for his compassions never fail they are new every morning...

For his compassions never fail they are new every morning

great is your faithfulnessLamentations 3:23

1st Quarter 2016 • No 186 Christian Friends of Israel UK

THE DAY OF THE LORD

SHARON SANDERS UK TOUR - REPORT

HEBRAIC BIBLE STUDY - JOY TO THE WORLD

REPRESENTATIVE PROFILE - TEESIDE

HEBREW WORD STUDY - CLING TO HOPE

RESOURCES

INSIDE

Education • Advocacy • Aid

About usCFI-UK seeks to bless Israel by means of practical and moral

support, and to serve the Church in teaching about God’s purposes for Israel and the Hebraic heritage

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Front Cover Image:Sunrise in Israel

2 IN TOUCH • 1st Quarter 2016

The Day of the Lord

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Jacob Vince

Ihave previously written concerning the importance of recognising all Scripture as inspired. In doing so, I referred to the closing passage of Apostle Peter’s second and final recorded letter. I particularly focussed

on the confirmation that the apostolic writings are seen as Scripture in like manner to the law, prophets and psalms.I have for some while now preferred to use the term ‘apostle’s teaching’ (Acts 2:42) for what has, through convention, become called the New Testament. The reason for this is partly because of the unhelpful division between old and new testaments and partly mixing up these terms with the word covenant, as in old and new covenant. In fact the word testament is derived from testimony, not covenant, so perhaps better, if one is to use the word testament, to replace by the word ‘testimony’. This then becomes the earlier ‘testimony’ or ‘testimonies’ and then the later ‘testimony’ or testimonies’. Of course, in a Court of Law there can be, and often are, several testimonies, collected over the course of time which help build up the fuller picture and are of equal value in determining the outcome of the case. So it is with the Bible, ‘everything’ (Romans 15:4) of which God caused to be written down, ‘once for all’ (Jude 1:3).

The final chapter of Apostle Peter’s second letter has, in some Bibles, the heading ‘the day of the Lord’ presumably taken from a verse found within the section itself. This phrase has, like old and new testament above, similarly adopted connotations of its own and indeed speculation galore. However, when looking at the context of Peter’s second letter more generally, we find he himself states that his writing is to act as, ‘reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking’ (2 Peter 3:1) - not speculative!

Peter does this by recalling the words spoken by the ‘holy prophets’ (2 Peter 3:2) in the past, the earlier testimonies if you will, and the command given by our Lord and Saviour through ‘your apostles’ (2 Peter 3:2), the later testimonies. The term apostles, we take it, refers to the eleven/twelve ‘apostle[s] to the Jews’ (Galatians 2:8), whilst we are also made

aware that Peter in his letter recognises the ‘apostle to the gentiles’, Paul (Galatians 2:8), whom he refers to later on as of equal authority. Indeed, it can be understood in this later reference that Peter is well acquainted with Paul and his writings (2 Peter 3:15-16). To reinforce this, it is worth noting that Peter refers to his being helped by Silas, previously Paul’s colleague, in the writing of his own first letter (1 Peter 5:12).

So here we see the earlier prophetic words, being linked with the commands given through ‘your’ apostles (2 Peter 3:2). Hence it is these together, all now part of the full canon of Scripture, which

are to be the focus of our attention, not speculation.

Coupled with the attention given to Scripture itself, is the instruction raised by Peter in the form of a question, ‘what kind of people ought you to be?’ (2 Peter 3:11) To this

he gives the answer, ‘You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming’ (2 Peter 3:11-12). As is always the case with Scripture we must be doers as well as listeners (James 1:22), thinking on these things and putting them into practice (Philippians 4:8-9). This is always the challenge. First by meditating on the Scriptures themselves, seeking to handle them correctly (2 Timothy 2:15), we become convinced of their consistency, particularly concerning God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel and, in turn to his Church. Then the Holy Spirit who inspired them, having led the apostles into all truth (John 16:13), can use them as a whole to transform our lives in line with this greater clarity of understanding, enabling us to reflect God’s glory in Christ Jesus more clearly to a needy world.

to stimulate you to

wholesome thinking

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Lord, make me like a butterfly!

Paint the sunset, the burst of a blossom on my wings

And use me Lord, to spread the means of life, your Word,

As I visit here and there, soaring on the wind of your Holy Spirit

Drawn only on the one Light your Son.

Mum wrote out this prayer the year she met Dad in Jerusalem.

