We just got back from Holland last week.
I have included an unedited interview translated from Dutch.
Had many meeting and preached the Gospel in a number of Churches and schools and gave out lots of literature. Secularism is the religion of Europe and has such a strong influence even in the Churches. We over 20 different meetings in about 10 days.
Since back have been to Tel Aviv 3 times last week and 5 times this week. We continue to feed the Sudanese over 3000 this week and give out many New Testaments and we see people actually reading them. We have a Passover advertising campaign going on at moment advertising the Messiah film which explains the true meaning of the Passover in Russian.
The Passover begins tomorrow and the new age festival which we attend every year has been cancelled. We go to visit prisoners tomorrow. Thanks for praying for us and your support.
Article from Newspaper
The Jerusalem pastor, Antony Simon is touring The Netherlands this week, invited by the Free Reformed Organization Yachad. According to him, Christians in the Middle East should stay away from politics and its peace plan. “I am a Jew and therefore controversial,” said Antony Simon five minutes after the interview began. “I mean that in a positive way. I like to make people think.” It is an heartfelt outburst that follows an ardent plea for Dutch Christians not to mix culture with the Bible. “God’s word is unchangeable and is not influenced by culture,” states Simon and firmly continues, “For instance, the clergy has no place for women or homosexuals. Post-Christian Netherlands must turn back to God and His unchanging message.” The 47-year old Simon and his wife Dona are touring The Netherlands this week. He was invited by the Free Reformed Organization Yachad that supports evangelical outreach to the Jewish people. He will also visit The Almond Tree, a Reformed Nursing Home in Bilthoven. On Sunday he will preach in The Free Reformed Amersfoort. Simon, who visited the Nederlandse Dagblad (Netherland Newspaper) in Barneveld is a small bearded man who talks easily and has strong beliefs on many issues. Once in awhile he says a witty saying with a straight face. He calls his iPhone his electronic Bible. He speaks about atheism ironically, “If God doesn’t exist then neither do atheists. They must realize that they live by the grace of God alone.”
The Manchester born Jew is pastor of a small Christian Church in Jerusalem called VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS which he began in 1990. The church has Jewish, Arab and international members. Simon lives in Ma’ale Adumin, (The West Bank) a city of approximately 40,000 located 20 kilometres from Jerusalem. “There is much liberalism among the Christians in Jerusalem,” Simon says. “They don’t believe in the Lord Jesus from the Bible so what good does the deliverance theology do then?” he asks. His own great discovery 20 years ago was that the old testament prophesied about Jesus. That’s how he became a Christian after growing up in a completely Jewish environment. When we discuss his Christian vision about Israel, Simon takes a middle stance. “I believe the gospel was first for the Jews as stated in Romans. I also believe that God brought the Jews back to Israel and He has a purpose for that.” But he doesn’t go further into detail. “Jews, Arabs, Westerners and everyone needs Jesus Christ to have peace with God.” He doesn’t give much credit to the liberal Christians who fight for the Palestinians or with the Christian-Zionists who can’t stand criticism about Israel. He thinks the Zionists place Israel above Jesus. “But the anti-Israel lobbyists don’t spread the gospel either when they bind Christianity and Islam together.” He repeats, “We have to preach Jesus Christ. He is the only one who gives peace in this situation. Let us be focused on Him.”
He says that the gospel must be preached equally to Jews and Arabs. He tells about his work with the Muslims who have fled out of the Sudanese region of Darfur and illegally broke through the Egyptian border to get into Israel. About 40,000 are staying illegally in Israel and live without perspective. Simon’s organization, VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS, gives them food and also teaches them the gospel. “That is possible because there is some freedom of religion in Israel.” He hates Islam. “It is a devilish, destructive and racist religion. But I love Muslims.” Simon thinks that Christians in the Middle East should stay away from politics and its peace plan. “In Christ we are reconciled.” That is the answer according to him. He knows of the recent conference held in Bethlehem called “Christ at the Checkpoint.” where many evangelical Americans gathered to encourage the Palestinian Church. “I wasn’t there because their approach is too political. Christ is not BY the checkpoint, He IS the checkpoint,” Simon says. He thinks encouraging the Palestinian people is great but according to him this organization has not succeeded in separating themselves from politics. “If you still want to get involved in politics then ask the Palestinians within their own circles how to end terror. That would benefit both parties. Israel built security walls and maintain strict border controls because there are rumours of terror. It is understandable that they want to protect their citizens. In Europe which is full of open borders this is difficult to understand. But in the same situation The Netherlands would do the likewise. The gospel is the only answer in the Middle East where freedom often is lacking but also in the West where there is much freedom. Wherever Christians lack courage and freedom the gospel MUST be preached. I meet many Christians who don’t witness, not on vacation and not at home.” He quotes Franciscus Van Assi “Preach the gospel even with words if necessary.” Simon says he thinks that is unwise. “You must open your mouth and witness. We are not saved by our good works but by faith.” About rising tension in the Middle East and the possible outcome Simon is brief and he laughs with a wide smile “With the return of our Lord………