2024 – a Challenging Year for Israel and FIRM Local Partner Ministries
FIRM local partners in Israel are the champions who transform promises into action. They love unashamedly and serve the people of Israel day in and day out. That is why every year we want to bring these heroes together, to honor and celebrate them.
We knew that at the end of 2024 a local partner celebration was more important than ever. At the end of 2023, we had to cancel our get-together due to the extremely dire circumstances after the October 7th terrorist attack and ensuing war.
Both FIRM and local partner ministries were heartbroken, for one. But what is more, we all worked around the clock to provide emergency relief wherever needed. Not to mention, many of our local partner staff (including FIRM staff) were called in to the reserves.
Saying Goodbye to 2024 Together with Local Partners
The war in and around Gaza has been horrific. But the response on the ground has been inspiring, to say the least. Like Mr. Rogers once said, in times of trouble, “look for the helpers” – and so, we did! We looked to local partners in ministry, and together, we did not let the circumstances deter us.
But, understandably, every ministry leader, worker and volunteer was also tired. Some felt isolated, and many needed to hear that they are not alone in this struggle.
That is why in December 2024, we invited all local partner ministries to come together for a special night of fellowship. Can you believe that some of the local partners have not seen each other in over a year?
We were so happy to see many of them arrive to the FIRM event with their spouses and team members. The purpose of this local partner celebration was to simply enjoy being together and show appreciation for everyone’s hard work in 2024.
One Bright Night in Battle-weary Israel
The goal was to create a cozy, family-like atmosphere without a heavy program or long speeches. All 75+ local partner ministries have been working tirelessly over the past year, and we wanted this event to feel like a warm and restful gathering.
But still, when the FIRM team arrived at the venue ahead of time, an emergency siren sounded in the Gush Dan area, in the center of Israel.
“I felt so confused and was certain that people would cancel at the last minute,” one staff member shared their concern. “At 5:15 PM, our team gathered to pray for the celebration. To my surprise, by the end of our prayer at 5:45 PM, people started arriving!”
By 6 PM, about half of the expected local partners have already arrived, and more were on the way. Some said already at the door that they were hungry—but not for food. They were hungry for fellowship!
Local Partners – One Body of Messiah in Israel
2024 has been such a busy and difficult season for many that they hadn’t even had the chance to visit with other local ministry leaders. Thus, it was very moving to see so many just excited to be there – smiling, laughing, and finally taking a breather.
“It was an amazing evening and we were so grateful for the opportunity to gather, connect, and celebrate together,” one local partner wrote. “The joy, warmth, and spirit of the evening were truly remarkable. From the engaging conversations to the uplifting atmosphere, every detail reflected the incredible work and dedication that FIRM embodies.
“Events like these remind us of the strength and beauty of community and the shared mission that unites us. Thank you, for creating such a memorable experience and for the incredible hospitality that made the night so special. We look forward to many more opportunities to celebrate and work together in the future!”
A member of Fields of Wheat shared how their team hadn’t been able to sit down for a proper meal together in over a year. One of their key leaders had spent 70% of the days in 2024 in reserve duty, meanwhile their founder was simply swamped with ongoing projects.
This celebration meant more than having a delicious meal and partaking in fun activities. For a few hours, the extremely hardworking leaders and ministry workers could forget the challenges they faced on the daily, and simply enjoyed being with their brothers and sisters.
Heartfelt Thanks from Israel to Christians Worldwide
The Body of Messiah in Israel got a chance to encourage, inspire, and bless one another, knowing full well that 2025 will come with its own set of challenges and hard work.
“I want to thank the Lord for the good relationship between us,” the words of Avi Mizrachi, founder of Dugit, resonate in our hearts and minds. We are so grateful for the outstanding local partners in Israel that we will continue to work with this year.
And the thanks we, at FIRM, have received from our local partners in Israel, need to be extended to you – our donors and prayer warriors. Together, we are transforming Israel with the power of the love of Jesus. Your faithful support is making a real difference in this land. And it is equally acknowledged by both Jewish and Arab local partners of FIRM in Israel.
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