It is Never too Late to Share the Gospel

While visiting an elderly center in Los Angeles, staff member Michael Cohen and his Hebrew-speaking friend Janice* met an Orthodox Israeli man named Franz* who had had a stroke. Janice immediately struck up a conversation in Hebrew with him, and the Lord gave her the idea to read Isaiah chapter 53, an amazing chapter in the Hebrew Scriptures that describes Messiah Jesus. After reading the passage, Michael and Janice asked Franz whom he thought the prophet was talking about. Amazingly, he replied, "Yeshua." Michael says, "I was overcome with joy at the grace and mercy of our God. Jesus had illuminated his heart with the truth!" Franz then prayed to receive Jesus into his heart. He is living proof that it is never too late to share the Gospel with a Jewish person. Franz has since moved back home, so please pray that he grows in his new faith.

Rejoicing Over a New Sister in Messiah

After a recent service at Chosen People Ministries' Messianic Congregation in Manhattan, Sharon,* an elderly Jewish woman, talked with staff member Deborah Kramer. Sharon asked Deborah if she needed to believe that Jesus was God, or if she could just focus on His good teaching and compassion towards people. They talked about the authenticity and authority of Scriptures, and Deborah explained that because Jesus is God, He was free from sin and could be the perfect sacrifice that covers over and forgives our sins. Deborah then asked Sharon if she was ready to believe in Jesus. She said yes; they prayed together, and the angels in heaven rejoiced!

Reaching Israeli Backpackers in New Zealand

Chosen People Ministries staff members Scott and Margie Brown are staging weekly "sausage sizzlers" in Wanaka, New Zealand. The first sizzler drew backpackers from at least seven nations. In their midst was our literature table, stocked with Bibles and international Gospel literature, including materials in Hebrew. Scott writes, "After two hours of fellowship with the young believers on our team, we invited our new friends to a ‘backpacker worship service' in a facility right across the street...and they came! They heard excellent music and compelling testimonies from people whose lives were transformed through encounters with God." One of the backpackers, a young professional from Holland, was riveted. After the service she said, "These things are important... I must write them down." She and many others gladly received a Backpacker Bible, peppered with accounts from other international travelers whose journeys led them to an encounter with the Holy One.

* Name changed