Shalom Friends,
Recently, a well-known Messianic Jewish leader and I were discussing work and the question, “When is one working too much, too hard?” In response, Dr. Michael Brown drew upon a quote from John Wesley (1703–91, English theologian and evangelist: founder of Methodism), which he subsequently shared: “Though I am always in haste, I am never in a hurry, because I never undertake any more work than I can go through with perfect calmness of spirit.” I can live with that philosophy, believing that we would all do well to gracefully keep pace with our tasks, and not race ahead of them and into myriad anxieties.
I say this because the pace is picking up at Zola Levitt Ministries.
Thanks to your generous support, Mark has increased our television production budget. Our film crews have been busy putting the additional funds to use. The upshot is more television evangelism and more Jewish-roots education to reach more people everywhere. We are now seen around the world, as we have taken the big and bold step of picking up many more TV stations globally. Speaking of global, I recently traveled over 30,000 miles by air and another 5,000 by road while filming new television series in Israel and Germany. Beyond the filming schedule, I have been out and about speaking in churches, building new friendships, and contemplating the mind of the Lord for our future. It has been exciting and busy—but not too busy.
I am presently putting the polish on a book to be released along with a future television series entitled In the Footsteps of the Rabbi from Tarsus. The book will survey all of Paul’s writings and will directly invite readers to interact with the Bible’s essence and substance. It will be a great disciple-making tool, one that will underscore the Apostle’s “Jewishness.” I am also working up a subsequent, informative volume on Islam, to be coauthored with my former student and Arabic friend Dr. Ihab Greiss. Our book will dovetail nicely with a new prophecy series we are “cooking up,” at Sandra’s suggestion, on the Book of Ezekiel. It’s in the works now and slated for release later this year. Currently, we’re getting ready to release a book and newly filmed series on women in Scripture. Therein, we look at some of the Bible’s principal, Jewish heroines and consider modern applications of what made them heroic. It’s a great series—my favorite, to date!
Mark and I have been kicking around ideas about how we might better serve the Lord—by ministering to both women and men in our distressed world, bringing the Gospel to unsaved people, and adequately communicating to you your important role in these efforts. Mark came up with a great idea—“Jeff,” he said, “create an army!”
“Hey that’s a great idea!” I said, joining his enthusiasm. “I’ll get on it, Mark, right away.”
“Create an army of doers, from a select group of viewers,” I mused as I left our meeting. My enthusiasm lasted until I stepped out of the building and into the bright light of reality. “Wait a minute… What did I just agree to do? How? When?” I had a lot of unanswered questions, all fuzzy except the question of “Why?” I already knew the answer to that one.
Early in my missionary career, I saw a study that Jews for Jesus conducted to assess how Jewish people come to faith. Of the thousand-plus Jewish Believers who responded to the study’s survey, ninety-six percent claimed that they never had any direct contact with an “official” missionary. Instead, they testified, a Believing friend, neighbor, co-worker, or relative—someone in their existing web of relationships—influenced them, personally leading them to Christ.
From my vantage at the teaching helm of this ministry, and while traveling about and speaking in churches for this ministry, I have learned a thing or two about our friends and supporters. Pastors who contact us, requesting a speaker to visit and share, usually do so because individual church members, operating within their existing webs of relationships, have stimulated the process that results in a speaking engagement. Often, it does not begin with the clergy.
Whether leading Jewish people directly to Jesus, or leading me directly to you, the point remains the same: much of what happens for Christ’s Kingdom, happens when individuals make it their business to attend to God’s business.
If you would like to transcend the mundane, give your life some added spiritual spark, and join our cause more deliberately, then feel free to follow these suggestions:
1) Reach out and bring a friend to church. You don’t need me for this—and it works!
2) Be a proactive ambassador—speak with your pastor about bringing me, or one of our speakers, to your church. I’ll come and stir it up—it works! One Sunday School teacher recently said, “I can’t believe you’re here.” All one has to do is have the church call. I don’t need an audience of thousands to make a trip worthwhile.
