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Because the vision of JCFI is to raise a greater awareness of Israel in the churches of Johnson County, we want to connect you to some of our friends who work to bless Israel.
This month I have an
update
for you from
D
avid Lazarus &
B
eit Immanuel (House of God) !
"Dear Friends,
We thought you would enjoy the following story of a modern day Exodus.
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Pastor David, Hyman, Sena & baby!
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Safe in the promised land
I met Hyman one evening in Tel Aviv about 15 year ago. Alone, sitting
on a park bench he explained how he had run away from Egypt because of the violence. "I just always thought that Israel would be a safe place for me," he told me. But now he was not sure what to do.
Hyman was a refugee. He was without country, family or friends. He had been forced to forfeit his Egyptian citizenship when he escaped, but Israel would not give him citizenship fearing that he might be a secret agent. He had been picked up and put in jail a number of times on the streets of Tel Aviv just because he had no official status in the country. Somehow by God's grace they always let him go.
Hope in the Holy Land
I invited Hyman to join us at Beit Immanuel where he quickly became a beloved part of our Messianic community. He found a job as an apprentice at a new by carpentry shop and soon became a master carpenter. But Hyman's real dream, the one thing that he had hoped God would answer, was to one day find a wife and begin a new family and life in the land of Israel he had come to love.
Last year Hyman met Sena, a lovely Christian Arab women and school teacher in a Hebrew language Israeli high school. The two were married and moved into a small apartment near Beit Immanuel.
Then to great joy and celebration, Hyman and Sena brought their brand new baby boy John to the congregation this Shabbat to dedicate him to the Lord.
The story of Hyman and now Sena and John has been such an encouragement to all of us that we thought that you would also be encouraged to hear this wonderful story. The fact is that God still does those things that can seem impossible, illogical and out of the question to us, but when we trust Him all things are possible.
At Beit Immanuel Congregation we assist families and individuals in crisis.
Thank you for partnering with us in your prayers and support.
David Lazarus & Beit Immanuel Congregation"
Pray for Pastor David & check out their new website (www.messianic-jews.org) !
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Jerusalem Network News (JNN) & Barry Segal !
I want to introduce you to Barry Segal and the Jerusalem Network News.
JNN is a great  online source of news for all-things Israel. Whether your interest is political, social, economic, or spiritual, JNN will keep you informed with the latest. Check it out online at www.jnnnews.com. Also, below is a little more info about Barry and JNN.
Who is Barry Segal?
Barry and wife, Batya,live on the outskirts of Jerusalem and have for years p  roclaimed the Good News as Messianic worship leaders. Barry plays guitar for the duo, representing a style called mizrahi, which mixes traditional Middle Eastern sounds with modern world music. Batya writes the songs and sings in both English and Hebrew.
Barry and Batya serve the Kingdom in a number of ways. Vision for Israel and the Joseph Storehouse is a non-profit organization created by Barry and Batya Segal in 1994 out of the desire to help build and restore the Land. Vision for Israel freely provides aid to the poor and needy people, both Jewish and Arab, living in the nation of Israel today through The Joseph Storehouse, an international humanitarian aid center operating in the Judean Hills just outside of Jerusalem. Click HERE for a more detailed bio.
Be certain to check out 2 areas of the JNN website:
- First, Barry will send to you by email (free of course) weekly JNN updates. I find these updates to be informative, yet also short and to the point. Click HERE & ask for the email updates.
- Second, click on the Roots and Reflections tab. "Roots and Reflections," written and presented by Barry Segal, is a vivid, engaging, inspirational window into life in Israel today, set against a historical and spiritual background of the most significant country in the world. "Roots and Reflections" can be seen on a growing number of television channels around the world.
Watch this brief You Tube video introduction of R&R by Barry Segal.
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| Roots and Reflections - Vision For Israel - Touching Lives |
And, PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM !
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Bridge of Hope Update...
We Are Growing !
One way JCFI raises awareness of Israel's role today is through building a Bridge of Hope (BOH). A Bridge of Hope is a "bridge" built between a Church or organization of Johnson County and a Congregation, Home Group, Faith-Based Organization, or Individual within Israel. At JCFI we currently have 22 Congregational BOH's and 5 Organizational BOHs that are up-and-running with
MANY in the process. The BOH project is blessing people both in Israel and here in Johnson County as it provides connection through fellowship, prayer support, educational exchange, and more. (Click
HERE
for more info)
We would love to hook you up! I am Skyping almost weekly with those in the Land who are eager to link up in a "sister" relationship with a congregation or organization in Johnson County. Be in prayer for us as we establish new connections with ministries in Israel that desperately need our support and prayer.
