Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog - How many followers of Jesus are there in the Mideast? Read the new “State of the Epicenter 2017” report.

Joel C. Rosenberg's Blog

How many followers of Jesus are there in the Mideast? Read the new “State of the Epicenter 2017” report. by joelcrosenberg (Jerusalem, Israel) -- Over the last few months, my Joshua Fund colleagues and I have been working on a new report concerning the "State of the Epicenter 2017."  Working with pastors, ministry leaders and experts in the region, we carefully examined the question of how many followers of Jesus Christ currently reside in Israel, the Palestinian territories, and in the five Arab neighbors around Israel. It was the first time since my wife, Lynn, and I founded The Joshua Fund in 2006 that our team has drilled down into the data -- and the trend lines -- to assess the health and growth (or decline) or the church, country by country. Personally, I found the research fascinating, and the results encouraging. At the recent Epicenter Conference held in Orange County, California, I shared those results with the attendees. Now I'd like to share the results with you STATE OF THE EPICENTER 2017: HOW MANY FOLLOWERS OF JESUS ARE THERE? “I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” – The Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18, ESV) Many in the Epicenter are being shaken as perhaps never before in human history. Syria is imploding. Iraq is convulsing. Lebanon and Jordan have been overrun by millions of refugees. Egypt has undergone multiple revolutions. Israelis and Palestinians, meanwhile, have faced repeated waves of violence. The Church has also been deeply shaken. Many followers of Jesus Christ throughout the region have been horribly persecuted and targeted by terrorists. Church buildings have been bombed, set ablaze, and riddled with machine gun fire. Christians have been captured, enslaved, tortured, and beheaded. Some have even been crucified. Yet even amidst such darkness, we can rejoice and give thanks because the Holy Spirit is on the move to advance Christ’s unshakeable kingdom. “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28) Consider these encouraging facts: News of such wars, persecution and suffering has unleashed a great movement of prayer by believers around the world for the Church and the lost in the Epicenter. Followers of Jesus in the Middle East are boldly and creatively communicating the Gospel to their people using satellite television, radio broadcasts, the Internet, Bible distribution, literature distribution, and their own personal witness – indeed, they are reaching more people in the region than ever before. Millions of Jews and Muslims are now able to hear, read and consider the Gospel message in their own heart languages – just as remarkable, many are open to considering the claims of Jesus for the first time in their lives. As a result of so much prayer and faithful seed planting, pastors and ministry leaders throughout the Epicenter report signs of hope – after centuries of spiritual drought, the Church in the Middle East is bearing fruit again. Jews and Muslims are coming to faith, and are being baptized and discipled. There is much to do, but real progress is being made. In some ways, the current environment is evocative of the First Century. Amidst tremendous hardship and persecution, believers are reaping a harvest by God’s grace. “The news about Him [Jesus] spread throughout all Syria, and….large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.” (Matthew 4:24-25) “When the Gentiles heard [the Gospel], they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.” (Acts 13:48-49) “After we arrived in Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After he had greeted them, he began to relate one by one the things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, ‘You see, brother, how many ten thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed….” (Acts 21:17-20) To be sure, one must be careful with numbers. Some Western ministry leaders and local pastors can, at times, be tempted to exaggerate progress to friends and donors. Likewise, Radical Islamists and Jewish anti-missionaries can report to their compatriots and donors inflated numbers of Jews and Muslims coming to faith in the Lord Jesus in an attempt to exaggerate a perceived “threat” to their communities. That said, interviews with a wide range of Arab and Messianic pastors and ministry leaders in the region, and a review of relevant articles, books and studies, provide a useful, if imprecise, snapshot of the state of the Church in the Epicenter. ISRAEL 25,000 to 30,000 born again believers attend Messianic congregations in Israel. 4,000 to 5,000 Arab Evangelical Christians openly worship Jesus in Israel.... [To read the rest of this report, including the most recent estimates of followers of Jesus in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq -- including detailed end notes -- please click here.] [To watch videos of the speakers and panel discussions at the 2017 Epicenter Conference in Orange County, California, please click here.] NOTE: Please share this report and the Epicenter Conference videos with family and friends on social media. ——————— > To pre-order a copy of The Kremlin Conspiracy (which releases March 6th), please click here. > To order a copy of the new mass market paperbacks of the J.B. Collins novels — or to buy as a set — please click here. Would you like to make a secure, tax deductible investment in The Joshua Fund (www.joshuafund.net)? This is the non-profit organization that my wife, Lynn, and I founded in 2006 to educate and mobilize Christians to bless Israel and her neighbors in the name of Jesus, to care for the poor and needy in Israel (both Jews and Arabs) with food and other humanitarian relief, care for Holocaust survivors, care for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, and strengthen the Church in the epicenter. The Joshua Fund is a member in good standing of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Please click here to learn more. Thanks so much! Click here to read the 2016 Joshua Fund Donor Report — and watch the short videos, as well Subscribe (free) to the RSS feed (click here) and receive every new posting on this blog directly via email.  joelcrosenberg | October 29, 2017 at 3:27 pm | Categories: Epicenter | URL: https://wp.me/piWZ7-8xx

Riveting production tells the completely unknown story of The Dead Sea Scrolls - Israel Video Network

The most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century

Written during a turbulent time of great upheaval and conflict, the Dead Sea Scrolls shed light on much of what was the Second Temple era. Gain insight into the bitter rivalry of two Jewish groups —the Pharisees and the Sadducees—as well as the Pharisaic legacy that shaped the rabbinic tradition and the Talmud. Click here to forward this email to your friends.

