Our Summer of Jewish Ministry
Our ministry has certainly not slowed down this summer! Over the past several weeks, we’ve hosted Shabbat dinners and educational events through the Shalom House. Along the way, there have been deeply meaningful conversations, new visitors, and continued opportunities to build bridges between the Jewish and Christian communities. Most importantly, we have had many opportunities to share the hope of Messiah Jesus with Jewish people, both directly and indirectly.
We live in a new world. The idea of indirectly sharing the gospel may seem strange at first. Our ministry has always been focused on direct gospel proclamation. However today, many Jewish people not only need to hear the message of Jesus, they also need to see the message of Jesus in action. To be clear, our mission has not changed. We exist to proclaim to the Jewish community that our Messiah has come and His name is Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew). We are uncompromising about who we are, who we proclaim, and to whom we give honor. He is the reason for our existence.
That being said, the Jewish community needs to hear about Jesus not only in word but also in deed. There are two sides to this Jewish outreach coin. Both are more important now than ever. In my devotional, Devoted to Israel, I write that loving the Jewish community and Israel without sharing the message of Jesus is not love at all. On the other hand, telling Jewish people they need Jesus without loving them, fighting antisemitism, and standing with them is arrogant folly. We must love, support, and faithfully share the Good News. Following are a few stories from recent interactions in the Jewish community.
Murray Reports
Meeting with Jewish people and helping others connect with the Jewish community is what we do. Sometimes those meetings happen in unexpected ways, what many would call divine appointments. The Lord simply asks for our availability, and He faithfully provides opportunities.
Recently, my wife, Alana, was shopping at a local mall when she stopped at Starbucks for a cup of coffee. She overheard two men speaking Hebrew and introduced herself. They began talking about Israel, friends and family there, and the work of our ministry.
Avraham and Avi were warm and gracious. Alana called me, and I joined them. We talked about the Bible, faith, God, and Jesus. They were genuinely encouraged that we are working to build bridges between the Jewish and Christian communities. We exchanged contact information and look forward to continuing these conversations.
A few days later, at a local dog park, I struck up a conversation with another dog owner. After learning that he worked in IT, he asked what I did. I explained that I founded a ministry dedicated to building bridges between the Jewish and Christian communities.
I shared that I am a Jewish believer in Jesus and have one foot in both worlds. I help Jewish people understand Jesus while helping Christians better understand the Jewish community. He immediately thanked me for our work and then said something unexpected: “You need to talk to my son. I think I was supposed to meet you tonight.”
His son, who is in law school, has embraced an anti-Israel and anti-Jewish world view. He wants to reject his Jewish identity and has accepted much of the current pro-Palestinian narrative. We exchanged information, and I hope to meet with him in the coming weeks. Please pray that God will open that door.
Another unexpected opportunity came while I was having lunch with one of our board members. At the table next to us, four men were discussing Israel and Jewish identity. One man made several inaccurate and antisemitic statements. As the conversation intensified, I felt compelled to speak.
I introduced myself and joined the conversation. It quickly became clear that the man expressing the antisemitic views was not interested in listening. So I turned my attention to Rob, the Jewish man who had become the focus of the encounter. After apologizing for what had happened, I shared about our ministry. I spoke about our commitment to standing against antisemitism while confronting misinformation about Israel and the Jewish people.
Rob thanked me for speaking up and taking the time to connect with him. My board member, who is also a local pastor, was able to graciously address several of the misconceptions being expressed. We exchanged contact information. Lord willing, I’ll have the opportunity to meet with Rob again soon.
And praise the Lord! Three Jewish people have either been baptized or have scheduled their baptisms in the near future. Each has been impacted through our ministry. Two came to faith through personal conversations and by discovering that they could remain Jewish while believing in Jesus.
Another, Ricki, first connected with our ministry two years ago when her mother was dying. She asked me to visit and share the hope of Messiah with her mother. Shortly before she passed away, Ricki’s mother placed her faith in Jesus. I had the privilege of walking with her family during those final days. Since then, Ricki has continued growing in her own faith and is now preparing to be baptized.
The Shalom House has also been full of activity this summer. We continue meeting with people, discipling new believers, planning future ministry, and hosting gatherings. We recently held a special evening to discuss the rise of antisemitism and pray for the Jewish community. Thirty people were in attendance.
Mariah Reports
Each year, Jewish community organizations host Holocaust Survivor Day. The event honors Atlanta-area Holocaust survivors with fellowship, entertainment, and a special meal. This year, I had the privilege of picking up and driving a survivor named Inna to the event.
After talking for a while, it became clear that she assumed I was Jewish. When I explained that I wasn’t, she asked why I chose to volunteer. I told her that I am a Christian who learned about the Holocaust at a young age. That I spent much of my life studying Jewish history. I shared my love for the Jewish people, that Jesus Himself is Jewish, and that understanding Jewish history and culture helps me know Him better. I also told her that the Jewish people have a special place in God’s heart and mine as well.
After the event, I drove Inna home and helped her up to her apartment. She invited me inside for a few minutes and told me how much our conversation had meant to her. Before I left, she asked if I would be her driver again at the next event. She also invited me to stay for tea so we could continue talking. Moments like these remind me that ministry often begins with simple acts of kindness and genuine friendship.
While volunteering in the archives at The Breman Museum, I worked alongside several Jewish interns I recently met. As we spoke, one shared a childhood memory of receiving a tract about Jesus while trick-or-treating. Her mother was deeply hurt and confronted the neighbor, who said she simply wanted to keep them from going to hell. Both interns admitted that experiences like this left them believing Christians cared more about converting Jewish people than genuinely loving them.
Since we had only just met, I told them I was a Christian and expressed my sorrow that those experiences had shaped their view of believers. I explained that many Christians truly love the Jewish people and desire authentic relationships. Moments like these remind me that before many Jewish people are willing to hear about Jesus, they first need to experience His love through genuine care and friendship.
At the end of July, I also had the privilege of helping a dear Jewish friend as she prepared a memorial service for her 101-year-old mother, a Holocaust survivor. She invited me to her synagogue. There she introduced me to the executive director and shared how much my friendship and support for the Jewish community had meant to her. I was humbled by her words and reminded that trust is built through faithful love and service. Whenever she tells me I have been a blessing or a light in her life, I always point her back to God, explaining that any good she sees in me comes from our Messiah.