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From David Brickner
➤ Read David’s promise concerning Jews for Jesus in the new year."The Unchanging Resolution" by David Brickner
The New Year—it’s the season when people resolve to make long overdue changes in their lives. Many of us promise ourselves or a loved one to lose weight and get fit—to eat smart and exercise more. Others resolve to spend less time watching television and more time reading. Some will resolve to be more careful in how they spend or save money. Perhaps some even resolve to be kinder and more loving. Resolutions involve a commitment to positive change.
But sometimes the best resolution is a commitment not to change, but to be steadfast. God demonstrates such commitment in His Word. “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Malachi 3:6). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). And so, the babe born in a manger in Bethlehem is the same One who sits on the throne, the same One who created the universe, the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world.
Situations and circumstances change, but God tells us in His holy Word that His commitment to be our Redeemer—to save us, to keep us—remains the same. Aren’t you glad that in this world of change, He has resolved to stay the same? As the executive director of Jews for Jesus, I have many opportunities—and sometimes, pressure—to change. I have studied and appreciate the value of change, but I need to make a different kind of New Year’s resolution—a resolution that involves a commitment not to change. I want to make the commitment to you that Jews for Jesus will remain the same in one very important way. We are going to continue being different.
From the very beginning, Moishe Rosen taught us to value the principle of “cognitive dissonance,” that is, the unexpected twist that causes people to do a “double take.” You see, people ignore what they think they already know or understand. If we don’t want people to ignore the gospel, we’ve got to present it in a way that causes people to think twice.
Jews for Jesus will remain the same through our commitment to be different. That’s a bit of cognitive dissonance right there! But I’m not just illustrating a point, I’m telling you my commitment to keep us creative, to keep us looking for new ways to connect people with the gospel. Maybe you saw some of the photographs in our newsletters this past year, as our teams handed out “Brews for Jesus” (iced coffee) and invited people to “post a prayer” on interactive boards we bring to streets and college campuses. One of our missionaries even dressed up in rain gear in the middle of a drought to reach out to college students (sadly no photos of that one!). Those who stopped got to engage in a conversation about Noah and the gospel implications of the ark.
If we don’t want people to ignore the gospel, we’ve got to present it in a way that causes people to think twice.
It requires a bit of courage to do what others might perceive as eccentric. When you rub against the status quo, sometimes you get burned by the friction. Merely identifying as Jewish believers in Yeshua (Jesus) often causes friction. And the idea that Jewish people need Him to be saved? It’s bound to cause friction, just like it did 2000 years ago. We’ve got to be willing to take the heat ... not unlike the One we follow.
One pressure mounts as someone raises the fear of official or public disapproval. Such a person thinks that public censure is a “bad testimony.” But is it really? Would our conformity bring about the kind of testimony that wins people to Christ? Should we expect the world to approve of any effective gospel proclamation?
Another pressure comes from those who fear that any unconventional means of outreach could cause us to lose support—but who are our supporters, if not fellow nonconformists? If I am right about the kind of friend and ministry partner that I think you are, you appreciate the fact that we are doing the unconventional thing—because it helps us make the Messiahship of Jesus known. I believe you are much more concerned that we be biblically correct than politically correct.
We Jews for Jesus are never going to be “politically correct.” We don’t enjoy or seek out disapproval, but we accept that we’re not going to be loved very much in the United States or Great Britain or anywhere else in the world—except by those people who love Jesus a whole lot. After all, our message is just as radical and just as much a threat to the status quo as it was when Jesus walked this earth.
When you rub against the status quo, sometimes you get burned by the friction.
Nevertheless, we are not total nonconformists. No matter how unconventional our presence during the street witnessing aspect of our ministry, we are scrupulously conventional as far as our Jesus-centered, Bible-based beliefs are concerned. We conform to Scripture and submit to conventional forms of accountability in our associations with and commitments to the church.
We will never change our commitment to telling the truth: that people need to be rescued and that there is only one life preserver—the consequences of saying “no” to Him are more devastating than anyone could imagine. It’s not exactly a popular message, but it is one that people desperately need to hear. If anyone stands a chance of proclaiming an unpopular message, we do. However, we need divine unction, we need the Spirit of God to infuse our efforts with His power, to give us courage and sustain us. We need His help to withstand the “politically correct” mindset of the world.
