Category: Pastors Word

June 2024

“A Plumb Line” War Update # 8

“This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord asked me, “What do you see Amos?”

“A plumb line,” I replied.

Then the Lord said,

”Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel;” Amos 7: 7-8

Greetings Precious Brothers and Sisters,

During the past weeks, we continue to study the Minor Prophets as a Life-group. Often these prophetic scriptures use symbols to convey profound messages – warnings and exhortations to Israel (and the nations) regarding events that have yet to take place. Particularly, in times of great distress, like these, these prophetic messages have great relevance. The “plumb line” is a powerful symbol that appears both in Zechariah and in Amos. God wants Israel (and the nations) to be in right relationship with Him. The ‘plumb line’ represents God’s standard so that we have a means by which we can make choices in accordance with his kingdom’s values…

We are approaching eight months since the inception of the war. On October 7, Hamas’ forces launched a brutal attack on Israel’s southern settlements, leading to a full-scale offensive by Israel’s Defense Forces throughout the Gaza Strip. Today’s estimate of the number of Israelis that remain in the hands of the various terrorists militias is 124. As our forces find more and more bodies of hostages, the hope of their families is rapidly dwindling. Sadly, the body count of our soldiers continues to rise almost daily! Meanwhile, the cost in civilian lives and suffering of the general Gazan population is enormous.

Across our northern border, the conflict rages and deepens between Hezbollah and IDF forces. In the past days, Israel has increased the call-up for troops to an all-time-high of 350,000. A major ground offensive into southern Lebanon is imminent!  On both sides of the border, towns and villages have been evacuated, lessening the likelihood of widespread civilian deaths. Nevertheless, daily missile and drone attacks exact a heavy toll in property damage, while fires destroy large swathes of forest and farmland. A Messianic pastoral colleague from the northern city of Kiryat Shemona reported this past week that their worship facility took a direct hit from a Hezbollah missile and was destroyed. Fortunately, the community itself was evacuated weeks before to Tiberius.

No less troubling is the social and political divide within Israeli society. Huge demonstrations calling for a change in government and an end to the war are growing in size, frequency and ferocity with violent clashes between police and protesters.

Congregations throughout the nation continue to mobilize prayer and ‘good works’ and a message of hope to relieve the pain and suffering that is everywhere. Messianic Jewish and Arab Christian communities from the Lower Galilee region to the Golan Heights are preparing themselves for hard days ahead! Please, please mobilize prayer for the nation and for your Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

Pray too for the peoples of this region: Jews, Moslems and Christians, that we might look to God’s plumb line, call out to Him in our distress, and receive his salvation!

Beit Asaph Updates: At a local level, life goes on as best we can and we look for creative ways to encourage one another and to present the Gospel to our neighbors in Netanya. The following is a praise report!

For the past two years, our daughter, Sara, has taken the initiative to create a ‘Spring Festival’ by mobilizing her team from Beit Asaph members. These take place on a Shabbat as an alternative to a regular service. We hold the event in Netanya’s largest park, so lots of room to put up colorful bunting, food stalls, raffles, multiple games for children (and adults) and even a prayer corner! Last year we raised money for one of the national children’s ministries. This year, we raised over 7,000 shekels towards the purchase of Beit Asaph’s new facility.

This year we invited the local Ethiopian Messianic congregation and they too, canceled their service to join us. What a joyous occasion! The photos capture some of the wonderful fellowship we all enjoyed! No less important was the thrill of seeing many non-Believers/ passers-by, come in with their kids to take part in the festivities!

We are very happy to report that we are making good progress on the new Beit Asaph facility. Although we are still many months out from seeing it active as a worship facility and community center for outreach, the Lord has blessed our fundraising to date! Currently, after only six months we are very close to raising 50% of the purchase price (total purchase price 3.3M shekels or equivalent to nearly $900,000 US.) We have a year and a half to raise the rest + approximately half a million shekels for the renovations and equipment needed to turn it into an operating facility. So this too is a praise report and of course an appeal to partner with us in prayer for the financial goals to be reached! If the Lord leads you to advocate on our behalf among other Believers or their congregations or organizations, we would be so appreciative!

Meanwhile, we have time to work on internal designs, and seek professional counsel for the inevitable technical challenges we will face (security, acoustics, air-conditioning, and many more.)

The Bible says in I Corinthians 1:22 that we Jews seeks signs. Here are two or three relating to the building that will make you smile; the official name of the building is, “The Pioneers Tower.” Its location is on “Gate of Hope street” and our floor-space is situated on the 12^th floor!

One entire side is glass, with a magnificent view overlooking the main entrance to the city and beyond to the entire Sharon Plain and even further to the hills of Samaria (West Bank). The city stretches north and south below us. We hope one day many of you from the nations will join us to worship, pray, and help us dedicate the facility as a ‘Prayer Tower’ for the nation and for the nations of our troubled region.

Two brief prayer points to finish with:

Please pray for the Yad b’Yad Israeli youth team that is in its final stages of preparation before setting of to Germany during the first week of August. There they will ‘partner up’ with their German counterparts for a program of outreach and reconciliation, as we do every year. Pray please for the team leaders, David and Moti (on the Israeli side) and Sophie (on the German side.) Pray God would use them as an example of ‘Kingdom unity’ for the young people in their charge.

Beit Asaph’s missionary in Africa, Miriam (now responsible for ‘Family Ministry’ programs in several countries, together with her husband Moses) will be returning to Israel this month. Miriam is close to entering her final trimester and will give birth to her first child in September. Pray with us please that Moses will find favor with the Israeli authorities and receive a visa to join his wife for this happy event.

God bless you to use this report to good purpose as you intercede for the Land and our peoples. Thank you so much for your partnership and for your acts of love and support on our behalf.

