Salt and Light

Shavei Tzyon | Return to Zion Congregation

Haifa, Israel

I want to begin this update with the words from Matthew 5:13-14:

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”

We have read these verses many times, yet here is an insight I would like to share. Scientifically, salt can become contaminated or dirty, but it remains salt. When salt becomes unusable, it is usually because it was stored in the wrong conditions and requires cleansing. 

This is a powerful picture here for each of us. Life never follows a straight line; it looks more like a heartbeat graph, filled with ups and downs – both victories and disappointments. We have long moved past the illusion that a life of faith is a series of uninterrupted successes. Faith provides us with an anchor of salvation, a clear path, and the strength to overcome, but it does not exempt us from pain or obstacles.

This Hanukkah will mark 25 years since I became a pastor. Over these two decades, I have experienced powerful moments of anointing and immense joy, but also times of disappointment, frustration, and betrayal. This is a process we all go through. As a pastor, I have watched fellow believers navigate these same rough waters.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that the purpose of this journey is to grow into maturity in Messiah. James echoes this when he urges us to face trials with joy. Interestingly, in Hebrew, the words for trial and temptation share the exact same root as the word for experience – nisayon (ניסיון). Simply put, life is not a picnic; it is a nisayon – a collective experience we bring before God. What matters is approaching Him with love, reverence and gratitude. When we do, everything we have walked through works together for our good.

Prayer Requests for the Congregation and Ministries

Please join us in prayer for the following key areas of our ministry:

Youth Ministry Camp & “Nesher” Project: Our youth are currently in an important season of discipleship. A group of 24 young people (ages 15–18) is preparing for a trip to Norway. They will be visiting many wonderful places and people, and we are praying for a profound, high-quality time of spiritual growth for them.

Humanitarian Projects: We are currently restructuring our congregational outreach initiatives. The Haifa Municipality has reached out to us requesting our assistance. Please pray for wisdom and open doors as we navigate this collaboration.

Congregational Families: Several families within our congregation are walking through exceptionally difficult seasons. Counseling has been completed, and we are now lifting them up in prayer, asking for divine strength, guidance, and heavenly breakthroughs.

I wish you all a wonderful summer. May the peace of God rest upon you and your loved ones.

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