May 7, 2003

Shalom Haverim (Dear Friends):

It has been Diane and my pleasure to send you our newsletter. For some of you it has only been a few months since the Tikkun Newsletter and Rabbi Simon's updates have been arriving in your mail. For others we've had the joy for the last two years of keeping you abreast of what is going on with Jewish believers in Yeshua here and in Israel. Our mailing list has grown very substantially since it first began traveling and sharing. The cost of printing and mailing is large, but our desire is to minister to you!

We felt it was timely to share a little personal information about where we've come from, where we are now and where we believe Adonai is leading us now! Many of yoou know our testimony: In 1976, on the Day of Atonement, the holiest day in the liturgical Jewish calendar, a dear gentile friend brought us to a Messianic congregation. She had been sharing and witnessing to us and praying for us for over a year. During the Kol Nidre service (the late) Manny Brotman was preaching on Leviticus 17:11 (It is the blood that makes atonement for your souls), and the need even today for a blood sacrifice!

The tears of the Saints and the Power of The Word electrified the packed room. Simultaneously both Diane and Ted came forward to proclaim Yeshua as Messiah -- the One whose blood took away their sins. We both received Jesus as Lord at the same time! Later Sid Roth counseled us and pointed us in a positive direction for ongoing discipleship and fellowship.

Within days we were attending a Bible-believing church in Hagarstown, Maryland, pastored by Terry King. Immediately we enrolled in a "young marrieds" class, and because Ted was working in the criminal justice system he took advanced training using the Jay Adams' materials.

We did any job that needed doing in the church, such was our Joy! We ran the nursery, helped with the children and became home group leaders. Diane taught the "prims" in missionettes and Ted became a deacon and elder of the Congregation.

We started a Jewish outreach group. One night while the group was praying, we answered a knock on our door. A young Jewish man and his wife were standing outside the door and wanted to know about our group. They had heard about a new Messianic group and had jotted down the address from the radio. Only we never advertised on the radio! The Ruach (Spirit) of the sovereign Lord brought them to our door. We rejoiced in His salvation and that we were resting in His will, advancing His kingdom.

Soon we combined out outreach group with a new Messianic congregation being started by Keith and Betty Intrater in Frederick, Maryland. With the blessings of our church, we left Hagarstown to join in the leadership of this pioneer effort. When Keith and Betty moved to Israel, we moved from assitant pastors to the full-time lead Senior Pastorship.

We also pioneered a radio show with Jeffrey D. Miller, Messianic Minutes, which just celebrated its tenth anniversary last year!

We were always firm believers in John 17 unity for the body of Messiah. After all, if the believers would become "one," the world would know that Abba had sent His son! We inaugurated the area-wide Feast of Tabernacles celebration which grew from five pastors from three churches in a college auditorium to over 1300 people from 100 different churches coming together on the Levitical Feast of Booths to worship Jesus in a large secular theater.

For ten years, we ministered in Love, giving all we had to the people of El Shaddai Congregation. We rejoiced in The Joy of Salvation -- we saw loved ones healed and saved, and we were awed by the power of His Word -- experienced in the worship of His Holiness.

Two years ago, we began a whole new phase of ministry. After visiting believers in the Land we realized that the lack of finances was hindering the spreading of the Gospel in Yeshua's native Land. Deep within us was a desire to help raise support for those in Israel who were ministering to the Jewish people there.

During the initial ground breaking stage of development, most of our support still came from El Shaddai Congregation. Soon, however, this agreement will expire and we will need other sources of income to continue to grow this vital ministry which God has entrusted to us.

I don't have to tell you how vital what we are called to do is. Nor do I have to encourage you that your standing with us in prayer and giving actually makes you a recipient of the prophets' rewards!

We are proclaiming a prophetic end-times message of hope, reconciliation, and joy! It's all about Yeshua, Israel, and the Church. It's historical and prophetic -- sobering and exciting! It's a message that the Church needs to hear and praise Adonai! Now has the ears to hear. Now is the time to favor Zion! We are His Ambassadors and in all we do we are your representatives. When you pray for us and give to us you literally accompany us onto the mission field. We need your prayers and we need your financial support.