ICEJ Departments

RECEPTION

The first introduction to the headquarters of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, for those coming through the door or calling on the phone, is the Reception Department.

The goal of the Reception Department is to welcome visitors, to inform them about the purpose of the ICEJ and to assist them with their needs and provide them with the information they are looking for. The receptionists receive calls from all over the world and provide information about Israel and about the work of the Embassy.

MUSIC

"...until Jerusalem is made a praise in all the earth..."

Since its inception, worship has been at the heart of the ministry of the ICEJ and each year this is vividly demonstrated at the ICEJ's Christian Celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. In addition to the thousands of Christians who attend the week long worship celebration, this event attracts scores of gifted singers, musicians, dancers, and artists from around the world.

The Music Department of the ICEJ is responsible for recruiting and screening potential members of the Feast of Tabernacles Worship Team. We work closely with all aspects of the Feast production, including: theme and music selection, stage design, sound and lighting, costuming, banners and other visual elements. The audio and video recordings of the Feast are also coordinated with the Music Department.

Throughout the year, special events and celebrations related to the Feast of Tabernacles and the ICEJ are conducted in many parts of the world. Often these events are organized directly through the Jerusalem office, with various members of the worship team visiting host countries.

Other opportunities for ministry through worship and the arts are a part of the Music Department portfolio. Most recently, new opportunities have developed for joint projects between the ICEJ and the Jerusalem Municipality Arts Department. Through a cultural exchange of music, dance and visual arts, a new spirit of cooperation and understanding between Christians and Jews is being built.

In addition, the Music Department is often called upon to provide assistance for various types of creative projects with other ministries, both in Israel and abroad.

FINANCE

Though the Finance staff is somewhat removed from the more hands-on part of the ICEJ's work, it has the benefit of seeing the generosity and faithful giving of donors from all over the world. It also plays a vital role in facilitating the spending of money as it was designated. Each day, the department processes transactions and donations in up to 15 different currencies.

The Israeli firm Ganor, Levy, Boker Certified Public Accountants, audits accounts of the Jerusalem headquarters annually. Reports are filed regularly with various government offices of the State of Israel. International offices conduct audits and reporting to the extent of local laws and requirements.

The financial vision of ICEJ is to serve as a practical foundation and conduit for Christians worldwide who wish to bless Israel with their gifts and expressions of financial support. To this end, it continues to develop new systems and procedures that offer the believer security and credibility for the days that lay ahead.

FEAST OF TABERNACLES

The primary function of the Feast Department is the coordination and production of the annual Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. This involves working with many organizations worldwide as well as the several hundred participants who volunteer to be a part of the "Feast Team" each year.

Preparations for the Feast begin in November and continue throughout the year. The Feast office coordinates various departments involved in the Feast, such as costumes, dance, banners, first aid, logistics and others.

In addition, many special events sponsored by the Christian Embassy are handled by the Feast Department, such as the Biblical Zionist Congress, Christmas Concerts, etc.

PERSONNEL

The Personnel Section of the ICEJ handles the logistics of ICEJ members who relocate to Israel from abroad and need visas and insurance while living here.

The Personnel section deals specifically with:

a) The appointment of staff and the keeping of personal records;
b) The obtaining of the essential volunteer visas;
c) The provision of both medical and travel insurance.

The number of full-time volunteers stands at around 50, but the personnel department manages matters for close to 90 people when staff's spouses and children are included.

The department handles inquiries from the public regarding employment opportunities and requests for assistance in obtaining entry visas for foreign nationals.

MEDIA & PUBLICATIONS

"For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." Micah 4:2

The International Christian Embassy Jerusalem was established as a prophetic voice to speak comfort to Jerusalem and to proclaim to the nations the sovereign purposes of God for Israel and the Jewish people in our day.

Our regular publications include Word From Jerusalem, our flagship ministry magazine; and the ICEJ News Service, an E-mail news service providing timely, balanced updates on the latest developments in Israel and the Middle East.

From time to time, we also broadcast important notices and alerts on ICEJ activities and events through the ICEJ News Service to our growing list of subscribers. We also send out ICEJ press releases and statements through this medium, and make appeals for funding to help with urgent projects.