Much has changed since I began leading this ministry nineteen years ago. It seems like yesterday that I was learning to lead my peers. Being the first successor to our founding executive director—who was somewhat of a father figure to many of us—certainly had its challenges. Now I am a grandfather, and the challenges are different. I have been pouring into our next generation, doing my best to help them master the balance of changing, yet remaining the same. Many of my colleagues have been investing in this as well.
What are your resolutions for 2016 as far as sharing the gospel is concerned? Will you resolve to help me in my resolution to remain the same by being different? Will you help us to be “out there” for Jesus? Will you pray for me to consistently be and do what is right to lead this ministry, and to help our younger generation to lead? May God grant us the courage of our commitments in the coming year. May we continue to stand boldly for Him whatever the cost. That is my prayer and my resolution for the New Year.
David Brickner is also an author, public speaker and avid hiker. Find out more about David, his writings, speaking schedule and possible availability to speak at your church.
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➤ Watch David’s video updatedescribing our Paris team’s response to terrorist attacks, announcing a new JFJ branch to open in 2016 and more...
RealTime Video Update
Realtime Featured Written by Jews for Jesus
Watch David’s video update describing our Paris team’s response to terrorist attacks, announcing a new JFJ branch to open in 2016 and more. Get specific prayer requests from outreaches around the world by signing up for our newsletter online.
RealTime Video Update
Realtime Featured Written by Jews for Jesus
Watch David’s video update describing our Paris team’s response to terrorist attacks, announcing a new JFJ branch to open in 2016 and more. Get specific prayer requests from outreaches around the world by signing up for our newsletter online.
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Top Stories
Paris praise report
Paris Hanukkah Outreach Wrap-Up by Jews for Jesus
Paris branch leader Joshua Turnil reports, “Thank you for praying for our Hanukkah outreach. We handed out about 550 New Testaments and learned quite a bit about this kind of ministry in the process. We also phoned all the Parisian Jewish people on our database who do not yet believe in Jesus—555 people—and connected with 164. Our ministry to those who were willing to talk will continue in the weeks to come, and we hope to meet with many personally. Please pray that many will be open to hear more about Jesus.
“As mentioned last week, we were stopped by the police while out on the streets. Not only did they not want us to hand out the New Testament, but they did not want us to sing. Still, our songs seemed to please passersby as some stopped to hum Maoz Tsur (traditional Hanukkah song) or something else . . . but we couldn’t do this for long.
“There was also spiritual opposition as Chantale, Karl and I were unnaturally exhausted—despite encouraging conversations on the phones and street encounters. We began our Saturday evening Hanukkah event in a state of fatigue. At first the turnout seemed meager, but the attendance trickled on throughout the evening. We ended up with nine Jewish people who don’t yet believe in Jesus, eight Jewish people who do, as well as six Gentile seekers and seven Gentile Christians.
“The service was short and sweet with a straightforward gospel message, a brief testimony and lots of music. People stayed with us from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., when we told them that we needed to leave. Many were clumped together talking and/or praying together. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
Top Stories
Paris praise report
Paris Hanukkah Outreach Wrap-Up by Jews for Jesus
Paris branch leader Joshua Turnil reports, “Thank you for praying for our Hanukkah outreach. We handed out about 550 New Testaments and learned quite a bit about this kind of ministry in the process. We also phoned all the Parisian Jewish people on our database who do not yet believe in Jesus—555 people—and connected with 164. Our ministry to those who were willing to talk will continue in the weeks to come, and we hope to meet with many personally. Please pray that many will be open to hear more about Jesus.
“As mentioned last week, we were stopped by the police while out on the streets. Not only did they not want us to hand out the New Testament, but they did not want us to sing. Still, our songs seemed to please passersby as some stopped to hum Maoz Tsur (traditional Hanukkah song) or something else . . . but we couldn’t do this for long.
“There was also spiritual opposition as Chantale, Karl and I were unnaturally exhausted—despite encouraging conversations on the phones and street encounters. We began our Saturday evening Hanukkah event in a state of fatigue. At first the turnout seemed meager, but the attendance trickled on throughout the evening. We ended up with nine Jewish people who don’t yet believe in Jesus, eight Jewish people who do, as well as six Gentile seekers and seven Gentile Christians.
