Sorko-Ram/Ferguson family gather in the succah
by Donna Diorio
As I
considered what to name this issue, the name of the ministry of our dearly
departed brother, Marc Chopinsky, came to mind — Future Vision. That's
what it is all about, isn't it? It is not just what we are doing today, it is
the vision for the future that we are also carrying. It was not that long ago
that I carried a piece from Eli Ben-Moshe (Chopinsky), Mark's son who is continuing on in the
worship music legacy of his father.
Mark, who pioneered Messianic Worship Music with Paul Wilbur and Rene Bloch, founded his Future Vision recording studio in Israel twenty years ago. He wanted to help the Israeli Messianic worshippers make professional quality music. Eli caught the same vision and continues on with his Ashira production company in his dad's Future Vision studios.
Mark, who pioneered Messianic Worship Music with Paul Wilbur and Rene Bloch, founded his Future Vision recording studio in Israel twenty years ago. He wanted to help the Israeli Messianic worshippers make professional quality music. Eli caught the same vision and continues on with his Ashira production company in his dad's Future Vision studios.
I
am seeing so much of this type of transition taking place among the
congregations and ministries in Israel, and today there are even more beginning
to transition into their own future visions. It is an encouraging sign when the
international ministries in Israel also recognize that it is time to begin the
transition of their Israeli work over to the local Israeli believers.
This week I was sent an announcement article from Elizabeth Eriksen Levy, CEO of the Caspari Center in Jerusalem, "What Does the Future Hold for Us?" When the Caspari Center was established nearly forty years ago, there were far fewer Messianic Jews in Israel than there are today. It was an outright missions work.
"Our organization was established in 1982 by foreigners desiring to support and build up the local body of believers. Since that time, our leadership and board have traditionally been foreigners. Watching the development of the local body for years, our leadership recognizes it’s time for some changes on our end.
"And so we have arrived at the momentous decision to slowly transition our model of governance to contain more local people. This is a big step, and one we do not undertake lightly. This new model will include a majority of locals on our board (4 out of 7 members will be local, with 3 foreign board members), and will be led by a local CEO. We will aim for this new model to be in place by 2021."
This is a critical recognition on their part. We saw Sukkat Hallel recognize the same thing several years ago as they transitioned to more local believers leading in the 24/7 worship and prayer watches. It is so important for internationals to recognize the body of Messiah in Israel are the 'home team' so to speak. Internationals are in Israel on a visitor's pass, so the leadership of the spiritual house of Lord Yeshua in Israel, must also be Israelis.
I really appreciate how they expressed this, "We at the Caspari Center know how important it is for the local work to be locally run." It is so important that these kinds of transitions continue to take place.
The Caspari Center was an essential help to me almost twenty years ago when I began to try to find and connect with the ministries of Israel. A friend gave me a copy of "Facts & Myths About the Messianic Congregations in Israel" and through that book I was able to take a giant leap forward in identifying the Messianic congregations and ministries of Israel. Right now they are in the process of surveying for an updated version of the book which will also give us our first real peek at how many Jewish believers are actually in the Land these days. We have estimates, but it will be great to get a credible number for where we are today.
When Israel became a state in 1948 there were only 29 confirmed Messianic believers in the whole land. In the 1980's and 90's many of the American Messianic congregational leaders began to immigrate and integrate into life as Israelis serving in established Messianic congregations, and then starting new works. By 2013 there were already 100 congregations, many more smaller fellowships and somewhere in the neighborhood of 18,000 Messianic Jewish believers in total in 2019. The number may be greater than that, but one thing we know for sure is that the number is increasing and Israelis have never been as open to hear the Gospel as they are today.
That's why it is so important that we also see so many of the ministries beginning to transition their pastoral leadership to the younger generation. The 'Baby Boomers' generation is making way for the next generation leadership. We have to leave a work that can continue on into the future even when we are gone on to glory, as David Davis at the Carmel congregation did with Dani Sayeg, and Yeshi Reinhardt did with Yariv Goldman at Hands of Mercy.
At the Maoz Ministry, we have watched over many years now as the Sorko-Ram's completed the transitioning pastoral leadership at the Tel Aviv Tiferet Yeshua congregation. Now we are watching as they have begun transitioning the Maoz Ministry operations to daughter and son-in-law, Shani and Kobi Ferguson. Sometimes it is possible to transition to family members with the gifts for that organization leadership, sometimes the best people for the job are spiritual sons and daughters. Either way, it is important to prepare leaders able and anointed to step into leadership roles for the next generation of ministry in Israel.
