Living in Jerusalem as a Christian today | with Lynn Rosenberg

Stephanie welcomes Lynn Rosenberg, an American Bible teacher and non-profit founder living in Jerusalem. Lynn is also married to Joel Rosenberg, a NYT bestselling author who's been featured on Gospel Spice before. Lynn tells us what it’s like to live in Jerusalem today – and what it’s been like since October 7, 2023. Lynn’s story is a testament to faith enduring through turbulence, the importance of spiritual and practical community, and the power of everyday obedience. Her journey challenges us to find courage, unity, and hope in Christ, to love sacrificially, and to embrace the unique callings God has set before us—whatever our context may be.

Listen to the conversation here: https://www.podcastics.com/episode/386975/link/ 
Or grab it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/gospelspice 

Lynn Rosenberg’s journey begins with her upbringing in New Jersey in a church-going but not deeply faith-rooted family. Her personal faith ignited at Syracuse University, where she met both her husband, Joel, and Christ. From early on, Lynn and Joel felt called to cross-cultural missions, particularly with a heart for Israel, inspired by Joel’s Jewish background and Lynn’s close friendships with Jewish neighbors.

After years of preparation and service in Washington, D.C., they moved to Israel 11 years ago with their four sons. They became Israeli citizens, and transitioned to life in Israel to fulfill their call to ministry.

The Israeli culture, while appearing Western, is deeply Middle Eastern, characterized by tribal mentalities, bureaucracy, and a need to assert oneself daily. Navigating systems, integrating children into small believing communities, and language barriers all proved significant challenges. Church community, both Israeli and international, became a lifeline for practical and spiritual support, nurturing friendships and communal prayer.

Lynn recounts the days surrounding October 7, 2023—a day that marked unprecedented violence and upheaval in Israel. Despite a sense of increasing peace before the attack, the reality of war shattered normalcy. With sirens wailing, families hunkered down in bomb shelters, and friends on the frontlines.

The Joshua Fund, the nonprofit organization Lynn and Joel founded, rapidly mobilized, prioritizing humanitarian aid particularly for vulnerable populations near the Gaza border. Believers displayed extraordinary courage, continuing to deliver aid even under rocket fire, standing as beacons of light in darkness.

A central focus of the Joshua Fund is supporting both Israel and her neighbors—including Arab Israelis and Palestinians. By investing in local churches, training, and humanitarian aid, they work to build unity and break down suspicion. The war has intensified collaboration among denominations, bringing unprecedented unity, generosity, and boldness among believers. Despite barriers, including limited access to Christians in Gaza, the Joshua Fund continues to support those in need, relying on partnerships and prayer.

Personally, Lynn highlights the importance of seeking God’s will daily and recognizing that each day holds prepared “good works” for us to walk in. She encourages abiding in prayer and Scripture, trusting God’s sovereignty amidst uncertainty, and fostering radical hospitality and simple, loving neighborliness.

For the next generation, she underscores the vital need for biblical wisdom and discernment, especially in an era of increasing complexity and deception. Simplifying faith to loving God and loving one’s neighbor becomes both a countercultural and effective response.

MORE ABOUT THE JOSHUA FUND

https://joshuafund.com/

In this famous passage from the book of Genesis, the Lord promised to bless those who bless the children of Abraham and curse those who curse them. In Matthew 19:19, Jesus instructed His followers to “love your neighbor as yourself.” In Matthew 5:44, Jesus told His disciples to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus exhorted His followers to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, care for strangers, clothe the naked, care for those who are sick, and visit those in prison.

Seeking to obey these biblical commands, the Rosenbergs established a non-profit educational and charitable organization that works closely with Jewish and Christian allies in Israel and the Middle East, as well as Christian allies around the world.

 As an educational organization, The Joshua Fund has sought to engage Christians globally about God's love and plan for Israel and her neighbors. The Joshua Fund has:

Led multiple prayer and vision trips to Israel.

Organized conferences, retreats, and seminars about the epicenter for Christians in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Addressed millions of people globally through TV, radio, video, print, and the web.

Built relationships with government, business, and religious leaders.

As a charitable organization, The Joshua Fund has worked in Israel to:

Enable key support to help advance major media evangelistic efforts taking place in Israel - in both Hebrew and Arabic languages.

Provide outreach celebrations, Holiday parties, and other key projects to share the Gospel among Arabic and Hebrew speakers.

Fund Youth events to enable the teaching of the Bible in both Hebrew and Arabic – in Israel & the West Bank.

Sponsor evangelistic bus tours of Biblical sites for unbelievers.

Support key evangelistic workers sharing their faith in Israel & the West Bank – in Hebrew, Arabic, Russian and Amharic languages.

Enable evangelistic sports ministry & outreach.

 Support vital Arabic language, long term Gospel outreach, ministry, and discipleship from home-to-home throughout villages and cities in the Galilee.

Fund Bible teaching and Gospel Radio Broadcasting in Arabic throughout the West Bank.

Sponsor Biblical education efforts for Israelis in Hebrew & Arabic languages

Provide long-term outreach and care being supported among Bedouin populations in Israel

Provide an expositional Bible study and teaching seminar.

Provide food to individuals and families in severe need.

Provide food for Holocaust survivors.

Provide care for the elderly.

Help protect and care for unwed mothers and their unborn children.

Provide medical help for children needing open-heart surgery.

The Joshua Fund has also worked in the Palestinian Territories, as well as in Israel's neighboring countries to:

Fund life-sustaining heart surgeries for Arab children through a regional ministry partner.

Assist local ministries that provide food and spiritual support for hundreds of refugee families in neighboring nations through a local Christian humanitarian relief organization.

Host retreats and Bible teaching conferences throughout the Middle East for pastors, ministry leaders, and their spouses.

Fund women’s Bible conferences and discipleship programs for those marginalized by violence.

Facilitate the distribution of Arabic and other local language Bibles throughout the region. This number has exceeded 40,000.

Conduct women’s ministry activities with those coming out of a religious background and new believers in the region.

Fund the production and broadcast of Evangelical programs for Arab satellite television.

Invest in supplemental support for pastors, evangelists, and gospel workers throughout the Middle East.

Support and provide Bible school scholarships for students from a religious background.

Assist with support for local evangelistic outreaches in war-ravaged areas throughout the Epicenter.

Help local Believers in establishing church planting efforts in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq.

Support efforts to reach the Majority people group by way of Bible teaching, discipleship, and mentoring.

Establish the first-ever legally-sanctioned Christian radio station in northern Iraq, owned and operated by Iraqi Christians.

Help build a ministry training center in Iraq, run by Iraqi Christians.

Provide food and relief supplies to Muslims and persecuted Christians.

Distribute New Testaments and the Jesus film in Arabic and other languages to Muslims.