Israel Situation: Holocaust Survivors

Asked and Answered: Ministry Among Holocaust Survivors in Israel

00:00 – How do national believers overseas deal with fear, stress, and pressure?
01:00 – Ron explains how persecution is normal for many around the world.
03:00 – In China, they’re trained to suffer — ​“the way of the cross” is part of discipleship.
06:00 – The secret to peace? Maturity in Christ, the Word, and the Holy Spirit’s presence.
08:30 – Charis: They prepare in advance — memorizing Scripture and planning for risk.
10:00 – Story: A Bible school class literally called ​“Persecution 101.”
13:00 – Spiritual attacks are often more intense than physical danger.
14:30 – Christian grit: What believers in the West can learn from the persevering church.
15:30 – Final takeaway: Passion, preparation, and presence help overcome fear.

JOY: Welcome to Asked and Answered, the podcast series that answers all your missions-related questions. With me in the studio today are Ron and Charis Pearce. Welcome, guys!

RON/CHARIS: Hi Joy! Hi!

JOY: OK, so today I have a question about Israel. I know we’ve done a few episodes — almost like a series — and people are very interested in what’s happening. So, my question is: with the Holocaust survivors you’re ministering to in Israel, how is that going?

RON: It’s going well. In fact, I was just there. About five days ago, I had lunch with a pastor who’s organized his ministry around Russian immigrants to Israel — specifically Holocaust survivors and their surrounding families. As he began sharing what they’re doing, the list was huge. I wanted to give that to you today, but before we jump in, let me give a bit of context about what’s going on in Israel more generally.

JOY: Alright — great.

RON: It’s really changed. Ten years ago, there was an outpouring of the Spirit on Messianic congregations, Arabic-speaking churches, and various ministries. It began growing then, but about five or six years ago, it really picked up speed. Congregations are growing. I sat with leaders from Arabic-speaking churches and Messianic communities, hearing story after story. The churches are full — overflowing, in fact. People are coming from all sorts of backgrounds: Jewish, Catholic, other religions — seeking the meaning of life.

There’s enormous pressure on them: threats from Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip — all the rocket and nuclear threats. Add to that skyrocketing costs since COVID: food, fuel, housing — all of it up 50% or more. That pressure especially hits young people — teenagers, young adults entering or exiting the IDF — who are now seeking direction. Many are investigating the claims of the Messianic believers that Jesus — Yeshua — is the answer.

On top of that, you have Ukrainian refugees coming in, and since the early ​’90s, large numbers of Russian-speaking people making aliyah, returning to the land. Ministries have risen to meet their needs, introducing them to Yeshua as the Messiah.

RON: So, the young pastor we’re working with — and supporting through Empower — has a gentle spirit and incredible empathy. He’s what you’d call a ​“pastor’s pastor.” He ministers to about 2,000 people in the Haifa region. He broke down the numbers: 1,500 in one group, 350 in another, 160 in another, and so on — adding up to around 2,000 people.

JOY: Who makes up this group?

RON: Mostly Holocaust survivors and their families. Let me break it down, because not everyone understands what ​“Holocaust survivor” means in this context:

1. Camp Survivors – Babies or children who were in German concentration camps and survived.

2. Ghetto Survivors – Jews who lived in ghettos, often forcibly confined in European cities, though not necessarily taken to camps.

3. Leningrad Siege Survivors – During WWII, the Germans surrounded Leningrad, where many Jews suffered immense hardship. Survivors of that period are also considered Holocaust survivors.

These individuals often returned to Israel and now live in very difficult, often slum-like conditions. They receive small pensions from Germany, the Israeli government, and possibly Russia — but the war between Ukraine and Russia has made that last one uncertain.

JOY: So they live in poverty not because of where they came from, but due to lack of resources?

RON: Exactly. They’re old. They don’t have a way to earn income. These pensions are minimal. They’re essentially at the bottom of the economic ladder.

That’s why many ministries have stepped in. We’ve chosen to support this particular ministry because they are effective — and they don’t shy away from the gospel. They share Jesus openly and boldly with these Holocaust survivors, offering both spiritual and practical support.

RON: Here’s what they do:

• Bus Trips – They load buses with Holocaust survivors and take them to biblical sites, especially New Testament ones. During or after the trip, the pastor shares the gospel. Often, many on the bus — sometimes half or more — raise their hands to accept Jesus. He’s seen entire buses respond. They also pray for healing. One young woman was healed and later testified during another trip.

• Holiday Gatherings – For example, during Passover, they held a breakfast for 60 Holocaust survivors. The pastor explained how Passover connects to Easter, and they were eager to hear the full gospel message.

• Jordan River Trips – One tour took them to the Jordan River, where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land — also believed to be where John the Baptist baptized. The pastor wove together the story of refugees, spiritual hunger, and John pointing to Yeshua. It was powerful and deeply relatable for them.

• Concerts & Fellowship – They host classical or Messianic music concerts, often in converted spaces like a Chinese restaurant. Meals, gifts, and love are shared, along with the message of salvation.

RON: I asked the pastor if these people attend church. He said, ​“Some do. But many don’t know where to go or how to behave in a church setting.” So what do they do? They bring church to them. They visit homes, form relationships, counsel, love, and lead them in house church settings. That’s church too.

You don’t have to be inside a church building to be saved. Many people today watch services online. These survivors may feel uncomfortable in traditional churches, but that doesn’t make their faith any less real.

RON: This pastor is a master at meeting people where they are. He walks with them through their difficult past into hope for eternity. These people will be in heaven — he has no doubt. They’ve given their lives to Jesus.

JOY: This pastor sounds very busy!

RON (laughing): He’s run off his feet, I imagine.

JOY: Such a simple question with such an in-depth answer. Thanks so much.