Gospel Roots

As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore. – Psalm 125:2

This verse and many others filled my mind as our tour bus made its way through the hills of Judea to the city of Jerusalem. As the landscape changed before my eyes from a dry flatland to towering hills, I reflected on all we had experienced just hours before. Our group had seen many biblical places that day: • the Sea of Galilee where Peter walked on the water and Jesus calmed the stormthe Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount and fed the multitude. • Mount Carmel where Elijah confronted the 450 prophets of Baal and fire and brimstone fell from heaven. • the Jordan River where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. • the wall of Jericho where the Israelites witnessed the power of God. • Temptation Mountain where Jesus was tested by the devil.

And now the scenery was changing again, and we were on our way to the City of Zion – a city set on a hill, the place where the Messiah walked and accomplished the plan of redemption.

The ten days that our team shared together in the land of Israel for the Parliament & Faith Conference are memorable ones. It was a blessing to once more be with Luciano Bongarra and partner with his team in ministry. Matt was privileged to be one of the conference speakers and share the vision for gospel-centered ministry in the political arena. We met people from all over the world, including Spain, Bolivia, Italy, and Argentina. We also visited the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) and spoke to one of its members. Important connections were made and lasting relationships built as we talked with and prayed for one another in the name of the Lord.

As we walked the streets of Jerusalem and visited Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, the Place of the Skull, and the Garden of the Tomb, my mind continued to be riveted to the Gospel. Here we were standing where it all unfolded and where Christ proclaimed, “It is finished.” How ironic to see it all with our own eyes while simultaneously sharing with world leaders the importance of taking this Gospel to their capitols. It is as if we were being reminded of our roots – our gospel roots. This is why we serve. This is why we love our leaders. It is all because of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. May we continue to be his faithful witnesses “in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

Jennifer Blankenship, Administrative Assistant