Maggie Evans, Board member of Christian Friends of Israel in Jerusalem, killed tragically on Jan. 28, 2026

Maggie Evans, Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem board member

We are devastated to announce that Maggie Evans, a long time member of Christ Church Jerusalem died today. She was killed outside her home when a crane mounted on a truck fell over and struck her. She died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

As a young woman, Maggie left her home in England to serve as a nurse in Bangladesh before coming to Israel in 1980.  She was a resident of Jerusalem for forty-five years where she worked for the Near East Ministry (NEM) and for Sha’are Tzedek hospital until her retirement.  She supported and contributed to other Christian ministries including the Christ Church Mercy Fund and Christian Friends of Israel.

Maggie was known for her prayerfulness and was well loved for her kindness, her encouraging words, and her care for the sick and needy.

Sharon Sander, co-founder, CFI-Jerusalem 01.29.26

ANNOUNCEMENT: Free E-book Feb. 1-Feb. 5, 2026. Steve Martin's new book "BACK TO JERUSALEM". (Also available in hard cover, paperback, and audiobook formats)

Free E-book Feb. 1-Feb. 5, 2026. 

New book "BACK TO JERUSALEM"

To get your free e-book (you do not need Kindle to download to your computer or phone) go here:

Click here: Back To Jerusalem free e-book

The hard cover, paperback and audiobook versions are also available at regular price.

Look here: Back To Jerusalem optional versions

INTRODUCTION

From Oct. 16, 2025, to Jan. 12, 2026, my good wife Laurie (48 years of marriage and counting) and I had the most incredible time in Jerusalem and many parts of Israel. We had come to serve with Christian Friends of Israel Jerusalem, as needed.

As I sit on the back veranda of the apartment they provided for us, I watch the sun rise over the southeast as another of His glorious days begins. My heart is full of the love of Yeshua (Jesus) for this, His chosen city, His chosen Land, and His chosen people, the Jews.

We came to bring comfort to His people coming out from a heartbreaking war on the eight fronts the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were fighting, after the horrendous, murderous, home destruction years since October 7, 2023. The Israelis had been fighting for their lives, their families, their land promised to them by the Living God of Israel. We hoped to bring His love to them as Christians, standing on His Word.

God the Father did not fail them. In so many miraculous ways, He protected them, united them, and caused them to cry out to Him for His salvation.

Over 1200 Jewish civilians were lost that day. Over 1000 young men, women, and reserves have since been lost, destroyed by the enemy who seems never to go away.

“We just want peace,” is the cry of our friends’ hearts here in Jerusalem and the surrounding hills.

But, when the Messiah Yeshua returns to this very city, Jerusalem, they will know Him as their Peace King, their Shalom Most High.

 

Come Jesus! Bo Yeshua!

 

As that time of His return quickly approaches, we joined with several hundred Christians, coming from the nations, to comfort, stand in support, and let the love of the Father work through us for them.

In this, my 40^th book, written during my 30^th trip to Israel since the late 1990s, I share some of my stories. Some chapters are in the “present tense” because I wrote them at the time they occurred.

Many Jews are returning to their Land now, as prophesied centuries ago by Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Yeshua Himself. Christians are going to Israel to comfort and support them in their return.

And then Jesus (Yeshua) will return as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I desire that the Lord Himself will touch your heart, and you, too, will join Him in this glorious work, to see His salvation come to the Jews and Arabs of Israel.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Love For His People, Jerusalem, Israel, Jan. 7, 2026

 

My hand on the Western Wall (Kotel) in Jerusalem.

