SUMMER 2010 Newsletter
It is striking that there is such a diversity
of opinion about what the Bible is and what it teaches. This reality is demonstrated by the differing interpretive approaches to the Bible, even among those who call themselves Christians. Unknown
to many believers, the early Church was composed of mostly Jewish followers of Yeshua HaMashiach. Almost universally they held to a consistently literal understanding of the Jewish Bible (Tenach).
More, we invite you to read the Summer 2010 Newsletter.
Meet Our New Missionary Couple
Ariel Ministries recognizes the importance of actively recruiting
gifted young people and training them for ministry work in our mission. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you Michael and Hannah Gabizon. As of July 1st, these two have joined our Ariel
Ministries family as representatives in Chicago and the surrounding region. Michael and Hannah met at Moody Bible Institute where they were enrolled in the Jewish Studies Program. More,
read the full article.
Summer 2010 On The Road
The day after arriving in Sydney, I was driving to
a city two hours away to speak in a home Bible study. It is hard to find a Bible teaching church in Australia. Many have gone liberal. Bible exposition is virtually nonexistent. As a result, many
believers who are looking for a solid Bible teaching course must make other arrangements. Among these different arrangements setting up home Bible studies and focusing on material they can use
for the study. Throughout Australia, many home Bible studies are using Ariel materials, including the Come and See program off the Ariel website. More, we invite you to read the Summer
2010 On The Road (PDF).
Come and Be Fed
As the weather turns lovely and
warm, the thought of going to Camp Shoshanah again this summer has the whole family eagerly anticipating a great camp experience. What began several years ago as a “meat
seeking” experiment has quickly become an important part of our lives, one that has changed us all. More, read Denise's full article.
Australian Tour Report
Arlie Francis has asked me to briefly report
on my teaching time with Dr Fruchtenbaum at the Wyee camp in Australia. Dr. Fruchtenbaum taught on Genesis 1-8, the Books of Jude and Galatians and gave his testimony. It was my pleasure to co-teach
during this camp and speak on two subjects, The Eight Covenants of the Bible and a visual representation of The Tabernacle with Messianic Foreshadowing. More, read
the full article by Paul Cohen.
Quarterly Newsletter Archives
Keep up to date on events, outreaches, planning, goals, branch and missionary activities of the ministry. Shalom!
Reports from the Field
Read up on Dr. Fruchtenbaum's intinerant teaching travels and missionary efforts.
Calling All Prayer Warriors
Each Prayer Band edition is published to communicate specific needs and to help you pray more effectively for the work of the ministry. We so appreciate your prayers.
A Little LEVIty
Cartoons, humorous illustrations, photos, and anecdotes contributed by supporters and staff. Have something fun to share? Send it in!
Happy Passover Season
We invite you watch now as Dr. Fruchtenbaum explains the central element of the Passover Seder -
The Breaking of the Afikomen. To begin viewing, click play on the first video clip to the right. Shalom!
Then He said to them, “With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:15-20)
March - April 2010 Prayer Band
NEW ZEALAND excerpt: Please pray for David
Thomson as he ministers at Surat Shalom Church and for Arlie Francis as he ministers in Vadodara over the duration of Passion Week. They will be teaching and preaching on a daily basis to traditionally
large congregations over this week. We pray for the ongoing work of translation of the Messianic Bible Studies in the Come and See Discipleship Program into Gujarati. Thirty manuscripts
have already been translated with a further twenty underway... More, we invite you to read the MARCH
- APRIL 2010 PRAYER BAND (PDF) and pray! Thank You.
New Ministry Staff: John and Sharon Metzger
I am both grateful and happy to announce that John and Sharon Metzger will once again minister to the Body of Messiah through Ariel Ministries effective February 1st, 2010. John will continue to do church meetings, speak at conferences, and represent Ariel at various association meetings all in an effort to broaden the Church's awareness of Ariel Ministries' rapidly expanding catalog of Bible teaching resources. He will also introduce programs for use in fostering evangelism among the Jewish people and to help grow a stronger and doctrinally sound foundation among both Jewish and Gentile believers in Messiah Jesus. More, read the full article by Arlie Francis.
