GET TO KNOW US
THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
PASSION FOR GOD’S WORD. COMPASSION FOR GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE.
God promised Abraham, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Genesis 12:2-3
OUR HISTORY
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (FOI) was founded by Christian men and women in 1938 as a compassionate effort to help Jewish people facing severe persecution in the Holocaust. Today, FOI’s presence spans the globe with ministry workers serving Jewish people and the church worldwide and remains a dedicated team of evangelical Christians who:
I n the 1930s, the winds of war were blowing—caught in the Nazi crosshairs were the Jewish people. Filled with concern, pastors and Christian leaders gathered in Philadelphia to pray.
Scrambling to escape Nazi Germany, many Jewish people attempted to flee and immigrate. But getting into the United States was difficult. The U.S. was in the midst of the depression and the government required a sponsor who could guarantee the desperate immigrants would not become financial burdens to the U.S. government. In Europe, Jewish refugees sought sanctuary wherever they could find it.
On the night of November 9–10, 1938—Kristallnacht (the night of broken glass), the Nazi-led riots spread throughout Germany and Austria like wildfire as mobs burned down thousands of Jewish synagogues, homes, and businesses and killed 91 Jewish people. By the end of the disastrous night, 30,000 Jewish people were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
Christians responded and The Friends of Israel was able to work with like-minded organizations in Great Britain and Europe to supply clothes, food, passports, and passage out of Europe for Jewish refugees desperate to escape the horrors of the Holocaust.
On December 1, 1938, a group of Christians in Philadelphia, moved by compassion and God’s command to bless Israel, established The Friends of Israel Refugee Relief Committee.
On December 1, 1938, a group of Christians in Philadelphia, moved by compassion and God’s command to bless Israel, established The Friends of Israel Refugee Relief Committee. They made a choice to stand with the Jewish people and give them muchneeded support and relief as they fled Nazi tyranny. Among this group of faithful believers were Lewis Sperry Chafer, the founder of Dallas Theological Seminary; and Harry Ironside, beloved pastor of Moody Church in Chicago.
They used their pulpits to make the needs known and called on Christians to give generously so the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would know they had friends on whom they could depend.
Today, the same God-given passion that drove our founders to establish The Friends of Israel moves us to compassion for His people, “the apple of His eye” (Zech. 2:8). It was our honor to serve them then, and it is our mission never to stop. We began as The Friends of Israel in 1938 when there was no state of Israel and we continue today as The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.
WHO WE ARE
OUR PURPOSE
To love the Jewish people
To bring physical and spiritual comfort to the Jewish people while teaching about Israel and the Messiah.
DOCTRINE
REGARDING GOD
} God exists and is one being, revealing Himself in three coequal persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
} God created the world out of absolutely nothing in six literal, 24-hour days
} Satan began the rebellion against God and enticed man to join his revolt
} Satan is active in our world, deceiving the hearts and minds of men and women
GOOD WORKS AND SALVATION
} We are all are sinners and possess sin natures that cause both physical and spiritual death
} God created us to do good works but they are not sufficient to get to heaven
} Faith in Jesus Christ is the only way we can be saved from the judgment of sin and restore our relationship with God
} Those who come to faith in Jesus Christ cannot do anything to lose their salvation
JESUS AND THE WORD
} Jesus was born to a virgin, conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
} Jesus is the only person in all of human history who meets the qualifications of the Jewish Messiah, revealed in prophetic Scriptures to be the Savior of the world
} Each and every word of the Bible is breathed out (inspired) by God and errorless
entities and God has a distinct plan and purpose for each one
} Israel has not been rejected by God nor replaced by the church
} God has a glorious plan for Israel’s future
THINGS TO COME
} Everyone who has ever lived will be resurrected from the dead to immortal bodies; some to everlasting life and others to everlasting torment
} The Lord will come from heaven to gather up His church just prior to the unleashing of God’s wrath that will bring this age of Earth to an end
} At the end of God’s outpouring of wrath, Jesus Christ will return to Earth to end the rebellion, and judge Satan and his evil ones
} Jesus Christ will reestablish God’s Kingdom on Earth that will last for 1,000 years
} Following the 1,000 years, all believers will live in the new heavens and earth where God the Father and God the Son will reign for all eternity
Our full doctrinal statement can be found at foi.org/vision/statement-of-faith/
Guided by Biblical Truth
Absolute reliance on biblical principles as the sole authority regarding Israel, the Messiah, and all aspects of ministry
Focused on Growth
Dedicated to expanding our outreach to the Jewish people by mobilizing an increasing number of Christians through a deeper understanding of Israel and the Messiah
Driven by Integrity
Committed to honesty, moral uprightness, and ethical conduct in all aspects of ministry
} God’s Word is literal and is understood in its grammatical and historical context
ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH
} God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham that promised to raise up from him a nation, Israel, through whom He would redeem the world
} The Abrahamic Covenant is still valid today and cannot be canceled or changed
} Israel and the church are completely different
WHO WE ARE TODAY
GOSPEL OUTREACH
Loving relationships are formed worldwide, creating opportunities to share our faith in the Good News of the Messiah and the free gift He offers to all who believe in Him.
