Pilgrims from 70+ Nations Stand with Israel in Worship and Remembrance

By Laurina Driesse and Jon Simmons

The first day of the ICEJ Feast of Tabernacles opened with a special solidarity meeting at Sapir College. Soon, the busloads of pilgrims arrived, filling the arena.

Israeli Worship leader Emanuel Roro led the pilgrims into a time of Worship in Hebrew and English.  ICEJ President Dr. Jürgen Bühler explained the significance of the ICEJ holding the Feast solidarity meeting at this venue. Just two years prior, the ICEJ held our meeting at the same venue, where we were welcomed by the head of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council, Ofir Libshtein. Only two days later, he was killed by Hamas terrorists while defending his community when they invaded Israel on 7 October.

It was an honour to hear from Ofir’s brother, Doron Libshtein, who emotionally shared how, on that day, three generations of family members were killed. He shared how Ofir was not only his brother but also a leader. He dedicated his life to building a community of education, security, and agriculture and was a man of faith and love. He had faith in humanity. “He saw the soul in every person and an opportunity in every challenge”, shared Doron.

Two years later, Doron has picked up that touch of light. “I stand here two years later, continuing Ofir’s message of faith, a message of love, of courage and of unbreakable belief that light will always overcome darkness,” expressed Doron “I stand before you today at the heart of the Gaza envelope, here in Sapir, a place where the earth was absorbed with unimaginable pain and yet there is a new day, new life and new hope will rise again.”

Doron thanked the delegation of Feast pilgrims for their love and faith, for standing with Israel in its darkest times and shining their light of hope, prayers, and compassion. “Because of you, lovers of Israel, because of your prayers, love, and faith, we know we are not alone,” expressed Doron.

Following Doron’s time of sharing, the ICEJ-Netherlands national director, Jacob Heegstra, prayed for Israel and for the release of those still held hostage by Hamas two years later.

Delegates also heard from former Knesset member Shai Hermesh, who miraculously survived the October 7 attack. He and his wife were stuck in a shelter for 20 hours until they were rescued and evacuated in the middle of the night.

Many of the evacuated communities were destroyed on October 7, and thousands of residents were evacuated to areas around the country. The ICEJ has embarked on seven major rebuilding and recovery projects to aid in the return of communities, and some of the communities in the South are slowly returning to their homes.

During the solidarity meeting, ICEJ leadership presented a check for a significant amount to renovate the Kfar Aza music center. ICEJ Vice President for AID and Aliyah Nicole Yoder explained how ICEJ is prioritising children and the elderly, strengthening the community’s needs, and helping address trauma through these projects.

“The music center is also going to be a therapy center, with therapeutic music rooms for individuals and for groups” shared Nicole. “Music is a wonderful way not just to process grief, but to also add community and look forward, and hope for a better future. This center will be about music, therapy, and community, and will include a recording studio.”

The ICEJ’s seven major rebuilding and recovery projects include:

* Completely rebuilding the destroyed youth activity center in Kibbutz Be’eri;
* Turning a retirement home in Be’eri into a trauma care and activity center for seniors;
* Repairing a kindergarten to serve as a children’s trauma center in Kfar Aza;
* Constructing an innovative music therapy center in Kfar Aza;
* Building a greenhouse classroom and learning center at a new agro-tech school in Sde Nitzan;
* Restoring and expanding an animal therapy petting zoo and horse ranch in Kibbutz Urim; and
* Building five large bomb shelters at new trauma care centers in the Sha’ar HaNegev and Sdot Negev regions.

Following the morning session, delegates toured the southern region and arrived for a delicious dinner and desert celebration evening under the stars at Kfar HaNokdim.

In Kfar HaNokdim, the Feast of Tabernacles 2025 commenced spectacularly on Monday evening as over 1,500 Christians from more than 70 nations gathered at Kfar Hanokdim, a unique Bedouin hospitality village nestled in the Judean Desert. Against a backdrop of desert mountains and a setting sun, the ICEJ launched what has become the largest solidarity mission to Israel since the war with Hamas began two years ago. 

Delegates arriving from around the world were warmly received by ICEJ Senior Vice President David Parsons, who welcomed them to Israel at this pivotal moment. The evening began with prayer and the blast of the shofar from Joshua Gooding, Head of the ICEJ Prayer Department. A colourful parade of flags and vibrant dancing followed, with believers giving thanks to the Lord for the privilege of representing their nations in Jerusalem. The Filipino group Raise the Banner then led an opening dance performance that filled the desert camp with joy and anticipation. 

As twilight fell, Parsons interviewed Pastor Michael Beener, founder of City of Life congregation in Sderot. Just a mile from Gaza, Sderot has long been marked by rocket fire and bomb shelters. Yet, Beener spoke of how God raised up a praying community there in 2000, declaring Sderot to be a place of hope and life amid danger. 

The programme moved into a rich time of worship led by Nizar Francis, a Christian Arab singer from Haifa who blends Hebrew and Arabic songs to bridge communities in praise. Pastor Howard Bass of Nachalat Yeshua in Beer Sheva also shared about God’s work in the Negev, encouraging the crowd with testimony of Yeshua’s faithfulness. 

Worship continued with Israeli artists leading the gathering in beloved songs such as Days of Elijah, No One Like the Lord, and Holy Forever. The desert air rang with the sound of thousands of voices declaring God’s glory, a striking testimony of faith and unity among the nations. 

Before the evening closed, David honoured the seven nations that have opened embassies in Jerusalem: the United States, Guatemala, Paraguay, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji. He welcomed Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, who joined the Feast delegation, and introduced Pastor Manasa Kolivuso from Fiji.

Pastor Manasa Kolivuso offered a stirring teaching on the life of Yeshua and then led the entire assembly in fervent prayer for the safe return of all hostages still held in Gaza. He encouraged Pilgrims not to miss what God has in store for them this week but to remember the purpose for coming to the Feast of Tabernacles. “The purpose we have ascended to Jerusalem for the 2025 Feast of Tabernacles is to seek the Lord,” said pastor Manasa. “Time spent in seeking God is never a time wasted; it is always a time invested.”

Thus, our Feast of Tabernacles 2025 began with desert hospitality, heartfelt worship, and profound moments of solidarity with Israel. It set the tone for a week in which the nations will stand with God’s people in prayer, praise, and unity, and for people to seek the Lord.

Watch the highlight video of Feast Day 1

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