Since KNI reported on the demonstrations in Dimona last week, the Israeli news site Walla! picked up on the story, reporting on the ongoing protests spearheaded by the anti-missionary activist group Yad L’Achim against believers who recently opened a meeting place downtown.
Yad L’Achim is fueling the protesting frenzy with the mantra, “They are trying to persuade you to convert to Christianity!”
Merav Znati Ohana, a resident of Dimona, has used social media to encourage further protests calling for more citizens to come from all over the country to rid the city of the “pollution” and “dangerous phenomenon.” Yad L’Achim has promised to demonstrate every second night until they remove the “missionaries” from the city.
The extreme-right Orthodox activists claim that a “church” has been built and that missionary activity will take place there.
Shalom Bar-Ari, an Israel believer who has borne a substantial brunt of the attack, counters this misnomer by clarifying that the center that has been built is a tourism venture for Christians who love Israel and want to visit. Denying any missionary activity, Bar-Ari says that this is purely a business enterprise to promote foreign tourism.
“I planned a pilgrimage tourism project for Christians who come to Israel. I thought to bring tourists to the Negev region and provide them with board and lodging and tour guides,” he said. “My plan in basing the project in the commercial center was to enrich the city.”
Howard Bass, pastor of Nachalat Yeshua congregation in nearby Beersheba, visited members of the congregation affected by these targeted demonstrations.
“They are in good spirits, but are very grateful for everyone’s prayers,” he said.
Please pray:
* That the believers would not fear. “The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD will be set on high.” Proverbs 29:25
* For the salvation of Israel and for unity between believers, both Jew and Arab. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” Psalm 133:1
* That believers understand that a culture of hate can only be overcome with love from God. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18
* That believers recognize that this confrontation is between darkness and light. “Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” Ephesians 6:12
“The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments, and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
2 Corinthians 10:4-5