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WIND OF THE KINGDOM
Welcome once again to Wind of the Kingdom. In Episode 11 we saw -
how the gospel is returning to Jerusalem from the East.
The Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (FELM), however,
is doing the opposite.
In 2013 FELM sent as missionaries to the East a homosexual couple.
In this episode we look at how this has struck a terrible blow here -
in Jerusalem.
Messianic Jews (Jews that believe in Jesus) are horrified by FELM's -
decision to commission a homosexual couple into missions work.
Meno Kalisher is a pastor within Messianic Jew Movement. He leads -
the Jerusalem Assembly Congregation.
PASTOR, Jerusalem Assembly Congregation
The Shalhevetyah Center has been owned by FELM since 1950.
It is located on a street previously called St. Paul's Road.
Let's look at what Paul has to say about this issue:
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the -
godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by -
their wickedness...for although they knew God, they neither -
glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking -
became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although -
they claimed to be wise, they became fools...they exchanged the -
truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created -
things rather than the Creator - who is forever praised. Amen.
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even -
their women exchanged natural *** relations for unnatural -
ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations -
with women and were inflamed with *** for one another."
(Rom 1:21-22, 25-27)
According to the Bible, homosexual activity in the church is a sin,
and it is also a shame upon the church, which comes when the -
church ceases to honour Him as God.
This shame carried by the Finnish church has not led to repentance.
Instead, FELM, which represents all Finnish Lutheran congregations, is -
exporting this shame to the world.
In Summer 2013, FELM CEO Seppo Rissanen justified their decision -
in the following way:
"FELM is committed to defending human rights, including rights of -
*** minorities, in its overseas work."
Jerusalem is the start and end point of the original gospel.
Here FELM's arguments based on human rights are not accepted.
FELM has played an important role in the Messianic Jew movement.
For example Theology professor Risto Santala worked for over -
20 years with FELM in Jerusalem and remained a spiritual father -
for many Messianic Jewish leaders right up until his death.
Meno Kalisher also grew in faith through his teaching and example.
Meno Kalisher has stayed true to the teaching he received from -
FELM's Shalhevetjah Center.
PASTOR Jerusalem Assembly Congregation
What is the messianic movement's position on church workers being -
in homosexual relationships.
We requested an interview with FELM's director in Jerusalem -
to ask how sending a homosexual couple as missionaries to Cambodia -
has impacted FELM's relationships with its partners in Israel.
She requested permission from Finland, and was told that -
Seppo Rissanen is responsible for public statements on this matter.
Mr Rissanen did not however want to give an interview, nor did we -
get permission to film on the Shalhevetyah Center premises.
FELM's decision has in fact had a dramatic effect on its -
working relationships in Israel.
All Messianic partner organisations have stopped working with FELM.
Makor HaTikvah is the Messianic Movement's school in Jerusalem.
It has always received FELM support.
Cookie Schwaeber-Issan is the school's director.
MANAGING DIRECTOR MAKOR HATIKVAH, JERUSALEM
However, Makor HaTikvah primary school decided in Dec 2013 -
to end their 23-year relationship with FELM.
Makor HaTikvah was receiving around 20,000 Euros/yr from FELM.
Machaseh Association in Jerusalem does family and children's work.
It was born and developed with support from FELM,
and still has rented office space in the Shalhevetjah Center.
But Machaseh ended its partnership with FELM at the end of 2013.
Support for King's Kids Jerusalem can no longer be sent through FELM.
So FELM's new position has cut their 90-year-old relationship -
with Jewish followers of Jesus.
It has also cut their relationship with Nordic Lutheran partners -
who work amongst Messianic Jews.
Immanuel Church in Jaffa is a Lutheran-based messianic church.
It is led by JMI, the Joint Mission to Israel, established by -
Nordic missionary organisations.
Andreas Johansson represents NCMI,
The Norwegian Church's Ministry to Israel. He is also responsible -
for JMI activities in Israel. He has been following closely -
Messianic Jews' reactions to the news of FELM's decision.
In Nov 2013 the JMI requested FELM to withdraw from this cooperative -
relationship with other Lutheran missionary organisations. Why?
For those here in Israel, it is hard to understand -
FELM's arguments for sending a homosexual couple as missionaries.
FELM's Lutheran partners have chosen to obey the Bible -
instead of Finnish law.
I asked how FELM's new policy has gone down here in Israel.
FELM decided that its new policy was more important than -
its co-operation with JMI, so it decided in Feb 2013 -
to withdraw from this cooperative work, even though FELM itself was -
one of its founders back in 1997.
Ebenezer Retirement Home, in Haifa, had been supported by FELM since -
its establishment in 1976. Since 2008 it was possible to support -
individuals there through an 'elderly person adoption scheme.'
FELM was asked to return to a biblical foundation, but refused,
so its partnership with Ebenezer came to an end.
This also meant the end of the 'elderly person adoption scheme'.
The Caspari Center for Biblical and Jewish Studies, in Jerusalem,
worked with FELM for over 30 years, since the center's foundation.
In Feb 2014 The Caspari Center also ended its partnership with FELM.
FELM's decision has also affected half of its own missionaries here.
One Jerusalem-based couple resigned because of FELM's decision,
and their working relationship with FELM ended in Oct 2013.
FELM missionaries working with Messianic Jews in Jaffa and Haifa -
will not be able to serve anymore in the Messianic movement once -
their current contract period ends.
The missionaries have been affected painfully by FELM's decision, but -
this doesn't mean the end. For example, the couple in Jerusalem -
have already returned to Israel through a different organisation.
Also, Makor HaTikvah has started receiving support from Finns -
directly through their website.
Messianic Jews take the Bible seriously. One of them was Paul,
who wrote these words to those living in Europe:
"I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause -
division and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the -
teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people -
are not serving our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites.
By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people."
(Rom 16:17-18)
PASTOR Jerusalem Assembly Congregation
The present situation is the fruit of decisions made long ago by the -
Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church. This kind of Christianity -
rejects God's word and panders to the world, and has now come to -
Jerusalem to receive judgement.
Already in the book of Acts Jerusalem set the standard for -
the gospel. Paul came here to present the gospel he preached.
The Apostles accepted his message and agreed to work together.
It appears that FELM is the first foreign missionary organisation -
which Jerusalem's Messianic Jews are refusing to work with.
They have stopped all joint work with FELM, which -
represents the local congregations of the Finnish Lutheran Church.
Jerusalem, the city of the Great King, has vomited FELM out.
It can therefore no longer represent King Jesus here on Earth.
Paul writes: "Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit -
the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually -
immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who -
have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor -
slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the Kingdom of God.
(1 Cor 6:9-10)
Thank you Father that now is the time for judgement to begin -
at the house of God. Thank you that it is starting with Finland.
I pray that you would somehow turn this for our nation's good.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
The Wind of the Kingdom series is produced in Israel.
If you would like make a donation, the bank details are as follows:
IBAN: FI40 1112 3000 3427 89 SWIFT/BIC code: NDEAFIHH
recipient: RISTIN TUKI ry reference code: 8471
All Bible Verses taken from New International Version
Subtitles: Daniel Radice