This week I was reminded once again that our God is a faithful God. We live in days filled with uncertainty. Every day brings new headlines, new challenges, and new reasons for concern. Yet in the midst of it all, God continues to move powerfully throughout the land of Israel.
Here in Nazareth, we are preparing to open our new humanitarian aid center in the Galilee—a place that will serve as a beacon of hope for both Jews and Arabs. It will be a place where practical needs are met, where lives are touched through acts of compassion, and where people can encounter the love of Yeshua in a personal way. We believe this new center will help us expand the ministry God has entrusted to us and reach even more people throughout Israel with the Gospel.
As we move forward in this exciting season, I have been reflecting on a question I am often asked: Why do you believe God still has a purpose for Israel? My answer is simple: because the Bible says so.
Over the years, the Lord has challenged and deepened my understanding of His Word. As I studied the Scriptures more carefully, I discovered something beautiful and undeniable—God is a covenant-keeping God. He does not abandon His promises, and He does not forget the people He has chosen. Many people are familiar with the promises God made to Abraham. In Genesis 12:3, the Lord declared, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” This was not a temporary promise. It revealed God’s heart and His plan of redemption that would ultimately bless the entire world through the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua.
The prophet Zechariah later described Israel as “the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8), reminding us of God’s continuing care and concern for His people. Through Isaiah, the Lord proclaimed, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands” (Isaiah 49:16). What a powerful picture of God’s faithfulness.
Even when His people wandered, even when they experienced discipline, God never forgot them. The Apostle Paul addresses this subject directly in Romans 11. After asking whether God has rejected His people, Paul answers emphatically, “By no means!”. Later he writes, “For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29). These words have deeply impacted my own life and ministry because they remind us that God’s character never changes. The same God who made promises thousands of years ago remains faithful today.
This does not mean that every Jewish person automatically knows the Messiah.
Just as with every nation and every people group, salvation comes through faith in Yeshua alone. Yet the Scriptures consistently point to God’s ongoing work among the Jewish people and His desire to draw them back to Himself. The prophets spoke of this future restoration again and again. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Micah, and Zechariah all looked forward to a day when God would reveal His mercy in a powerful way and many would recognize Him as their Savior and King. One of the most moving passages is found in Zechariah 12:10: “They will look on Me, the One they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child.” What a beautiful picture of redemption and hope.
As an Arab pastor serving in Israel, this truth carries special meaning for me.
God has called us to be a light in this land—not only to Arabs, not only to Jews, but to everyone He brings across our path. The Gospel is the message that breaks down walls, heals divisions, and reconciles people to God and to one another. We have the privilege of proclaiming that message every day through evangelism, discipleship, humanitarian outreach, and personal relationships. In many ways, I see our ministry as a lamp. But every lamp needs oil. Your prayers, your encouragement, and your support are part of the oil that keeps this light shining. Because of faithful friends like you, we are able to share the Gospel, serve families in need, disciple believers, and proclaim the truth of God’s Word throughout Israel.
As we prepare to open our new humanitarian aid center and continue expanding the work God has entrusted to us, we invite you to stand with us in prayer. The Lord is moving in Israel. The Lord is drawing people to Himself. The Lord is building His Kingdom among both Jews and Arabs. And through it all, He continues to prove that He is faithful to every promise He has made.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. May God richly bless you from Nazareth.
Blessings,
Pastor Saleem Shalash