Joseph* is one of many thousands of Israelis who took six months off, after completing his military service, to travel in New Zealand. After hearing the Gospel many times during his travels, he finally recognized the truth that Jesus is the promised Messiah of Israel. 

Joseph was so excited about his new faith in Jesus! He was on fire for Jesus and couldn’t wait to get back home to tell all his family and friends about the Messiah, but this unfortunate new believer was met with harsh opposition. His parents were furious when they heard the news, locked him in his room, and had their rabbi brainwash him back to Rabbinic Judaism.

This is, sadly, a true story that we never want to happen to another Israeli who decides to follow Jesus. The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone, but in community with other believers for encouragement and discipleship. For this reason, we created “Gospel Encounters” – a feature in our Host Israelis app – which allows Christian hosts to record Gospel conversations that they have with their Israeli guests. 

Before developing this technology, we had no way to consistently track and follow up with Israeli guests whom we reached during their travels. Using this app, we are able to sort and organize our Israeli guests according to their Gospel Encounters. When our guests get back home after their travels, we can see who had the most Gospel conversations, who was the most open to the Gospel, and even who made a decision to follow Jesus. 

Now we can have our staff in Israel connect with these seekers and new believers, invite them to Bible studies and other events, and connect them with other believers or a church in their hometown.

This is just one of many important and exciting aspects of our Israeli hosting network! Mitch Glaser, the president of Chosen People Ministries, said this could possibly be the most important work that our 127-year-old organization has ever done. And I agree! God’s plan is that all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26) – and He could use this hospitality network as a powerful tool in His plan of redemption for Israel!

Please continue to pray for our team as we recruit and train our first hosts for the pilot program to launch this Fall. We sure do appreciate your prayers and support.

Blessings in Messiah,

BJ, Carissa and Ari

*name changed for privacy