Tiferet Yeshua Congregation
Tel Aviv
From the Covid crisis to the October 7th attack; fear, isolation and trauma are forcing Israelis to look for answers to existential questions; and many are looking to the New Testament. Here at Tiferet Yeshua, seekers and new believers reach out to us regularly. Each month, we receive requests for Hebrew New Testaments. We get to meet and disciple these people who refuse to let their search for the truth be deterred by religious and cultural stigmas.
Young man who read New Testament on his own
About five months ago, Yaniv started coming to our services. He had read the New Testament several times already and deeply connected with what he found there. Moti and I began meeting with him every week.
The process of discipleship with Yaniv was very special. God had already revealed spiritual truths to him through the New Testament, things which usually take new believers time to understand. Because of this, we were able to delve deeply into the Word.
We were excited when Yaniv was ready to make his public confession of faith by water immersion in early August. Moti and I were honored to be with Yaniv at his immersion along with some of his family members who are not believers but are amazed at the positive transformation in him.
Our part does not end here: as a spiritual family, we are committed to meeting with Yaniv and encouraging him as he begins his walk as a new creation in Messiah. Please keep him in prayer that he would grow and be strengthened in his faith and that God would complete the good work of transformation that He has begun!
Man from religious background seeks connection with God
Uriel contacted us to ask questions about the New Testament. This young man lives in an Orthodox community and serves in an IDF combat unit. Our initial contact was through text messages and short conversations. Then we began meeting on “zoom” every couple of weeks to talk about faith in Yeshua. At the beginning of the Gaza war, he was called to serve in the reserves, first to the south and then to Israel’s northern border with Lebanon.
Uriel was looking for a personal connection with God. Our conversations centered around his question about how and where to seek God, how to feel His presence and know Him, and how to pray (in Orthodox Judaism liturgical prayers are read and recited instead of spontaneous personal prayer).
At first, Uriel was not willing to touch the New Testament himself, but only for me to read to him or send him portions of verses in text messages.
After a while, I finally told Uriel, “Listen, you need to read the New Testament yourself. You need to get to know it yourself, not through me.” I thought this might end our discussions, but he surprised me by saying, “Ok, where should I start?” Uriel began reading in Matthew, and suddenly our conversations changed. He was anxious to digest what he was reading, and I could see that God was touching his heart.
Please pray continued revelation through God’s Word, and for that real personal connection for Uriel with God. Uriel admits he has not been able to connect with God in the Orthodox framework. Please pray with us that God would remove any hindrances or fears; that the Holy Spirit would guide him into all truth; and that he would accept and experience that Yeshua is the way, the truth and the life, and that no one comes to the Father but by Him.