Evan Thomas and Lev Guler

“Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while

you may be found;

surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

You are my hiding place;

you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:6,7

Shalom Our Precious Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

My choice of title for this report was inspired by a recent meeting with an old school friend who had sat beside me in a theatre in Palmerston North, NZ in 1978, watching the testimony of Corrie Ten Boom, “The Hiding Place.” That same night, in the darkness of my bedroom, Yeshua revealed himself to me as the Jewish Messiah. So, my faith journey began!

Interestingly, the context of the Hiding Place was war, grief and ultimately, redemption! How we long for Israel’s redemption!

Maala and I are just about to set off back to our home in Israel, from our period of respite here in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, NZ. We are refreshed and ready to jump back into the fray. Our little family, Sara, Beni and Zoe, and the Beit Asaph community are SO ready for our return.

In this report, we will bring some perspectives from the war theatre in the Gaza Strip and the continuing hostilities with Hezbollah, across the northern border.

We also want to provide you with fresh updates on the Beit Asaph ‘Permanent Home Project.’ We trust this will be an encouragement to you all, as it is for us!

Who could have imagined that after more than 5 months we would still be at war? Although our wars since the foundation of the State have been manifold, they havebeen historically brief. This means that the national pain and suffering is usually only for a short season, then comes restoration. Currently, however, there is no end to the hostilities in sight. Sustaining the nation on an indefinite ‘war-footing’ has enormous ramifications:

• Blood continues to be spilt in the Land and
• Social divisions that all-but disappeared at the outset of the war, are now re-emerging, perhaps stronger than before.
• Anger and distrust towards our government – both internally and internationally, is turning to widespread bitterness and recrimination.
• Israel has become a pariah in the eyes of many nations and anti-Semitism continues to accelerate worldwide.
• Economically, our main stay, tourism, has all but ceased.
• Hundreds of thousands of our citizens from the north and the south remain evacuees, away from their jobs, businesses and farms.
• Hundreds of thousands of our younger men remain on the battlefronts, separated from families, careers, and studies.
• Entire settlements are living under a cloud of trauma and grief.
• Over 100 Israeli hostages remain in captivity.

We share this ‘dark list’ with you as a reality check. Our intention is to galvanize prayer away from politics and towards subjects that truly matter, as stated above.

New Covenant Scripture teaches us to “Love your enemies and turn the other cheek,” but we must remind ourselves that Israel is still unredeemed, and when threatened, functions with an Old Covenant morality and world-view. That is, if you strike us, we will strike you back, a hundred. That translates as:

• Tens of thousands of Gazan Palestinians dead (at least 40% of whom are women and children.)
• Most of urban Gaza Strip is badly damaged and uninhabitable.
• More than one million Gazan Palestinians are currently starving, including the Christian enclave sheltering in two churches.
• The southern-most city of Rafah is poised for a massive IDF offensive.
• Other Arab nations are helping with humanitarian aid BUT do not want the Gazans in their countries as refugees.
• If Israel succeeds in destroying Hamas military infrastructure and its ability to rule the Strip, who will govern them in the future?

Would you please help us pray into these terrible realities?

The picture is one of human suffering on a horrific scale! As followers of Yeshua our hearts must be stirred with compassion, for our own people and for our neighbors, with whom we are currently at war! Both need God’s salvation through belief in the Messiah!

Update on the Project: “A Permanent Home Base” for Beit Asaph:

During this break away in NZ, I, Evan, have devoted much time to fundraising correspondence: reaching out to the Global Christian and Messianic community with our appeal for financial help, answering a myriad of questions and reporting in to my pastoral colleague Lev, as results come in.

Lev, meanwhile back home in Netanya, has kept the congregation on course, while administering the funds as they arrive. To date, approximately one million of the three million shekels needed has come in! We are so grateful to all have given so generously! Thanks too, to those of you have pledged, and to those of you still considering! Although we have still a way to go, we are making excellent progress!

By the beginning of March, we received the keys to the premises and Lev immediately began to invite groups of Beit Asaph congregants, on each consecutive Shabbat during the month, to ‘come and see’ and to ‘bathe the empty space’ in prayer. And so the journey began! Meanwhile, as finances continue to flow, we will carefully design the facility to maximize the space. Then we will engage a building team to bring it from concept to reality. Exciting!

Being situated on the twelfth floor of a commercial building and at the central ‘gateway to Netanya,’ affords us dramatic views of the city, north and south and outward over the Sharon Plain towards Samaria (West Bank.) One immediately perceives its potential as a ‘Prayer Tower’ for the region. Over the past few years, God has been establishing a network of prayer towers throughout Israel. Not only do these benefit the local congregation responsible for the facility, but also for the broader community of faith. We are excited to develop this ministry! We look forward to making you welcome in the not-too-distant future, hopefully in more settled times.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, thank you for walking alongside of us all these years, in hard times and in times of celebration. God is at the helm through it all! In Him we trust! He will complete ALL he has promised to accomplish in us, in Israel and in the nations! We finish by recommending to you a prophetic text the Spirit of the Lord led us to these past days during moments of uncertainty … EZEKIEL 37:15-28

God bless and thank you ALL,

Evan and Lev

Donations for the “Permanent Home for Beit Asaph” Project (please designate clearly)

“Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.” Psalm 5:1, 2

“… but let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as a shield.” Verses 11, 12

Precious Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua Messiah, we have been waiting patiently since sending you update # 5, in the hope we would see a ‘turning of the tide’ in our war with Hamas and with our regional conflicts. Our hope was (and still is) for a cessation of all hostilities, the release of the hostages, whether dead or alive, the ability of all our citizens to return to their homes and jobs in the south and north and for Palestinian Gazans to begin rebuilding their lives. It seems we are still far from seeing these prayers answered, hence the choice of Psalms as our chief Scriptural focus right now…

