After rescheduling our bi-annual At the Crossroads-Isaiah 19 conference four times, initially scheduled for March 2020, we finally were able to convene the gathering in Jerusalem this April. Because of the pandemic and the added restrictions that Israel placed on citizens visiting from other Middle Eastern countries, obtaining visas for our delegates proved even more difficult than usual. In the end, we welcomed about 1/2 of those we invited from the Highway nations. Though this was different from what we envisioned, the whole event, the conference, and the study tour segment turned out to be much better than we expected.
The theme of this year’s gathering was ‘Brit Avraham’ or the Abrahamic Accords. We sensed that the shift in the Middle East and the new treaties formed between Israel and some of its Sunni Muslim neighbors signaled a “new day” in the Middle East. Our purpose for this was to encourage Highway movement in response to new doors opening around the region. The Abrahamic Accords, besides the political, economic, cultural, and educational impact, were also signaling a new day for access for the Gospel of the Kingdom to lands once completely off limits to the message of the truth.
Therefore, this gathering was marked by some very powerful testimonies, mostly from Muslim background believers (MBB) and more than a few from Palestinian backgrounds. Our opening night speaker S. a Jordanian MBB who now lives in Europe. Although now a European passport holder, he was prevented from entering Israel for the conference after coming once alone and the second time with his wife (Egyptian background). Twice deported (his wife was allowed to enter), he was not deterred because he believed this was the time God wanted to unite him with his Messianic family. He subsequently flew to Jordan, and we were able to have him address the conference delegates via video. His testimony involved his grandparents fleeing Jerusalem in 1967 and carrying deep hatred for the Israelis and Jordanians, but he realized this hate was bringing a curse on his life. After hearing about Jesus on the internet, he asked him: Jesus, if you are real, heal me. Suddenly he felt something like electricity and cried out to Him, asking for forgiveness. His family was shocked, and they disowned him. His father-in-law, when he heard about his new faith and saw that his daughter had refused to leave him, he killed her. After fleeing the land of his birth Jordan, he eventually made his way to Europe and, at some point, was introduced to the vision of Isaiah 19 and realized this was the only hope of our region. Later while reading his Bible more carefully discovered that the Jews are beloved by God. Later at a conference, he met some Messianic Jews, and as he was praying for his family’s salvation, they came and laid hands on me and prayed with him. Later he was restored to his family and even had the courage to forgive and reconcile with his former father-in-law. His testimony stirred the hearts of many in the room, releasing faith for the impossible in the Middle East.
Our main speaker for this year’s gathering was Andrew Brunson, who was imprisoned by Turkish authorities for two years due to his faith. He was used as a hostage by Turkey for the extradition of a well-known cleric in exile in the U.S. and because of charges by the U.S. government of Turkey’s complicity in helping Iran avoid Western-led sanctions. After working as a pastor in Izmir, Turkey, for 23 years, he suddenly was behind bars and often in solitary confinement.
“It was intense. I had read the biographies of people who had suffered well, but I didn’t. Not sleeping, the hormones, the cortisol, and physical breakdown led to panic attacks, and I broke rather quickly. My faith also broke. I understood it intellectually. I had taught about the Gentle Father, the Wonderful Husband, but the sense of His Presence wasn’t there, and my heart was wounded. The medication helped, but I was offended. How could You do this to me? So many of us struggle when we go into difficult times when He doesn’t do what we expect. Will we be offended? The turning point came for me while I was still in the valley of dry bones, and I made a decision of my will. I will fight for my relationship with You – even if You leave me in prison, even if I don’t hear your voice. I was at my weakest point, suicidal at times, and I was just able to turn my eyes toward Him. We’re all tested in different ways, but no matter what pit you’re in, you can turn to Him. Don’t be offended when you are disappointed. Job and Jeremiah struggled in stress and agony. Even Jesus struggled despite knowing what was happening. So He understands our brokenness. But don’t allow disappointments to take root in your heart. Tear out the offense.”
Blessed is the man not offended in Me. (Lk.7:23)
Recently Andrew Brunson released a 8-part series titled “Prepared to Stand” on youtube. Click here for more.
We also were very encouraged by the response of our Middle Eastern Delegates to the tour segment of the conference. They received a completely new understanding of the Bible. Their understanding of the Hebrew roots of the scriptures deepened their understanding of both the history and culture of the Bible, specifically of Jesus and the gospels. Their desire now is to bring their brothers and sisters from around the Middle East for an extended time of study and revelation.
ATC 2022 tour of Hebraic roots of the scriptures
Finally, as we prepare for our gathering in 2023, we are working towards a transition in leadership of the ATC vision, hoping to release a new core group of younger leaders to take a more hands-on role in leading our gathering and steering our practical initiatives with Derech Avraham. Therefore, we were quite encouraged by a significant number of young adults who joined us from not only Israel and Turkey but also from the UAE, Egypt, and Jordan. Their hunger and enthusiasm to work together with older and more experienced leaders on the Highway was a source of real encouragement for us.
Points for Prayer:
- Pray for the practical initiatives that come out of the ATC conferences- There are discipleship training intensives, relief, and humanitarian programs, worship and prayer events around the Middle East, ongoing prayer and communication around the Highway, and then, of course, ongoing Israel study-tours for Middle Eastern pastors and leaders.
- Pray for provision on the initiatives – We run on a very limited budget, and God, through his people, has been very faithful. Running these programs and moving people around the Highway is an ongoing financial challenge.
- Pray for continued financial provision for the vision and the work of Derech Avraham.
- Pray for the next generation to rise up in the running with the vision – The conference renewed the vision in the hearts of many of the younger delegates here in the region, and they are enthusiastic about working together with the older leaders to walk out the vision practically and again this was very encouraging.
- Pray for strength and wisdom in running Derech Avraham – Administration and website development, keeping in communication with donors, which allows the conferences and initiatives to continue. Pray for a committed team to come together for this.
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