I’ve heard the story of how my parents met so many times it’s as if I was there. A family friend and founder of Christians for Israel, Oom Karel, had arranged for Mum to study at The Institute of Holy Land Studies on Mount Zion. One day Dad walked past the windmill house in Jerusalem where Mum lived and Mum’s house mates pointed him out as the new personal assistant to Bible teacher Lance Lambert. When Mum and Dad met properly for the first time it was the Jewish New Year of 1981 and it was at the Western Wall of the temple platform. Dad walked Mum home through the Arab quarter of Jerusalem with some other friends. Sometime later Grandma and Granddaddy were visiting Dad in Israel and they both thought Mum was right for him. Mum’s brother Hans also felt Dad was the one for her. But when Dad proposed to Mum at a balcony overlooking the Western Wall, it took her by surprise. They did not get engaged but remained friends. At the end of Mum’s time in Israel, Dad drove her to the airport in Lance Lambert’s car with the sunroof down and the Chariots of Fire sound track playing.

A few years later, when Mum came to England to visit her goddaughter in early 1985, she decided to meet up with Dad, having kept in contact through writing letters, and they visited Kinmel Hall together in North Wales. It was when Dad played Chariots of Fire on the piano in the ballroom that Mum fell in love. Dad came to Holland at the end of June 1985, proposed again and this time Mum said yes! They were married by the end of August.

You came into my life when I was least expecting you.

You flew into my garden full of tangled greens and reds and blues.

Sunsoft liquid colour fragments, scattered all around.

My dusty dull day disappeared as I watched you settle on the ground.

After getting married in Holland, Mum moved to her new life with Dad in the UK, though she always remained a Dutch citizen. Esther was born within a year of their marriage, followed by Susanna, then Joshua, and finally me, Rebekah - four children in five years.

After Kinmel Hall, the family lived for a while in an Old Corn Mill in a Welsh hamlet with Dutch neighbours, who became good friends. Mum and Dad ran Christian Conference Centres in Wales and East Sussex. Mum particularly enjoyed getting to know the volunteers from abroad, making them feel at home in the UK. We moved to Horam in 1997, where Mum soon became a valued member of the village and church community. She gave of herself to many, took note of what mattered to others - their names, their families - so that she could remember to ask them. Servant-hearted and with a love of children, she helped at the mothers and toddlers group Jumping Beans for fifteen years, made teas and coffees at church, helped at the seniors’ Tea Club, went round with flowers to those struggling or recently bereaved. She truly cared for others, first and foremost her husband and children, but also her

wider family, her friends, those from abroad, those in the village, and those who were lonely and in need.

More recently, she began working for Christian Friends of Israel and soon became friends with her colleagues, while continuing to support Dad in his role as chief executive. In June of this year, Mum and Dad went to Israel to celebrate CFI’s 30th anniversary just months before their 30th Wedding Anniversary in August.

Along with her sense of humour, and spontaneous and hospitable nature, she was both elegant and refined. Sunday in particular was a special day for her and our family, a day of rest. We’d come downstairs to a table set for breakfast - boiled eggs, orange juice and warm, crusty rolls. One family joke involved disguising an empty egg shell as the real deal. She’d play along - add salt and pepper - and look in mock dismay at the empty egg shell and we’d all giggle. Every now and then we’d laugh until we cried, about silly things.

She spoke to us four in her mother tongue, Dutch, sang us lullabies, prayed with us every evening when we were little, and encouraged us to read our Bibles. She cooked us tasty meals, kept us in check, taught us manners, and to give without expecting anything in return.

She had green fingers, inherited from her father, loved trees, flowers, birds, gardens, fields. Both Mum and Dad helped with Duke of Edinburgh walks for five years with the Welcome Church in Heathfield. Mum loved walking, being in nature, in God’s creation. She’d always encourage us children to go out for a walk to clear our heads.

Mum was like a butterfly, flitting about, adding a touch of colour to all she met, beautiful even when fragile. She made do with what she had and sought to share it with others. She was sensitive and perceptive, understanding those around her more than anybody could understand her own struggles towards the end. She’d listen to us as we crumbled into her arms not knowing she would one day crumble herself.

A masterpiece of pattern painted in the summer rain.

Your simple beauty puts our ground bound proud computed world to shame.

And as you spread your wings and flashed away into the sky

You left me ever grateful for the vision left behind my eyes.

We are truly thankful for the love, care, support, flowers, cards and prayers of family and friends. Mum when she was well and herself would have loved everyone popping in like they have been.

Mum touched so many lives with her love and we will miss her terribly, but are thankful to have known such a loving and lovable wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

TestimonialELLEN VINCE 1956–2015By Rebekah Vince Daughter


Joy to the world! The Lord has comeLet earth receive her King!Let every heart prepare Him roomAnd heaven and nature sing.

The Jewish roots of Christianity feed a healthy biblical worldview, one in which our covenant forefathers marked sacred time with festivals dedicated to rejoicing in YHWH and remembering His saving work on earth. Some of these feasts, like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles, were ordained by the Holy One. Following that pattern, other festivals, like Purim and Hanukah, were established by the faithful to honour Him. Surely these precedents validate honest attempts to commemorate the inauguration of the New Covenant, proclaimed by angels, “Today your Saviour is born in the city of David. He is Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:11).