Reading the headlines of leading Israeli media outlets (January 25) gives us cause for pause:

“’We will continue to fight,’ vows IDF chief following incident in which 21 Israeli soldiers killed.” All Israel News

“Lebanon: Two anti-tank missiles were fired at northern Israel, according to the IDF.” HaAretz

“Yemen’s Houthis ordered U.S. and British UN staff to leave the country within a month. The U.S. military said it carried out two more strikes in Yemen early Wednesday, destroying Houthi anti-ship missiles prepped for launching aimed at the Red Sea.” HaAretz

 “Israeli sources involved in negotiations for a potential hostage release deal (are saying) that Israel and Hamas are still far from agreeing on terms and that talks may take time.” HaAretz

“140 women’s groups called for a new hostage deal in protests across Israel on Wednesday, and blocked intersections in several Israeli cities.” HaAretz

Suddenly, the next day (January 26) the main headline provides a ray of hope!

“Israel and Hamas have reached agreement on the basic principles for a 35-day ceasefire, the release of all Israeli hostages and of an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Israeli jails. Biden is dispatching CIA chief Bill Burns to Europe to meet with the head of the Mossad, the Qatari PM, and Egypt’s intelligence chief to broker a truce. Qatar slammed PM Netanyahu for saying he doesn’t trust Doha’s mediation efforts. Ahead of the ICJ’s ruling today (Jan 26) Israel sent the Court declassified documents to show the steps it is taking to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza.” HaAretz

Does this signify ‘good news?’ Are these words, indications that God is answering our prayers? We sincerely hope so! Other headlines today indicate that Lebanon and Israel are seeking international help to negotiate a clearer definition of the border between our nations and signifying an end to hostilities, at least for a while. “Blessed are the Peace Makers” Matthew 5:9.

Dear Brothers and Sisters, whether or not these encouraging signs develop into tangible changes in the coming weeks, please let us continue to ‘press in’ to our Heavenly Father in lamentation and in supplication. There is simply way-too- much blood spilt in the Land. Because Biblical history teaches us so, we have good reason to be deeply concerned for the long-term consequences!

One thing is certain, regardless of the fragile nature of negotiations over peace in times of war, there will be long-term consequences for all that has taken place in Israel since October 7.

As we pray, we need to be looking ahead:

• For the social and psychological rehabilitation of our nation and of our neighbors.
• For the courage to face the outcomes of accountability – in both the political and military leadership of the nation.
• For wisdom to forge new strategies and policies to ensure co-existence based on Biblical principles of justice and forgiveness and concern for the needs of others before our own (Philippians 2). These must replace former policies based on a ‘zero-sum mentality’ (in order for there to be a winner there must be a loser) that simply have not worked!
• For the Body of Messiah to continue providing a strong testimony to the nation in all of the above prayer points. We must learn from the past three months how crucial our testimony of unity of prayer and purpose between the local Jewish and Arab followers of Yeshua.

Finally, our last prayer point for this update: Maala and I have managed to slip away to NZ for a break. Without let-up since April last year, we were in need of respite. Our son-in-law’s parents (retired pastors) kindly flew in from Sweden to relieve us on the home front. In addition to the refreshment we are receiving in a very quiet location, Evan is able to focus on the challenge of fundraising correspondence for the project. Please keep us in your prayers, that this would prove fruitful and that we could return to Israel with our ‘batteries fully charged!’

We send this with our love and sincere gratitude for all your efforts on our behalf and on behalf of God’s Kingdom in Israel!

Evan and Lev

June 2023

Our Precious Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua Messiah,

Acts 4:8, 10 – 12:

“Then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: Rulers and elders of the people! … Know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Yeshua the Messiah of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Yeshua is “’the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Maala and I returned home a month ago from our break away in NZ. It is extraordinary how different life is for us between there and here in Israel. The struggles and calamities experienced in NZ are usually from the forces of nature, while here they are generally man made, and political/ social in nature! As we prayerfully intercede for the people of both nations, the spiritual parallels are very apparent!

Despite the radical adjustment each time, we are happy to be home and enjoying resuming our familial and congregational duties. Our granddaughter, Zoe, is now 16 months old, inquisitive and full of life and energy. We thank God for our beautiful weather and plenty of outdoor living space. These, coupled with nearby playgrounds, provide Maala with the perfect amenities for this highly active little girl!

Ministry life for me, Evan, typically begins the moment we return, and is ‘full-on’ with services to run and Life-groups to facilitate. Various programs fill the gaps, including our first-ever Beit Asaph Spring Fair (organized by our daughter Sara), Shavuot celebrations (Pentecost), a funeral to conduct and even a new baby in the congregation to bless!

As we begin the month of June, our teams ‘gear up’ for the two annual Philippus-sponsored initiatives, Yad b’Yad 1.0 and Yad b’Yad 2.0. The programs are in place and both will take place in August. Please pray for the recruitment process. Currently our team leaders are seeking a few more participants for the German and Israeli teams.

I would like to return at this point to Beit Asaph and recent very encouraging developments! Firstly, to the event I mentioned earlier, our congregation’s first-ever Spring Fair.

Our daughter, Sara, despite a huge program of university studies and associated internship, a part-time job and being a busy mum, formed a team and organized a highly successful event at one of Netanya’s many parks! The event included food and refreshment tables, raffles, diverse game stations, as well as races (sack and three-legged races) and even a prayer station manned by some of our older intercessors!  To make it all ‘work’ required nearly 30% of the congregants, which in itself was a good thing. It took place in a public park that provided an opportunity for healthy testimony. Apart from being a lot of fun, we also raised 3,500 NIS (a little more than $US 1,000) for one of our national children’s ministries! We all agree this has to become an annual event!