3) Travel to the Holy Land as a tourist, and minister while you tour. We have developed a wonderful travel experience to the Land that may interest you. See below and contact us for details. In like manner, if you’d like to join me on a “prayer trip” to Israel—or Europe— write and let me know. I’ll collect responses, and if we can fill a bus with 50 people, I will arrange my schedule to accompany you on a prayer pilgrimage to break spiritual strongholds in a specific area—Israel, Europe, or wherever. I am concerned about Jews, about Israel, and about the demise of classical civilization in Europe and the attendant rise of anti-Semitism there. I am happy to petition Heaven’s gates with you about this and more!
4) Minister to yourself. If you’d like to unravel some mysteries and get some theological training, get hold of our ministry’s Institute of Jewish-Christian Studies. Therein, I took theological studies I gleaned at Moody Bible Institute and condensed them into a reasonably short, twelve-course program with only two hours of lecturing each. It may not make you a theological expert in twenty-four hours, but if the responses from the many thousands of individuals who have sat through the lectures, worked through the workbooks’ lessons, and completed assignments are an indication, I anticipate that this distance-education program will deliver some good, foundational, seminary-caliber teaching and help you become a better student of God’s Word.
5) Peruse our catalogue and acquire some of our ministry’s many materials. Gospel tracts and bookmarks are available to help you spread the Word. Books dealing with the Messiah, end-time Bible prophecy, salvation, and more will educate you to educate others.
6) Get inspiration from Zola. A prolific musician, Zola composed music that will complement your efforts and help the Message be absorbed. Get his inspirational materials while ordering our informational materials. We are a one-stop-shop for things Jewish!
7) Send me as your missionary to the Jews—I am up to the task! Consider this, please: through only one television program, we are able to get into millions of homes, heads, and hearts—more than a single missionary can reach in a lifetime of knocking on doors every day and night. The medium’s reach is very powerful, isn’t it? Many who wouldn’t otherwise allow me into their homes to speak personally will, nevertheless, watch Zola Levitt Presents and consider what they hear. I talk with all sorts of people who have had their curiosity piqued by our program. Know that any and all prayerful and financial support is greatly appreciated. Because our weekly broadcast gets the Word out, your contributions are credited to your spiritual account in Heaven!
8) Tell me what ideas you have that I have not mentioned here. Write me. Introduce yourself. Tell me what is on your mind. Inspire me.
If you’d like to “hang out” with us, as they say, then please join me on one of our trips to Israel. Mail is effective, but live interaction is better yet. I live for getting to know people, and would love to get to know you. Why not come with me to Israel?
Consider serving as a Christian ambassador to Israel by making a pilgrimage there with Sandra and me this June or October. Our Discovery Tour, which travels through the Holy Land from June 5 – 15, includes a one-day archaeological dig. Our Fall Tour offers four options:
For a tour brochure, please call Tony at (214) 696-9760 during office hours (CT) or 1-800-WONDERS (966-3377), anytime.
Having just passed my first-year marker at the ministry’s helm, I am refreshed by your affirmations. Thanks to all, and for all. Keep those letters coming. And please, as Sandra says, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!”
Your faithful messenger,
Jeffrey Seif
P.S. Please visit and explore www.levitt.com. You can watch our TV program online and peruse our newsletter archive. Please see our TV schedule, listen to Zola’s free music, and regularly check our Levitt Letter Extra (LLX) news, which we update regularly.
Dear Jeff,
Count me in! After reading your suggestions, I wish to join your army of doers, being a proactive ambassador for my church, the ministry and Israel.
“Here is my gift for June. Thanks for the update on your new TV series and book entitled In the Footsteps of the Rabbi from Tarsus.”
The trouble with Christians and the trouble with Jews is exactly the same: both subscribe to the God of Israel, the Creator God, the God of Scripture, but both have been remiss in actually reading Scripture. The different denominations of Christianity and of Judaism utilize Scripture differently, but it is patently obvious that the vast majority in either camp doesn’t have a significant grasp of the Bible.
One side is functional, with areas for postage, an address and a message. The other quotes Isaiah 53.5: “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
These teardrop key chains each contain an authentic half-shekel coin from Israel, reminiscent of the days when each citizen of Israel gave a half-shekel coin to make atonement. Put your key chain in your pocket; salvation is now free!
This series will provide a real “revelation” to those who want to be informed about the onward march of Islam and the oncoming Tribulation Period.