#freebook #BackToJerusalem #Jesus #Yeshua #Jerusalem #Israel #SteveMartin #ChristianFriendsofIsrael 

EXPEDITION ABRAHAM: From his birthplace to the Promised Land! Expedition Bible, Joel Kramer

 

436,496 views Jan 17, 2026

In Genesis 12:1, the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you." Abraham obeyed, and set out on a long journey of faith, trusting in God's promises long before he could see or experience them. His journey led him all the way to Shechem, in the land of Canaan, modern-day Israel. Follow along with Joel and his crew as they set out on "Expedition Abraham," through Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Jordan, and Israel, following his path and pondering his faith! BUY JOEL'S BOOK Where God Came Down: The Archaeological Evidence ► https://bit.ly/36Boo7w (Christianbook.com) ► https://amzn.to/3QHh8Jo (Amazon.com) DONATE ► https://expeditionbible.com/donate/

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"More of You, Lord!" - message by Steve Martin

 Steve and Laurie Martin with the YWAMers from David's Tent, DC in Jerusalem (Oct. 2025)

More of You, Lord!

 

“We humans keep brainstorming options and plans, but God’s purpose prevails.” (Proverbs 19:2, The Message)

 

 

When the Lord brings the generations together for His plans and purposes, heaven rejoices. So do fathers, mothers, and grandparents!

 

And it shall be, just as prophesied in Joel 2.

 

As you read this chapter, you will see how we connected with those who follow in our footsteps and with others who love the Lord’s Land of Israel and His chosen ones who are coming back!

 

Coming to Jerusalem, our hearts were open to whatever the Lord directed our steps. We knew we would be involved with Christian Friends of Israel-Jerusalem, now directed by Tristan and Galya Hall, but not much beyond that. So, Laurie and I kept our “eyes fixed on Jesus,” knowing His plans and purposes are always right. We have to hear and obey as He leads.

 

We also have a heart for the next generation, having raised two sons, Josh and Ben, and two daughters, Hannah and Christen. Watching our eight grands now grow (7 grandsons and Dylan, our Joy) has been heartwarming. We so long to see all young adults grasp the love and wonder that God the Father has planned for them, to know His ways, and to allow Him to direct their steps.

 

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God!” (Prov. 3:5-7. The Message)

 

When six young adults walked into the CFI-Jerusalem meeting room, our second week in the Land, we were amazed. Five young ladies and a groom-to-be were coming aboard for two weeks to partner with us. They were YWAMers (Youth With A Mission) from David’s Tent ministry in Washington, D.C.

 

 

Olga Kopilova of CFI stands with the David’s Tent YWAMers. Leaders Taundi and Eric (married Nov. 26, 2025, at Succat Hallel), Grace Dillion (Concord, NC), Bronny (Idaho), Mary (Texas), and  18-year-old Han were full of life and love for Jesus.

These had already been in Israel for a few weeks and were now committed to connecting with CFI.

 

(Special note: Grace turned 21 on Nov. 23. I had my 71st birthday on the same day. A great day! Birthday party in Jerusalem!)

 

Our outreach to Bethlehem and the surrounding areas in Jerusalem thrilled our hearts. Bonny started calling us “father and mother.” (Though she is around 20, we are more like her grandparents!)

 

 Grace Dillon of David’s Tent, from Concord, North Carolina

Laurie Martin and Bronny of YWAM’s David’s Tent in Washington, DC

 

What a joy to see the Lord moving on this generation! Even using the assassination of Charlie Kirk, who had a tremendous impact on high school and college-age kids, the Lord is pouring out His Holy Spirit on our children worldwide.

 

Fathers, mothers, and grandparents are rejoicing and proclaiming, “More of you, Lord!”

 

“It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” (Joel 2:28, NASB

 

Come Lord! Bo Yeshua!

 

 CFI and David’s Tent volunteers pray for a blind lady in Bethlehem, Israel, November 2025

#DavidsTent #YWAM, #Jerusalem #CFI #ChristianFriendsofIsrael #Bethlehem #Israel #Jerusalem

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

Laurie Martin on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, Israel, with Steve Martin

 

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 his junior from the same high school) and becoming a butcher with his own 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 71 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, Susan. 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 besides wanting more of the Lord Jesus in their lives.