Another development over these past 6 months has been the establishment of a monthly prayer and worship service where we have ‘grown’ in aspects of intercession and spiritual warfare.  Following a time of worship and a brief impulse from the Word of God, the congregation breaks into small groups to intercede on a variety of topics.

The vision for these services came from three of our young lay-leaders who desire to see the whole congregation engaged in community-based prayer. With perseverance, this has been very successful. Our seventh prayer service took place on Shabbat with David, David and Olga leading and more than 90 congregants committing themselves to this time of dedicated prayer. Please pray for the continued blessing of this service in our community.

In our neighboring city of Hadera, another team of young lay-leaders (three couples) from a Beit Asaph Life-group is now conducting a monthly worship service. Approximately 40 people are attending these services. Numbers of them are seekers personally connected to the core group and interested in the message they share. This as a direct result of ‘Kingdom life’ permeating the city from the healthy fellowship of that Life-group. Please pray for the team in Hadera!

Our colleagues Lev and Ora have been training two groups of our Russian-speakers in conducting “Alpha courses.” Those involved are keenly interested in reaching out to their non-believing friends and acquaintances and beginning courses of their own. This is also a direct outcome of our focus on Life-groups. The undergirding vision of Beit Asaph is being a community of disciples that makes disciples and thisweekend we will be baptizing three new disciples. Thank you in advance for your prayers for the Lord’s continued work through our Alpha groups.

As more and more new immigrants pour into Israel, particularly from Russia right now, many of the Believers among them are contacting us seeking fellowship. There are many new faces, even in our three months absence. The invasion of Ukraine has caused severe disenchantment with its government’s policies. Our bi-monthly Shabbat services are essential in absorbing them into congregational life and providing a sense of community. Slowly but surely many will be absorbed into Life-groups where they can receive personal attention and opportunities to begin to serve. Please pray for these new arrivals.

Finally, a brief update from our missionaries in the field: You will remember from previous reports that Miriam in Uganda, working as a training officer and outreach leader with YWAM, is now married to Moses.  

He is a fellow missionary and together they are now on assignment in Tanzania. They are doing very well but please keep them in your prayers. It has been a long and arduous process trying to obtain a visa for Moses to visit Israel with Miriam. This requires another very long journey overland to Nairobi, Kenya to the nearest Israeli consulate. Please pray they will find favor in the eyes of the Israeli authorities. Given the current political climate in Israel that is clearly anti-Christian, they will need some ‘divine intervention.’

Eliyakim, our young missionary in Osaka, Japan is due for a 6-week visit home to visit his family and Beit Asaph. After more than two years in the field, Eliyakim is now seeing the fruit of his labors. Last week, two young men he has been working with, were baptized into the local church.

Eliyakim works as a kindergarten teacher and has already become proficient in Japanese. He is currently studying Korean! Please pray for him and his upcoming visit to Israel – for refreshment and encouragement from us all here in the Beit Asaph community!

We are so grateful for you all and thank you for your continued support and faithfulness. We have not referred this time to the very difficult social and political climate in the Land, nor to the sense of division and widespread violence. These topics are well covered by other Israel reports. Nevertheless, please, please keep these as matters for prayer.

Our love and blessings,

Pastors Evan and Lev

Our Precious Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua Messiah,

“As Scripture says: “Anyone who believes in him (Yeshua) will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one in whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?

As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”                  Romans 10:11-15

Mission: My first priority is to bring you a brief, “Hot off the press” report from our Yad b’Yad mission trips you have been supporting in prayer.

Yad b’Yad 1.0 involves youth (16-18 year olds) led by my younger colleagues, David and his wife, Frede, and Motti. The German youth from Bavaria were ably led by Jenni and Sara from Agape Congregation, Freilassing. Despite the heat-wave conditions in Europe this summer they successfully conducted a brilliant program, combining lots of fun and warm hospitality with serious discipleship activities. The latter included a workshop at the Holocaust Documentation Center at Ober Salzburg, a day visit to Dachau Concentration Camp near Munich, and a day of street outreach just across the border in Salzburg, Austria.

These photos ‘capture’ those moments perfectly…

Here is a brief statement from the pastor of several of the Israeli participants: “They all came home changed. Today four of the girls gave testimonies of how they experienced God and His love during the trip to Germany. God really touched their hearts and lives in a very special way…May the Lord bless abundantly all who became such a blessing to this young generation.”

Yad b’Yad 2.0 (means “Hand in Hand) and consists of a complex team of 27: five young Israeli Messianic Jews, five young Israeli Arab Christians, five young Palestinian Christians and ten young German Christians. Susanne, the Field Director of Philippus ministry (sponsor of the initiatives) and I, Evan, served as pastors in support of the younger leaders. I deliberately include these details to create ‘a picture’ of the challenges we faced, just by virtue of who we are.

Unlike Yad b’Yad 1.0, this was not primarily a reconciliation initiative. Based on Yeshua’s prayer from John’s Gospel 17:21, our declaration of unity was to show the world that Yeshua was sent by the Father. Given our historical and current conflict narratives, this was ‘easier said than done.’

The first three days were dedicated to intensive workshops: “Who are we in Yeshua?” and “Listening to ‘the still small voice.’” Other lessons were in understanding ‘Spiritual Warfare’ in the context of our mission location (Nuremberg). All these and more were conducted in an atmosphere of worship, prayer and team-building – even before we moved over to the center of

Nuremberg itself.

If you are interested, it is worthwhile to do a little ‘Google research’ on the city to fully appreciate the spiritual challenges we faced. Two salient points from the Nazi era: it is the city were the mass rallies were held that were designed to sway the minds of the masses. It was also the location of the famous, ‘Nuremberg Trials’ of the Nazi war criminals, post WWII. Amazingly, the local church that felt led to invite our team to conduct the Sunday service for them, worships in a facility on the site where the trials took place! We serve a redemptive God!

