“Sharing God’s heart for the Jewish people”

Leading Us to Partake in His PlanIt’s always amazing to see how the Lord draws His children to Himself. His ways are certainly not our ways — and praise God for that! I look at the various ministries currently operating through the Life in Messiah staff members and partners, and I am consistently impressed with how differently the Lord uses us.

Our Messiah chooses to include us in His plan for redemption. He allows His children to partake in advancing His kingdom. And we have the privilege and honor of carrying the gospel message to the lost of Israel!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before-hand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

The Lord leads us to share His love by ministering in the alleys and street corners of Tel Aviv, by befriending a freshly-minted New Yorker, by financially and prayerfully supporting others who are being the hands and feet of Messiah, by sharing in a New Jersey prison and countless other places. Yeshua has planned our steps according to His eternal purpose. It is evident the Lord is using our staff to reach increasingly-diverse Jewish communities in a wide variety of ways!

How is He leading you? To what good works is God calling you today?

Thank you for your important part in the ministries of Life in Messiah. We know the Lord prepares the road ahead of us. Your prayers and support are enabling us to reach Jewish people with the incredible message of His Son.

Every blessing in Messiah,

Wes Taber

In Search of Shalom is in need of volunteers. If you have a desire to share your faith through an internet chat with people who are interested in a spiritual conversation and you have a working computer and internet access, please consider this ministry. You can have a dynamic ministry from your home – we provide the training and tools. Please prayerfully consider applying at: insearchofshalom.com/volunteer

Life in Messiah International

theBridge3 God Shows Up on the Dark Streets of Tel Aviv

5 Ministry on the Coney Island Boardwalk

7 They Go in Our Place

9 God Releases the Captives

* In order to protect our staff and those with whom we work, we will often alter names and faces in publications.

Issue 2 2013

The Tel Aviv alley was ridden with dirty needles. People were hiding between cars to get their next “fix.” It was a very hot day and I met a man and offered him a cold soft drink. He held the drink in one hand and a needle in the other.

Next I met Yitzhak who told us his story. “I was raped when I was six. I grew up and had a good business here. Then my 12-year-old daughter was raped and I couldn’t bear it. Now here I am.”

People in this alley are offered a choice – to continue their life of drugs, living from one hit to the next, or the opportunity to accept the free gift of Yeshua. The first man chose his needle.

Yitzhak did not. He told us his day began with a sense of awareness. “I woke up this morning and I knew I needed help, it was going to be a new day. I thank God that it is!”

On that day, Yitzhak committed to go to Aviv Center, a ministry grown by Life in Messiah worker Dov Bikas. At the Center, men who struggle with addictions are introduced to a life of physical and spiritual restoration in Messiah Yeshua.

Yitzhak and his friend Ronan left us to pack their belongings. They promised to meet us an hour later so we could take them to the Center. This is often when many change their minds. But when it was time to meet up again, we were so excited to see Yitzhak and Ronan ready to walk into Aviv Center.

God Shows Up on the Dark Streets of Tel Aviv3

They accepted the option of finding freedom from a life of slavery to drugs, street life and sin.

Stephanie Hazen

This is just one of the divine appointments experienced by the YES! Israel team. Why not consider joining them next summer? Contact LHazen@LifeinMessiah.org for more information.

“Sharing God’s heart for the Jewish people”

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Ehad – the music team whose Hebrew name means “One” – joined with Life in Messiah for out-reach concerts in Brooklyn this summer. We saw God at work in some who listened to the music that praised God and His Son, Yeshua.

As our team schlepped a variety of instruments along the Coney Island boardwalk, we caught the attention of Kevin,* a young musician. The sight of our team and the instruments drew him to approach Jim Melnick (a musician and Life in Messiah worker). Before the music even began, Kevin was telling some of his story. He grew up in a secular Jewish home in the Midwest. Only two days previously he had moved to New York to begin a career in music.

