May 2024

The Chosen People Newsletter

Like many big cities, Tel Aviv has a large homeless population. Some of our staff in Israel partner with other ministries to provide hot meals to those in need. At a recent event, one of our staff sang from the book of Psalms and Isaiah 53, stopping to explain what they meant. Sitting next to our staff, Shaul* knew several psalms by heart. He did not want to believe in Jesus because, in his own words, “I am a Jew,” but he listened eagerly and sometimes joined in. Our staff explained how Jesus and the gospel are very Jewish! Shaul had once been active in synagogue and Jewish traditions but fell into darkness and mental problems through dabbling in the occult. Please pray for his salvation. He said, “Thank you so much for everything; you are so kind and thoughtful.”

A Jewish, not-yet-believing friend of our staff volunteered at the same event and heard the gospel as she was serving. Although our staff had tried to study the Bible with her in the past, this experience was like words of Scripture coming alive for her. She was amazed by the testimony of one gentleman Jesus rescued from the darkness of addiction and hopelessness. Now, he lives with purpose and serves God. Our volunteer did not know it was even possible for these men and women to escape the prison of addiction. Please pray for our staff and volunteers and the people they serve.

About seven years ago, a Jewish man started coming to the congregation where one of our staff in Chicago serves. Yakov* came on a bicycle because his license had been taken away after a car accident. He talked about antisemitism in Ukraine and how, as a boy, he had to stand up for his mother. Then he disappeared. No one knew what happened to him.

Three years ago, Yakov called our staff, who had a hard time recognizing him. He had suffered several heart attacks and strokes and was in a nursing home. When our staff member visited him, he left with a heavy heart. Yakov could only move around in a wheelchair, could not speak very well, and swore often. He did not want to talk about God. He only needed our staff to do favors for him.

Because of the pandemic, our staff could not visit him often. However, each time our staff member came to visit, he laid hands on Yakov and prayed for Jesus’ mercy on this man. Miracles began to happen gradually. Suddenly, his speech began to improve, and he eventually stopped swearing. He started asking questions about God, about forgiveness of sins, and about Jesus (Yeshua). For the first time, for an entire hour, they talked only about God and eternal life. “I want to pray to Yeshua,” he said before our staff member left, and they prayed. Another Jewish soul was saved!

We never cease to marvel at how Yeshua answers prayer. Please pray for Yakov, for his growth in faith, and for his health.

Often when our staff travel, they look for opportunities to present the gospel to individuals God brings across their path. After a recent Chosen People Ministries national staff leadership meeting in San Francisco, a couple from our staff attempted to drive down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway to another town, but they were disappointed when they realized their navigation system rerouted them away from the ocean drive they were anticipating.

So, they ended up going on a hike instead. On the trail, a woman stopped to talk to them. She was interested in spirituality but was not a believer. Her mother was Jewish from Europe. When she heard our staff was Messianic Jewish, she said, “Tell me about your Jesus experience.” She took our staff’s contact information, and they left with joy in their hearts. This was just one of several opportunities to talk about the Lord our staff enjoyed on this one short hike.

At first, our staff members were upset, thinking they missed God’s plan for them to experience one of the most scenic drives in the country. But after this hike, they knew they were just where God wanted them to be. The Holy Spirit has an adventure in Jesus the Messiah for all of us. Many times, what we see as “detours” in life serve as God’s guidance to better experiences.