The waters of the Sea of Galilee always touch something deep in my spirit.
Every time I’m here, I imagine Yeshua walking on this water, teaching from these shores, and calling simple men to follow Him and change the world. And right now—today—I believe He’s doing something just as miraculous.
This week I joined a beautiful gathering of both Arab and Jewish believers—pastors, ministry leaders, friends, and their families—all coming together for a few days of rest, fellowship, worship, and prayer. We were invited to take part in Pastor Tom Hess’s gathering in Migdal, and I can tell you with all my heart: something holy is happening here.
In a world full of tension, war, and division—especially here in Israel—what we’re experiencing is nothing short of supernatural. We’re not just having meetings. We’re sharing meals. We’re laughing together. We’re hugging each other’s children. We’re standing side by side in worship, lifting up one voice to the Lord.
And it’s not a performance. It’s real.
The world might not want to show this kind of unity between Arabs and Jews. It doesn’t fit the narrative of conflict and hatred. But this unity is God’s narrative. This is His Kingdom breaking through.
I shared a simple picture that the Lord put on my heart: salt. Salt is something so basic—so common—but it’s powerful. It’s made from two elements: sodium and chlorine. Each one on its own is dangerous. If you ingest them separately, you could die. But when they come together, they become salt—something useful, life-giving, and full of purpose.
That’s exactly what I see happening between Jewish and Arab believers in Israel. We each carry pain, history, even mistrust. But when we come together in Yeshua—when we allow His Spirit to unite us—something beautiful is created. Something essential. Just like salt, we become a blessing to the world around us.
We preserve life, we bring healing, and we reflect the very heart of God.
At Home of Jesus the King Church, this is the mission we’ve embraced: to be bridge-builders between Arab and Jewish communities. To be peacemakers. To be salt. We’re not perfect, and the road isn’t always easy. But I believe with all my heart that God sees every act of reconciliation, every risk we take in love, every step toward each other—and He honors it.
These few days in Tiberias have reminded me of what really matters. Not numbers. Not platforms. Not titles. What matters is relationship. What matters is family. And I truly believe that when the Body of Messiah in Israel stands together in unity, we are fulfilling one of Yeshua’s greatest desires—that His people would be one, just as He and the Father are one.
So I ask you—please keep praying for us. Pray for this fragile but powerful unity. Pray that God would continue knitting Arab and Jewish hearts together, not just in worship gatherings, but in life. In community. In true friendship and shared purpose.
And as you pray, don’t forget—if Yeshua walked on these waters once, He can do it again. He can walk across every divide and bring peace where it seems impossible. That’s who He is.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Thank you for believing in what God is doing here in the land of Israel. Your prayers, support, and love are felt more than you know.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May He make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.
May He turn His face toward you and give you peace—real shalom.
With love and gratitude from the Sea of Galilee,
Pastor Saleem Shalash