Showing posts with label Sharon Sanders. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharon Sanders. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Feeling at Home in Jerusalem - Steve Martin, Love For His People

 


Oct. 22, 2025


Greetings to you once again. From Jerusalem!


Laurie and I have now settled into the wonderful Christian Friends of Israel apartment provided for us these next three months. It is located just a mile from the USA Embassy (Hi Mike Huckabee!) in SE Jerusalem, and close to where Derek Prince passed on after his 15 years living here in the Land of Israel. I share more below.


Ahava and shalom always to you,


Steve and Laurie Martin


P.S. We are amazed at how the Lord God of Israel has provided. Thank You, Lord! (Top photo: Sunrise over Jerusalem Oct. 21, 2025 from our apartment porch/veranda. The other: Laurie's ankle brace still on as the swelling in her broken ankle continues to occur. Thak you for praying! (Photos by Steve.)

Israel Photo of the Week: Steve and Laurie with Sharon Sanders, co-Founder of Christian Friends of Israel, with her late husband Ray (who passed on Oct. 6, 2023). She had invited us to lunch in her home in Jerusalem. Midwest style egg salad sandwhiches! (Oct. 19, 2025)

Feeling at Home in Jerusalem

And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them.” Exodus 14:19, NKJV

Have you ever wondered how many different ways the Lord leads you? He speaks to us using several methods. Either by Scripture (His written Word, logos), a spoken word (rhema), direction that seemingly comes out of nowhere through another person, or a prophetic word given in ministry through His vessels having that gift of the Holy Spirit. He speaks and guides even through songs we hear, books we read, movies we see, or His ministering, guardian angels.

I can’t say that I have seen or felt an angel in my presence, but heh, I will accept anyway the Lord, the Living God of Israel, choses to guide me. May that be the case with you too.

 

Laurie and I arrived on October 16, 2025, in the Holy City, the capital city of Israel, the city where Yeshua (Jesus) walked 2,000 years ago. In English it is called Jerusalem. The Hebrew name is Yerushalayim.

 

The Lord had spoken to us to bless the Jews and their Land beginning in 1989 at a conference in northern Michigan. Renowned Bible teacher, Derek Prince, among others, was one of the speakers. As many have heard my story before, his message, “Our Debt to Israel” was planted solidly in my heart. Our journey towards Jerusalem had begun.

 

Having then served a combined 24 years with one major ministry that was residing in this Land of the Jews (Vision For Israel with Barry and Batya Segal), two in the USA (Derek Prince Ministries and Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda Ministries), and 14 years on the Christian Friends of Israel USA board, the seed grew and flourished.

 

Laurie has been a great helpmate, providing in our Charlotte home, helping raise our four children Joshua, Benjamin, Hannah and Christen whom the Lord had blessed us with, and working with 2-year-olds for 20 years at Calvary Development Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. At the same time, we both established Love For His People Ministry in 2010.

 

Each of us had been, and continue to be, prepared for this time we are now in. Forty eight years of marriage also helped! (Trust me. Marriage takes the rough edges off. And then some.)

 

We feel right at home here in Jerusalem. Called, prepared, sent out, and now doing what the Lord knew from all eternity we would be doing. Hearing, obeying, and following the Holy Spirit’s (Ruach HaKodesh) leading got us here.

 

His grace, His mercy, His provision, His mentors kept us along the way. Each and every one were needed, and we are so grateful for all, as we have walked together in His plans and purposes.

 

I know so many of you are doing what you have been called to do also. Together we are all so blessed. Blessings on ye heads!

 

Ahava (love) and Shalom (peace),

 

Steve Martin

P.S. We started our volunteer work with Christian Friends of Israel on Oct. 22, 2025, for three months. We walk in faith and believe the Lord to continually show Himself strong on our behalf. You can read further of our time here: The Martins in Jerusalem

We welcome your prayers and support as we together bless Israel and His people in their Land.

Contributions are welcome online on our webpage. Look for the little DONATE button on the right-side columnDONATE HERE.

Love For His People Ministry     P.O. Box 1113     Pineville, North Carolina 28134 USA

Message #2 in my Jerusalem 2025 series: “Feeling at Home in Jerusalem" – Oct. 22, 2025

My latest book was published on Aug. 18, 2025. Love For His People" Steve Martin (444 pages, 372 photos/images)


Remained #1 on the Amazon New Releases List for "Jerusalem Travel Guides" for a month. (I love taking people with me to the Land of Israel.)


In several of my previous 38 books, I wrote stories and chapters on Israel and our friends in the Land. Their lives, their courage, and the Ahava Adventures we have had, sharing our time with them in Eretz Yisrael.


In my desire to share these stories with you in a more concise manner, I have chosen the “best ones” and included in my book, “Love For His People – The Land and Friends in Israel”. (Aug. 2025)


Having given 39 years so far (and this being my 39th book!) to loving and supporting the Chosen People, as the Living God of Israel so ordained throughout the Bible of Christians and the Jewish people, it is proper and time to publish.


Sharing this book, containing some of my experiences in Jerusalem and all of Israel, is a joy, and also a promise to always stand with Israel. I know it will stir your heart as He reveals more of His plans for all.


Special Note: I have reduced the price on the hard cover and paperback, to just over my cost. I want you to have one. I will receive minimal royalty.


Buy now on Amazon, Hard cover $18.55, Paperback $12.95, Kindle $2.95

We certainly are grateful for your support, which we will use for our three volunteer months in Jerusalem. Contributions are welcome online by clicking here: DONATE HERE ON OUR WEBSITE

 
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Love For His People Ministry | P. O. Box 1113 | Pineville, NC 28134 US


#Feelingathome #Jerusalem #SteveMartin #Israel #Yeshua #SharonSanders #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Derek Prince #Charlotte #RuachHaKodesh 

Monday, September 8, 2025

We pray for our Jerusalem friends in Israel.

“Wondrously show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand from those who rise up against them. 
Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings from the wicked who despoil me, My deadly enemies who surround me.” Psalm 17:7-9

Sharon Sanders, Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem
 

Rabbi Kokeb Gedamu, Jerusalem, Israel

Steve Martin's books on bookshelf in home

Love For Your People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina

#prayforthepeaceofJerusalem #LoveForHisPeople #KokebGedamu #SharonSanders #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #SteveMartin #Israel

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

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:

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

Steve Martin

Founder
Love For His People
Charlotte, NC USA

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem celebrate their 40th anniversary event in Charlotte, NC. - worship team and more

 


Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem held its 40th anniversary in Charlotte, NC, May 28-May 31. The worship session was led by Steve Martin (guitar/lead vocal), Tommie Coleman (keyboard and lead vocal), and Brian Cockfield (drums). This was the first night/session of the event.

The event was hosted by Christian Friends of Israel USA (CFI-USA), led by Executive Director Hannele Pardain.

Song list: Spring Up O Well, Up To Jerusalem, I Was Glad, The Lord is Building Jerusalem,

Video was filmed and shared by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People Ministry in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.