Beth-El Messianic Ministries and Congregation
PO Box 360165, Cleveland Ohio 44136.
Igor Bagirov, Missionary and Pastor
(440) 532-1127, On Youtube : Bethel Bible Russian Messianic Ministries.
Dear Friend in the Lord Yeshua the Messiah,Warmest greetings to you in Emmanuel’s Precious and Exalted name! (Psalm 57:5 and 11).
As 2017 draws to a close, I pray you are well and that this letter will be a great blessing to you. I thank God for each friend who is sacrificially giving and remembering this work of the Lord in their prayers. I thank God for your fellowship in the Gospel, and I praise Him for your help in showing the Jews the love of their Messiah. We know our service of love to Him among the Jewish People is pleasing to the Lord. (Mark 14:6c; Genesis 12:3). We know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Please pray that Lord will supply our spiritual and financial needs as my support depends partially of my travelling that the ministry and my family may have enough finances to do the ministry and for the living. December 31 will be the last day in 2017 when you could (by leading of the Lord) send your donation for The Year than we may send you a receipt for your taxes. I also want personally thank you of all encouragements by you, and for standing with me to bring the Gospel to the lost sheep of the house of Israel and for everyone. I would also like to wish you abundant blessings for this bright holiday season of Hanukkah and Christmas!
Hanukkah (Feast of Dedication or Feast of Lights) is celebrated for a period of 8 days. On the first day, every Jewish home lights up for the hanukiah (Hanukkah menorah). According to the tradition, the shammas (helper light) is lit first. Then, from the shammas on additional light of the menorah is lit each night. It is a Jewish tradition among many. However, it contains such a deep messianic meaning, such an evident symbol of The Messiah. Just like the shammas- the candle bearing the light, has separated from other candle lights of the Menorah and placed higher above higher above the others- God has exalted the Messiah Jesus “to be Prince and Savior” (Acts 5:31). The shammas candle is placed on the Hanukiah as the ninth candle, but it is as if it’s not to be reckoned on it (for the days of the holiday are 8 in number). Is it not the same as the Bible presents Israel to us? As a “people dwelling alone, not reckoning itself among the nations” (Numbers 23:9). Is it not the same as Jesus not being counted among the sons of Israel? “He came to His own, but His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Is it not only the same, as the ones who are saved by Him are lit up not from an independent light, but only from the Shammas- the light of His resurrection? At the end of each year, are 2 holidays, the history of which are full of light and great wonders –Hanukkah and Christmas. It was not the light of Hanukkah that renewed the world with great hope, but the One whom the Lord has sent into the world “that we might live through Him” (1 John 4:9) HE allowed for His temple to be destroyed, but God has built Him up, again. He resurrected the Christ from the dead and lit up as the Everlasting Shammas. Christmas- is a holiday of those who burn along with him in the same hanukiah, the holiday of everyone born again through Him and His resurrection.
In the month of November we were witnessed by God’s grace to more than 500 people. Our work was included Cleveland OH, State College – Penn Univ. PA, Seattle WA, Pittsburgh PA, and Rochester NY.
As always in my letters, I share with testimonies happened in previous months.
In Atlanta GA, we were witnessing in a Piedmont Park, which is a very big park located in downtown area. We heard before that homosexual community use the park for their gatherings. And it was true. We met lot of people, and lot of them were gay. Our goal was to remind all people about love of God and the way of salvation. But right is right and evil is evil, and we can’t take any compromises. Bible clearly states that homosexual relationship is a sin and abomination. We wanted to let them to know that Jesus forgives, but they need to be changed. First couple we met were lesbians, who told as that they are “Christians”. But when I mentioned to them about the sin and that God commands all people to repent, they became very angry with showing middle finger and saying bad words. I met 2 gay who were playing chess. They were not interested to hear Gospel. So we chose to leave, but a young blond lesbian woman who was listening our witnesses, started to scream. Every other word on us was f-word with treats and showing middle finger. Even so we reminded her that Lord Jesus loves and waiting for her. At another side of the park we met large group of Muslims, who were celebrating a birthday God blessed us to witness to them and couple Scriptures in Arabic were distributed. Another man whom I met, told us that he is a former Baptist. When I asked him to tell me what he meant “former”, he said that he is not believing anymore that God is real. He more trust in philosophy. I told him that one day he’ll realize that God is real. I tried to speak with him, but unfortunately he refused to talk. Even his friends who were with him together were not interested. We met a Chinese family who accepted Bible in Chinese language, and some Americans got Scriptures. But most people were rejecting Gospel.
On my last day, in an airport, before I took a flight back to Cleveland, I saw an Orthodox Jewish family. I was very tired, and I praying, but chose do not witness. Most time Orthodox Jews and Rabbis are angry when you tell them that Yeshua is the Messiah. They could even to spit on you. I went a different direction. But shortly God showed me again the same family, and I understood that I have to witness to them. I came close to them and saw that the husband put his Tallit and started to pray. It was his afternoon prayer according tradition. I was praying too, by asking Lord to give me wisdom and power to witness. Fifteen minutes passed, he still praying, 20… Soon I needed to take my flight and I did not want to miss it. Shortly, the man finished the prayer. I came to him, and we started to have a conversation about who the Messiah should be. When he heard the question, he put his head down. I was continuing by telling him that I believe that Yeshua is the promised Messiah of Israel. I thought that the man will start screaming at me, but he was keeping calmness. In short way I went through Scriptures using different prophecies, explaining a purpose of Israel. After that I offered him New Testament. He lifted his head and I saw tears on his eyes. He said: “Yes, I will accept”. Praise God! His wife was close and heard all our conversation. Brothers and sisters, redemption of Israel is close, and it means that our Lord and Savior is returning!
We also continue reach Russian speaking Jewish people in Cleveland.
Please pray for this part of the ministry.
Thanks again for your kindness and faithfulness, prayer and partnership.
If God leads you to start or continue send your donations to help the ministry, please send it to: Bethel Messianic Congregation, P.O. Box 360165, Cleveland Ohio 44136.
Our donations need to be increased. We need your prayer and also financial support. Please pray about it and please help us for The Lord Jesus sake.
May The Lord-God of Israel richly bless you. Happy New 2018 Year.
