The Road to Emmaus Ministry Update

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God .

John 1:1

October / November 2018 Ministry Update

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Shalom Aleichem,

The importance of declaring the Word of God -- nothing more or less…

Being called to live in Israel to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ – Yeshua Ha’Mashiach – is the main purpose of mine and my family’s lives. The calling God has put on our lives is very focused and simple -- declare the good news of the gospel to the Jew first and also to the whole world with the hope that some will believe and turn from their sins. It is not an easy calling as most, especially Jewish people, reject this message of life. My heart breaks as most people I witness to are either indifferent or antagonistic to the message. Even though I know the Bible declares that most will reject the gospel I still wonder what I can do better in my presentation to properly show the truth about the heart of God and His desire to redeem lost people. I have come to realize that when I tell my fellow Jews to believe in Jesus, they right away think of someone far different than we do as declared in His Word.

It is no secret that most of the world when they hear the word “Christian” think of an organization like the Catholic church and all of its trappings. Unfortunately, all of the “Christian” sites associated with our Lord Jesus here in Israel are either under Catholic or Eastern/Russian Orthodox control which means that all those who look for Jesus at these sites see a rendition of Him that is marred by the traditions of men.

In my time walking the old city and taking guests around to see the “Christian” sites something very interesting came to my mind. Rather than being pointed to the Scriptures to see who Yeshua is by faith alone they are bombarded with symbols of crucifixes, portrayals, statues, candles, incense, and other “smells and bells” that lead people away from the Living Word in Jesus to one that looks more like a pagan idol.

As egregious as those “smells and bells” are to the simple gospel message something more prominent but less evident is the “Altar” which is at the center of every Catholic church. This exceptionally built altar, where the Body and Blood of Jesus is supposedly sacrificed during every mass known as transubstantiation, is not commanded by God ( Ex. 20:25 ). The pulpit, or bema as it’s known in a synagogue, is off to the side. If you go into an evangelical church or even a synagogue the pulpit is the center of attention as it should be…

Why is this important?

Because where the pulpit is there is the Living Word of God who was once sacrificed for our sins that all who believe in Him will be saved. The Word read and preached is what brings life to those who will believe, not an altar where a priest re-crucifies our Lord and they call it the Lord’s Supper to be taken by all who believe as a sacrament of works. The idea that we have to create images to worship and an “altar” to re-crucify our Savior pollutes the simple message that we are preaching to the Jewish people. We unashamedly preach Christ crucified, buried, and resurrected – to the Jew a stumbling block and to the world foolishness, but we preach it nonetheless ( 1 Cor. 15:1-4; Hebrews 10:1-18; 1 Cor. 1:23-24 ).

We have a tough enough time to preach about our Messiah Jesus due to the many years of false teachings by the rabbis as well as the false teachings of the so-called “church”. One of the greatest challenges we have to deal with, in ministering the Word to Jewish people, is to overcome the misconceptions of what they think we believe about Jesus and what we think we believe about what the Jewish people believe. Most Jewish people think all Christians hate them because they have long been referred to as “Christ-Killers” by the “church” (mostly by the Catholic Church). In bringing the gospel to the Jewish People, one of the first things I try and do right away is to try and clear up as many misconceptions as I can; the first thing is to distance myself from much that comes with Catholicism as stated above. I explain that we are not here to convert them to a new “religion” but rather to tell them about the person of Jesus Christ and how to be right with God the Father. I also let them know we are not accusing anyone of killing the Messiah. This gives me the opportunity to talk about the love of our Savior as He Himself declared " Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again . No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” John 10:17-18 . The response is usually “Really I didn’t know that about Christians” … which opens up many doors.

Please pray that as we go about the Land preaching the good news that we will be able to rightly divide the Word of truth and give an answer for the hope that is within us as we declare Jesus and nothing more or less. It is our hope and desire to see all Israel come to a knowledge of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach - Jesus the Messiah- as their Messiah! ( Romans 10; 2 Tim 2:15; 1 Peter 3:15 )

Mark helping me with our Bible shipment. We are so grateful for the supply of Bibles in so many languages.

It was wonderful to spend time with the Baileys and their fiances. The Baileys are long time friends from Beth's Dad's church who were here studying Bible for a semester.

