Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
The Promise Will Be Fulfilled – Steve Martin, Love For His People
(L-r) Steve Martin, Kokeb Gedamu, David Peterman April 2022 in Jerusalem, Israel
April 21, 2022 Love For His People Charlotte, NC USA
THE PROMISE WILL BE FULFILLED
“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” Psalm 37:4-6, NKJV
The first book that I ever wrote (now numbering 33 in total thus far as of April 2022) was of the heart’s desire that the Lord put in my being when I was 10 years old. It was to be a missionary doctor in Africa.
For most people, Africa is not the first choice of one’s missions destination. Hawaii, yes. Africa, not so much. When people would pray, “Lord send me out, but not to Africa” my prayer was “Lord send me out. To Africa!”
That desire continually grew to go to that continent and share the love of Jesus.
I believe what started in the heart of my Mom, Lila Mae Martin, whom I remember when as a young child hearing her share her hopeful thoughts on how she had wanted to be a missionary to Africa in her early years, was put into me as a little embryo.
Then the Lord watered that seed as I began reading books in my early teens on the missionary activity of Dr. David Livingstone, the British physician and pioneer missionary explorer to Africa in the late 19th -century Victorian era, and other African missionaries I could find biographies on.
In 2013, after spending a few years compiling my thoughts and putting them on paper, I published my first book, and autobiography, and entitled it, “The Promise – One Man’s Journey to See God’s Word Revealed.” The first chapter began with what the Lord had put in my heart at 10. The last chapter ended with the fact that after two promised but disappointing endings to get to Africa which never occurred, once with Mahesh Chavda in 1994 while on staff as the Administrator (Chavda Ministries/All Nations Church in Fort Mill, SC) and again with a worship team ministry in the late 1990s, I never got there.
I somewhat dismissed the hope that I would ever walk on the African land and be with the precious people. In the meantime, the Lord turned my heart to Israel and the Jews, which has blossomed into a fantastic journey with Him and His people.
In May 2019 my good friend David Peterman had just returned from his first trip to Israel and spoke of his divine appointment in meeting Ethiopian Messianic Jewish Rabbi Kokeb Gedamu, and that I should meet him too. I purposely did so on my next trip to Jerusalem in Oct. 2019.
In short, both David and I were impressed with this man, his life’s story, and the connection that the Lord had done between the three of us. After reading Kokeb’s book Journey Beyond Imagination and spending further time with him and his wife Menalu in Jerusalem in April 2022 (see my report on our website Kokeb Gedamu) I believe the Lord gave me renewed hope that through this man my Father would bring about the fulfillment of that Holy Spirit impression that He had given me 58 years ago in 1964 in Cedar Falls, Iowa, as a 10-year old boy.
On April 20, 2022, my good wife Laura Jean (aka Laurie) kept her promise to our grandson Jack Blade that she had given him at Christmas in December 2021. It was to be a day trip to the North Carolina Zoo near Asheboro, NC as his Christmas present, and on his 9th birthday. And so…I got to go too!
When we entered the park, we had the choice between going to the “Africa” frontier or the “North America” section to visit first. As the leader for the day, Africa was to become our first adventure trek.
Shortly just inside the vast acreage was a painted sign on the sidewalk, with the word “Africa” imprinted on it. (See the top photo of this message.) This occurred at 11:07 am, as recorded by the date stamp on the photo.
Believing the Bible and the Word of the Lord, that He first gave to Moses, and I had received for myself many decades ago, I again affirmed my belief in the Word, and stood on the sign. And took a photo of my feet thereon to prove it.
“So Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God fully.’ Joshua 14:9-10, NASU
(Side note: This is the reason I have taken so many photos of my feet standing in many places. Several times in Israel I have done so. Believing God’s Word and literally standing on it.)
Jack Blade, Steve & Laurie Martin North Carolina Zoo April 20, 2022
As Laurie, Jack, and I continued trekking the “vast lands of Africa”, at 1:34 pm the Lord had me recall Kokeb and his Ethiopian trips, with this thought through His Holy Spirit, “Send him a WhatsApp and ask when he is next going to Africa.”
And so I did, writing, “Kokeb, if it works out, someday I’d like to go with you to Ethiopia. Ever since I was 10, I felt the Lord was going to send me to Africa.”
At 3:38 pm, from his Denver, CO home while in the USA, he responded, “Yes, Steve let me when do you want to go? October will be possible.”
