THIS WEEK’S GLOBAL UPDATE 

A Note from Jonathan Bernis 

Shalom, my friend! 

In light of the global conflicts facing our world, including violence, terror and uncertainty, it would be easy to give in to the darkness and fear. 

But let me encourage you: no matter what you’re facing or what you may feel inside, “be strong” and “take heart.” And the only way to do these . . . is to place all your desires, circumstances and hopes in God’s hands. 

Lean upon the Scriptures that say, “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.” (Psalm 31:24) 

The power of His presence, the certainty of His promises and the hope of His victory are all we need to endure and overcome the challenges we face.  

As you pray this week, I’d also like to invite you to continue praying with me and everyone at Jewish Voice on behalf of God’s people. That God would open the eyes of His Chosen People to see the hope made available to them through Yeshua (Jesus), their Messiah.  

Thank you for your partnership in this work of ministry. 

To the Jew first and also to the Nations,  

Jonathan Bernis 

President & CEO 

Jewish Voice Ministries International 

Headline News 

Ukraine, Russia Sign Deal to Reopen Grain Export Ports as War Rages on 

Russia’s naval blockade in the Black Sea has sparked a global food crisis that has sent prices soaring and sparked fears of famine. 

Up to 25 million tons of wheat and other grain have been trapped in Ukrainian ports by Russian warships and landmines Kiev has laid to avert a feared assault. 

But as reported by The Jerusalem Post, Russia and Ukraine have signed a landmark deal that will reopen Ukrainian Black Sea ports for grain exports, raising hopes that an international food crisis, aggravated by the Russian invasion, can be eased. 

The accord comes after two months of talks brokered by the United Nations and Turkey aimed at what U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called a “package” that would both restore Ukrainian grain exports while easing Russian grain and fertilizer shipments despite tough Western sanctions on Moscow. 

“Today, there is a beacon on the Black Sea. A beacon of hope . . . possibility . . . and relief in a world that needs it more than ever,” Guterres told reporters at the signing ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey. 

While the ceremony commenced, fighting raged on unabated in Ukraine’s east. Underlining the deep-seated enmity and mistrust, according to the reports of the event from The Jerusalem Post, the Russian and Ukrainian representatives declined to sit at the same table at the ceremony. 

Updates from the Middle East 

Saudi Who Helped Israeli Journalist Enter Mecca Arrested 

The driver, a Saudi citizen, who drove Israeli reporter Gil Tamary into Mecca, has been arrested. Tamary was in Saudi Arabia because he had received a special permit, along with two other Israeli reporters, to cover the regional conference attended by U.S. President Joe Biden last week. According to The Jerusalem Post, Tamary has stressed that the driver did not know that he was an Israeli or non-Muslim journalist. 

Hezbollah Warns of a Military Clash with Israel over Mediterranean Gas 

Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah, is making blatant threats against Israel, warning that an all-out war is possible if no solution is found to Israel’s dispute with Lebanon over Israel’s Karish gas rig in the Mediterranean. According to the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) military command opposes military action and recommends that Israel’s political leadership show flexibility and reach an agreement with Lebanon.  

Pray with Us This Week 

Please pray with me for: 

• God to protect the innocent lives from the fighting in Ukraine and to bring a peaceful end to the invasion by Russia 

• God to surround His people in Israel, who are constantly facing threats and violence from surrounding enemies 

• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies 

• Jewish people to recognize "Yeshua" as their Messiah 

We love reaching out in Africa, and our week-long Medical Clinics are only the beginning. We are so grateful for the diverse opportunities the Lord has opened for us to ensure that those who come to Him experience rich and full lives as Believers in Yeshua the Messiah.

That’s why we nurture our relationships with the Messianic Jewish congregations and their leaders in Zimbabwe and Ethiopia. Two of the most significant ways we do this are through Messianic Leadership Training times and Congregational Visits. Here are some updates on both.