A German language news service is also available for free by E-mail from our German department.

Other Publications include books and pamphlets concerning the work of the Embassy and the responsibility of Christians to take a biblical stand for Israel. We also publish the schedule of events and other booklets provided to pilgrims who attend the annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration in Jerusalem, sponsored by the ICEJ.

The department issues statements and press releases from time to time setting forth the positions of the Embassy's leadership on contemporary issues and events. We regularly communicate with the local Israeli and foreign press, and publicize such Embassy events as the annual Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem.

ISRAELI LIAISON

For completing official business in the maze of the Israeli government, the Christian Embassy has a native Israeli, Retired Brigadier General Zvi Givati. For many years he opened doors in the private and government sectors of Israel through his extensive connections. He is a central figure in any talks and negotiations with government officials or Israeli representatives.

He intervenes for difficult visa requests of the ICEJ and its visitors from the more sensitive countries coming to the yearly celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles or other ICEJ conferences in Israel.

Some of the Christian Embassy events have high visibility and the office of the Israeli liaison meets with local authorities to plan strategies for staging, maximum participation and security.

Givati also speaks on Israel related issues and has spoken in several European countries as well as in the USA.

BOOKSTORE

The Resource Center offers books, pamphlets and white papers that focus primarily on Israel and related subjects. We also offer devotional books by authors who understand Israel. There is a wide selection of Jerusalem handmade scripture wall hangings and Arab hand-embroidered pillowcases from Hebron. Other Judaica by some of Israel's most skilled craftsmen is also available at the Resource Center and by ordering through ICEJ's website at www.icej.org or via Email at resources@icej.org. Please watch for specially featured items in the Christian Embassy Magazine, "Word from Jerusalem." All sales go to support the projects and vision of ICEJ.

The Resource Center is located on the entry level of the main building adjacent to the reception area and Prime Ministers' room. The bookstore hours are:

Mondays through Thursdays: 9 AM to 4 PM
Fridays: 10 AM to 2 PM.
Sundays: By appointment
We are closed on Saturday (Shabbat).

HOME CARE

The God of Israel is faithful. When He brings the blind and the lame back to His land (Jer.31:8), He also cares for them. This is why the ICEJ Homecare Programme exists. God said He would call "nursing mothers" from the Gentiles for this purpose (Isa. 49:23).

Every day, the ICEJ nurses visit different sick, elderly and handicapped new immigrants from the former Soviet Union and provide basic homecare, such as bathing, exercising or preventing bedsores. The patients are appreciative for the nursing skills but much more so for the friendship and a listening ear over a cup of tea. On Jewish holidays and birthdays, the ICEJ nurses are sometimes the only visitors.

The ICEJ nursing team provides basic nursing help as well as the social and emotional well being of the person. With their assistance, many of the sick and uprooted Russian Jewish immigrants are able to stay at home with their families without being moved to another facility.

For example, Lena lives alone in a hostel for elderly immigrants. Since her sister died the ICEJ nurses have become some of her closest friends and their weekly visits are highlights in her life. Recently, they spoke to her about Biblical prophecies that speak of Israel's restoration, especially in Isaiah 35. When Lena read about the desert blooming, she immediately understood that this is happening now. As she read about the ransomed of the Lord "returning to Zion with joy, and sorrow and sighing fleeing away," she suddenly stopped. "This is me!" she said. "And these are us!"

The nursing programme is ideal for "comforting My people" in very practical ways. The goal is to delight and encourage our families as much as possible and our method is love.

MAIL

The Mail Department is responsible for handling incoming and outgoing daily mail, bulk-mailing, faxes, in-house printing, videos and purchasing office supplies.

LOGISTICS

The responsibilities of the logistics team span from general maintenance at ICEJ headquarters to building the sets and stages for events during the Feast of Tabernacles. During the regular year, two to four people comprise the ICEJ logistics team. During the Feast of Tabernacles the number of volunteers swells sometimes to more than fifteen.

