THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
Annual Report
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Contents Message From the Executive Director
3
Who We Are
4
Israel Relief
6
North America
8
International
10
Media
14
Operational Highlights
16
Board of Trustees
18
Get Involved
19
John 13:14–15 “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” 2
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Friend of Israel, When our Lord Jesus washed the feet of His followers nearly 2,000 years ago, He charged all of us to continue in His example to love as He loves (Jn. 13:14–15). I do not need to speak about the massive, global upheaval our world has experienced in the last year. The pandemic has affected us all. Even though the world is changing and the circumstances in which we minister have changed, our mission at The Friends of Israel remains the same: to communicate biblical truth to the fallen world and to bring physical and spiritual comfort to the whole of Israel—His people. Our utter dependence on God has grown our faith in His provision. He is faithful and true, He does not abandon us, and we do not walk alone. We have not allowed the challenges we have encountered in the last year to change our calling. With the Lord’s continual guidance, we have used these challenges to get creative, to grow, flex, and develop new opportunities to reach those in darkness.
There are many positive things coming out of the past year of ministry at The Friends of Israel. I am very encouraged and want to share some of them with you here in the 2020 Annual Report. Behind every statistic there is an encounter between Jesus and the ones who seek Him. While it may not look the same as in years past, He is moving through this ministry like never before. In a personal way, I want to thank all of you for your generous support and devotion to blessing the Jewish people. Through your partnership, you make Christ’s love tangible every day in our medical clinic, backpackers’ center, summer camps, Bible studies, congregations, ambulances, bomb shelters, on the radio, in mailboxes, and online. Thank you. In His Service,
Jim Showers, DMin Executive Director/President
THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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3
Who We Are
83
years of ministry Est. 1938
We operate regularly in
15
countries.
4
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
OUR MISSION 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 Our vision is to see everyone believe in God’s Son and understand God’s plan for the ages.
OUR VALUES 1
2
3
4
Loving God, His Word, and the Jewish people
Sharing our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
Supporting Israel’s right to the Land and opposing antiSemitism
Living a life of humility, integrity, and respect for others
THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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5
Israel Relief
31
Bomb shelters built in Israel
111,000 pounds of fresh produce distributed to Israel’s most needy
2.5M+
$
invested in Israel Relief since 2012
6
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
14,000
+
meals and showers provided through Christian ministry to drug addicts and prostitutes
1,500
+
meals served to Holocaust survivors
172
Jewish olim (immigrant) sponsored to return to Israel
17
babies saved from abortion and sponsored for their first year of life
1
ambulance donated to Israel’s Magen David Adom THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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7
North America
3,066
people participated in the live Anchored Conference
Viewed in
41
countries
222,000
35,000
+
+
views of Canadian virtual conferences & online ministries
Passover Seder views * first-ever online Seder
33
Prayer 100+ Canadian Gatherings
3
482
families ministering across North America
Canadian virtual conferences
Hanukkah baskets delivered
600 speaking engagements 8
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
STORY OF TRANSFORMATION
RICHARD’S STORY An American friend of FOI
F
orty years ago, we led a Jewish man named Richard to the Lord. His oldest son passed away this year, and his family asked me to conduct the funeral. Richard was a believer and a Jewish war veteran, so he and I have some significant things in common. His wife and children are not believers. The Lord provided a marvelous opportunity to proclaim the gospel to many unsaved people at the funeral that day. The Holy Spirit was working
The Holy Spirit was working in the members of Richard’s family. in the members of Richard’s family. My feelings were confirmed when Richard’s daughter later called and told me that she and her mom were deeply touched by the message. Together, we prayed about her faith, that she and her mom would have every joy that belongs to those that now belong to God.
THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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9
International
4.5M VIEWS
23
families ministering in the International Field full time
The Messiah of Israel video series of the gospel in Hebrew
16
6
International ministry interns
publications translated German Polish → Russian → →
80
people attended 2 Holidays With the Bible in Poland
16
Jewish communities ministered to in Ukraine
10
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
STORY OF TRANSFORMATION
ROBERTO
is a shop owner in Argentina
L
ast year we brought you the story of Roberto who came to know Christ through medical care at the FOI Medical Clinic in Buenos Aires. The pandemic has made it nearly impossible to identify regular clinic patients because of their facial masks. Upon a closer look, we recognized a familiar pair of eyes. It was Roberto! This time, his eyes reflected worry. As it usually happens, patients open their hearts and pour onto us all their worries and concerns. Roberto owns a small shoe shop in the neighborhood. Given the current pandemic and government laws surrounding it, he was forbidden to open the doors. He said, “It’s not me that I am worried about, it’s just that the shop is the treasure of my life, and I don’t think I will be able to continue This time, his eyes with it. I might need reflected worry. to close the shop forever.” Then we related to Roberto, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:21) and how important it is to know that God’s love towards us is eternal, “incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Pet. 1:4). Roberto’s eyes revealed that he was listening with much attention. We continued, explaining that wealth is an earthly treasure deeply coveted by many, but that it can be lost or taken away. Instead, treasures in heaven are eternal. Ongoing discipleship and encouragement at the clinic builds bonds and advances the cause of making Christ known as Messiah and Savior. Please keep Roberto and the Argentina Medical Clinic in your prayers.
THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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11
International
35
blood pressure machines delivered to Jewish communities in Eastern Europe
40
Israeli Meet at the Mountain backpackers (NZ)
18,000
+
patients per year (Argentina)
12
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
750
pounds of potatoes delivered in Ukraine during the pandemic
Responded to
4,400+ ambulance calls in Buenos Aires
STORY OF TRANSFORMATION
ANNA
A grandmother saved by her granddaughter’s testimony
F
OI’s Eastern European Relief Fund focuses on tangible, physical relief in the former Soviet bloc. When Anna heard a rumor in her Ukrainian synagogue that there were Christian people from Poland visiting Jewish homes in her town, she called a local pastor and asked that we visit her. She was eager to meet with us. When we arrived, Anna shared with us that her granddaughter went to one of the FOI summer camps we organized in Poland for children. It was a surprise for us to learn that her granddaughter started to attend a local Sunday school at one of the churches when she returned. Because of this, the whole family became believers in the Messiah. We prayed with Anna and praised God because He works even when we do not know!
THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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13
Media 292,000 podcast downloads (5x as many as 2019)
1.3M
+
radio listeners
500
+
radio stations
350,346 Israel My Glory magazines distributed
60
countries receiving IMG
1,850+ IMG magazines and other publications gifted to 921 prisoners
5
new publications
49,016 publications sold
The Common Thread The Common Thread Study Guide 3 Jerusalem in Prophecy 4 10 Reasons Christians Support Israel 5 Anchored DVD 1 2
14
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
STORY OF TRANSFORMATION
KEN Letter from an inmate who receives Israel My Glory
H
ello dear brothers and sisters! My name is Ken. I am an inmate in an American correctional facility. I wrote to you nearly one year ago asking for a free subscription to Israel My Glory magazine, to which you graciously obliged. I would like to share with you some things that have happened as a result of your kindness.
Coming from a background in Replacement Theology, I now feel I have a more appropriate view of Scripture and God’s plan through it.
Since you donated Israel My Glory: → I have gained a more biblical perspective of the
nature and purpose of Israel. → I have begun teaching, in a classroom setting,
the things I am learning from the contributors of Israel My Glory. → The “blinders” of Replacement Theology have
begun to open up here. → Your teaching has helped improve my own biblical
understanding, as well as that of the men I share with. → I use Israel My Glory as a resource for research
for my degree program at a theological seminary.
I hope and pray I will be able to continue to receive Israel My Glory until I am released from prison and am able to purchase my own subscription. I would like to thank you for your generosity and for your love and prayers. Moreover, for showing me the truth of Israel in God’s perfect plan.
THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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Operational Highlights <
REVENUE
1%
Contributions
8%
10,729,000
$
10%
Legacies & Annuities
1,302,000
$
Publication Revenue
986,000
$
Program/Event Revenue
20,000
$
82
%
Interest, Dividends, & Other
49,000
$
13,086,000
$
Visit foi.org/vision/financials to view full audited financial statements The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry is an exempt organization as described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN 23-1365331 16
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
FISCAL YEAR 2020 (USA)
5%
EXPENSES
19%
Program Ministries
8,919,000
$
Administrative
2,198,000
$
Fundraising
580,000
$
76%
11,697,000
$
Our Financial Commitment to You
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry 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 the Word of God and the hope of Jesus Christ. To ensure our financial accountability to you, our donor, we are a long-time member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. We fully support the purpose and goals of the ECFA, and display its seal proudly to reflect compliance with its membership standards. THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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Board of Trustees BOARD OFFICERS
Dean E. Good, MDiv
David R. Benner
Pastor Grace Church of North Olmsted
Chairman Retired Engineer Urban Engineers
Vice Chairman Retired President Heick Die Casting
Founder & President World of the Bible Ministries Research Professor Liberty University
Jim Showers, DMin
Robert C. Sullivan
Laurence H. Murray
President The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
John Wilcox, CPA* Treasurer The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
William King Secretary President The Nova Group
President & CEO Believers Stewardship Services
William E. Sutter Former Executive Director The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
Jim Vogel, DMin Network Executive Director Northeast Fellowship
BOARD MEMBERS
EMERITUS TRUSTEES
Daniel L. Anderson, ThD
W. Sherrill Babb, PhD
President Appalachian Bible College
Kenneth W. Murray Retired Vice President The Quaker Oats Co.
Jonathan W. Glock Trust Officer Believers Stewardship Services
*non-board member
18
J. Randall Price, PhD
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2020 ANNUAL REPORT
President Emeritus Cairn University
Philip G. Brodsky Partner Scripture Truth Book Co.
Elwood McQuaid Former Executive Director The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry
Charles F. Scheide, Sr., DMin Retired Pastor & Dean Word of Life Bible Institute
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP Jim Showers, DMin Executive Director
Steve H. Conover Executive Vice President Director of Media Ministries
John Wilcox, CPA Vice President of Finance Chief Financial Officer
Tom Geoghan Vice President for Ministry Advancement
Steve Herzig Director of North American Ministries
Mike Stallard, PhD Director of International Ministries
Lorna Simcox Editor-in-Chief Israel My Glory
THANK YOU!
For 83 years, faithful supporters like YOU have made it possible to shine the light of the gospel in uncertain times in an uncertain world.
GET INVOLVED Pray
Your prayers are critical to accomplishing His work.
Give
Your gifts make the Lord known to His people worldwide. Thank you. foi.org/givenow
Share
Your stories inspire us! If the Lord has reached you through our ministry, we would love to hear from you. Submit your story at foi.org/yourstory
Attend
Refresh your walk with the Lord —online or in person. Please invite your friends and family. To find or request an event at your church, visit foi.org/events
Volunteer
Make a difference for eternity when you serve our friends in Israel. For the latest volunteer opportunities, visit foi.org/ outreach
Serve
Are you called to minister in biblical truth and build lasting relationships with our Jewish friends? Come build bridges and bring hope alongside us. Please contact us! Visit foi.org/serve
MAKE A GIFT TODAY BY PHONE:
ONLINE:
Call Ministry Services at 800-345-8461
Scan the code or visit us at www.foi.org/givenow THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
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THE FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY, INC. P.O. BOX 908 BELLMAWR, NJ 08099
TH E
Friends of Israel G O S P E L M I N I S T RY Building bridges. Bringing hope.
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