A very exciting day to see David graduate from his initial Boot Camp /Hebrew Course.

While in America Beth was so blessed to be able to visit Dawn and encourage her as she continues her battle with cancer.

Gospel Opportunities

During Ministry House Tours

While touring David’s tomb, a holy site for Rabbinic Jews, I met a man named Nachman, an ultra-orthodox Jew, looking to proselytize people to Rabbinic Judaism. As I was walking out he asked me if I was Jewish and I told him I was a יהודי משיחי (Yehudi Mesachie) – a Jewish follower of Messiah. He right away tried to correct me and even got another rabbi involved. He didn’t know any English, so our conversation was pretty simple, but he fully understood me when I expressed to him his need to believe in Yeshua. I told him we had to go and would love to talk to him later. As we were walking away, he came out to find me. At first I thought he was part of the anti-missionary group Yad Lechim but as we continued to talk, I realized now that since he was away from his peers he felt comfortable enough to ask me about Jesus. I told him I would come back with material for him to learn about the Messiah in the Tanach (OT). I went back and he quickly took the information and stuffed it into his black orthodox coat and thanked me. Please pray for Nachman as he reads the Scriptures that he will see the Messiah.

One of our guests bought a gift from a shop owner in the Old City who is an Orthodox Jewish man named Ellie. When he came by to drop off the gift, we got into a discussion about our mutual love of Israel which of course is one my favorite ways to bring up the gospel with my fellow Jewish Israelis. I told him I was a believer in the Jewish Messiah and I got the normal response that by believing in Yeshua I am no longer Jewish. I informed him of his many problems with the rabbinic system. I told him I keep the law by the power of Spirit and grace in my life. After 45 minutes of discussion I felt like I was able to cause Ellie to see many issues with his “faith” in that it was in the system of the Rabbi’s and not in God. He thanked me and went on his way. Please pray that Ellie will question the faultiness of Rabbinic Judaism and turn to Jesus for salvation.

During our travels

During a layover in an airport I met a married couple named Rose and Patrick who are Catholics from Ireland. They told me they were “Christians” going to visit a supposed supernatural statute of Mary. They were very poor and spent a lot of money to make this pilgrimage. As “Christian” pilgrims, who surprisingly had no Bibles in hand, they were going on this trip to visit a statue of Mary thinking this would please God. I attempted to bring the gospel to Patrick and handed him a tract showing the problems of a works based religion in Catholicism. Patrick told me he couldn’t read so he led me to his wife Rose. She was very reluctant to take a tract but eventually did and she actually read it. It was so sad to see this family burdened with the need to obey the so-called “church” without a true saving faith in Messiah. Pray for them and all like them to come to a saving faith.

While in Florida I met a man named Stan and his friend while walking on the beach. They asked me where I was from which eventually led to a discussion about why the Jewish people are so persecuted around the world. I informed them of God’s plan with a covenant people who need to hear about the gospel and Satan’s schemes to destroy them leading people away from believing in a covenant keeping God. This gave us the time to discuss the gospel as it related specifically to them. Stan’s friend said she only can believe in a god of love who loves everyone and would never deal with people’s sin in hell. I explained to them the Scriptures that required we know all about who God is, especially His holiness demanding a payment for sin. Stan was very interested and realized that God would not be God if he didn’t judge sin and asked if I would send him more information about our ministry and the Bible. I will be reaching out to him and hope and pray he receives the Word.

Being in Pensacola also allowed me the opportunity to follow up with Jewish Israelis in the mall. They were very interested in hearing more about my faith and will be getting together with our sons who live in Florida in the coming weeks.

During Friday outreach

We had a divine appointment during our time of outreach. On Friday’s I usually go by the book exchange where I leave Bibles and other gospel information. As I was leaving a Hebrew Bible a man named Chai came right up as he was so excited to see a full Bible --Tanach & Brit Chadasha (OT & NT). He said he has been looking all over for a full Bible as he wants to learn about the New Testament. We pray every time before we go out for a divine appointment. Had we been there a little earlier or later this man may have missed opportunity to read about the Messiah. Pray for Chai that he will be led to salvation through the written Word!

Met Yehuda during our Friday outreach. He is 94 years old and used to drive the armored cars from Latrun (Abby's base) to Jerusalem to keep it supplied during the 1948 war. We were able to give him a Yiddish Bible.

