Fifteen years ago, a man named Tommy Waller took his family and went to Israel to help an Orthodox Jewish farmer plant, prune and harvest his vineyard. He had no idea that he was starting a worldwide movement. Today, thousands of Christians from all over the world have joined the movement, and farmers all over Israel have benefited from volunteers’ labor of love in their fields.
HaYovel began as one family from middle Tennessee assisting one Jewish farmer in Samaria (incorrectly known as the West Bank). 15 years later, our mission remains the same – to serve Israel’s farmers. The movement, however, has expanded to allow Christians from all over the world to deepen their faith in the biblical heartland, experience Israel’s land and people through hands-on service, and become a direct ambassador on behalf of Israel to their home country.
Since HaYovel’s inception in 2004, 3,000 Christians from 30 countries have come to Judea and Samaria to volunteer their time and resources and to provide quality work and hearts of love – a love that has not been seen for the last 2,000 years. Through simply serving, they are working to reverse centuries of horrific persecution that was done in the name of Christianity. Through service, they declare their belief in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and their belief that the covenant that God made with Abraham is still valid today.
These are the countries that our volunteers have come from:
- United States
- Great Britain
- Scotland
- Ireland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Denmark
- France
- Spain
- Malta
- United Arab Emirates
- South Africa
- Germany
- Austria
- Finland
- Latvia
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- India
- Canada
- Peru
- Guadalupe
- Venezuela
- Bolivia
- Columbia
- Japan
- South Korea
- Bulgaria
In 2019, we had 223 volunteers come to Israel to serve Israeli farmers by pruning, planting and harvesting vineyards all throughout Judea and Samaria. We also hosted hundreds more people from the nations on the Mount of Blessing, including 300 people on a tour with Rabbi Jonathan Cahn, bestselling author and noted speaker in the U.S.
In 2019, we also helped harvest nectarines in the Golan Heights (recently recognized as under Israel’s sovereignty by President Donald Trump), planted trees on the Mt. of Blessing (Samaria) and Bat Ayin (Judea), and helped with countless other projects throughout Israel. All together, we were able to serve 11 farmers in 2019.
As we close 2019, and look forward to the year ahead, we are seeing 20/20 vision ahead. 2019 was a year of much growth, organization, planning and restructuring. Internally, we went through vigorous training in organizational structure, spiritual growth and leadership and business development. We clarified our vision and mission statement, re-ordered our priorities, and narrowed our Israel vision to a focused beam.
As we prepare for the new year, we are feeling that there is exponential growth on the road ahead. Pruning 2020 is already packed out (submit your application ASAP to reserve your spot), and we are working on a number of brand new projects that we plan to launch in 2020. Here’s just a sampling of what is on our plate for 2020:
- Greening Israel Project – Phase 1 & potentially Phase 2:
- Phase 1: tree plantings and reforestation throughout Samaria
- Phase 2: graze livestock in deserted areas to restore land, trees, wildlife and water sources
- Day in the Heartland Events: one day volunteer events in the heartland.
- Weekend in the Heartland: four day volunteer programs in the heartland.
- Book projects: We are currently working on 3-4 book projects, putting together what we have learned in Israel over the last 15 years.
The above is just the start of what we know God has in store for 2020. We would like to invite you to join us. The world is turning against Israel, and at the same time, Christians are experiencing turmoil in their own faith as confusion prevails. Aligning with Israel not only gives the opportunity to serve as our Messiah said to serve, but it also grounds you in your faith, providing clarity and vision as you pull away from the world for an experience in Israel like none other.
Will you stand with Israel in this next year and experience 2020 vision for your life? HaYovel has three ways for you to get involved with our ministry:
- Come – volunteer in Israel, and deepen your faith like you never have before.
- Donate – we only have a few days left in our end of year fundraising campaign, and all donations are being matched 4X for quadruple the impact! Give here now.
- Pray – Psalm 122 says to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This is our mandate.
Our invitation stands – align yourself with Israel, and experience God’s 20/20 vision in this next year of your life.
