The Martins - with Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem

Christian Friends of Israel - our upcoming volunteer time in Jerusalem -

 Steve and Laurie Martin, Love For His People Ministry

July 8, 2025, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Greetings to all,

Laurie and I had a Zoom call on the morning of July 3 with the Christian Friends of Israel-Jerusalem Director, Tristan Hall, and Nicolene in HR. We will be volunteering for three months in Jerusalem, Israel, at the CFI ministry, beginning October 15, 2025, through January 14, 2026.

During the call, they informed us that Laurie will assist with outreach efforts to support individuals as needed, as well as participate in daily lunches for the 30 staff members.

I will be involved with social media and, hopefully, IDF (Israel Defense Forces) connections.

Pictured (L-R) Gayla Hall, Tristan Hall (CFI-Jerusalem), Steve Martin, Hannele Pardain (CFI-USA), and baby Hosea Hall. Photo taken in Charlotte, NC, May 28, 2025, at the CFI 40th ministry anniversary celebration.

We will share more information as it becomes available. During our time in Jerusalem, we would like to schedule Zoom calls with all interested parties to establish a weekly update schedule. Plus I will continue my FB, website and blogs to share with you from Jerusalem.

Both of us will be on the worship team and also help lead worship during the daily staff prayer times.

CFI will provide housing and bus passes for us. (We already have bus passes with our photos on them from a few years ago. We were anticipating this time years ago!) Plus, daily lunches are provided. 

We would appreciate monthly support during our Jerusalem service to cover supplies and other needs not covered. 

First, though, we booked our flights. Those two tickets amounted to $3,145.

You can make a donation online now by using the donate button located in the right-hand column of this Love For His People website.

In addition, we are seeking someone (or a couple, preferred) to stay in our home for three months, with minimal rent covering utilities and other expenses.

The Lord has led and continues to lead.

Yes, Lord!

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve & Laurie Martin

From a dear friend when she heard we were volunteering at CFI-Jerusalem:

July 6, 2025 Asheville, North Carolina

“SHABBAT SHALOM, Steve and Laurie!  Just had to pop in to say how absolutely rejoicing I am to hear that you two 

will soon be volunteering for 3 months with CFI-Jerusalem!!! PRAISE GOD!!!  There are no words to express how 

fruitful and fulfilling--truly immeasurable joy and blessing--Bill and my many years of volunteering were, and I know 

it will be the same for you! 

Congratulations on this new step into all God has purposed and planned for your life!  Love in Yeshua~ Cindi

Here is another confirming word and prophecy regarding our going to Israel at this time:

July 6, 2025 Charlotte, NC

“Greetings Hannele.

This is a prophetic word I received from Jeremy Lopez, whom I believe is a very gifted prophetic man, from whom 

I and several others have received accurate words from over the past 2 decades.

I have never met him in person, and only give my name when I have asked for a prophetic word, on his website.

As I was looking through some files this morning (07.05.25, 6:30 am) that I had saved on my phone, this one 

was found from 2008, 17 years ago!

At the time, I highlighted several words that stood out to me. One was his word about Israel. (Again, I never have 

told him about my connection to Israel.)

But on the 2nd page, there is a word which I never highlighted. Why?  Because I honestly never believed it at 

the time.

You know the exact amount of the check you gave Laurie and me (Love For His People) after the CFI-Jerusalem’s 

40th ministry anniversary celebration here in Charlotte, May 28-31. You even told me, when you handed me the 

envelope with the check a few days later, that you had one amount in mind, but the Lord gave you this amount 

to give us for our future involvement in Israel with CFI.

Unknown to anyone but me of the timing, I had given Tristan and Gayla Hall, and Sharon Sanders, my resume, 

after I had left the hotel at 1 am to come home and print copies out for them, to give to them that Saturday morning 

on the last day of the conference!

I myself am amazed! And totally grateful to Him and again to you for hearing His word, and fulfilling this prophecy!

We believe our Lord. We know we are blessed, and in His Name and power, provision, and encouragement, through you and many others, we will go onward with His love and provision always - to Jerusalem!

Ahava and Shalom Hannele,

Steve

 

Theresa Harper	Mon, Jul 7, 11:15 PM (9 hours ago)
to me

Thank you for sharing this with me.  It is a joy to watch how the Lord is unfolding His plans for your life 

and Laurie’s.  When I say “unfolding” I saw the Lord unfolding a large map. He laid it out before you.  

It was so big you couldn’t see the whole map.  This was a map of your life, Steve. 

He will show you more of the map as you go along.  Much like Abraham was called to leave the familiar, 

not knowing where he was going, you will know as you go.