Stan, himself the former Southern Baptist who had been kicked out of his independent church by the one vote of a 12-year-old, years earlier, had gotten “baptized in the Holy Spirit”. 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.

Yes, I married her. Laura Jean Unzocker. Age 18. Photo on the way to our honeymoon in Mobile, Alabama, in 1977.

Susan, her friend who brought her, had an eye for me.

My 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 and relationships He gives you. While it will be a “give and take”, as two or more walk together, the destination will be incredible, as you seek Him in all that you do.

Ahava and shalom,

Steve Martin, Founder

 Love For His People Ministry 12120 Woodside Falls Rd. Pineville, North Carolina, USA

 Message: “Friendships. Need Them.” Origianlly published on June 9, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina

Website: Love For His People

Email: Love For His People

Facebook: Steve Martin/Love For His People

Posted by Love For His People ministry at 1:22 PM No comments:  

Labels: camel, friends, friendships, Israel, Love For His People Ministry, Mount of Olives, Steve Martin

All Israel News - People of Israel moved to tears as the last hostage is released.

 

Click here: All Israel News - People of Israel moved to tears. Last hostage released.

#AllIsraelNews #PeopleofIsrael #tears #Lasthostagereleased

Vision at the Airport, Jerry Golden

 

Vision at the Airport

Jerry Golden, Dec. 19, 2005

 

It looked like I was the only one on this flight sitting there at gate B-4 in the new Tel Aviv Airport on my way once again to the Island of Cyprus for meetings and shopping for the larger boat.  It was then that I heard the voice we learn to recognize after many years of walking with the Ruach HaKodesh as our daily guide.  So now I will report to you what I was told in the spirit. 

“There will be many things happening in the days ahead that you will not understand, but you must keep your eyes on the mission I have given you; you must not doubt my Word as it has been spoken unto you.  For when things begin to look as if there is no possible way for Israel to be saved, I will save my beloved Israel.  Many will perish, and many will fall away, but My Word will always prevail above the knowledge of man.  When all looks lost and My chosen turn to me in repentance once again, I will reach down my hand of salvation to them.  There are those who have been called to assist you in the mission. Some will come forward, and others will refuse, but that need not concern you, for your mission shall not fail, for it is ordained by My Spirit to succeed.  

As you travel on this and other missions, I will send My Spirit with you and before you but beware of the Deceiver for he moves in dark places ready to cause you misfortune and suffering but as long as you keep your eyes on Me he will not prevail but suffer terrible defeat at My hands.  By the witness of My Spirit, I will show you who to trust, walk very carefully, for there will be many dangers, walk in My love, fearing no man.  Remember to pray always seeking the protection of the Angel who will watch over you.”  

It was then that I realized that the seats around me had filled up and some of the travelers nearest me where looking at me very strangely, I wondered if I had been speaking out loud.  It looked like it would be a full flight after all. This was one trip I knew would be successful for it started in a very special and wonderful way. 

I wrote all this down with pen and paper knowing that I would share it with you when I returned to Israel in 4 days.

Jerry Golden, “The Golden Report”

Dec. 19, 2005, Israel

Photo by Steve Martin, Ben Gurion Airport, January 2026

#visionattheairport #BenGurionAirport, #JerryGolden #propheticword #Israel

Israeli intelligence provided US with proof that of Iranian regime's mass executions of protesters - report

Intelligence proves Iranian regime lied about halting executions, with government overwhelmed by number of bodies

All Israel News Staff | Published: January 26, 2026  

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Mourners at the funeral of Alireza Seydi, a 17-year-old protester killed by security forces in Abdanan, western Iran, January 17, 2025 (Photo: Mossad Commentary X)

Israel helped the U.S. obtain intelligence about the mass executions of protesters in Iran in the past weeks, Israel Hayom reported Sunday. 

