ENHANCE - 4th Quarter 2024

4 th Quarter 2024 • No 221
Christian Friends of Israel
United Kingdom
“O Lord, God of Israel”
1 Kings 8:23
INSIDE: EDITORIAL – Covenant of Love • 7 th October remembered • HEBREW WORD FOCUS – Netzer - Branch • Aramaic Community
REPORT – CFI UK Annual Conference 2024 • Event Reports • Pressing on in Prayer • Events & Resources

Editorial
Christian Friends of Israel
United Kingdom
Covenant of Love
About us
CFI UK seeks to bless Israel through
practical and moral support, and serve
the Church in teaching about God’s
purposes for Israel and the Hebrew
heritage of our faith.
CFI UK also produce a monthly prayer
letter and a weekly audio Middle East
report.
Please contact us for full details of
projects in Israel and the teaching
resources available.
As an educational charity, we carry a
variety of resources relevant to our
purpose. We do not necessarily endorse
every view expressed by our guest
writers or authors.
Encouraging understanding in the
Church of Israel in context of the
Bible, history and today.
Challenging prejudice against Israel
and antisemitism alongside the Jewish
community in the UK.
Assisting cross-culturally in Israel
with charitable projects - medical,
educational and social.
What’s in a name?
ENHANCE means to increase, or further
improve the quality, value, or extent
of, in our instance, Christian friendship
of Israel. It also emphasises that when
God’s faithfulness to Israel is included and
understood by the wider Church, it truly is
‘faith enhancing.’
ENHANCE Magazine
Published by:
CFI Charitable Trust, PO Box 2687
Eastbourne BN22 7LZ
Tel: 01323 410 810
Email: info@cfi.org.uk
www.cfi.org.uk
Registered Charity, No. 1101899
Registered Office c/o
Caladine, Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road
Eastbourne, BN21 1BF
Company No: 04984515
VAT Registration No: GB678780275
Front cover photo:
City of David, Jerusalem
Jacob Vince
As Christians, if we were
to look in the Bible for
God’s covenant of love,
where might we expect to find it?
We tend to think of God as love in
the Apostles’ teaching (see Acts 2:42)
but perhaps, due to convention that
holds a false dichotomy between
law and grace, wouldn’t expect to
find it in the books of the Law, the
Prophets and the Psalms (see Luke
24:44).
Yet, the term is first found in
the books of the Law, just after
the second time that the ten
commandments are recorded (see
Deuteronomy 5:1–6:25). The scene
is set first in relation to the land,
‘When the Lord your God brings
you into the land you are entering
to possess’ (Deuteronomy 7:1), and
then the people, ‘For you are a people
holy to the Lord your God. The Lord
your God has chosen you out of all the
peoples on the face of the earth to be
his people, his treasured possession.
The Lord did not set his affection on
you and choose you because you were
more numerous than other peoples.
But it was because the Lord loved you
and kept the oath he swore to your
forefathers’ (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
Then comes the first Bible-reference
to the covenant of love,
‘Know therefore that the Lord your
God is God; he is the faithful God,
keeping his covenant of love to a
thousand generations of those who
love him and keep his commandments’
(Deuteronomy 7:9).
After setting out the benefits of
obedience and the detriments for
disobedience, the term ‘covenant of
love’ is repeated once more,
‘If you pay attention to these laws and
are careful to follow them, then the
Lord your God will keep his covenant
of love with you’ (Deuteronomy
7:12).
Despite paying attention and taking
care to follow God’s instructions,
it is anticipated that, even with
their best intentions, Israel, just
like us, will fail, (see 1 Kings
8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36), hence the
opportunity for turning back and
the provision made of sacrifice for
sin.
The next time the phrase ‘covenant
of love’ appears is in the Prophets,
when king Solomon prays at the
dedication of the temple,
‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God
like you in heaven above or on the earth
below – you who keep your covenant
of love with your servants who walk
wholeheartedly in your way. You have
kept your promise to your servant
David my father; with your mouth you
have promised and with your hand you
have fulfilled it’ (1 Kings 8:23-24)
The term ‘covenant of love’ is
found next in the historical books
of the Psalms, when Israel and
Judah are in exile. It is part of a
‘prayer of confession’ drawn from
what, ‘Daniel understood from the
Scriptures, according to the word of the
Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet,
that the desolation of Jerusalem would
last seventy years’ (Daniel 9:2). In
his prayer Daniel declares God’s
greatness alongside his covenant
keeping character,
‘I prayed to the Lord my God and
confessed: “O Lord, the great and
awesome God, who keeps his covenant
of love with all who love him and obey
his commandments”’ (Daniel 9:4)
Once back from exile, upon
rebuilding the temple and then the
walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah picks
up the refrain once more in ‘his’
prayer of confession,
‘Then I said, “O Lord God of heaven,
the great and awesome God, who keeps
his covenant of love with those who
love him and obey his commandments,
let your ear be attentive and your eyes
open to hear the prayer your servant is
praying before you day and night for
your servants, the people of Israel”’
(Nehemiah 1:5)
2 ENHANCE • 4 th Quarter 2024

Special Event
7 th October Memorial
event
CFI UK were one of four Israel-related Christian
ministries who exhibited alongside some forty
plus Jewish charities, showing Christian support
at the major Hyde Park Event run by the Board of
Deputies on Sunday 6 th October.
CFI UK’s CEO Jacob Vince commented, “We couldn’t count
the number from the Jewish community who simply said,
‘Thank you, thank you for all your support’. We gave away
most of our CFI UK
Enhance magazines,
‘Promises promises’ and
‘Questions questions’
booklets. Many Jewish
people stated, ‘So glad
you are here’. We simply
said, ‘it’s our honour to
be here’. Many welling
up with tears, us too.”
