“if my people will humble themselves
who are called by my name,
and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven
and will forgive their sin
and heal their land”
(2 Chr. 7:14)
(Unity of) Prayer
We thank the Lord that our prayer room is being filled with prayer. We are on the way, and that is what matters most! We have both individual and corporate prayer and worship there. The ongoing morning prayer of pastors from the region once a week always fills me with thanksgiving. I believe God wants even more unity.
Over nine months have passed since October 7, the time of a pregnancy, as a pastor friend of ours rightly commented. At about the same time that this realization dawned on him, I also felt God speaking to me that we must extend prayer as leaders and intercessors on a national level. The same sense of urgency for unified prayer in the body of Messiah in Israel came from different other ministries. We decided that the month of July would be dedicated to worship and intercession for the situation and would be hosted by different ministries in Israel. We hosted the prayer on July 9th. We believe it is crucial that we pray together with unwavering faith in the passage quoted above.
The God of Miracles
Amid the difficulties, disunity and threats the nation of Israel is facing, we are doing well. This is the time to put our faith to the test, believing in and resting on God’s Word and promises. As a family, we recognize God’s grace, protection, and loving care. Zooming in, just a while ago, we had our own miracle – like a sign from heaven that He’s in the picture.
Our eldest son Roi was supposed to be drafted into a combat unit of the IDF at the beginning of August. A devoted soccer player, he’s been trying for months now to get the date postponed because of the soccer season which is about to begin. And, to get into a different military category which would allow him to continue training throughout his army service. We tried so hard, but during a war, the army is bent on insisting. It became an emotional roller coaster, as we sought God’s will for Roi. We prayed for and with him, as Roi tried following the advice of people who seem to know and sent many requests to the army. Every door seemed closed.
But, we were encouraged again and again to be faithful and to continue interceding for our boy whose great love is soccer and who has invested so much to get to where he is today. It sometimes felt as if God was asking us: do you (his parents) trust Me? Then, one morning in July Roi received a phone call from the army. Do you want to postpone your recruitment? – Yes, Roi replied. – Ok… We were speechless and waited for the official message with a new date. And guess what? They gave him an extra four months. We have no idea how this came about, except maybe someone realized this boy has been sending request after request… a little like the widow in the NT parable, who kept insisting that the harsh judge plead her case… And all we can say is: Thank you, Abba!
Tehilat-Yah Congregation
At the beginning of Summer, we shifted our weekly services from Shabbat morning to Friday early evening, except for the first week of the month, when we continue to have a Shabbat morning service. Beforehand, I made many phone calls to make sure I get a feel of where our people are with this idea. The response was VERY positive, to say the least. First and foremost, we made this change because we want to give people more time to spend Shabbat with their families, considering that for most of our members it is the only free day they have. Twice a month we have a shared Shabbat meal after the Friday service. This is the perfect opportunity to invite and reach out to non-believing family members, friends and neighbors. We are still in the trial period, but so far it has been a blessing and I believe people will quickly get used to the new rhythm of meetings.
In June, we ordained a new elder, an immigrant from Belarus, as well as a new deacon who has been with us for many years. Their gifted and devoted wives are, of course, part and parcel of this decision. We are blessed to have them with us, alongside Pastor K. and his wife who have been elders for several years. We continue to pray for a younger assistant to come alongside me, who one day could take over the role of pastor, as neither of our elders feel it is their calling.
Our youth continues to meet at the Tsomet (junction) during and after our services. We pray we would find a male youth pastor as well, for the young guys in the group, and that the group would grow in unity and number. We thank God for soldier U. who has it on his heart to start a midweek bible reading group for the youth. We pray for the perfect day and hour to have these meetings.
The activities for the young generation have been extended, with an activity for young adults. E., a soldier in the Tehilat-Yah family, shares our vision for a youth café and recently began organizing Friday morning brunches.
The idea is to start by inviting believers from the area, including Tel Aviv, and in the course of time to spread the news and bring along non-believing friends as well. E. has great ideas but needs another partner for the project. We had one young woman, who then couldn’t commit because of her own schedule. So please pray with us for someone to team up with E.
The Tsomet also serves to store food items for food parcels and – most recently – a Give and Take for second-hand clothing. S., our new elder’s wife, had this vision and got it started. For now, it serves people in the congregation (among them new immigrants and student families), but this, too, will hopefully grow into opportunities to reach non-believers.
