By Mitch Glaser

If you have ever been to Tel Aviv, you know that it is a vibrant, modern city. It is hard to believe that in 1910, the year it was founded, the area was a sand dune. Today, Tel Aviv and its suburbs have more than a million residents. People rush through the busy streets, each person pursuing his or her goals and dreams.

But like many other urban centers, Tel Aviv has another face—it is also populated by people who, for one reason or another, have fallen by the wayside. It is almost like a second city, invisible to those who would prefer not to see it. Its residents are often forgotten by the healthy and hopeful citizens of the glittering Tel Aviv we love to celebrate. But they are not forgotten by the Lord—nor by His servants.

This month, our newsletter will highlight the work of Chosen People Ministries’ staff members who are serving in the midst of these hurting people right now. I hope that you will be moved to pray for our workers and for the lives of those they touch with the love of Messiah.

An Expanding Metropolis and an Expanding Ministry

Tel Aviv is a city under continual construction, with cranes dotting the skyline as buildings rise from concrete foundations. The population has also continued to increase. The sudden influx of Soviet Jews since the early 1990s has created many opportunities for our staff. We planted a congregation for Russian Jewish people in Tel Aviv. This dynamic and growing ministry actively reaches out to seekers and other neighbors. We have also been feeding the poor and caring for the homeless and those addicted to drugs and alcohol—all in the name of Jesus!

Recently, by God’s grace and with your help, we have been able to open the Tel Aviv Messianic Center, a three-story building where we have a meeting hall for congregations to hold their services, seminars and classes. We also have a fully-equipped industrial kitchen, from which we operate a thriving soup kitchen ministry. I am so grateful for your partnership in this work!

Once a week, we have a coffee house called the Center Café, which attracts 100-150 young people each week. The Café offers a homey atmosphere, free coffee and good music. Our staff members talk with visitors and invite them to our Hebrew-speaking Messianic congregation on the following day. Our goal is for this new congregation to grow through outreach, and the Center Café is a vital part of this growth. Our Russian congregation meets in the Center as well—so we now have services in both Hebrew and Russian!

Mending Broken Lives Through the Power of the Gospel

In the “hidden” Tel Aviv, many are plagued with the evils of alcohol and drug abuse. Neriyah A., who helps lead the Russian-speaking congregation, also works in the soup kitchen. In addition, Neriyah helps to coordinate two outreaches a week that bring meals to the homeless and hurting who are on the streets. We hope that through this tangible expression of Messiah’s love, these needy people will become open to the Lord and will eventually enter one of the Gospel-oriented drug rehabilitation centers with which we have a close relationship.

Brian S., another staff member serving in Israel, is deeply involved in ministry to the homeless and drug-addicted. Brian recently wrote: "After only three weeks, all the seats at our soup kitchen outreach in Tel Aviv were full. We’ve also started distributing dry food goods for the needy people to take home. We are giving out over 4,400 lbs. per month. Another two soup kitchens are overflowing with people being fed, as well as clothed, having their wounds bound up in the free medical clinic and being counseled, guided and invited to our Bible-based rehabilitation center. These dear people are literally being rescued from death unto life! Please pray for this rehabilitation center as it is under major spiritual and physical attack from all sides."

A Growing Work to Meet a Growing Need

As I hope you can see, Chosen People Ministries has been expanding our witness for Messiah in Tel Aviv through the Messianic Center and its outreach programs. This is the fruit of the faithfulness and skill of our wonderful staff, and the generous support of our partners like you. Our staff workers do not have an easy task; they must come to grips with some of the most heart-wrenching situations that human beings can encounter. Ministering in Israel is not easy under any circumstances, and these servants of Messiah have chosen to do work that requires the utmost patience and love.

As you read the accounts of our staff members in Tel Aviv, I hope you will come away impressed by their dedication and the joy they have in knowing that as hard as the work may be, they are responding to the Lord’s calling with obedience and trust.

Thank you so much for your faithful prayers and support of our work in Israel and in the other twelve countries where your Mission to the Jewish people is making a difference in the lives of Jewish people every day. It is our hearts’ desire, along with the Apostle Paul’s, that all Israel may be saved (Romans 10:1). Remember to pray for our staff in Israel and especially in Tel Aviv as they reach Israelis for the Lord.

Read on: The Tel Aviv Messianic Center: A Hub of Gospel Activity