Life in the Land and Friedman Family Happenings

The last two months have been a fruitful time in our ministry. We continue to work with many in bringing the gospel as well as with believers in our congregation. We have seen many guests come through the Everlasting Nation Ministry House. We also continue to work with IDF soldiers and others in the land to show them our faith through Shabbat meals and our prayer time at the Western Wall.

Bible Shipments

We have been very blessed to receive a two pallet shipment of Bibles with help of our fellow workers at The Society For Distributing Hebrew Scriptures. We are now well stocked with the Word of God in most languages that we come across here in Israel. We have a church group coming this month who I hope to employ in helping us build shelves and organize our stock. Please pray the Lord will lead those who want these Bibles and they will read them to bring them to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

The Everlasting Nation Ministry House –Additional Ministry Focus.

As our ministry in Israel continues to grow, an interesting reality has begun taking place with our work managing The Everlasting Nation Ministry house. As we minister to guests through Bible teaching, explaining Jewish culture, evangelism training, and outreach we have begun to see some fruit with those who have been able to join us here. The Ministry House is creating more opportunities for outreach as we tour guests through the Land. This also enables them to return home with a greater understanding about the Jewish people and a burden to reach them in their communities. We realize we cannot reach all those who need the gospel alone and we realize how we have been able to multiply our efforts with those who come and return to their homes to reach the Jewish people where they live. To God be the glory for this wonderful new ministry opportunity.

Friedman Family Happenings

David has completed his initial boot camp and Hebrew course. He is now in the Armored Corp Division working with Tanks. The next three months will be a very intensive second boot camp. He will than move on to an eight month intensive training course to learn how to operate a Merkavah Tank. Please continue to be in prayer for him as the challenge of boot camp is magnified by the fact he doesn’t always understand the commands in Hebrew and needs a supernatural gifting from God to fully learn the language. Although he is serving in the Israeli army, he realizes that he really is serving in God’s army to bring the gospel to a lost people. He will need boldness and prayer to complete this part of his mission.

Abigail is entering the final quarter in her service as she only has five months left. Please pray that she will finish well in her service with gladness and show forth her Messiah.

Mark & Levi continue to press on with home school and Hebrew studies.

Our family and ministry are grateful that Beth is recovering nicely from her broken foot. She still has a slight limp and pain but is getting better every day!

We are praising God that we were able to use our flight benefits to go for a good but too short visit to Florida for our first full family reunion in over two years. We especially enjoyed seeing our adult children with their families and we had a very special time with our grandchildren.

Again, we would like to give a special thank you to each one of you who continue to support and pray for us and our ministry. We are very grateful!

Love and Blessings in the Messiah,

Scott, Beth, Abigail, David, Mark, Levi

לוי ,מארק ,דוד ,אביגיל ,ג'יין ,סקוט

“ For if God be on our side, what matter maketh it who be against us, be they bishops, cardinals, popes, or whatsoever names they will? ”

William Tyndale

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Prayer Requests

Pray for us to finish the year strong.

Continue to pray for Beth's sister Dawn as she battles cancer.

Pray for the salvation of those who God has appointed for us to meet. We especially want to be able to see the fruit of our labors in new believers coming to faith.

Pray for our congregation to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Especially for new believers.

Pray for those coming, especially for IDF Soldiers, to our Shabbat Meal time to hear the gospel.

Pray for our adult children back in America that they would continue strong in the faith.

P ray for our son Robert, Ashley, and Juliet. Ashley is pregnant with their second child and they just moved into their new home .

Pray for Abby and David as they serve in the IDF and work to be a great witness and light of the gospel; for Mark and Levi as they play with the neighbor children.

Pray for Hebrew studies for all of us including Mark & Levi. Especially for the supernatural gift to learn and for the time to study.

Pray for me that I will represent our Messiah properly in the teaching of the Word and the preaching of the gospel as we gather together with our congregation, as I walk the streets, and spend time at the Western Wall.

Pray for rain as we enter the winter season and the anticipation of the winter rains.

Pray that the Lord will continue to keep us healthy and provide for our monthly financial needs.

As always, pray for the peace of Jerusalem -- Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalim Psalm 122:6

Isaiah 45:17

But Israel shall be saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

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