My purpose is not to discuss the history, traditions, or cultural practices related to Christmas. The season has passed. The goal of this article is to present a noteworthy idea that can help you integrate the first coming of Yeshua, as presented in the birth narratives, into every facet of daily living.

The sages of Israel identified a significant principle regarding festivals, namely, the essential act of remembering. The Hebrew verb zakar (remember) is an act of imagination that recalls the past in ways that lead to appropriate action in the present. To remember includes preparing for and engaging in a biblically inspired feast. It also means walking out the realities the festival emphasises long after the season itself passes.

Zakar, as with all truly noble thoughts, begins with God Himself. The saving events of the Exodus open with, “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” (Exodus 2:24). YHWH emphasises zakar in connection with the pilgrim festivals, “that all the days of your life you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 16:3). Moses practices and teaches zakar as he prepares the next generation—and every Israelite after them—for the Promised Land, “it was

not only our ancestors whom God redeemed from Egypt. For if God had not redeemed our ancestors, then we and our children and our children’s children would still be enslaved to Pharaoh in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 6:21). The verbal nature of zakar even applies to ethics, how covenant people are to live, “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this today.” (Deuteronomy 15:15).

Yeshua grew up in a family that practiced zakar in the annual festivals (Luke 2:42). The heart of Joseph and Mary was that they would all grow in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man. We can summarise these aspirations like this; a Biblical festival, let’s take Passover for instance, marks God’s saving activity in time. It is a historical event commemorated annually by a biblical feast, intended to stir up and equip the faithful by way of reminder.

One could argue that my example applies more to the cross of Jesus than his birth. Yes, this approach confirms our need to rehearse the events of Messiah’s last week (which interestingly took place during Passover). Specifically related to our topic, however, I would point out that the Jewish Haggadah begins the story of the Exodus with the birth of Abraham and continues through Egypt towards Mount Sinai. Therefore properly respecting Yeshua’s birth can and should lead us into every aspect of Immanuel.

Let’s apply the concept of zakar to Christmas by using the analogy of gift giving. Preparing a present requires imagination, thinking creatively about the recipient. To receive the present requires taking it and opening it. But there is more. The gift only achieves its intended goal when it is both received and put to use. Wouldn’t it be odd if the present, once opened, remained on the shelf unused or slightly used? We could say it this way; the gift is a means to an end. The end being the blessing that

comes to the receiver as they appreciate and appropriate the gift. What does the giver desire? Blessing. How does the receiver experience the blessing over and over again? Zakar.

The gift is Jesus. “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 20:-21).

The giver is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).

The recipients are the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). And again, “whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79).

During a lecture in Jerusalem, I heard Claire Pfann of The University of the Holy Land simply and memorably illustrate this gift of God in Messiah Jesus. She said to draw a circle in the air, starting with your hand at the top. The Son of God became the Son of Man (your hand has swept to the bottom having completed the first 180 degrees). Why? So that the children of men could become the children of God (your hand has finished the circle by returning to where you started).

All this reminds me of the godly saint who packed up all the Christmas decorations except for one. Visitors would invariably notice and ask why the ornament was still on display since the celebration had ended. “Oh!” she explained, “I need to be reminded that what began on that day is still growing in my life and the world.” That, dear friends, is zakar.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,Nor thorns infest the ground;He comes to make His blessings flowFar as the curse is found.Joy to the world!

Joy to the world

James Whitman serves as president of The Centre for Judaic-Christian Studies (JCS)

The custom of setting aside a time for communities of Christians worldwide to celebrate the birth of Messiah Jesus can aid in spreading the glorious Gospel. It can also deepen our dedication as disciples. Isaac Watts said it well and memorably...

the essential act of remembering

Life after Christmas - walking with the Light of the World

LOBBYSPEAK UP FOR ISRAEL IN PARLIAMENT

JOIN THE ZF/CFI LOBBY DAY, HOUSE OF COMMONSWednesday 24th February 2016

Briefing 10am – 12 (noon)Presentations 2pm – 5pm

To join the Lobby, call Robin Lane at CFI on 01323 410810 or email [email protected]


ZionistFederation

Arieh Miller DirectorZionist FederationUK & Ireland

Introducing Arieh Miller

Middle of August, I thought to myself; that seems like a sensible

time of year to start a new job. School’s out, everyone’s on holiday. The perfect opportunity to ease in, learn the ropes, and get the blue-and-white flag angled juuuust right on my new desk. Slow start? Not a bit of it.

Less than a month into my new role as director of the ZF, we dealt with visits from both the Israeli football team and the Israeli prime minister. With any other country, these visits would pass without too much notice. But, as I know from my previous role at the Israeli Embassy, Israel isn’t treated like any other country.

So within weeks of starting, we were supporting Israel both on the pitch and on the streets. We brought more than 100 people with us to Cardiff to cheer on the boys in blue as they shocked their hosts with a park-the-bus style nil-nil draw. Alongside that, our solidarity rally celebrated the most diverse team and country in the Middle East.