As we prepared for the concert, Kevin helped set up the equipment. He stayed for the entire evening. Jose (the one who pulled the band together) invited Kevin to join on the keyboard for a fast-paced “Hava Nagila.” He gladly joined the performance and helped us pack when the concert ended.

The next day Ehad gave a concert in a large park in Brooklyn. The team passed out gospel literature and engaged in conversations about Messiah with people enjoying a day at the park. We were delighted to see Kevin again. He sat on a bench with me (Wes) and said he had an interest in reading the Bible. We discussed the Scriptures in depth, including the necessity of blood atonement. But like so many people we meet, Kevin did not see sin as a serious matter, “After all, nobody’s perfect, and God must understand that.”

The concert ended, but Kevin stayed. He helped load the equipment for transport to Immanuel House in Brooklyn. He stayed for dinner – and more discussion of Scripture with members of the team. Kevin departed with several pieces of literature to consider. Our faithful Brooklyn staff is following up with him. We praise God for drawing Kevin to us simply because he saw the musical instruments. It’s amazing how God chooses to direct people to places where they can find the truth.

Wes and Lori Taber

Ministry on the Coney Island Boardwalk

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Through our involvement with Life in Messiah, we have learned about the magnitude of redemption and what God is willing to do to reclaim His chosen ones. They remind us that we Gentiles are “grafted in” to the kingdom. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

Even though I am now the teacher, I remember the questions I had as a student. I hope some of my students ask the same questions I did. Maybe it will spark a future worker with Life in Messiah.

Jessica Eubank

Trevor and Jessica Eubank

“Sharing God’s heart for the Jewish people”

8They Go in Our PlaceTrevor and Jessica live in North Central Indiana. Trevor works in his family business and Jessica teaches high school English. They’ve known the Lord for a long time and have served in the church for many years.

But where does ministry to Jewish people fit into their lives?

My concern for Jewish people came through literature. I had to read several books in high school with Jewish protagonists: My Name is Asher Lev and The Chosen, by Chaim Potok, and Night, by Elie Wiesel. Those novels sparked theological questions in my mind. It bothered me that the characters were so devoted to God and study, but they were still waiting for the Messiah to come.

Another defining moment came when a woman I worked with confided in me she was con-sidering converting to Judaism. She wanted a religion, but wasn’t sure she bought “Christ as Messiah.” I wasn’t prepared to handle her questions. But I resolved to be ready the next time we spoke about it.

In learning about Levi and Stephanie’s (staff members with Life in Messiah) experiences, we’ve come to value their work and are blessed to be part of their monthly support team to reach the Jewish people. We are grateful to be used by the Lord in this way! As their passion grows, we are energized and inspired by what they share with us. We are more knowledgeable because of them. But more importantly, we are praying more specifically for Jewish people.

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I first met Jess at his home, a prison in New Jersey.

I get to share in this ministry when I visit my father-in-law. He’s been faithful to this work since he retired 10 years ago. I’ve always been allowed to enter the prison even though I haven’t completed the requirements. I’m so thankful for this opportunity.

It is astounding the ways in which the Lord releases the chains holding these prisoners captive. As a Jewish man, Jess had some knowledge of the Tanakh (Old Testament Scriptures). We spent much of our time tracing redemption throughout the Tanakh using verses like Genesis 3:15 and Isaiah 53.

I very recently received a phone call from my father-in-law at the request of Jess. “Tell David the good news − I am now a believer in Yeshua!”

Jess was very worried how his estranged wife would respond to his new faith. Praise the Lord she is very open and accepting of his decision. Jess is now out of prison and free from both physical and spiritual captivity!

I also spent time with another Jewish man who made the decision to follow Yeshua while in prison several months ago. He is growing quickly and eagerly in his faith and now lives in Brooklyn. We visit whenever we are able. Praise Yeshua for rescuing us from captivity and for using us to advance His kingdom!

David Brewer

God Releases the Captives

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