PRAISES for MESSIANIC LEADERSHIP TRAINING in Africa
We sent out a Prayer Points email this past spring asking you to pray for the Messianic Leadership Training we held, first in Zimbabwe and then in Ethiopia. You prayed, and the Lord answered. Below are praises as well as some requests coming out of those trips:

• The trip was safe, and the training was very effective
• Relationships were taken to a new level
• The Torah service in Zimbabwe was a deeply meaningful and joy-filled experience for all
• The Q&A times between our two U.S. rabbis and the African leaders were very interactive, with great questions asked and answered
• The guest speaker who joined us in Ethiopia delivered teachings directly in Amharic, with no need for a translator
• Our training team came back rejoicing over all the Lord had done and grateful for the prayers you sowed into their time with the Messianic congregational leaders

PRAYER REQUESTS for CONGREGATIONAL VISITS

The next significant ministry trip is beginning now – our Congregational Visits. We go to Ethiopia July 26–31 and to Zimbabwe July 31–August 7. Our Vice-President of Congregation and Leadership Development will travel to a number of Messianic Jewish congregations, participating in services and fellowship times. There will also be purposeful opportunities for in-depth conversations on leadership challenges and issues of congregational life. He is asking us to pray for:

• Safety in all travel, good health and protection
• Effective ministry times
• Discernment in assisting congregational leaders in strategic ministry decisions
• Wisdom for expanding trust within indigenous leadership teams
• Continued unity within national congregational movements in both countries

Let’s also continue praying for the Messianic Jewish congregations themselves. Pray for:

ZIMBABWE

• Appointment of new Vice Overseers among the Lemba National Messianic Leadership Council
• Leaders to provide continued depth of discipleship for their congregants
• Demonstration of the diversity of spiritual gifts among all congregational members

ETHIOPIA

• National unity among the Messianic congregational groups – including two new ones
• Unity of spirit within leadership teams
• Effective interfacing with the Church locally, regionally and nationally

Thank You for Praying

As you come before the Lord in prayer for these congregations and our ministry to them, you are engaged in building up His body and advancing the Kingdom. Thank you for praying with us.

Log on to our 24/7 Prayer Watch Schedule to commit to a specific time to pray during the Congregational Visits in Africa. Thank you!

THIS WEEK'S GLOBAL UPDATE

A Note From Jonathan Bernis:

Shalom, my friend!

As I write to you today, I’m reminded that God promises to be close at hand with strength and peace, no matter what His people are facing.

“The LORD gives strength to His people; the LORD blesses His people with peace.” Psalm 29:11 (NIV)

I find tremendous comfort and hope in these words that have been ultimately realized in the coming of His Son, Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah.

There’s no greater comfort, peace or hope that God could give, knowing He’s close and active in our lives. I pray you’ll embrace this for yourself as you work through challenges in your life or concerns that are heavy on your heart.

I also pray that you’ll continue to stand with us in prayer . . . and ask God to strengthen His people, give them peace and change the hearts of their enemies.

Thank you again for your partnership.

To the Jew first and also to the Nations,

Jonathan Bernis
President & CEO
Jewish Voice

Headline News

Russian Ambassador Gives Insight into Potential Russian Endgame in Ukraine

Since the start of the February 24 invasion, Russian forces have taken control of a big chunk of territory across Ukraine's southern flank above Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Russia is slowly pushing Ukrainian forces out of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of east Ukraine, which it has recognized as independent states.

“We are going to liberate all of the Donbas,” Russian Ambassador Andrei Kelin told reporters in an interview late last week when asked how the war might end.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Ambassador Kelin said that it was difficult to see Russian and Russian-backed forces withdrawing from the south of Ukraine and that Ukraine's soldiers would be pushed back from all of Donbas.

Sooner or later, Ambassador Kelin said, Ukraine would have to decide: strike a peace deal with Russia or “continue slipping down this hill” to ruin.

In addition to speculating on the end of the conflict, Ambassador Kelin also told reporters that the West did not understand the true causes of the conflict and had ignored Russia's concerns.

“The narrative is very short: Russia has been aggressive against an innocent Ukraine,” Kelin said. “This is not true at all.”

According to the Ambassador, President Putin says the “special military operation” in Ukraine is necessary because Moscow had to defend Russian-speaking people against persecution which he says the West has ignored.

He also casts the war as a necessary revolt against the United States, according to The Jerusalem Post, which he says has humiliated Russia since the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union by enlarging NATO eastwards and was using Ukraine to threaten Russia.

Updates from the Middle East

Biden’s Visit Will Not Impact Israeli Elections

President Biden arrived in Israel this week as the first stop before his visit to Saudi Arabia. One of the primary purposes of this visit to the region, Biden said at a press conference in Spain last month, is to “deepen Israel’s integration in the region.” The Jerusalem Post speculates that Biden is using the Israel stop to deflect criticism about visiting Saudi Arabia. And while the president’s visit during an election campaign may provide photo-ops for the “prime time” news, The Jerusalem Post asserts that Israelis do not vote based on whom the U.S. president endorses. 

