FEAST REPORT - Donna Holbrook Donna Holbrook National Director’s Report. Our amazing North American Feast group, comprising mostly of many Canadian and American first time pilgrims to Israel, has returned to their homes, families and churches with even a deeper love for the Holy Land and the Jewish people. Some arrived early for Yom Kippur in Jerusalem followed by the Nigev, Eilat and Petra to join the Feast incoming group at our spa hotel on the Dead Sea. Nicely settled in, we joined nearly 5,000 Christians from 80 nations for our opening desert night dinner and celebration on Ein Gedi Dead Sea shore. At twilight, we journeyed with a long caravan of coaches to Jerusalem, that Golden City, reciting the Song of Ascents. We unpacked for 5 nights for touring, teaching, and more evening celebrations at the newly built Pais Stadium where, for the first time, we were able to accommodate ALL who wanted to attend. How wonderful it is that the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, was also thrilled we would be the inaugural hosts at the Pais for our 35th Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. With its full capacity being 11,000 our ‘Tabernacle’ is expanding where we all can sense the presence of our Lord during this Feast, the last of His three pilgrimage Feasts whereby we are to worship Him on His Holy Mountain in Jerusalem. Being in Israel each year for the Feast is always a highlight but also getting to know the NA pilgrims and seeing most of them experience Israel for the first time, makes me recall my first time in the Land and how impacting that was. In addition to our own key leadership of Dr Jurgen Buehler - Exec. Director, Rev Juha Ketola - Int’l Director, David Parsons - Sr Media Director, Ray Ramirez - Music Director, Jani Salokangas ARISE YA Director/videographer and the entire awesome hard working staff and volunteers, we had impressive and passionate speakers throughout the Restoration Conference. Key note addresses by PM Bibi Netanyahu who gave his annual warm welcome by video but live from our stage was Israel’s new President Rivlin, a 7th generation Jerusalemite, and Ron Lauder President of the World Jewish Congress who returned again this year to underline the importance of how Christians and Jews stand together and that our coalition …”makes complete sense, to speak out, while reminding us of Paul’s letter in 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind”. “That is exactly what we say in the Torah, that we must not be afraid, we must find strength, assured Lauder. This doesn’t come from the President of the World Jewish Congress, this comes from a higher source. Do not fear, have courage, have strength. We will be strengthened together, and we will not fail! to which Lauder received a thunderous standing ovation… Although nothing compares to being in Jerusalem in real time, our worldwide members and friends who cannot attend, are truly thankful for the high quality live streaming of our evening celebrations over the past four years. For Israeli Guest Night we had over 300 IDF, Holocaust Survivors, new Jewish immigrants from India, the B’nei Menashe, Ukrainian Jews and more. Dr. Robert Sterns delivered a powerful final message reminding us that Jesus wasn’t Christian; He was Jewish! “Be strong and of good courage. Don’t trust in the UN or US, trust in the God of Israel and make our voices heard”. Rabbi Benny Elon, former MK who formed the Israel Allies Foundation, had in our audience 20 Parliamentarians from 16 nations including from Canada, Dr. James & Helen Lunney MP and Rev Giulio & Lina Gabeli our Canadian Rep of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC) and our Canada Celebrates Israel (CCI) coalition for ICEJ, BFP, Return Ministries, For Zion’s Sake, Operation Exodus. Communion: The Nations took communion together in the Garden Tomb. (Photo) Jesus is Alive. Two believers; one Jew & one Arab demonstrate the communion of one new man (photo) We met up with Colin & Nancy Chow (ICEJ Hong Kong formerly CA) and our Chinese Reps for BC Joy & Peace Shguo who blew their shofars in unison during the March with our CDN delegation. Migdal: Something very new but very old; a 1st Century discovery! Having been to Israel nearly 37 times now, experiencing locations I had not visited before is very exciting and this was breath taking! Guided by Father John Solana who oversees the site digging along with Israel Antiquities was extraordinary. From Wikipedia: In September 2009, a salvage dig of the Israel Antiquities Authority prior to the construction of a hotel revealed an ancient synagogue believed to date back some 2000 years, from 50 BCE to 100 CE. In the middle of a 120 sq.m. main hall, archaeologists discovered an unusual stone carved with a seven-branched menorah (photo) It is the first of its kind to be discovered from the early Roman period. In addition to the engraved stone, the walls are decorated with brightly colored frescoes. Archaeologists have continued excavating and have found a mikveh, which is, as of 2014, on public display. The ruins of Magdala are located on the northwest side of the Sea of Galilee, 5 Kilometers north of Tiberias. They were Mary Magdalenes village, today a town called Migdal. This site has a sanctuary with a special focus on Women in Ministry, with future lodging to be built onsite. Remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem daily and especially as we approach our Channukah-Christmas season. Remember also to speak out with Biblical and current facts concerning Israel especially to those who are quick to condemn her. With God’s help, truth will prevail. Our ICEJ Isaiah 62 Global Prayer Mandate is the first Wed of each month. We invite you to join us across Canada for one hour with our intercessors by webinar or phone 3 PM EST call us for the number. The Feast of Tabernacles is always a wonderful foretaste of that future time when all peoples will come up to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot. It is a prophetic statement that our Lord is indeed coming soon. And it declares to Israel and the nations that a new day is dawning. The King is coming, and we are here to rejoice in His transforming power and soon arrival. Please join us next year in Jerusalem, for our 36th ICEJ hosting of the Feast. FOT 2015 Conference dates Sept 27-Oct 2nd.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 04:24:05 +0000
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