December 2024 | Shalom Harvester…
When I look at the faces of youth, I see a freshness. I see hope for the future. I also see a longing for this world to be a better place. Israeli youth are troubled by what they see around them, especially after fourteen long months of war against their country and internationally against their people.
When I look into the faces of youth, I want to find ways to encourage them, to draw them deeper into the arms of the Lord, into the light of His countenance, and to equip them for the historic/prophetic challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of them.
Please take a look at their faces!
(I took these photos at one of our summer camps.)
What do you see? Can you see the promise of Israel’s sons and daughters upon whom the Spirit will be poured out (Joel 2:28)? Can you see the urgent necessity of investing time, love, listening, and patient sowing of God’s word? Can you envision the impact of providing an environment for them to experience Yeshua’s transforming love and rise up to their full potential as His disciples here, in Israel?
Twenty-four years ago, when we held our first Katzir (harvest) teen camp, I could not have imagined all of that. But teaming up with you, our cherished friends it has happened over and over.
In their own words…
Here’s what two young people said after our last event, in which we spent five days together in the Negev Desert, worshiping, digging into the Scriptures, and experiencing the dramatic setting where the biblical patriarchs met with the God of Israel.
Daniel: Before this camp, I didn’t understand the meaning of praise. When I read the Bible, I couldn’t understand it either. But here at Katzir, the praise and worship time really touched me. On the last night, I decided to lift my hand during worship for the first time ever. I fell to my knees and decided to give my life to the Lord.
Sammy: I had one request coming to this camp—to return home a new person. I arrived with a heart of stone. My heart began to change. Then, one evening after worship, I wept. Suddenly, I understood with a whole heart, securely, that I believe in Yeshua the Messiah.
Special Time of Year—Special Opportunity—Giving Tuesday
They tell me that there’s this thing called “Giving Tuesday” this week, Dec. 3rd. Between you and me, I’m thoroughly convinced that God cares not what day of the week we do our giving. Yet the end of the calendar year does provide a focused opportunity to sow financial seed into the harvest.
What I am moved by is the role we share in equipping the kids whose faces you see here. To help even one of them step into a lifetime of knowing Yeshua’s redeeming love and becoming a vibrant messenger of that love to his or her generation. That’s a privilege I want to embrace with you.
Thanks from my heart for taking a moment to get quiet before the Lord. Is He calling you to participate in equipping the young believers in Israel for the end-time harvest leading to Yeshua’s return? For 2000 years, the nations of the world have received the Gospel. Now is the time for Israel to once again hear and receive the good news of her Messiah, Jesus. Then He will hear these words “Baruch HaBa, B’Shem Adonai…Blessed is He, who comes in the name of the Lord,” (Psalm 118:26; Matthew 23:39) and we will see His face.
You have a part in the Story!
Numbers as of November 20, 2024