Poll Shows Netanyahu-Led Bloc Winning 61 Seats, Enabling Government Formation

The bloc of parties loyal to former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu could receive 61 of the Knesset’s 120 seats in the upcoming election, enabling it to form a government, according to reports from The Times of Israel last week. With nearly four months remaining before Israelis head to the polls on November 1, anything can change. And while Israel’s opinion polls can often be unreliable, they do influence the decision-making of politicians and voters, particularly in the run-up to the deadline when party lists must be finalized.

Pray with us this week:

• God to protect the innocent lives from the fighting in Ukraine and to bring a peaceful end to the invasion by Russia

• God to surround His people in Israel, who are constantly facing threats and violence from surrounding enemies

• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies

• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

We want to remind you to pray for our Mberengwa, Zimbabwe, Outreach, concluding soon. But first, we have some amazing praises from our Gambela, Ethiopia, Outreach from a few weeks ago. 

There are so many stories of how the Lord was active and present in Gambela, and we thank you for your prayers that contributed significantly. Let’s truly lift our praises to the Lord! He has done great and unexpected things (Jeremiah 33:3). 

PRAISE THE LORD:

• Messianic leaders and groups from three different regions of Ethiopia worked together to facilitate the Gambela Outreach. What a testimony of the unity of the Spirit that bore much fruit
• Pray that the Messianic Jewish Believers and congregations in Ethiopia continue to work together in unity to support Gospel efforts in areas beyond their own
• Based on previous Outreaches in Ethiopia, we saw a high number of supernatural healings in Gambela
• We are in awe of what God can do! Continue to pray with us for greater signs and wonders to accompany the Word in this way during our Outreaches
• Our team had exceptional favor in the location. In fact, a high-ranking regional official, who is originally from Gambela, came and did a positive television interview about the Medical Outreach, standing in front of the prayer tent – and the interview aired on national television
• We served over 12,000 patients. We have not served that many during one Outreach since before COVID-19
• We were allowed to have the prayer tent onsite with the Medical Clinic, this has not been the case in Ethiopia for several years, and we pray it is a sign of good things to come
• Daily worship and prayer for the Outreach team were also allowed at the Clinic site. Children looked on from outside, having climbed trees to see where the joyful sounds were coming from each morning
• There were many salvations, and six new Believers wanted to be immersed right away. Usually, we have not been able to do immersions in Ethiopia, and this was a glorious exception that we pray will rewrite the script of what happens in that nation. The six, along with dozens of others who joined to witness and celebrate, walked on foot down to the river for the immersion service. Afterward, the whole group returned together, walking through the streets and singing God’s praises
• The Lord is so good at doing exceedingly abundantly more than we ask or think. Let’s praise Him some more!

How glorious all this good news from the Gambela Outreach is! May it encourage us to pray rear-guard prayers for the Mberengwa, Zimbabwe Outreach, concluding soon.  Please pray especially for effective follow-up efforts in the coming weeks and months. May the Gospel witness that has been nurtured in Mberegwa since the first Jewish Voice Medical Outreach there 10 years ago grow and grow!

If you missed our Mberengwa Daily Prayer Points, you can review them here and continue to pray. 

Let's Pray: 

Lord, Your Word says in Psalm 67:3, “Let the peoples praise You, let all the peoples praise You!” We joined the people in Gambela in praising You, and we continue to do so. May the Kingdom of Light increasingly advance as Your praises spread and more and more people come to know You. We thank You for all You did in Ethiopia and continue praying for Jewish people to know You in Zimbabwe, throughout Africa, and beyond. May all the peoples praise You! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

THIS WEEK’S GLOBAL UPDATE

A Note From Jonathan Bernis

Shalom, my friend!

No matter what you may be facing today – overwhelming burden, a personal crisis or even a challenging decision in the midst of uncertainty – cry out to God for help. 

One of the greatest comforts we have is that God hears the cries of His people. And that He is in control of every situation.

God wants you to call on Him. He’s eager to hear from you and to accomplish His will and purposes in your life. 

