Beit Immanuel                                 November 2011

Living here in Israel we are often invited to speak and teach in many nations. I could never understand why people around the world are so interested in listening to us. So I asked my good friend Dan Juster why people thought that Jewish believers in Jesus have a special revelation of God's word. I don't feel special and there are many teachers with far more experience than me. "You know David," he said. "I also feel totally unworthy to fulfill the unique calling of Israel to be 'a light to the nations.' But it is our destiny. It is not something we choose for ourselves. So all we can do is the best we can do with what we have."  

 

From there I participated in a gathering of 25,000 people at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles, USA. Together with other leaders from Israel we were asked to intercede for America. I prayed that the Lord would "turn the hearts of the fathers back to the sons and daughters." These were some powerful moments of repentance and reconciliation.

 

 

Some family news

I got to visit with our daughter, Hadass and her husband, Daniel. Hadass is studying English literature at LA City College and tutors underprivileged kids in English and math. I also got to see our long time acquaintances, Bill and Diana Bjoraker a few days and I want to thank them for allowing me to speak to their communities.

 

Michaella and Moriel our oldest daughter then joined me in Nykoping, Sweden (that's pronounced "no-shopping," thankfully). We taught on the Sabbath, God's extravagant love for His people Israel and enjoyed warm fellowship with these strong costal people over the weekend. It's reported that Nykoping has some of the cleanest drinking water in the world and with the cold fresh sea air we all came back feeling ten years younger!

Our son Elisha

Our youngest son Elisha completed basic training with honors. Upon completion, the soldiers attend a swearing-in ceremony where they swear allegiance to Israel upon a bible. Of course in Israel only the Hebrew Scriptures are used. Elisha, not satisfied, raised his hand in front of the 350 soldiers and requested to use the New Testament Scriptures as well! To his delight the officer in charge gave approval and Elisha was mobbed with questions afterwards - "What is the New Testament?" "How can you be Jewish and believe in Jesus." "Can I read it too?"

 

 

Celebrate Shabbat with the Messianics

We met a lot of people here at Beit Immanuel and explain about our beliefs and lifestyle. But we were totally surprised when the following advertisement appeared in a popular local magazine. Here's a translation.

 

A rare opportunity to meet with a group of Messianic Jews celebrating the Shabbat each week. The spiritual leader of the congregation, David Lazarus, will welcome us and explain how the Messianics celebrate Shabbat. We will join with them in their prayers and listen to the sermon in this unique atmosphere. We will spend time with these Jewish believers and experience up close about their unique and special lifestyle. Friday evening 18:30-21:00, Auerbach Street 8, Tel-Aviv.

Help! Media!

Our ministry is growing and we would like to be able to produce teaching videos, a website and publish materials on a much wider scale. We are looking for someone with multi-media experience to come and spend 3-6 months with us to help develop this aspect of our work. This is a great opportunity to use your gifts and talents to reach an international audience changing the lives of multitudes around the world. Since I have an MA in Communications we might be able to set this up as an opportunity for a student to do a summer practicum as part of a degree program.

 

Let's make a difference - together

This is great time to make a year end contribution to Beit Immanuel. Your support is helping us make a difference in the lives of so many people and there is so much more that we would like to do. Why not consider making an investment in blessing the people of Israel in a way that really counts. Beit Immanuel is serving many single parent families, widows, children and needy and we would love to be able to share more of God's love with them.

 

We distribute massive amounts of literature, books and videos teaching the Jewish roots of faith in Yeshua for the Israeli people. Our home-groups throughout the greater Tel-Aviv and surrounding cities are building strong families and we provide Shabbat Schools for children, Summer Camps, Youth Clubs and Parenting Classes. We are preparing lawyers, military officers, university professors, nurses and many others to share their faith in the market places of Israeli Society.

 

Visit our website for more information.

 

Beit Immanuel Congregation

© Beit Immanuel is a registered non-profit in Israel.