Last, but not least, we continue to host guests at the Tsomet, sometimes friends from abroad, but also from the land, particularly people without a car who want to join the Friday or Shabbat meeting for fellowship. We just renewed the rent for another year and feel very blessed and happy with this apartment. Praise God!
We thank the Lord for new contacts we made over the past months, especially with young Israelis who are new in the faith. They come with baggage, as all of us do, and there is a heartfelt need for discipleship and principles of faith. Please pray for this project, for the right people to be involved in the discipling and teaching, for the right timing and for hunger for God and His Word in the hearts of these young men.
Older Singles - a New Ministry
Last August we began a new ministry to older singles. Over the years we’ve had singles over thirty in the congregation and we knew they often felt out of place among the (young) families and younger singles. We learned that this is a problem not only in our congregation, but across Israel. So, with a couple of those “older” singles we began “Hagesher” (the bridge). We don’t try to match couples and we don’t do speed dating. But, we want to offer a platform for these singles where they can meet. In the worst case, they will be able to make friendships with other singles in the land, both men and women. In the best case, they’ll find a match.
We’ve had an activity about every month and a half, including brunches, Shabbat meals, nature walks, seminars, and a weekend in the desert, at the Beduine campsite where Marianne and I got married 20 years ago. We pray these singles will not give up hope and find a soul mate because “two are better than one.”
We’ve had an activity about every month and a half, including brunches, Shabbat meals, nature walks, seminars, and a weekend in the desert, at the Beduine campsite where Marianne and I got married 20 years ago. We pray these singles will not give up hope and find a soul mate because “two are better than one.”
Bayit Cham (a warm and welcoming home)
The messianic rehabilitation home for women has become a place where I love to serve. I lead a weekly home group there and there is blessed cooperation with the team who works at the Bayit Cham. Together with A. who is part of the congregation and a worker at the Bayit Cham, and M., the elders’ wife, a counselor and intercessor, we also regularly pray with the ladies. Their past is heavy, but we continue to offer hope of freedom from addiction in Yeshua. Some of them were baptized in the congregation, then moved on. One has become a steady member of the congregation and is growing in the Lord, praise God!
Joshua Fund and FIRM
We are very happy that we found two new venues of cooperation in the land. One is the Joshua Fund which we mentioned in the last newsletter. Through humanitarian aid the Joshua Fund supports our desire to be hands and feet of Yeshua’s giving love to non-believers. After a couple of visits – with the aim to create trust between us – we can offer them the gospel message, as the Holy Spirit leads. Through those visits we met one elderly lady who came to faith and now joins our meetings regularly.
The second networking organization is FIRM (Foundation of Israel Related Ministries). They help a variety of Israeli ministries to be connected, so we can help, encourage, equip and learn from one another. Through them we found a specialist for sound issues. He came to Beit Moshe to check our sound system and to teach our team and upgrade the system, so the livestream will have better quality. The project of upgrading will take some time.
In the meanwhile, our good friend K. helps us with planning a makeover of our website. You’ll be easily able to find us and receive updates through Facebook and Instagram, and there are already new features, like, for instance, bi-weekly short video updates of the situation here in the land. So soon you will be able to check out our updated site at www.tehilat-yah.org.
Maim Haim Hinam NGO
Beside the work with Joshua Fund, we continue visiting the club of Holocaust survivors and the club of war veterans. It has been our long-standing tradition to share the holidays with them, and to bless the jubilees on their special birthdays.
Marianne regularly visits M., a Holocaust survivor, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. M. is always very happy to see Marianne. Please pray Marianne would have a chance and a moment alone to share the gospel with this precious woman.
We thank God
- For the postponement of recruiting day for our son Roi
- For all the opportunities to serve through the venue of the Tsomet (apartment)
- For steadfast prayer life in the congregation:
daily morning and evening prayer on Zoom; individual prayer watches; a weekly prayer chain for me and my family on Tuesdays; individual prayer for healing, and the bi-monthly morning prayer of the pastors of Rishon and surrounding area. - For the new projects we found through which we can help people in need and Holocaust survivors
Please Pray
- Of course, for all war-related issues, as you prayerfully follow truth-bound news’ channels
- For the requests regarding the youth, the young adults and the older singles’ ministry
- For an opportunity to share the gospel with Holocaust survivor M.
- For our Lia and Matan, that the youth camps they will be attending will strengthen their faith
God’s love and blessings to you!
Pastors Michael & Marianne Yaron,
Roi, Lia and Matan