Ofer Levy is a sabra (native Israeli) from Jerusalem. Yet he is well acquainted with the United States, having traveled back and forth to visit his father, who lives in Washington, DC.
Ofer grew up in a secular home, as do many Israelis, but was Bar Mitzvah and celebrated holidays and Shabbat with his grandparents. He explains, “I was well aware of my Jewish heritage and the Bible as a part of our history as a people. But I did not accept it as God’s Word or attribute any divine significance to it.”
Ofer says he knew “all kinds of people,” including believers in Jesus, from whom he sensed a special kind of warmth and loving kindness. This was in contrast to how he saw himself?a rebellious young man, full of anger and bitterness, unable to let go of grudges. He says, “I was ungrateful and self-centered until I realized I was headed for destruction and there was no way I could save myself from . . . myself!”
It was then that Ofer wanted to know if God cared for him. He wanted God to heal his broken heart. He wanted to let go of his restlessness and sin. God responded to those desires of Ofer’s heart by planting in him another desire?to know more about Jesus: what He said, what He did, who He was.
In the meantime, Ofer’s wife-to-be, Sarah, rededicated her life to the Lord. She had been raised in a Messianic home, and when she returned to her faith, this made Jesus even more of an issue for Ofer.
Ofer read the Gospel of John and believed Jesus’ promise, that through His death on the cross and by His resurrection, He would set free any who trusted in Him.
He says, “The Messiah’s peace came to dwell in my heart and finally He took all of my anger and dissatisfaction off my shoulders.” That was in the summer of 2004.
Ofer was working in security when he began to help with some of our outreaches in Tel Aviv. He came in contact with our ministry through Dan Sered (who now leads our Tel Aviv branch) and through his brother-in-law Aaron (who is our Minister-At-Large). Ofer applied as an outreach worker with us and was accepted following the BYG New York finale. He was part of the Israeli team for that campaign, and in addition to handing out broadsides, he drew crowds with his blues harmonica playing. In fact, one man heard the music from two blocks away and came to make a contribution. He was surprised (and a little disappointed) to find that Ofer would not accept the money, but was there to tell people about Jesus!
Ofer and Sarah have two sons, Ely (4 yrs) and Matthew (6 months). Please pray for their family as they resettle in Israel after spending a year in New York training with the ministry. Pray also that the Lord may use them to shine the light of Messsiah upon all those they encounter.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|