Muchan Conference Report
From December 27th to January
3rd, six young people who are associated with this ministry attended a first of it's kind gathering in Berlin, Germany. Sponsored by Chosen People Ministries, the conference name was Muchan meaning “Ready.” Indeed,
young believers in Messiah Jesus from around the world gathered to discuss their future role within the Messianic community. Issues which many of their believing parents have wrestled with like
Identity, Community, and Mission were the subject of conference sessions taught by a number of highly respected Jewish believers from around the world.
Young adults ages 18 to 35 attended this conference to network, encourage, and plan how they will build on the shoulders of the Jewish believers who have preceded them. Ariel Ministries believes the Jewish Scriptures have much to say about the greatest questions of our day. In fact, they are the bedrock of our faith and provide marching orders for all who belong to Him... Jew and Gentile alike. The young people representing Ariel Ministries discovered that there is an openness among their conference counterparts to investigating first and foremost what the Scriptures say about how the Church is to function in this age of the “one new man” identity of all believers.
You will be hearing more from our conference representatives in the coming months, but for now find some spare time and watch some of the videos that are part of a digital Newsletter sent out by Mitch Glaser, the Director of Chosen People Ministries. Mitch previously served with Jews for Jesus and Ariel Ministries. The Lord has used him mightily over the last decade to reshape CPM into a dynamic force that is reaching Jewish people with the Good News of the Gospel and informing the Church as to its responsibility concerning the Jewish people in this, the Church Age.
In Due Time We Shall Reap
One of the highlights of this year was a privilege the LORD granted to us - to start a service as Ariel Ministries Israel Branch Representatives. In our last conversation with Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Sasha said that we dreamt about being associated with Ariel Ministries, based solely on our respect for the solid biblical and systematic teaching of the Word from the Jewish frame of reference. At that, Arnold's response was typically short and calm. He simply said, "It is one of the examples of when your dreams become true." More, we invite you to read the WINTER 2009 EDITION NEWSLETTER (PDF).
Dear Friends of Ariel Ministries
The year 2009 is drawing to a close and a year from now we will conclude the first decade of the new millennium.
May the new millennium not end before the Rapture occurs! May the new century not end before we meet Him in the air! May this decade not end before we receive our glorified bodies! May it even
be today so that this yearly special letter arrives at an empty home! But because we do not know when this will happen, I am therefore happy to report about what the Lord has done (and is doing)
in and through Ariel Ministries. More, we invite you to read Dr. Fruchtenbaum's Annual Letter of Thanksgiving (PDF).
Celebrate Hanukkah!
Hanukkah originated over 150 years before Yeshua (Jesus) was born. God's
people, the Jewish people had fallen to hard times, a clear warning that their relationship with God was on the outs (see Deuteronomy 28). Israel's enemies to the north attacked and took control
of the Jewish state. The invaders made it illegal to worship the one true and living God. If any Jew was found studying or even obeying the laws of the Bible, he would be executed. Many Jews were
even forced to worship idols. When the evil soldiers came to the town of the Hashmonean clan, now known as the Maccabees, to force this idolatry, the town's patriarch named Mattathias refused
to offer sacrifice to the false god.
More, we invite you to read CELEBRATE
HANUKKAH (PDF) written by Steve Shermett of Congregation Beth Sar Shalom (Tucson, Arizona). It provides a historical overview and instructions on how to observe the holiday in your own home:
including the lighting of the Menorah (Hanukkiah), a potato Latke recipe, worship songs, how to play the Dreidel game, and more puzzles and fun for the children. Please visit the Congregation
Beth Sar Shalom website for more information about their ministry. Shalom!
The Fall of The Wall
Today is a very special day for us in Germany. Exactly 20 years ago, the Berlin wall fell.
Over the last couple of weeks I've been watching numerous documentaries on the events leading up to this. It just is amazing to see how God orchestrated this event in history. It is undeniable,
that this was a miraculous event. It could never have been achieved by human efforts. More, read the full article by Georg Hagedorn.
Ariel Heads To Israel
According to a September 2008 article in the Jerusalem Post, “There are 13.3 million people around the world who identify themselves as 'Jewish,' and 41.3 percent of them live in Israel.” Consequently, it shouldn't be a surprise that we have been looking for just the right people to represent us among the Jews living in Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel).
Last year, Dr. Fruchtenbaum suggested that I speak with a young couple he had met some time ago. Sasha and Lyana G. came to see me in Jerusalem while I was leading a tour in January. There was an immediate sense that we had found exactly what we were looking for. More, we invite you to read the Fall 2009 Newsletter (PDF).
