Israel

Partner with Local Missionaries in Israel

Located in the 10/40 Window

Israel, the world’s only Jewish nation, borders the Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and West Bank. It features mountains, coastal plains, the Negev desert, and the Jordan River, which runs along the Jordan Rift Valley from Mount Hermon through the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth and the world’s second saltiest body of water.

The majority of Israelis live in urban areas, with Tel Aviv and the region near the Sea of Galilee being the most populated areas. Israel has the highest standard of living in the Middle East with one of the world’s highest life expectancy rates. The country has a technologically advanced free market and is the most economically and industrially developed nation in Western Asia and the Middle East. It has the second highest number of startup companies in the world after the United States.

Established as a homeland for the Jewish people, the State of Israel was declared in 1948. In the following years, the nation’s population rapidly grew as Holocaust survivors and other Jews living in Europe and the Middle East immigrated to the newly formed country. Israel’s “Law of Return” grants Israeli citizenship to all Jews and those of Jewish ancestry.

Israel is the only country in the world where life revolves around the Hebrew calendar, including work and school holidays and the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday). Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages.

Israeli Jews comprise a little over half of the total population. Arabs make up the next largest population segment—almost a quarter of Israelis are Arabs—followed by Jews whose ethnicity originates from Asian, African, European, and Latin American countries.

Rabbinical Judaism is the dominant religion of Jews in Israel, but up to three-fourths of Israeli Jews are non-observant. Most Jews understand their connection with the Abrahamic covenant but reject Jesus Christ as Messiah.

The evangelical annual growth rate in Israel is 5.6 percent, compared to the global rate of 2.6 percent. To reach the people of Israel for Christ, an indigenous ministry holds celebrations on Jewish holidays and special events for Holocaust survivors where the gospel is shared over a meal. They also provide 250 soldiers in the Israeli Defense Force with Purim packs that include needed items and discipleship materials, which has led to several soldiers making decisions for Christ. Assistance is needed for these vital outreaches and for gospel literature.

Sources: Joshua Project, CIA World Factbook, Wikipedia

8.5 million

Population

0.69%

Evangelical Population:

People Groups:

Unreached People Groups:

How to Pray for Israel

Pray for Jewish hearts to be open to the gospel of Jesus Christ, that the veil would be lifted and they would know Him as the Messiah who fulfilled the Abrahamic covenant.
Pray for wisdom, creativity, and resources for indigenous Jewish missionaries as they work to till the hardened soil of this difficult mission field.
Pray that God would bring revival to Israel. “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19 (NASB)

More stories from Israel

Help Transform Lives in Jesus’ Name in Israel

A young man began attending a local ministry’s young adult meetings, and as he regularly heard the Word of God, the Lord changed his life. Eventually, he began to ask the missionaries questions, and they shared with him the importance of giving his life to Christ. He soon chose to follow Jesus, and the missionaries discipled him through their baptismal class. “In these classes, we teach the functions of faith and discuss the Christian life,” the ministry leader said. “During these first few months, we develop a personal relationship with those who have been converted.” Donations support such evangelism and discipleship.

Share Christ’s Message of Hope in Israel

Pray for local missionaries who continue with their work through the darkness of war. Despite the daily fear and uncertainties here, one local ministry joyfully reported nine recent baptisms, with two new believers currently undergoing a discipleship class in preparation for baptism.

Help Proclaim the Messiah in Israel

The brother of a man who received Christ at a local ministry’s church also became involved with the congregation, including attendance at meetings for young adults. Recently he called the ministry leader and joyfully told him he had repented and that Christ had given him a new heart. Local Christian workers also spread the gospel on bus tours of biblical sites, street evangelism and events for Holocaust survivors. Recently three new Christians were baptized. Donations of $25 or $50 are sought for such gospel proclamation and discipleship. Pray for the Lord to open paths for workers to share Christ.

Help Advance the Kingdom in Israel

Native Christian workers have continued to faithfully bring word of the kingdom of God to the lost, with more than 600 people hearing the gospel over six months. Among the means of creating opportunities to share Christ were visits to Holocaust survivor groups and a weekly children’s Bible club, resulting in kids’ parents or grandparents attending worship services. Workers also engaged in street evangelism and shared Christ on social media, helping those who receive Him to overcome personal problems such as depression and grow in their faith. Workers need donations for such evangelization and discipleship. They request prayer for wisdom and fruit in their labors.

Spread Word of the Messiah in Israel

Through street evangelism, individual relationships and social media, native Christian workers are spreading the Good News of salvation in Christ, in addition to distributing evangelistic books and Bibles through their church and website. Discipleship of new Christians is done individually or through small groups that meet to study the Bible and discuss how to better live for Christ. The Bibles they distribute are in various languages, mainly Hebrew and Russian. Many of the more than 600 people who heard the gospel over a six-month period were Holocaust survivors. Donations are sought for such gospel work. Pray for the Holy Spirit to open more hearts to Christ.

Support Discipleship Efforts in Israel

A young, single mother who struggled with severe anxiety began attending a mid-week Bible study and, as she became more involved, she saw her need for Jesus. The church members embraced her and, after a while, she chose to follow Christ and was baptized. Her testimony is just one of many from this native ministry’s work, which also includes outreach to Holocaust survivors who express interest in the gospel, and discipling young adults. Workers need donations for outreach and discipleship. “Pray for wisdom from above that will help us to know how in the most effective and efficient way to use our scarce resources to advance the cause of the gospel,” the ministry leader said.