The words “He was moved with compassion” seemed to leap on the page. I had read, heard, and probably told the New Testament stories many times in many translations of the Bible, but that day, my focus shifted to those five words. Then I read the passage again, and the catalyst of the emotion got my attention – “He saw.” Woven into the stories of the widow whose son had died, the lepers, the multitudes, the blind men, and even in those of the prodigal and the good Samaritan – the pattern was the same. Throughout His ministry and even on the cross, Jesus modeled what it means to see individuals in their need and respond with compassion and action. In moments of hunger, illness, or despair, He didn’t just see the need or the circumstance—He saw the person, and compassion drove Him to heal, restore, and provide.
We don’t have to look far to see people in need, but do we SEE them? Truth be told, we sometimes get busy and distracted or wrapped up in our lives and become blinded to those we encounter daily. The needs can be so great, so many, and so overwhelming that weariness sets in. The danger of being so inundated with a barrage of information and bad news is that we can become either crippled with fear or simply desensitized. All of these have the potential to paralyze us and cause us to do nothing. Even if I am aware of needs and my heart is stirred, my human capacity for compassion can be depleted, especially if I am trying to act in my own strength.
The good news is that the Lord’s compassions do not fail, they are new every morning, and in Him we have hope (Lamentations 3). It is the daily turning to the Lord, asking Holy Spirit to awaken our soul, open our eyes, and fan into flame the embers of compassion again and to give the wisdom, courage, and anointing to show His love and mercy.
My mother-in-law, who recently turned 90, is a tender reminder that the ministry of care starts at home. This incredible woman served in many capacities alongside her husband in ministry at multiple levels of church leadership for the entirety of their marriage. Even after she became a widow, she continued to serve, teaching classes on grief and volunteering at a local nonprofit that works with people in need. When family members gather for holidays and celebrations favorite memories are often shared of the selfless ways she has served her family throughout the years. Whether it was as simple as a cold washcloth and cup of water given when a child was ill, the way she nurtured and cared for her grandchildren, the safe and loving home where we were welcomed and loved, and even the kindness she expresses to those who married into the family, we are always assured Mary is covering us in prayer.
The Lord equips us to care, as shown in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
This has been true for those I serve alongside. The heart of Church of God Ministry to Israel has always been a desire to see people—truly see them—and meet the need of the one the Lord puts in front of us with love and care. From the Holocaust survivor struggling to make ends meet to the immigrant family trying to adjust to life in a new homeland, the needs that walk through the door are varied. But every person represents a unique story and a life that deserves to be seen.
One of the people on the front line of our work in Israel, Ira Lukomsky, has been with MTI for 22 years and now serves as administrator of our Centers in Israel. She is a prime example of the passage in 2 Corinthians. Her journey and testimony have equipped her to see the person clearly and sincerely be moved with compassion. From her personal experience of being the mother of a chronically ill child, she says, “When I hear the story of a sick child, I know why I have gone through what I have – so I can feel the pain of the mother or the family.” As a new immigrant, Ira knows first-hand the difficulties that experience can present, but she remembers the help and love she received from Christians, and how it lifted her up. When parents of autistic children come to one of the Centers, she has a lot of compassion, but also knowledge of how to help, what is required, where to go, and who to talk to. It is not only the compassion that matters but also having the tools to do something about it – giving back the same comfort God has given to us.
Since the horrific events in Israel on October 7, 2023, our team has jumped into action, providing immediate aid wherever doors opened, and they have not stopped. Every day requires the compassions that the Lord promises. It’s been well over a year; rockets and drones continue to fly from surrounding nations. Many families whose communities were destroyed and those who were evacuated from their homes and sent to hotels in other parts of the country are still displaced. Hostages are still being held, and people live with the underlying fear of another invasion. It’s the stuff nightmares are made of. It is a time of unprecedented and unimaginable circumstances. War still rages, anti- Semitism is increasing worldwide, and people are living with the fallout of this current war. The needs are great, but God is greater. We cannot grow weary in well-doing.
A year ago, we had four Support Centers throughout Israel; now we have seven and a mobile office. While some people would hunker down and hide, our crew there has not stopped. Even while caring for their own families and dealing with all the challenges these times have sent their way; they keep moving forward. They are providing not just practical assistance; they offer a listening ear, a warm embrace, and hope that only comes from the Lord.
Our mobile office set up in a hotel in Eilat recently to help needy families in that area. They offered practical things like financial help, bedding, kitchen supplies, clothes, food vouchers, and more. We know the big things matter, but the small stuff often brings a smile or a laugh. One mom said, “My daughter’s joy in finding shoes is truly priceless.” These events are a huge encouragement. Tears and words of thankfulness flow as they discover there are Christians who love and pray for them and that there is a God that loves them. The words of Jesus in Matthew 25:40 remind us, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Donna Fisher is the Administrator for Church of God Ministry to Israel, where she has served for over 31 years. An ordained minister, she was formerly International Girls Club Coordinator and Media Ministries Coordinator. A preacher’s kid, she is married to another preacher’s kid, Cameron Fisher. They have two children and two grandchildren.
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