ccm Cross 0193 Baptist Church Yafi’a, (Jaffa) Israel

ccm Cross 0193
Sunday September 23, 2018

 Baptist Church
Yafi’a (Jaffa) Israel
ccm Cross 0193

GPS/DMS 32°40’59.48″N 35°16’31.35″E

Additional Photos after Testimony

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Cyber Daily Devotion
Volume 19 Number 246

Today’s Author: Pastor Bill

Scripture: John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” NKJV

Hello, my name is Pastor Bishara (Good News) Deeb with the Baptist Church Yafi’a, (Jaffa) Israel. Everyone calls me Pastor Bishara. This in my Cross testimony of how the Lord challenged me to sell our family business and follow him.

I was born in Nazareth, Israel, the first of four children. My dad was a career Army officer that when he retired operated a logistics company moving military supplies throughout the country. Mom was a teacher.

We were nominal Christians while I was growing up. I attended a Baptist school for the quality of education. All students at the Baptist school were required to spend 20 minutes per day in chapel and attend Sunday school. During these times I learned much about Jesus and became comfortable with Christianity. Nearing graduation I met my future wife Loubma.

Graduation from High School was a special event and the guest speaker challenged each of us about our future. He described a future life as a Christian verses a future life without Christ. I was shaken to my core and knew I had to have Jesus in my life going forward. I joined with Loubma and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord of my life right then and there.

Right out of high school at age 18, I entered our family business managing a market/grocery store. I directed that business for 23 years. Loubma and I married when we were 21. We have three daughters. Then in 2000, a Campus Crusade for Christ event took place in Nazareth. I was active in the Nazareth Baptist church and helped plan and coordinate the event. When it was over scores of people received Christ and my life was changed forever. The last seven years I was at the market/grocery store I set up a table in the store displaying everything Jesus. I spoke with customers about our Lord every opportunity I had.

In 2007 the Lord impressed on me to leave the market/grocery store and work for Him reaching out to Muslims. Loubma was very concerned for paying our bills and raising three girls. We talked about all this and prayed. I left the final decision with Loubma. We would only leave our business if she agreed.

The following six months we fasted and prayed. Loubma heard the voice of God speak to her and she came to me and said “Yes, we will follow Jesus.”

March 1, 2007, we sold out for the Lord. I closed the store and we were 100% dependent on the Lord for our provision. Immediately I began walking and witnessing in Muslim villages with tracts. Talking with Muslims and sharing Jesus Christ with them became my life. Much like John the Baptist did at the time of Jesus. This became our ministry called www.TheWhiteHarvest.org

Then I received a call from the Baptist Church in Nazareth. They asked me to join their staff as an assistant Pastor. Loubma and I prayed about it and said yes if we could continue or work in the Muslim villages, through The White Harvest. We did this for three years.

Then I had a dream with two tables. The first table was large and had many people seated at it with plenty of food. The second table was just as large as the first with only a few people. There was very little food on the table. Not enough to feed the few people who were there.

We didn’t know what the dream meant but took it before the Lord. Two weeks later I received a phone call from the Baptist Headquarters in Nazareth. It was October 2012 and they were asking me to Pastor the Baptist Church in Yafi’a, Israel. We prayed about their request and embraced it as the fulfillment of my two-table dream. We also continued with The White Harvest.

We were now involved with two full time ministries. As we prayed it was clear we would concentrate on only one Muslim village while Pastoring the Baptist Church in Yafi’a. We picked perhaps the poorest village in all of Israel, near the ancient City of Caesarea, on the Mediterranean Sea.

The Yafi’a Church was in dire need of help in every area. The physical building needed help, the congregation had dwindled to just a handful of people and The Lord’s supper needed to be revived. We worked diligently at all these things praying often for guidance. Today the church is healthy and in good condition, our numbers are strong, and we enjoy the Lord’s Supper frequently.

As for our Muslim village we began walking the streets sharing Jesus. Soon one man received Jesus Christ as Lord. Within weeks he received death threats and had to leave the community. We continued walking. Then we received a call from some people who wanted to help us feed the people. They began to send us food and we distributed it to the people. This food program continues today.

Then in 2015 we received a call from a ministry located in Florida, in the USA. They wanted to help us establish camps in the village for the kids. 2015, 2016, 2017 and now in 2018. The camps are for learning English and they come to Israel and run them.

In 2016 we rented a building in the Muslim village calling it the Counseling Center. Here we work with the kids. We are keeping a low profile working with 4th and 5th graders. We have begun singing Christian songs and reading Christian Books to the children.

We were confronted by a mother not long ago when she saw our books. She said, “This is not our book.” We explained that it is a book that explains God.” She said, “ok.”

Last week two people in the village received Jesus Christ as Lord. It’s been slow going but the Lord is in control!

Pastors Bill and Carol thank you for this Cross and just before you go let me share this with you. When I was just a child I knew Jesus had picked me for something special. In a dream he pointed a finger at me and said, “you are mine.” I didn’t understand who He was or what it meant. But now after all these years it is clear to me that He chose me for such a time as this.

My favorite Bible verse is Romans 10:1 “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved” NKJV

The Cross to me means everything. Jesus did everything necessary for me to receive eternal life. All I need to do is accept Him.

This Cross planted is a message to our Israeli and Arabic Brothers and Sisters. Jesus loves you. Come here and you will meet Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Father thank you for bringing light into the darkness through those who are sold out to you. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!