About Akaya Kitchen

Akaya Kitchen is the founder and president of Lifting up Zion. God called her to “lift up Zion” in 2011 after her first visit to Israel. She fulfills that by (1) encouraging the Body of Christ to pray for the salvation of Israel and (2) collecting funds for the Messianic Jewish community in Israel. She is an ordained Assemblies of God minister. Akaya has a Master’s degree in Applied Communication and a Certificate in Biblical Studies. She is married to her husband, Lee, Associate Pastor of Hope Church in Helena-West Helena, Arkansas, and is a dedicated daughter, sister, and aunt. She is the author of the book How You Should Pray for Israel.

Two Jewish Leaders Who Came to Jesus

Did you know that in the Gospel writings, there were Jewish Leaders who came to Jesus? Not all of the Jewish leaders in the Bible rejected Jesus as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. While the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees often receive the most attention, there were some Jewish leaders who did believe [...]

By |2026-04-20T12:57:46-05:00April 20th, 2026|Newsletter|Comments Off on Two Jewish Leaders Who Came to Jesus

Introducing Dov and Olga

One of the organizations that we support for ministry in Israel is Aviv Ministry. Led by Dov and Olga Bikas, the organization ministers to the practical needs of Israelis. They serve the homeless, the drug addicted, the hungry, and the hurting. This month, their ministry newsletter tells a powerful story, and I’ve asked their permission [...]

By |2026-03-13T09:08:01-05:00March 13th, 2026|Newsletter|Comments Off on Introducing Dov and Olga

The God Who Declares the End: Why Israel’s Salvation Is Certain

Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and [...]

By |2026-02-13T14:10:32-06:00February 13th, 2026|Newsletter|Comments Off on The God Who Declares the End: Why Israel’s Salvation Is Certain

When Antioch Gave: The Forgotten Story of Gentile Generosity to Jerusalem

Antioch was an interesting place. The bustling city in Syria was home to a diverse group of believers—both Jew and gentile—who worshipped the God of Israel together. In fact, Antioch would be the training ground for a young man named Paul, also known as Saul, as God prepared him for a global ministry. After [...]

By |2026-01-12T13:21:30-06:00January 12th, 2026|Newsletter|Comments Off on When Antioch Gave: The Forgotten Story of Gentile Generosity to Jerusalem

Doctor of Ministry

Dear friends and partners, This month, I bring a personal life update to you that has bearing on my work with Lifting up Zion. On Monday, December 8, I successfully defended my Doctor of Ministry dissertation, “Messianic Jews and Antisemitism: Responses and Jewish Perspectives.” It was an arduous but worthwhile journey, and I pray this [...]

By |2025-12-10T17:23:26-06:00December 10th, 2025|Newsletter|Comments Off on Doctor of Ministry

Symposium on Global Antisemitism

On November 6-7, 2025, The King’s University in Southlake, Texas, hosted its first annual Symposium on Global Antisemitism. I was privileged to present a paper there discussing the contributions of various Messianic Jewish and Jewish mission organizations in the fight against antisemitism. Here is a short synopsis of what the Messianic Jewish world is doing [...]

By |2025-11-10T11:52:34-06:00November 10th, 2025|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Symposium on Global Antisemitism

A Prayer for the Salvation of Israel

In Romans, we see a heartfelt expression from the Apostle Paul, that he deeply desired and earnestly prayed that the Jewish people would be saved. It seems that Paul was deeply convicted of this prayer in his heart. In Romans 9, he said: I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience [...]

By |2025-10-16T16:13:43-05:00October 16th, 2025|Newsletter|Comments Off on A Prayer for the Salvation of Israel

September Newsletter

These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also. Acts 17:6 In Israel, there are approximately 20,000 Jewish people who believe in Yeshua as Messiah. While the percentage of Messianic Jews is relatively small, their number is increasing. In fact, in 1999, there were only 5,000 Messianic Jews. This should remind [...]

By |2025-09-17T11:06:22-05:00September 17th, 2025|Newsletter|Comments Off on September Newsletter
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