Lately, Arrows has carried the reports of the transitioning that has been going on in the Tikkun ministry, as their three pioneering founders, Eitan Shishkoff, Dan Juster and Asher Intrater continue to release more and more of the congregational and ministry headships to those young people they have invested in for so many years...for such a time as this. This is a steady, paced and prepared for transitioning of leadership for the generation of Israelis who are coming to know the Lord today and tomorrow.
Personally, I believe this process is so important that I want to make is a focus of our ongoing prayer for all the ministries of Israel. It is vision for the future that we are seeing as ministries develop their young people to walk in greater roles of leadership. Also when international ministries in Israel realize the time has come for them to transition to local leaders too, this tells us that we are entering a new era for the Gospel in Israel.
Now personally, I do not believe we are anywhere near the time when the Israeli ministries will not need the financial support of Christians in the nations. Israel is not like other nations where missions are established and then both leadership and finances withdrawn as the body continued to grow.
The reason for that is the multiplied intense spiritual warfare that exists to keep Israel from coming to the faith in Yeshua. We must recognize Israel is the last stand of spiritual warfare against Jesus is being waged with an all effort to keep "all Israel" from being saved. Why? Because Yeshua will not return to rule and reign until Israel says, Baruch Haba B'Shem Adonai - Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
The Israeli body of Messiah is going to need our prayers and financial support to keep advancing the Kingdom of God in the Land of Israel — and not only ours, but many more in the international Christian community need to awaken to our connection to the believers in Israel and their significance to the return of the LORD to this earth.
Like the whole world seems to be doing at an accelerated rate, the body of Messiah in Israel is transitioning into the demands of a new era. All of these transitions and demands are going to need our prayers and finances to press through. God made it that way so we would come together as one new man in Messiah.
This week I was sent an announcement article from Elizabeth Eriksen Levy, CEO of the Caspari Center in Jerusalem, "What Does the Future Hold for Us?" When the Caspari Center was established nearly forty years ago, there were far fewer Messianic Jews in Israel than there are today. It was an outright missions work.
"Our organization was established in 1982 by foreigners desiring to support and build up the local body of believers. Since that time, our leadership and board have traditionally been foreigners. Watching the development of the local body for years, our leadership recognizes it’s time for some changes on our end.
"And so we have arrived at the momentous decision to slowly transition our model of governance to contain more local people. This is a big step, and one we do not undertake lightly. This new model will include a majority of locals on our board (4 out of 7 members will be local, with 3 foreign board members), and will be led by a local CEO. We will aim for this new model to be in place by 2021."
This is a critical recognition on their part. We saw Sukkat Hallel recognize the same thing several years ago as they transitioned to more local believers leading in the 24/7 worship and prayer watches. It is so important for internationals to recognize the body of Messiah in Israel are the 'home team' so to speak. Internationals are in Israel on a visitor's pass, so the leadership of the spiritual house of Lord Yeshua in Israel, must also be Israelis.
I really appreciate how they expressed this, "We at the Caspari Center know how important it is for the local work to be locally run." It is so important that these kinds of transitions continue to take place.
The Caspari Center was an essential help to me almost twenty years ago when I began to try to find and connect with the ministries of Israel. A friend gave me a copy of "Facts & Myths About the Messianic Congregations in Israel" and through that book I was able to take a giant leap forward in identifying the Messianic congregations and ministries of Israel. Right now they are in the process of surveying for an updated version of the book which will also give us our first real peek at how many Jewish believers are actually in the Land these days. We have estimates, but it will be great to get a credible number for where we are today.
When Israel became a state in 1948 there were only 29 confirmed Messianic believers in the whole land. In the 1980's and 90's many of the American Messianic congregational leaders began to immigrate and integrate into life as Israelis serving in established Messianic congregations, and then starting new works. By 2013 there were already 100 congregations, many more smaller fellowships and somewhere in the neighborhood of 18,000 Messianic Jewish believers in total in 2019. The number may be greater than that, but one thing we know for sure is that the number is increasing and Israelis have never been as open to hear the Gospel as they are today.
That's why it is so important that we also see so many of the ministries beginning to transition their pastoral leadership to the younger generation. The 'Baby Boomers' generation is making way for the next generation leadership. We have to leave a work that can continue on into the future even when we are gone on to glory, as David Davis at the Carmel congregation did with Dani Sayeg, and Yeshi Reinhardt did with Yariv Goldman at Hands of Mercy.