If your church would like to know more about becoming a BOH to a congregation in Israel, click HERE or contact me by phone at 817-556-1061 / by email at [email protected].
Let's build a Bridge together as we stand For Israel!
Pomegranate Praise !
Many of you will remember that last October 5, 2014 more than 100 people gathered at Winston Patrick McGregor Park in Cleburne to dedicate a tree in remembrance of the Holocaust. We honored two Holocaust survivor families, the Schoenfelds and the Feldmans. Mayor Scott Cain opened the ceremony, Pastor Troy Brewer of Open Door Church in Burleson reminded listeners to Never Forget what happened, and our Bridge of Hope pastors were present to help dedicate the memorial pomegranate tree.
It was a moving remembrance, honoring those who sacrificed so much. At JCFI we stand with Israel because we believe the Lord does as well. And, we urge you to do the same.Thanks for all your support!
Oh Yes! Our little pomegranate is flourishing amid the Texas floods!
Click HERE for more pics & info about the Holocaust Remembrance.
Until we are all ONE! (Eph.2:15) !
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JERUSALEM GETS SHABBAT BUS SERVICE
Non-religious residents of Jerusalem have for years been demanding some sort of public transportation on Shabbat, and now it would seem they have it. A service called Shamus began began operating this weekend to enable residents of more remote neighborhoods to reach Jerusalem's city center on the weekly day of rest. A public Internet petition managed to raise just shy of $30,000 for the launch of the service. Those interesting in receiving rides must register online and pay an annual fee of about $13. So as to not upset Jerusalem's large religious population any more than necessary, all Shabus drivers will be non-Jews. So far, a reported 500 people have signed up for the service. (Israel Today)
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Recom
 mended Reading
This month JCFI encourages you to get a copy of:
by Sandra Teplinksy
by Spangler & Tverberg
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As we work to build a greater awareness of Israel in Johnson County and continue to connect to Believers and Jews in the Land,
we are often ask, "What does that word mean?". So, each month at JCFI we will ad to a glossary of terms to help broaden our Hebrew vocabulary. Please, enjoy this Hebrew Help and
contact us
with any definitions you think we should ad.
This month's Hebrew Help definition is:
Bracha or Berakhah (be-ra-KHAH)
In Judaism, a bracha (a "benediction," a "blessing," a "drawing down [of spiritual energy]") is a formula of blessing or thanksgiving, recited in public or private, usually before the performance of a commandment, or the enjoyment of food or fragrance, and in praise on various occasions. The function of a berakhah is to acknowledge God as the source of all blessing.
Previous Month's Definition
Shavuot (Shavu' ot)
"Weeks." The name of the festival that is counted from the day of the Omer, when the first sheath of the barley harvest was brought to the priest during Pesach (Passover).
Click HERE
t
o see the entire Hebrew Help Glossary!
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HOW CAN I STAND FOR ISRAEL?
Since the Banquet, many have ask me, "What can I do for Israel?" While this is certainly not an exhaustive list, here are a few suggestions I hope you find useful:
1. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (Psa.122:6)
"For Zion's Sake I Will Not Be Silent" by Rebecca Brimmer is an excellent guide on
prayer for Israel. Click HERE for more info.
2. Learn more about Israel-related ministries
There are wonderful Israel-related ministries doing a great work to support Israel. Click HERE to learn more about a few of them.
3. Learn more about the Hebraic Roots to Christianity
The Bible often takes on deeper meaning in the context of its Hebraic Roots. The
Ancient Hebrew Scroll project at the CHF is a testimony to this fact. There are
numerous writings about Hebraic Roots. A good place to start is the book by
D. Thomas Lancaster entitled Grafted In.
4. Take a trip to Israel I've been blessed to travel to Israel many times. It has
changed my life. I baptized my daughter, Lauren, in the Sea of Galilee during my trip
there in 2011. She had accepted Jesus as her Savior 3 days before we left. This
should be at the top of any bucket list!
5. Be an Israel contact person for your church
The vision at JCFI is to increase the awareness of Israel within the churches of
Johnson County. Maybe you could support your pastor by volunteering to be the
church's Israel contact person for JCFI.
6. Build a Bridge of Hope
Speak with your Pastor / Church Leaders about building a BOH. Feel free to
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