In times of war, small moments of kindness can carry extraordinary meaning. Over the past several days in northern Israel, families who hurried into shelters expecting another long and anxious night were met with an unexpected sight: volunteers from Nazareth arriving with food, bedding, and simple comfort supplies — ready to help in any way they could. For many of those families, it was especially moving to realize that the people showing up to serve them were Arab Christians from the Galilee who had come simply to care for their neighbors in a time of need.
For our community at Home of Jesus the King Church in Nazareth, moments like these reflect the very heart of our calling. In a land where history, culture, and conflict can often divide people, we believe the love of Jesus invites us to build bridges instead of barriers. Serving Jewish and Arab communities side by side during this difficult time is more than humanitarian work — it is a living expression of reconciliation, compassion, and the unity that God desires for His people.
Over the past several days, our team has been traveling throughout northern Israel, bringing humanitarian aid to public shelters in cities like Haifa and other communities across the region. Many of these shelters are currently housing families who must spend long hours underground whenever rockets are launched from the north. Parents comfort anxious children, elderly residents sit quietly waiting for the next update, and neighbors who barely knew one another before the war now share the same confined shelter space.
Together with our volunteers, we have been distributing mattresses, sleeping bags, food boxes, and comfort kits containing coffee, tea, kettles, and simple refreshments. These may seem like small things, but in a shelter where families may remain for hours at a time, they bring warmth, dignity, and encouragement. Sometimes the simple act of sharing a warm drink or resting on a proper mattress can make an enormous difference during long and stressful nights underground.
One of the most moving aspects of these visits has been the response from many Israeli Jewish residents we encounter. For some, it is a powerful testimony to see Christian Arab believers from Nazareth arriving to serve them during wartime. In a moment when fear and tension could easily deepen divisions, people instead witness kindness and solidarity. Hearts open. Conversations begin. And in those moments, the love of God is expressed not through words alone, but through action.
This is deeply connected to the vision that has guided our church for many years. At Home of Jesus the King Church, we believe God has called us to be bridge-builders between Arab and Jewish communities in this land. Through simple acts of service, we seek to reflect the heart of Jesus — reaching across cultural and historical divides with humility and compassion. As the Scriptures say about Him, “He went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38). In times like these, we believe our calling is simply to do the same.
At the same time, the needs across northern Israel continue to grow. Many families remain under constant threat from Hezbollah rockets, and many Israeli service personnel are stationed in the field for extended periods under very difficult conditions. Because of this, our team has begun preparing special coffee comfort sets designed to bring a small moment of warmth and encouragement both to families sheltering underground and to soldiers serving in the field. Each set includes a small gas coffee boiler, a coffee pot, cups, spoons, sugar, instant milk, and coffee — simple items that allow people to share a warm drink together even during long hours in shelters or remote field positions.
Alongside this effort, we are also preparing 1,000 wartime food boxes that will be distributed to vulnerable Israeli Arab and Jewish families across Nazareth, the Galilee, and surrounding communities. These packages will be especially important as we approach the upcoming Passover and Easter season, when many families are already under financial pressure and the realities of war make daily life even more difficult.
In addition, our team will continue distributing mattresses and sleeping bags to shelters across towns in the north and throughout the Galilee where the need remains urgent.
None of this would be possible without friends like you. Through your partnership, we are able to bring practical help, encouragement, and a visible expression of the love of Jesus to people who are walking through very difficult days.
Your support can help provide:
- $14 — One blanket for a family sheltering during rocket attacks
- $53 — One mattress for a shelter space
- $55 — One comfort kit (coffee, tea, cookies, cups, and an electric kettle for a family staying in a shelter)
- $40 — One sleeping bag for a family sheltering during rocket attacks
- $40 — One wartime food basket for a family in need
- $140–$280 — An emergency gift card (500–1000 shekels) to help a vulnerable family purchase essential supplies
Each gift allows us to bring practical help and encouragement to another family here in Nazareth and across northern Israel.
We also want to thank you deeply for your prayers. Your love and support truly make a difference in the lives of the people we are serving during this time. Please continue praying for peace, protection for civilians, and wisdom for leaders across this land.
Thank you for remembering Nazareth.
Thank you for standing with Israel.
And thank you for standing with us as we serve people here in the name of Jesus.
With gratitude and love,
Pastor Saleem Shalash
