Hitting the Streets With the Gospel

This time of year we are on the streets a lot.  Last week Shosh went to Macy's at Herald Square with one of the Missionary Trainees and two wonderfully capable volunteers. It was an encouraging time of evangelism.  One of our co-workers took a photo of us as we left the NYC Branch.  Look who was right behind us, an Orthodox man.  We are raising the Issue of Jesus even to those who don't receive our Broadsides!

Teaching the Next Generation

Last month Stewart was asked to teach a Jewish Evangelism Seminar to a church group from Tulsa, Oklahoma. These precious folks have a desire to share Jesus with Jewish people.  What better place to learn than New York City?  When the international Jews for Jesus missionary trainees heard about the seminar they decided to attend.  After the 3 hour seminar, a little bit of role playing and some thin-crust NY pizza they hit the streets.  It was a great time of evangelism. We are encouraged to see more of God's people being equipped to give a reason for the HOPE in them to our Jewish People.

 

 I Peter 3:15  "But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, 

always being ready to make a defense to everyone who 

asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, 

yet with gentleness and reverence;"

Avenue J Preparing for the Feast of Booths

During the High Holiday season I (Shosh) and a co-worker, Rebekah went Avenue J in Brooklyn.  As you can see this is a Hassidic/Orthodox Community.  I (Shosh) am praying God will give ministry opportunity to these women.

 This was on was the day before the celebration of Sukkot.  The Feast of Booths.  Here is one of many tables that lined the streets of Avenue J.  The Religious raise money by selling the "4 Species" which includes the Palm, Etrog (Special Citrus) the Willow and the Myrtle branches. Which are used in the religious ceremony of Sukkot.  You can learn more about this tradition at: http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm   The prices were very reasonable. $25 for the set.  Much cheaper than we paid in Charleston where the average was about $100.00

In the first photo an Orthodox man explained to Shosh how to tell if a Lulav (palm) was good or not.  He indicated it should be "perfect" no splits in the palm.  It was no easy task finding one that suited this gentleman.  In the next Photo we see another Orthodox man examining the Myrtle for perfection.

This preparation for Sukkot is a stark reminder of the words of the Jewish prophet Isaiah who wrote in Chapter 1:14

"Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them." 


Please continue to pray for the Salvation of the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.  And that we will be effective communicators of the Gospel Message.

Rosh Hashanah Celebration in Brooklyn

Stewart and I Joined the Brooklyn Rosh Hashanah celebration this year.  Stewart still has what it takes (and those of you who blow the shofar know it takes a lot) to blow two shofars at a time.  We had a good crowd which included many Jewish Believers who have no where else to celebrate the High Holidays.  It was an encouraging time for all.

We Now Have an Easy Way for You to Donate!

You can click on this link or copy and paste it into your browser:  bitly.com/support-stew-shosh

Thought for Yom Kippur

"Of the 7 deadly sins, anger (bitterness) is probably the most fun. To lick your wounds, smack your lips over grievances long past, roll over your tongue the prospect of bitter confrontations still to come, savor to the last tooth some morsel both of the pain you were give and the pain you are giving back - is a feast fit for a king. The chief drawback is that what you are wolfing down is yourself. The skeleton at the feast is you....." Frederick Buechner

God's Purpose or Mine?

This is a writing from the book, "My Utmost for His Highest" 
By Oswald Chambers

"He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side….. “   Mark 6:45

We tend to think that if Jesus Christ compels us do something and we are obedient to Him, He will lead us to great success.  We should never have the thought that our dreams of success are God’s purpose for us.  In fact, His purpose may be exactly the opposite.  We have the idea that God is leading us toward a particular goal, but He is not.  The question of whether or not we arrive at a particular goal is of little importance, and reaching it becomes merely an episode along the way.  What we see as only the process of reaching a particular end, God sees as the goal itself.

What is my vision of God’s purpose for me?  Whatever it may be, His purpose is for me to depend on Him and on His power now.  If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me.  God is not working toward a particular finish-His purpose is the process itself.  What He desires for me is that I see “Him walking on the sea” with no shore, no success, nor goal in sight, but simply having the absolute certainty that everything is all right because I see “Him walking on the sea”  (6:49).  It is the process, not the outcome that is glorifying to God.

God’s training is for now, not later.  His purpose is for this very minute, not for sometime in the future.  We have nothing to do with what will follow our obedience, and we are wrong to concern ourselves with it.  What people call preparation, God sees as the goal  itself.

God’s purpose is to enable me to see that He can walk on the storms of my life right now.  If we have a further goal in mind, we are not paying enough attention to the present time.  However, if we realize that moment-by-moment obedience is the goal, then each moment as it comes is precious.

 Stewart and I will be celebrating our 25th Anniversary on August 2nd.  We praise God for His purposes in our marriage.

Greeting our Campaigners at the Airport in NYC

2011 Summer Witnessing Campaign

The 2011 Summer Witnessing Campaign in NYC has begun. The NYC branch of Jews for Jesus is full of activity and excitement as our Campaigners hit the streets to make Jesus and Unavoidable Issue to our Jewish People .  Please pray for courage, protection and the salvation of the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.

Follow the Campaign on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_215049528533765

Jews for Jesus Summer Lecture Series

Tuesdays at 8pm (June 28, July 5, 12, 19

A look at Jesus (Y'shua), the most 

controversial figure in Jewish history.

Was He a good man, a teacher, an imposter or the Messiah?  

Even if you don't have an opinion on Mi Hu (Who is He?), 

your're invited to 109 E 31st St.  (between Park & Lexington) 

for a Time to explore this provocative question.

A Welcome from Jews for Jesus

Israel Day Parade

June 5th was Israel Independence Day. The Jewish community has a parade along 5th Avenue every year to celebrate and show their support for the land of Israel.  Last year a group of us went in Jews for Jesus T-shirts and handed out Gospel tracts.  We had a few good conversations with Jewish people.  But, we encountered more hostility than usual and decided to try a different approach this year.

Stewart was speaking in a church out of town so Karol, another missionary from our Brooklyn branch and I headed to the parade in blue shirts that said: Yeshu=Yeshua=Salvation.  It is a play on words in Hebrew.  And Our shirts were in Hebrew letters.  Therefore only Hebrew speakers knew our message. Instead of handing out Gospel Tracts we carried Israel Flags and walked along with the crowd.  We had some very good conversations this year with people who approached us.   I have to admit after facing intense hostility last year I was nervous .  But it was awesome!  It's all a learning process we must constantly re-evaluate our strategies in regards to how we relate to our Jewish people.  Enjoy the photos!

Jon Graduates from College

Last weekend was filled with family we celebrated Jonathan's graduation from the College of Charleston.  Family members got together for the first time since Jon's bar mitzvah (9 years ago).  It was a wonderful time.  Here are a few photos.

The Entire Weinisch Clan

Melissa and Jonathan

Making Jesus an Unavoidable Issue in Oklahoma

Claremore, OK  

Had a great opportunity here to to give an update on 
"Behold Your God Israel"

Messianic Believers Persecuted by Y'ad lachim in Israel

Three part news report from Israel Television station on the illegal work of  Y'ad lachim and the Ministry of the Interior against Christians and Messianic Jews in Israel.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIPrhXREm3w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEPpkzxYYRA

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMyblyb3EOY