Through The Joshua Fund, Evangelicals are caring for the poor & needy in Israel, the West Bank and five Arab countries with the love of Jesus. (Here’s an update on the Board’s visit to the epicenter.)

joelcrosenberg

9 years ago

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What a blessing to have all of The Joshua Fund Board of Directors with us here in Israel.

Over the course of five very full days, we met and prayed with our Israeli staff, visited The Joshua Fund’s warehouse in central Israel, and worked together in the warehouse, packing bags of food for needy Israelis.

Through this warehouse — and our local partners that run 17 distribution centers — TJF provides food and other supplies to some 3,000 needy families in Israel (both Jews and Arabs) every month. Why? Because the Lord Jesus commands His followers to “love your neighbor” and show compassion for people of all backgrounds, especially the poor.

In addition, the Board traveled throughout the Land to meet with Jewish, Israeli Arab and Palestinian Arab pastors and leaders of non-profit organizations. While we wish we could have visited with all of our partners and allies, it was so special to spend so much time with this cross section.

We received detailed briefings on how the work is going. We got a clearer picture of how they are caring for the poor, teaching the Word of God, preaching the Gospel, discipling new believers and seeking to faithfully fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew chapter 28:18-20). We had the opportunity to ask lots of questions and to hear their personal stories of why these leaders feel called by God to do this vital work.

Together, we spent time in prayer together as a Board, praying for the peace of Jerusalem and for all the people of the epicenter. We also prayed for the Lord to strengthen His Church throughout Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and in the five Arab countries surrounding Israel that we also work in — Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

In addition, we prayed for wisdom and courage for believers throughout the region who face severe persecution. And we prayed with thanksgiving and deep gratitude for each of you who pray for TJF and our allies, and who faithfully invest financially in this ministry.

Here are some of the Scriptures that guide our Board and staff:

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:14)
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. (Proverbs 19:17)
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. (Proverbs 28:27)
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:17)

Lynn and I are so grateful for all of TJF’s Board and staff members and for all of our dear allies. They genuinely love and want to serve both Israelis and Palestinians, and it is such a joy to work side-by-side with them.

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