Beautiful New Zealand is a hotspot for young Israelis who travel the world immediately after their mandatory military service and before their next big chapter of life. This in-between season is also a time when they often ask the most important questions about life and spirituality.

In 2008, God called our missionary Scott Brown and his wife Margie to move from Maryland in the United States to New Zealand and begin a hospitality ministry to traveling Israelis. To this day, it remains one of Chosen People Ministries’ largest and most successful efforts and is now under the direction of Michael Thomas.

Evangelism

Our main Israeli hostels—The Zula Lodge and The Homestead—are our primary means for reaching the thousands of Israeli travelers visiting New Zealand each year. Imagine a guest house staffed by Israeli and other international believers alert to evangelistic opportunities among our guests and who weave the message of the gospel into the fabric of daily routines.

In 2021, our staff opened another lodge, Punakaiki Beach Hostel, dedicated to a spiritual immersion program for Israeli seekers who wish to take the next steps toward discipleship. These facilities have gained remarkable acclaim and popularity among young Israelis! As a result of God’s favor, we have the opportunity to reflect the love of Messiah to thousands of young Israelis who stay with us.

We also welcome short-term mission groups. A number of overseas churches are enthusiastic about sending groups of young adults to New Zealand for evangelistic purposes. Our plan is to receive, equip, and send these teams on prescribed routes, using backpacker buses and accommodations as well as hosting outreach events in strategic locations.

Training

Hundreds of Christian households throughout New Zealand actively host young Israeli travelers. Some of these hosts have received thousands of Israeli guests in their homes! This phenomenon presents our greatest opportunity to bring the message to the original messengers, but many of these wonderful followers of Messiah lack confidence and training in proclaiming the gospel among Jewish people. Therefore, we host events throughout New Zealand specifically designed to equip and encourage these faithful hosts.

We also have many opportunities to equip Christians in the local church. Many evangelical churches in New Zealand are expressing sincere interest in discovering more of their Jewish roots. God is giving us opportunities to teach in churches, church camps, conferences, and on national radio.

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