“The service was short and sweet with a straightforward gospel message, a brief testimony and lots of music. People stayed with us from 7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., when we told them that we needed to leave. Many were clumped together talking and/or praying together. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
Chantale and Karl (second and third from left): music for street outreach
“It was great to have Jon* attend; he’s both Israeli and French, and received a tract from my wife Delphine years ago. He thought the idea of Jews for Jesus was humorous, but remembers being challenged by her testimony and left his contact details. I met with him back then, but he was not especially open to the gospel and I hadn’t seen him in quite a while. He was one of the people we’d phoned last week.
“Two Jewish believers formerly on our staff also came: Etienne and Sabrina. It was great to have them witnessing and sharing with people throughout the evening. Etienne particularly connected with Jon, who seems to have become quite spiritual and open to Jesus. Etienne asked if he could pray that God would reveal to Jon who Jesus really is. Jon replied that he would like that, and so Etienne said he’d write it down in his calendar and remember to pray for him regularly. Jon said, ‘No, I want you to pray right now!’ Etienne put his hand on Jon’s shoulder and asked Jesus to reveal Himself to him. Jon told me before he left, ‘I had a really interesting time with Etienne. Thanks for inviting me!’
“It was great to have Jon* attend; he’s both Israeli and French, and received a tract from my wife Delphine years ago. He thought the idea of Jews for Jesus was humorous, but remembers being challenged by her testimony and left his contact details. I met with him back then, but he was not especially open to the gospel and I hadn’t seen him in quite a while. He was one of the people we’d phoned last week.
“Two Jewish believers formerly on our staff also came: Etienne and Sabrina. It was great to have them witnessing and sharing with people throughout the evening. Etienne particularly connected with Jon, who seems to have become quite spiritual and open to Jesus. Etienne asked if he could pray that God would reveal to Jon who Jesus really is. Jon replied that he would like that, and so Etienne said he’d write it down in his calendar and remember to pray for him regularly. Jon said, ‘No, I want you to pray right now!’ Etienne put his hand on Jon’s shoulder and asked Jesus to reveal Himself to him. Jon told me before he left, ‘I had a really interesting time with Etienne. Thanks for inviting me!’
Hanging out after the Hanukkah service (Josh Turnil, right)
“Another interesting encounter was with Dan,* who works for the Israeli embassy. We had never met him; he came with his Christian girlfriend. I could see that his guard was up, even though I made a point of making him feel welcome. I decided that rather than trying to speak to him throughout the evening, I would introduce him to as many other people as possible. He met believers as well as all the other Jewish people who don’t yet believe in Jesus—including another Israeli who was born in Tel Aviv in 1929. Dan was quite impressed. Sabrina, one of our former missionaries, ended up explaining Jews for Jesus to him in Hebrew.
“In the end he said to me in Hebrew, ‘Kol kavod** for organizing such a great evening with so many interesting people.’ To which I responded ‘Kol hakavod to me? No, Kol Kavod to you for everything you are doing for our people and the state of Israel.’ He was a bit moved by this and then I added, ‘You know, we are still Zionists*** here.’ He replied somewhat wistfully, ‘There are less and less of you.’ He shook my hand again and said he hoped we would meet again.”
* not their real names
** literally means “all the honor,” but is usually used to mean “well done” or “good job.”
***while many other meanings have been imputed to this term, a Zionist is simply one who supports the State of Israel.
“Another interesting encounter was with Dan,* who works for the Israeli embassy. We had never met him; he came with his Christian girlfriend. I could see that his guard was up, even though I made a point of making him feel welcome. I decided that rather than trying to speak to him throughout the evening, I would introduce him to as many other people as possible. He met believers as well as all the other Jewish people who don’t yet believe in Jesus—including another Israeli who was born in Tel Aviv in 1929. Dan was quite impressed. Sabrina, one of our former missionaries, ended up explaining Jews for Jesus to him in Hebrew.
“In the end he said to me in Hebrew, ‘Kol kavod** for organizing such a great evening with so many interesting people.’ To which I responded ‘Kol hakavod to me? No, Kol Kavod to you for everything you are doing for our people and the state of Israel.’ He was a bit moved by this and then I added, ‘You know, we are still Zionists*** here.’ He replied somewhat wistfully, ‘There are less and less of you.’ He shook my hand again and said he hoped we would meet again.”
