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By the late 1980s, our Mission, now named Chosen People Ministries, was struggling financially. Despite a hiring moratorium on new workers, the ministry saw the dire need for ministry in Israel as winds of change were in the air. We began ministry among the thousands of Russian immigrants entering Israel and called Avner Boskey in 1987 to serve as an evangelist in the Land. Boskey established a new messianic congregation outside Tel Aviv, and Albert and Gretta ministered to the massive influx of Soviet Jews who were escaping MAY 2017 | THE CHOSEN PEOPLE | 5 the fall of the Soviet Union. Two of those new Russian immigrants were Michael and Natalie Zinn. Michael was an engineer who had fled the Soviet Union to make a new life in Israel, but like other Russian Jewish immigrants, the Zinns did not know any Hebrew. They enrolled in a Hebrew language class for new immigrants, and while there, they met an American missionary couple who were also trying to learn Hebrew. They became friends, and eventually Michael and his wife accepted Yeshua as their Messiah. Today, Michael Zinn serves as the National Director of our work in the Holy Land. He stands on the shoulders of many previous servants of the Lord who ministered in the Land. However, the lessons of the last century in Israel have shown us that ministry cannot stand still, but must always be adapting with the times and finding new methods to reach the lost. Our work amongst 1.4  million Russian Jews continues. Multiple congregations have been planted, benevolence work among the elderly and Holocaust survivors is thriving and work among children through camping programs continues to grow and thrive. Multiple thousands of Israelis are now touched for the Lord by our over 20 Chosen People Ministries staff in the Land. Perhaps the capstone of our efforts in Israel was the purchase of a beautiful building in the German Colony of Jerusalem, which is called the Jerusalem Messianic Center. It houses our Israel headquarters and is used to host Bible studies and social events designed for outreach. It also has the capacity to house a dozen short-term workers. However, we believe we are in the middle of a new move of the Spirit as ministry among younger and more secular Israelis is becoming fruitful through the use of digital media. Unlike previous decades, there are now many congregations and believers in Israel who can disciple and follow up with these younger seekers. This is why our Greater Tel Aviv Center may be the beginning of a new page in our work in Israel. We have the space for a thriving coffee house, evangelistic meetings, and Bible studies. Who knows what the Lord will enable us to do through this space? No matter what the future holds, we are thankful for the ways the Lord has enabled us to minister in the land of Israel, and for all of the people who diligently served the Lord there in decades past, as well as those who continue to be a witness for Yeshua in the Land today. staff and various leaders in Israel. You will not only receive an orientation to this miraculous land of promise, but you will also meet those who are doing God’s work in Israel by reaching Israelis for the Lord Jesus. I hope you will be able to join us! We know that there will be many who would like to join the celebration with Chosen People Ministries and so we will need to limit the numbers that we can take to the first 100 people who sign up! YOUR SUPPORT AND PRAYERS We will emphasize the work of Your Mission to the Jewish People among Israelis during the next 12 months and until we celebrate the 70th birthday in Jerusalem. Once again, we can only continue this ministry because of your encouragement, love, prayers and generous financial support. I usually do not make a direct ask for funds in our newsletter, but this month I am compelled to do so because of the great opportunities we have within Israel at this time. We are hoping to take a couple of young Israelis on our staff in Israel and it is simply impossible for them to raise support. If we had an additional hundred thousand dollars this year we would be able to take on two young Israelis to help us with our growing work especially in the greater Tel Aviv area. Please pray about giving generously today to our Jewish Evangelism Fund that enables us to support our growing work in Israel and to support our ministries across the globe! We especially hope to employ a couple of native Israelis, who speak Hebrew fluently, served in the Army, went through the Israeli school system, and know their own people inside and out. Thanks for considering this great opportunity for the Gospel! Please take a look at the enclosed card, which will enable you to make your gift. Warmly in our Messiah, Mitch continued from page 3 FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN SDEROT FROM THE JERUSALEM MESSIANIC CENTER


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