Project: Lift Israel - Update

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From the desk of Ron Pearce

November 1, 2023

PROJECT: LIFT ISRAEL – UPDATE

Dear Friends,

There is absolutely no need for me to recap for you the situation surrounding the war in Israel. It is being continually reported through news media outlets worldwide. But what is not being reported is the work being done behind the scenes by messianic believers and Arabic-speaking followers of Jesus residing within Israel. Empower has chosen to strengthen and equip these brothers and sisters in Christ in their attempts to reach out with compassionate aid to the hurting as well as extending the Kingdom through the written Word, and the spoken words of their testimonies. And the good news coming out of Israel over these past few weeks is that people from all walks of life are increasingly engaging in conversations around the Gospel — specifically about the Messiah.

This short update will clarify what the funds you have provided through Empower have been used for; where they have been deployed; who is receiving the aid; and what the spiritual atmosphere on the ground in Israel is like currently. 

The Who and the Where:

• Trucks manned by Christian believers are taking supplies to the southern area outside the borders of Gaza. This is the zone that was attacked by Hamas and where the people have been traumatized. Tens of thousands have left this region and have migrated north, but some people who remained still need support.
• In the Haifa region, Empower is supporting a messianic/​Christian family style hostel facility. Displaced individuals/​families from within the country as well as those scared to stay in their homes frequent this facility regularly. There are sleeping quarters, and the people receive hot meals, clothing as needed, and counseling with much love and support. 
• In the region of northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon (where the Hezbollah and Syrian forces are stationed) Empower is equipping a number of Arabic-speaking Christian congregations with supplies to reach out to other Arab-background families who have been devastated because of displacement from their homes, rocket fire, or unemployment. Funds are being extended to the Christian pastors to provide food and the necessities of life.
• Throughout the country as a whole, the turmoil of war has disrupted normal life on a wide scale. Schools everywhere were closed for the first three weeks, but some are opening again in certain areas. Tourism has halted. Business is down significantly, necessitating laying off of employees and thus causing hardship on families to provide the basics of life. As well, from near and far, over 300,000 reserve soldiers have been called up for active service in the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). Employers, businesses, and families are all feeling the strain from losing this huge number of people to IDF service. In response, messianic and Arabic-speaking congregations are discovering opportunities to love and provide for families, soldiers and those severely affected in a wide variety of ways during the conflict.
• Even congregations of Holocaust survivors are gathering food supplies and clothes, as well as taking training in first aid to prepare for possible attack from Hezbollah in the north. Those who went through horrific struggles decades ago, and who are now believers in Yeshua, are coming together to weather another storm.

The What:

1. Humanitarian Supplies needed for distribution range widely. Here is just a sampling:
   • Food of all kinds including water, nuts, hot meals, biscuits
   • Bedding, blankets, coats
   • Clothing (warm socks, underwear, T‑shirts, sweatshirts)
   • Medicine, hygienic supplies, first aid supplies, soap
2. Bibles, Gospels of Matthew and John, scriptural material pointing to Yeshua (Jesus) as being the promised Messiah. (Important Note: Empower is closely working alongside The Bible Society in Israel to provide sufficient quantities of God’s Word for the outpouring of requests now coming from those whose world has been rocked by the war. The Bible Society refers to Empower as ​“their very major and close partner in providing Scriptures — The Word of God — in Israel.” Empower will continue to print/​acquire/​distribute all the Scripture that is necessary going forward to meet the spiritual needs of the country. We have already given out many thousands of pieces of Scripture in a variety of languages during the conflict. Empower will continue to diligently look for new ways to place God’s answers to life and death issues that are contained in the Bible, into the hands of the saved and unsaved alike.)

The Spiritual Atmosphere: (including some quotes from messages I have received from Christian leaders)

• The people of Israel are in varying states of distress. In the messages I have received are descriptive words such as ​“broken, questioning, grieving, angry, incredibly appreciative of support, devastated” and above all else, people are asking the question: ​“Who do we turn to for help?” It is into this widespread state of confusion and frustration that believers and ministries are sowing seeds of hope in Yeshua, the Messiah. One leader described what happens as they are distributing compassionate assistance:

“We always share with them that we are believers and followers of Jesus, and that we pray for them together with many other Christians that love the Lord and the Jewish people, because of the Messiah. Then they ask more questions, and it gives us an amazing way to testify about the Lord and faith in Christ. Thank you!”