The Lord richly bless you and Laurie in all your ways,

Theresa

From my good friend Morris Ruddick, Denver, Colorado, when I told him about our 

Zoom call from CFI-Jerusalem coming on July 3, 2025.

June 27, 2025 InBox:

Morris Ruddick

I tend to be big on praying spontaneously .... as the Spirit prompts .... so I was just revisiting praying for 

yours/ Laurie's upcoming zoom meeting. The upshot being that the Zoom meeting is only the landing 

point .... because the outcome has already been determined. Which dovetails with a key Word the Lord 

gave me years ago: "Whatever sphere of influence you walk into .... immediately begin looking 

beyond it, lest it overwhelm you." 

Sure hope you guys got your bags packed.

In His love and mine,

Morris

Come walk with me on tour at Christian Friends of Israel (CFI) in Jerusalem, Israel (4 videos)

A staff member graciously gave David Peterman and me a tour of the main office of CFI in Jerusalem, Israel. Now celebrating their 40th anniversary, founded by Ray and Sharon Sanders, I learned things I didn’t know, even after serving as a founding board member of the CFI-USA, beginning in 1994 and continuing for 14 years.

Laurie Martin now serves on the USA board, which has been faithfully directed by Hannele Pardain since 1994. This is a 4-part video, so you'll want to listen to it through to the end.

#CFI #christianfriendsofisrael #jerusalem #israel #volunteers #cfi-usa #cfijerusalem #tristanhall #loveforhispeople

Prophetic words. I treasure them. Steve Martin, Love for His People Ministry

Nancy Shupp listens as Cathy Harget (Highway To Zion) 

teaches at a gathering in Charlotte, NC.

Prophetic words. I treasure them. 

Steve Martin, Love for His People Ministry

From: Nancy Shupp June 14, 2025 Lincolnton, NC

To: Steve Martin, Charlotte, NC

"As I was praying for you, I heard the following:

Thank you for responding to the call to come walk with me.  You didn’t despise that it is

a ministry that would never bring fame or riches.  You only wanted to please me.   I

treasure our walks together and being able to bless others through you.  You haven’t

sought glory or recognition, but Heaven knows your name.  Our walk is changing, but

don’t be afraid.  The road ahead is even more glorious than the one behind us.  I love

you.

I bless you, mighty man of God and speak that everywhere your feet touch, the enemy

flees, and light and love are released."

Steve Martin helps lead worship at the Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem 40th year of ministry anniversary celebration in Charlotte, North Carolina, May 28-31, 2025.

Buy on Amazon now.

We are living in the last days, the times prophesied long ago, right before the Lord Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, returns. Even as He spoke to the prophets of old in Israel, continuing through Jesus’ time on earth, and with the early church, the Lord is fulfilling His promise. His Eternal Word that He would pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and we would prophesy.

Prophecy comes in many ways – through the spoken word, signs, dreams, visions, tongues. All are used by the Lord to speak to His people, give them guidance along the way, and show His provision for the plans He has for us. As we walk along His path chosen for us, He desires to encourage and reveal His plans to us. He most certainly uses His Written Word. He also uses prophetic words.

Here are a few that He has given to me. I am continually amazed at how He speaks, how He directs, and the assuring results of His guidance. 

Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

Sometimes it can be very obvious.

 

I-77 driving north from Rock Hill, South Carolina to Charlotte, North Carolina, 

after helping a good friend buy a computer.

The Lord works in mysterious ways. 

Sometimes they can be very obvious, as when He puts a big one 

right in front of your eyes. (06.13.25)

                                                                           Got it?

Friendships. Need Them. Steve Martin, Love For His People Ministry

 

June 11, 2025 Greetings to you once again. “For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says Adonai, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, Complete Jewish Bible   On occasion, I will turn on the TV to the horse races (Laurie says it happens when I get really bored), but I really enjoy it when the jockeys bring their challengers up to the gate, load in, and hold. They wait for the starting bell to ring, tensed up and ready to bolt. They are “chomping at the bit”, for which Ai says, "Chomping at the bit" means to be eager or impatient to do something. It's a figurative way of describing someone who is very anxious to start or move forward, similar to how a horse might repeatedly bite or chew at its bit when eager to go.” And then those heavy doors swing wide open, and they are off. That for which they have trained has now arrived. They are off. With all their might, having completed all those days and months of training, they run hard. Their goal is the finish line. And it will only take them a few minutes. "...This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming." 2 Timothy 4:4-78 (The Message) When those times come in our lives, when the Lord is giving clear directions, preceded by His Holy Spirit’s prompting, each will get the opportunity to be “chomping at the bit.” As we let Him lead us step by step, we will complete the mission and the adventure laid before us by arriving at the destination He has in His eternal mind. May He be your guidance today. Step by step. Be blessed in all your blessings, Ahava and shalom,  Steve Martin Love For His People Ministry P.S. Today’s communication includes a message I wrote, entitled “Friendships. Need Them.”, and a three-part video series of David Peterman and me after we returned from Israel on our May 2026 Ahava Adventure. Plus, a “cute” video, the Lord reminded me of at 2:32 am on Wednesday, to share with you.