The CFI UK team
had numerous
conversations,
and many
Jewish people
were in total
bewilderment at the lack of support from the UK in general.
They were also concerned at the worldwide persecution
of Christians. Jacob comments, “We saw several Christian
supporters and met a few new ones. There were around
forty exhibitors, mostly Jewish plus Christian Action Against
Antisemitism (CAAA) and Ebenezer. We told [the Jewish
people] our main focus is to encourage understanding
amongst our fellow Christians. They agreed it was so
necessary, with so many poorly informed. We mentioned the
Christian festivals we attend to do this, and said all Christians
should be here supporting you, not just us. They got it. Very
warm relations. Thankful for the opportunity.”
Izzy, a CFI UK supporter who attended the Hyde Park event,
said, “It was a great opportunity to attend the Memorial Event
alongside thousands of others. We heard prayers, speeches,
music, and it was particularly moving to hear from Mandy
Damari, mother of British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari, 28.
Many amazing organizations were represented, and although
we all wish this current situation wasn’t happening, there was
something special about being able to be alongside the Jewish
community at this difficult time. I think it was particularly
helpful to do so as a group of friends; we’re stronger together,
and I for one learnt a lot and was encouraged.
CFI was warmly received; there were a few healthy debates,
always amicable, and loads of people thanked the team for
their friendship with Israel.”
Nehemiah returns to the phrase
once more after Ezra has found
and reads out loud, ‘the Book of the
Law of Moses, which the Lord had
commanded for Israel’ (Nehemiah
8:1), as Israel together recall their
history and God’s leading, and
corporately confess their sin (see
Nehemiah 9:1-37).
“Now therefore, O our God, the great,
mighty and awesome God, who keeps
his covenant of love, do not let all
this hardship seem trifling in your
eyes- the hardship that has come upon
us” (Nehemiah 9:32).
Are there not echoes as Israel
today, albeit in different
circumstances, find themselves
once more in hardship?
Following Nehemiah’s prayer, they
make a binding agreement, ‘putting
it in writing’, with their leaders,
Levites and priests affixing their
seals.
The final mention of the ‘covenant
of love’ is in the summary book
Chronicles, which draws from the
three previous parts of the Bible
- Law, Prophets and the Psalms
which it concludes, repeating king
Solomon’s words at the dedication
of the temple,
‘He said, “O Lord God of Israel, there
is no God like you in heaven or on
earth – you who keep your covenant
of love with your servants who
continue wholeheartedly in your way”’
(2 Chronicles 6:14).
It is shortly after this, we find God’s
response to Solomon’s prayer
offered on behalf of the people of
Israel, noting the context of this oftappropriated
phrase,
“If my people, who are called by my
Name, will humble themselves and
pray and seek my face and turn from
their wicked ways, then will I hear
from heaven and will forgive their
sin and heal their land. Now my eyes
will be open and my ears attentive to
the prayers offered in this place.”
(2 Chronicles 7:14)
So, we see in the Law, Prophets
and Psalms that God is faithful and
keeps his ‘covenant of love’.
4 th Quarter 2024 • ENHANCE 3

HEBREW WORD FOCUS
Melissa Briggs MA
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Melissa is an experienced Hebrew
teacher with a desire to make the
rich language of the Scriptures
accessible to Christians.
Visit: www.explorehebrew.co.uk
THE BRANCH
OF JESSE
‏ֵנֵ‏ ‏ֶצֶ‏ ר
Netzer
Israelis tend to be refreshingly direct in
conversation. Dozens and dozens of times as
a student, when riding buses across the hills
of Jerusalem, strangers would turn to me and
ask, “Are you Jewish or Christian?”
In Hebrew a Christian is a “notzri” – a follower of the
One from Nazareth – though originally this word
simply meant a Nazarene, someone from Nazareth.
The earliest written record of this title being given to
the followers of Jesus is Acts, when it is said of Paul:
“We have found this man to be a troublemaker…a ringleader
of the Nazarene sect [Notzrim]” (Acts 24:5). The name of
Christian Friends of Israel in Hebrew
is, ‘Notzrim Yadidei Yisrael’.
Notzri is from the same root family
as the noun netzer, which means ‘a
branch’ (either a literal young branch
of a plant, or a figurative branch of a
family tree, i.e. ‘a descendent’). And both are from the
root verb natzar ‏ַצַ‏ ר meaning‏ָנָ‏ ‘to keep, observe, guard,
or watch’. This is one of several Hebrew verbs that are
all translated ‘to guard’. In light of this root meaning
of natzar, in certain contexts the word notzrim means
“watchmen” (see 2 Kings 17:9).
We often find natzar beautifully speaking of God’s
special protection for Israel, and his devotion to
them, “You are my hiding place; you will protect/guard
(natzar) me from trouble and surround me with songs of
deliverance” (Psalm 32:7).
God’s special devotion to his People is expressed
through the use of this verb, “In a desert land he found
him [Israel], in a barren and howling waste. He shielded
4 ENHANCE • 4 th Quarter 2024
Notzrim
Yadidei Yisrael
him and cared for him; He guarded
(‘natzar’-ed) him, as the apple of his
eye.” (Deuteronomy 32:10)
This root family links surprising
topics – including a ‘branch’ and
a ‘watchman’ – a connection that
makes sense considering the life and
ministry of the Messiah,
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his
roots a Branch [netzer] will bear fruit. The Spirit of the
Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of
understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit
of the knowledge and fear of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:1–2).