In the field, we operated in teams of three: each consisting of at least one German, an Arab and a Jew. And so, apart from being multi-lingual, each mini-team carried the spiritual DNA of John 17:21, and many times these factors acted as ‘keys’ to unlock resistant hearts.

The highlight of the outreach came about as we all gathered in Jacobs-platz in the city center. Our local German team leader, Johannes, had secured permission for us to set up a sound system and instruments to conduct a public outreach…that was a miracle in itself! A few local Christians joined us, more to observe and pray in support.

So, for at least two hours our musicians led worship in Arabic, German and Hebrew with others intermittently stepping up to the microphone and sharing brief testimonies of how the Messiah had changed their lives!  They did this with courage and incredible vulnerability. All the ‘hard work’ earlier in the week suddenly ‘paid off.’ Here is our Ethiopian Jewish Sister sharing publically:

The unique aspect of the ‘Jacobplatz outreach’ was the audience: very few Germans BUT lots of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers including Syrian and Iraqi Moslems, Turks, Ukrainians and even Ethiopians.

The ‘field was ripe’ and what an overwhelming pleasure to see our team of young men and women boldly step up to families and groups of men sharing their faith in the multiple languages needed.  Truly this was like a scene out of Acts 2. I know at one point I was so overwhelmed by what was taking place, I had to turn and walk up the street to try and control my tears…an extraordinary event!

During our final debrief and Lord’s Table before our respective journeys home, each team member expressed their gratitude. It had been really challenging at all levels, socially and spiritually, BUT all expressed it having been life-changing.

And that’s what it’s all about! Thanks so much for all your support…

On the home front: As the war in Ukraine intensifies, so too does the level of tensions between our congregational members of Beit Asaph. This is of great concern for us as pastors. The potential to literally split the congregation while it is still vulnerable, post-pandemic, is high. In their anger over Russian hostilities and military occupation, the Ukrainian immigrants in our community are tending towards nationalism in their stance towards their Russian-immigrant brethren. Such is their outrage that fellowship between the two groups is almost untenable.

One can understand the outrage and anxiety of our Ukrainian families. The situation is brutal. Their cities and villages are being destroyed and their loved ones are living under terrible duress as infrastructure breaks down. Presently this is summer-time. One cannot imagine the hardships they will face as the weather changes in another month or so if the war does not abate. PLEASE PRAY!

Here is small personal story of the past two days: One of our members V. (a Ukrainian immigrant) received word that his mother had died unexpectedly. He is the deceased’s only and beloved son. The Russian army recently entered and now occupies the city where he came from. It is literally impossible for him to go home and bury his mother. It might seem a small matter in comparison to the broader suffering, but it does serve to show us in a very personal way how our congregants are effected.

We realize this situation may be difficult to identify with for you readers in Australasia and the USA, but please know that for our Russian-speaking immigrants, this situation is far more critical to them than our own home-grown Israeli/ Palestinian conflict or the threat from Iran and its allies just across the border. I suspect that the intra-congregational tension we are experiencing is widespread throughout the Messianic community in Israel. Russian-speakers constitute more than 50% of the national community! As such please, please

We are so glad we can turn to you that we might share our blessings and our sorrows and know you stand with us through them both.

Evan and Lev

Our Precious Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua Messiah,

“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” I Peter 3:10-12

This strong exhortation taken in reference to Psalm 34:12-16 is an important reminder of what the Lord expects of us as his followers. This, all the more so in these very troubled days. He is also very clear about his own position towards evil-doers.

Our time in NZ this time is rapidly drawing to an end and in less than 3 weeks we’ll be home once again. We sense the privilege of having these 3 months away from the intensity of our life and ministry in Israel. As always, it has been a wonderful time of spiritual refreshment. Evan is delighted to have completed his book and Maala has begun the initial editing process. We welcome your prayers to see where this might lead.

With the rapid onset of the Omicron variant of Covid, we sensed it unwise to visit churches or groups in various regions, but enjoyed the visits of several to maintain the precious relationships we’ve enjoyed over the years. Thank you all so, so much for your continued support and encouragement. You are exemplary! We trust this letter finds you all well, despite the ongoing health risks and despite the often-baffling politics and continually shifting regulations.

Our almost-daily contacts with Israel indicate that so much has changed already in our absence. General society there is no longer focused on Covid, to the point where almost all regulations have been removed. Israelis have learned to live with it, despite the risks. And risks there are: several of our colleagues around the country have passed away as a direct result of the virus and in general, Israel’s death toll has been high. The impact on mental health, particularly among our youth, and the devastating impact on our economy can no longer be suffered. Life must go on!

And now our focus is drawn to an entirely different ‘nightmare.’ War! Even far away here in NZ the first concrete ripples are being felt as fuel prices rise yet again. However impactful on family economies, this is minorcompared to theeffects felt in Israel, let alone the European nations bordering the epicenter in the Ukraine. Few believed that Russian forces would invade, until it was too late. As we all see through the incoming news reports, the devastation of Ukrainian cities and the displacement of millions fleeing for their lives across borders, has been rapid. Once again, European nations are faced with absorbing millions of refugees. And these same nations are rightly concerned – will this war spill over, engulfing them also? Their fears are not unfounded. History has a way of repeating itself.

From the outset of the invasion, the congregants of Beit Asaph were filled with anxiety for their families. Around 40% of the community had emigrated from the Ukraine, leaving behind family members, friends and congregations. To put this further into perspective, well over 50% of Israel’s Messianic community are Russian-speaking. Many of these have stoically maintained their language and cultures. Identifying with their respective ‘mother-lands’ has led to the lines of tension being experienced throughout the Land. Please pray for our colleague Lev and the many Russian-speaking pastors in Israel as they seek to calm the anxieties and tensions of their respective communities.