Timely Topics

Click here to watch: CCTV captures shocking moment Christian priest stabbed to death in Egypt WARNING: Graphic Images

Enrich Your Day

Click here to watch: Israeli winery produces first ever wine with the flavor of the 2006 Lebanon War I bet you never knew how war affects wine...

The untold story of the first Jewish women in Auschwitz

Today's Holocaust feature - WARNING: Disturbing Holocaust imagery

We invite you to send us any videos you think will help us connect people to Israel and the Jewish People. We love your feedback and read it everyday. Looking forward to hearing from you! If you received this email from a friend and wish to subscribe - Just click here. If you would rather receive a Weekly Connection to Israel instead, sign up here to be switched over to the weekly list. Shalom from Jerusalem! Avi Abelow avi@Israelvideonetwork.com

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GOD LOVED ISRAEL - Part 2 of 2 by Pastor Abel Oyewale Nigeria, West Africa

Pastor Abel with the new Israel t-shirt (IDF) 

and hat sent from Love For His People

GOD LOVED ISRAEL

Part 2 of 2

Pastor Abel Oyewale 

Nigeria, West Africa

October 22, 2017

A. SUSTAINED THEM IN AND OUT OF EGYPT

"So now, go, I am sending you to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus)

Eventually, the people of God (Israel) found themselves in Egypt according to God's declaration. Of course, He had gone ahead to prepare them and provide for their unstoppable release.

He came down to sensitize and facilitate the unstoppable movement to the covenant Land.
He appointed, empowered and commissioned the Leader (Moses) for the unstoppable journey.

He raised up aides for Moses, fought all their battles and supplied all their needs on the road. Why? He was faithful to His covenant.

The few losses they encountered on the road came about during the periods of disobedience. 

The presence of God in the lives of His people is indispensable but can be sustained by total obedience.

B. SURRENDERED WHAT HE HAD COVENANTED

After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by the old and well advanced in years, summoned all Israel (Joshua 23:1)

God powerfully led His people into the Promised Land according to His covenant. It was neither a barren nor an unoccupied land, so He had to displace some people so as to properly position His own people. When Moses had been withdrawn, He completed His work through Joshua who was also chosen, commissioned and enabled by God. God keeps covenant.

Joshua not only divided the Land for God's people, but he called them unto total obedience and discipleship of the only God who saved them.

Whenever God unconditionally covenants to do a thing, He becomes unstoppable. Though God's people suffered the results of moments of disobedience, God still honoured His Word by properly allocating them a portion here on earth.

May our good God of Israel bless you all.

Ahava and Shalom,

Pastor Abel Oyewale
Abba Father Fellowship International-Nigeria.souls4christ2005@yahoo.com

+2348115306866

Read Part 1 here: GOD LOVED ISRAEL - Part 1

Pastor Abel and his church members try to help orphans as best they can. Please use the DONATE button on the side columns to help or the tab on our Love For His People website above.

Some of the contents sent to Nigeria in October 2017

Pastor Abel wearing the t-shirt and hat from Israel below.

Bibles provided with funds sent from Love For His People

Below: Ahava Love Letter books sent 

from Love For His People

T-shirt from Israel included in the Pastor's Package from Love For His People

Help Love For His People keep sending teaching materials free of charge to international pastors, by supporting this ministry. We also send financial support for families in Jerusalem, Belfast, UK and Lahore, Pakistan monthly. Even a gift of $10 helps. Thank you.

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The Beginning of Sorrows (Day 4) - John Shorey on The Jim Bakker Show

Watch here: The Beginning of Sorrows (Day 4) - John Shorey on The Jim Bakker Show

John Shorey
Jim Bakker Show 2017 | Show# 3342 | Aired on October 18, 2017

America, beginning of sorrows, David Wilkerson, End Times, Last Days, Matthew 24, Time of Sorrows, Time of Trouble
A Morningside Studios Production

Pastor Jim and Lori Bakker welcome special guest John Shorey as they discuss what Jesus calls “The Time of Sorrows” in Matthew 24. Could we be seeing the beginning of that period?

Quotes

We’re one disaster away from major food source shortage. -John Shorey

You need to join a church that can work together. -Pastor Jim Bakker

Scriptures

Matthew 24:3 KJV And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

Matthew 25:31-45 MEV “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. Before Him will be gathered all nations, and He will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates his sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep at His right hand, but the goats at the left.  “Then the King will say to those at His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in. I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to Me.’ “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You sick or in prison and come to You?’  “The King will answer, ‘Truly I say to you, as you have done it for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you have done it for Me.’  “Then He will say to those at the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave Me no food, I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, I was naked and you did not clothe Me, I was sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’   “Then they also will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not serve You?’   “He will answer, ‘Truly I say to you, as you did it not for one of the least of these, you did it not for Me.’

Proverbs 29:18 MEV Where there is no vision, the people perish; but happy is he who keeps the teaching.

Revelation 6:14 KJV And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Romans 12:1-2 MEV I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

2 Timothy 3:1 KJV This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

Matthew 16:18 MEV And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Luke 21:25 MEV There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring.

Proverbs 22:3 KJV A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Headlines

Struggling family-owned farms continue to disappear -Fox 5 NY

Rival investors seek to stop Chinese takeover of Chicago Stock Exchange -Politico

National Security A North Korean ship was seized off Egypt with a huge cache of weapons destined for a surprising buyer -Washington Post

CBS fires lawyer for saying Republican Las Vegas victims deserve no sympathy -Boston Herald