Camp Shoshanah 2009 Teachers' Workshop Report
Last week was a landmark for the future of Ariel Ministries. Twenty-five people from across the globe joined me at Ariel's Camp Shoshanah to participate in a first-of-its-kind teachers' workshop event. Together, we explored various techniques for teaching Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum's series on the Life of Messiah from a Jewish Perspective. Participants from Australia, India, Israel, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States quickly formed a tight-knit family committed helping one another to develop the skills necessary to teach this material. More, read the full article.
Opening Our Hearts and Our Front Door
Despite being about 10,000 miles from Israel, New Zealand has for some years been a popular destination for Israeli travelers.
Most of those who travel here are in their twenties, having recently completed military service with the IDF. I live with my wife Sheree and our four homeschooled children on a rural lifestyle
property 60 miles north of Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. Late in 2004, we made the decision to open our home to Israeli travelers. It has been a remarkable and rewarding experience hosting
more than 350 Israelis in the intervening period. More, we invite you to read the SUMMER 2009 EDITION NEWSLETTER (PDF).
When Hakn A Chainik Really Becomes A Problem
Dear Friends,
Irving Salzman is the Messianic Rabbi of Beth Messiah Messianic Congregation of Livingston, New Jersey. Beth Messiah is the home congregation of Mottel Baleston, a featured teacher around Ariel Ministries. I had the great joy of visiting Beth Messiah on July 11th, 2009. It was a joyous time of fellowship and great teaching. I invite you now to listen to Rabbi Salzman's sermon from my visit. Periodically, we will profile the teaching of other doctrinally sound expositors from around the Messianic community.
Please visit Beth Messiah's website for more information. Listen to Rabbi Salzman's sermon by scrolling to "When Hakn A Chainik Really Becomes A Problem" in the multi-media player at the top right side above.
Thank You and Shalom,
Arlie Francis.
What Are You Doing Here? Jews for Jesus SWC 2009
New York City's two million Jewish people form the largest concentration of Jews living in any city
in the world. Russian Jews, Israelis, Orthodox Jews, secular Jews, Persian Jews and Jews who are totally unaffiliated make New York the most diverse Jewish community in the world. And that's why
it is the ideal place to impact the larger Jewish population around the world, not to mention the rest of the people of New York, with the truth about Messiah.
Arlie has just completed a week of evangelism participation with Jews for Jesus in the SWC (Summer Witnessing Campaign) on the streets of New York. More, we invite you to read ARLIE'S REPORT and watch ARLIE'S VIDEO BLOG.
Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism
I've recently returned from the Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism, an international CEO's conference
held near Avignon, France. Attendees represented the leadership of organizations involved in Jewish missions in England, Germany, France, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, the United
States, and Israel. All are committed to the cause of sharing the Gospel with Jewish people around the world. More, read the full article.
A Response To Messianic Good News
At least two people came to me personally, who were both on our mailing list and theirs, told me how disturbed they were by what was written since they know that it was not my position and never was and the accusations were simply quite false. One of the two even personally wrote to them asking them to print an apology for such mishandling of my material, but that was not forthcoming. Therefore, I promised to write a detailed response to be put on our webpage and that is the reason for this article. More, read the full article.
Pray for Israel and Gaza
By now, most of you have seen the images from Israel's ground assault
of the Gaza Strip which began Saturday night. Over the last week as Israel's air force conducted an aerial bombing campaign of Hamas terrorist infrastructure, the Israel Defense Forces had been
moving soldiers and equipment to the perimeter of the Gaza Strip in preparation of a ground assault. More, read the full article.
Testimonials
- Thank You So Much — Kimberly F. (Hillsborough, NJ)
- Course and Quizzes Finished! — Neil K. (Auburn, NE)
- What I Needed Was Objective Truth — Robert C. (Kennewick, WA)
- I Thank the Lord for Ariel Ministries! — Neil K. (Auburn, NE)
- We are Praying for You — Pastor Kaoto (Kenya, East Africa)
- Blessings in Messiah — Manuel B. (El Centro, California)
- Regarding the Israel and Gaza article — Mike F. (Worthington, Ohio)
- General Encouragement — Johan V. (Auckland, New Zealand)
- Thank You — Joseph and Nancy M. (Windermere, Florida)
- Homeschooling with Come and See — (USA)
