Lutheran congregation in Tel Aviv receives its own pastor

Pastor Petri Hiltunen visited Israel in June. Photo: Petri Hiltunen

From 5 to 8 June 2025, I made a four-day mission trip to Israel. I was there previously two years ago, before the shocking attack by HAMAS and the war in Gaza. Much has changed in these years. The immediate threat of rocket attacks and strikes has subsided, but the hostage crisis and the prolonged war weigh down on people’s minds. This is evident, for example, in the fact that many Israelis are now seeking refuge in the church and in Christianity. Visitors have been coming frequently to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Jaffa, more and more Christian literature is being distributed, and some people have converted to Christianity. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese of Finland is involved in supporting a small congregation that meets for devotions and divine services at Immanuel Church on Fridays from 3 to 5 p.m. The devotions are led by Sahar Sadlovsky Gold, a student of theology, and divine services by visiting Scandinavian pastors. I had the privilege of serving in this capacity on Friday, 6 June. It was touching to see how gratefully the congregation received the Body and Blood of Christ, which is only rarely offered at the church. Among those present, there was a young baptismal candidate who is currently serving in the military and four little girls who were blessed.

Growth has been slow, but a few young men and children have joined. There are plans to organise the congregation in accord with Israeli law, which would give the congregation a more stable status and would enable it to advertise its activities publicly, for example on the internet. It is believed that increased visibility will bring new seekers into the fold. Israel is clearly going through a time of visitation, an hour of seeking, with people who have become estranged from Judaism longing for a connection with God. For many, Jesus is becoming a very viable option as the foundation of their lives.

Sahar Sadlovsky Gold with his family. Photo: Petri Hiltunen

Sahar Sadlovsky Gold is currently still working part-time for Jews for Jesus, also serving the small congregation that is just starting up, and furthermore studying theology online for the ninth year. His pastoral ordination is scheduled for 18 October 2025 in Gothenburg, Sweden, God willing. After his ordination, Sahar will begin serving the congregation full-time, funded by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Sahar’s Swedish wife, Maria, is completing her nursing qualification in Tel Aviv. The family also includes their daughters, Thea (6) and Adiel (3 ½ ), who are lively, trilingual (Hebrew, English, Swedish) little girls. The family lives near the centre of Tel Aviv, close to a long sandy beach.

The future prospects for the work in Israel are tremendous, even though only a small seed is visible now. The time seems ripe for the Jewish people to open their eyes to see the Messiah and turn to Him. We are privileged to be involved in supporting this work together with our sister churches in Sweden, Norway and the United States. Please remember this work and its workers in your prayers!

Original text: Petri Hiltunen

Translation: Thomas Toepfer