Jesus fulfilled the prophecy that the Messiah would be
the branch that came from the root of Jesse. The Netzer
that Isaiah spoke of grew up in Nazareth (pronounced
Natzrat in Hebrew), which is a closely related word
meaning ‘Watchtower’. The ultimate Watchman over
Israel grew up in the town called Watchtower!
Wherever we find this root family, in any of its forms,
it is a reminder of this powerful prophecy! Treethemed
Messianic imagery is found throughout the
biblical prophets—seeds, branches, shoots, stumps
and roots are all employed to speak of the flourishing
development and fruitfulness of the Messiah and his
Kingdom. And again in Romans which says much
about the ‘natural’ and ‘wild’ olive branches, the Lord
grafts into the ‘olive tree’ of faith.
In Isaiah the Lord describes himself as the careful
‘keeper/watchman’ of the branches/vines of Israel,
echoed later by John (see John 51:1). ‘In
that day—”Sing about a fruitful vineyard:
I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it
continually. I guard [natzar] it day and
night so that no one may harm it”’
(Isaiah 27:2-3).
To lovingly guard (natzar) those who fear him, is
central to God’s character: “The Lord, the Lord, the
compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding
in love and faithfulness, watching over/keeping [natzar-ing]
love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and
sin” (Exodus 34:6-7).
What an honour to be the recipient of his redemptive
love and protection, and to bear his title as a ‘Notzri’!
“Love the Lord, all his faithful people! The Lord preserves
[natzar-s] those who are true to him.” (Psalm 31:23).
MELISSA’S NEW LEVEL 1&2 VIDEO COURSE IS NOW AVAILABLE!
Learn Biblical & Modern Hebrew at your own pace with prerecorded
lessons. Please contact Melissa for more details at:
www.explorehebrew.co.uk

Special Feature
Christian Aramaic
Community
A view of Jish. (Yossi Zamir/Flash 90)
Instead of fleeing the Galilee, hundreds of Christian Arameans are staying
At Jish, northern Israel, in plain view of a
Hezbollah stronghold, Shadi Khalloul scanned
a fig tree for the best fruit to offer his guests.
“Take some if you have a plastic bag,” Khalloul, 48, said on
Monday on a hilltop in his village, about 2 miles from the border
with Lebanon.
Like most of his neighbours, Shadi has stayed in Jish despite
frequent shelling, because he won’t be cowed by the Lebanese
terror group.
His defiance is characteristic of Jish and its small but tight-knit
community of Aramean Christians: a Catholic ethnoreligious
group of just a few thousand people who threw their lot in
with the State of Israel. They trace their heritage to the ancient
Arameans who lived here 3,000 years ago.
Unlike most of the Jews in neighbouring towns, Jish’s 3,000-odd
residents have largely stayed put throughout
the current escalation of hostilities with
Hezbollah, which led to the evacuation of
some 60,000 people from communities near
the border.
Jish is not on the list of evacuated locals
because the bulk of its houses are more than
3.5 kilometres from the border. But many
of its residents wouldn’t leave anyway, said
Nivin Elias, a mother of three. Her home’s
line-of-sight to Lebanon means it’s at risk
from attacks.
Prior to the outbreak of hostilities in
October, they completed a large, apartmentsize
underground floor in their home. Due
to the escalation of the conflict, the Eliases
have turned the space into a bunker for their
extended family.
Deeply rooted
Jish is an oasis of vibrancy and normalcy amid a largely deserted
area. The axis of communal life here is the church and its daily
services. Culturally, the churchgoers are Arameans, and prayers
are delivered in Aramaic.
Shadi is a promoter of the Aramean heritage and culture, which he
decided to champion after realising about 25 years ago that the
rest of the Christian world believed it extinct. He views Jews and
Shadi Khalloul shows a document attesting to
support for Israel by Maronites in 1947 in Jish
August 2024 (Canaan Lidor/Times of Israel)
Arameans as “the true indigenous” groups of the Land of Israel,
“which are joined by history, ancestry, and culture,” he said. This
partnership forms the basis for an “unbreakable bond.”
The church runs a summer camp for children and youths who,
come evening, hang around town, many of them wearing the
church movement’s blue shirts.
The local restaurant, El Layali, reopened last month, but the
owners are barely breaking even because of the disappearance
of most of the summertime trade – Jewish families visiting the
touristic area of Mount Meron.
The children of Jish used to play at the local soccer field, but it
became off-limits after a Hezbollah rocket on July 27 killed 12
children on the soccer field of the Druze village of Majdal Shams,
which is so close to Jish that it’s visible in the distance.
Karema Haddad, a
mother of three who
works as a kindergarden
teacher, came up with
an alternative afternoon
activity for her children
and their friends: a
lemonade stand right
outside their front yard.
The children
enthusiastically offered A book in Aramaic, in Jish in northern Israel
passers by icy tamarind juice and homemade popcorn in sandwich
bags for 2 shekels (50 cents).
Like other children in Jish, the Haddads attend the weekly Aramaic
language course taught at the local elementary school by Aram
— the Israeli Christian Aramaic Association,
a nongovernmental association headed by
Shadi and Nivin.
Many Arameans consider themselves closer
culturally, religiously, and ideologically to
Jewish Israelis and Judaism than to Arabs and
Islam. In 2014, Aram succeeded in including
Aramean in the list of state-recognised
ethnic minorities, ending a years-long legal
battle.
Several of Jish’s children attend the local
regional high school, where most other
students are Jews from kibbutzim and
moshavim. Some Jish parents enrol their
elementary school-age children in Jewish
institutions in the kibbutzim, Shadi noted.
