Ten days after Yeshua’s ascension into Heaven, on the Feast of Shavuot also known as Pentecost, His followers gathered in one place in Jerusalem.
Right then and there they received the Holy Spirit and history was changed forever.
Not long after this supernatural event the first community of believers was established in the Holy City.
Yeshua’s disciples were united first and foremost by their God-given mission and vision.
However, the end of chapter 2 in the Book of Acts lays out some defining aspects of how they led their lives.
The passage demonstrates that congregational life was not centered on a weekly meeting, but it functioned more like a family, whose members took part in each other’s lives, serving one another in love.
This standard has been adopted to be the foundation of the Ahavat Yeshua congregation in modern day Jerusalem,
Gathering regularly for worship and prayer, the members of the congregation are concerned also about deepening their relationships, to share struggles and victories, and to study the Word together.
The Ahavat Yeshua (Love of Jesus) congregation was founded on the Feast of Shavuot in 2006, in pursuit of God’s presence and the manifestation of signs and wonders that would soften hard hearts and draw Israelis in to be able to recognize that Yeshua as their Messiah.
Local leaders and founders of the congregation, Asher and Betty Intrater together with Eddie and Jackie Santoro became the first pastors.
Following the pattern of Acts 2, they see the role of the congregation to be ushering Yeshua’s return to reign in Jerusalem by fostering, in unity, an indigenous revival.
Like that first Jerusalem congregation two thousand years ago, Ahavat Yeshua brings together Jews from Israel and the nations, as well as many non-Jews who have come to Jerusalem from around the world and regularly attend the congregation.
The community’s name was chosen to reflect the heart of their ministry – to see Yeshua’s love increasingly manifested as the congregation grows in members and maturity.
Twelve years later, the congregation continues to stand for the simple and direct sharing of the gospel, training disciples, and building altars of prayer and small groups.
It strives to be a base for apostolic and prophetic ministry in the land of Israel.
Learn More: ahavatyeshuajerusalem.org