Each and Every One
This summer 80 youth participated in the national Katzir-Harvest teen camp and conference. At times some of us on the staff can’t help but observe these teenagers and think that they are still so young – too young – and that they still have so much to learn in life…
In spite of what we think or know, God has special plans for each and every one of them. They only need a safe place where they can get emptied of themselves and full of the infinite love of God, and that is what we try to create at the Katzir conferences.
During the latest conference there was a wonderful opportunity for the teens to open their hearts in small groups. We encouraged them to discover who they are in truth–beyond the image others may have of them, or that they may be projecting–and to recognize what is truly happening in their lives. In these discussions, God began working and touching them in their open-ness. Their hearts were so changed that in one of the evening meetings 23 teens came up front to receive Yeshua!
Afterward, that which the teens received, they also gave. The theme of the conference was, “Freely you have received, freely give.” In the spirit of this command, we went out onto the main streets of Tel Aviv to share the Good News. There were amazing testimonies about strangers being willing to not only listen, but also receive prayer and blessing from these teens, right there in public!
At times it seems to us that teens don’t “get it”, yet we are witness to the way that God’s spirit is expanding and transforming them from the inside out. The Katzir team loves to work with and serve these teenagers because we know they are in the process of becoming the ones who will soon enough teach, evangelize, be sent out, and pastor – because God has a plan for each and every one of them! – Yigal
Not So Hidden Treasure
Each day was full to the brim with activity and fellowship. Israeli volunteer teen-counselors accompanied the children 24/7, shepherding and caring for each member of their group. A whole team of devoted volunteers from Texas fed us all, led water games, ESL sessions and showered love on every child present. During the days we spent as a community, hearts were changed and in the evening meetings lives were dedicated to Yeshua. A number of brave young campers stood up before everyone and shared how God had spoken to them personally.
I believe that the concentrated love and teaching received by the campers year after year have a special role to play in their spiritual growth and development. It is my prayer that this summer each camper went home with the understanding that His treasures are easily found and freely given! – Leora, Camp Director
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Marty’s Story
A Jewish New-Ager from Montreal Finds Messiah
I said yes, and my life changed in the most profound way. At once I understood that the promises God made to Abraham were real, and I was part of an enduring legacy stretching back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. My Jewish back-story was not old fables but a reality that served to bless the whole world. However, I soon disassociated myself from that legacy! I was now a Christian. A Jewish Christian, yes, but that was no more significant than being an Italian Christian or a Chinese Christian or any other ethnicity. No more of this burden of being “The Chosen People.”
Even as a Jew I accepted the narrative that the Church had replaced Israel as God’s chosen people. I was grateful for my background because it linked me to how my own people had been used by God in the past, but it no longer had significance for what God was doing in the present. Like everyone around me, I “spiritualized” the Hebrew Scriptures so as to remove their significance and meaning as they related to the people who originally received them.
Then, many years later I re-discovered within the scriptures the wonderful plan to see Jew and Gentile made one in Messiah. Like any good relationship, blessings and responsibilities must flow both ways. A relationship where only one side gives and the other receives is either tragically co-dependent or sinisterly oppressive. Our Heavenly Father’s plan brings mutual blessing, and mutual calling to both Jews and Gentiles – all to the praise of His glorious grace.
Paul’s gospel “To the Jew first” is not the biased prejudice of a Jew who could not shed his old “chosen people” wine skin, but a beautiful love story, a revelation given to a Jew on behalf of the Gentiles he was called to serve; a love story that not only blesses both Jews and Gentiles but prepares the way for the return of Israel’s king, Who is also the savior of the world. – Marty Shoub
Senior Editor’s note from Eitan: It was my joy to serve side by side with Marty in Israel at Tents of Mercy for eight years. There’s no one I’d rather have represent our work in Israel on the world stage. It is also a joy to meet Marty again on the pages of the “Israel’s Restoration” publication which he lovingly edited for many years. Marty’s first book “To the Jew First: The Formation of One New Man” is available through the Tikkun bookstore and Amazon.