Great Commission Media Ministries (formerly IRR-TV)

The Gospel to Israel's Largest Cities and Armageddon

During the City Evangelism Campaigns, there were 240 buses that drove daily throughout the downtown cores, displaying ads that proclaimed the message: “He changed me”. Giant billboards were up in the city of Haifa. The same message was broadcast through local radio spots and seen on Hebrew web pages.

Children Of Abraham Baptized in the Jordan River

One of the greatest joys of my life and my 33 years of ministry came during my visit to Israel recently. First hand, I saw the fruit of last year’s media campaigns in Israel.

I wept for joy as I witnessed 10 Hebrew speaking Jews being baptized in the Jordan River, all were new believers in the Messiah, Jesus. All were from GCM Ministries' campaigns in Israel. These were from just one congregation in the small city of Nazareth! Among those baptized was a young Rabbi. There are dozens of other congregations in dozens of cities in Israel where the same thing has taken place. It is harvest time among God’s own people.

I cannot adequately describe the joy and excitement I saw on the faces of those being baptized. Together with you, our prayer partner, we were a part of the salvation process of every one of them in the Jordan River that beautiful, sunny morning!

In Israel every Jew that repents and receives Jesus as Lord is a great victory for the Kingdom of God. If you are a Jew the cost of following Jesus is especially high.

Twenty percent of the population of Israel (1.5 – 2.0 million people) are Russian speaking Jews. They are largely non-religious because they come from the former Soviet Union where it was unpopular to be a Jew and where there was no reverence of God. They came to Israel carrying the baggage of their past. Together with the congregations in Israel we can reach them and help them experience the power to change through Jesus Christ, to become real Jews in heart and spirit before the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Hebrew speaking Jews come with their own set of challenges; however people are asking for more information on the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Again, the message is simple: “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will give them the power to turn their lives around through faith in His son, Jesus Christ.”

Last year, along with local Messianic congregations, GCM Ministries set up call centers in Israel to receive response to an outdoor media evangelism campaign. We received tens of thousands of calls. Many were hostile to what we were doing; but still, many came to know Yeshua (Jesus Christ) as their Savior.

The campaigns are ongoing. To date, this spring we have received a further 2,500 calls from Russian and Hebrew speaking Jews.

Israel Mega-City Campaigns

In the fall of 2008 GCM Ministries continued with a media evangelism outreach in northern Israel to Hebrew speaking people. (read the full story)

Our goal was to reach over one million Jews. A similar campaign in the Hebrew language held in Tel Aviv in May 2008, saw 10 thousand phone calls come into the campaign call center. Dozens of Jews came to a faith in Jesus over the phone while talking to campaign telephone counselors. Over 2400 people have received further spiritual guidance.

It is a great praise report to hear about Jews turning to the Messiah. Taking this step of faith can cost them dearly. Often those that turn to Christ are excommunicated from their family.

Calls From All Over Israel

In May 2007, we completed the Hebrew language campaign. It covered the two cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. An estimated 2 to 3 million people have been reached with the gospel message.

Ads on the sides and back of 180 buses in Jerusalem made their way throughout the city each day. As well, 8 second ads were seen on jumbo video monitors 100,000 times during the month. Ads were also heard on the radio and seen in the daily newspapers.

The ads, liberally translated said: “If you want to know what will happen in the future; the Book of Daniel will explain it. Call this number…, you will receive a free book…”

Our coordinator in Tel Aviv, Dan Sered from Jews for Jesus rejoiced: “This is unbelievable. A dream come true!” The ads on the buses of Tel Aviv had the flag of Israel without the Star of David. In itsplace were three words: “Jeshua = Jesus = Salvation”. To Jews, these words grouped together mean that Jesus the Son of God is the Messiah; which means “Salvation”. (Matthew 1:21).

Israel Is Our Continual Challenge

Israel does not allow Christian TV programs on state run channels. However satellite TV has allowed GCM Ministries programs to be seen extensively in Israel. They are now seen in almost every home (1.2 million households - about 5 million viewers).

The population of Israel is about 6 million, of which 83% are Jewish and 16% Arab. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic.

Over the last ten years a third language has emerged: Russian. Over one million Jews have immigrated to Israel from the territories of the former Soviet Union. Many of these Russian-speaking Jews have asked that GCM Ministries' programs be seen in Israel. Today, these programs are on air every Saturday at 12:00 Jerusalem time.

Please remember these Russian-speaking Jews so that new opportunities be found to broadcast and reach those who live in Israel.

Israel’s Hearing Impaired

The hearing impaired people group in Israel is growing at a fast rate due to bombs and suicide attacks. Because of this special attention must be given to these people. Nadya Miroshnichenko, GCM Ministries' missionary to the hearing challenged has worked among these people in Israel.

"I would like to thank each one of our prayer partners that have supported ministry to the hearing challenged. Your support and prayers have seen a great harvest and that is also why I am now in Israel."

Our missionaries have also been met with opposition and threats. In her home town posters with photos of Nadya have been posted warning residents to refrain from coming into contact with her and others like her. Please pray for our team members in Israel.

ps: GCM Ministries' television programs are now broadcast on several channels into nearly every home throughout Israel. They are produced in Russian to minister to over 1 million Russian Jews living in Israel. Hebrew and English language programs are aired also.