MASTER’S PROGRAM: BROTHERS STUDYING TOGETHER IN UNITY
For Israeli pastors currently serving congregations throughout the Land, a new Master’s degree program at a local Bible college has been set into motion. It has not been designed for young people sensing a call into ministry. Rather, it’s geared for those currently serving as senior pastors, shepherds and ministry leaders – men who eagerly desire further equipping in the practical aspects of ministry: teaching verse-by-verse through the Bible; marriage counseling; complying with Israel’s complex laws and regulations; etc. What is particularly exciting is that the program, of which The Joshua Fund is a key partner, isn’t merely for Jewish pastors. More than half of the two-dozen participating students in the first year’s course were Israeli Arab pastors. The courses were also presented by both Jewish and Arab teachers, including an Arab pastor from Ramallah. Some of the Arab pastors said they had never met an Israeli Jewish pastor, even though they don’t live far from each other. Some of the Jewish pastors admitted that they had never fully appreciated the unique challenges facing their Israeli Arab brothers who pastor. Everyone we have talked to has shared that the friendships built and the trust and encouragement that resulted from studying together has been absolutely life-changing.
PRAY Please be praying, as a new class begins in the New Year, that the Lord would do great and mighty things in each of their hearts and through them, as well.
