FOI Gratitude Report 2024 by foicanada

OUR MISSON

We are a worldwide evangelical ministry proclaiming biblical truth about Israel and the Messiah, while bringing physical and spiritual comfort to the Jewish people.

Our vision is to see everyone believe in God’s Son and understand God’s plan for the ages.

We were established in 1938 to help Jewish people escape the atrocities of genocide during World War II. Today, our mission remains the same: building bridges and bringing hope in more than 18 countries around the world.

FROM OUR DIRECTOR

Dear Friends,

Nothing moves my heart more than to see Christians blessing Israel and the Jewish people, especially as antisemitism is raging all around the world. You, however, truly are the friends of Israel and I want to personally thank you for your faithful prayers and financial support. Without you, we could not do what God has called us to do.

Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we present to you our 2024 Gratitude Report. In it, we share stories and photographs of how the God of Israel is blessing the work in Canada and around the world through our workers and faithful partners such as you.

The Apostle Paul’s reminder in the book of Romans emphasizes that we have been grafted into Israel’s spiritual blessings (through the New Covenant, Jer 31:33), fostering deep gratitude toward the Jewish people. This report narrates how your support contributes to this endeavor, highlighting our efforts in sharing the love of Jesus with them. The gospel of Christ remains the heart of everything we do to the Jew first and for the Greek (Rom 1:16).

So once again, thank you, friends, for loving, standing, and supporting Israel and the Jewish people. Together, we are building bridges and bringing hope. To Him be all the glory!

Every Blessing,

Robert Gottselig Canadian Director

I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.

Romans 11:11

For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Romans 15:27

INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES

UKRAINE

20 cities served

+29,000 meals served

50,000 miles driven to aid in God’s work

21 people made aliyah from Ukraine

25 people had medication purchased for them

COUNTRIES SERVED

United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Israel, South Korea, Holland, Russia, Brazil, Argentina, Lithuania, Italy, Australia, and New Zealand

30 International Field Workers

46.5 tons of food & aid delivered

Andrzej: Field Representative - Poland

I went to Ukraine together with Timothy and Emanuel. As usual, we bought products for Jews in need that we were asked to bring. Our trip was planned in advance, and took place after the Hamas attack on Israel. Going to Ukraine, I was troubled by the thought that Ukraine is at war with Russia, antisemitism is on the rise, and this was evident on this trip. There was a police patrol at every Jewish building. In Ternopil, near the entrance to Hesed, we came across a swastika painted on the wall. In Khmelnytskyi, when we visited the Hesed and the synagogue, we saw police watching these places. In the face of such great problems that are present in the lives of Ukrainian Jews, we support them in a practical way through the products they need. But far more important is that we can pray for them, and we tell them about it. When it is dark all around, Jesus has called us to shine like stars in the night. The Jews see our Christian love. Even though it is difficult, this is a special time when we should especially support them with deeds and words.

Giving Thanks in Wartime

More than two years have passed since the war in Ukraine began, and Russia has only increased its bombardments on western Ukrainian cities. Our Eastern European teams are facing immense challenges as they minister to those suffering in the war.

Throughout the entire conflict, our workers have consistently put themselves in harm’s way to show the love of Christ to Ukrainian communities, refugees, and those hit hardest by this conflict, both Jew and Gentile. Thank you to all of you who have prayed and supported the work of each of our field representatives in Eastern Europe, especially Tetiana, our worker from Kyiv, Ukraine. Recently, she sent this note for our American supporters and ministry partners:

For me, one year has felt like 10. Approximately seven million Ukrainians now live abroad, most of them in Poland. We also have a huge-scale migration of people within Ukraine from the east to the west. Electricity and other utilities are subject to frequent outages and shutdowns. When items we need are available in stores, they are often so expensive that people cannot afford them.

When I asked a leader in the Jewish community in a small town near me what her people needed, she asked for carrots, onions, and beets. She hesitantly wondered about the possibility of getting the luxury of chocolate. It’s hard to believe. Ukraine has been the breadbasket of Europe forever, and now we can’t afford what little food we produce. I’m so grateful that through FOI, we are able to meet some of these basic needs.

However, today I would like to share my gratitude for you and my FOI family, everyone who prayed and continues to pray. Ukrainians here don’t know all of you who donated and have helped us, but we are extremely grateful.

War breaks down walls …

What

would have been completely impossible in ministry is now becoming possible. We are united by God’s love for people and the desire to serve them.

Tetiana (left) helps a Ukrainian family make aliyah.

