Imagine standing in the hometown of Mary Magdalene, nearly two thousand years after her life was changed by an encounter with Jesus. The ruins of the ancient synagogue is still there. The Sea of Galilee stretches out nearby. And in just a few days, 200 Israelis will gather in this same town to hear about the Messiah who transformed her life.
There is something extraordinary about that picture. The Gospel that first went out from Israel to the nations is now being shared with Jewish people in the very places where its story unfolded. And through your prayers and partnership, you are helping make that possible.
This coming week, Pastor Israel Pochtar and our Beit Hallel team will welcome 200 Israelis to Magdala for a special evangelistic gathering. Many of those attending are new Jewish immigrants, people who have come to Israel to build a new life. They are learning to find their place in a new country, often carrying the pressures of financial uncertainty, family responsibilities, and the challenges of starting over.
Yet beyond these everyday struggles, there are deeper questions that every human heart must face. Questions about purpose, forgiveness, hope, and whether God truly knows us.
These are not new questions. They were just as real in the days when Jesus walked along the shores of Galilee.
One woman from Magdala discovered an answer that changed everything.
We know her as Mary Magdalene, but her Hebrew name was Miriam. The Gospels tell us that Jesus delivered her from seven demons. We are not given the full story of her suffering, but we are shown the remarkable change that followed. She became a devoted follower of Jesus, remained near Him during His crucifixion, and was among the first to discover His empty tomb.
Her story did not end with her deliverance. It became a testimony to the power of the risen Messiah, a testimony that has been shared throughout the world for nearly two thousand years.
And now, in the town she once called home, a new generation will have the opportunity to hear about Him.
What makes this gathering especially meaningful is its location. Magdala was a Jewish town on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, and archaeological discoveries have revealed a first-century synagogue from the time of Jesus. It is a place where the Jewish setting of the New Testament comes into focus, reminding us that the Gospel is deeply rooted in the history and promises of God to Israel.
For many Jewish people today, Jesus remains someone they know very little about, or someone they have never considered as their Messiah. That is why gatherings like this matter. They create a welcoming opportunity to hear the Gospel, ask questions, and discover the Jewish Messiah within the context of their own history and Scriptures.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17
We cannot know what will happen in every heart when these 200 Israelis gather. Some may listen with curiosity. Others may come with doubts or questions. Some may be carrying burdens that no one around them knows about.
But every person deserves the opportunity to hear the Good News clearly and to respond freely.
And this is where your partnership becomes something deeply personal.
Think about the journey of the Gospel itself. Jesus first proclaimed the Kingdom of God among His own people, Israel. His Jewish disciples carried that message beyond the borders of their land, and over the centuries, the Good News reached nations and generations far removed from the shores of Galilee.
Today, believers from those nations have a remarkable opportunity to help bring that same message back to the Jewish people.
In Romans 11, Paul speaks about his desire to see his own people come to faith. He describes how God’s work among the nations is connected to His continuing purposes for Israel. It is a beautiful reminder that the story of salvation is not divided between Israel and the nations. God has woven them together in His redemptive plan.
When you pray for Israel, when you support Gospel outreach, and when you help ministries like Voice of Judah Israel reach Jewish communities, you are taking part in that continuing story.
Your generosity helps provide transportation, organize gatherings, and welcome people who might otherwise never have the opportunity to hear the Gospel in such a personal setting. Your prayers strengthen the work of those who are sharing Jesus with their own people.
You may never meet the 200 Israelis who will gather in Magdala. You may never hear every conversation or know every question that is asked. But your partnership helps open the door for those moments to take place.
And sometimes, one moment is all it takes for a life to begin changing.
As this Shabbat approaches, we invite you to pray especially for our teams on the ground in Israel. Pray that God will prepare the hearts of those attending, that the message will be shared with clarity and love, and that the Holy Spirit will draw people to Jesus.
If you feel led to give toward this special outreach, your gift will help make this gathering possible and continue reaching Jewish people with the Good News.
There is a beautiful promise in Psalm 126:
“Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.”
Psalm 126:5
We do not always know what will grow from the seeds we plant. Some take root quickly, while others remain unseen for years. But we keep sowing because we trust the Lord of the harvest.
Nearly two thousand years ago, Mary Magdalene’s life was transformed in a way that no one could have predicted. Her testimony traveled far beyond her hometown, reaching people across generations and nations.
Now the Good News is returning to Magdala, carried by believers who want the Jewish people to know their Messiah.
The same Jesus who changed Mary’s life is still changing lives today.
And perhaps, among the 200 Israelis who gather in her hometown, another story of transformation is about to begin.
Thank you for helping make moments like these possible. Through your faithfulness, the Gospel continues to reach the people of Israel, one heart and one life at a time.
May this Shabbat remind you that God is still at work, His promises remain faithful, and no seed planted in faith is ever beyond His care.
Shabbat Shalom and blessings,
Pastor Israel Pochtar