Dear Friends,
For the third year in a row, this ministry has won Charity Navigator’s highest rating—four stars. You can see the full report by entering “Zola Levitt” into the search engine at www.charitynavigator.org, and I am enclosing a good portion of it with this letter. For more than fifteen years, we have offered our independently audited financial statements free for the asking. It is biblical for Christians in general and Bible teachers in particular to submit to the scrutiny of “outsiders.” Let me explain.
In 1 Peter 2:9–15, Peter noted that Believers are “a royal priesthood.” Previously, in verse 5, he drew upon the “priesthood” motif as well, to underscore how we are to “offer up spiritual sacrifices to God.” Later he stressed that we should maintain honorable conduct so that by observing our good works, outsiders might glorify God. To that end, Peter exhorted Believers to submit to every ordinance of man, to the king and to his governors in order that, “by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” Given how strange the early Christian movement was perceived by most, it seems to me that Peter was “expecting” some “inspecting,” and encouraged Believers to relish the scrutiny and consider it an opportunity to demonstrate sterling virtues that might not otherwise be noticed.
In Peter’s world (one that is two thousand years removed from our own), Jews embracing and advocating a mythical-sounding story of a virgin-born Jewish, God-fellow, descended from a despised sub-culture’s “peasant class,” being miserably crucified as a common criminal, and then coming back to life in order that the world might be saved, sounded quite strange indeed. Those who believed such things were understandably the object of scorn and derision, and experienced persecutions as a result (see 1 Peter 1:6; 3:9, 13–17; 4:1–4, 12, 14–16, 19). Against this backdrop, Peter said, in effect, “Hey guys, given the heat our movement is drawing, we all would do well to take pains to show model behavior!”
Operating in an environment of media ministries where too many good people have been hurt by too many impostors—men who have necessarily been shamefully and publicly exposed—I understand how people have become suspicious of television evangelists. That being the case, it seems to me that those of us engaged in media ministry would do well to “take pains” and go the extra mile to earn the confidence of our supporters.
Personally, I followed as God led me along a path that prepared me for inspection. In the wake of surrendering to a “call” to ministry, I went to graduate school to study theology and ministry. Given my affection for connecting things Jewish and things Christian, I anticipated sounding weird in a world where Christians had lost sight of their Jewish roots, and Jews were never appropriately given sight of their Jewish Messiah. Against that backdrop, and urged along by the Holy Spirit, I thought I owed it to myself, to my Lord, and to those who would eventually hear me, to go the extra mile and study a little more deeply. Stepping up as a Messianic-Jewish Bible college teacher and pastor, I knew that many would consider me a “freak,” so I went to the university to earn the credibility necessary to be taken seriously in the broader culture. I wanted to pass rigorous inspection. I never, ever expected to be in television ministry: until Zola’s promotion last year, it wasn’t even a remote thought.
In the interest of “going that extra mile” corporately—not theologically, in this case— Mark Levitt, who diligently oversees this ministry’s finances, has taken pains so that our supporters can rest easy. I am pleased to inform you that, under his 18-year administrative leadership, Zola Levitt Ministries has submitted to the financial inspection of discriminating “outsiders.” Unimpressed by religious rhetoric and corporate veils, our examiners put us “through the ringer,” as they say.
Mindful of Peter’s exhortation to take pains to show conduct that cannot be censored, as noted above, we humbly present to you the findings of a discerning board of professional examiners who specialize in assessing non-profit organizations. We praise God for the collective impact of our own God-given abilities and are blessed to share with you what we accomplish in God’s care.
I thank God for raising up this ministry, and I thank you for helping me raise my hands with it. Together with Sandra and “the team,” we boldly proclaim the death, burial, and resurrection of Israel’s Messiah to Jews and non-Jews alike. Thanks for staying with us and for trusting us in a world where trust is in high demand, but short supply. With God’s help, we’re going to continue to earn your trust and gain ground for Christ’s Kingdom.
Your messenger,
Jeff Seif
P.S. The arrival of the good news in this letter presents an opportune time to ask for funds. Instead, I wish to offer this letter as a praise report and thank you for your consistent support, year-end gifts and contributions in memory of Zola. Thanks to those, I can invite you to help other organizations that are struggling at this time, particularly Christian ones who go out of their way to bless Israel, such as Bridges for Peace (to whom we forward 100% of the funds designated to them).
Dear Jeff,
It is biblical for Christians in general and Bible teachers in particular to submit to the scrutiny of “outsiders” and Zola Levitt Ministries has done so.
“Here is my gift for February. Though your P.S. says this letter is a praise report rather than a fund appeal, I am enclosing a contribution for your outreach.”
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