The Friends of Israel in Action May/Jun2026
How a Magazine Changed a Life Forever
Tom Simcox, a representative with The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (FOI), lives by a simple conviction: Every moment matters. Whether he’s standing at a pulpit, sitting in a living room, or waiting in a doctor’s office, Tom believes every conversation and every interaction is an opportunity to point someone to Jesus. These moments may not always be dramatic or complex; but they demonstrate faithful, steady ministry, lived out one person at a time.
Tom frequently stops by the office of Dr. Chris Peterson, a committed Christian, friend of FOI, and longtime supporter of Israel My Glory magazine. Tom routinely sets out copies of the latest issue of Israel My Glory in the doctor’s waiting room and trusts the Lord to use them. Over the years, Dr. Peterson has shared with Tom how the magazine impacts his patients—Jewish, Muslim, and Christian alike. Many of them pick up the magazine out of curiosity. Sometimes they ask questions. Sometimes they simply return it to the table after a few minutes. But Dr. Peterson often sees that God quietly is planting seeds in hearts from every walk of life.
Recently, a patient came to Dr. Peterson’s office for a routine appointment and noticed an issue of Israel My Glory highlighting the life and ministry of John the Baptist. Flipping through its pages, he remarked, “I’ve always liked John the Baptist.” He then asked if he could take the magazine home, and his doctor happily obliged.
Dr. Peterson also felt prompted to share the gospel with his patient. Their conversation flowed naturally, sparked by a simple magazine. The man listened with interest, then left the office, taking the magazine with him.
At his next appointment, the man told Dr. Peterson how deeply he appreciated the articles he had read in Israel My Glory. The stories, the teaching, and the message of hope stirred something inside him. Then he said the words every believer longs to hear but knows only God can produce: “I’m ready to receive Jesus as my Savior.”
Right there in the office, surrounded by medical charts and exam-room equipment, Dr. Peterson prayed with him. And in that quiet moment, the man gave his life to Christ.
This is the power of faithful gospel ministry. No spotlight. No stage. Just obedience. A magazine left on a table became the instrument God used to open a heart, stir conviction, and lead a man to eternal life.
Dr. Peterson’s story reminds us that God delights in using simple acts of faithfulness because those moments can echo into eternity.
You can support Tom Simcox and others like him in North American Ministries. Thank you for your prayers and financial support!
Photos: The Friends of Israel Archives
Fighting Lies About Israel
Like many Western countries, Australia is suffering from mainstream media bias and misinformation about Israel and the Jewish people. One of the first rallies supporting the Palestinian cause after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, terror attack took place on the steps of the Sydney Opera house as crowds chanted, “Death to Jews!” Notoriously, Australia’s government was one of the few that chose to recognize officially a “Palestinian state” in 2025. And while the media coverage surrounding the announcement billed it as a major positive step, Arab media outlets still reproach the Australian public for not being pro-Palestinian enough.
Australian churches have not been immune to the flood of misinformation about Israel. Simultaneously, Replacement Theology (the belief that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plans, promises, and affections) dominates Australia’s theological landscape. Only a minority of churches support Israel or believe God’s promises to the Jewish people are important. As a result, antisemitism is on the rise in Australia; and fewer and fewer believers there understand biblical truth about God’s Chosen People.
Our FOI Australia team is fighting back against these trends in Australia and New Zealand. One of the methods they’ve recently employed is holding national conferences on the theme “Israel: Behind the Headlines.” This summer, FOI Australia will hold its third annual tour of conferences across the country from Sydney to Perth to Auckland, New Zealand. Our teams are committed to standing with Israel in the face of opposition and sharing biblical truth about Israel, the Jewish people, and the Messiah with Christians.
During last year’s conferences, our teams faced unexpected resistance. At one church, which had been planning for months to host one of our conferences, a group of people banded together in the week preceding the event to pressure the church leadership to cancel it. They didn’t want FOI’s conference to take place at their church because they supported the Palestinian cause and believed in misinformation about Israel. So, the church’s leadership pulled their advocacy and refused to host our conference.
Our Australian conference team, led by our representative Simon Lawry, began to pray and work tirelessly to find a new venue. God provided by blessing the conference at a new site with wonderful attendance and valuable biblical teaching for all who came.
Pray with us for Australian churches as we invite more believers to trust God’s Word and love His people.
You can support our Australian team or other FOI ministries around the world. Thank you for your prayers and financial support!
Photos: The Friends of Israel Archives
