Kobi Ferguson originally from the U.S. moved to Israel over 25 years ago after marrying native-born Israeli Shani Sorko-Ram, the grand-daughter of well known evangelical leaders, Gordon and Freda Lindsay, founders of Christ for the Nations. Now their 18-year-old daughter, Illit, who is a worship leader throughout Israel, leaves her home in Jerusalem to serve in the IDF.
“This is part of life in Israel for everyone,” Ferguson said. “Serving your country is a rite of passage, an honor and a duty.”
As Messianic Jews, Maoz has experienced what it means to be attacked, snubbed, and treated poorly because of their faith. Ferguson said they also know that traditional efforts of sharing their faith are not the answer in Israel. They have found others to be more curious and responsive about their faith when they lead with love, helping in real, tangible, and lasting ways.
Illit, born and raised in Israel, has traveled the world with her parents, leads worship in front of 1000s of teens, and is spending every spare minute before she leaves writing and recording worship songs with the Maoz Israel Music record label. Sharing her love for Yeshua is a huge part of who she is, and she sees her service with the IDF as on opportunity to share God’s love with other soldiers.
Kobi and Shani Ferguson lead Maoz Israel Ministries, an Israeli Messianic Jewish non-profit organization founded in 1976 by Shani’s parents and based in Jerusalem, with branches in eight other countries. Their main goal is to reach Israel with the Good News of Messiah Yeshua, with a network of over 100 congregations across the country. They also offer humanitarian aid and translate Bibles and Faith-based books into Hebrew.
After the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks, Maoz launched the War Relief Fund, taking on the following projects:
- Supporting schools for the children from villages that were terrorized & displaced
- Humanitarian aid for refugees and civilians
- Extensive supplies given to the IDF reservists rushing to war
- Financial support to the families left behind
- Aiding a refugee center set up in a school in Nazareth
- Taking teams to harvest crops of devastated farmers so there will be food in Israel
“Israel needs not only material support but also spiritual encouragement. We see this as a unique opportunity to share God’s love and be the hands and feet of Yeshua,” Ferguson added.
Ferguson and the Maoz team are receiving a deluge of positive inquiries and questions about their faith from members of the Israel Defense Forces as well as Government leaders. They truly want to know why this organization is doing so much to help Israel.
Ferguson notes, “They want to know more about Messianic Jews and what we believe.”
Since the war, Maoz has also been able to make a huge difference helping those displaced by the attacks on southern communities, supplying the troops, and helping set up schools for children impacted by the terrorist attacks. This love in action has created a huge shift.
And now, the Fergusons are sending their beloved daughter Illit to the IDF, to serve the nation, and more than that, to be a light. “We’re praying for her safety,” Kobi Ferguson said. “We feel honored and blessed that she’s going in.”
About Maoz Israel Ministries:
A Messianic Jewish Israeli organization, Maoz Israel Ministries, based in Israel, exists to make believers strong in the Land. “We are on a mission to reach every Israeli—Jew and Arab—with the truth of the Gospel by any means possible and empowering believers in the Land to thrive.”