This is a repost, published originally on June 10, 2017

This week, Pastor Priji converses with Pastor Abe, the senior Pastor of Exodus church, about His ministry among the Jews, the significance of their returning to their homeland and the enriching of the church as a result.

Transcript:

Pastor Priji Varghese: You are a board member of Operation Exodus. Can you introduce it to us?

Pastor Abe Oommen: Operation Exodus is a ministry that helps Jews around the world to go back to Israel. This process is called Aliyah, that means “going up” (to Zion).

Pastor Priji Varghese: Are there Jews in India too in need of Operation Exodus?

Pastor Abe Oommen: There are many Jews in India. There are thousands of them in Cochin and Mumbai alone.

Pastor Priji Varghese: Is the process easy?

Pastor Abe Oommen: When it comes to the cost, the Government of Israel helps them. However we are there to assist them in whatever way possible. We encourage them with the scriptures and the promises of God given to the Jews regarding the end times.

Pastor Priji Varghese: Why is it important for them to go back?

Pastor Abe Oommen: According to Romans 11, the Israelites’ hearts are hardened till the full number of Gentiles come in, then Israel will be turned back again.

Now the Gentiles are being saved and in due time, Israel will be saved too. The hardening of the Israelites is only for a short time.

Pastor Priji Varghese: Is the church to assist them? How can we pray for them?

Pastor Abe Oommen: Yes, we should assist them. For years the church has started preaching that God is done with Israel and that it is now the time of the church. So they ignore it altogether.

Before 1948, there was no Israel and the replacement theology was quite famous. It was believed that the church has replaced Israel, but after 1948, Israel became a nation again and God is bringing the people together again as the Scripture foretold.

Pastor Priji Varghese: Unless we have a complete understanding of the Word, we will not be able to pray for them out of the feeling of superiority being the church.

When Israel is blessed, how does the church benefit from that? How is the church connected to it?

Pastor Abe Oommen: Church growth is happening in Israel because the Jewish people are coming back from the nations. In the Book of Romans, Paul exclaims, if the Gentiles were enriched because the Israelites turned down God’s offer of salvation, how much will the world be enriched when they accept it!

Pastor Priji Varghese: How long have you been pastoring Exodus?

Pastor Abe Oommen: We’re now in our fifteenth year.

Pastor Priji Varghese: In what way is the church different from the first century church? How can we return to our original state?

Pastor Abe Oommen: It was a praying and worshiping church, who were witnessing and preaching the Kingdom. The church should go back to those things first.

Pastor Priji Varghese: What is it that stops the church from going back to that state?

Pastor Abe Oommen: The church must preach the Kingdom of God that’s here now and the one to come. However, more important than to preach the Kingdom is to have the character of the Kingdom. We should display the character of the Kingdom walking in love, forgiveness, and humility.

Pastor Priji Varghese: What is the one thing that drives your love for God and the passion behind everything that you do?

Pastor Abe Oommen: The awareness of His love for me. When I think about the greatness of His love, I value His calling in my life highly. His love gets us through tough times. Like Paul says, His love compels me.

Pastor Priji Varghese: His love remains constant whether we receive or don’t receive a blessing, whether we have or do not have the miracle. His love remains constant in every season.

Pastor Abe Oommen: In challenging times, His love sustains us and helps us overcome the situation.

Pastor Priji Varghese: Do you have a word of advice for our young people especially those who are in ministry.

Pastor Abe Oommen: The Lord is moving amongst and using young people. This is the time to develop your spiritual disciplines. Read the Word, pray, and fast.

Develop patience and endurance.

Have mature leaders and mentors over your lives. be accountable.

Do nothing to promote yourself. Promotion comes from the Lord. David, Daniel, and Joseph waited and focused on the Lord and in due time He lifted them up.

To connect with Pastor Abe or to make a donation towards the church building, do visit the following links:

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Email: [email protected]