Zohar Gonen gives four reasons why he believes Jewish-related topics should be clearly taught in our churches here in New Zealand.
Church Ministries
How can we serve local churches, Bible schools, and small groups?
We at Celebrate Messiah NZ value the opportunity to be a resource to local churches and groups. Our messages & presentations help Christians better understand the Scriptures from the perspective of the Jewish writers who penned the Bible. This insight often has the effect of enhancing the believer’s reverence and love for the Word of God. We also:
- contribute to the effectiveness of local churches through seminars on evangelism and discipleship
- serve local churches by teaching subjects related to Israel’s role in God’s plan for global revival and the return of Jesus
- help local believers fulfil their commission to “provoke Israel to jealousy” by equipping those who host Israelis in their homes
- provide tools to share the Good News with Jewish friends
- generate intercession in local churches for Jewish people and Jewish ministries
- provide current, reliable information and prayer points concerning Israel and the Jewish people
- provide opportunities for short-term ministry with Celebrate Messiah/Chosen People Ministries.
Our speakers are also involved in Jewish evangelism here in New Zealand and would love to share about the opportunities that exist for Gentile Christians to be part of what God is doing in our own backyard.
Why do we want to visit your group?
Simply put, if we are not ministering alongside the local church, we are not reaching our potential for effective ministry. In Romans 11, God commissions Gentile believers to “provoke to jealousy” the Jewish people. Understanding this commission to the Church, Paul included Gentile believers in his ministry for the sake of Jewish salvation. We need the local church if we would fulfil our calling.
Are we willing to speak at events other than our worship service?
Absolutely! We are privileged to serve home groups, men’s or women’s groups, prayer groups, Bible studies, youth groups, or in whatever forum you deem appropriate.
What financial obligations are there if you host a speaker?
We delight to serve the Body of Christ! There are no financial obligations; we would be coming to you as a service. If you wish to give in support of our ministry, or if you wish to help defray the expense of travel, that is appreciated but certainly not required. You can learn more about supporting this ministry financially by visiting our Donate page.
Sample Messages & Presentations
The seven annual feasts of the Lord (Leviticus 23) provide a prophetic panorama of God’s wonderful plan of redemption, beginning with the sacrifice of the Lamb (Passover) and resolving with the final ingathering at the end of the age (Feast of Tabernacles). The feasts may be viewed in a single sermonic overview of the “fulfilled” feasts or may be studied independently. Below are examples of independent studies:
- The Unleavened Walk (the Feast of Unleavened Bread – Sanctification)
- Christ, Our Firstfruits (the Feast of First Fruits — Resurrection)
- How to Be a Pentecostal Believer (a devotional application of the Feast of Pentecost)
- At the Sound of the Trumpet (the Feast of Trumpets — Rapture)
- Christ, Our High Priest and Offering (the Day of Atonement)
- God in the Center (a devotional application of the Feast of Tabernacles)
The Passover Seder is a memorial meal instituted by God in Exodus 12 as an annual remembrance of their deliverance from Egypt. God rescued the slave nation through the blood and bodies of innocent lambs. Most Jewish families celebrate the Seder without understanding that it foreshadowed “Christ our Passover” who was “like a lamb without blemish or spot.” This demonstration of the ancient Passover Seder meal powerfully reveals the sacrificial ministry of Jesus as the Lamb of God, and uncovers the roots of the Christian communion, using the very elements God prescribed for the Seder itself. The 1-hour demonstration will segue meaningfully into a communion service if desired. Many churches prefer to host a complete Passover Banquet (Seder), often on a Friday or Saturday evening. The 2.5-hour banquet is an unforgettable hands-on journey through the “Last Supper,” which was, in fact, the Messiah’s last Passover Seder…until He returns!
The Biblical festival of Purim is based on the history recorded in the book of Esther, which never makes mention of God! Nevertheless, God’s Divine providence is seen in the narrative’s remarkable twists and ironies, showing His faithfulness in dramatic fashion.
Many are unaware of the remarkable history surrounding Hanukkah! Located (historically) right in the middle of that blank page between the Old and New Testaments, Hanukkah – “The Festival of Lights” – dramatically fulfils many of Daniel’s prophecies, and looks forward to The Light of the World: Jesus.
The Jewish people are secure in the permanence of God’s covenant promises to Israel but threatened in the context of Satan’s relentless efforts to destroy them. This message utilizes Old and New Testament prophecies concerning Israel to strengthen the believer’s trust in God’s faithfulness.
Only moments before His glorious ascension from Jerusalem to heaven, Jesus proclaimed that His disciples would be His witnesses “…to the end of the earth.” Is it any surprise that our missionaries in New Zealand, the country situated on the opposite end of the earth from Jerusalem, are having wonderful success in reaching Israelis and other international backpackers? This presentation of our New Zealand work will give new meaning to our Lord’s parting words!
This practical seminar is designed to equip students to become confident and competent in sharing the Messiah with Jewish friends and acquaintances. The seminar is highly interactive and can be fashioned to suit your time specifications. Students will learn:
- The Gentile Great Commission
- The evangelistic power of Messianic Prophecy
- The Gospel in the Old Testament
- Responding to common Jewish objections
- Semantic sensitivity
- The basic tenets of Judaism
The Scriptures are not quiet about the power of hospitality as a mechanism for ministering grace and redemption. In the context of Jewish evangelism, hospitality is more relevant than ever, given the fact that tens of thousands of young Israelis are travelling the world over every year and are happy to receive accommodation from international hosts. Many Israeli travellers have discovered their Messiah Yeshua through the tender influence of Christian hosts. This 4-6 hour seminar is designed to equip and encourage existing or prospective hosts whose influence is designed to “provoke to jealousy” Israel’s lost sheep.
The Life of Messiah course shines a bright light on the life of Jesus and the land of Israel during the Second Temple period, interpreting the Gospels from a Messianic Jewish perspective. We will look at a harmony of the Gospels based on the work of Dr Arnold Fruchtenbaum. This course can be done in two parts over approximately 14 1½ hour sessions.
This message examines the divine office of Messiah and three human offices of prophet, priest and king, and how they are fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ in his first and second comings. This will help give a clear biblical picture of the person and work of Jesus and give a deeper appreciation of who he is, what he has done, is doing and will do for the saints.
The popular teaching that Israel has been replaced by the Church is carefully and sensitively explored in this message by focusing on the texts most often cited by those promoting “replacement theology.” This message not only helps the Believer understand the respective roles of Israel and the Church in God’s Plan, but it also strengthens his/her reliance on God’s faithfulness.
Sadly, 75% of the Bible is ignored by most Christians in their proclamation of the Good News. This teaching equips the believer to understand and present the Gospel from the very same texts Jesus, Paul and the Apostles used! Emphasis is on key Messianic prophecies and an outline of the Gospel in the OT.
As the mystery of the ‘Seed of the Woman’ unfolds through the prophetic Scriptures, so does the mystery of the Jewish people. Why is the Bible so concerned with the Jewish people? For what have they been ‘Chosen’? Why have the Jews been the target of aggression from so many nations for so many centuries, even to this day?
In addition to ministering in the local church, Celebrate Messiah NZ also partners with schools, mission agencies and seminaries for training purposes. You can schedule a speaker for a chapel service, a class or perhaps be part of your missions’ emphasis fair and conference. This would be a great opportunity for the students to learn more about Jewish missions and how they can participate in short-term ministry in New Zealand, Israel, or the US.