What We Plant Today Will Stand Tomorrow

by Aaron Abramson, Executive Director and CEO

Even in times of uncertainty, God is at work.

Across Israel, families have been facing fears they can’t always explain, some driven by new waves of conflict in the Middle East, others by the uncertainty of daily life. Parents seek to comfort their children. Hearts are crying out: for peace, for hope, for answers. And even when the world feels fragile, one truth remains: the faithfulness of God does not waver.

We are witnessing how vital it is to pass down the hope of Messiah, not just through sermons, but through lives lived boldly for Jesus. When circumstances shake us, it is the faith planted in past generations that becomes a lifeline for the present one. And what we sow today will bear fruit for those who come after us.

The Shema, one of the most cherished prayers in Jewish life, is recited daily in synagogues around the world. Taken from Deuteronomy 6:4–9 and 11:13–21 and Numbers 15:37–41, it calls us to not only love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and strength, but also to “teach [these words] diligently to your children.” From the beginning, God’s covenant has been generational. It was never just about us – it’s about those who come after us. This is the heart of l’dor vador – “from generation to generation.”

At Jews for Jesus, we’ve seen this lived out: faith passed down, lives transformed, leaders raised up. But none of it happens overnight. Like the mustard seed Jesus spoke of in Matthew 13, this work often begins small. Yet over time, it grows into something that provides shelter, fruit, and life for others.

Though it is the smallest of all seeds, when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches. (Matthew 13:32 NIV)

Because of God’s faithfulness and because his people have carried his message with steadfast hope, we’ve watched that mustard seed flourish – and not just into a tree but into a forest.

One story begins in 1989 with Laura Barron, one of our first international missionaries. She moved to South Africa in obedience to God’s call and met four Jewish families in Namibia, all followers of Yeshua. One young woman, Nici, stood out. She was focused on her career, not ministry, but Laura saw something deeper. Over time, Nici sensed God’s call, joined our staff, married one of our missionaries, and began a life in gospel service.

Years later, Nici discipled a 14-year-old girl named Rebekah. Today, Rebekah Rood leads our Youth & Family Ministry and has even mentored the children of both Nici and Laura. Their legacy has become a living testimony that God’s covenant faithfulness is not bound by borders – or broken by war.

This is what generational faithfulness looks like: one life impacting another and then another. It’s a legacy of love, discipleship, and the unstoppable work of God through willing hearts.

In uncertain times, the legacy of faith becomes even more vital. The world may feel fragile, but the hope we have in Messiah is not. That’s why we press on. That’s why we continue to invest in young leaders, strengthen families, and share the gospel in places where people are longing for more than answers. They’re longing for hope.

Even when the future feels unclear, we keep planting mustard seeds. We believe that the smallest acts of faith today, especially in times of intense hardship, can grow into strength and refuge for generations to come.

Thank you for helping carry this mission forward. When you pray, give, or stand with us, you’re not just supporting a ministry. Instead, you’re helping raise up a generation of believers who will remain rooted in faith and be prepared to stand firm, no matter what tomorrow holds.