ISRAEL MY GLORY MAGAZINE
Our bi-monthly, award-winning Christian magazine is distributed to over 44,000 subscribers who rely on the meaningful insight, biblical truth, and thought-provoking articles found in every edition.
BIBLICAL TEACHING CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
Our Bible teachers are committed to communicating biblical truth at our in-person and online conferences, Passover Seders, summer camps, churches, Bible studies, and more.
THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL TODAY
A weekly radio program that teaches biblical truth for changing times. Listeners tune in for in-depth teaching, interesting interviews, and to hear stories of the late Zvi Kalisher as told on Apples of Gold.
UP TO JERUSALEM TOURS OF THE HOLY LAND
Our spring and fall tours dive deep into God’s Word, connect travelers to the places where Jesus walked, open eyes to the ongoing discoveries unearthed in the Holy Land today, and introduce people to modern Israel.
MEDIA
Our daily social media content, weekly news update videos, promotional materials, online interviews, and events reach a wide audience of Bible-believing Christians who show unwavering support for Israel and the Jewish people.
PUBLICATIONS AND BIBLICAL RESOURCES
Committed to providing helpful resources for pastors, Bible study leaders, avid readers, and Christians curious about God’s prophetic Word, our online store offers a wide variety of new and classic reads, literature, pamphlets, posters, and inspiring calendars.
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY REPRESENTATIVES
Our local and international ministry workers are dedicated to ministering to Jewish people, local churches, providing free medical care, support for Holocaust survivors, children’s camps, spiritual nourishment, meeting physical needs, and prayerfully connecting with God’s Chosen People worldwide.
VOLUNTEER NETWORK
Practical opportunities to show loving support of the Jewish people and be involved in Jewish ministry through our growing volunteer network called the Tikvah Team.
OUR GLOBAL MINISTRY HAS THREE OUTREACH ARMS
NORTH AMERICAN MINISTRIES
MEDIA MINISTRIES
RELIEF FUNDS
Grant relief funds to help Jewish people in Israel and elsewhere with basic human needs such as food, clothing, protection, addiction recovery, health, family services, and saving unborn babies.
NORTH AMERICAN MINISTRIES
Across the United States and Canada, our North American Ministries workers:
@ Host Bible and prophecy conferences
@ Speak in churches to share what the Bible says about Israel, the Messiah, the Jewish people, and prophecy
@ Interact on college campuses, engaging in conversations with students and faculty of all religions while sharing about the eternal change the Messiah has made in their lives
FOI EQUIP
Our free resource for learning and engaging with the Scriptures from a Jewish perspective.
BRIDGES
Adults of any age are welcome for this 8-week, online internship with mentors.
ENCOUNTER
A short-term, introductory-level training program that provides Christians with the opportunity to engage in a biblically based ministry experience of loving and serving Israel and the Jewish community.
@ Minister to the Jewish people as volunteers at Jewish Community Centers, Jewish museums and nursing homes, and making one-on-one friendships
@ Offer a wide variety of ways to get involved in Jewish ministry through online learning, ministry internships, connecting with Jewish people in your community, and volunteer opportunities
TIKVAH TEAM
A practical, local opportunity to engage in Jewish ministry in your own community with support from FOI through the Tikvah Team, FOI’s volunteer network
HESED
Each spring, adults from all over the world travel to Israel to serve the Jewish people for 2.5 weeks. They work on projects that bless the Jewish people, while making lasting friendships with the Israeli people.
ORIGINS
Every summer, God raises up a group of young people to spend 2.5 weeks in Israel to volunteer at service projects that bless the Jewish people.
INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES
With representatives in 15 countries and ministering to many more, our International team provides:
POLAND
UKRAINE
FRANCE
ENGLAND
SCOTLAND
WALES
IRELAND
NORTHERN IRELAND
GERMANY
ISRAEL
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
ARGENTINA
BELARUS
RUSSIA
LITHUANIA
BRAZIL
AUSTRIA
@ Unwavering support for the Jewish people as we stand against every form of antisemitism
@ Around-the-clock free medical care in the heart of a Jewish neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where doctors and nurses help the hurting, both spiritually and physically
@ Youth camps in Poland for children from the former Soviet Union who desperately need the eternal transforming love of the Messiah
@ Meet at the Mountain, a ministry opportunity in New Zealand that offers accommodations for those Jewish backpackers passing through the area on their journeys, many of whom are Israeli soldiers who are taking a trip after serving in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)
@ Practical efforts to serve Jewish communities and meet specific needs within each country
@ Biblical teaching about Israel and the lifechanging message of the Messiah
UNITED STATES • CANADA
MEDIA MINISTRIES
Our fast-growing media ministry creates, produces, and distributes FOI’s digital and print content.