At the Maoz Ministry, we have watched over many years now as the Sorko-Ram's completed the transitioning pastoral leadership at the Tel Aviv Tiferet Yeshua congregation. Now we are watching as they have begun transitioning the Maoz Ministry operations to daughter and son-in-law, Shani and Kobi Ferguson. Sometimes it is possible to transition to family members with the gifts for that organization leadership, sometimes the best people for the job are spiritual sons and daughters. Either way, it is important to prepare leaders able and anointed to step into leadership roles for the next generation of ministry in Israel.
Lately, Arrows has carried the reports of the transitioning that has been going on in the Tikkun ministry, as their three pioneering founders, Eitan Shishkoff, Dan Juster and Asher Intrater continue to release more and more of the congregational and ministry headships to those young people they have invested in for so many years...for such a time as this. This is a steady, paced and prepared for transitioning of leadership for the generation of Israelis who are coming to know the Lord today and tomorrow.
Personally, I believe this process is so important that I want to make is a focus of our ongoing prayer for all the ministries of Israel. It is vision for the future that we are seeing as ministries develop their young people to walk in greater roles of leadership. Also when international ministries in Israel realize the time has come for them to transition to local leaders too, this tells us that we are entering a new era for the Gospel in Israel.
Now personally, I do not believe we are anywhere near the time when the Israeli ministries will not need the financial support of Christians in the nations. Israel is not like other nations where missions are established and then both leadership and finances withdrawn as the body continued to grow.
The reason for that is the multiplied intense spiritual warfare that exists to keep Israel from coming to the faith in Yeshua. We must recognize Israel is the last stand of spiritual warfare against Jesus is being waged with an all effort to keep "all Israel" from being saved. Why? Because Yeshua will not return to rule and reign until Israel says, Baruch Haba B'Shem Adonai - Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
The Israeli body of Messiah is going to need our prayers and financial support to keep advancing the Kingdom of God in the Land of Israel — and not only ours, but many more in the international Christian community need to awaken to our connection to the believers in Israel and their significance to the return of the LORD to this earth.
Like the whole world seems to be doing at an accelerated rate, the body of Messiah in Israel is transitioning into the demands of a new era. All of these transitions and demands are going to need our prayers and finances to press through. God made it that way so we would come together as one new man in Messiah.
Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Chuck Cohen, Intercessors for Israel sends the Friday Prayer Points online 10/11/2019 (Print
link available). In point #3:
Trump's abandonment of America's
Kurdish allies has shaken this nation deeply – regardless of which side of the
political spectrum people stand. There are numerous editorials and statements
saying that once again, Israel can only rely on itself. America's other allies
in this region are even more shaken by this move – especially as Turkey and its
evil leader Erdogan, and Iran, are both beneficiaries of this move. Lord, show
us how to pray into this (Amos 3:7). Thank You Lord that Israel always can rely
on You (Psa. 121:4).
Yariv Goldman and the Hands of Mercy team are offering a unique
opportunity to get to know their work better by inviting you to connect
through a webinar and Q&A session with Yariv
From Maoz Ministries Shira Sorko-Ram writes The
Rise and Fall of the Word of God (Part 2). Also prayer
requests over their team's desire to minister even more to the people of Israel
which they will do as they join with Chaim Malespin in the Gallilee for a
Sukkot celebration. There is a feeling of isolation as many of the believers
are spread across the Land, they write, "Therefore, we make it a point to
travel throughout the country to build new relationships and strengthen ones
we've had for decades."
Maoz also covers the horrifying Hamas call for demonstrations, "Child's
Martyrs Day." Even the UN was so shocked that they rebuked Hamas, warning
them about putting children in harm's way. Maoz is also praying on behalf of
the Kurds, and the security concerns that have increased in Israel due to the
shocking developments. Please continue to pray for salvations during this
appointed time of God's biblical feasts. And pray for Israeli politics which
are log-jammed by the inability of all parties to compromise for the good of
the nation. Finally pray for Jews to make Aliyah as Anti-Semitism continues to
rise throughout the world.
Steams in the Desert, Marianna Gol's ministry to orphans and widows is
launching an agricultural project for underprivileged youth who will be able to
learn to grow fresh food for needy families. This is a pilot program with a
cost of about USD $1642 or 1488 Euro. Contact the ministry for more details.
