While world leaders have devoted a countless number of hours to finding a seemingly impossible solution to the ongoing Middle Eastern crisis, Misha Vayshengolts, who serves with International Mission to Jewish People in Israel, believes that ‘Jesus is the answer’.
In an interview with en, Misha spoke about what life is currently like in Israel, how recent events have impacted his work as a missionary, and why he thinks Jesus is the solution to the crisis.
He said: ‘The situation in Israel is changing every day. And people’s moods also change. Many people have children and grandchildren serving in the Israeli army. I think that all people in Israel feel an existential worry.
‘However, those who believe in Jesus know who to turn to. They encourage each other and pray for each other. Believers also have stress, fears, and tears, but their lives have a reliable foundation.
‘It is much more difficult for people who don’t know God. Therefore, churches and missions now have a good opportunity to help unbelieving people by proclaiming the hope of the gospel into this difficult situation.’
Asked about how the Hamas terror attacks on 7 October affected his missionary work, and whether people have become more open to hearing the gospel amidst such uncertainty, Misha said: ‘Israeli Jewish people now have a lot more spiritual questions than before. And I’m happy to see this, because I have more opportunities for ministry to people.
‘For example, a few days ago I visited a former professor named Oded. He is an unbelieving Jewish man. We discussed whether it is normal to hate people (for example terrorists). That is, is this a correct thing to feel? Can a terrorist change and become a normal person? Can a terrorist believe in Jesus?
‘This gave me the opportunity to answer questions Biblically. In fact, I tell people that Jesus is the answer. Jesus can change the sinful hearts of even terrorists, and of course He can change our own sinful hearts and of those who don’t believe in Jesus.
‘In addition, I saw that my Jewish friends are now disappointed and disillusioned in people generally after this, but they see that the Bible proclaims truth. The Bible is becoming a “living” book for them.’
Misha was also asked about how Christians in Israel feel about the Palestinian people. He said: ‘Many Jewish and Gentile Christians here are scared and traumatised by the terror attack. Nevertheless, I never heard words of hatred from them! They believe the Palestinians need Jesus just as much as my Jewish people in Israel do.’
Misha asked for people to pray that the Lord will change hearts and bring peace to the region. He also asked that people pray for continuing mission in Israel:
‘I don’t think missiles and bombs can solve any problems. I am sure that only Jesus can change people’s hearts and thus bring peace. Therefore, pray for spiritual healing for both Jewish and Arab people.
‘Pray for peace in Israel. Some of the Jewish people to whom I minister are Holocaust survivors. After WWII they saw antisemitism regularly in everyday life in the Soviet Union. They now want to have real shalom, peace! Please also pray for the salvation of those Jewish contacts to whom we preach the gospel.’
See also Misha's testomony in his own words
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