• Anti-semitism is on the rise worldwide. It has been steadily increasing over the past few years, but since October 7^th it has reached new highs. Therefore, many believe that Israel will experience a fresh wave of Jewish immigrants returning to the country (referred to as ​“making aliyah”) in the weeks and months to come. This will provide believers in Israel with a great opportunity to show love and caring, as well as share the Gospel with those who are newly arriving.
• In the military, messianic young people are having amazing opportunities to share their faith in Yeshua with their unbelieving fellow soldiers. Obviously, there is fear and trepidation in their hearts as they anticipate fierce battles either in the south or possibly in the north. But the believing young soldiers are quick to share their testimonies, their hope in Yeshua, and provide the Word of God (Old and New Testaments) with their friends as they go into battle. No one knows the exact numbers, but reports are surfacing that many are turning to Jesus in this hour of turmoil.
• There is a strong belief that Israel is entering a critical juncture and a defining moment in its history. One Christian leader stated that ​“things are different now — everything has changed. People have come together in great unity and kindness. There is more of an openness now to talk and to listen.” Messianic and Arabic-speaking leaders believe that this may have provided the ​“opportunity that they have been praying for to open the eyes of the nation to their true Messiah — Yeshua.” One leader wrote me this: ​“The situation here is very sad and there are lots of uncertainties in how it will develop. We pray that the Lord will use this to reveal Himself to the people of Israel! That He may pour out His Spirit upon them to see His salvation.” It is obviously too soon to tell – but – this has all the signs of the beginning of a great turning to God.
• A leading pastor connected to Empower shared this story of success and a wonderful answer to prayer:
  ​“Last Friday a man and his wife were sitting outside and talking about the need that there is for socks, underwear, and sweatshirts (especially for the elderly), as they did not have anything to supply the desperate refugees. They work in an evacuation center for those people from the south around Gaza. He then mentioned to his wife, ​‘I trust that there will be someone who will donate next week.’ Suddenly he saw someone driving up — it was me — and I asked how I could help. I told him that I brought a full van of socks and underwear. His jaw fell down! He said, ​‘You arrived like an angel.’ We thank God for you!”
• Another story from a messianic leader:
  ​“Yesterday, when I went to a supplier to buy more basic clothes for distribution, he started asking about our ministry, and I had a great opportunity to share our faith and some prophecies about Yeshua, the Messiah. I read him Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 12:10 and he was very acceptive! He actually said, ​“Wow, I believe it is true!” The situation is driving many people to seek spiritual solutions to what happened and is still happening. (Note from Ron: Zechariah 12:10 says this:
  ​“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over firstborn.”
• Finally, the most encouraging WhatsApp message I have received this week was sent to me by a messianic pastor, who shared this:
  ​“A few days ago, we came together — pastors, from different churches — Jewish, Arabic, Amharic (Ethiopian), Russian — to pray for Israel’s salvation. Jewish people and Arabs alike! It was wonderful to see that people can find God’s peace as brothers, even though we come from different nationalities. We can stand together for God’s purposes.”

In closing, thank you for your support of the people of Israel in this time of testing and war. We entitled this outreach – Project: Lift Israel. But we could just as easily have called it – Project: Lift Up Jesus. I say this because of a verse that has continually gone through my mind since this war began 3 weeks ago. It is found in John 12:32 ESV:

“And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

There will be wars, atrocities, pain, suffering and death until individuals and nations come to the realization that Jesus is the Messiah — the Promised One who has the power to change hate into love and war into peace. This is Empower’s prayer for Israel and for all the peoples of that region (including the innocent, lost souls in Gaza) that the Spirit of God will be poured out in these Last Days and that the people of the Land will experience the peace of Yeshua in their lives and families. To this end, Empower will strive unceasingly to introduce them through all means, to the Prince of Peace. And this will only take place when Jesus is lifted up, drawing all people to Himself.

His bondservant,

Ron

Ron Pearce

President/​Founder