Upon returning to America...

Proverbs 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision the people perish" (KJV). G-d has put a vision and an excitement in our hearts about the future ministry He has for us --starting a Messianic Discipleship Bible School with a three-fold focus:

1. Discipleship
2. Accredited Bible Teaching
3. Outreach to Israel, Including a Biblical Tour of the Land
 

After we returned to Israel last fall we felt that our season in Israel was coming to an end. We revisited a vision the L-rd had given Tom the previous spring about developing a dynamic school. With prayer, prophecy, and counsel throughout these last several months we've realized that the L-rd is opening the doors for us to make the Messianic Discipleship Bible School come to life upon our return to Kansas.

Starting a school is a natural progression in our life journey and calling. The experience and knowledge we've gained from our season in Jerusalem; our involvement in the Messianic movement; the dramatic story of our sons and subsequent testimony; and our gifts of teaching and discipling -- G-d has used all of these to prepare us "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). We realize we will be most effective back in our hometown utilizing the incredible support system that helped to sustain us and bring us through so many good and difficult times. Here is a brief overview of our vision:

As Billy Graham said, "Salvation is free but discipleship costs everything." At this time in history there is a great need for serious discipleship to prepare the body of Messiah for the great tribulations that are to come while emphasizing the importance of standing with Israel. The vision for the school is to have a holistic program that imparts into the students the foundations of the faith taught from a Biblically Hebraic worldview. We will focus on helping the students gain the tools necessary to walk out their faith in the real world, while unlocking and cultivating their spiritual gifts for the glory of the Kingdom.

The vision for the school also involves offering some of the Bible classes for academic credit (these classes will also be available to people outside of the discipleship program). This will allow the students the advantage of participating in the discipleship school but also receiving academic credit that can be applied toward an accredited degree. Rarely do Biblical academia and discipleship come together and yet this combination has the potential to dramatically impact the Kingdom of G-d.

We envision a multifaceted trip to Israel whereby the student will connect with and serve the local Messianic Jewish body AND also participate in a guided Biblical tour of the Holy Land. The L-rd has given us relationships with local Messianic believers which will allow us to plan opportunities to appropriately serve the Messianic Jews in Israel. Connecting the students with the Land itself brings the stories of the Bible to life and will forever enhance their relationship with the L-rd.

There will be different ways to become involved with the school -- as a full-time student, an evening class attendee, a prayer warrior, a financial partner, and as a host family to the incoming students. We hope you are as enthusiastic as we are about the vision the L-rd has for us. Just as moving to Jerusalem was only possible through prayers and financial support, we know that launching this school will require your continued prayers and financial support. We are pleased that many of our financial and prayer partners will reap the fruit of their labors through our teaching ministry and the planting of this school.