Excitement filled my spirit. I caught up with Laurie walking ahead of me with Jack (most of the time she “Walks With Me” …) and told her what Kokeb said.
She replied, “Sure. Just don’t be gone on our 45th anniversary.” That special date coming up is Oct. 8, 2022. What a good wife to think of those things!
I wrote Kokeb back, and he responded, “Praise the Lord. Yes, we can do it after the 8th.”
We serve a great God. We serve the ONLY GOD, the Living God of Israel, Who first puts the desires He has for us to walk out into our hearts, and then gives us those same desires for our hearts, all the time showing us His love by bringing them about.
Thank You, Jesus! Or as Laurie likes to proclaim often in joy, “Hallelujah!”
And so, when I get back after the first African trip I will take, I will write the second book, the sequel, to “The Promise.” Make sure you pre-order!
What a God we serve! He is Faithful and True in all that He does.
Ahava and shalom,
Steve Martin, Love For His People founder
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Message #66 – in the year of our Lord 04.21.2022 – “The Promise” – Thursday, 5:45 am in Charlotte, NC USA
Also confirmed, as of May 7, 2020! Richard & Carolyn Hyde, from Poriya Kfar Avoda in the Galilee of Israel
May 17, 2020 Steve Martin, Love For His People Charlotte, North Carolina
Greetings friends of Love For His People ministry,
During the 2nd week of January, four amigo friends made a 2.5-hour drive from Charlotte, North Carolina to Greenville, South Carolina, to attend an “Aliyah” (immigration to Israel) meeting hosted by Tim and Nancy Buck of Focus on the End Times (FOTET). At that meeting were also other ministries represented that the Lord has been, and continues to, connect for these end-times purposes of assisting Jews return to Israel, as prophesied centuries ago by Hebrew prophets and recorded in the Bible.
It is called “aliyah” (“going up” in Hebrew, as in immigrating).
Get the early registration price now of $30/person. Prices go to $40 and $50, respectively, if you wait until June 16, 2020, or at the door. Click on the link above.
Love For His People ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been committed for years in supporting Messianic Jews who have already made aliyah to Israel. We continue to do so, and now give our hands and provisions in supporting others around us, specifically here in the Carolinas, who also carry this banner and burden.
In follow up to that gathering in South Carolina on January 17 in Greeneville, we are hosting a one-day event in our area of Charlotte, North Carolina/Rock Hill, South Carolina on July 11, 2020. Our main speakers will be Ethiopian Messianic Jewish Rabbi Kokeb Gedamu, founder of the Congregation Amud HaEsh in Jerusalem, Israel, and Richard and Carolyn Hyde from the Galilee region in Israel. Carolyn will also be leading worship.
We will be joined by Dr. Peter Wyns of Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, South Carolina, Tim Buck of Focus on the End Times in Simpsonville, SC, David Peterman of Strength For Israel, Cathy Hargett from Highway To Zion, and Steve Martin, Love For His People.
You can read each of the speaker’s bio below these photos.
Rabbi Kokeb Gedamu in Jerusalem, Israel
Rabbi Kokeb with friends (L-R) David Lauka, Lathan Wood, Kokeb, Greg Partipillo, Steve Martin Jerusalem Oct. 3, 2019
Richard & Carolyn Hyde, Heart of G-d, from Poriya Kfar Avoda in the Galilee of IsraelDr. Peter Wyns – Christians For Messiah Ministries, Antioch International ChurchTim Buck, Focus on the End Times ministryDavid Peterman, Strength For Israel
Cathy Hargett, Highway To Zion
Steve Martin, Host Love For His People ministry
This all-day gathering of Jews and Gentiles, committed to supporting Jews making aliyah from America, is open to the public. Pre-registration will be required. Once further details have been established, you will find them on this website, www.loveforhispeople.com.
Ahava and shalom!
Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People
P.O. Box 414 Pineville, North Carolina USA loveforhispeople@gmail.com aliyahforhispeople@gmail.com
Get the early registration price now of $30/person. Prices go to $40 and $50, respectively, if you wait until June 16, 2020, or at the door. Click on the link above.