@ Daily social media content that informs, encourages, and engages with an active audience on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn
@ Weekly blog content focusing on biblical and spiritual encouragement, while educating readers on topics about Israel and God’s Chosen People
@ Our radio program, The Friends of Israel Today, airs weekly, offering relevant, biblical, and thought-provoking content
@ Bi-monthly production of our award-winning magazine, Israel My Glory, packed with biblical truth and thoughtprovoking articles
@ Weekly News Video, Eye on the Middle East, offers a 2-minute review on the latest news updates
@ Records and distributes our in-person and online Bible conferences and events—our Look Up Virtual Conference and Passover Seders air annually for viewers to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes
@ New and revised Publications and Resources—our team continually seeks new opportunities to create readable or watchable content to help enhance the understanding of God’s Word, and teach God’s plan for the ages
@ Digital Media App—Our digital media app provides immediate access to a growing library of biblical content, in-depth articles, insightful radio programs, and inspiring reads to encourage a deeper understanding of the Scriptures, how to love the Jewish people, and God’s plan for the ages.
LATEST & ONGOING REACH
OF THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
2022 MINISTRY YEAR:
58,000
Constituents connected to The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
267,000
Copies of Israel My Glory magazines distributed annually to 44,500 subscribers in 77 countries
700 Radio stations broadcasting The Friends of Israel Today program weekly
118,000
Podcast subscribers of The Friends of Israel Today program
32,000
Books and videos sold annually
7,300
Patients served and 3,000 ambulance call dispatches at the Argentina Clinic annually
+7.2M
Views of YouTube programs on ‘Israel My Channel’ in English, Polish, and Russian featuring solid biblical teaching & 3D renderings of Jerusalem
7,500
Virtual conference views per year
3,460
Participants in 31 FOI Equip classes
330
Hanukkah gift baskets delivered to Jewish families
118
FOI Staff: 37 serving in North American Ministries, 36 in International Ministries, 19 in Media Ministries, and 26 in administrative roles
$ 755,000
Aid for Israel Relief Aid and Aliyah fund grants
$ 998,000
Eastern European Relief for Ukrainian Jewish people
14,787,000 WORLD
STRATEGICALLY HEADQUARTERED IN THE NORTHEAST U.S.
TO REACH JEWISH COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE
EASY ACCESS TO MAJOR CITIES AND A JEWISH POPULATION OF 2 MILLION FROM HEADQUARTERS
PHILADELPHIA 20 MINUTE DRIVE FOI HEADQUARTERS
NEARBY MUSEUMS
@ National Museum of American Jewish History (Philadelphia)
@ Museum of the Bible (Washington, DC)
@ National Holocaust Museum (Washington, DC)
@ Faith & Liberty Discovery Center (Philadelphia)
AREA SPORTS TEAMS
@ Philadelphia Eagles
@ Philadelphia Phillies
@ Philadelphia Flyers
@ Philadelphia 76ers
@ Philadelphia Union
RELAXING NEW JERSEY SHORE
@ Ocean City
@ Boardwalk
@ Cape May
@ Beach, shops, and family-friendly fun!
DEMOGRAPHICS
NEW YORK
As of 2016, about 1.1 million residents of New York City, or about 12% of its residents, were Jewish. A study showed that about 13% of all Jews in the U.S. live in New York City, by far the most of any metro area, according to the study.
PHILADELPHIA
Researchers report 194,200 households that contain at least one Jewish adult. That gives the Philadelphia metro area the third-largest population of Jewish people in the country.
There are 445,800 people in these households, of whom 351,200 are Jewish (79%). There are 308,700 Jewish adults and 42,500 children who are being raised Jewish.
NEW JERSEY
The Garden State has the second-highest Jewish population in the nation at 546,950, just behind New York. The Jewish community is now making up 6.1% of the current population.
FINANCIALS
LEADERSHIP
Read more about our leadership team at foi.org/vision/leadership
Jim Showers, President/CEO
Steve Conover, Executive Director
John Wilcox, Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer
Dan Dark, Vice President of Ministry Advancement
Steve Herzig, Vice President of North American Ministries
Mike Stallard, Vice President of International Ministries
Lisa Small, Vice President of Media Ministries
Tom Gallione, Director of Video and Web Experience
Amy Hansen, Director of Ministry Support
Chris Katulka, Director of North American Ministries, Host of The Friends of Israel Today
Karen Katulka, Director of Marketing and Communication
Daniel Pearson, Director of Information Services
$16,000,000 $14,000,000
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$10,000,000
$8,000,000
$6,000,000
$4,000,000
$2,000,000 $0
PASSION FOR GOD’S WORD.
COMPASSION GOD’S GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE. COMPASSION
COMPASSION
WORD.
COMPASSION FOR GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE. COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE.
PASSION FOR GOD’S WORD.
PASSION FOR GOD’S WORD. COMPASSION FOR GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE.
WORD. COMPASSION
PASSION FOR GOD’S WORD.
PASSION GOD’S COMPASSION FOR GOD’S CHOSEN