Beit Immanuel is a community of restoration, reconciliation and redemption to our land and our people revealing the true face of Messiah to the lost sons and daughters of this generation.
We are a community committed to being a relevant testimony of Messiah's love to the people of Israel touching the lives of the local the Jewish and Arab population of Jaffa-Tel Aviv for over 50 years.
During these decades passionate people from around the world have considered Beit Immanuel their own special place for outreach, service, Bible study, fellowship and re-creation here in the Land. We look back with astonishment over these years and the presence of God in the diversity of multicultural and multiethnic multitudes that have enriched our lives. The vision continues to grow in our hearts, and recent months have brought significant encouragement from around the globe.
It is with joy that we give you this recent report. It's a bit long so you might want to scroll down to the part that interests you.
Sweden
Pastor Swen Gunner and Evangelist Tommy Lilia have made a long term commitment to help us prepare the next generation of dedicated disciples of Messiah here at Beit Immanuel. Each of these men come with long years of experience in pastoral ministry and in touching local communities with God's love. Tommy brings a very practical "how to" live the life of a believer. He says, "It's one thing to have a bicycle, another to ride it!" Swen loves people and shares from a pastor's heart. Together with them and other local and international teachers we have established a monthly Bible Training Center meeting at Beit Immanuel. Pastor Aleksey is the Director and between 20-30 students attend regularly.
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Japan
I had the privilege of meeting with a group of Japanese leaders in Jerusalem this month. Together with other Messianic leaders from Israel we devoted 3 days to study. We also discussed how we can improve our witness to the Jewish people in Israel. We also had an opportunity to listen to their pain and struggle with the recent tragedy in their land. While the Japanese people remain stoically determined to overcome even such an unheard of disaster, one can discern the deep pain and turmoil these events have elicited. These courageous leaders sense that God would use this national tragedy to humble the people of Japan and turn them back to the God of Abraham. We prayed II Chronicles 7:14 over them: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
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Germany
Johannes Fascius has been visiting Beit Immanuel since the 1970's. Back then he often accompanied Derek Prince and both men had significant impact on the spiritual formation of our young congregation. An author, prayer leader and Bible teacher, Johannes continues to keep a close friendship with us here at Beit Immanuel visiting regularly and often brings monetary support for needy believers from German Christians.
Two years ago Johannes began a yearly conference in Germany called "The Shepherds of Israel" where he brings together German Christians to meet with and prayer for local Israeli congregational leaders. This April Michaella and I participated together with David and Leah Ortiz from Ariel. There was an opportunity to share about Yad b'Yad, the Jewish and German youth reconciliation movement, as well as teach about the Jewish roots of the faith and how Christians can pray for and support Israel in these turbulent times. We performed a model Jewish Wedding with Michaella's Klezmer music as well as a Kabalat Shabbat. How good and how pleasant it is to celebrate together with German Brothers and Sisters in Messiah. "It is like the dew of Hermon..." refreshing the soul....
We had a visit from our friends the Princess Salm with some of her family and friends. The Salm family are one of the Nobel Families descendants of the Kings who once ruled Germany. These delightful folks stayed over night and enjoyed a meal together with our staff and co-workers at Beit Immanuel. Everyone commented on how sincere and kind they were to our people. Thank you dear friends for being such an encouragement and comfort to our people.
In May I visited friends in Kiel a port city in Northern Germany on the Baltic Sea across from Denmark. These people are stout, strong seamen, ship builders, sailors and frugal.The local community are preparing to host a Yad b'Yad student group in 2012 which will certainly be a treat for our Israeli young adults. My hosts took me to the spot where locals had constructed a memorial to the Israeli athletes murdered in the 1972 Munich Olympics. During those Summer Olympics the sailing and water sport events took place in Kiel. Even though Munich is 900 km away from Kiel, physical distance has not prevented that black day from being etched into their communal memory. It was moving to realize just how long these memories stay with the local people.