ISRAEL

לארשי

Israel Field Staff: 5

Israel Church Plants: 3

+500 Congregants

“The war has positively affected the unity of the body of Christ, not just in Israel but worldwide. Churches and organizations who are praying for the peace of Jerusalem are materially and spiritually involved with helping the families of soldiers, the soldiers themselves, evacuees from the south and the north, and needy families. Many churches in Israel are sharing means (money, tools, and manpower) to provide all needs. While writing these lines, the delivery guy brought another pack of food cards we will share with other churches. The grace of God humbles us and is poured on us through the love of the vast body of Christ, meaning You! Thank you. The grave situation causes many to seek God, opening many opportunities to share the gospel. As many lost their lives, many more, God willing, will find eternal life due to this war.”

FOI Field Representative - Israel

“A friend of mine from 40 years ago is a certified tour guide. She leads special enrichment lessons for other tour guides who want to understand the Evangelical Christian tourists better. Last week, we hosted the group in our church. I shared our faith and church ministry. The group asked any question they desired. I must confess that I felt like I was walking on clouds. God willing, we may have more meetings like this, including on Zoom. Please pray that our Lord will be glorified.”

FOI Field Representative - Israel

MEDIA MINISTRIES

This year, your incredible support made it possible to complete our new video studio and produce 70 videos. Your support makes it possible to research, produce, and broadcast The Friends of Israel Today radio program and podcasts, Israel My Glory magazine, online conferences, and top-quality news and teaching video content. Thank you.

“I am a retired pastor and law enforcement chaplain in northern Wisconsin. I have had an intense interest in Israel for decades. I have appreciated the various resources that are available from FOI. I recently completed a three-week series of Sunday messages at two churches that invited me to ‘fill in’ when their pastor was away. I focused on recent hostilities in Israel/Gaza, with Hamas having launched an attack in Israel on Oct. 7.

I hoped to reveal truths about Scripture and God’s Chosen People. Much of my content was derived from the very insightful articles found in Israel My Glory magazine and from a recent book I purchased from FOI titled Israel: Whose Land is it Anyway?

After these messages, people told me: ‘I finally understand the significance of Israel,’ and others said, ‘Can you come back and bring us information like this? We don’t hear this on the evening news.’

I simply presented information, content, and materials I received from The Friends of Israel. Many wanted to know about FOI, so, obviously I shared my great connection to this fabulous Gospel Ministry. And, so I must thank all the many authors, publishers, editors, and creative individuals who have the vision to tell the wonderful story of redemption through Jesus Christ.” - Pastor in Wisconsin

VIDEOS PRODUCED

Content: 70

RADIO LISTENERS

Approx. 2 million listeners

RADIO STATIONS

Approximately 550 stations PROGRAMS PRODUCED

The Friends of Israel Today Episode: 52

Apples of Gold Shows: 25

PODCAST DOWNLOADS

Over 509,000 all-time downloads

TOP COUNTRIES REACHED IN 2023

United States | North America

Canada | North America

Australia | Oceania

United Kingdom | Europe

Netherlands | Europe

Germany | Europe

New Zealand | Oceania

Singapore | Asia

Guatemala | Central America

South Africa | Africa

CANADA MINISTRIES

4 National Bible Conferences

47 Prayer Gatherings

225 Hanukkah boxes delivered

45 Weekly Newscasts

238 Bible studies

80 Churches spoken in

92 Israel Solidarity Events

Blessing Our Jewish Friends

Every year, our FOI Canada Head Office staff looks forward to organizing and supporting the Hanukkah Gift Box Ministry across the country. It is a coordinated effort amongst our Canadian office and field staff to source special products from Israel and/or local Jewish businesses, order project supplies and materials, compile the boxes, and prayerfully gift them to our Jewish friends.

This year was extra special as our team put together (with the help of some awesome volunteers) and delivered a record number of Hanukkah boxes (225) at such a poignant time in our Jewish friends’ lives where they need to be truly shown love and support when the world is ever so against them!

The Lord blessed our ministry by relocating our Head Office to Toronto in early 2023, positioning us to be even closer to the largest Jewish community in Canada. This allowed our Canadian Director, Rob Gottselig, and his wife to bless Jewish organizations and friends in Toronto by personally hand-delivering these special boxes of love. The recipients were all moved to be shown this gesture of love, and we give all the glory to God for pouring His love into our hearts for His dear people.

Always Be Ready to Give an Answer - Jared

Not long after the Oct 7th, 2023, events, I went to visit my Jewish friend at the Jewish Library. My relationship with her and the effects of the events allowed me to have a few amazing linked conversations with her. I took opportunities to get into Biblical conversations. It started with a question she had for me.

“What is the Rapture?” I was asked, which threw me off guard, as I did not expect someone of a Jewish background to ask a question like that. I was able to respond that it’s a doctrine that some Christians hold and provides the greatest peace to those who believe in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. For those who have faith and believe in the Messiah (Jesus), He would save anyone, Jew or Gentile, from the time of Jacob’s trouble. It was a hard question to ask, but I took my chance. She accepted the answer but did not pry into further details.

