Volunteering in Israel

A Friend Loves at All Times

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” ~ Proverbs 17: 17

Many of my Christian friends are volunteering in Israel at this time of war because Israeli farmers, harvesters, businessmen and others are having to defend the nation, and there is a great shortage of workers in the land.

One year after the atrocities of 7 October 2023, Israelis are still struggling with the growing antisemitism in this world. Yet evangelicals who believe in Bible prophecies continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with beleaguered Israelis. The following touching message from an Australian friend shows the depth of sacrificial love and concern of many Christians for the Jewish people.

“Dear Christine,

I just watched your latest video message!

For quite some time I've been working towards getting to Israel.

For a very long time I've been unable to get work in my area of expertise, despite applying for hundreds of jobs. I'm highly credentialed, qualified and published, yet have not been able to get proper work, and companies I work for suffer problems and can't keep me on.

A Jewish mate who works for government transport needed someone to fill a job no one wanted— they'd been trying to get someone for over a year. I took the job as a bus cleaner.

It's been hard fatiguing work with a lot of exposure to toxic chemicals and I have to wear PPE for most of the day. The pay is one tenth what I normally get. However after meeting commitments I've managed to save up enough to get to Israel!

I've been accepted as a volunteer with Sar El Magen David Adom. The plan is to arrive early November and stay for the month or indefinitely as the LORD leads!

I would greatly appreciate your prayers.”

And to that I say, “Amen and Amen!” I answered my Aussie friend, “I’m so very touched by your message, and I pray for you for supernatural protection against toxic poisoning at your present job. May the Lord grant you a great testimony. He sees your heart. I’m so happy for you that you are going to Israel!”

Meanwhile, our Swiss filmmaker friends Marc and Ruth Villiger in the featured photos have helped the National Food Bank organization called Leket who arrange for volunteers on Israeli farms. The Villigers earlier this year helped to harvest vegetables and to prepare clementine trees in the south for the new harvest.

The Villigers joined 70,000 annual volunteers in gleaning, sorting and packaging rescued food for Israelis in need. Volunteering with Leket Israel is a hands-on activity. No previous experience is required. There are two categories:

—”Harvest Helpers”: Gleaning at fields in Rishon Lezion, appropriate for all ages.

—”Leket on the Move”: Sorting and packing at the Logistics Center warehouse in Gan Haim is appropriate for all ages. However, young children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

My friend Jonathan Feldstein with the Genesis 123 Foundation is organizing Christian helpers with the olive harvest. Jonathan is inspired by the Romans 11 picture of the olive tree of God and is partnering in this project nicknamed “Root and Branch” with an Iranian believer who supports Israel.

Tommy Waller’s faith-based volunteer program called HaYovel gives amazing opportunities for volunteers to fulfill Biblical prophecy by helping to harvest grapes on the Mount of Blessings in biblical Samaria. Visit https://serveisrael.com/ to learn more.

The Sar-El volunteer experience has many opportunities for volunteers to help Israel. Make sure you meet the conditions of entry into Israel, as indicated on the website of the Israeli ministry of health: https://corona.health.gov.il/en/abroad/arriving-by-air/

The entire application process can take up to 6 to 8 weeks to complete. After the Sar-El staff review applications, video interviews are conducted. Applicants will receive an email with a link to documents that will need to be completed and then uploaded, including an indemnification waiver and a medical approval form. Health and travel insurance is mandatory. SAR-EL only accepts applicants who hold a valid passport and (a visa if needed) which must be valid 6 months after their program ends.  Click here for On line Application Form

Volunteering to help those in distress is a noble act, deeply rooted in Scripture:

1. Matthew 25:35-40 – Serving Others is Serving Messiah

• Scripture: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

• Exhortation: Jesus emphasizes that every act of service to those in distress is an act of service to Him. When we volunteer to help the hungry, the sick, or the stranger, we are actually ministering to Christ Himself. Our service reflects our love for God and our obedience to His command to care for the marginalized and in this case, to care for our elders in the faith, the Jewish people..

2. Galatians 6:9-10 – Do Good to All People

• Scripture: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

• Exhortation: Volunteering can be physically and emotionally draining. However, Paul encourages believers not to grow weary in their efforts. We are called to seize every opportunity to do good to others, knowing that God sees our labors and promises a harvest in due time.

3. James 1:27 – Pure and Undefiled Religion

• Scripture: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

• Exhortation: Helping those in distress, such as orphans and widows, is a practical expression of true, undefiled religion. James underscores the idea that faith without action is dead, and our care for the vulnerable demonstrates the sincerity of our devotion to the God of Israel.

4. Isaiah 58:10-11 – The Blessings of Helping the Needy

• Scripture: “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.”

• Exhortation: This passage in Isaiah reminds us that when we pour ourselves out for those in need, God promises to take care of us in return! HalleluYah! The blessings of helping others go beyond the immediate act. God strengthens and sustains those who are generous with their time and resources.

5. Proverbs 19:17 – Lending to the Lord

• Scripture: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”

• Exhortation: This verse highlights that God does not overlook our acts of kindness and promises a reward.

6. 1 Peter 4:10 – Using Your Gifts to Serve Others

• Scripture: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

• Exhortation: God has given each of us unique gifts, and one of the best ways to honor Him is by using those gifts to serve others. Volunteering is a tangible way to steward God’s grace, whether through our skills, time, or resources, for the benefit of those in distress. Helping Israel is also helping to fulfill Bible prophecy!

7. Philippians 2:4-5 – Imitating Messiah’s Example

• Scripture: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

• Exhortation: Volunteering and serving those in distress reflects the mindset of Yeshua, who humbly served humanity, even to the point of death. We are called to imitate His selflessness by prioritizing the needs of others, especially in times of crisis.

8. Hebrews 13:16 – Pleasing God Through Sacrificial Giving

• Scripture: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

• Exhortation: The Bible reminds us that God is pleased when we do good and share what we have with others. Volunteering, especially when it involves personal sacrifice, brings joy to God’s heart, as it reflects His own character of love and generosity.

9. Micah 6:8 – The Call to Act Justly and Show Mercy

• Scripture: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

• Exhortation: Volunteering is an active demonstration of God’s love and justice in a broken world, where many are suffering and in need of His mercy through our hands.

10. Luke 10:30-37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan

• Scripture: “But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”

• Exhortation: The Good Samaritan is a powerful example of compassionate, selfless service. Jesus used this parable to teach that loving our neighbor means actively helping those in need, even when it requires going out of our way. Volunteering to help the hurting is a reflection of true love for our neighbor.

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