“Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towners, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell them to the next generation.” (Psalm 48:12-13)
The renewed rise of anti-Semitism, particularly among younger people, and concerted attempts to ostracize and invalidate Israel in our day is a clarion call for Christians to pray for and support the Jewish people and their homeland; and to train up the next generation to do that too.
That is why Somebody Cares was honored to have 3 representatives (SCA VP, Jodie Chiricosta, Lisa Stringer and Ashley Stringer) join an international delegation of women to Israel in early March. In addition to participating in exploratory meetings regarding the launch of the Alliance of Christian Women for Israel, they engaged in strategic prayer at various sites; met with leaders of The Jewish Agency, Shuli Davidovich, Senior Foreign Affairs Advisor to Israeli President, Reuven Rivlin, as well as, former Israeli Supreme Court judge, Ayala Procaccia; visited two assimilation centers for Jews who have recently made Aliyah (moved to the land of Israel); and encouraged the Bolands who are dear friends of the ministry and have been serving with The Jewish Agency in Jerusalem for the past three years. The purpose of these meetings was to begin building bridges between Christians and the Jewish people with the goal of finding joint projects and other tangible ways to share the love of God in the land of Israel.
Ashley Stringer, the youngest member of the delegation helped lead worship for the group and also shared an uplifting message through music to children at one of the assimilation centers. It was an unexpected opportunity that will prayerfully lead the way to more of this type of interaction in the days to come. Ashley also tapped into the power of social media to raise awareness and support for Israel through her VLOG.
As our team met Israelis, learned more about the struggles and opportunities they face, walked where Jesus walked, and spent time in prayer at strategic locations around the country God reaffirmed in us His mandate for the Church to love and bless the Israeli people and nation. The promise of God to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you,” is still true today. It is important that we, as a Church, across racial, denominational and generational lines understand that and recommit ourselves to obeying God in that respect — as in all others.
Somebody Cares is committed to praying for and blessing Israel, as well as building bridges that will allow us to share God’s love in tangible ways with the Israeli people as God opens doors. One of those ways is by supporting various organizations working like the Boland’s as they work with The Jewish Agency and others we have supported through the years. As more doors open we will keep you informed so you can join us in blessing Israel! Please consider making a generous donation and/or a monthly commitment to Bless Israel with Somebody Cares by clicking here!