We may be in the middle of a war, but there’s a lot happening here in Israel. God hasn’t slowed down at all. People are still steadily coming into the kingdom, a new semester has started back at our Bible college, and we recently hosted a conference for believing soldiers.

Our young people and reservists are continually being called back up serve in the army, and the fighting seems to drag on and on with very little respite. However, 170 soldiers who love the Lord were able to gather together for a conference organized by ONE FOR ISRAEL, to bless them, encourage them, and to spur them on in their faith.

Take a deep breath: caring for our soldiers

The theme of the conference was “God’s guidance in the life of the believer.” There were times of worship, plenty of good food and fellowship, and seminars on important subjects like, “How to hear the voice of God.”

The gathering took place just outside Jerusalem with dramatic views of the Judean hills, and it was a perfect time of refreshment and encouragement. Here are some of their comments:

“I realized from the conference that in order to hear God’s voice I can’t just wait and expect to get all the answers — it’s something that I have to constantly work on and have a real personal relationship with God — not just because I might need it someday, but because I really want to know Him.”

“Because this is my first conference, it definitely encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. To open up and connect with new believers in my age range — something that almost never happened to me before, and for that I say thank you.”⁠

“The conference was really very blessed, like taking a deep breath, really stopping and renewing my strength.”

“It was really blessed, thank you very much for your service and your heart to serve. I will pray that God will continue to bless you in your service.”

“It was very relevant, this was my first Tzofen conference. I think it’s very important to have God’s guidance in our lives. The person who really wants to build a relationship with God needs not only to get to know it, to memorize it, but also to apply it. It is very important for me to apply and get to know it more, this was a very significant topic even for mature believers. I must remember that God’s will for us is better than ours.”

New semester at the Bible college

Meanwhile, back at the ONE FOR ISRAEL campus, students are returning after the break for a new semester of studies at our Bible college.

We have been updating our classrooms after the devastating arson attack in 2023, thanks to all the generosity of people like you. The fire did a lot of damage to the building but we have almost completed the restoration process, and we have also taken the opportunity to upgrade and update our facilities.

The studies did not slow down even while the building work was being carried out, but the students were delighted to see the new classrooms, especially after being squashed into the library for much of last semester!

The word of God continues to go forth, and God’s people are being equipped and trained even as the Middle East is shifting and churning all around us.

We want to make sure as many as possible are ready for every good work.

“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2).