By Staff Writers

On Monday, 6 October, the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem launched its annual Feast of Tabernacles gathering with a heartfelt Solidarity Ceremony at Sapir College in the western Negev near Sderot, just 3 kilometers from the Gaza border.

The opening event was especially moving as the ICEJ had held a Feast event at the very same venue in 2023, just two days before the Ocober 7 attacks. During yesterday’s revisit to the Sha’ar HaNegev region, we remembered the 1,200 Israelis who were killed and the 251 hostages taken captive into Gaza that day, with about 50 still left there. The presence of over 600 Christians was a powerful message to Israelis that they are not alone, and that they represent millions of believers around the world who are standing with them in these difficult days.

Despite Israel still being at war, more than 1,500 Christians from over 70 nations will be attending the Feast in person this year, with many more joining online!

The Solidarity Ceremony also paid tribute to Ofir Libshtein, the former mayor of the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council. He had delivered a very warm holiday greeting to our Feast pilgrims during our previous visit to his region in 2023. Yet two days later, he tragically became the first named casualty of the war when he fell while defending his home kibbutz of Kfar Aza as it was invaded by waves of Hamas terrorists on October 7.

Following that horrific attack, many communities across the region were evacuated, and only now are they slowly returning to rebuild their devastated villages. The ICEJ remains committed to assisting these communities in their rebuilding efforts, and we presented a generous check to Kibbutz Kfar Aza for a music therapy center to support them in this process. Later, our Feast pilgrims toured sites along the Gaza border connected to the October 7 invasion, including the Nova music festival and “car graveyard” near Tkumah. They also learned about the seven major rebuilding projects the ICEJ is currently sponsoring in the region. See the report here!

We then travelled to the tranquil setting of Kfar HaNokdim in the Judean Desert, where our evening celebration took place under the stars. The evening was filled with beautiful worship by Israeli and international worship artists and the Raise the Banner dance group from the Philippines. Pastor Manasa Kolivuso from Fiji was the main speaker for the evening, delivering a powerful message….

Following the opening day events, the pilgrims have ascended to Jerusalem for the rest of the week of Feast events, beginning with a special Communion service at the Garden Tomb, followed by celebration services and seminars, the popular Jerusalem March through Sacher Park to meet local Israelis, a time of prayer overlooking Israel’s Knesset, a dedicated prayer vigil, and the final gathering for a healing service.

The highlight for many will be the annual Israeli Guest Night and traditional ‘Roll Call of the Nations,’ which will be held on Wednesday evening this year. It will feature appearances by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, and Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka, as we honor the seven nations that have opened embassies in Jerusalem (United States, Guatemala, Paraguay, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea and Fiji).

During this special appointed time of the Feast, offering your First Fruits to the Lord is a wonderful way to “appear in Zion.” The Hebrew prophets foresaw multitudes of God-fearing Gentiles making pilgrimage to Jerusalem once again in the last days with offerings in hand. “Therefore your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day or night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles and their kings in procession.” (Isaiah 60:11) This mass pilgrimage is to happen especially at the Feast of Tabernacles, according to Zechariah 14:16.

Many of our Feast pilgrims indeed have brought offerings to the Lord and been incredibly blessed. Please consider giving your best Feast offering this week. By donating online via the button below, you will be supporting the year-round work and witness of the Christian Embassy here in Jerusalem. This remains a challenging time for Israel, so please help us provide aid and comfort to this nation when they need us most.

Thank you for keeping the Feast of Tabernacles in your prayers this week. Please inform your family and friends that they can still join the online Feast at: feast.icej.org

Please also visit our Feast Photo Gallery at feastgallery.icej.org throughout the Feast to see stunning images and video footage captured each day.