ministry among Israelis in the greater Tel Aviv area in 2017. This outreach focuses on presenting the gospel to younger Israelis—most of whom recently served in the military. These young adults are the sons and daughters of Israeli believers who came to faith in the past twenty to thirty years. What is…
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