Greetings from Joel C. Rosenberg
August 12, 2014
Dear Friends –
Greetings from Northern Virginia! We hope you are enjoying the Lord and this beautiful summer.
Lynn and I are writing to share with you several significant changes in our lives. We are excited about them and we would deeply appreciate your prayers.
First, we are moving to Israel as a family. For the last several years, we have sensed God calling us to immigrate to the land of Israel (to “make Aliyah”) and follow the path of our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Based on my Jewish roots on my father’s side, the State of Israel has granted us citizenship. We are now dual citizens of the United States and Israel, and are deeply grateful to the Lord for making this possible in His timing and by His grace.
So, after twenty-four years living in the Washington, D.C. area, we have packed our bags, rented out our home, and are moving to Israel. We have rented and outfitted an apartment there and will soon begin the process of intensive Hebrew study. Lord willing, I will continue to write books, write Flash Traffic and blog updates, and do media interviews from there. I also look forward to returning to the States on a regular basis for book tours, board meetings, and speaking events. It’s going to be a game-changer for all of us, and it’s going to be difficult to leave family and friends whom we love so much. That said, the boys are excited about this new adventure God is taking us on, and so are we. We know it’s going to be very challenging to assimilate into a different culture – and to become fluent in a new language – but we’re eager to obey the Lord and get started.
Second, we are excited about changes taking place at The Joshua Fund. As many of you know, Lynn and I founded TJF in 2006 to educate Christians about God’s love and plan for Jews and Arabs in the Middle East; mobilize Christians to pray for and invest in God’s work in the epicenter; strengthen the Church in the region; and care for the needy and vulnerable. It has been such a wonderful and rewarding eight years and now we are eager to serve in new ways.
Last December, I stepped down as President and CEO of TJF so I could devote more time to my numerous other responsibilities, and prepare for this transition to Israel. The board was very supportive of that decision and the Lord has provided a solid, competent and experienced leadership team to guide the ministry on a day-to-day basis. Lynn and I plan to stay fully engaged with the organization as founders and Board members, and I have recently accepted the Board’s appointment as TJF Chairman. In this capacity, I will continue to: 1) mobilize Christians around the world to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus; 2) participate in key TJF events (prayer and vision trips, Epicenter Conferences, pastors’ conferences/retreats, etc.); and 3) promote the work and heart of TJF internationally.
Moving to Israel during a war may seem crazy to some, but we are at peace that this is what the Lord is calling us to do. Indeed, we count it an honor to stand with our Israeli and Palestinian friends to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as the Psalmist commands. Our hearts grieve for those on both sides of the border who are suffering because of this war, and we want to serve them and care for them in any way we can. The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” We trust the Lord will show us how in some small way we can serve Him in a Land still so in need of His grace and peace.
We’re so glad to be able to share with you this update now that our path forward has become clearer. Again, we would deeply appreciate your prayers for wisdom and discernment, for courage and strength, and patience and joy through the many challenges that lie ahead. We’d also be grateful for your grace and patience in this season ahead as we try to adjust to an entirely new life, new time zones, and the challenges of communicating from so far away.
On behalf of Lynn and the boys, let me conclude by saying that we love you so much and we’re so grateful for your kindness and your faithful prayers. God bless you.
In Christ,
Joel C. Rosenberg