On the bright side, we are thrilled at how quickly these same communities mobilized. Financial channels were set up help provide food and basic necessities for the women and children pouring into Moldavia, Romania and Poland. Israel Messianic teams set out for these same aid stations to reinforce the local Christians working tirelessly. Calls to prayer and fasting are being experienced daily throughout the Land. We have received the first photos now of Beit Asaph homes receiving families of Ukrainian refugees from their own ‘home towns.’ All these things are very moving for us, and while we can pray and call to encourage, in three weeks we’ll be ‘hands-on.’ Again, we thank God for the refreshment we’ve had that will sustain us in the months ahead. Please, please pray for us and our community as we play our part.

Finally, for those of you who are particularly keen to support and pray for our two mission initiatives, Yad b’Yad 1.0 and Yad b’Yad 2.0, we bring you a brief update. With borders recently re-opening between Israel and the world, we have forged ahead with plans and recruitment. Both aspects are going very well which is exciting to see. Yad b’Yad 1.0 is an initiative involving German and Israeli believing youth who will be based in southern Bavaria and engage in outreach activities and a visit to Dachau concentration camp together. Pray please for David and Frede and Motti as the Israeli leaders and for the German Freilassing team led by Sara and Jenni.

Yad b’Yad 2.0 is a mission initiative involving German, Israeli and Palestinian young adults. The plan is to fulfill our dream of two years ago (pre-Covid) and engage in outreach together in the city of Nuremburg. Evan will provide oversight and support for a team of younger leaders from within the Land and Ruben and Susanne from Germany. Please keep us in your prayers as the teams come together. The spiritual warfare associated with these two initiatives is sometimes overwhelming.

Allow us to leave you with these words from Peter’s first letter, chapter 4 and verses 7&8:

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Be blessed…Evan and Maala and Lev and Ora

December, 2021

Our Precious Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua,

“The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob (Israel) who repent of their sins, declares the Lord.

As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord. My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants-from this time on and forever, says the Lord” Is. 59:20, 21

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See darkness covers the earth and thick darkness (a dense fog Hb.) is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Is. 60:1-3

We commend to you these power-filled words of promise and exhortation as we complete this extraordinary year. These same two passages formed the basis of my last sermon for the year to the Beit Asaph community. The Advent candles (a Christian symbol) are lit one-by-one each week leading up to the celebration of the birth of the child Messiah according to the prophecy (Is.9:6.)

As seen in the photo, the Hanukkiah (a Jewish symbol) also holds prophetic significance. It is a nine-branched candelabra – 8 candles are lit one-by-one each day to commemorate the rededication of the Temple during the Maccabean wars during Yeshua’s time. The ninth candle is the Shamash, the Servant Candle that is lit first and from which the other candles are lit. What a wonderful Messianic picture! In the Gospels, Yeshua declares himself, “I am the light of the world.” And through him, we become the bearers of light, God’s truth – to Israel and to the rest of the world!

As a mixed, Jewish/ non-Jewish family (like so many in the Messianic community) we enjoy the ‘best of both worlds’ and enjoy the traditions of our respective peoples. As we embrace one another, even in our differences, we believe we express the core-values of God’s Kingdom. And this is a valuable and relevant message for Yeshua’s followers all over the world. The pandemic and the vaccination issue in particular, has divided society and divided the Body of Christ. This is a tragedy and we have seen congregations here in Israel badly impacted by these differences of opinion. We implore you, our beloved Brothers and Sisters, to not allow this to happen in your communities. Accept one another as equals and find creative solutions to allow fellowship to continue. Let’s agree to uphold one another’s communities in prayer. Let’s remember Yeshua’s prayer to the Father in John 17:21…

As leaders in our community, “Beit Asaph” we saw this coming and took steps so that Body-life would continue and flourish via our system of Life-groups. We maintain a monthly celebration service with limited participation, wherever possible. Children are born and young couples push ahead with weddings. We have celebrated five during this past year…

Natan and Katya were the last couple to be married this past week. Over the past few months, Maala and I enjoyed preparing them for their marriage. But our greatest joy was to ‘pass on the baton’ to one of our young leaders, David, to perform the ceremony. He did an exemplary job! David is in his late 20’s, married to Polina, and one of the sons of our pastoral colleagues, Lev and Ora.

As Maala and I sat with Lev and Ora this week to pray and evaluate the year that is almost over, we are more than satisfied with the results. Our Life-groups are flourishing, we have been able to hold monthly sessions of ‘worship in the garden’ our monthly celebration services continue, the youth and children’s activities are well-attended and fruitful, and women’s gatherings are continuing successfully on a regular basis. These, together with numbers of small active prayer groups in the congregation, make for a healthy and vibrant community life, despite the ongoing restrictions. You cannot know how grateful we are for your continued words of encouragement and prayer!

Two years ago as we flew to NZ for a three-month break (supposedly) we agreed to return and begin the process of forming a team of pastoral advisors. These younger men and women would provide wise support for Lev and Evan and in time, future pastor(s) could potentially emerge. Of course Covid interrupted this process as other priorities took over. Now, finally the team has been formed and is taking its first steps…and it is wonderful! Please keep the two David’s, Olga and Georgi in prayer for us. We are extremely fortunate to have such gifted people serving alongside us in the Beit Asaph community.

We finish the year, tired but very grateful for daily grace. Nothing is taken for granted and every good thing, no matter how small, brings us joy.