Only a few days later, we were back out on the streets again. This time, things were a lot less pleasant. The imminent arrival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brought out a braying mob in full force outside Downing Street, hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators raging against the

possible presence of a democratically-elected head of government while huddling up to Hezbollah and Hamas flags. There we were – hundreds of ordinary people, supporting Israel, standing shoulder-to-shoulder against the hate. That would have been impossible without the amazing support of our Christian friends, who came out and stood in solidarity with Israel.

Those are the twin goals of the ZF right there – celebrating Israel, and challenging her enemies. The three words that encapsulate my vision for the future of the ZF are: inclusive, modern and unapologetic.Inclusive, because we can’t make that case alone. We have to find a space for everyone, whether left or right, religious or secular, Jewish, Christian or other faiths; we all need to stand together. Everyone has a part to play. We are a singular Zionist community not just a Jewish Zionist community, or a Christian Zionist community. We are one community, with different opinions but one common goal: To stand up against those who seek to delegitimise and destroy the only Jewish country in the world.Modern, because we have to keep finding new, better and smarter ways to engage with both supporters and the general public. We need to network, to find the right messages that work for different audiences, and

to fully capitalise on the potential of social media. This needs to be part and parcel of engaging with the younger side of our community. It cannot simply be left to the handful of under 40s who are currently engaging in their Zionism and defence of Israel.Unapologetic, because it’s time for Israel supporters to stop hiding. Israel is a liberal democracy in a region ping-ponging between Soviet-style dictatorship and Dark Ages-inspired theocracies. Yes, there are many things you can criticise, but we can’t lose sight of the fact that our enemies aren’t out to fix a policy here or redraw a border there. They oppose the Jewish right to self-determination altogether – and we have to stand strong against them, because no one else will.

The ZF has a huge amount of history. On his recent visit to the UK, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the time to see the original copy of the Balfour Declaration, the document that binds our two great countries together. As the original recipients and the only named organisation in the letter, the ZF feels a particular sense of pride in our place in Zionist history. We helped bring about the re-establishment of Israel, which has already proved in so many ways to be a light unto the nations. Our goal is to keep magnifying that light, so that as many people as possible are aware of it – and to keep fighting those who would snuff it out.

HEBREW WORD STUDY


“our bones are dried up; our hope (tikvah) is lost” (Ezekiel 37:11). But, remarkably, the collective heart song of the Jewish people instead declares: “Our hope is NOT yet lost, our hope of two thousand years, to be a free nation in our Land, the Land of Zion and Jerusalem”.

The words to this anthem, “Ha-Tikvah”, were written in 1878, seventy years before their long-awaited hope was finally realised. The hope that the Jewish People had placed in their faithful God and in His promise to replant them in their homeland, was a hope firmly planted in truth: “And there is hope (tikvah) in your end, says the LORD, that your children shall come again to their own border” (Jeremiah 31:17).

“Ha-Tikvah” means “the hope” in Hebrew. “Tikvah” תקוה is an expectant waiting for a desired outcome. It derives from the Hebrew verb qavah קוה which means to gather together, wait for, hope for, or bind (by twisting) together. While the idea of hope in English is abstract, this Hebrew root word for hope offers a more concrete visual of hope as an ever-strengthening rope as fibres are collected and then twisted together. A thin thread may be faster and simpler to make than a shipyard-standard rope, but it certainly would not hold up under pressure. To make a durable, useful rope the process of binding and twisting many threads together is essential.

In light of its link to qavah, tikvah also has a secondary, more literal meaning of a “cord”. In fact, Rahab’s scarlet cord, a beautiful symbol of the hope of salvation, was called a tikvah in Hebrew (Joshua 2:18). Another Hebrew word from the same root is qaveh קוה which similarly means a (measuring) cord that can be used for binding (Jeremiah 31:39).

As we hope and wait upon the Lord for His direction, His timing, and His action, our faith and character can be built-up: “But they that hope/wait expectantly (qavah) upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).

Our microwave-oven, instant-gratification culture has taught us that waiting is a waste, but the Hebraic viewpoint values the process and outcome of expectantly waiting. Unlike English, “wait” and “hope” are used interchangeably in Hebrew (see Psalm 130:5-6). The Biblical mind-set views circumstances that require waiting on the Lord as immensely valuable. They offer an opportunity to exercise the fruit of the Spirit and for the Lord to slowly transform and build our character to become increasingly like Jesus: “… We also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about

perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

In the English language we casually use the word “hope” with the down-graded meaning of a wishful thought or desire: “I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend”; “I hope he makes the football team”; “I hope to see you again soon”. This can cloud our understanding of Biblical tikvah, which in contrast, is a guaranteed assurance that if the Lord says it will come to pass, then it will do so. “Surely there is a future, and your hope (tikvah) will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18). Cling to Biblical hope like the sturdy rope that it is!

