The Vision

THE VISION

Our vision is to support Orthodox Jews who are discovering Messiah as they make transition from the confinements of their Judaic traditions into a believing community based on having a personal relationship with Yeshua.

  • We mentor young Orthodox saints or seekers in the truths of Yeshua where they can grow spiritually into their gifts and callings.
  • We enable them to embrace the liberties and responsibilities of their new lives by providing a safe place to live, material necessities and guidance as they find meaningful employment.
  • We also engage all the leaders of the messianic congregations in the city of Jerusalem.

RESPONDING TO THE MESSIAH

It is thrilling to see Jewish people responding to their Messiah! In the past few decades we have seen believers in Israel grow from dozens to hundreds and now thousands. There may be as many as fifteen thousand believers in Israel today although many are not connected with a congregation. One people group that is missing in our Messianic congregations is the Orthodox.

Most of the believers in the land come from American or European backgrounds. Many are also Russian. In the Orthodox community there are a few secret believers. If an individual professes Yeshua they are typically ostracised or coerced to renounce their faith. There are many in the Orthodox community who are frustrated, feeling that the traditions they practice have not lead them to a discovery of God. It is very difficult for a seeker or new believer in Yeshua to leave the Orthodox community if they wish to .

PURSUING THE VISION

  • We have a non- profit organisation where money can be sent to. We have a Board of Directors who decides how money is raised and disbursed.
  • We plan to establish a business such as a coffee shop where we can provide work for the new believers
  • We will create 24 hour prayer and worship with individuals and groups, all over the world committing themselves to daily prayer for Israel and our Messianic ministry.
  • Provide a safety net, by establishing a “safe house” for individuals and families who might urgently have to flee their communities.

    • MEETING PHYSICAL NEEDS

    The Orthodox are supported in the Jewish State by a welfare system. If they leave the community they leave the welfare state and are immediately in a place of destitution. An additional complication is that many Orthodox have never worked outside of studying the Torah and do not have a work ethic. To leave a community of material security and perhaps fall into impoverishment without the skill to support themselves is a fearful proposition. Who will help them employment so that may become self-sufficient? We are helping them find a way!

    MEETING SPIRITUAL NEEDS

    The Orthodox rely heavily on the Rabbi for direction in every level of life. When an Orthodox person becomes a believer they must make decisions on their own and feel a vacuum for counsel. Who will provide them guidance and lead them into the knowledge and practices of a disciple? Today we are standing with them!

    MEETING RELATIONAL NEEDS

    Those that come to Yeshua within Orthodox communities are shunned. Most often they are harassed and then ostracised. When they are forced to leave, or feel they must leave to leave the community they feel deprived of their relationships and families. They need to develop sustaining relationships relationships within the Messianic community. Who will replace the fathers and mothers they have left? Who will give them words of comfort and assurance? Who will help them to understand the language, attitudes and practices of what to them is a new and foreign world? We stand to help them discover the culture of God’s Kingdom; to help them adjust to this new way of life. They need to develop sustaining relationships within the Messianic community. We are helping them find a way!

    WORKING WITH OTHERS

    We are networking with overseas congregations and organisations helping them to become aware of the needs of the Orthodox, especially as these new believers transition into life in Yeshua.
    • We are presently connecting with Messianic and Christian organisations in Israel, hoping to get them involved in this vision.
    • We are visiting pastors of churches, hoping they will contribute financially as they are able; taking new believers under their wings; providing accommodations, etc.
    • We encourage new Orthodox believers to attend the congregations they feel most comfortable with. We also want to provide a safety net, by establishing a "safe house", a place where they can make the transition from their Orthodox lifestyle to the lifestyle of a new believer in Messiah; doing this at their own pace. Many times the Orthodox have felt pressure to change faster than they are able to cope with.

