OUTREACH
Christians
who are Blessing Israel
By
Linda Green CBN News Producer
CBN.com
A steady stream of humanitarian aid to Israel will
soon become a flood if the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America
has its way. That aid could trigger revival among the Jews, a revival
born of collaboration between Christians and Messianic Jews. That
is the vision of Joel Chernoff, chairman of The Joseph Project.
"What we believe God is up to is bringing blessing to Israel
to trigger revival among the Jewish people," said Chernoff.
"The Lord is setting things up right now for the release
of a wave of his Holy Spirit that will spark a great revival in
Israel. We want Israel to see God's heart of compassion."
MJAA's Joseph Project has been shipping humanitarian aid to Israel
since 2000 -- non-perishable items like furniture, building materials,
toys, clothing, bedding and toiletries. This aid goes to Israel's
neediest: the poor, many of whom are new immigrants; those unemployed,
many because of the intifada; terrorist victims; and an estimated
250,000 children living below the poverty line of $314 per month.
The goods are distributed through 22 Messianic Jewish storefronts
and 110 government social service centers.
"Who knew when we started that the intifada would break
out again?" said Chernoff. "The war is very expensive
and Israel has increasingly cut its Social Service budget. Still
50-75,000 immigrants enter the country every year and they generally
cycle into the bottom of the economic ladder. Tourism, the second
largest industry in Israel, is almost non-existent, triggering
escalating unemployment and poverty. There are tremendous social
service issues. They can't take care of their own."
That is the emergent crisis the Joseph Project addresses. But
assistance serves a longer-term goal as well. That goal has its
basis in a prophecy to the MJAA that anti-Semitism will increase
in Eastern Europe, spawning an enormous influx of immigrants to
Israel.
"The Jews of Eastern Europe and Russia have a very short
time before they will be either driven or frightened out of Eastern
Europe and Russia," reads the 1996 prophecy. "Over 1
million of these people will end up in Israel. The deeper purpose
of our effort to send aid to Israel at this time is not only for
those that are in need in Israel now but also for those who are
to come. Even as Joseph prepared for famine for seven years and
Egypt was able to prosper in times of great physical disaster,
so we are to bring leadership (like Joseph) to this effort."
"As Joseph prepared for famine in ancient Egypt, our goal
is to provide a very large asset, a blessing on Israeli soil to
be prepared for those immigrants," said Chernoff.
While goods that have been shipped to date have only served immediate
needs, the door has opened on an opportunity to stockpile that
aid for the future. One of the largest relief haulers in the world
has dedicated two ships to the task. That will accelerate the
giving. It has taken the Joseph Project two years to get 35 containers
to Israel. But, one ship will carry 75 containers, and 35 shiploads
are planned over the next 3-5 years.
This places the Joseph Project at a pivotal point in its history.
Money must be raised to support this shipping process -- $15-20
million. That much will enable the Joseph Project to ship an estimated
$656 million in supplies, depending on the cargo, and to provide
warehousing. The goods themselves are donated by individuals,
corporations and humanitarian organizations.
The first ship is almost ready to depart from Galvestan, Texas.
It will cost $450,000-$500,000 to move that $18 million worth
of humanitarian aid to Israel and get that aid into the hands
of the needy.
"The muscles of the Messianic community are still pretty
weak," said Chernoff. "The opportunity is amazing, but
we can't do it alone. We need our Christian brothers and sisters
to step up."
This partnership will not only facilitate distribution of aid,
it is the very essence of the message that the Messiah Yeshua
wants to speak to the Jewish people: the Messianic Jewish and
Christian communities are "one new man".
"When Christians try to bless without the Messianic community,
Jews don't understand the message spiritually," said Chernoff.
Jews are confused by the historical relationship between Judaism
and Christianity, he said. Christianity has been such a source
of sorrow to Jews.
"As our people see this huge blessing from our Christian
brothers being led into the land by the Messianic brothers, the
message as preached in the New Testament becomes clearer,"
said Chernoff. "The message is that this faith in Yeshua
truly is Jewish and for the whole world."
"How desperately our Jewish people and the whole world need
to see the unity of Jew and Gentile as preached in John 17:20-23
and Romans 9-11. As Israel sees this truth played out in a very
practical way through the Joseph project, we believe that the
revival of Israel will be accelerated from where it is now,"
said Chernoff.
The Messianic community has grown dramatically around the globe,
but not in Israel, said Chernoff.
"The Holy Spirit has not been poured out there," said
Chernoff. "But people are ready. The crust of resistance
is thin. Once it catches, it will be like a flash fire.
"But we can't just talk," he said. "We must bless
the people with real blessings. The skeptics will be silenced
as we show our love for them. The stakes in this are nothing short
of the revival of Israel and of the world. For when the world
sees Israel turn to the Messiah Jesus, the world will do the same."
To donate, visit the
web site or call 1 800·225·6522. Donations of
goods can be funneled through the humanitarian organizations listed
on the web site.
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