We may not know the details of how and when, but the substance of our hope is secure and firm. Hope is summed up in the person of our Lord Jesus the Messiah. He is our hope incarnate and He will not fail. But let us steer

away from the dangerous temptation of offering false hope—to ourselves or to one another—in the form of unfounded “assurances” that contradict or go beyond what the Scriptures say. “My soul, you wait only upon God; for my expectation (tikvah) is from him” (Psalm 62:5).

Hope is a gift that God has given His children. Hope comforts us in our sorrows, fills us with courage to face our

daily walk, and envisions us for the future. Hope is freely available, though it is a choice. It requires the investment of knowledge and trust. To have true hope is to abide in Him as we actively await and anticipate the Lord to do what He has promised to do. We can reject the lies that we are helpless and hopeless, and choose instead to believe His truth, to obey His commandments, and to claim His promises. Then hope has fertile soil in which to grow and flourish in our lives.

“For you are my hope (tikvah), O LORD God: you are my trust from my youth” (Psalm 71:5).

May we be like the “prisoners of the tikvah” (Zechariah 9:12) —inseparable from our hope. And may we be like Abraham who grasped firmly to hope amidst great trials, even when all the odds seemed stacked against him in “impossible” situations: “For when God made a promise to Abraham….after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise….[so] we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast… (Hebrews 6:13-19 condensed).

Tikvah Cling to Hope

Israel’s devotion to hope is truly awe-inspiring. What would a people ravaged by millennia of persecution and exile choose as their national anthem? What hymn would the Survivors of the Holocaust choose to sing? No one would have blamed them for lamenting as Ezekiel did:

Melissa Briggs MA, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been teaching Hebrew in the UK for more than five years.

תקוה

this hope we have as an anchor of

the soul, both sure and steadfast


It was such a pleasure meeting many of you as we toured around the UK in the recent speaking tour that I did with CFI Jerusalem’s cofounder Sharon Sanders. For those of you who couldn’t make the tour, I hope this little report blesses you and helps you to glean a little of what we did.

The tour with Sharon Sanders was extremely successful and we were really pleased with the great response from the people who turned up throughout the tour.

It all started on Friday 16th October at Heathfield, a small market town in East Sussex. This tour was to be different from the many tours I have organised in the past. Over the years, I have toured with many people such as Chuck Cohen, David Dolan and Kelvin Crombie. However, as I knew many people from various backgrounds had faithfully stood in support of Ray and Sharon Sanders for the past 30 years, I really wanted to visit as many of the supporters as I could, to allow them time to listen and enjoy what may well have been Sharon’s final visit to the UK. As you will know, Stacey and Kevin Howard have now taken on the role as Directors of CFI Jerusalem, and we hope to have them over on tour at some stage in the not-too-distant future. However, there is no retirement in the Kingdom of God, and Sharon certainly has no intention of retiring. She is hoping to get the time to write – and even complete a book at some point. But seeing it was the 30th anniversary year of Christian Friends of Israel, I really felt we just had to have Sharon over one more time – and it was well worth it. Sadly, my dear brother in the Lord and Cofounder Ray Sanders was unable to join Sharon – so we will just have to go to Jerusalem and see him!

From Heathfield, the tour went to Werner Oder’s church in Bournemouth, and then onto Old Woking. These first three dates were covered by CFI UK’s Chief Executive, Jacob Vince, as I had engagements in Huddersfield and then Newcastle during this period. I

then picked the tour up in Luton. This town is of course home of Rob and Margaret Hearing who co-ordinate the collection of goods that go to the CFI Distribution Centre (DC) in Jerusalem. The Olive Grove Project was of course faithfully run by the founders Eileen Alvis and Mary Pinkess who carried the vision from the early days of CFI when Derek White birthed CFI UK. To have a pound sterling for every banana box that has been sent from the UK to Israel would make one a very rich person – how much more then are these wonderful people storing up riches in Heaven for all their faithfulness over the years. Yet riches are not what any of us desire,

but only to be faithful to the Lord God we serve. And now Rob and Margaret Hearing are faithfully serving in this work – along with the supporters throughout the nation. To find out more on this important part of the work of CFI contact Rob and Margaret at: [email protected] or phone 01582 520787.

Sharon Sanders did of course share a great deal on this area and spoke at length on the vision and work of Christian Friends of Israel in the Land from their base in Jerusalem – getting ‘beneath the soil’ and helping many people through the projects. And there are indeed many outreach projects, including working with many Holocaust survivors through Project Forsake Them Not to terrorist

victims with Project Under His Wings. The church in Israel is blessed through Project First Fruits and from our DC in Jerusalem, CFI provides a very special service for Jewish Brides & the Bridegroom. Many families are unable to afford the expensive weddings in Israel, so as way of blessing the Jewish people, we provide, free of charge, wedding dresses, suits etc. for the whole family. And of course CFI Jerusalem’s gates are always open, and through the Open Gates Project at the Lighthouse Distribution Centre new immigrants to Israel (making Aliyah) are welcomed from a variety of countries around the world including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Germany, Mexico, Columbia, France and Belarus. Most originally came from the former Soviet Union but we also get Jewish people from Europe and Central and South America.

