Our executive director Murray Tilles was asked to write an article for the Christian Index for the Georgia Baptist Convention publication that goes out to 62,000 people in the state of Georgia, see the link below to his article and an article by the editor of the Christian Index as well.

After the tragic attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7th, we've spent a lot of time answering questions, engaging the church and meeting with small groups. There is a lot of confusion around this conflict, and many are wondering how to view the Palestinian people in light of these current events.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a complex, emotionally charged issue with a long history. As a ministry to the Jewish community, we support Israel’s right to exist as the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people. However, that support does not mean that we do not also love and support the Palestinian people.

Love for Israelis and love for Palestinians are not mutually exclusive. As humans, when we care deeply for a group of people on one side of an issue, it is all too common to disregard or dissociate from the suffering of those on the other side. As followers of Jesus, the one who loves all of humanity, we must firmly reject this temptation.

Click the button below to read our ministry’s full statement on the Palestinian people in light of the current conflict.

Because of the brutal, horrific, evil, and tragic attack on Israel by Hamas of Saturday morning October 7th life was changed in an instant for Israelis and Jewish people around the world. In Israel there are families who have lost friends and relatives. Our tour operator has children who are social workers. They were called to help evacuees from the Gaza attack that had to be taken to hotels at the Dead Sea. One of our guides was called to active duty leaving behind his wife and 4 children.

People are traumatized. They are afraid. Hostages have been taken. Israel has to make decisions that have enormous geopolitical ramifications.

We have spent extensive time communicating with those we love in Israel. Friends are sheltering in place. Friends and children of friends are being called into active duty. Co-laborers in the Gospel are having to leave home to fight in the Israeli Defense Force. Massive decisions are being made. Husbands are leaving their families to fight. Wives and children are terrified. They are all shell shocked, grieving, and processing the recent tragic events.

We have to do something to help those in need, the families who are being split apart, and those who are losing income. This war has brought about massive casualty, destruction, and trauma. The mental and emotional toll is one thing. The economic toll is another. We are going to help.

To that end we are establishing an Emergency Israel Aid Fund. All donations received for this purpose will go towards humanitarian aid in Israel needed as a result of the ongoing war. We will make sure that families in Israel who are losing income and traumatized by the war will get needed financial support. We are going to make sure that our tour guides, operator, and ministry families being affected will get something to help them out. They need your help.

Here are some specific prayer requests… 

• Pray for the safety of the hostages and for their rescue and release.

• Pray for all of the victims of these horrific attacks, for their healing, and for the families.

• Pray for the Israeli Defense Forces called to the front lines, for their children and families remains strong as they retaliate.

• Pray that international support for Israel to remain strong as they retaliate against Hamas.

• Pray for the government of Israel to have wisdom and regroup well.

• Pray for the tour groups there now to be protected and return home safely.

• Pray for all ministry workers and their families in Israel to be protected.

• Pray for the gospel to be strongly proclaimed during this difficult time.

• Please pray for our ministry staff. We are in need of strength and encouragement. 

May the Lord God of Israel bring peace in the midst of this horribly tragic situation. May the Lord God of Israel make himself know to those who do not yet know him. May he bring comfort to the grieving and hope to the hopeless. Most importantly, may Jesus make himself known and be glorified in all of this.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

 Gratefully in Messiah Jesus…the Protector and Sustainer of Israel,

The Light of Messiah Ministries Team