The photo of Laurie and I above is, I admit, a few years old...But I like it! Steve David Peterman and I visited the Christen Friends of Israel in Jerusalem, Israel, on the last day of my visit on May 13, 2025. We were delighted to get the "best tour" of the facility, and also getting to spend an hour with Galya Hall, along with son Hosea. Todah rabah! (Thank you very much.) Friendships. Need Them.   “A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24   One thing I have valued in life is having at least one good friend. The Bible warns against having too many friends, which can lead to ruin. (I guess Solomon’s downfall was having too many wives. Imagine that!) When I was a freshman in high school, back in 1969, I attended Columbus High School (Catholic) in Waterloo, Iowa. This kid had his locker underneath mine, as the lockers were arranged in double rows along the main corridor. I was annoyed each time he came to his locker when I was at mine. He would be in my way. By the end of our high school days, he had become my best friend. Denny Brennan. He ended up marrying the daughter of the local TV channel’s newscaster (two years younger than him, from the same high school) and becoming a butcher with his shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa. I am not sure whether the two situations, the newscaster’s sweetheart daughter and butchering, are related. But it is a fact. Reflecting on my life of 70 years thus far, I recall some other treasured moments, new beginnings in fact, when the Lord brought someone to me to be together for His plans and purposes. Of course, I must begin with my beautiful wife, Laura Jean Unzicker Martin, who came to the former Baptist church every Sunday night in her hometown of LaSalle/Peru, Illinois, with her high school senior best friend, Sue. The “Holy Ghost, Pentecostal-driven, demon-deliverance, powerful worship times with guitars” service was the hottest one in the town of 10,000. Pastor Stan Buren had it going, along with the young men’s worship team of Ron Wey, Bob Smith, Mark Buren, and Mark Rummler. I would think the high school girls had other reasons for coming, in addition to wanting more of the Lord Jesus in their lives. Stan, himself a former Southern Baptist who had been kicked out of his independent church by the one vote of a 12-year-old, had been “baptized in the Holy Spirit” years earlier. That didn’t mix well with the Baptists—just a fact. More commonly known as Laurie, I admired this 17-year-old with her Dorothy Hamill haircut (an Olympic skater gold medalist in 1976) and her white painter pants. Sue, her friend who brought her, had an eye for me. Mine eyes went to Miss Unzicker. You can read the full story in my book, The Promise: The Journey of a Lifetime, if your curiosity gets the better of you. For the rest is history. Our Lord, the Living God of Israel, Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, brings people together for His eternal plans and purposes. Sometimes, in fact almost always, we never realize the importance of those moments when friendships start, but looking back, we can be amazed at the goodness and love the Lord has for each of us. I personally love His plans. They are always the best. Treasure the friendships, the relationships, He gives you. While it will be a “give and take”, as two or more walk together, the destination will be awesome, as you seek Him in all that you do. Ahava and shalom, Steve Martin Above photo: "It's the smile." Below image: In Israel, on the top of the Mount of Olives. The camel asked us to help him get food tonight by working for his master. So we did. Nice fella.

My good friend David Peterman and I present a 3-part report on our recent trip to Israel, May 4 to 14. Watch all three. See which one tells about the journey on the light rail.

As in many of Steve's previous 36 books, he continues to share experiences and inspiration in being faithful in the Christian walk - hearing the voice of the Lord, knowing His written Word, adhering to the teachings of those who have gone before - to stand firm in the midst of societal changes with the truth of the Lord Jesus, Yeshua. As you read these chapters, may the Lord's encouragement through His Holy Spirit strengthen your inner being to walk out the calling He has on your life, among your family, and others surrounding you. Being faithful to the end is possible only because of His grace and mercy at work within us daily. Buy now on Amazon HB $14.95 PB $9.95 Kindle $2.99

As promised. The cute video to share. Talk about celebrating. At the time of this video, our grandson Jack was two. Now he is 12 and just completed 5th grade. Family and friendships. We need them in our lives in order to flourish. Do what it takes to establish and keep friendships.

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