God willing, we will fly to NZ on December 31 via Dubai. Now that ‘flight corridors’ have opened up for us via the Gulf States we feel confident to take a well-earned break. Pioneering work, as this past 14 months has been since our return in October 2020, is exciting and rewarding. But it is also exhausting and we are no longer youngsters! A bit of R&R in the Eastern Bay of Plenty, NZ will be just what the doctor ordered. Even a week in MIQ after the long flights might not be a bad thing to get us into ‘holiday mode.’ We (Evan and Maala) would greatly appreciate you remembering us in prayer for safe travel and refreshment.

God bless you and your families and communities as you prepare for the Christmas season. Make the most of it! And remember the encouraging words of the Prophet as we began this letter.

Thank you all for continuing to stand with us,

Evan and Lev

Our Precious Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua,

Time again to check in and provide you with a range of prayer subjects, some that are very encouraging and some that you will find disturbing. Given the continuing circumstances we all live under as a result of the Corona virus, we are drawn to the Prophets for insight. Their messages to their original audiences are all-too-relevant for society and to the Body of Messiah. Hence the following quote from Joel 3:14-16…

“Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.

The sun and the moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.

The Lord will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the heavens will tremble.

But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.”

On the National Front: The Israeli government continues to function well both at domestic and international levels. Rather than draconian measures to force people to vaccinate against their will, the government has brought in large quantities of medications to alleviate the symptoms of the non-vaccinated who contract Covid. They have also greatly increased the number of ECMO life support systems for the critically ill, the vast majority of whom are from the non-vaccinated sector.

We are happy for the continuing successes by our foreign ministry as they rebuild relationships damaged by previous administrations and strengthen ties with neighboring governments previously hostile to Israel. We firmly believe these successes are in keeping with Israel’s call to be “a light to the nations,” however temporary this may prove to be…

Of deep concern, however, is the threat presented by Iran’s race to produce weapons-grade uranium, while doing all they can to support of extremist groups hell-bent on making the world unsafe. [Issues for prayer]

Rather than end this section on ‘a note of fear,’ we would once again refer you to the Prophet Joel…a very interesting read! The first half of the oracle is ‘doom and gloom’ followed by the inevitable call to national repentance (2:12), followed by the Lord’s answer and redemption (2:18) and judgement of the nations that caused harm to Israel.

In these redemptive passages we find some encouraging passages including those that speak of the autumn rains that we are right now desperately waiting for. [Prayer item]

The ‘ploughing’ has been done in the month of Tishri (the month of our High Holy days) and now in the month of Heshvan we are ready to sow the wheat and barley seed – the key ingredients for bread, the ‘staff of life.’ We will leave you to ponder the symbolism that Yeshua regularly uses to speak of his kingdom…

Congregational life:  We continue to maneuver our way around Covid regulations as best we can, to enable Shabbat services on a monthly basis. As a religious gathering we can meet with up to 50 people without requiring a “Green Pass.” For meetings over 50 we have to adhere to Covid Restriction Criteria:

a) having received all three inoculations or

b) having recovered from Covid in the past 6 months or

c) having tested negative on a PCR test no longer than 48 hours before the event.)

As such, our Life-group system as our primary means of congregational life is proving to be very successful. Nevertheless, the monthly Shabbat service is an integral part of the vision when we can meet face-to-face in larger gatherings. In these we preach the Word (rather than in-depth Bible discussions), lift our voices and hearts in corporate worship and enjoy our liturgical traditions and conduct rites of passage events like baby dedications.

This past Shabbat, October 09 – we gathered once again at the Israel College of the Bible facility and despite being light in numbers because of the “Green Pass” restrictions we had a glorious time!

A highlight for us was dedicating our newest member of Beit Asaph, Josef – my assistant’s first child!

Vision that became real activity:

In order to meet a big need of learning the Bible and fellowship for our children, we prayed about it and the Lord gave us a vision to open the “Children’s Club” project, separate from the Sabbath services of the entire community and open as a ministry dedicated exclusively to children.

 How the ministry takes place: Regularly, we gather all children aged 6 to 12 for 2.5 hours of club lessons in the evening after school.

Classes are taught by parents trained by us, youth after the army and teenagers help in organizing. Helping to serve the club helps young leaders to grow to be a leader.

Classes include worship time with music, joint prayer, Bible lesson according to a specific program, joint dinner, crafts according to the topic of the lesson, games, communication.

Children and their parents love the club very much and we see good fruits of blessing in families.

We ask you to support us in prayer so that we have the opportunity to expand our ministry, for appropriate facility, transportation and all ministers and helpers.

The Bible Club for our children and our weekly youth activities are flourishing as is our growing women’s ministry. We are super grateful to our neighbors; Rivka and her team at the Ethiopian congregation and Pastor Roman in Caesarea who have opened their facilities to Beit Asaph for our activities. Together with Israel College of the Bible we are well-catered for without having the huge expense of maintaining a large worship facility of our own! And all the while we are able to foster strong relationships and unity in the broader Believing community.

The National Body: We are deeply grieved by regular reports and calls for prayer from various parts of the country. Our intention here is to rally prayer for the local congregations, both Jewish and Arab. Corona and government policy has split the Body terribly. The vax/anti-vax issue is dividing families, congregations and the nation. We are bombarded with so much confusing information and fear-mongering and of course the inevitable governmental policy of pushing vaccination as hard as possible while employers increase pressure on employees to comply. All these things and more are making congregational life and pastoral work very challenging. We are witnessing a ‘falling away’ from fellowship life in many parts of the Believing community and some congregations showing significant signs of disintegrating…even those that have previously been very stable and impactful in their regions. Please make this a major priority in prayer.