“So when the evacuation of the Galilee
happened, it hurt us in multiple ways: It took
away places of work as well as educational
frameworks,” he added.
“Only under a Jewish sovereign state can we even hope to live as
free men and women. This is survival for us,”
“We’re few, but our story, our joint story with the Jews, is far from
over,” he said of the Maronites and Arameans.
Based on article by Canaan Lidor for Times of Israel, 7 August 2024
Main images: Jish on August 5, 2024: Canaan Lidor/Times of Israel
4 th Quarter 2024 • ENHANCE 5
(Yaakov Naumi/Flash90)

Event Report
CFI UK Annual Conference 2024
Derek and Grace White in
Israel. Courtesy: David Greer
Jesus and the
Steven Notley
Andrew and Liz Day accompanying sung worship
Matthew Soakell on drums
CFI Chairman, David Linnell
Under the theme, “Jesus and
the Land of Israel”, this
year’s Annual Conference
provided a unique opportunity
to gain some insight into nuances
in the Bible from the perspective
of a well-established historical
geographer and New Testament
Bible scholar, Dr Steven Notley.
With his knowledge as a historian
coupled with insights gained from
his archaeological work in Israel,
he took us on a journey through
history highlighting some compelling
thoughts.
As the journey progressed, we learned
about the ‘Lamb’ at Passover (Pesach)
and that the thought behind the word
Pesach embodied the Lamb himself.
He noted that the festival is called
the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and
Passover is a single day in the weeklong
feast. We were also shown that at
his last supper, when Jesus broke the
bread, as he lifted and tore it apart, the
focus was on his body and impending
crucifixion, where he was to be lifted
on to the cross – it was not just about
breaking of bread. These were a few
of the highlights and Dr Notley went
on to share glimpses into similar
insights.
Notley’s second talk looked at the
history behind his archaeological
excavations of the lost city of
Bethsaida. His was the only
archaeological excavation taking place
in Israel during the present conflict.
The consensus amongst archaeologists
is that the site now being uncovered is
indeed the lost city, where the apostles
Peter, Andrew and Philip were from.
Updates were shared on CFI UK
advocacy, presented by Robin Lane,
with festival and events activity
Young helpers in the break times
A time of fellowship and sharing
6 ENHANCE • 4 th Quarter 2024

Friday 27 th & Saturday 28 th September
land of Israel
Jacob Vince
presented by David Soakell through
a very informative film showing us
their individual locations and venues.
Julia gave some updates showing
why prayer is central to all of CFI and
the activities where we encourage
our supporters, including the annual
prayer conference, our weekly ‘Israel
at War’ online Zoom prayer events
and the one held on the 7 th October
one year anniversary, commemorating
those who suffered from the
massacres and their continuing
struggles.
CFI UK’s chief executive, Jacob Vince
gave a detailed overview following
the theme, ‘The Line and the Land’,
unfolding the connection between
the Jewish genealogy of Jesus and
the physical land of Israel. Drawing
from the four parts of Scripture - Law,
Prophets, Psalms and Apostles, he
shed light on the irrefutable truths
David & Julia Soakell encouraging prayer and links
of the Bible that to this present day
remain unchanged.
Steven Notley’s final session focused
on five aspects of Jesus’ setting in the
land of Israel and with the people of
Israel. These included the regional
geography, the language spoken, and
the nature of parables. From these he
drew many insights into the context of
Jesus’ teaching, clarifying how he was
understood in his day, how he came
at just the right time as the Jewish
Messiah and Saviour of the world, and
all that we can learn from this.
The ministry of Andrew and Liz
Day accompanying sung worship,
assisted by Matthew Soakell on drums,
provided a meaningful backdrop
giving room for pause and reflection
through the intimacy of worship. We
came away encouraged and inspired
giving thanks to the Lord.
Philip in the resources bookshop
Your Conference Feedback
“It was encouraging to see a good
number of younger people with us this
year and to hear their comments on
how they had enjoyed the time”
“How interesting it was to hear Steven
Notley share enthusiastically as a
historian on the new found truths
about the site of biblical Bethsaida”
“It was a blessing being in shared sung
worship and this year it was so good
to have Liz and Andrew Day from the
Isle of Wight who led our worship
times, accompanied by Matthew
Soakell on drums”
See Resources on back page for audio or
video recordings available now.
x.com/cfi_uk
facebook.com/cfiuk
youtube.com/cfiuk
4 th Quarter 2024 • ENHANCE 7

Event Reports
1 – 4 August
Royal Cornwall Events Centre, Wadebridge
We started setting up our CFI UK
Resources Stall mid-afternoon in the
exhibition hall on the day before the
festival started. Creation Fest’s cafe and
seating area shared the space and was
adjacent to the main stage (where main
meetings took place). The exhibition
Sharing about the importance of Israel
By Bella Jones
Creation Fest is a camping-based
festival and this was the first
time there was a CFI UK presence
which made everything more
intriguing.
Michael and Bella Jones attending the stall
hall was the ‘nucleus’ of the festival - the
hub where people came back to socialise
and enjoy what was on offer (including
stone-baked pizzas!). This meant we had
a steady flow of different people walking
through during the 4 days.
What struck Michael and I the most was
22 nd July — 25 th July 2024
Gordon Castle Estate Fochabers Village
Aberdeenshire, Scotland
By Julia Soakell
One of our summer festivals
this year was Refuel, high up in
the Highlands of Scotland. This
is an event which is growing
and evolving into a popular and
family based music event and
takes place in late July.