* not their real names
** literally means “all the honor,” but is usually used to mean “well done” or “good job.”
***while many other meanings have been imputed to this term, a Zionist is simply one who supports the State of Israel.
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Listen to
Hanukkah in Odessa by Jews for Jesus
Igor Barbanel, who directs our FSU branches, reports, “We wanted to hold a Hanukkah event at our recently renovated Odessa office and phoned to invite Jewish people who’ve indicated an interest in hearing more about Jesus. It was a small gathering of mostly new Jewish believers in Jesus, but there was also a Jewish seeker, Fedor, who had given me his contact information last year. I was surprised and excited when he came early to the service, giving us time to talk before everyone else arrived.
“During the service I gave the message, telling the story of Hanukkah, and also sharing from John 8:12 where Yeshua (Jesus) said that He is the Light of the World. At the end of the message I asked if anyone wanted to receive Yeshua, mainly because Fedor was there. Hallelujah, he raised his hand and said the sinner’s prayer out loud with me. I’m so grateful to the Lord that His arm is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear, as the prophet Isaiah says in chapter 59. Please pray for Fedor’s spiritual growth.
“We also held a Hanukkah service downtown. The day before, I was handing out tracts when I saw a man I thought I should speak to. Victor turned out to be Jewish, was open to the gospel message and gave me his contact info. I invited him to our downtown service—and you can’t imagine how glad I was to see him walk in with a big smile on his face. One hundred and five people attended. Near the end of the service, when I invited people to repent, Victor prayed to receive Yeshua. He was one of nine people (five Jews and four Gentiles) who came to the Light of the World that night.”
Sometimes it takes a year or more, and sometimes it takes just a few days for people we meet on the streets to come to faith. Please pray for the new believers in Odessa, and for our teams in Russia and Ukraine who brave very cold temperatures to reach people for Jesus.
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Jewish people tell how they came to know Jesus
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Isaac Brickner
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Jhan-Moskowitz
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JoshuaPex
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Support Jewish Evangelism
Your financial support, prayers and willingness to spread the Word make the work of Jews for Jesus possible. Please consider giving now to help share the gospel and introduce Jewish people to their Messiah. Thank you!
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About RealTime
RealTime delivers breaking news and views on Jewish evangelism, as well as inspiring perspectives from executive director David Brickner. Check back often for the latest updates. You'll find reasons to praise—and opportunities for prayer.
Jews for Jesus
60 Haight Street
ShoutOut
RESOURCES
MULTIMEDIA SHOUTOUT DOWNLOAD YOUR FAVORITE SHOUTOUT!Download Your Favorite ShoutOut!
Download Name Play Size Length
Aaron-Abramson9.4 MB 4:07 min
Adel-Ben-David18.1 MB 7:54 min
Amer-Olsen9.5 MB 4:09 min
Bob-Mendelsohn17.4 MB 7:35 min
Ceil-Rosen20.2 MB 8:48 min
Clive-Berkman19.2 MB 8:22 min
Crystal-Buchhalter16.4 MB 7:09 min
Dan-Tasman14.8 MB 6:26 min
DanSered6.3 MB 6:50 min
David-Friedlander16.4 MB 7:10 min
DavidMinsky3.1 MB 3:26 min
Fred-Wertheim18.4 MB 8:02 min
Heather Drake25.3 MB 5:43 min
Isaac Brickner13.3 MB 5:47 min
Jack-Sternberg21.6 MB 9:25 min
Janie-Sue-Wertheim18.7 MB 8:10 min
Jay-Sekulow14.6 MB 6:23 min
Jesse-Danziger20.8 MB 9:05 min
Jhan-Moskowitz17.6 MB 7:42 min
JoshuaPex5.2 MB 5:38 min
---------------------
Support Jewish Evangelism
Your financial support, prayers and willingness to spread the Word make the work of Jews for Jesus possible. Please consider giving now to help share the gospel and introduce Jewish people to their Messiah. Thank you!
Make My Gift
Follow Jews for Jesus
About RealTime
RealTime delivers breaking news and views on Jewish evangelism, as well as inspiring perspectives from executive director David Brickner. Check back often for the latest updates. You'll find reasons to praise—and opportunities for prayer.
Jews for Jesus
60 Haight Street
San Francisco, California 94102, United States
Phone 
415-864-2600
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415-864-2600---------------------
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