Aliyah For His People – Event Schedule
ONE DAY ONLY
Saturday, July 11
9:00 am – 9:20 am Opening greeting, music
9:20 am – 9:50 am Session
10:00 am – 10:45 am Session
11:00 am – 11:50 am Session
NOON – 1:30 pm LUNCH Break
1:30 pm – 2:15 pm Session
2:15 pm – 3:00 pm Session
3:15 pm – 4:00 pm Open discussion/breakout time
DINNER BREAK– 4:30 pm – 7 pm
7:00 pm – 7:45 pm Welcome, worship
7:45 pm – 8:00 pm Offering
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Evening session
Aliyah For His People Event Speakers
Saturday, July 11, 2020
Venue: Antioch International Church
Fort Mill, SC
(Charlotte, NC/Rock Hill, SC region)
Kokeb Gedamu (with wife Menalu)
Jerusalem, Israel
Being born and raised in Ethiopia, Kokeb and his wife Menalu attended school, met and married in the Northern Part of Ethiopia Gondar, which is the home of THE BETA YESRAEL community. During the communist uprising in Ethiopia, Kokeb and Menalu fled the country making a difficult and perilous journey through the desert of Sudan. They encountered many hardships, even fearing for their lives, but God protected and delivered them. They lived in Sudan for 6 years during which their first child Ruhama was born, in 1990. Kokeb served as an Elder in a congregation of Ethiopian and Eritrean refugee’s in Khartoum, the Capital of Sudan. He taught Bible school, led prayer groups, and tried to encourage those living in less than ideal conditions.
In 1993, doors were opened for them to enter Egypt where conditions improved slightly. In the capital of Egypt, Cairo, Kokeb served there as Leader and Elder in the Maranatha Refuge Ethiopian Church. It was there that their second child, Ebenezer was born in 1993. Finally, after seven years without a permanent home they made Aliyah (immigration to Israel) where their last child, Tsiona, was born in 1996.
While in Israel, Rabbi Kokeb served as Senior Pastor of six Ethiopian Messianic Jewish Congregations in Israel. He served there faithfully until the Lord called him to further his education in Canada. In 2000, he moved his family to Canada and was eventually ordained as a pastor at the Open Bible Faith Fellowship of Canada. In 2001, it was time to move again. This time it was Philadelphia where he was called by the Messianic Jewish community to plant an Ethiopian Messianic congregation in the Greater Philadelphia area.
He started a new fellowship of believers, Congregation Burning Bush of Greater Philadelphia, where Ethiopian Jews and Christians could worship together. He served for almost 10 years and finally ordained two young pastors and passed the congregation on to them. Kokeb then moved to Denver, Colorado with his family to plant another congregation for Ethiopians. Kokeb Gedamu is an ordained Rabbi of the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS) where he served as Regional Director for Africa.
Kokeb has also served as the director on the board of operations for Tikvah/Hope, a humanitarian aid project of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA). Rabbi Kokeb is known by many messianic congregation and synagogues as a motivated speaker and revivalist. During his ministry, many have been healed from different sickness and delivered from demonic operations by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Kokeb is frequently invited to congregations throughout the United States and abroad to spread the message of what God is doing among the Ethiopian Jews in Africa, as well as in Israel. He has a passion for revival, healing and deliverance, and teaching the Jewish roots of the Christian faith.
In 2010, Kokeb wrote a book “Journey Beyond Imagination” which chronicles the journey of the Gedamu family. He has authored two books on marriage in Amharic (a Semitic language in Ethiopia), and the book “After the Honey Moon” has been translated into English as well. His other writings include books on the subjects of why we pray for Jerusalem and the names of God.
Kokeb and his family once again relocated to the state of Colorado where they planted Agape Evangelical Church for both Ethiopians and Americans. Agape is now located in the municipality of Aurora and is holding services in two languages, Amharic and English. Rabbi Kokeb and Pastor Menalu travel extensively all over the world to oversee operations on local and international levels. He maintains offices in both the US and Ethiopia. Kokeb sponsors an annual trip to Ethiopia and encourages everyone to come see first-hand the humanitarian work for the Beta Yesrealites whom are neglected by the Israeli government because of their faith In Yeshua!
In 2015, the Lord called the Gedamus back to the land of Israel. They now live in Jerusalem and have started Amud HaEsh (Pillar of Fire) Ethiopian Messianic Congregation whose primary mission is to reach out to the second Ethiopian generation. Many of the young Beta Yesraelites fall by the wayside overcome by hopelessness due to lack of skills and education, compounded by negative self-image.
Kokeb & Menalu are working hard in the Holy Land to equip the Ethiopian Jews as well as to walk into all that God intends for them. Your Prayers and support make a big difference in the restoration of the Ethiopian Jewish. Shalom and visit us in Yerushalim!
