A few days ago, readers across Sweden opened their newspaper and saw something remarkable on the front page: an Israeli pastor standing behind a pulpit, speaking to believers about Israel, the Word of God, and Yeshua.
The photograph was of Pastor Israel at the Europe Conference in Uppsala, Sweden, where several thousand believers had gathered. But for us, the significance goes far beyond appearing in a newspaper. It represents something we believe is deeply encouraging for believers who have prayed for Israel for many years.
The believing community in Israel is not only receiving. It is also being sent.
For generations, believers throughout the nations have prayed for Israel, supported Gospel ministry here, encouraged local congregations, and invested in the growth of Israeli believers. Those prayers and that faithfulness have mattered enormously.
Today, we are seeing Israeli believers increasingly given opportunities to carry something back to the nations.
Pastor Israel has been invited to preach at conferences, minister in local congregations, pray with believers, and appear on Christian television reaching audiences throughout Europe and Asia. Wherever the door opens, the purpose remains the same: preach the Word, share what God is doing in Israel, strengthen believers, and above all, point people toward Yeshua.
There is something beautiful about seeing this relationship move in both directions.
The Body of Messiah around the world has stood with believers in Israel through difficult seasons. Now Israeli believers also have something to give—to share what God has taught us while serving Him in this land, to bring testimony of what He is doing among His people, and to encourage believers elsewhere to remain rooted in His Word.
Isaiah gives us the beautiful picture:
“For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.”
Isaiah 2:3
We hold those words with humility. Yet they remind us of something precious: God has always intended His Word and His purposes to reach far beyond one people or one place.
At the Europe Conference, Pastor Israel was able to speak about Israel in light of Scripture before several thousand people. His ministry there was later featured on the front page of Swedish Christian newspaper Dagen. Through Christian television, other messages are reaching homes across Europe and Asia—places and people we may never have the opportunity to visit personally.
But the smaller doors matter just as much.
A conference may bring thousands together, while another invitation may lead to a small congregation where Pastor Israel can sit with believers, pray personally with people, answer questions, and encourage them in their walk with the Lord.
The value of an open door is not measured by the size of the audience, but by the people God has placed on the other side of it.
That is why we are grateful for every opportunity.
For our VOJI family, we hope this encourages you as well. When you have prayed for Israel, stood with Israeli believers, and helped strengthen Gospel ministry in this land, you have invested in something that does not remain within Israel’s borders. A stronger believing community here can also become a blessing beyond this land.
Please continue praying for Pastor Israel and for every door the Lord opens. Pray for wisdom, humility, and boldness; for the Gospel to remain at the center of every message; and for believers who hear the Word to be strengthened in their faith and drawn closer to Yeshua.
For many years, the nations have stood with believers in Israel. What a joy to see believers from Israel now being given opportunities to strengthen the nations in return.
From Jerusalem to the nations, may His Word continue to go forth.