When we arrived in the beautiful grounds
of Gordon Castle, I sensed a fresh
atmosphere and an opportunity for us to
break into new ground. The vision of the
Refuel Team is to create something new
and develop the setting of having mini
conferences in each ministry space. This
was a great opportunity for us, despite
the event being much smaller than the
mainstream ones, like New Wine and Big
Church Festival in England.
Each ministry orders a marquee to set
up their own space. This year we chose
to have a larger one than previously, and
once we completed the set up on the
first afternoon session, we expected to be
quiet as people had been warned to arrive
later than planned because of adverse
weather. But even then, we had unique
opportunities for one-on-one deeper
conversations and were encouraged.
We were blessed to have a good
opportunity to speak with two youngsters,
The main stage
We noticed a smaller selection of ministries
exhibiting this year in the Marketplace
but still had some sound, deep and useful
conversations over the four days.
Jacob and Dave and I were assisted by two
volunteers who enjoyed the experience and
were Times able to of make worship themselves and unity in more the Lord familiar
By Julia Soakell
Our time in Lincolnshire for
Awaken Christian festival
was good and thankfully the
dreadful, inclement weather only
affected the first day as camping
attendees set up their tents.
Jacob explaining the Kesher course
our free literature, magazines and the great
range of resources we distribute, rarely seen
in Christian Bookshops or even online.
Over the time we had chance to chat with
loyal supporters from previous years, with
9–10 October 2024
Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes
By Bella Jones
With over 100 ministries in one
room, it was a sight to see , if
somewhat overwhelming for
new visitors to the huge hall.
With so many ministries inevitably there was
overlap in their missional aim and interest.
The CFI UK Resources Stall was next to one
of two refreshment stations. An easy to
recognise location, not easily overlooked
by delegates. This position made it very
busy, on both days. A lot of resources were
purchased, along with lots of engaging
conversations with pastors from different
denominations, church ministers, youth
leaders, singers, musicians etc.
This brought a different, but exciting
dynamic compared to the summer festivals,
as we were talking mostly to leaders of UK
and international Christian ministries, so
The CFI UK Resources Stall was well placed
8 ENHANCE • 4 th Quarter 2024

the overall interest, encouraging support,
and knowledge of Israel and the Jewish
people - biblically, historically and
contemporarily - that many festival goers
already had. The younger generation had
an exciting and evolving knowledge and
understanding of the Jewishness of Jesus
and the Hebrew heritage of our faith,
which naturally led into conversations of
Israel and the Jewish people.
I had a few conversations where people
started to tear up when they spoke about
the Jewish people and the land. One
woman said, “I’m so glad to see you
here at Creation Fest”, while another
exclaimed, “it’s amazing how your
faith deepens once you understand the
significance of Israel, isn’t it?” It was
beautiful to see how connected they were
to the foundations of the truth that we
share at CFI UK. On one afternoon, Jacob
Vince tried to reason with a woman who
came with staunch anti-Israel sentiments.
Although her views seemed to remain the
same after the conversation, I’m thankful
Sharing about the importance of Israel
that we are in a position where we could
discuss openly with other Christians
who have different views at events like
Creation Fest. I pray that seeds from
such conversations grow and are watered,
leading step by step to a better informed
and fruitful knowledge of God’s purposes
for Israel.
After the 4 days of the festival were
over, we were all understandably tired
but very pleased with all the meaningful
conversations we had and the connections
we had made, thanks to the Lord. We’re
hoping to be back again next year to
encourage understanding of Israel among
those whose hearts are being opened to
Christian friendship of Israel.
alongside their dad, about the richness
of the Bible and Hebraic heritage, and
some unique things we could teach with
the items taken with us for this exact
reason. They all so appreciated this time,
and were really blessed, but the dad
was ‘blown away’ as we showed them
where God has scribed his Name in the
topography of the land of Israel, as we
see in Jeremiah 7:12. This family regularly
came back and even attended most of
the teaching sessions.
David, Philip and Julia each hosted
teaching sessions on the afternoons
of the four-day festival. People are
encouraged to take their fold up chairs to
the marquees and timetabled events.
We had good conversations on many
levels, with individuals, young adults and
leaders, who chatted about their keenness
to have more teaching about Israel in their
churches. Many signed up for regular CFI
UK mailings. A few couples we have been
Philip sharing the CFI vision
able to strike up a good relationship with
were very strategic and we hope they will
become more involved with CFI in the
future. Many who came to the CFI UK
Resources Stall and to the mini teaching
sessions were really keen that CFI would
always be a part of Refuel, as the only
Israel-related ministry present.
Since the event, some newer supporters
are considering becoming CFI UK Church
or Prayer Links. We met several young
people keen to understand more about
biblical Israel and receive free literature we
hand out at festivals.
We continue to pray for the Refuel
team as the Lord continues to grow the
event, which is now Scotland’s only main
Christian festival.
other marketplace stall holders who
were often very interested in our CFI UK
resources stall relating to Israel and how
the war with Hamas had affected Israel and
those who support. I was able to meet up
with some CFI Links to find out how their
The Awaken main marquee
roles were going, and whether we could
help them in other ways. David was able
to get updated photos for our files and use
his drone to make a short film showing the
setting and those who attended the festival
this year. This can be found on the CFI UK
YouTube channel.
Awaken festival, formerly One-event,
attracts families and young people more
than some other venues, so we were keen
to pray for these groups. Later we had
good conversations encouraging them with
free literature and teaching to develop
understanding on our biblical Hebraic
heritage, and our free downloads on the
website.
As our prayer supporters continue to pray we
look forward to more opportunities led by
the Lord, to help other Christians know the
treasure of the Bible and the significance of
God’s heart for Israel.