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Finland
We have always had a special relationship with the Finnish people, in large part due to our wonderful Annu (Pedro's wife). Annu is Finnish and has been part of the leadership team of Beit Immanuel for almost 20 years. In addition to teaching our youth and children, Annu oversees our ministry to Single Parent Mom's. She organized for a group of Finnish Christians who visited us this month to give some practical help to these families. They painted, repaired and did odd jobs for a number of needy families in the community. Finnish people are generally very quiet. They let their actions do the talking. The people from this group made a great impression on our community by their humble willingness to serve our people. We are looking forward to many more visits by this fine group of young people.
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Australia
David Smethhurst is chaplain for the Olympics, World Cup Rugby and the Paralympics. He visited us again at Beit Immanuel the end of March and as always brings a wonderful message of hope. David told us how by sheer determination and discipline these world
class athletes fight to the finish. David is there to help these young men and women cope with the emotional stress that accompanies professional sports and shares these many lessons with us and how to overcome the 'hurdles' of our lives.
David shared a powerful inspirational video with us about Derek Redman in the Barcelona Olympics 1992. Watch it. You'll never forget it.
Inspiring Video
Joy and Alan and the good folks from Lismore continue to be an important part of our lives. Glenn, a young man from their community just completed 3 months of volunteer work at Beit Immanuel. Glenn worked with our music team and worked in maintenance and was a blessing all around. Good on ya mate, it was great having ya.
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America
Our youngest son Elisha just graduated from Narrow Gate, a young men's discipleship community near Nashville Tennessee. This was a life changing experience for our son and we are thrilled to have him back after 7 months away. This is from Narrow Gates website.
"Through our six-to-eight month Christian discipleship experience, we aim to help young men ages 18-25 find vision and purpose for life. Wilderness-based aspects of the experience provide mental, spiritual and physical challenges for the young men as they journey with God to find healing and renewal. While at Narrow Gate, students answer two questions -- Who am I? and Why am I here? -- within the context of Biblical training and community living."
The leadership at Narrow Gate not only have a passion for helping young men, they also want to help support young Israelis. I highly recommend this program. Visit their website and find out how you can get involved.
Narrow Gate Foundation
Our dear friend David Schiff from Atlanta, Georgia is here again at Beit Immanuel with a group of faithful prayer warriors. As always these fine people bring a sense of God's warm love to us. With all the turmoil around Israel and the Middle East these days, we appreciate even more that comfort and joy that David and his people bring us each year. Thank you guys! You are highly esteemed!
We hosted 2 groups from mid-America last month. Dorothy Weaver and Elmer each lead teams to Beit Immanuel every year to study and learn about Israel. From the roof of Beit Immanuel overlooking the Mediterranean we discuss the issues and look at the problems and try to understand God's perspective on the Middle East conflagrations. How refreshing it is to us that you take the time and make the sacrifice to come here to learn. So many just sit in front of their desk tops and criticize.
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Italy
Michaella performed the Jewish Wedding Music in 4 Italian cities last month. She was especially honored by the Mayor of Milan opening the concert with a few words at the performance in Milan. All proceeds of the concerts went to support the work of Be'ad Chaim, Israel's pro-life organization.
Our vision is to use these performances of a live Jewish Wedding to teach people the biblical values of love, marriage and family. So far the responses have been very positive and we are getting more and more invitations. This is a vivid, enjoyable and challenging way to teach and inspire better family life. Ask Michaella how she might be able to visit your church or community.
Michaella's email
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Korea
Finally, our long time friends from Korea visited us once again. We are always so touched by the simplicity and gentleness of these lovely people. Their love for Israel runs deep and it seems that South Korea is one of the few remaining friends of Israel in the political arena. Thank God for the courage of these people to stand up for what they believe no matter what the cost. Dear Korean friends, we are greatly encouraged by your friendship towards our people. Thank you for standing with us!
