Thank you for your faithful support of Israel through Israel Affairs International.  This has been an eventful year for our family and ministry, with my father, Dr. Gerald Derstine, graduating to his heavenly home and eternal reward at age 93.  What a glorious Celebration of Life we had here at Christian Retreat on March 27, 2022. 

and the vision expands as we transition to the next generation.  I have walked alongside my father in ministry my entire life, together with others of our family and a dedicated Christian staff.  His love for Israel was very real, and he passed that legacy on to us. Dad’s longtime assistant, Laura Upleger, still serves with IAI.  We are committed to advancing the Kingdom of God until our Messiah Jesus sets foot again on the Mount of Olives, entering Jerusalem through the Golden Gate as prophesied.  Until then, we continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and preach the Gospel of salvation, healing, and deliverance through Jesus our Messiah, through the power of the Holy Spirit.   

Recently, in Israel, we rejoiced in the marriage union of Maurice Sklar and Carolyn Hinton, both dear ministry friends of ours who lost their lifelong spouses last year.  Carolyn Hinton has a home here at Christian Retreat, and 20 years ago founded a House of Prayer in Galilee, Israel, where she and her husband Daniel lived and ministered to the Lord and precious Israeli people.  Maurice Sklar, known for his prophetic ministry and extraordinary violin, traveled the world and often to Christian Retreat with his wife Devorah.  Both Maurice and Carolyn are dearly loved and now, combining their ministries, will continue sharing the love of Yeshua at the House of Prayer and throughout the world.

We had an outstanding celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles last month.   The colorful pageantry of worship flags, Davidic dance, nightly blowing the shofars and lighting the menorah, all created an atmosphere of high worship and praise.  We heard from prophetic teachers Jonathan Cahn, Paul Wilbur, Ben Smith, and Worship music from Elihana Elia, Janet Shell, Claren McQueen, and many others, including a large delegation from Bahamas. You can access these powerful services online by going to our website, christianretreat.org, and clicking on “Watch.”

Christian Retreat is a place to experience God’s Presence and meet with the Lord.  You’ll find peace and rest for your soul as you approach the throne of God with a desire to draw closer to Him.  Here’s another promise: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”  As the world seems to fall deeper into darkness, the people of God are arising in the Glory of the Lord!

Please send me your greatest prayer request this month.  I will take it to our 24 hr. Prayer Room for daily intercession. Let’s stand together in these perilous times and “all the more as we see the Day approaching.”  (Hebrews 10:25)

P.S.  I’d like to give you a CD or DVD copy of my father, Gerald Derstine’s last public message, delivered this past January at the Homecoming Revival Fire Panel Discussion.  I hope it stirs your heart to pray and believe for a great Last Day’s Revival!