Reflections from Israel During the Recent War

Written from Jerusalem during the June 2025 conflict with Iran

Shalom, dear friends,

We recently returned from two weeks in Israel, a time we will never forget. What began as a ministry trip turned into an experience that deeply reshaped our hearts. We found ourselves in the Holy Land during a historic and sobering moment—the outbreak of open war between Israel and Iran.

For seven consecutive days, we took shelter from incoming missile attacks. Over 600 ballistic missiles were launched into Israel, many intercepted by the Iron Dome, but not all. The human toll has been devastating—lives lost, families injured, cities shaken. The air was thick with tension, uncertainty, and sorrow.

Yet in the midst of the chaos, we were reminded again and again that God is present—even in the darkest hour.

“I didn’t know Christians would come all this way to stand with us. This gives me hope.”

We travelled to Israel with a group of over 60 believers from Australia and the United States. Our original purpose was to lead a dedication tour and celebrate the opening of a new Messianic Centre in Ramat Gan. Though the conflict made it unsafe to gather at the centre itself, we quietly held a dedication service in our hotel. God was with us.

We also attended a retreat for young Messianic believers in Israel—called Living Waters—which took place just before the fighting escalated. The faith and resilience of these young people moved us deeply. As the days unfolded and the war intensified, we shared meals, shelters, and stories with both local believers and Israeli families displaced from their homes. The pain was real—but so was the hope.

In one bomb shelter, worship broke out spontaneously. As we sang, displaced Israeli families drew near to listen.

One woman, moved to tears, later attended a service and told our group,

blockquote: I didn’t know Christians would come all this way to stand with us. This gives me hope.

Another moment that will remain with us forever happened in a hotel car park. We came across a young bride in tears. Her wedding reception had been cancelled due to the conflict. “I can’t celebrate with my family,” she sobbed. Without hesitation, our group gathered around her, singing and dancing traditional wedding songs. We prayed and blessed her and her husband. Through tears, they told us, “Now it feels like we had a real wedding. Now we feel like we have family.”

These were sacred moments in the midst of crisis.

Over the course of our trip, we met with leaders from Chosen People Global Ministries, representing nearly 20 countries. We heard powerful testimonies from local believers who have been serving faithfully throughout this prolonged season of war, which began on October 7, 2023. Despite the conflict, Bible studies are full, events are thriving, and there’s a growing spiritual hunger—especially among young people—to know Yeshua (Jesus), the Messiah.

One young woman, who had previously stayed with us in Australia, joined us again—this time in a bomb shelter. She later stood before our group and shared how deeply she was impacted by the love and support she received from Christians during this time.

There were many other stories of believers impacting the lives of Israelis:

• One of our staff serves on reserve duty, and his unit was surviving on canned tuna or bread. When he shared this need with our ministry team, they spun into action and managed to deliver hot meals to their base.
• Another team came into contact with a group of 100 displaced families whose properties were impacted by the recent bombings. As 250 of them reside at a hotel, our staff responded providing children’s programs while the families work out their next steps.
• Another person is connecting with Holocaust survivors on Zoom, gathering to pray and read the Psalms. Many of them were too frail to make it into bomb shelters.

We returned home with a renewed sense of urgency to pray for the people of Israel and the region, and to proclaim the hope of the Gospel. These are prophetic days, and we believe God is stirring hearts around the world—Jew and Gentile alike—to seek Him.

We ask the readers of this paper to join us in prayer:

• For the Jewish people in Israel and worldwide
• For the people of Gaza and all innocent civilians
• For an end to antisemitism
• For the protection of lives caught in the conflict
• For a movement of the Holy Spirit to bring salvation through Yeshua

As we stood at the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem, Isaiah’s words came alive to us:

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night” (Isaiah 62:6).

Thank you for being among those watchmen—praying, standing, and lifting up the name of Jesus. He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:4).

With love and hope from Jerusalem,

Lawrence and Louise Hirsch
Celebrate Messiah