Reflections on Living In Israel

By Joel C. Rosenberg

 Among the greatest joys Lynn and I have experienced in moving to Israel with our sons in August of 2014 has been the opportunity to spend much more personal time with Israelis of all backgrounds, and especially with Israeli pastors and ministry leaders and their families. After all, it’s all about relationships in this country.

So amidst studying Hebrew, trying to obtain drivers licenses (a 9-month process!), paying $5 a gallon for gasoline and the many other challenges of adjusting to a new country and a new culture, we have been so blessed by going to weddings and baby showers and even funerals with our new Israeli friends. Allies of The Joshua Fund have invited us over for meals and to celebrate Jewish and Arab holidays. Others have invited us to various outreaches and events hosted by their ministries. And we’ve had the joy of hosting some of them at our little apartment by the sea for coffee or a meal.

Along the way, we have gleaned deeper insights into day-to-day life for Israeli followers of Yeshua (the Hebrew name for Jesus). We knew before we moved, of course, that many challenges confront those who love the Lord in the Land of the Bible. But now we’re seeing it up close and personal.

It wasn’t easy for the disciples in the days when Yeshua ministered here, and it’s not easy today. The spiritual warfare here is as intense as anywhere I’ve ever been. Believers face stiff opposition from the ultra-Orthodox. In addition to the ever-present geopolitical tensions, there remain simmering tensions between Jewish and Arab believers who struggle to be reconciled with one another because of political, theological and ministry philosophy differences. Please join us in praying that the Lord continues to bring healing and unity to the Body here, just as he speaks of in John 17.

In that context, Lynn and I have been particularly thrilled to hear about a new Master’s Program at a bible college in Israel designed not for young people who want to become pastors, but for currently-serving senior pastors who want more training 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 partner, isn’t just for Jewish pastors. More than half of the two-dozen participating students were Israeli Arab pastors. And not only did Israeli Jewish professors teach the classes, they also had an Arab pastor from Ramallah teach.

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 told us they didn’t fully appreciate the unique challenges facing the Israeli Arab pastors. But everyone we talked to told us that the friendships built and the trust and the encouragement that resulted from studying together was absolutely life-changing. A new group of Jewish and Arab pastors will start a new academic year this Fall. Please be praying that the Lord would do great and mighty things in and through them, as well.

Yes, there are dark storm clouds on the horizon – the spread of ISIS, religiously motivated terrorism, and persecution of the Church throughout the Epicenter. But in living as citizens here, Lynn and I are deeply encouraged by what the Lord is doing in and through His people, both to care for the vulnerable and needy and to proclaim the Word of God in the Land of the Bible. So thank you so much for your faithful prayer for us and for your investment in The Joshua Fund. God is using you to make a real difference!

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