Those who have been in the Land over three years may apply for one time financial assistance if they are having extreme financial hardship. A wonderful team of staff assists new immigrants when they visit the Open Gates Project at the Distribution Centre. And we are seeing Scripture fulfilled before our very eyes. The prophet Jeremiah states, “See, I will bring them from the land of the north and gather them from the ends of the earth. Among them will be the blind and the lame, expectant mothers and women in labour…” (Jeremiah 31: 8).

These are only some of the projects that are carried out by CFI Jeruslaem, and to see how you can help, go to the help page on our website at https://www.cf i .org .uk/by-support ing-projects.html

From Luton the tour went to Blackheath in the West Midlands, and then on to Preston where Beryl and Peter Hunter, who are lifetime supporters of CFI Jerusalem hosted a meeting. From there we travelled east to Dewsbury (where we also did an interview on Branch FM Radio

David Soakell

Chazak Amenu - We Stand As OneSharon Sanders UK Speaking Tour report

continued overleaf

30th

Anniversary Year

1985 ~ 2015

Sharon Sanders UK Tour CD Audio Recordings2 CD Set£9.50 incl. p&p

NEVER GIVE UPDisk 1

30 Years of FriendshipWelcome Baptist Church, Heathfield, East SussexDisk 2

Your Kingdom Come, the Welcome to EarthBeit Yeshua Conference, Emmanuel College, Gateshead, Tyne & Wear


in the afternoon). The weekend that followed brought a very full schedule with an excellent turn-out at a full day’s conference at Beit Yeshua in Gateshead. The following morning we had an extra meeting at One Life Church in Middlesbrough and then dashed up to Chirnside in the Scottish Borders for an evening meeting. Norwich and Brentwood in Essex concluded the very full tour. However once Sharon had flown back to Israel, I then went on to speak at various venues including one in Liverpool, two in Sunderland and one in Dewsbury.

Along with speaking on how the Lord is using CFI to minister to the Jewish people in the Land of Israel, Sharon also spoke on the importance of ‘standing strong’ and never giving up - no matter what the world may throw at us. One of the songs we used was a stirring original English/Hebrew anthem called Hazak (Chazak) recorded by over 50 Jewish Musicians

including Abie Rotenberg, Avraham Fried, Avraham Rosenblum and many more. Chazak ve nit’chazek! Be strong, be strong, and let us strengthen one another. Many were indeed encouraged by this song and you can watch the video of the song by going online to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kX-bp_zXGLo

Given the circumstances surround-ing Israel’s birth as a nation and the odds against its survival, Israel should never have succeeded, nor exist as a nation today. The reason it does has to be down to the faithfulness of God in His promises in the Scriptures. Yet Israel not only exists, but thrives in spite of its adversaries and in the face of circumstances that defy logic. Israel has survived against all odds and we cannot attribute their military victories purely to the brave defence of their army - the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) – as it barely existed in 1948. No, it can only be divine assistance that

caused Israel’s survival through the turbulent twentieth century, which is still turbulent today. As Rabbi Lau - Israeli’s Chief Rabbi once stated, “It’s a combination of God’s blessings to the Jewish People and the grace of a miracle that we more than survive, we flourish.” Or as Israel’s first Prime Minister Ben Gurion said, “If you don’t believe in miracles, it is not practical to exist in Israel.”

The Bible is full of proof, promises and eternal covenants for His people - the Jewish nation of Israel - so much so that ‘replacement theology’ simply cannot be taken seriously. However, the battle for standing with Israel remains a battle, a huge battle. So, as Sharon Sanders stated whilst bringing a message for my own fellowship at One Life Church, like the nation and people of Israel, we too need to stand strong and never give up - no matter what the world may throw at us.

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Resources www.cfi.org.uk/shop

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Sharon speaking in Heathfiled Sharon with Rob & Margaret Hearing


Advance Notice: Date for your DiaryWe are pleased to announce the date, venue, subject and main speaker for our 31st CFI Annual Conference. (This will be preceded by a CFI UK Area Representatives’ training day).

Our main guest speaker planned is Revd David Pawson, author of many books including Israel in the New Testament, plus an additional session with Pastor Werner Oder sharing his unique testimony as son of a Nazi war criminal becoming a friend of Israel.

The selected conference title is: ‘Israel and the New Covenant’An exhibition will include the CFI UK bookstall and stalls of other local ministries. Please put the date in your diary now and look out for the forthcoming brochure.

We look forward to welcoming you and please encourage your friends to attend.