The Logistics Department operates from ICEJ headquarters 20 Rachel lmeinu St. and at Moshav Aminadav on the outskirts of Jerusalem. The department's work includes:

MAINTENANCE
Embassy staff members occupy about 40 apartments in Jerusalem and its suburbs and three office buildings. The logistics team is responsible for all maintenance of these buildings including painting, repairs, plumbing and electrical problems, and glazing and carpentry work.

FEAST OF TABERNACLES
Work associated with the Feast is the logistics team single-largest project during the year. Preparation begins about one month before the Feast and usually lasts until a week or so after the Feast. The logistics workers transport office equipment, musical instruments and costumes to the convention center in Jerusalem and other Feast locales, such as the outdoor theater in En Gedi, builds stages, stairs, wall paneling, choir stands and props and then tears everything down when the Feast ends.

RELOCATING STAFF
As new staff members relocate to Jerusalem or move to other ICEJ apartments, the logistics team facilitates the move, transporting furniture and other belongings.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
From time to time the logistics team is called upon for special projects. Some recent projects have included building the set and props for two municipality-sponsored performances of "The Covenant" at the YMCA in West Jerusalem; a Christmas event, a concert with worship leader Paul Wilbur and the 2001 Biblical Zionist Congress at the International Convention Center Jerusalem; and building new work spaces and consolidating the Christian Embassy's two Jerusalem offices into one.

MISCELLANEOUS PROJECTS
The logistics team works with local contractors and assists other departments as needs arise.

PHOTOGRAPHY

The Photography Department is a graphic tools department. We supply photographs for ICEJ publications, brochures, flyers and video covers. We act as a stock photo agency for our representative offices throughout the world as well as other Christian organizations and publications. We have a series of greeting cards with photos taken by our staff depicting Israel in all its splendor. We also maintain a photo library of staff ID and visa photographs. We supply editorial photographs of staff that may be speaking or representing the Embassy around the world.

During our celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles, the photography department supplies many of the displays used by various ICEJ departments. We extensively photograph the Feast and display the photos for purchase by participants and pilgrims. We maintain a library of photographs of personalities and speakers at ICEJ events.

ICEJ photography also encompasses in-house record keeping such as property damage from weather or break-ins. We maintain records of all ICEJ functions such as receptions, farewells and birthdays.

COMPUTER

The computer department keeps ICEJ's network buzzing internally and enables communication with the world through the Internet and email. The department is responsible for maintaining, upgrading and developing the network, hardware and software within ICEJ.

The computer department manages:
· The network
· Servers for both email, internet and files
· Hardware
· Software development
· Support

ICEJ's state of the art computer network keeps almost 60 workstations at ICEJ connected and running at a high speed. A file server stores the organization's documents on several drives. A separate web server hosts the web site and the organization's email.

The computer department is responsible for buying new computers and parts as they are needed and keep ICEJ's systems compatible with the current technology and in good repair. Programmers also create software tailored to needs of ICEJ departments.

Computer department staffers install and set up the new systems and hardware. They also offer tutorials on new programs and advise the staff on software that will help them do their work more efficiently.

They have installed, and now monitor the interoffice network for viruses. A complete systems-check is done daily for all units on the network to ensure they are virus-free.

FOOD SERVICE

As volunteers, one of the provisions for ICEJ workers is a hot meal for lunch on working days.On staff at the Christian Embassy is a chef and an assistant whose primary responsibilities include preparing lunch five days a week for about 60 workers.

The culinary staffers prepare these meals from scratch every day, order food items, plan menus and keep the kitchen stocked with staples like fresh bread, vegetables and meat.

During the Feast of Tabernacles the kitchen staff provide meals for the volunteers who participate in the week long conference. They also make hundreds of sandwiches for the worship team and stage crews working the nightly Feast events.

In addition to the daily lunch menu and the Feast of Tabernacles schedule, the chef also coordinates special ICEJ receptions including official celebrations, an annual pastors' breakfast, board meetings and other special events that arise throughout the year.

GRAFTED - Young Adults Ministry of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem

Grafted targets the young adult group of 18-25 years old. This ministry has two goals: First, to inform and enthuse young adults around the world of the biblical basis of God's purposes for Israel i.e. Christian Zionism; And second, through energetic programs, to enable young people to visit the land, meet the people for themselves and be involved in practical issues of ministry.

