In this issue
- Everything You Need to Know About Jerusalem!
- A Bar Mitzvah at Tiferet Yeshua Congregation
- Texas Stands With Israel
- Katzir Summer Camp
- The Transforming Power of Katzir Youth Camps
- Israel & America: A Passion for Both
VOM workers reported early Saturday morning that at least 27 Christians were killed in an armed attack on a bus. The bus was on its way to visit a monastery, when it was stopped by 10 armed men. They boarded the bus and asked passengers for their religion. When the attackers learned they were Christians, they opened fire. Children were among the about 50 Christians on board. The local VOM worker reports that many of the injuries are severe, and more martyrs are expected before the end of the day as people succumb to their injuries.
Messianic believers in southern Israel have been the target of a violent protest over a new meeting centre that’s just opened in Dimona.
Ultra-Orthodox Jews caused a disturbance outside the new Messianic meeting place last Thursday – then took their protest out into the community, attacking believers’ homes.
Those behind the attacks last week are thought to be linked with the anti-missionary organisation, Yad L’Achim. After protesting outside the Messianic centre, they attacked the home of the leaders Albert and Esther Knoester and that of another member of the congregation, breaking windows and causing other damage. There were children in both houses at the time, and they were said to be extremely frightened.
Attacks on Messianic congregations in Israel are common: the one in Arad town reportedly suffers harassment almost daily, and several church buildings have been attacked in recent years.
Sources: Middle East Concern, Release International
Pastor ‘Abraham’ works in an area with a high concentration of Syrian refugees. He often struggled with fear when sharing the Gospel with Muslims, but then he had an experience where the Lord told him not to fear.
Soon after that, ‘Fadi’, a Syrian man who once associated with extremist Muslims, came to see him. When he arrived at Abraham’s home, Abraham boldly told Fadi that Islam was inspired by Satan. Abraham then walked closer to him and said, “God is here beside you now. He is putting his hand on your shoulder, asking you, ‘What do you want?’” “I want salvation,” Fadi answered. Abraham shared the Gospel with Fadi and prayed with him. He soon came to faith in Christ, and four months ago, Abraham baptised Fadi.
Fadi and his wife, also now a Christian, share God’s love in their refugee camp.
Source: The Voice of the Martyrs USA
