Inside View Sep/Oct 2026
Never was I more grateful for our ministry Down Under than after last year’s horrific antisemitic slaughter during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, that killed 15. Our Friends of Israel (FOI) workers in the country responded immediately. Les Crawford, our director in Australia, led a campaign that raised essential funds for the victims and advocated for government action against antisemitism.
My wife and I recently visited our FOI teams in Australia and New Zealand. Being 10,000 miles from home reminded me that the ministry the Lord has entrusted to FOI truly reaches across the globe.
Our visit started in beautiful Auckland, New Zealand, with a tour of the camp where we host our Israeli backpacker ministry, Meet at the Mountain. Many young Israelis, after completing their intense, mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces, are drawn to the mountains and beauty of New Zealand. Traveling far from home, they seek something deeper than mere scenery. Our workers offer them a place of rest, where they find kindness and encouragement from people who genuinely care for them. Effective ministry is about not only proclaiming the truth, but also showing the love of the Messiah in practical ways.
We then traveled to Adelaide, Australia, where our team members from Perth, Melbourne, and the Sunshine Coast joined us for an uplifting time of deep fellowship. During the visit, I spoke at a conference and connected with many individuals who were passionate about FOI’s mission. I also shared with a local church what the Lord is doing through FOI and highlighted the importance of faithfully teaching His Word and standing with Israel today.
Australians and New Zealanders are known for their unique commitment to humility and teamwork, largely resisting the temptations of pride and inflated egos. These beautiful cultural values are evident in how our ministry representatives and office staff value one another and work together. Rather than seeking recognition, they share a commitment to serve faithfully and focus on the work the Lord has given us.
This spirit reflects what Scripture teaches about ministry. The apostle Paul reminded us that we are one body with many members, each serving according to the role God has given (1 Cor. 12). When selflessness and cooperation replace pride and competition, the body functions as intended.
In the region of Australasia, the straightforward reading of Scripture has been pushed aside. Yet believers there remain hungry for clear teaching that takes God at His Word. Through conferences, church visits, and personal relationships, our teams help believers rediscover the importance of reading the Bible as it was written, which demonstrates that God’s promises to Israel are real, enduring, and still unfolding according to His sovereign plan.
Taking God at His word sounds simple, but it is actually profound—and crucial. When we trust the plain, literal meaning of Scripture, we strengthen our confidence in the faithfulness of God Himself. The same God who kept His promises in the past will surely keep the promises He has yet to fulfill.
It was a joy to witness the Lord’s work in New Zealand and Australia, where our teams are serving faithfully, building relationships, teaching the Scriptures, and demonstrating genuine love toward the Jewish people. Wherever God’s people faithfully proclaim His Word and reflect His love, He is glorified and remains at work, accomplishing His purposes.
