Home from Texas, Steve Martin

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Home From Texas

June 30, 2026

Greetings once again. I am back home from my month-long Texas trip with Christian Friends of Israel. The plane landed in Charlotte at 11:30 pm Saturday the 27th and I was in bed at 1:07 am. Yeah Lord!

And…in time for my amazing wife’s birthday on Sunday the 28th. (She poked me in bed when I quietly got in.)

As you may have known in my “pre-trip” (no reference to a so-called rapture) messages, I was excited about going but apprehensive about the hours and miles of driving once in the BIG state of Texas.

Well, for the record, we did travel over 3,500 miles in 27 days. I accomplished over 3K of those behind the 15 passenger van, with the last two benches taken out for the six bags of 50-pound each luggage, plus eight boxes of books and magazines. (I will let you estimate the driven hours. Ok, they must have passed the 55 hour mark, using my accounting skills.)

It was a “Father-led, Lord Jesus provided, and Holy Spirit directed ministry trip. It won’t be the last.

I now know where Dallas, Fort Worth, Princeton, McKinney, Allen, Abilene, Odessa, Midland, Pecos, Junction, Del Rio, Brackenville, San Antonio, Houston, Kingwood, and at least seven Buc-ees (ask Laurie what those are!) towns/cities in the Lone Star state reside. And the 22 square mile cattle ranch just north of the Rio Grande. Thank you Lashawn for your joyful hospitality and having the night meeting in the sheep barn!

Did you realize Israel is also a lone star state/nation? Just sayin’.

And I did bring back a pair of black, full size cowboy boots, given to me as a gift (found in a host’s closet, so already broken in. And the right size!)

Sharon Sanders, co-founder of CFI in Jerusalem, did a marvelous job of teaching the importance of Israel, the Jewishness of Jesus (Yeshua), and why CFI has existed for 40 years in Jerusalem, and will continue to, as we expand to bless and comfort His Chosen people.

As I recorded all her messages, some worship times, plus just “fun” travel visits on the few days off, you can see some (hopefully all) on this YouTube channel. I have four playlists created during the trip.

I will have more to share as the coming days permit. Thank you for your prayers, seeing my videos and photos (Facebook, Signal, X, and four websites) along the way.

Ahava and Shalom,

Steve Martin

#Texas #home #ChristianFriendsofIsrael

“They Love Too” - messgage by Steve Martin

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They Love Too

 

One of the joys of traveling in ministry is meeting new people. Especially those who are halfway across the USA in the state of Texas.

 

On Monday, while with our Christian Friends of Israel ministry team, I met and spent time with three couples (one my age in their 70s and two the age of my children, in their 40s) at a home meeting of about 24. (It was a big house. Yes, everything is big in Texas as they say.)

 

I like their names. I particularly love their heart for the Lord Jesus and thus their hearts for Israel and His Chosen people the Jews.

 

Ben is married to Cristen (her spelling.) James and Jamie are almost newlyweds (in their 70s.)

 

Thomas is from Pennsylvania but moved to Dallas 50 years ago. (Says he is not an NFL fan, so no Dallas Cowboys support there.) His wife Julie treasures him. (Just an observation.)

 

I gave them each a copy of my 40th book, “Back To Jerusalem”, being we had been talking about the red heifers in Shiloh, with a chapter in the book, with an abundance of photos of course!

 

Laurie and I had the joy of seeing the four red heifers, originally Texan cattle, now in Israel, in December 2025. I was able to interview their keeper, Larry Borntrager, a Mennonite from Indiana, and write of him also in a full chapter.

 

These are good people who support Israel too.

They continue to learn of the Lord’s heart for the Land and those He has, and continues to, bring back, to their promised Land.

 

 As believers, He has chosen us to lift up Jewish arms and bring His love to them. Blessing them brings blessing to us.

 

“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God.” Isaiah 40:1

 

As we continue to travel this vast land of Texas, taking His Word of support as Christians for the Jews and our comforting work in Israel, His Holy Spirit, Ruach HaKodesh, is directing our steps (and loaded van) to meet more who love Him, and love His people.

 

Be blessed as you do the same.

