Standing with Israel
Missionary Jim Melnick shares ways students can do mission work in Israel
TEACH — Jim Melnick taught students about doing missions with Russian Messianic Jews.
Photo Credit: Michela Diddle
The Liberty University Stand with Israel club started off the new semester Tuesday, Jan. 31 by welcoming Jim Melnick, a missionary who had the opportunity to talk about his many years of experience in the field and the ways that Liberty students can get involved in mission work in Israel.
“Having Mr. Melnick with us for our kickoff event of the semester was an opportunity that we did not want to miss out on,” cultural advocate of Stand with Israel Melissa Robertson said.
“He has such a unique skill set, set of experiences and perspective that we were really eager to hear from.”
Jim Melnick served as a Russian analyst in the United States before starting an organization that seeks to reach Israelis with the message of the gospel.
Melnick is also the current president of Russian Jewry Inc., which is the Russian Jewish ministry arm of Life in Messiah International.
Melnick also contributes to Coordinate Hope, which serves as a network of individuals and ministries that reach out to Hasidic Jewish communities with the gospel.
“(Melnick) is just linked in with so many different opportunities on such a broad spectrum,” treasurer of Stand with Israel Keith Jennings said.
“We really wanted to link our members in with Melnick today and show them that there are so many different opportunities and options out there to become involved.”
Melnick opened with the story of how he was called to Jewish ministry in his senior year of college.
Melnick said that up until that point he had never met a Jewish believer and was intrigued when he heard one was coming to speak at a Christian club
on his college campus.
“I don’t remember anything he said that day — all I do remember is that I was astonished,” Melnick said.
“I left and prayed to God, ‘Make me a blessing to these people, and may I be blessed by them,’ and then that was it. It changed my life completely.”
Melnick explained that from that point on, God brought him to all kinds of opportunities and experiences.
After earning his degree in Russian studies and meeting his future wife, Kathy, Melnick witnessed God slowly doing small things and answering his prayers of working with the Jewish people.
“At that point I knew I wanted to serve, but I didn’t know where God would place me,” Melnick said.
Melnick later heard about a Russian Messianic Jew that was going to speak at a local fundraising event.
Melnick and Kathy attended the event together and immediately felt God’s presence there.
Melnick expressed that he began to shake at the man’s words and immediately knew what the Lord was calling him to that night.
Melnick spoke about a number of organizations he has been involved with as a missionary to the Russian Messianic Jews.
“How do you get involved with mission work in Israel? Pray,” Melnick said.
“Please pray for the people doing this ministry and pray for the opportunity to work alongside them if you feel called to.”
Melnick talked specifically about First Fruits, an organization that works with young believers in Israel and equips them with advice on how to start and maintain a business.
First Fruits has exploded in the last four years and has made quite an impact in the lives of believers in Israel because of the lack of believer-run businesses in Israel.
“Israel is a closed-door country,” Liberty Professor Dr. J. Randall Price said.
“I think building into the believing community in Israel through these organizations is the strongest and most effective way for the gospel to be heard. The Stand with Israel club teaches students about this so they, in turn, can help support these organizations in the future.”
Liberty University’s Stand with Israel club is a student-run, international affairs centered club that focuses on spreading interest for Israel and its people through education aimed at Liberty’s student body.
The club also strives to empower students to let their voices be heard and to be diligent when fighting for what matters to them.
“We, as the members of Stand with Israel, desire to make Israel strong and educate people as to the validity of arguments that concern Israel,” Jennings said.
“We want to grow the relationship between Americans and Israelis and do that through educating future leaders here at Liberty.”
According to the president of Stand with Israel, Erica Tomlin, the club was started in 2005 as a way to educate students on the unique relationship between the United States and Israel.
Stand with Israel’s main goal is to educate students on why they should support Israel’s political, cultural and biblical viewpoints and decisions.
“This semester we are really trying to focus on our foundation,” Jennings said.
“We would like to build our foundation and our overall mission focus so that (we) can come back in the coming years with a more distinct presence.”
“We’ve just recently revamped the structure of the club,” Robertson said.
“We’ve expanded it in terms of focus. We are no longer just focusing on political aspects anymore, but biblical and cultural aspects as well.”
Stand with Israel has a variety of opportunities planned for the semester for students to come out and enjoy.
A hummus-making class is set for the last week in February, and the club will also be involved with the Judaic Studies museum’s Passover presentation in March.
“There’s definitely a lot to look forward to this semester, and we would love for any interested to come and join us at any one of our events,” Robertson said.
For more information on Stand with Israel, go to facebook.com/LibertySWI or email luswi@liberty.edu.