WHICH MESSIAH? AN
ISRAELI MAN PONDERS
A few months ago, our staff
member Peter met Matan,* an
Israeli man, at a friend’s party.
Peter and Matan ended up discussing
Isaiah 53 and the Suffering
Servant. Recently, Peter
ran into Matan again and, to
his surprise, he was the one to
bring up religion and spiritual
questions. Their conversation,
which began about Hebrew,
led to a discussion of Mashiach
ben Yosef (Messiah, the son
of Joseph) in the Jewish tradition.
The ancient rabbis looked
at all the words of the prophets
about the redemption of Israel
and Messiah, and they had a
hard time reconciling the facts.
They saw an image of the victorious
Messiah, like King David,
and they saw an image of the
suffering Messiah, like Joseph
in Egypt. Out of this thinking,
the ancient rabbis supposed
that there would be two different
Messiahs. Amazed, Peter
took the opportunity, starting
with the Talmud, to connect
the dots to Jesus. It was a fascinating
conversation that really
made Matan think. Matan
is seeking by asking the right
questions. Please pray with
Peter that Matan can open his
heart enough to recognize Jesus
as Messiah.
JEWISH OPTOMETRIST
HEARS THE GOSPEL
Recently, our Chicago staff
member Roy had his annual
eye exam with his Jewish optometrist.
The optometrist is
getting married and has been
in dialogue with a rabbi. He had
all kinds of questions for Roy.
He was very interested in how
Roy came to believe in Jesus
and how he still considers himself
Jewish. This led to a very
long conversation about Roy’s
journey of faith. The doctor had
to move on to his next patient,
but, not coincidentally, Roy
needs to return in a few weeks
for a follow-up. Roy sensed the
presence of the Holy Spirit in
their conversation and has been
praying for the next meeting.
SEPTEMBER 2018 / THE CHOSEN PEOPLE - 7
FINDING HOSPITALITY IN
BROOKLYN
Joseph and Sarah, our staff
members in Brooklyn, have
started hosting Israeli travelers
in their home in addition to their
regular ministry. A few months
ago, Levi,* a young man from
Jerusalem who works in the
tech industry, came to stay
one Friday night. Although he
is not religious, he had developed
a Bible app for one of
his clients, and he was proud
to show it to Joseph. In turn,
Joseph showed Levi the Bible
apps that he uses and some of
his favorite Jewish and Christian
commentaries. At dinner,
Levi was surprised that his
hosts knew the Jewish blessings.
This naturally led to a discussion
about their faith and
the next morning, Levi went
to their Messianic congregation’s
service. Later that day,
Joseph explained to Levi what
the New Testament teaches
and how they live as New Covenant
believers in the Messiah.
Levi actually resonated with
what was being said! As Levi
left that evening, he gladly accepted
a New Testament and a
copy of Isaiah 53 Explained—
both in Hebrew. Pray that Levi
will read the Bible and come to
saving faith in Jesus, the Jewish
Messiah.
*names have been changed
“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). The words of
the traditional Jewish prayer upon loss couldn’t be truer. I am sad to relay the news that on Sunday,
June 10, 2018, Rabbi Steve Fenchel was called by the Lord to receive his heavenly reward. The
Lord took him home after he had previously survived heart bypass surgery, and most recently, a
stroke. We thought that, at seventy-six years old, Steve still had a number of years of ministry ahead
of him. But the Lord, in His grace and mercy, had a different timetable. Steve has taken his place
among the saints around the throne of heaven to worship and praise the Lord forevermore.
I still remember when Steve and Carol came to our conference in 1999 at Calvary Baptist
Church and told me that they had a burden to plant a Messianic congregation in Manhattan. At
that time, there really wasn’t a Messianic congregation there and the need was great. In 2001,
only weeks after the devastating events of September 11, Steve and Carol left their comfortable
home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and moved to New York
City. They shared the gospel, discipled people, and planted a congregation
in the heart of Manhattan. I cannot tell you how thrilling
it has been for me to see the fruit of their labor over the past
ho
C
gr
in
s
o
t
h
seventeen years. I thank God for the wonderful life and ministry
of my dear friend, Rabbi Steve. I ask you to pray for Carol and
their three beautiful daughters as they mourn the loss of their
husband and father. Please also pray for us, his coworkers, who
loved him so dearly and miss him deeply. – Mitch
A memorial fund has been set up for Rabbi Steve. To give, visit
chosenpeople.com/donate and designate your gift to MEMSF.
T h R bbi S ’ i
To hear Rabbi Steve’s testimony, visit ifoundshalom.com/video/steve-fenchel.
/donate
/steve-fenchel