 

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

Steve Martin, James Tyler

#love #Jesus #Israel #Jews #JamesTyler #Texas #ChristianFriendsofIsrael

Created for His purposes.

 

We love the Lord's creation.

Cardinals and Israel.

#creation #cardinal #IDF #Steve Martin #2005 #CFI #ChristianFriendsof Israel

Christian Friends of Israel joins IDF for BBQ and support

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CFI was honoured to be invited to a barbeque with IDF soldiers. Throughout the evening, the close-knit family atmosphere amongst the soldiers was evident to all and we were blessed to be included. We enjoyed delicious food, meaningful conversations and true connection. 

The gifts and encouragement we brought meant so much to the soldiers. Thank you for supporting CFI's Project David’s Shield 💙🇮🇱

https://youtu.be/g2aji9hsthg

"A Closed Door? Wait for the Open One" - message by Steve Martin

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I was actually surprised at my deep reaction when the finality of it hit me.

My 14 years with an uptown Charlotte company, where I started as a “temp” in 2012, then became full time, and then repeated (4 in fact) returns to cover as they tried finding good help…was over.

When my wonderful wife Laurie and I spent three months as volunteers with Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem Oct. 16, 2015 - Jan. 12, 2026, I had told Charlotte Center City Partners that this was it with them. I cleaned my desk and left.

But to my surprise they called me back two weeks after my return home to Charlotte, and said they needed my help. In fact, the new CFO had saved and put back my photos on my former desk walls. Surprised indeed!

But all good things come to an end, so we are told, and the door has finally closed. They seem to have finally found good help.

Coupled with the closing this month of another place I had done accounting with for five years as a contractor, doors certainly have closed.

But as my good friend Mordecai had prophesied to me a month ago in home group, “Doors will be closing. But new ones will be opening.” (I call him the “Open Door” prophet.)

When, not if, you experience your closing of doors, know that our Faithful Lord has your back.

And be faithful where you are at until then. He wants to promote you.

“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter the joy of your master.’ Matthew 25:31, NASB

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin

#ClosedDoor #wait #Opendoor #messagebySteveMartin #faith #Jesus #courage #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Jerusalem #CCCP #CharlotteCenterCityPartners #Mordecai,\ #faithfulOne #faithfulservant

Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel

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Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem, Israel

#HolocaustRemembranceDay #Israel #ChristianFriendsofIsrael

Christian Friends of Israel - Jerusalem. Short videos on the ground, happening now.

Christian Friends of Israel - Jerusalem. 

Short videos on the ground, happening now.

#ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Jerusalem #Shortvideos, #ontheground #happeningnow #loveforhispeople

Love For His People Ministry was founded in 2010 by Steve & Laurie Martin. Charlotte, NC USA

As Christians we support our friends in Israel.

We stand with our Jewish friends in Israel, as Christians supporting Israel.

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 Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem on the Jaffa/Tel Aviv beach. 

December 2025 (Steve and Laurie Martin also pictured.)

Steve Martin’s bookcase corner in his home office. 

Charlotte, North Carolina

Chaim Malespin, Aliyah Return Center Director, IDF reserve, 

Galilean in the Israel Galilee region. Good friend!

Watch Steve Martin’s video series, “Walk With Me - Israel 2025”. Over 180 short video in Jerusalem and all over the Land as Steve and his good wife Lauri spent three months serving with Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem from Oct. 16, 2025 to Jan. 12, 2026.

#Christians #Jews #IDF #ChaimMalespin #ChristianFriendsofIsrael

DAVID’s SHIELD Supporting Brave IDF Soldiers, Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem

Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem's DAVID’s SHIELD Supporting Brave IDF Soldiers 

Article by Steve Martin, CFI volunteer

 shield@cfijerusalem.org

 

THE WINTER SEASON at any army base can be a bit more brutal than elsewhere in a country. 

Making do with government supplies and equipment just does not make one feel “warm and cozy” at times, while in the realm of protecting one’s country. Especially when the setting is out in the fields of the low country, with winds coming off the sea nearby. Though one does not expect soldiers to have it all “as at home,” we do want them to be alert, prepared, and ready for their active duty when called upon. We want (need) them to have the resources that one would expect them to have. But they always do not. 

