Disaster Assistance

Hearts around the world are grieving after learning of the horrendous attacks in Israel at the hands of the Hamas terrorists that happened on Saturday, October 7. Our hearts grieve with all those who lost loved ones and experienced the trauma of the attacks. The ensuing response by the military of Israel on the territory of Gaza was not surprising, but the impact on civilians, men, women and children including the Christian body of Christ in Gaza City is heart-wrenching. There is a looming humanitarian crisis for the people in Gaza as well as danger for the Israeli military.

All of our global mission partners and friends in Israel/Palestine have asked us to pray!

• Pray for peace and the de-escalation of violence.
• Pray for wisdom and discernment of global leaders to seek non-violent responses.
• Pray for supernatural protection of the innocent, for our brothers and sisters in Christ in Gaza and Israel/Palestine and the region.
• Pray for the families and friends of the Israelis who have lost loved ones.
• Pray for so many people who are now dealing with the trauma caused by this horrible situation and for ministries to be available to provide much-needed trauma counseling.
• Pray for the violence to not expand to the West Bank and other areas of Israel as well as neighboring countries.
• Prayers for our partners who are organizing emergency responses to help with relief and needs that are expected.
• Prayers for grace and wisdom in our thoughts, words and actions on such difficult days especially those with differing options. As followers of Jesus, may we speak with love and grace and be a light for our communities.

FPC has several amazing and long-standing global anchor partners in Israel/Palestine including the Palestinian Bible Society/PBS, Bethlehem Bible College/BBC, and Musalaha, The Arab Israeli Bible Society, located in Nazareth is also a close friend of FPC. Strategic Resource Group (SRG) supports amazing ministries serving in Israel/Palestine and as we learn more from them, we will update this page.

We have been in close communication with our partners and friends checking on them, letting them know that they are in our hearts and prayers, and inquiring how we here in Houston can respond. We also have received reflections and prayer requests from many of our friends there. We have links to these reflections below if you are interested. If you would like to respond financially to help our partners respond to the needs once the immediate danger is over, you may give directly to our partners listed below or to FPC with a designated gift with the notation Holy Land War Response.

Palestinian Bible Society (PBS):
PBS is a global anchor partner whom FPC has worked with since 2000. They are committed to sharing the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, West Bank and the Gaza Strip. PBS partners with all the different Christian churches and denominations, collaborating whenever possible. PBS is also involved with different community development organizations and Christian relief groups. Ministry programs reach adults, children, and women, as well as crisis and emergency responses. FPC supports the wide range of their ministries as well as coming alongside the Jenin team and supporting their community center that will serve young adults and families by providing an alternative response to the difficulties there.

Gifts to PBS emergency response may be made to FPC with a designation of Holy Land War Response notation.

http://www.pbs-web.com/

Bethlehem Bible College (BBC):
BBC has been a partner with FPC since the late 1990s. BBC is a Christian evangelical university college, that works in the service of, with and through the Palestinian community and aims to prepare potential leaders for the country and the world. The college has grown significantly over the years, expanding its variety of programs and is able to reach challenging areas including Gaza through their online studies program. BBC has the Shepherd’s Society, one of their ministries, that provides a channel for the global family to encourage and financially support those struggling in the Palestinian community as a response to our call to love our neighbors.

Gifts to BBC can be made directly online on the website or mailed to the US office of BBC:
Bethlehem Bible Co.
614-C South Bus. IH-35
New Braunfels, TX 78130

http://bethbc.edu

Musalaha:
Musalaha has been a long-standing partner since the early 2000s. Musalaha is a faith-based organization that teaches, trains and facilitates reconciliation mainly between Israelis and Palestinians from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds, and also international groups, based on biblical principles of reconciliation. The transformation of hearts through the ministries of Musalaha with youth, women, students and families is amazing. The ministry of reconciliation will be needed now more than ever after such difficult days of hurt and suffering.

Gifts to Musalaha may be sent to :
MUSALAHA.US
PO Box 238
Medina, WA 90839

www.musalaha.org

or

The Outreach Foundation
381 Riverside Drive
Suite 110
Franklin, TN 37064

Friends of FPC – In addition to our partners listed above, we have many friends and ministries we have known and worked with who are serving a broader population in Israel.

Arab Israeli Bible Society:
https://aibible.org

The Israeli Bible Society:
https://biblesocietyinisrael.com

FirstFruits – Israel Centre for Economic Advancement:
https://www.israelfirstfruits.org

Reflections on the situation:
www.comeandsee.com