A PASTORAL LETTER FROM OUR SENIOR SHALIACH

In light of the current Coronavirus threat, our Shaliach, Dr. Rabbi Daniel C. Juster has drafted the following pastoral letter of encouragement to Tikkun leders, congregants and ministerial friends. Be encouraged and prayerul from his loving exhortation. 


​Dear Tikkun Members and Friends,
 
Greetings from near Jerusalem. 
 
We are living in challenging times indeed.  For the first time in the history of the world a large part of the Body of Believers is forced to not meet.  This has never happened.  What does it mean?  There are many and varied prophetic responses.  We hope to provide some summaries for you and give our sense of what is credible guidance from those who have prophetic words within and without our network.  We are working on this.  
 
This letter is mostly to encourage all of you to know that such a time is a time of opportunity.  Some have already seen that it is so and are making the most of these opportunities.  As you can imagine in such a time there are many prophetic words.  A few have been given and recommended by Tikkun members but more have come to us from our friends in the larger Body.  With Ben’s help, I will construct a prophetic perspectives for your encouragement and discernment.  With this letter I want to note the opportunities that come to us at such a time. 
 
We are still hoping for a dramatic reversal of the situation so that we can safely have the Tikkun Conferences at Turf Valley.  Do keep this in much prayer. 
 
Generally, the time we are in needs to be turned into a time of opportunity.  

1. First, let us be in prayer for the United States, Israel and the nations, that God would have his good purposes though this.
2. Let us be in grieving identification with those who have lost family, friends, their employment and financial means.  Let us open to the Spirit to receive his anointing for prayer. 
   
3. Let us continue to pray for a victory from the Lord, that He would pour out his Spirit.  We are still believing for revival in Israel and the nations and a great evangelistic gain.
4. It is especially a good time for families to spend quality time in worship, prayer, Bible teaching, and of course, some fun and games.  Let’s not lose the opportunity to strengthen our families.
5. Let us also strengthen our personal devotional life.

 
In our local congregations we have opportunity to strengthen our communities.  First of all, we can make ourselves as leaders available to our fellow leaders and members in the congregation.  Internet connections by Skype, Zoom, Face Time, WhatsApp and other video, make such communication easier than ever.  One possibility for growth during this time is to strengthen chavurah groups.  It is even a good time to start some new ones.  They can begin as temporary groups but may continue after.  The people of the small group can pray together, read and discuss a passage on the word and catch up with one another.  The severity of the command to stay at home varies in different areas of the country.  Here in Israel it is very severe.  However, no one is telling us to stay six feet from our computers.  Consider all who can lead a zoom type group and encourage them to do so and all to be part of them.
 
Several of our congregations are doing online services.  Some are only putting them online to view.  Here in Jerusalem, we did our first Zoom meeting and the congregational members were live online.  We did the Lord’s Supper together and trusted that we could bless the bread and wine by the internet!  Our worship leader sang and all were able to join him.   
 
During this time, the members of the America Apostolic Team are available to you and this includes Ben and myself.   We encourage you to be in touch with the team members with whom you have developed a special relationship.  
 
We hope to get back to you soon on the prophetic words and issues soon.
 
In the Messiah’s Love and Service,

Daniel Juster
 
Senior Shaliach