So, it was with the IDF soldiers, whom the volunteers with Christian Friends of Israel came to connect with, befriend, and share the love of Yeshua through practical means. We want them to know, being mostly Jewish, that the Father has sent many Christians to “bear them up” and bring some of His provision from the people around the world.

Steve and Laurie Martin (USA) and Elisabeth Oelwein (Germany) did just that in the middle of December, when the sun had set and the cold wind blew. They came to bring His love and warmth. After the two-hour trip to collect the military clothing to Askelon, meeting with our supplier, we drove further south to meet with Avi, commander at a base just near Nahal Oz, the one raided, partially destroyed, and saw the murder of 18 women soldiers monitoring the security system, by Hamas killers. 

With his duties requiring him to be on mission that afternoon, after a three hour wait, we drove to another base 45 minutes away to meet with Noar, a 43-year-old volunteer commanding a force of young soldiers. Noar was excited when he received the warm blankets and supplies, calling them candy for the men. Returning to the base, the two young soldiers who greeted us there, David and his “brother-in-arms,” who had lost a brother on Oct. 7, 2023, were filled with gratitude and acceptance when we unloaded the van full of winter clothing and toiletries. 

These two were younger than some of our grandsons. A father’s heart for them indeed welled up inside me. Just as His heart does daily. Christians, helping Jews, in their Promised Land given to them by the Living God of Israel. David’s Shield is helping to fulfill the mandate given to Christians from the Lord, to lift their arms as they return to, and fight to keep, their Land.

Steve Martin CFI Volunteer 12.17.25

 Lyailya Telgarina, Outreach Coordinator Project David’s Shield; shield@cfijerusalem.org

#DAVIDSHIELD #SupportingBraveIDFSoldiers #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Jerusalem #SteveMartin #CFIJerusalem

Christian Friends of Israel - "For Zion's Sake" First Quarter 2026 Magazine - ministry and teaching from Jerusalem

 

For Zion’s Sake Q1-2026

Dear Christian Friends,   “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.” Joel 3:14   BE VIGILANT, you watchmen and watch-women! A new year has begun, but the need for intercession is stronger than ever. Whilst there is still much rejoicing and relief over the release of the remaining twenty live hostages in October, for which we must continue to be thankful to the Lord, this is not a time to rest on laurels. The enemy military forces against Israel were humiliated in 2025, most notably of all Iran, but they were not entirely vanquished. There is much rage and seething against Israel in the political and military sphere in Iran, in Yemen, and of course within Hamas and Hezbollah and its various tentacles in Syria, Lebanon and Iraq. They want retribution. They want revenge. They are more committed than ever to the total destruction of Israel, once and for all.   The nations of the world are swirling in a growing tumult, and many are making decisions about where they stand in relation to Israel. Too many nations are pitting themselves against Israel, and against the God of Israel. Eleven more nations recognised the state of Palestine in 2025 alone, bringing the total to 157 out of 193 (80%) member states of the so-called United Nations. Only the USA in its role as one of the five permanent UN Security Council members, is continuing to veto Palestine’s full recognition. But for how long? 'Tempora mutantur … that is to say, changes brought about by the passage of time.'   “The LORD also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Je- rusalem; The heavens and earth will shake .” Joel 3:16a

International reports and observation provide us with regional landscape that recently appears to be unfolding which goes beyond the borders of present day Israel. Old boundaries may be expanding into territories beyond what is marked on existing maps. New windows are being framed for the world to look through as we gaze onto new corridors and roadways being constructed that may one day be used for global pilgrimage for all nations to “come up” to Jerusalem in the days of Messiah. “Many peoples will go and say, Come, let’s go up to the mountain of ADONAI, to the house of the God of Ya’akov! He will teach us about His ways … for out of Tziyon will go forth Torah, the word of ADONAI from Yerushalayim.” (Isaiah 2:3, CJSB)

Excerpts taken from our FZS Q1 2026 Magazine. Read or download our entire 24-page, latest issue with accounts of our dynamic, hands-on 10 ministry projects in the Land of Israel here:

Download Magazine FZS Q1-2026

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