On July 24, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of the United States Congress. His remarks concerned the continuing war that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists unexpectedly attacked Gaza, resulting in the violent massacre of over 1,200 Israelis and the kidnapping of more than 250 hostages.
Joining Netanyahu as guests in the congressional gallery were several soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as well as the father of a fallen IDF soldier. The Israeli leader described those brave soldiers as “unbowed, undaunted, unafraid.” He then vowed that their sacrifice and that of their fellow Israelis would not be in vain.
Finally, Netanyahu assured listeners that Israel and the United States would continue to work together to vanquish all common “tyrants and terrorists.”
“Israel will always remain America’s indispensable ally,” declared Netanyahu. “Through thick and thin, in good times and in bad, Israel will always be your loyal friend and your steadfast partner.”
Even now, all these months later, the question remains as to whether America will uphold its end of this historical partnership between Judaism and Christianity.
Answering the call
Regardless of how the country of America will answer that question, Kobi Ferguson, president and CEO of Maoz Israel Ministries (maozisrael.org), is certain that Christians in America and around the world will respond with unwavering support.
His confidence comes from over 25 years of working with Maoz, alongside his wife Shani and their five children – the oldest of whom is currently serving with the IDF.
Founded in 1976 by his in-laws, Ari and Shira Sorko-Ram, Maoz’s central goal has always been to reach Israel with the gospel by building “a strong community of believers who can be a powerful witness” of God’s love. Consequently, Maoz is based in Israel but has global branches in the United States, Europe, South Korea, and multiple Spanish-speaking countries.
During a recent trip to the States, Ferguson visited with The Stand after delivering an inspiring devotion to the American Family Association staff. Throughout the visit, events back home in Israel dominated Ferguson’s thoughts, prayers, and concerns.
“I’ve been traveling to speak about what’s happening in Israel,” said Ferguson, “and what happened on October 7, to let people know the depth of atrocities and difficulties we’ve been experiencing.
“But also, to give a little hope to Christians who love Israel and have been supporting Israel, to let them know that the Lord is not asleep. He was not caught off guard, even though we’re going through the darkest season in our modern history.”
Sharing His strength
According to Ferguson, not only is the Lord currently doing great things in Israel, but He is also using Maoz to strengthen Israelis during this time of war.
That is not surprising, since Maoz is a Hebrew word meaning “strength and fortress.” Ferguson described it as a recognizable word in Israel, common in songs and literature of the Jewish culture. It comes from multiple Scriptures declaring that “the Lord is my strength.”
“At Maoz Israel, we know that ultimately all of our strength comes from the Lord,” added Ferguson. “So that’s the name chosen for this organization by my in-laws almost 50 years ago. … [It was] one of the first Messianic organizations inside Israel. It’s been our vision all this time to make Israel strong in the Lord – in particular, through the gospel.”
Prior to the war, Maoz carried out that mandate via various ministry endeavors.
Through its Hebrew book publishing house, Maoz translated and printed over 170 Hebrew books, teaching booklets, and manuals. This extensive library includes books with testimonies from Jews who found their Messiah Yeshua, as well as books promoting the spiritual growth of believers. In recent years, this outreach has grown to include music publications and media resources.
Maoz has continually supported several Hebrew-speaking congregations and mentored leaders throughout Israel as a means of investing in the next generation. The ministry has also sponsored youth camps, provided student scholarships, and paid medical expenses for those in need. It has promoted Messianic businesses and outreach activities, additionally assisting Israeli believers suffering severe, relentless persecution for faith in Jesus.
Adapting the mission
From its earliest days, Maoz has operated as a humanitarian aid organization, offering help to widows, orphans, the needy, and the oppressed. But after October 7, those humanitarian efforts shifted to the victims of terrorism and those impacted by the ongoing war.
“During this war,” shared Ferguson, “we had to pivot and do a lot of things differently. Our vision stayed the same, but now that we’re in a complete time of war and devastation, we stopped and asked, ‘What can we do to help?’”
The needs were overwhelming because the instantaneous military call-up of 360,000 Israelis completely strained Israel’s daily economic system. Even half of Maoz’s ministry team was immediately called to serve in the IDF.
Teachers, doctors, nurses, and shopkeepers were working one day and going to war the next, affecting every aspect of Israeli life. Subsequently, Israel had to provide for this new army quickly.
Ferguson offered aid from Maoz: “I told leaders at different army bases, ‘Our organization wants to serve and partner with you.’
“So that’s what we did, through basic things like water, boots, bulletproof jackets, and whatever we could get ahold of – all because of the prayers and financial backing of Christians worldwide who responded to those needs.”
Since that pivotal October day, Maoz has seen God do things never witnessed before, especially as they ministered to evacuees from the battle zone.
“That’s something a lot of people don’t realize,” said Ferguson. “Hundreds of thousands of Israelis had to evacuate into safer areas. They’ve been living in hotels and just makeshift places. Again, we asked what we could do to help these evacuees.
“One of the mayors asked, kind of tongue-in-cheek, ‘Can you help us build a school? We have so many kids that survived October 7 right here in this city.’”
Witnessing the miracles
Ferguson’s team stepped out in faith and did just that. Joining with Christian partners globally, they built the school in less than two months. In the process, God also opened doors for Maoz to meet people they would have never met otherwise while ministering to the extensive needs of their Israeli brothers and sisters.
“We’ve never done things on this level,” declared Ferguson. “But during the most difficult season, we’ve seen the biggest shining light in the darkest places.”
That Light, the Messiah Yeshua, is burning brightly through Maoz Israel as they work in the Lord’s strength to point His chosen, beloved people of Israel into His loving and waiting arms.
“We believe that with the help of Israel-loving Christians around the world,” Ferguson declared, “we will see the Lord do great things in Israel, until one day, ‘all Israel will be saved’ as promised in Romans 11:26.”
(Digital Editor's Note: This article was published first in the December 2024 print edition of The Stand. Click HERE for a free six-month subscription.)