From Orna Grinman, A Sign & Example Ministry, Betrayal,
Shame, and Forgiving Both Fathers In my previous post (Selichot) I promised
some more testimonies to the power of forgiveness.
Dan and Patty Juster's personal ministry, Restoration from Zion is
announcing that going forward will also be the personal ministry of son
Benjamin and Lorena Juster also. Dan also explains some of the changes that are
going on in how Tikkun is organized giving greater clarity to the changes. Ben
Juster gives a report on his most recent activities, including attending the
20th anniversary of 24/7 prayer at IHOP-KC. (Mike Bickle has been a great
friend of the Israeli ministries, connecting with the Tikkun founders even
before IHOP came into being.) To subscribe to the ministry letter contact them
at their new website.
Howard and Randi Bass at the
Yeshua's Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva share their doings during the
Feasts which is filled with visitors coming and going. Read Howard's article on
how the Day
of Atonements (Yom Kippur) also has relevance to Christians. Condolences to
Randi whose dad died on September 30th. There has also been time visiting with
Evan's fiancee's family and fellowship in the congregation. One special prayer
request: " Do pray for rain -- rain-independent or not -- but in its
season, and in proper amounts. That is
the blessing God promised if His people were in obedience to Him and faithful
to His covenant. As you know, this has
not historically been the case, nor is it now.
But God is gracious!"
One email from Ron Cantor had slipped to the bottom of my inbox, so this
is about a month old, but still important to share about his interview with
Robert Morris in Dallas at the launch of the Gateway Church Center for Israel. Also,
Ron shares about The Fight I Was Not
Looking For! | A few weeks ago, a high-profile evangelist with a
checkered past was confronted publicly for sexual abuse. As I read the post, I
was intrigued because for months I had been bothered by this fellow’s ministry.
Still, this was not my battle. However, the next day, the overseer for this
evangelist, an internationally known prophetic voice, went after the
“whistle-blower”—to the point of cursing him—and appeared to defend the accused
molester, while not even mentioning the alleged victims. I was stunned! .... The
good news is that, whether from our efforts, the efforts of others, or both, it
was agreed that a neutral council of leaders would look at the allegations and
make a judgment. Some of these allegations may actually need to be referred to
the authorities. We will see."
Also Ron announced here he has accepted the position of CEO of Tikkun
Intl, the global family of 35 congregations in Israel and the US. "The
biggest change is that I get to serve, not just Tiferet Yeshua, but all of the
Tikkun-related congregations in Israel."
From Evan Glasser of HaTikva Project: God is using HaTikva
Families to lead the charge in Israel for foster care and adoption support.
Over the past ten years, we have continued to make steps forward in serving the
367,000 at-risk children in Israel. We want you involved as well. Will you join
us? Also God has used HaTikva Dental to treat 827 patients in our HaTikva
Clinics over the last three months. Because of our growth and need for more
space, we signed a lease for a new dental clinic in Jerusalem last month. Can
you help with our dental
sponsorships to cover the costs of some of our patients? Join us as we take
the good news of Messiah to those in need.
Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry leaders and believers with urgent health needs
Ruth Nessim Critical prayer need
she is losing sight! Prayers for a miracle for Ruth.| Continue to pray for Jacob Damkani |
Olga Bikas’s health condition that seems to have
become chronic, with no hope from the doctors for any improvement in the
future. This, no doubt, puts an additional emotional and physical burden on our
family. Please pray for her acute back pain. | Rania Sayegh asks for prayer of
restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing. | Ronit Bender says my
heart valve is still leaking but my lungs are fine. I totally have peace
about my health, although it is far from great. I still appreciate
prayer, as I need it. I am very grateful they let me travel in October and
November both to Australia and Holland. Please continue to pray for Ronit |
Shlomy Abramov of Awake Israel, because of a condition where blood does not
flow to his legs as it should, was advised by a specialist in case of injuries,
he could lose his leg because of the blood flow issues. Please pray.
Prophetic Photo?
Ron Cantor shared this photograph (by Josh Wander) on Facebook
writing,
"Last night, on the second
night of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles), just after we finished dinner, thunder
and lightning storms hit Jerusalem.
"A local man snapped a picture of a lightning bolt that appeared to have hit the minaret tower of the Al-Aksa Mosque on the Temple Mount where the first and second temples stood.
