War Can't Cancel This Ministry

This year we were forced to cancel our annual Mother’s Day outreach in the Galilee.

Ongoing war, constant sirens, and missile attacks made it unsafe to gather. This is an event that normally brings together more than 500 women, where dozens have come to faith and new discipleship groups have been formed over the years.

We were disappointed that this hoped-for event was canceled, but we are also confident these large public events are just the tip of the iceberg of what God is doing through our partners in Galilee.

What can't be cancelled is the quiet, steady, relational work of local believers like Rose.

For over 30 years, Rose has been faithfully discipling women across the Galilee. She has the trust of both the older and younger generations of women seeking the Lord, and she continues to invest in them one relationship at a time.

From Rose – Visiting Rachelle

"Over the years, through women’s house meetings, I’ve “adopted” a few young girls and mentored them. I met with them regularly, spoke with them on the phone, and prayed with them through difficult seasons. One of these young women is Rachelle from Shfa’amr.

She grew into a woman who loves the Lord deeply and serves others with that same love.

A few years ago, Rachelle married George, a young Armenian man who also loves the Lord, and moved to Armenia. We were able to visit them there and saw the beginning of a family rooted in faith.

Recently, they returned to Israel to visit her parents, and we made sure to spend time with them. Rachelle had just experienced a miscarriage at the end of her first trimester, so we sat with her, prayed, and shared from the Psalms. She also asked for prayer regarding work, and we brought that before the Lord together.

Lately, I feel the Lord drawing my attention to the fruit of His work in people’s lives. It is humbling to see how He has allowed me to be part of Rachelle’s story, from her youth to now holding her son, Jacob, in her arms.

Please pray for Rachelle, George, and Jacob as they return to Armenia."

From Rose – Home Women’s Meetings

"On January 19th, we held our first women’s meeting of the year in I’billin, in the home of Liza, one of the leaders I trained. Liza first came to a Mother’s Day celebration many years ago and later invited me to begin meetings in her home. Over time, she grew into a leader and now hosts these gatherings regularly.

She invites neighbors, friends, relatives, and sometimes women from other religious backgrounds. Every meeting feels like a celebration.

At this gathering, I shared from Psalm 23, encouraging the women to begin the year with the posture of sheep who trust their shepherd, staying close to the Lord and allowing Him to guide and care for them.

This ministry is now continuing in an important new way. Some women who were once part of these gatherings are no longer able to attend due to age or physical limitations. Others have longed to come but simply cannot. So Liza suggested something simple and profound: if they cannot come to us, we will go to them. Since early February, we have been visiting women in their homes, praying with them, and encouraging them.

I wholeheartedly believe that these grassroots ministry opportunities, and the faithfulness of Liza and other women like her, are the basis of success for the big opportunities. I see God’s hand in these small places through these women leaders, thankful for the fact that the seeds that were planted have brought forth much fruit. Please keep these women in your prayers, as they boldly follow Jesus and seek to impact their families."

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These are small moments. But this is where the real work happens.

When public ministry is disrupted by war, it is these local, relational, deeply rooted expressions of the Church that endure. These women are not passing through. This is their home. These are their people. And even as pressure mounts to leave, they remain and continue sowing seeds of faith.

We partner with them because they understand their communities in ways no outsider ever could, and because they will still be there long after the headlines move on.