Christian Witness to Israel [CWI], one of the world’s oldest missions bringing the good news of Jesus to Jewish people, marked its 175th anniversary with a special event at St Aldate’s, Oxford on 27 January.
The event featured a number of missionaries including Igal Vender, who works with Jewish homeless people and drug addicts, and Aviel Sela, talking about his work with Holocaust survivors.
The Revd Joseph Steinberg, said: ‘For over 175 years CWI have remained resolute to tell Jewish people about Jesus. Jewish people all over the world need Jesus and we are excited that God is continuing to transform Jewish lives by his power and love.’
Joseph provided an insight into CWI’s existing work and future aspirations. John Ross gave an overview of CWI’s history, from its formation in 1842 and work during the Holocaust (including the Houses of Refuge in Chislehurst that provided homes for Jewish evacuee children rescued through the Kindertransport initiative), up to the present day and CWI’s current work among Jewish people in Israel, France, Holland, Hungary, Bulgaria, the USA and the UK.
Turning to the Messiah
CWI has seen a marked increase in the number of Jewish people coming to faith in the last two years. Looking forward, Joseph Steinberg said: ‘Jewish people are not beyond the grasp of God’s saving power. We are excited by a future where Jewish people love and embrace the Messiah who came to set them free. We want the church to rediscover its confidence that Jesus saves even Jewish people, and get behind our work so that the whole world may come to know God’s saving power.’