And as you pray today, please continue to pray for the work and ministry we share at Jewish Voice. And pray for God to open more doors to share the Good News of Yeshua (Jesus) with the Jewish people. 

Thank you again for your partnership.

To the Jew first and also to the Nations,

Jonathan Bernis
President & CEO
Jewish Voice Ministries International

Headline News

Ukrainian troops to withdraw from Severodonetsk

According to reports from The Jerusalem Post, Ukrainian troops will have to withdraw from the largely-Russian-controlled city of Severodonetsk in the Luhansk Oblast (province).

The city is one of the last major remaining Ukrainian-controlled holdouts in Luhansk, in the Donbas region, and Russia has made considerable, albeit slow, advances there over the past several weeks.

According to Ukrainian Governor Serhiy Gaidai, over 90% of the city has been damaged and the defenders will have to withdraw to more fortified positions.

Governor Gaidai told reporters late last week that “remaining in positions smashed to pieces over many months just for the sake of staying there does not make sense.”

According to The Jerusalem Post, this latest Russian advance appears to bring the Kremlin closer to taking full control of Luhansk, one of Moscow's stated war objectives. And it also sets the stage for Severodonetsk’s twin city of Lysychansk to become the next focus of fighting.

Foreign Minister Kuleba, in an interview with Corriere della Sera, sounded pessimistic about the prospects of any peace talks soon.

Updates from the Middle East

‘Where’s the bullet’: Israel rejects UN probe blaming reporter’s death on IDF

Last week, Israel’s Defense Forces (IDF) rejected a United Nations report claiming that its soldiers shot the bullet that killed al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh on May 11, saying the investigation was flawed without access to crucial ballistic data.

IsraAID to help relief efforts following devastating Afghanistan earthquake

IsraAID, an Israeli-based humanitarian organization, has launched a relief response to the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan last week and killed at least 1,000 people, injured more than 1,600 and damaged thousands of homes. The aid organization will work with local partners to assess the needs of the affected population and distribute essential medical and relief supplies.

Pray with us this week

Please pray with me for:

• God to protect the innocent lives from the fighting in Ukraine and to bring a peaceful end to the invasion by Russia
• God to bring comfort and help to the families of those injured and killed by the earthquake in Afghanistan
• God to surround His people in Israel, who are constantly facing threats and violence from surrounding enemies
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

This year, and this next Outreach, mark a significant milestone for Jewish Voice Ministries. We hope you will both celebrate and pray with us.

Ten years ago, we held our first Zimbabwe Outreach in the very location we’re heading to next – Mberengwa. Since then, more than 17,900 Zimbabweans have professed Jesus as Messiah during Jewish Voice Medical Outreaches. More than 178,000 have received medical care, and more than 150 congregations have formed.

Would you help us raise an “Ebenezer stone” of remembrance (1 Samuel 7:12) – through your prayers and praise – acknowledging God’s help over the last 10 years as we kick off the next 10 years with this Outreach in Mberengwa on July 7–17?

Please cover these dates in prayer by signing up on our Jewish Voice 24-7 Prayer Watch schedule. You can also refer to the extended daily Prayer Points or use the shortened version below.

Please pray for:

Wednesday, 6/29 – Wednesday, 7/6 | Ephesians 6:12

• The last preparation details preparations to fall into place at the Clinic location and campsite
• The spiritual atmosphere of the area to be ready for the Kingdom of Light to advance
• Hearts to be prepared to receive Yeshua
• Forces of witchcraft and darkness to flee as the King of Glory ministers in Mberengwa

Thursday, 7/7 | 1 Corinthians 16:9

• Safe travel for all participants, including the international and domestic flights and the  4-hour drive to the Outreach location
• Good health, timely negative COVID-19 test results and protection of all kinds
• Every participant to be rested and prepared for the spiritual opposition that can accompany open doors for effective ministry

Friday, 7/8 | Numbers 6:24-26

• The unity of the Spirit to reign among the team members (staff, medical, Outreach, workers) and for all things to be done in love
• Fellowship to begin during Erev Shabbat dinner tonight and to grow all week
• Help from above in adapting to a new time zone, new food and a different culture
• Blessings and favor for each team member’s family back home

Saturday, 7/9 | Philippians 2:13

• Each participant to be prepared, equipped and anointed to fulfill God’s purposes through them
• Successful orientation and training for each Outreach department and area
• Mild weather throughout the week and that the Lord would draw many people to receive spiritual and physical care

