By: Kayla Muchnik

Our God moved in mighty ways at the ICEJ Envision Pastors & Leaders Conference in January! There was a greater hunger in the hearts of these men and women of God from around the world to receive the Lord’s vision for this year of 2020 in the city of the great King, Jerusalem. 

For four days, over 80 pastors and leaders from around the world experienced the land and people of Israel. Through targeted seminars, attendees received great biblical teachings from local Messianic and Arab pastors and leaders which touched their hearts deeply. Each afternoon featured a VIP excursion to hear about God’s heart for Israel as well as see and experience His heart for Israel. 

The first adventure was to Efrat, a Jewish settlement in the west bank, where resilient and peace-seeking Jewish locals shared their experiences living in an area under continual terror attack. As we stood at the border patrol checkpoint in Efrat, we witnessed many Arabs returning back through the Israeli border patrol to go home after a long day’s work. Hundreds of Arabs with Israeli work permits cross the Israeli border patrol every day from their Arab city into the Israeli city of Efrat to work, because the pay is four times more than what they receive in their own town. These international leaders were able to see first-hand how Israelis and Arabs are peacefully working and interacting with one another on a daily basis. 

Wednesday’s excursion to the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, provided greater insight into Israel’s innovative, curiosity-driven approach to scientific studies and Nobel prize-winning discoveries. A tour of the home of Chaim Weismann, Israel’s first President and founder of the Institute, provided a deeper perspective into the early days of Israel’s modern history.  

The final excursion was to Yad Vashem – The World Holocaust Remembrance Center, where many were deeply impacted by the stories, photos, videos, and information they discovered about the horrific suffering the Jewish people endured during the Holocaust. They saw the enemy try to wipe out the people of Israel, and yet on this trip, they witnessed with their own eyes that God’s sovereign hand is over this nation, not only protecting them but making Israel thrive and shine among the nations for His glory! 

God spoke powerfully to many hearts this week: Sylvie from Central Africa shared how God did a miracle in just getting her to Israel for the Envision Conference, and during these days of the conference, God spoke to her more deeply about Israel. Sylvie explained, “God sovereignly chose me to represent Central Africa here in Israel at the Envision Conference. And now that I am here, I am learning so much about Israel. When I get back to my country, I will start mobilizing the top leaders in Central Africa to facilitate a highway between Central Africa and Israel.” 

Birgit Kirsch from Germany shared a powerful testimony of how God spoke to her during a time of worship at the Conference. “God gave me a vision during the worship of an open heart that is powerfully alive, fresh, and strong. On the inside of the heart I saw the golden ark of the covenant, and I felt like God was saying that He himself is dwelling inside our hearts!” Birgit also shared, “One really important thing for me of why God brought me here to this conference is to connect with all of these people from all around the world. I am so thankful for the ICEJ enabling all of us from around the world to come to this event to learn more about Israel.” 

Thank you for all of your prayers for this successful conference, and we ask you to continue praying for each pastor and leader who attended the Envision Conference, that they would take what God showed them here in Israel back to their home country.  

If you are a pastor or leader, plan now to join us here in Jerusalem for Envision 2021!