Working with Other Jewish Ministries
As the North American Coordinator for the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism (LCJE), I have the privilege of communicating regularly with our network. LCJE–NA is a regional subset of the worldwide Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism. Our purpose is simple but profound: networking Jewish evangelism.
LCJE is not a mission agency, nor is it a single ministry. It is a platform for connection - a place where those engaged in Jewish ministry can come together to share information and resources and study current trends. We stimulate one another’s thinking on theological and missiological issues, arranging conferences that encourage and equip those in Jewish evangelism.
We strategize on a global level so that more Jewish people will hear and consider the Good News of Jesus. LCJE exists to keep Jewish evangelism visible, vibrant, and central in the global church’s mission.
How It All Began
In 1980, the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization (LCWE) convened the Consultation on World Evangelization (COWE) in Pattaya, Thailand. Among the 17 mini-consultation groups was one focused on reaching Jewish people. The enthusiasm, prayer, and urgency felt in that small group gave birth to what we now know as the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism (LCJE).
Just three years later, in 1983, the first LCJE international consultation was held. Since then, every three to four years, representatives of Jewish ministry organizations, congregations, and individuals have gathered from all over the world. LCJE now has regional chapters that meet regularly in North America, Europe, Israel, South Africa, AustralAsia, Japan, and Latin America.
What began as a small task force has become a global network united by the conviction that the gospel is to the Jew first and also to the Gentile (Romans 1:16).
We Need to Be Together
I am writing this letter from Paris, France, where I am attending the European gathering of LCJE. Leaders from Europe and Israel gathered to support one another in the work of Jewish ministry. Jewish people around the world are feeling more marginalized than ever. War in Russia, Ukraine, and Israel has increased fear and anxiety. Antisemitism is on the rise.
While in Paris, I’ve had the privilege of reconnecting with friends and forming new relationships within the Jewish outreach community. Representatives from many countries are here, including coworkers from France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Russia, and Israel. We’ve gathered to pray, network, and encourage one another. This has been a weighty conference, as we’ve addressed difficult issues such as antisemitism, war, and their impact on Jewish ministry.
Even in the midst of these challenges, we are encouraged by the reminder that global conflict is also opening new doors for the message of Jesus to reach our people.
We deeply love our people. That’s why standing together—supporting, encouraging, and praying for one another—is so vital for all of us engaged in ministry to the Jewish community. Every time I write to our North American network, I find myself repeating the same sentence: “We need to be together now more than ever.”
Hebrews 10:24–25 exhorts us, And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
That verse became especially real for us in the aftermath of October 7, 2023. The horrific attack on Israel, the massacre of innocent lives and the taking of hostages, shook Jewish people all over the world. It deeply affected those of us in Jewish ministry too. The weight was heavy, especially since many of us have friends and family in Israel. That’s why our first North American conference after October 7th felt so significant. We wept together and encouraged one another in the hope we have in Messiah.
The work we do is difficult. Since that day, it has only become more challenging. Confusion abounds, misinformation spreads rapidly, and antisemitism is rising at an alarming rate. Even in the church there is misunderstanding about the importance of Jewish evangelism. These pressures make our work harder — but they also make our unity more vital.
The writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up... Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).
Fellowshipping with others in Jewish ministry makes a difference. Together we carry one another’s burdens, grieve in times of sorrow, and strengthen each other in our work and calling to the Jewish people.
We Learn From One Another
Another reason LCJE is vital is that it allows us to learn from one another. None of us holds all the answers, nor does any single ministry carry the full responsibility. Each of us approaches Jewish evangelism from different contexts and with different gifts. Some serve in Israel, others in North America, still others in Europe or South America. Some are scholars, some are congregational leaders, some are evangelists, and some are bridge-builders in their local communities.
When we gather, we bring these diverse experiences together under one roof. At our conferences, participants present papers, lead discussions, and share insights on topics such as:
Messianic prophecy
Rising antisemitism and how to respond Biblically
Jewish community life and belief trends
Cooperation in Jewish evangelism
These conversations sharpen our theology, challenge our assumptions, and encourage us to adapt our methods so that the unchanging gospel can be heard clearly in today’s world.
We Help One Another
Every LCJE conference day begins with devotions and prayer. These times are precious. We are not merely networking as colleagues — we are coming before the Lord together as family. We lift one another up, praying for our ministries, interceding for the Jewish people God has placed on our hearts.
Partnership goes beyond prayer. It includes sharing ideas, pooling resources, and even collaborating on projects. Sometimes that means co-sponsoring events, publishing research together, or sending workers to assist in areas of need. At other times, it means supporting one another financially, ensuring that effective initiatives do not falter for lack of provision.
For decades, LCJE has partnered with like-minded organizations to strengthen the proclamation of the gospel among Jewish people worldwide. When we join forces, our impact multiplies.
Why This Matters
We are not a large group. The Jewish population of the world is relatively small compared to other people groups. Likewise, the number of those involved in direct Jewish ministry is also small. Yet the significance of this calling is immense.
To reach Jewish people with the gospel is not just one ministry among many- it is central to God’s plan. Paul reminds us in Romans 11:15 that the inclusion of Jewish people in Messiah is like “life from the dead” for the world. The witness of Jewish believers strengthens the church and testifies to God’s faithfulness to His promises.
That is why LCJE exists: to ensure that this vital calling is not forgotten, neglected, or sidelined, but pursued with faithfulness until the Lord returns.
By Murray Tilles
Founder and Executive Director