David Zadok is a WSC grad who is working in Israel with HaGefen Publishing. You can hear interviews with David here and here. The following is from his latest newsletter:

Many are not aware of the history of the Jewish Christian church in pre-state Israel. On our website you can read a brief story about the situation in Jerusalem in the middle of 19th century.

One of the many who provide us with information is Francis Ewald, a missionary in Jerusalem who kept a detailed journal. There we read stories of Jews who came to him for instruction in the Christian faith and were baptized, and of many secret believers who knew each other, kept in touch with him, but yet were unable to step out boldly and to declare their faith in Jesus. In 1844 the congregation numbered 85 persons, thirty of whom were Jewish believers. The latter, listed by name, include former rabbis, a doctor, a banker, businessmen, a tailor, a painter, a builder and servants, all self supporting.

Ewald, who had received an excellent Talmudic education, was at home with the synagogue and would talk freely about the Messiah with Rabbis and Jewish scholars. In his day, Michael Alexander, a former Rabbi, was the Anglican bishop in Jerusalem. Calman Scott, also a former Talmudist, worked alongside Ewald. Daily services were held in Hebrew, using the Delitzsch translation of the New Testament and Bishop Alexander’s translation of the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. [A copy can be read on our website at: www.ha-gefen.org.il]

It is encouraging that many of the Jewish believers became missionaries and went on to North Africa and Europe to proclaim the message of the Messiah to their people. We hope that also today we will see Israeli believers becoming messengers of the Gospel to the world. Imagine what our world would look like, if we could produce not one but one hundred men like Apostle Paul to bring such blessing to the world.