Monthly Archives: January 2013

Two State Solution? No, one new man…

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‘SEEDS OF HOPE’ CONFERENCES

Tass & Karen Saada and Christine Sakakibara

17 May – 2 Jun 2013

Taysir Abu Saada (known as Tass) was “Once an Arafat Man”. In fact that is the title of his book which has been published by Tyndale. Born in Gaza, raised in Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf in a world of radical Islam and violent Palestinian nationalism, by his teenage years he was a cauldron of seething hatred towards Israel. He became a PLO sniper and chauffeur for Yasser Arafat. But this radical Muslim jihadist came face to face with Jesus and was miraculously transformed. God not only gave him a changed heart but also a love for the Jewish people. Today, Tass and his wife Karen, head up an organisation called ‘Seeds of Hope’ which provides a ministry to both Jewish and Arab youth in Jerusalem and Arab youth in Jericho. They are now taking the message of peace to the people Tass once hated most – the Jews, and to the brethren he was willing to die for – the Muslims.

Under the auspices of Good News for Israel and CMJ Australia, Tass & Karen will be visiting Australia 17 May – 2 June 2013, to speak at conferences in Perth (17-20 May), Melbourne (23-26 May), Sydney (27-29 May) and Brisbane/Gold Coast (31 May-2 Jun), sharing their incredible and miraculous story.

Accompanying them as a speaker will be Christine Sakakibara. Christine was born in Australia but she has lived in Israel for 37 years. Her five children were all born in Jerusalem, four of them having served in the Israeli Defense Force. She has lived through wars and terror and testifies to the saving power of God shielding her loved ones on many occasions. Christine is a gifted spokeswoman with frontline experience of the situation in Israel. Because of her children’s military service, this has brought her into close contact with bereaved families and grieving soldiers. She has developed a deep understanding of the mental, financial, and physical struggles these young people endure. Christine, who is in leadership with a Messianic Church in Jerusalem has a ‘Ministry of Helps’ to the needy – both Jew and Arab in Israel.

These two parties – one a Palestinian – who once fought for the PLO, and the other – a Christian mother of children who fought with the IDF…. an unusual and an unlikely mix……will be sharing the platform during the period as mentioned above.

Further information will be provided regarding specific dates and locations, but meanwhile we ask for your intercessory prayer for them as they prepare and travel to Australia, to present the ministry of reconciliation of the Kingdom of God to which each has been miraculously transformed and called.

Rev Fraser Harding: Director GNFI fjharding@bigpond.com

(07) 5514 2121 www.goodnewsforisrael.com

Martin Weatherston: Director CMJ Australia we_are@westnet.com.au

(08) 9964 2769 www.shoresh.org.au

Lynne Godbee: Coordinator (07) 5529 7717 lynne.godbee41@gmail.com

Prayer Alert

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ISRAEL ELECTIONS: PRAYER ALERT

 
                 
 
For the Sake of Godliness & Holiness
 

Dear Prayer Partners,

I’m sure many of you know that Israel is holding elections today for its 19th Knesset (parliament).  I would like to encourage everyone to pray, not only for the outcome of today’s voting, but perhaps more importantly, for the coalition negotiations that will take place in the days and weeks to come.  It should be our prayer that the new government will not only care for the security and well-being of all its citizens (including Jesus’ followers), but will live out its calling to be a blessing to the nations, and in particular to its neighbors (Gen. 12).
In light of the current chaos in our region, it cannot be stressed enough just how essential your prayers are.  Though we may hold different opinions about the best political way forward in Israel (and at home!) we can all pray according to 1 Timothy 2:1-2:  “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority – that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
shalom,
David Pileggi, Rector
Christ Church Jerusalem
 
PS  POLAND?  Interestingly enough, Israel’s unruly political system with its numerous special interest parties was borrowed from Poland – the centre of Jewish life before WW II.  I’m often asked when I will be leading another tour to study European Jewish history and the Holocaust.  If there is enough interest I plan to take a small group to Poland this summer, July 17-26.