This was not the end of the conversation though, as we continued to catch up. My friend would make the comment, “Where does all this evil from Hamas even come from?” I took my opportunity and replied, “It’s from sin that we all have due to the choices of Adam and Eve. It brought evil and death.” My friend looked surprised at me and replied, “That is not how we see it. Adam and Eve brought us life.” Recognizing the twisted view of sin that was held, I simply replied, “Why did God provide a sacrifice for Adam and Eve’s sin then? Why the need for the Temple and sacrifice to cover our sins?” Her response was, “Oh, that is a good point!” as she started to see how her viewpoint was off. My relationship with her allowed me to start to point to key aspects of the gospel. That we are all sinners and that there is hope and peace in the Messiah, Jesus Christ. The overall conversation ended with some more talk about prophecy, and me pointing out the current situations and Joel 3:1-2. Overall, it ended on a positive note with spiritual conversations made, the Messiah pointed to, relationships grown, and more library books to study! All that would not have happened if God had not provided an opportunity to respond to and for myself to seize the opportunities given to me. All set up upon the prior friendship that had been built over time of visiting the Jewish Library.

RELIEF FUNDS

“ A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.

. 17:17 Proverbs 17:17

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been in a fight for its very existence. The Friends of Israel was created for such a time as this. As Christians who love God’s uniquely Chosen People, we love at all times and were born to help in Israel’s adversity.

The response from Christians all over the world has been tremendous. The lives you have saved in Israel because of medical supplies, food, bomb shelters, financial aid, and ambulances you have provided are more than can be counted.

But more than that, you have shown Israelis that they are not alone, that millions of Christians stand with them in truth and God’s love. Thank you.

One aid recipient wrote to you:

Dear Jim and all friends and members at Friends of Israel,

You have left me with no words. And I’m still trying to find them. It is not easy to thank someone for such outstanding help. Truly, thank you.

My family and I are honored to be in your thoughts and prayers, and we thank you all for your most generous donation [that will allow us to return home]. It means so much to us, as Jews, to have such sincere friends among Christians. It teaches us about the strong bond we have with Christians and what unconditional love and caring are all about.

You are doing critical work for the many thousands of victims in Israel. And so also thank you, that while you support many, you specifically chose to support my family.

Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart.

Your Jewish friend here in Israel, Lee

With Israel at war, we have had to do something we knew was possible but never dreamed of doing: moving bomb shelters. A significant portion of Israel’s population previously protected by FOI bomb shelters in southern Israel has been murdered, kidnapped, or displaced. With our partners at Operation Lifeshield, we have been working to relocate shelters to populated areas to protect first responders, security forces, and civilians. Since Israel’s October 7th war with Hamas, we have installed more than fifteen new bomb shelters and moved many more. Additionally, we continue to provide emergency medical equipment to first responders and frontline medics. From bomb shelters to ambulances, from food to clothing, The FOI Israel Relief Fund is bringing comfort to our Israeli friends in times of war.

We use Jesus’ words in Matthew 25 to guide our priorities in the following categories:

● Health/Medical Care and Equipment

● Shelter/Protection

● Rescue/Recovery (e.g., substance abuse rehab, domestic violence shelter)

● Social & Family Services

● Nourishment

● Clothing

● Immigration to Israel (Aliyah)

● Human Rights/Legal Advocacy

● Counseling and Trauma Therapy

“Recently, my grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday. As a Holocaust survivor, her journey has been one of resilience, strength, and hope having faced the darkest chapter in history. I have shared with my family the profound dedication of The Friends of Israel, spanning from the Holocaust era to the present day. Your enduring support resonates with us, and we are grateful for the compassion and commitment that continue to make a meaningful impact. Thank you for being a beacon of hope in the world. Your kindness is a shining example of the love and compassion that can bring positive change to our global community. May you be blessed abundantly for your generosity.

-Jewish Israeli woman

Relief efforts since the October 7th Attack on Israel

+200

Army medics outfitted with blood presure equipment, airway management, IV tools, and portable ultrasound machines

+$2.3 Million in humanitarian aid as of April 2024

+14,000 Holocaust survivors and elderly fed, sheltered, and comforted

7 Magen David Adom first-response vehicles

462 Money cards to at risk families in the South

+17,000 Meals, food, clothing, and housing for displaced families

11,494 1-pint units of soup for elderly and single-parent families through August 2023 Soup Project

4,800 Meals to Southern Cities

8,000 Victims of terror received emergency aid

FINANCIALS

Canada, Independently Audited Financials

The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry— Canada is an exempt, not-for-profit organization under CRA registration number 86686 6684 RR0001.

Our Financial Commitment to You

The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry— Canada is firmly committed to good stewardship of funds entrusted to us by our friends and donors. We pledge to use your gifts wisely and effectively to reach others with God’s Word and the hope of Jesus Christ.

Visit foi.org/canada to view our full, audited financial statements.