We were kept busy into the evenings
there was a degree of significance as we
shared with them, knowing they held a lot
of influence in their respective fields.
Most visitors and fellow exhibitors came
with favourable support, knowledge of
Israel and appreciated the work of CFI UK
to encourage wider understanding from
the Bible times through to today. Some
had questions about the current situation
yet open to correction on the predominant
media narrative. There were various
seminars, such as one from Churches
Ministry amongst the Jewish people (CMJ)
Robin and Jacob serving and sharing
on the history of their ministry, which was
informative and interesting. There was
some discussion later that day with them on
possible resources for young people in the
Church about Israel and the Jewish people.
Throughout the two days musical worship
sessions were arranged with various
UK-based worship leaders, like Lou and
Nathan Fellingham and Roger Jones, in the
designated cafe area.
Whilst there, Jacob gave an interview on
the exhibition’s podcast, which will be
used to promote CRE’s next main event in
2025 for their 40 th anniversary year which
coincidentally coincides with CFI’s 40 th
anniversary.
4 th Quarter 2024 • ENHANCE 9

Prayer support
Julia Soakell
Pressing on in Prayer
7 th October 2024
‏ָזָ‏ ‏ַכַ‏ ר
REMEMBER
Zakar
Christian Friends of Israel UK hosted an online commemorative prayer event on
7 th October, marking the first anniversary of the massacre by Hamas and all that Israel
has gone through in this last year.
The theme was ‘remembering but pressing on’, which we do in prayer collectively and as
individuals. The event was hosted by Julia and David Soakell, assisted by Philip Aitchison.
More than 80 people registered.
Record my misery;
List my tears on your scroll
are they not in your record?
Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.
(Psalm 56:8-9)
We used the time to commit to continue
to pray for Israel and all Jewish
communities around the world, aware
that some 50 countries broadcast a 7 th October
memorial ceremony held in Yarkon Park, Tel
Aviv, on media networks.
The aim was to define the day not by remembering a
date in the diary set by evil but to use it as a platform
for respectful remembrance and prayer as Israel
rebuilds.
At the CFI UK ‘pressing on in prayer’ online gathering
we all committed to pray:
• for the return of the hostages and
all evacuees to their homes
• for the defeat of terrorism and the
renewal of peace in the region
• for God’s light and truth to be seen over the
Jewish people worldwide
CFI UK staff, links and supporters joined in reading
scriptures and covering in prayer key aspects of the
situation in Israel since the atrocities. We also observed
the one-minute silence at 11am UK time.
With Israel still reeling from those early morning
memories of hatred and violence sweping into the
nation in a vicious pogrom, the horrors signifying a
well-planned, traumatic, psychological assault focusing
on the Israeli people, we drew on the Psalms,
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice;
he heard my cry for mercy.
Because he turned his ear to me,
I will call on him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me,
the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the Lord:
‘Lord, save me!’ (Psalm 116:1-4)
Watching the consequences of a massacre in Israel
unfold before our eyes in this multimedia age
impacted decent human beings everywhere – the
murderous actions of factions, terrorist organisations
and organised crime groups. Perhaps if we hadn’t
seen it we wouldn’t have believed it. For a few days,
the nations were confronted with the truth - the scenes,
the sounds, and the images that were too awful to put
into words.
Like the Nazis through the persecution of the Jews in
the 1930s and the consequent Holocaust, the evidence
proved to most of us that evil, and the personification of
it, continues to live on through Hamas. The spirit of the
Amalekites continues – the oldest hatred in the world
– and antisemitism, sometimes hidden away, is now
seen on our streets, our social media feeds and in our
political parties. Reminiscent of the Holocaust and the
heart of the Nazi persecution, we were marred by the
reality of evidence; horrors seen, filmed, and shared on
social media by men stirred into a violent rage.
But we must stop and remind ourselves of God’s
unfailing love.
When we committed to host prayer meetings for ‘Israel
at War’ each week on Thursday lunch times, there was
10 ENHANCE • 4 th Quarter 2024

so much to pray for. But regardless, we shared many
stories of miracles. God is faithful and will always be
faithful.
In Hebrew, to zakar is to ‘remember’, and zikh is
‘memory’. Remembering is not merely a head activity,
or raking thoughts in search of something, but a body
activity. It is an action, to employ our hands, feet
or lips in doing. That’s what we are doing today –
remembering and, in that, physically praying.
In the Magnificat, Mary she says that God, “has helped
his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy” (Luke
1:54). In her own psalm, she’s echoing another, “He has
remembered [zakar] his steadfast love and faithfulness to the
house of Israel.” (Psalm 98:3)
For God to zakar ‘remember’ his mercy, remember his
steadfast love, is for him to enact that mercy, to put his
love into action.
God can reach every heart and every hurt. He is the
God of the impossible and cares for all Israel.
We read from Isaiah,
Comfort, comfort my people,
says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her
that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.
A voice of one calling:
‘In the wilderness prepare
the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be raised up,
every mountain and hill made low;
the rough ground shall become level,
the rugged places a plain.
(Isaiah 40:1–4)
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn.
(Isaiah 61:1-2)
And from Matthew,
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
(Matthew 5:4)
We prayed for the hostages, the corporate trauma now
acknowledged across the whole nation, the families of
the hostages and the ongoing struggles Israel is facing
spiritually, physically on her borders, and within her
economy.
We were delighted to hear from Tristan and Galya
Hall, international directors of CFI Jerusalem, about
opportunities to serve as they continue to lead the team
there to be a blessing to Israel, daily and intentionally,
through their Emergency Fund financed by donations
from Christians throughout the nations, including the
UK.
