Update from Jews for Jesus

Jews for Jesus

[missyme]

Recently, I had a conversation with the pastor of a large church in California. This church has long been a friend and supporter of Jews for Jesus, giving more than $150,000 each year to all sorts of missions. The pastor called to discuss the merits of an organization his church is supporting called the Holy Land Fellowship of Christians and Jews.

The pastor had received an email from one of his congregants who had seen an article on our web site that was critical of this organization. He knew that Jews for Jesus is not in the habit of criticizing other ministries and so he was troubled.I explained to the pastor that friends and supporters ask us about this group so often we felt obligated to comment.

Many Christians believe that when they give to the Holy Land Fellowship of Christians and Jews (a.k.a. "Rabbi Eckstein") they are giving to a Christian organization run by a "Messianic rabbi." When I explain that Yechiel Eckstein is not a believer in Jesus, and that in fact he opposes the gospel going to the Jewish people, most Christians I meet are shocked, dismayed and hurt. They feel betrayed and deceived.

Others however, including the aforementioned pastor, know that Rabbi Eckstein does not believe in Jesus. They give, as one would to a secular agency, because of the relief and social services that this organization provides. These people love the Jews and want to bless my people. I understand that they desire to support "mercy ministries" that benefit Jewish people, even if those organizations don't believe those whom they help need Jesus. What is more, this particular pastor pointed out to me, On Wings of Eagles (Part of Rabbi Eckstein's organization) offers to educate churches and individuals on subjects ranging from anti-Semitism to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and much more. The pastor informed me that the information was such that they were happy to continue supporting Eckstein.

I left two thoughts with that pastor and would like to leave them with you this month. First, Rabbi Eckstein's organization has him in a position of middle man, disbursing funds as he sees fit to other organizations. He has no direct "mercy ministry" so donors are basically looking to him to choose organizations that are reputable. I am not questioning whether or not he chooses reputable organizations, but I believe that Christians would want to know this as a simple matter of stewardship so they can take knowledge of where their funds are going.

My second point has to do with the nature of mercy ministries themselves. I am for mercy ministries, but I like to view them in the context of what Jesus had to say: "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward." (Mt. 10:42) I believe that mercy ministries are best and most meaningfully done in the name of Jesus or at least in the name of one of His disciples.

Now we come to the title of this article: A War of Wedges. Yechiel Eckstein is very skilled at leading Christians to believe that the best thing they can do for my Jewish people is meet the needs that his organization tends to. He probably believes this himself but it is important to realize that Rabbi Eckstein is no follower of Jesus and actually opposes those Jews who do follow Him. Notice I say those *Jews* who follow Him. Eckstein is famous for building bridges with Christians, but only those Christians who are not Jewish and who do not openly advocate Jesus as the Jewish Messiah and the only way to the Father.

[ahadams2]

Methinks J4J are a little jealous of IFCJ. I know a number of Christian folks who contribute to IFCJ and none of them are under the impression that Rabbi E. is anything other than a conservative Jewish Rabbi. Not only do his bona fides check out as to where the money is actually going, but also he has some pretty strong support from folks like Chuck Colson, and others among the Evangelical forefront here in the United States. Rather than resorting to innuendo, I'd like to see J4J either acknowledge that they're just jealous of the fact that Rabbi Eckstein is effective at what he does (helping poor and needy Jewish folks in Israel and elsewhere) OR see them confront folks like Chuck Colson and Pat Robertson and try to force them to toe J4J's line... but somehow I doubt they'll do either one.