    OBSTACLES TO OVERCOME TO EMBRACE ONE ANOTHER

    There are barriers that the Orthodox believer must overcome in order to enter a Messianic congregation; and, there are barriers a Messianic congregation must overcome to welcome a person coming to them from the Orthodox community.

    THE CHALLENGE FACING MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS

    Messianic Communities are still growing in maturity but are handicapped in receiving people from the Orthodox community. Pastors are frequently too busy to mentor new Messianic believers and finances in congregations are typically tight. Finances in congregations are typically tight. Helping new Orthodox converts materially taxes already stretched resources.

    Relationships in many Messianic congregations are based around attending worship services. There may be individuals who might be willing to open up their homes to new Orthodox believers, but it is complicated because of the lack of resources; or, because they might consider it a risk due to persecution in the land.

    If a new believer says, “I’ve left my Orthodox community to pursue Yeshua”, most of those in the Body of Messiah in the land will rejoice. But, few Messianic congregations are prepared to rise up and meet the needs. With your help we can make a difference!

    DEALING WITH STIGMA OF BECOMING A MESSIANIC JEW

    Jews throughout history have aroused hatred and suspicion by forming communities which are separated from the cultures that they are situated in. They create their own education system and don’t allow their children to mix with non-Jewish children.

    Typically, Jews in Israel are suspicious toward the Orthodox because they separate themselves from the secular society in the land. A Jew who becomes ultra-Orthodox (Haredim) will cut off contact with his natural Jewish brothers and sisters. We know many secular Jews who have brothers and sisters who have become Orthodox and then have no contact with them for many years. This is because the Orthodox community doesn't allow contact, fearing that they will be defiled or compromised in their faith because of bad influences in the secular society. The ultra-Orthodox don't have TV or radio. An ethnic group that separates itself from the society in which it lives often arouses suspicion, resentment, and hatred. The Orthodox in Israel have a very negative stigma among secular Jews.

    There is much ill will towards the Orthodox in Israel which you could liken to a family member who doesn’t pull their weight in the family. They enjoy the benefits of our modern nation but, until recently were exempt from army service (IDF). They also receive benefits from the government that a secular citizen doesn't enjoy -- all in the name of learning the Torah.

    Around the world there is a trend among believers of moving back to their “Jewish roots”. With the trend comes prayer shawls, talits, kippas, etc. This trend isn’t well looked upon in some Messianic congregations in Israel. If one wears a kippa or a prayer shawl they are seen as having a religious spirit or a spirit of pride. Even though the number of Jewish Messianic believers is small who wear prayer shawls, this is frowned upon by some Messianic congregations.

    WHAT WE HAVE LEARNT

    When we met Raphael he only had on his black Orthodox clothes, and the Messianic congregation we took him to was reluctant to let him into the service. He was dressed in Orthodox clothes and the man at the door was frightened he was coming to cause trouble. Orthodox Jews are actively persecuting Messianic Jews in Jerusalem. We have found him a place to stay and part-time work. We are taking him to congregations to help him find a good fellowship. We are teaching him and praying with him. We are raising funds for his personal needs and giving him counsel for finding long-term employment.

    YAAKOV'S TRAGIC STORY

    An Orthodox man, Yaakov, became a disciple of Yeshua and sought to be assimilated among Messianic believers in Jerusalem. For two years he was going from congregation to congregation seeking fellowship and accommodations. He went from one temporary situation to another, never finding a permanent place to rest. He was constantly frustrated. He was helped just a bit at each congregation, but could not find a place to settle; or help with continued discipleship; or assistance finding employment. He felt like a beggar striving to survive. He was pursued vigorously by the Orthodox who wanted him to return to their community the Orthodox beliefs. It drove him crazy. He lost his mind and was admitted to a hospital where he committed suicide. This should have had a different outcome. We can and must make a difference. Yeshua is coming soon!

    GET INVOLVED! You can be on the front lines with us ministering to new Orthodox believers and seekers coming out of the ultra-Orthodox community.