Sunday, 7/10 | Matthew 19:14

• Ease and order, effective treatment and miraculous healings as the Clinic opens today
• The Zehra Kids team, led and staffed by indigenous workers, to be fully equipped with love, unity and God’s heart and vision for children
• Children to know Yeshua (Jesus) and understand their identity, calling and heritage in Messiah as Jewish Believers

Monday, 7/11 | 2 Thessalonians 3:1-3

• Open doors and favor for the Living Waters team as they distribute LifeStraws® and share the Good News in nearby areas
• The Word of God to run swiftly, accompanied by signs and wonders, and produce fruit for eternity
• Unity among our large and diverse team of Outreach partners on this trip – there are Believers from a Messianic Congregation in Maryland, discipleship students from a ministry in Israel, volunteers from South Africa, and several others
• Protection against the enemy’s schemes and battles of the mind

Tuesday, 7/12 | 2 Corinthians 6:2

• Many people to visit the on-site prayer tent and receive salvation, healing, deliverance, and encouragement
• Local congregation leaders to have great love, wisdom and stamina as they head up the spiritual ministry
• The Lord’s strength to operate supernaturally in the fruit and gifts of the Spirit as we love, serve, minister and pray

Wednesday, 7/13 | Colossians 1:13-14

• Daily worship gatherings, led by a Lemba choir of Jewish Believers, and team prayer meetings to invade the spiritual atmosphere with the light of the Lord
• Any opposing forces in the spiritual or natural realm to flee in the name of Yeshua
• This Outreach to prepare the spiritual ground for ongoing ministry in the community after we’re gone

Thursday, 7/14 | Philippians 2:10-11

• The ability to treat and minister to the maximum number of patients on this last half-day of the Outreach
• Order, favor and safety in closing and packing up the Clinic and shalom and salvation for hired workers
• A continuing and eternal legacy to be built in Mberengwa for the glory of God

Friday, 7/15 | Psalm 18:19

• Safe travels back to the capital city of Harare, with timely negative results for COVID-19 testing required to travel internationally
• Rest and a sense of “well-done, good and faithful servant” for each participant
• Encouragement for the local congregation leaders as they celebrate all the Lord has done in the last 10 years and encouragement as they do follow-up ministry in Mberengwa

Saturday, 7/16–Sunday, 7/17 | Acts 2:42 

• The presence of Messiah to be felt and the Kingdom of Light to advance in Mberengwa, drawing many to Him 
• The Lord to grow the congregations and build up the Believers in Mberengwa

Let’s Pray

Lord, sometimes we almost can’t believe the amazing kingdom adventures in which You have allowed us to participate through praying, giving and going to reach Your beloved Jewish people. The last 10 years in Zimbabwe among the Lemba people and their neighbors have certainly been a decade-long adventure. We have been invited into history-making moments that only You could bring about. May this Mberengwa Outreach be a glorious next chapter in the story that You are writing on their behalf and for Your glory. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

A Note From Jonathan Bernis:

Shalom, my friend!

As I write to you now, my heart is turned towards the declaration of the Psalmist:

“From the LORD comes deliverance. May Your blessing be on Your people” (Psalm 3:8 NIV).

There’s so much difficulty and uncertainty in the world today. That’s why I’m clinging to this critical truth from the Scriptures as I continue to pray for God’s deliverance in Ukraine, His will to be done with regards to Iran and for peace in Israel and among the Jewish people.

And I pray it over you as well, in whatever you’re facing today, that you’ll experience the power and presence of the Lord as the Deliverer of His people. 

There’s no greater promise we have from God — which was ultimately realized in the coming of His Son, Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah.

God is close at hand to bring deliverance and blessing. Let that truth fill you with confidence and hope in the Lord. 

I hope you’ll also join me, and Jewish Voice, as we pray for God’s deliverance, strength, protection, love and blessing to be upon His people, wherever they are around the world. And that He will draw them to Himself through the Good News of Jesus, the Messiah – His greatest gift of all.

Thank you again for your partnership.

To the Jew first and also to the Nations,

Jonathan Bernis
President & CEO
Jewish Voice

Headline News

Zelenskyy: Ukrainian Forces Fighting for “Every Meter” Against Russian Forces in Severodonetsk

The Times of Israel reported heavy fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces in Severodonetsk and nearby Lysychansk — the final remaining vestiges in the Luganks region still under Ukrainian control.