WEBSITE
Through a separate web page on the ICEJ website we hope to attract young adults to learn about who we are and how they can be involved and stand with Israel. We also plan to use the web page to inform them about current events around the world, to give them an opportunity to get involved and to contact us with any questions or thoughts they might have.

NEWSLETTER
A bi-monthly newsletter will be sent out to young adults and young adult leaders informing them of meetings and current events being held in their own countries and abroad. The newsletter will include projects and programs here in Israel to encourage teams of young adults to experience the land and its people for themselves. Feast registrations will be included in most editions. Lastly the newsletter will include a devotional piece or spiritual thought in each edition.

We hope to set up a Feast program for the young adults that will include a concert and other specially planned items such as seminars and trips. Early in the spring each year we also hope to hold a worship conference in Israel for young adults all around the world to come worship. We plan to have organized seminars about Israel and other related topics in order to educate and encourage young adults to get involved with God's plan for Israel and the nations.

HOUSING

The ICEJ Housing Department grew out of a need for experienced staff members to deal with renewals, changes, acquisitions and cancellations to the 50-odd contract situations the Christian Embassy maintains in Jerusalem. Newcomers to the staff find the bureaucracy of rental contracts, taxes and utilities to be more than they can handle, therefore centralizing the work in one department proves cost effective. The coordinators speak Hebrew and negotiate the best arrangements possible with various landlords, lawyers and government agencies. This department falls under the supervision and direction of the Financial Director.

In addition, the department negotiates with hotels, hostels and private homes to schedule temporary housing for the approximately 200 people who volunteer as staff members for the annual Feast of Tabernacles celebration.

The Housing Department helps new staffers and volunteers settle in and arranges accommodations for visiting speakers and international guests. Considering the vast network of international branches and support groups that relate to the Christian Embassy, there is a constant flow of visitors from many lands. The housing coordinators do their best to make a visit to Israel and the Christian Embassy a pleasant and memorable experience.

HOSPITALITY

Hospitality is a priority at ICEJ. This division hosts receptions, entertains dignitaries and welcomes delegations.

Our hospitality co-ordinators are trained in hotel management and put together high quality receptions. Events such as weddings, birthdays, Bar/Bat-Mitzvah, etc., are held in the beautiful ICEJ garden at our headquarters.

The Christian Embassy has built a modern kitchen and cafeteria at our headquarters, which allows us to invite guests for special meetings. With advance notice, tour groups can be accommodated. Up-to-date equipment enables our kitchen staff to provide a variety of local and international cuisine.

The kitchen and cafeteria have been built entirely through donations. Gifts have also made it possible to pave the outdoor courtyard next to the cafeteria. As the Embassy continues to expand, so does the need for hospitality services and for more equipment.

SECURITY

The security of ICEJ's property is serious, especially in these times. We have three buildings that are secured by an outside security company. We maintain alarm systems in all these buildings. About 50 people have security codes and keys for areas in which they need access.

AUDIO/VIDEO TAPE

This department is comprised of two distinct sections. The audio tape department records all major events during the year, including the Feast of Tabernacles and Congresses. We have an archive library of all the master tapes for everything that we record. Many requests for tapes from previous Feasts, speakers etc., are received throughout the year.

The videotape department keeps the archive library of all events and can duplicate in either PAL or NTSC format on standard VHS videotape. We can also produce audiotapes from any video.

INTERCESSION

The Lord has said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations." Our intercession at ICEJ includes three areas:

1. Prayer requests from our staff, Israelis and individuals from many nations
2. Specific needs of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and of our branches in the nations
3. Israel's needs mixed with the Biblical promises.

The Lord has blessed us with favor, financial releases, healings, new opportunities and open doors. Each week a prayer letter goes out by email to prayer groups, churches and individuals praying with us. If you would like to join us in praying, please sign up for the prayer letter by writing to: prayer@icej.org.

We consider it a privilege to stand with Him as "intercessors in the role of servants" as the ICEJ fulfills its mandate to comfort His people in His Land at this decisive time in history.

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