That is an amazingly reminiscent of the Oct 11th email
Rick Ridings of Succat Hallel sent out - a prophetic vision:
"I saw the Lord shrouded in a pillar of dark clouds above the Temple Mount. Flashes of lightning went from the clouds towards Tehran, Ankara, and Moscow. Lightning struck a demonic throne in each place. The thrones started shaking and gradually disintegrating. Then the dark clouds began to dissipate. The Lamb was revealed inside, radiantly white. He was then revealed in a much greater way to Israel and the nations.
"I saw the Lord shrouded in a pillar of dark clouds above the Temple Mount. Flashes of lightning went from the clouds towards Tehran, Ankara, and Moscow. Lightning struck a demonic throne in each place. The thrones started shaking and gradually disintegrating. Then the dark clouds began to dissipate. The Lamb was revealed inside, radiantly white. He was then revealed in a much greater way to Israel and the nations.
"The following Monday, September
16th, the three leaders of Iran, Turkey, and Russia met together in Ankara,
Turkey. The threats of Turkey invading the Kurdish area of Syria (and killing
large numbers of Christians among them) are very real, as are the threats
coming from Iran to destroy Israel."
Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was falsely imprisoned in
Turkey for two years before being set free at the priority urgings of the Trump
administration, is now sharing the prophetic dream he had in a Trukish prison
cell in December 2016. Here is the gist of it:
"In the dream, Turkey, Iran, and Russia began to move together in a very dark alliance," he explained. Brunson woke up from the dream drenched in sweat and barely able to speak. At the time, Turkey and Iran had been enemies for years so he knew something drastic was about to happen.
"In the dream, Turkey, Iran, and Russia began to move together in a very dark alliance," he explained. Brunson woke up from the dream drenched in sweat and barely able to speak. At the time, Turkey and Iran had been enemies for years so he knew something drastic was about to happen.
Several days after Brunson had his
dream, a Turkish police officer assassinated the Russian ambassador to Turkey
Andrei Karlov while he was speaking in Ankara. But instead of sparking
hostility between Russia and Turkey, Brunson said it seemed to bring the two
countries together. He believes the alliance has been growing stronger ever
since.
Right out of
the gate, CBN Middle East Bureau Chief
Chris Mitchell said, 'This
is in many ways a jihad' in his explanation of the Turkish invasion of
Syria. Click the link to read his analysis.
Gatestone Institute wrote: As the Voice of America itself reported on January 23, Erdogan's plan was to resettle three million or more refugees from other parts of Syria in this "security zone" extending twenty miles deep into Syria. Twenty miles may not sound much, but – the VOA omitted to mention – almost all the Kurdish towns of northeastern Syria lie within that area. So Erdogan's intention to annihilate the Kurdish presence in that area and replace it with others has been manifest ever since the beginning of 2019.
Israel has
been outspoken in favor of the Kurds, in fact, Israeli Messianic ministries
have also written in their prayer letters over several years now about their
work with and prayers for the Kurds. Some Israeli newspapers in the past week
are asking "Is There a Biblical — and Genetic —
Reason Why Jews Support the Kurds?" According to results of a new study at the Hebrew
University there is a close genetic connection between Jews and Kurds. From a
genetic point of view the study finds that the Kurds may be the people with the
closest genetic connection to the Jews.
To
understand the political confusion most people have regarding the Kurds, I
would like to recommend you watch this Facebook video Dalton Thomas of FAI. Dalton is one of the "Sheep Among Wolves" filmmakers
about the Christian revival in Iran, has also lived and laboured among
the Kurds for several years. This is the most informative and
educational I have seen on the Kurds
and why it is important for Christians to support and pray for them.
What I have presented here are both prophetic and hard
news views of believers-professionals who have actually served, and are serving
in the region. In my opinion, these are the voices most worthy paying attention
to because far-removed politicians and pundits cannot possibly have the
spiritual element in priority as they assess the ever-changing Middle East
alliances. I hope subscribers will do a deep dive into the links provided in
this article. — Donna
Diorio
donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
THANK YOU to those who have considered this ministry worthy of financial support.
Donations appreciated
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paypal.me/DonnaDiorio
Or look up on paypal: donna@israelprayer.com
Or look up on paypal: donna@israelprayer.com
By postal mail make payable to the order of Donna Diorio
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006
I do not have tax exempt status.
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006
I do not have tax exempt status.
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