May 10 is Jerusalem Day, a national holiday in Israel, commemorating the reunification of Jerusalem after the war in 1967 and the control by Israel of the entire city, including the famous old city.
Unfortunately, despite the national celebrations, there have been tensions in the streets of Jerusalem for several weeks and, currently, in several other cities of Israel. Nobody knows the future and the evolution of the violence in the country, but “we just want to share with you our thankfulness to God for his Guidance and protection,” said Daniel Stojanovic, president of the Israel Field of Seventh-day Adventists, in his report.
Everybody among the Seventh-day Adventists is safe. There are, however, some reasons for concern.
The Adventist Church has an institution in East Jerusalem, the Adventist Study Center, that is very close to the points of tensions. Another establishment is the Sheikh Jarrah place, where the violence is the strongest, that is just 500 meters from the Adventist Study Center.
The Damascus Gate, a symbolic strategic point, is very convenient for mass gatherings. The media like to capture the movement of the crowd in this well-known place. It is only 1 kilometer from the Adventist Center.
The majority of Muslim worshippers who go to Al Aqsa Mosque and the Temple Mount pass by the Damascus and Herod’s Gates. What is seen on television is mainly focused on these locations. The proximity of the Adventist Study Center to the Damascus Gate makes things uncertain, if the violence continues in the weeks and months to come.
“We currently have a family of students in our center, Richard and Rubia, who have a daughter of 2 years, Eliness,” continues Stojanovic. “They will stay with us until June 2022. Richard is also working with our Youth department. There is also Juan, who is single, and a full-time student. He plans to stay there until the end of this summer.”
Adventists worldwide are invited to continue to pray for Jerusalem, for the Adventist Study Center, and, in a specific way, for Richard, Rubia, Eliness, and Juan. “May our heavenly Father be their protection. May He help the political leaders to find a solution that is stable and inspired by respect, justice, and peace,” concluded Stojanovic.
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” Psalm 122: 6. 7.
About the Adventist Church in Israel
The Israel Field of Seventh-day Adventists has 22 congregations and about 830 adult, baptized members, speaking 8 languages: Hebrew, Russian, English, Spanish, Romanian, Arabic, Amharic, and Akan (Ghana). 5 full-time ministers and 2 assistant pastors proclaim the everlasting message of peace.
