26 June 2016
This ministry was birthed in my heart about five years ago. I traveled to Israel with a group of fellow college students who advocated for Israel on their campuses around the nation.
As I was preparing to go to Israel, I asked all of my family members what they wanted as a souvenir. My Dad told me that he didn’t want anything, but instead he gave me a CD album of worship music and asked me to give it to a Messianic Jew, or a Jewish person who believes in Jesus, if I met one.
So I prayed, and asked the Lord to guide my steps and allow me to meet a Messianic Jew in Israel.
My heart searched for one each day of the trip, and by day eleven of our twelve-day trip, I still hadn’t met one.
The night before we were scheduled to leave and return to the United States, I walked on the beach of Tel Aviv along the Mediterranean Sea. I sensed I should stop savoring the moment and return to my hotel room.
I walked into the hotel lobby and my eyes found a face I recognized, an American worship leader named Eddie James was standing in the hotel lobby. I approached him and talked with him, telling him how much I enjoyed his music and couldn’t believe that I had just met him in Israel of all places.
While I spoke with Eddie James, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and my eyes met with those of a smiling Jewish man. He extended his hand for a handshake and introduced himself to me as the Rabbi of a Messianic Jewish congregation.
My heart sang for joy, as he couldn’t have known how I had been praying for this encounter for days.
He invited me to join his congregation for Shabbat service the next morning, and it worked out that I had a block of free time before I needed to leave to catch my flight home.
A few of my travel mates joined me, and we worshiped in beautiful unity with a group of Messianic Jews in the heart of Israel. I left my Dad’s CD album there with the Rabbi that day.
I also left a part of my heart.
After I settled in back home, I sensed a clear and strong compelling that I would one day help connect the Church in the United States with the Church in Israel.
My husband and I are taking the first step in building that connection now. We believe the connection begins in prayer.
If you would like to help us take the first step in building the connection, we ask you to join us in prayer:
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.
Ephesians 6:18-19
First, we encourage you to pray for the believers in Israel, that they would be fearless as they proclaim the mystery of the gospel.
We also ask that you pray for the salvation of the Israelites who are not yet saved as the apostle Paul did.
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. Romans 10:1
Secondly, if you would like to help us establish this ministry, Lifting up Zion, as a tax deductible organization, we graciously accept donations via Paypal by check, or money order to:
Lifting up Zion, Inc.
PO Box 7695
Little Rock, AR 72217-7695
We thank you for your partnership in building this powerful connection!
Lee & Akaya Kitchen