31st CFI UK Annual Conference, Sat 17th September 2016 Victoria Road Baptist, Eastbourne, East Sussex

Speakers: Revd David Pawson; Pastor Werner Oder

EventsThe One Enthroned

in Heaven

Windmill Farm Conference Centre, Clanfield, Bampton, Oxon, OX18 2SN

StrategicPrayer Conference17th – 19th March 2016 (Psalm 2)

Residential guestsThis time we are going fully residential. Windmill Farm Conference Centre is where we held and recorded Desi Maxwell for CFI’s Text and Context series.

Programmes will be sent out nearer the time, but the conference will begin with light refreshments served between 2.30 and 3.00pm on the first afternoon, and the programme will go through until lunchtime on the final day, concluding with a meal after the last session on Saturday 19th.

To include full board overnight accommodation (breakfast, lunch and evening meal x2), the fee for the conference this year is £150* per person.

[*For those requiring a single room there is a single room occupancy surcharge of £30 per person]. Cheques made payable please to: CFI Charitable Trust.

Day visitorsFor those living within closer proximity, there is a day visitor option for Thursday half day, to include evening meal £15, Friday all day to include lunch and evening meal £30, and Saturday, half-day, to include lunch £15.

Medical, mobility or dietry requirementsIf you, or others coming with you, have any special medical dietary needs or mobility requirements (both residential and day visitors), please ensure

that these are clearly stated on the Registration Form included with the brochure. CFI-UK and the venue hosts will do their best to meet these requirements, but cannot guarantee to meet all requests.

We have found these times of great significance and do hope that you will be able to join us.

Registration closes Friday 29th February

Please ask for additional brochures and booking forms as required.

BOOK NOW

CALL US ON: 01323 410810

NEW TEAM MEMBERChristian Friends of Israel are pleased to announce that Julia Soakell has joined the CFI team as a part-time staff member from the beginning of 2016. She takes on the role of Church Liaison Support and Prayer Encouragement. Julia has already fulfilled much of this role on a voluntarily level for the past 10 years, alongside her husband David, but now takes on this and specific responsibility for the recruiting and coordinating of Church Links, Prayer Group Leaders and Intercessors as well as booking conferences, and travel for the CFI staff and events.

Julia gave her life to the Lord at eleven, as part of a local Anglican church but later both David and Julia helped plant One Life Church, Eston, in North Yorkshire in 1993 where she still holds various roles. She has previously worked for Boots the Chemist for over 30 years, and held a variety of posts there that have been useful in many of the tasks she has taken on for CFI over the years. Mainly this has been with supporting David as CFI Liaison Officer and with the team of Area Reps for the UK, but also in planning conferences and CFI events and overseeing books and resources too. Julia feels in her heart that Prayer is the Key. She desires to see the encouragement of all who work and support CFI in the UK and through the nations, and to uphold the CFI mandate of teaching the Church and blessing the land and people of Israel. She classes Ray and Sharon Sanders – the former CFI International Directors – as spiritual parents, and is looking forward to working in this new role with all in the CFI family – here in the UK and beyond, and prayerfully supporting Stacey and Kevin Howard.

Please contact her about any of these areas: [email protected]

Werner Oder

DavidPawson

Sharon with Rob & Margaret Hearing


CFI UK AREA REPRESENTATIVE PROFILE TEESIDE INTERVIEW by CFI’s David Soakell

This first quarter of 2016 In Touch Magazine continues with the CFI Area Representative profiles, and this time David Soakell interviews our Stockton to Darlington Area Rep – Julie Archer.

So Julia, do tell us something about yourself and why you felt you should become an Area Rep for CFI?

“I am 53 years old, a University Lecturer and the Mum of three grown up children. This is my fourth year as a rep for CFI. I have been a Christian for 40 years now but it was not until 11 years ago that God brought the Nation of Israel onto my radar through a variety of different events. Although Israel (the nation as it exists today) was rarely mentioned in my church, I always remember my Grandma telling me that the Jews had to return to Israel before Jesus came back. The slow realisation that this very thing had happened (and much of it in my own lifetime) fired my interest in a subject that has since become a major part of my life. For ten years now, I have been studying Middle Eastern History and Politics and have been watching events developing across

the Middle East, specifically in relation to the Nation of Israel. I became aware of the ministry of Christian Friends of Israel through attending a local CFI event and listening to David Soakell speak. It was at that point I knew that I wanted to be involved with CFI, although I was not sure in what capacity. David suggested that I become an Area Rep, initially for the Darlington Area of County Durham– and so here I am!”

That’s excellent Julie. So can you tell our readers what does being an Area Rep involve for you?