With an eye to the future as told in Jeremiah 16 vision of a future massive Aliyah- one greater than the Exodus from Egypt; the Lerners believe God is calling them to prepare and develop a complex to receive large amounts of Olim. The vision is of a welcoming, peaceful, healing, resting place to safely come in the harbor and acclimate to their new life.
Richard & Carolyn Hyde, from Poriya Kfar Avoda in the Galilee of Israel
Richard & Carolyn Hyde, Israel, Heart of G-dMinistries
We are Israeli-American citizens living in the Galilee, sharing the love of Yeshua, Jesus, with Israelis. Richard is Christian and I’m a Messianic Jew so together we are one new man in Messiah. We lived in Germany from 2001-2003 where we shared Messiah in German public schools. We continue to do this today, and we’ve seen many German youth come to faith in Yeshua!
In 2003 we made Aliyah, immigrated to Israel and became citizens. We are very active in sharing our faith and also in worship in the Land today. We work with our two sons, Ariel and Avi and the Media Team that’s affiliated with our congregation. Perhaps you’ve seen our Isaiah 53 The Forbidden Chapter video? We’re so excited at how the L-rd is opening the eyes and hearts of Israelis today! Here is a brief video that describes what we have been called to do. And here are two musicvideos from some of our CD’s – enjoy! Blessings from the Galilee in Yeshua’s love, Carolyn & Richard Hydewww.heartofg-d.org PO Box 112, Poriya Kfar Avoda, Israel 15220 WhatsApp & Cell phone: +972 (0)54 660 5408
Dr. Peter Wyns, Christians For Messiah Ministries Founder
Antioch International Church Lead Pastor
Dr. Peter and Joy Wyns have been married for 43 years, have 4 children and 13 grandchildren. They have been in ministry for over 50 years and Dr. Wyns is currently the Lead Pastor at Antioch International Church which is the flagship church for Christians for Messiah Ministries.
Dr. Wyns is the Director of Ministry for Christians for Messiah Ministries which is an apostolic ministry that extends oversight to more than 140 ministers across the United States as well as an international training hub through the CFM School of Ministry.
Both Peter and Joy are a friend to many and a great encouragement for pastors and congregations across the nation. Dr. Wyns is also the grandson of Derek Prince.
Tim Buck, Focus on the End Times Ministry, Founder, with wife Nancy
Everyone wants to be “blessed” but a lot of Christians many not understand that there are special blessings for learning prophecy. When it comes to reading and studying prophecy and the book of Revelation, Jesus promised three special blessings or beatitudes found nowhere else in the Bible.
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3
These blessings belong to all God’s children as many students of prophecy have experienced and they are part of Tim’s personal testimony. At age 20, God used Bible prophecy to draw Tim to salvation. Shortly after becoming a Christian, he spent 4 years in Bible College and 4 years in Seminary preparing for the ministry.
After seminary and entering the ministry, Tim began his lifelong journey of discerning Biblical prophecy and teaching how it applies to us today. It’s become his personal challenge to demonstrate the love of God through teaching prophecy while warning the church to be ready.
Getting the facts straight is important but not as important as a life that glorifies the Lord, “I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.”
Howard Taylor, Messianic Rabbi for Beth Emet Messianic Synagogue
Richmond native, husband and father of two, Howard serves in a variety of ministries. He is the Messianic Rabbi for Beth Emet Messianic Synagogue of Ahoskie, NC. He and his wife, Rebbetzin Melissa Taylor are the proud parents of two grown daughters, Stephanie and Caitlin.
Trained by Rabbis Joseph Rosenfarb and Jamie Cowen and a graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, both Howard and Melissa serve in a variety of ministries. In addition to Beth Emet, Howard also pastors Republican Baptist Church of Windsor, NC. He is also currently in the establishment phase of a Christian Men’s Job Corp in Hertford County, NC–a ministry that assists men who come out of negative situations (prison, drugs and homelessness) with achieving trade education and job placement.
His wife, Melissa is a travel nurse, but also serves in both of her husband’s ministries as the educational rabbi for Beth Emet, the WMU director for Republican Baptist, and as a Bible study leader for the Christian Women’s Job Corp of Ahoskie, NC.
Cathy Hargett, Highway To Zion Director
An ordained minister and the founder and director of Highway to Zion Ministries, Cathy has been actively serving in the Messianic faith movement for over thirty years as a worshiper, leader, teacher, writer, speaker, and exhorter, with a personal mission statement of ministering first to the Lord and then to others. In recent years, she has played an active role in leadership and relationship building with both Israeli Messianic believers and Gentile believers, partnering with ministries in Israel and here in the United States.