They had recorded a special and touching summary of
some of their work during the last year, now available
on the CFI UK YouTube channel, which will continue
to encourage greater understanding of the needs and
complexities of the tensions currently experienced by
Israel and the Middle East.
Tristan commented on the privilege of being with
us, the dedication, deep and prayerful sessions –
acknowledging the vital role of our supporters in
events like this and the weekly ‘Israel at War’ online
prayer meetings.
A summary on PowerPoint was used to guide three
sessions of prayer in breakout rooms, and as we
brought our petitions before the Lord, we focused on
words from Daniel,
‘He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises
up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the
discerning’ (Daniel 2:21).
We prayed for God to:
SUSTAIN ISRAEL
UNITE HER
REVIVE HER ECONOMY
BRING SPIRITUAL RESTORATION
• For more Jews and Arabs to have a revelation of
God’s heart for them and Israel.
• To bring before God frustrations and hope
deferred, both for the free and for the captives.
• Release from hate and a healthy response to grief
for those who have lost so much.
• The need for proper burial of those who have
died, so bereaved families can move on.
• To see God as Israel’s defender and not the
immense and impressive weaponry.
• Great wisdom for Israel’s government, beyond
their own.
• For concerns at all levels of security and defence
to be heard and considered for the best outcomes,
taking their strength from God.
• To guard the hearts of the younger generations
from distraction and hedonism, humanism and
secular thinking, so that now and after the war,
Israel is an even stronger nation, trusting in God.
We ended with the blessing by David Soakell and the
popular song, known throughout Israel,
Am Yisrael Chai, ‘the people of Israel shall live’!
4 th Quarter 2024 • ENHANCE 11

Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it (Jeremiah 6:16)
Copyright & Distribution by CFI Charitable Trust
CFI Communications PO Box 2687 Eastbourne BN22 7LZ
Tel: 01323 410810 Email: info@cfi.org.uk ~ Website: www.cfi.org.uk
Registered Charity No:1101899 – VAT Registration No: 678-7802-75 – Company Registration No: 04984515
The teaching material on these CDs is copyrighted by CFI Communications. All rights reserved.
Cover image: Copyright © Adobe Images
Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it (Jeremiah 6:16)
Copyright & Distribution by CFI Charitable Trust
CFI Communications PO Box 2687 Eastbourne BN22 7LZ
Tel: 01323 410810 Email: info@cfi.org.uk ~ Website: www.cfi.org.uk
Registered Charity No:1101899 – VAT Registration No: 678-7802-75 – Company Registration No: 04984515
The teaching material on these DVDs is copyrighted by CFI Communications. All rights reserved.
Cover image: Copyright © CFI UK
Cover image: David’s Tower, Jerusalem
CONFERENCE SERIES
Resources www.cfi.org.uk/shop.php
Annual Conference 2024
For resources call: 01323 410 810
Postal savings on multiple items
RECORDED LIVE AT CFI UK 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE, EASTBOURNE. AVAILABLE IN 3 FORMATS
Under the theme, “Jesus and the Land of Israel”, this year’s Annual Conference provided a unique opportunity to gain some
insight into nuances in the Bible from the perspective of a well-established historical geographer and New Testament Bible
scholar, Dr Steve Notley. With his knowledge as a historian
EXPLORE
coupled with insights gained from his archaeological
affairs and Church heritage.
work in Israel, he took us on a journey through history
CONTENTS
Steven Notley is Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins
at Nyack College New York City, chair of the college’s Biblical and
Theological Studies Department and theological advisor at Bethsaida
Julius Galilee archaeological excavation. He received his PhD from the
highlighting some compelling thoughts. Jacob Hebrew University Vince and lived for 16 years Jerusalem, gave
during which
time he was the founding chair of the New Testament Studies Program
at Jerusalem University College. He engages in collaborative research
and publication with Israeli scholars in the fields of historical geography,
ancient Judaism and Christian origins.
a detailed overview following the theme, ‘The Disc 1: Jesus and Line the Passover (Steven and
Notley)
Disc 2: Bethsaida home of the Apostles (Steven Notley)
Disc 3: The Line and the Land (Jacob Vince)
Disc 4: Jesus in the Land (Steven Notley)
the Land’, unfolding the connection between Jacob Vince became Chief Executive Jewish
of Christian Friends of Israel (UK) in
2010. He holds a masters degree in property valuation and law, and is
by profession a Chartered Surveyor. He worked on a kibbutz in the late
1970s, and lived in Jerusalem in the early 1980s. He served fifteen years
genealogy of Jesus and the physical land of Israel.
the General Synod of the Church of England since 2005.
This series explores the subject of Israel in the Bible, prayer, history, current
as a Church Commissioner on the Board of Governors, and is a member of
UK Retail Price: £12.00
Session 1. Jesus and the Passover (Steven Notley)
Session 2. Bethsaida home of the Apostles (Steven Notley)
Session 3. The Line and the Land (Jacob Vince)
Session 4. Jesus in the Land (Steven Notley)
Jesus and the land of Israel
2024
JESUS IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL - NOTLEY & VINCE
EXPLORE
CDS
141
Bible
JESUS AND THE
affairs and Church heritage.
LAND OF ISRAEL
CONTENTS
CFI UK Annual Conference 2024
Steven Notley is Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins
at Nyack College New York City, chair of the college’s Biblical and
Theological Studies Department and theological advisor at Bethsaida
Julius Galilee archaeological excavation. He received his PhD from the
Hebrew University and lived for 16 years in Jerusalem, during which
time he was the founding chair of the New Testament Studies Program
at Jerusalem University College. He engages in collaborative research
and publication with Israeli scholars in the fields of historical geography,
ancient Judaism and Christian origins.