All love and blessings to you all,

Evan and Maala and Lev and Ora

Our Precious Brothers and Sisters in Yeshua,

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelations 21:1-3

It is not usual for us for us to choose biblical texts that are directed towards ‘end times’ but perhaps not surprising, given the circumstances we have all been living in during the past 16 months. Up until six months ago I used to laugh when our daughter would say, “Abba we need to prepare for the Apocalypse.” We no longer laugh as we face yet another new wave of the Corona pandemic, suffer war and threats from our enemies, experience civil unrest and racial tensions internally. Of course we keep an eye on international affairs as well. Travel in and out of Israel remains highly restricted and we hear frightening news from friends in many parts of Europe suffering extraordinary flooding. May God help us all!

Our big concern on the health front that warrants your prayers is the arrival of the ‘delta variant’ of Covid-19 that is highly contagious, makes people very sick and is seemingly undeterred by the Pfizer vaccine so many of us have had in Israel. Already the vaccine’s efficacy rate here has dropped from 94% only a few months ago, to 64%. Those of us in the upper age-bracket are once again having to be extra careful.

On a personal front, Maala and I have just completed a broad range of medical tests and are comforted by very positive results. We are careful to keep a healthy lifestyle to counter our stressful vocation and high level of people-contact. Nevertheless we would cover your prayers for us and for our pastoral colleagues, Lev and Ora. We all need a summer break and a change of scenery. Right now though, our new government is closely monitoring the alarming rise in national Covid-19 statistics. This week will once again see limits placed on gatherings. Are we headed towards another “lockdown” or are we simply going to have to learn to live with this virus in the community? Those sorts of decisions of course have enormous political ramifications, dangers to health notwithstanding.

We have a new government! Most of the country is very grateful to see a change of leadership and a ‘unity government’ of broad diversity. Despite initial concerns about its ability to function (you know the saying, “three Israelis in the same room – five opinions and just as many political parties!”) Although it is still ‘early days’ they are off to a good start. Diplomatic bridges have already been repaired with some key partners and on the home front civil tensions are slowly easing and some important social reforms are ‘on the table.’ As followers of Yeshua, we don’t have to agree with the policies of our governments but we do have a responsibility to pray for our leaders! Please pray for PM Naftali Bennet and his Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and their cabinet of ministers,

ranging politically from the center right to the far left and with the strongest contingent of highly capable women that Israel has ever seen. It is most unusual for us to place so much emphasis on politics in our prayer report. But the past two years of poor leadership in Israel literally placed our nation at risk. It is not surprising that we are overjoyed at seeing political stability restored, given the current circumstances we live under.

Beit Asaph Update: We are thrilled toreport that we conducted our first full service after 16 months! It was a glorious celebration with 150 adults and a full quota of kids in attendance. Asher and his worship team had practiced hard during the course of the week. It was great seeing our daughter, Sara, and Lev’s son, David and his wife Polina, on the team.

I (Evan) worked all week on a message based on the Book of Nehemiah, drawing many parallels from the text to the current situation in both Israel and in the national Body of Messiah (see photo).

Israel College of the Bible (ICB) kindly opened their facility to Beit Asaph and this week we will be sitting with their leadership to negotiate the terms for a regular arrangement. Our hope is to conduct a celebration service at the College once a month. Please pray for favor in our negotiations.

Meanwhile our youth enjoy their weekly meetings at the local Ethiopian congregational facility and our Children’s Bible Club is now well established at the facility of a Russian-speaking congregation in Caesarea. We sense that God is well-pleased at this cooperation between local ministries. Our training/ prayer center and administration office at Beit Itzak are serving us well and several of the new Life-groups are conducting weekly meetings there.

We are delighted to report that we now have 15 Life-groups established, the newest being a group made up of serving soldiers and those who have been recently released from the I.D.F. Please pray for Michael, Asher and Hodiyya as they help the group establish roles and responsibilities. Like most of the Life-groups they have adopted the method of systematic study through Books of the Bible, beginning with the Gospel of Matthew. This is a great place to begin to help the members rediscover who Yeshua is and how His kingdom functions. As we regularly visit the groups, it’s interesting to hear how each one draws relevance from the text, depending on the relative ages and cultural backgrounds. These pastoral visits help us assess where the needs are for further training – in group facilitation or how to prepare and facilitate an effective Bible discussion.

Both Lev and Evan find this kind of pastoral work far more rewarding and personal than the inordinate time previously spent each week preparing for the weekly Shabbat services. The reforms require us all to be far more flexible and mobile but succeeding to train our congregants and develop ministry skills and confidence among many, makes it all worth it. Please keep us in your prayers…

Missions: a brief word about Miriam (Uganda) and Elyakim (Japan):

Miriam has recovered from a bout of Corona virus that she contracted while travelling to Kampala to renew her visa. She is now out with the team she has helped train doing mission outreach among the refugee camps that surround the base on the Sudanese border.

Elyakim assists the local congregation in worship during services and during the week functions as a kindergarten teacher for local children. He is gifted in languages (six to-date) and has plans to learn Korean. At every opportunity he is out on the streets of Osaka sharing the Gospel with all who will listen!

David (my assistant) is currently putting finishing touches to the team of Yad b’Yad 1.0 – the youth mission to Nuremburg in early August. This initiative needs your prayers. It has been a nightmare trying to recruit as you can well imagine. Hence the team is smaller than usual and will limit its activities to Germany rather than the usual travel to Poland and Auschwitz. There will be much to be done around Nuremburg, however, and they will visit the concentration camp museum of Buchenwald. Hopefully flight restrictions won’t cause cancellations…

With the cancellation for the second year running of the Yad b’Yad 2.0 mission initiative for young adults we have decided to bring the Israeli team together for a weekend retreat in Newe Shalom in the Judean foothills. This will provide continuity and give us the chance to pray for one another and an initiative next year, 2022.

Thank you all for persevering in prayer for us in Israel and in particular for the Beit Asaph community. We are so grateful for your interest and continued support. This is never taken for granted. We pray too for you that you remain healthy and strong in your faith.

In His service together,

Evan and Lev