Cathy oversees and directs many outreaches which include speaking at churches and organizations, offering Assemblies and gatherings with Messianic speakers, worship and dance, educational opportunities, special events, and raising support for Messianic believers in Israel. She also regularly travels to Israel taking believers on prophetic tours for immersion or service in obedience to the Word of the Lord to her heart to help others walk out their spiritual destiny
Life experiences include being a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, businesswoman, entrepreneur, and business owner, with many years of serving in marketplace ministry prior to founding Highway to Zion Ministries in 2006.
Cathy and Dale, her husband of over 49 years, plus her son, Brandon, and his family, including her two much-loved grandchildren, Jackson and Rose, and her two cats, Shmuel and Elijah, reside in Charlotte, North Carolina.
David Peterman, Strength For Israel Shabbat leader
David Peterman has been the Shabbat first Friday of the month leader at Antioch International Church for over 2 years, and a member of the congregation for over 7 years.
He shares this timeline of his unique journey!
“I had an encounter with the Lord in 2000 at the Portage Lake Covenant Church camp at a men’s retreat. It was a profound change. One day later I received my call to ministry. I was 33 years old.
In 2003 I was ordained and served my pastoral internship at Resurrection Life Church of Cheboygan, Michigan. I became the Associate Pastor, leading the men’s ministry. Here I met my first Messianic Jewish person. I also heard the first teachings of Jesus as Yeshua from a Jewish Rabbi who taught even on the cross. It captured my heart.
It also was the time of my first missions trip to Honduras.
In 2005 the Lord brought me to North Carolina. I attended the Morningstar School of Ministry for two years. During this time, I helped clean and renovate rooms, joined prophetic teams, ushered, and assisted with conferences setup. Here I met and became friends with Rabbi Michael Elk. We attended a Messianic Vision Conference, Another life-changing experience. My wife Luana and I got married in 2008. Together we have 4 children and 2 grandchildren. The same year we came to Antioch International Church where I played bass in the praise and worship band.
During the years 2010-2012, I was the Senior Pastor at The Resurrection Life Fellowship of Greater Charlotte in Fort Mill, SC. We returned to AIC in 2012, and were placed on the church board, and also became the pastoral visitation pastors.
In 2014 I met Rabbi Harlen Wall, becoming a student at the Andersonville Theological Seminary where I worked on my Associates’s Degree in pastoral ministry. In 2017 I began Shabbat Services at AIC, followed by my first trip to Israel in 2018. I will be returning in the fall of 2020.
David and Luana Peterman leading the Shabbat gathering at AIC.
My focus is on teaching Christians our Hebrew roots of faith through the sharing of Jewish customs and traditions. My heart is to also build bridges between the Jewish people and Christians. I have a heart for orphans, widows, and disadvantaged Jewish people in Israel.
Steve Martin, Love For His People Founder and President
Steve and his good wife Laurie
Lead Organizer and Worship Team Leader
Steve served with the Christian ministries of Derek Prince, Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda, and Barry and Batya Segal from 1987-2010, all having a national and international outreach focus. During that time, he made 14 ministry trips to Israel, China, India, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom.
From 2011-2018 he served with several ministries and secular non-profits in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, including Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan’s Purse, Covenant Keepers, Charlotte Center City Partners, and Charlotte Rescue Mission. He currently serves also as the Office Manager at Antioch International Church in Fort Mill, SC (Dr. Peter Wyns).
While on his overseas journeys Steve enjoys sharing written journal entries with family and friends back home, through social media. His light-hearted stories give an up close and personal touch for those reading along. His extensive collection of photos taken during these trips, of both local scenery and common people on the streets, has touched thousands through their varied images.
His regular messages Now Think On This are posted on the ministry’s Love For His People and Now Think of This blogs. They also appear on Facebook and Twitter, featuring words of spiritual enrichment, along with selected photos. His 20 books to date, authored and published through the ministry, are available in paperback and Kindle versions.
Steve enjoys writing, photography and growing the ministry of Love For His People, Inc., to reach the nations with love, truth, and hope in Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Since 1994, Steve and Laurie have lived in the Charlotte, NC area, after having homes in Illinois, Michigan, and Florida. Now married for 42 years as of October 2019, they enjoy having their four adult children, spouses, and 7 grandchildren close by in North Carolina.