Steven Notley & Jacob Vince
A CFI UK Teaching Series on 4 CDs
CONFERENCE SERIES
EXPLORE
This series explores the subject of Israel in the Bible, prayer, history, current
Disc 1: Jesus and the Passover (Steven Notley)
Disc 2: Bethsaida home of the Apostles (Steven Notley)
Disc 3: The Line and the Land (Jacob Vince)
Disc 4: Jesus in the Land (Steven Notley)
Jacob Vince became Chief Executive of Christian Friends of Israel (UK) in
2010. He holds a masters degree in property valuation and law, and is
by profession a Chartered Surveyor. He worked on a kibbutz in the late
1970s, and lived in Jerusalem in the early 1980s. He served fifteen years
as a Church Commissioner on the Board of Governors, and is a member of
the General Synod of the Church of England since 2005.
UK Retail Price: £16.00
CDS141 // 4 CDS
£14 (INCL. UK P&P)
2024
EXPLORE
JESUS AND THE LAND OF ISRAEL - NOTLEY & VINCE
DVD
162
Bible
JESUS AND THE
LAND OF ISRAEL
CFI UK Annual Conference 2024
Steven Notley & Jacob Vince
A CFI UK Teaching Series on 4 DVDs
CONFERENCE SERIES
D162 // 4 DVDS
£18 (INCL. UK P&P)
Bible
EXPLORE
JESUS IN THE
LAND OF ISRAEL
CFI UK Annual Conference 2024
Steven Notley & Jacob Vince
A CFI UK Conference Series on 4 MP4s
Steven Notley is Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Nyack College New York City,
chair of the college’s Biblical and Theological Studies Department and theological advisor at Bethsaida
Julius Galilee archaeological excavation. He received his PhD from the Hebrew University and lived
for 16 years in Jerusalem, during which time he was the founding chair of the New Testament Studies
Program at Jerusalem University College. He engages in collaborative research and publication with
Israeli scholars in the fields of historical geography, ancient Judaism and Christian origins.
Session 1: Jesus and the Passover (Steven Notley)
Session 2: Bethsaida home of the Apostles (Steven Notley)
Session 3: The Line and the Land (Jacob Vince)
Session 4: Jesus in the Land (Steven Notley)
Jacob Vince became Chief Executive of Christian Friends of Israel (UK) in 2010. He holds a masters
degree in property valuation and law, and is by profession a Chartered Surveyor. He worked on a
kibbutz in the late 1970s, and lived in Jerusalem in the early 1980s. He served fifteen years as a
Church Commissioner on the Board of Governors, and is a member of the General Synod of the
Church of England since 2005.
FD005 // USB MP4’S
£10 (INCL. UK P&P)
CONTENTS
EXPLORE
Ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it (Jeremiah 6:16)
Explore the subject of Israel in the Bible, prayer, history, current affairs and Church heritage.
GOD’S LAND OF ISRAEL – JACOB VINCE
Explores modern Zionism alongside Bible prophecy from
a Christian standpoint, using a plain reading approach
to the understanding of Scripture. At the same time the
author seeks to refute theological contradictions that
have the tendency to ignore, omit, minimise or even
distort the clear meaning of the biblical text.
BT98 // 25 PAGES // £4.50 (INCL. UK P&P)
CFI UK will be exhibiting at:
Product code FD005 UK Retail Price: £8.00
(Video format: MP4. System requirements: USB MacOS 10+, WINDOWS 9+)
Copyright & Distribution by CFI Charitable Trust
CFI Communications PO Box 2687 Eastbourne BN22 7LZ
Tel: 01323 410810 Email: info@cfi.org.uk Website: www.cfi.org.uk
Registered Charity No:1101899 – VAT Registration No: 678-7802-75 – Company Registration No: 04984515
The teaching material in these MP4s is copyrighted by CFI Communications. All rights reserved.
15–17 NOVEMBER 2024
KING’S CENTRE | EASTBOURNE | BN23 6PT
CFI UK NATIONAL PRAYER CONFERENCE • MARCH 2025
God who keeps his
COVENANT
Tuesday 18 th – Thursday 20 th March 2025
Bible meditation
Prayer in groups
Now therefore, O our God, the great,
mighty and awesome God, who keeps his
covenant of love, do not let all this hardship
seem trifling in your eyes - the hardship that
has come upon us. Nehemiah 9:32
Learning from Nehemiah
King’s Park Conference Centre, Northampton NN3 6LL
Meal time
Refreshment break
Join us for our 2025 Prayer Conference, hosted by David and Julia Soakell.
Reception open from 3:00pm on the first afternoon Tuesday 18 th and the
programme will go through until lunchtime on the final day, concluding with a
meal together after the last session on Thursday 20 th .
We come to seek the God who keeps his ‘covenant of love’ through prayer and
study of the Scriptures at a time when Israel clearly needs her Christian friends
more than ever.
RESIDENTIAL GUESTS
The fee for the conference this year is £195 per person, to include full board overnight
accommodation (evening meal, breakfast and lunch x2 days).
DAY VISITORS
For those living within close proximity, there is a day visitor rate. Please request
brochure for more details.
Registration closes on Friday 28 th February 2025.
**** PLEASE BOOK EARLY TO GUARANTEE YOUR PLACE ****
Contact: CFI Communications, PO Box 2687, Eastbourne, BN22 7LZ
Tel: 01323 410810 Email: info@cfi.org.uk Web: www.cfi.org.uk
@christianfriendsofisrael_uk
x.com/cfi_uk
facebook.com/cfiuk
youtube.com/cfiuk