The Apostle Paul spoke about a burden for the Jewish people. He wrote in Romans 10, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” He added that “if their rejection of Christ led to the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?”
Paul obviously believed that the salvation of the Jews is important for redemptive history. That is why we are going to Israel this summer: a team of intercessors, worshippers and teachers who are going to build bridges with secular Jews and show support to Messianic Jews in the Holy Land.
The Arrows for Israel Team will be in Israel June 23-July 8, working in the fields with Messianic Jews, holding prayer vigils in Jerusalem, Galilee, Samaria, and Tel Aviv, taking humanitarian aid to Israeli soldiers and others in need, and promoting relationships between Christians and Jews. Our heart is to see Jesus lifted up as Messiah in Israel. We also believe in the importance of Christians praying in the land of Israel for the Jews and supporting Messianic believers who daily struggle to live out their faith in a somewhat hostile environment.
Many of the people going on this mission are involved in a weekly prayer meeting at the Richmond International House of Prayer*, a city-wide prayer center located in Shockhoe Bottom. The Lord has been preparing us to go for months, and we believe our actions will be used by God to touch the Jewish people.
This experience in Israel will also serve as a springboard for the Israel watch leaders as they intercede weekly for the Jewish people in our city and around the world. Going to Israel will provide these intercessors with first-hand experiences that will assist them in sharing a vision for Israel with Richmond area churches. This will be accomplished by in-depth teaching, meeting Jews in Israel, and visiting some holy sites.
The mission team consists of mostly young people who hope to carry the message about God’s heart for Israel to the next generation. Giving all the political unrest in Israel over the last year, the Jewish people need our support. Much more than just a pilgrimage, this mission will both seek to meet physical needs and break spiritual ground.
To read more about our trip, visit our team blog at http://arrows4israel.wordpress.com/.
If you would like to support me financially and give a tax deductible donation to help me go on this trip, please make checks payable to Harvest Renewal Church, write “Missions – Ariel Williams” in the memo, and mail to Harvest Renewal Church. 1127 W. Main Street. Richmond, VA 23220. Please mail these donations by June 11.
*Please feel free to come out and join us for the Israel Prayer Watch, held at Richmond International House of Prayer (www.rihop.com) on Monday evenings, 6-8pm. Psalms 122:6 -7 says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: ‘May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.’”