“My primary area of service as an Area Rep is in teaching and helping to promote an understanding within the Church of the importance of Israel’s restoration in God’s Kingdom purposes and to help them reconnect with the Hebraic roots of their faith. I do this through speaking, lecturing, leading small groups and generally talking to anyone who wants to listen! I started off doing this in my own church and as time has gone on, God has opened more and more doors with regard to speaking opportunities. I am also a close neighbour to Julia and David Soakell and so help to support them in the ministry when I can. I distribute a variety of literature, help on the CFI literature stand/book stall at local conferences and liaise with several of our local Israel prayer groups, keeping them up to date with events in the Middle East so that they can pray effectively. I also run my own Middle East Update blog.”

It sounds like the Lord is really blessing your role, but what would you say are the highlights of this role and what are the challenges?

“The real highlight of being an Area Rep is having the opportunity to serve God in an area that I believe is very close

to His heart. For too long the Church and Israel have been ‘estranged brothers’ and I believe that the time has come to heal the rift. God is undoubtedly raising the profile of Israel today in His Church and the opportunity to step into a role that in any way assists with this, is both an honour and a challenge. I am encouraged by what I see and hear when the opportunity to speak to people arises. I find that ‘normal church people’ are generally un-informed or misinformed when it comes to the subject of Israel. It has been truly amazing to see their response when faced with the undisputable truth! Many times, people have asked “why has no-one ever told us this before?” The real challenge is actually getting into the churches to speak! Israel is a difficult subject for many church leaders and may have in the past been a divisive one. I do believe however, that change is in the air and that the Lord is in the process of opening doors that were once firmly closed.”

Your highlight of having the opportunity to serve God is so important, as is your clear ‘calling’. What would you say to someone considering being an Area Rep?

“Go for it! If you love God and have a heart for Israel – and are prepared to work hard and make a contribution to the CFI family - then an Area Rep’s role is for you. The benefits and blessings far outweigh the difficulties and discouragements!”

Thanks Julie. These answers really help and we hope they are a challenge to our readers. If you are in the North-East of England, do get in touch with Julie at [email protected] and as Julie has stated, if you feel God is calling you to fulfil a role in your area as a CFI Area Rep, do let me know at [email protected]

CHURCHLINKChristian Friends of Israel in the UK needs you!

We are developing a unique team of Church Links around the country to support the CFI vision and to encourage people to read our literature, sign up to receive updates and pray with us. We seek to inform the Church of her Hebrew heritage and continue to bless the people and land of Israel. Age is no barrier but communication will be mostly via email. You will support your area CFI Representative promoting exciting forthcoming events and provide access to up-to-date CFI material by distributing in your local church, fellowship or meetings (with the blessing of your leadership). A small but vital role to increase awareness.

Please contact [email protected] to apply.

Bookings Line Open020 8931 8811

7th - 13th June

7th - 13th June

Main Tour 7th - 15th June

£1,4752016

This tour is operated by: TRAVELINK GROUP LTD - ABTA: V7117 and ATOL: 1886THE PRICE INCLUDES: Return air fare, all airport & local taxes, meeting & assistance on and arrival and departure at Ben Gurion Airport, sharing twin room half board hotel accomodation with private facilities, private air conditioned coaches for all transfers, licensed guide throughout the tour, and all porterage in Israel but,DOES NOT INCLUDE: Tips & Gratuities (£4.50 per person per day), Single Room Supplements @ £235 per person (Main Tour), and £325 per person (Main Tour + Extension). Petra Carriages. Insurance is available (rates noted on booking form overleaf).

Israel Main Tour

Israel Tour 2016with Tim Vinceand Jacob Vince

Extension Tour

Jerusalem:Mt of OlivesPalm Sunday walkDominus Flavit (Teardrop Church)Garden Gethsemane (Oil Press)Old CityWWestern WallDavidson CentreVia Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) Walk thru the Suk (Bazaar)Mt Zion (Upper Room)St. Peter Galicantu churchGarden Tomb CommunionYYad Vashem Holocaust Memorial

Mediterranean:MeggidoJezreel ValleyAtlit Detention CampCaesarea (Maritima)

Latrun Museum, Tel Aviv Diaspora Museum, Rehovot PalmachFactory, Sderot, Ad Halom, KIbbutz Nagba, Beersheva, British & Australian War Cemeteries, Beit Guvrin Caves, Abraham’s Well, Ammunition Hill Museum, Mandelbaum Gate

15th - 19th June

Information on a separate package for

CFI Jerusalem Conference following the

tours is available from CFI UK office.

CFI Jerusalem

Conference*

Galilee Region:CapernaumBoat ride on Sea of GalileeMt. BeatitudesMagdalaFirst Century SynagogueNazarethNazarethBasilica of the Annunciation and Mary’s WellMt. PrecipiceGospel Trail OptionCaesarea Philipi Banias National ParkMt. Bental Mt. Bental Hula Valley Nature reserve

Bethlehem:Beit Aliqa Christian CentreNativity Church,Manger Square Shepherd’s Field

£1,0957th - 15th June Main Tour + Extension15th - 19th June CFI Conference (T.B.C.*)

for his compassions never fail they are new every morning...

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