Russian forces have reportedly targeted these areas for weeks, amassing heavy artillery operations in an effort to monopolize the region.

Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenksyy said this week that Ukraine is fighting for “literally every meter” in what his military commander-in-chief, Valeriy Zaluzhny, called a land “covered in blood.”

But “despite everything, we continue to hold positions,” Zaluzhny said. 

In President Zelenskyy’s nightly video address, he noted that the fighting in Severodonetsk was “very fierce,” going on to say that Russia was deploying undertrained troops and was using its young men as “cannon fodder.”

Russia’s recent attacks on Severodonetsk’s remaining bridges would definitively cut off the industrial city from the rest of the country. Regional Governor, Sergiy Gaiday commented on Russia’s advancement, saying, “Most likely (in the next two days), they [the Russians] will throw all the reserves to capture the city.” 

Updates from the Middle East

Israel welcomes IAEA Board of Governors decision regarding Iran

Iran’s pursuit of military nuclear capabilities has never ceased. That’s why Israel welcomes the recent resolution by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) – calling on Iran to urgently fulfill its legal obligations and become compliant with its safeguards.

The U.N. Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry on the situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza

Last week, the U.S. Department of State released a statement that opposes the open-ended and vaguely defined nature of the U.N. Human Rights Council’s (HRC’s) Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the situation in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, stating it represents a “one-sided, biased approach that does nothing to advance the prospects for peace.”

Pray with us this week:

• Ask God to protect the innocent lives from the fighting in Ukraine and to bring a peaceful end to the invasion by Russia
• Pray for God to change the hearts of Iranian leaders who continue to ignore the global outcry against their nuclear violations
• Ask the Lord to surround His people in Israel, who are constantly facing threats and violence from surrounding enemies
• Pray for peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Pray for Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

Profound. Mature. Thorough and challenging. Those words describe the faithful and diligent teaching of Gil Kaplan. Perhaps even more moving are the words used to recount the nature of this man of truth: Humble. Genuine. Encouraging.

The Jewish Voice family and Messianic Jewish community are saddened by the loss of a dedicated teacher of God’s Word. Gil Kaplan passed away on June 11, 2022.

Gil, the son of Jewish Voice founder Louis Kaplan, grew up in ministry. Their family musical group traveled to churches around the country in the 1950s, singing gospel songs and sharing their experiences as Jewish Believers in Jesus. These early years helped build Jewish Voice, which was founded in 1967.

 As an adult, Gil served his country with distinction in the Vietnam War, earning 14 medals, including the Purple Heart. He helped pastor two Messianic Jewish congregations. He was a teacher of truth who authored several books and taught in congregations, at various conferences and Bible colleges.

Gil’s hunger for “rightly dividing God’s Word” and teaching about Jewish roots of faith in Jesus led him to earn a Bachelor of Theology degree in 2002 and a Master of Theology in 2006. In 2003, Gil was ordained as a Messianic rabbi by Jewish Voice Ministries International.  

In 2017, Gateway International Bible Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, conferred on Gil an Honorary Doctor of Theology degree, a fully recognized Doctorate and “an honor reserved for those who have achieved a high level of excellence and compiled a substantial, credible and recognizable body of work in their realm of ministry.” Commenting on how well-deserved the Doctorate was, Gateway’s Chancellor said he had watched Gil – despite being a profound and learned teacher of the Word – humble himself to enroll in his Bachelor’s and Master’s courses and receive further biblical academic training when he very well could have taught the instructors.

Gil taught passionately about a biblical perspective on the time each of us is given. “One of life’s most important lessons is learning to view time as precious,” he said, “and how to use it wisely. It is a neglected topic, seldom taught in discipleship training. Your time is your life, and your life is your time.”

Gil was a true theologian, deeply respected by his peers and well known as an avid encourager.

He unselfishly served the Lord with a heart toward helping members of the Body of Messiah find their deeper calling from God.

Gil is survived by Brenda, his loving wife of 38 years; children Susan, Mike, Steve, Rachel and Stacey; and his brother Dan and his wife, Nancy.

“We are just a heartbeat away from eternity,” Gil said during his doctorate ceremony. “So, in the time we have left, we must make our time count for the glory of God.” Gil Kaplan spent his life doing just that. He will be deeply missed, but we look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.