This intelligence contradicted the message U.S. President Donald Trump claimed to have received from Iranian President Masoud Pazkashian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said that no executions would be conducted. 

President Trump even listed those assurances by the Iranian government as justification for postponing a planned strike on Iran. 

The Israel Hayom report claims that the communication from Pezeshkian was a direct message to the Trump administration; however, the Iranian regime denied that such a message was ever sent.  

Recent reports from sites like the opposition-linked Iran International claim that while the Iranian regime was communicating one message to President Trump, it took advantage of the internet blackout to conduct the deadliest crackdown in Iranian history. 

A recent report by TIME magazine said the figure of protesters killed in the two days during which the Iranian regime instituted the internet lockdown stands at just over 30,000. TIME based its figures on testimony by two senior officials from the country’s Ministry of Health, along with an estimation by a network of doctors and physicians within Iran, who shared their figures with the outside via smuggled messages. 

According to the report, the number of fatalities overwhelmed the regime's ability to handle the bodies – the stock of body bags was exhausted, and large trucks replaced ambulances tasked with transporting the dead. Additionally, reports coming out of Iran indicate that hundreds were executed by shooting or hanging without a trial, as the regime sought to end the nationwide protest movement. 

Israel Hayom reported that the Jewish State helped obtain the information, which was passed on to the U.S. government, as well as intelligence about live shooting of protesters in the streets, and executions of protesters after they were captured. Israeli intelligence provided unequivocal evidence of such executions and the methods used to carry them out, the report said. 

The Israeli news site also claimed that special envoy Steve Witkoff, who led mediation efforts with Iran before the 12-day Israel-Iran War, and Trump advisor Jared Kushner are opposed to military intervention in Iran. The two were reported to fear that escalation could drag the entire region into war, frustrating American efforts to bring peace and security to the Middle East. 

This position is supported by Turkey, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, who analysts say are concerned about the regional changes should the Iranian regime be overthrown. 

However, several of Trump's other advisers and cabinet secretaries, including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, are reported to view a critical strike on the Iranian regime, and possibly its overthrow, as a morally correct and strategic move, which could advance U.S. interests in the region.  

Such a move is supported by the United Arab Emirates, several European countries, and Jordan, the report claimed. 

There remains great uncertainty in the region regarding the potential for a strike, as President Trump has appeared to provide shifting positions on an almost daily basis. 

At the beginning of January, President Trump issued a strong statement of support for the Iranian protesters, saying the U.S. is “locked and loaded, and ready to go” if the regime “violently kills peaceful protesters.” 

Trump’s statement was accepted as tacit support and backing for the protests, with many opposition figures, such as exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urging more people to join. 

However, as protests continued, growing larger by the day, the regime began to crackdown more firmly. At the same time, Gulf states, such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia, began encouraging President Trump not to intervene militarily. Yet, as more reports of killed protesters leaked out of the country, Trump again spoke of possible intervention, saying the U.S. “may need to act.” 

Over the next several days, more reports of protester killings leaked out of the country, and President Trump appeared to have made his decision, telling Iranian protesters, “help is on its way.” That decision was apparently reversed the next day, when Trump announced that he had been informed the Iranian regime would not conduct executions of protesters. 

Iranian leaders have warned against even limited military strikes on the country, saying an attempt to kill Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameneiwould be a declaration of “all-out war” on the Islamic Republic. During that time, the U.S. continued to increase its military footprint in the region. 

U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper recently visited Israel, even as President Trump announced the arrival of “a big flotilla” heading towards the Persian Gulf. His visit was widely viewed in Israel as helping coordinate any U.S. and Israeli action, should Trump decide to conduct a military strike. 

While the Israeli intelligence has been passed on to the Trump administration, Trump has yet to indicate what action his administration will take. 

Read more: IRAN | IRAN PROTESTS | DONALD TRUMP | IRAN STRIKE | US ISRAELI RELATIONS | MILITARY INTELLIGENCE