In the fight against terror, CityServe International is making clear that help is on the way for the people of Israel. That’s the message from CityServe International, the global church-based humanitarian network headquartered in Bakersfield, California.
CityServe International and its CityServe Israel affiliate announced the kickoff of “Operation: Save Israel,” a major global relief initiative whose first phase will include the assembly, shipment, and distribution of thousands of prepackaged meals and clothing for anyone in need, including civilians and members of the Israeli armed services.
“The ready-to-eat meals are just the beginning,” said CityServe co-founder and CEO Dave Donaldson. “Modeled after our ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine, we’re launching Operation: Save Israel with one goal in mind: showing solidarity with the people of Israel in their desperate hour of need.”
The meal distributions and other relief initiatives will take place at CityServe’s extensive network of churches within the Holy Land, synagogues, and other partners in the region. Relief supplies and services will be offered to Jews as well as Arab citizens, who comprise Israel’s largest ethnic minority.
“This entire region is in crisis,” said CityServe Israel Director Uri Steinberg. “We’re still in disbelief. Entire communities have been decimated, families torn apart, neighborhoods are in mourning, soldiers have mobilized and gone off to war.”
“It’s the worst crisis in Israel since its establishment, 75 years ago,” Steinberg added. “We’re going to do everything we possibly can to help bind up the brokenhearted and give hope and a helping hand to the people of Israel.”
Operation: Save Israel will build on and amplify the P.E.A.C.E. plan that CityServe Israel launched earlier in 2023 entailing:
Prayer – Inspiring and equipping people around the globe to pray for Israel.
- Education - Hosting tours to Holy Land, online training, etc.
- Advocacy – Standing up for the rights of Israel in Washington, D.C.
- Compassion - Equipping, resourcing, and mobilizing churches, synagogues & partnering organizations to renew Israeli communities.
- Economic Development - Assisting under resourced Holy Land communities.
Now amidst the realities of war, CityServe Israel’s P.E.A.C.E plan will be rapidly scaled up to aid those in urgent need of help, hope and restoration, while strategic development of a long term plan to bless Holy Land communities continues.
CityServe has undertaken a series of high-profile compassion initiatives recently, both in the United States and abroad. In response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, CityServe has delivered over 2 million meals, provided hundreds of electric generators to ease the power shortages, and recently opened a new family center to help heal the traumatic impact the war has had on veterans, seniors, mothers, and children.
CityServe is a collaborative network of churches and community leaders who help those in need live better lives. CityServe empowers the local church to fulfill its purpose to overcome despair and transform lives by resourcing them with tangible goods and capacity building. CityServe brings the church to the table to address community challenges by offering long-lasting relationships that lead to transformation and has been designated a “Community of Faith and Opportunity” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.