Overlooking Nazareth: God’s Faithfulness Across Generations

Описание: Overlooking Nazareth: God’s Faithfulness Across Generations

There are moments when the Lord gently reminds us why we serve Him—not through great noise or spectacle, but through quiet faithfulness, obedience, and love passed from one generation to the next.

Recently, my son Suleiman—many of you know him as Solomon—and I stood together on the Mount of Precipice, overlooking the city of Nazareth. From that place, you can see the homes, the streets, and the daily life of this city where Jesus grew up. It is a powerful reminder that God works His eternal purposes through ordinary lives surrendered to Him.

As we stood there together, we shared a simple conversation. Yet for me, as a father and as a pastor, it was a holy moment—one that spoke of God’s faithfulness across generations.

Solomon was raised in a Christian home. His mother and I taught him the stories of the Bible from a young age. At first, he heard them because we told them. But as he grew older and learned to read and write, something shifted. He began reaching for a Bible on his own, taking one from the church shelves and reading it for himself.

That hunger did not come from pressure or obligation. It came from encounter.

As Solomon continued reading, his faith grew steadily. The Word of God became alive to him, shaping his heart and drawing him closer to Jesus. When he was eleven years old, he came to me and said he wanted to be baptized in the Jordan River. He understood what it meant—to go down into the water and rise again, symbolizing new life in Christ.

That day remains one of the most meaningful moments of my life—not only as a pastor, but as a father.

Faith that is real always finds expression through service. Over time, Solomon felt a desire to serve in the church. He began helping with the sound system, even though he had no experience at all. He learned step by step. He made mistakes. He kept improving. Today, he is responsible for the sound system, microphones, speakers, broadcasting—almost everything behind the scenes that allows others to hear the Word of God and worship freely.

Much of this work happens quietly. But God sees it.

During the COVID season, when churches around the world were forced to close their doors, we faced a difficult moment. We obeyed the law and put the church on lockdown—but we knew the Gospel could not be locked down. At that time, Solomon had just begun his studies in software engineering, and together we sensed that the Lord was opening a new door.

It was just the two of us working on the technical aspects in the church building—father and son. No cameras. No equipment. No experience. We started live-streaming using a simple smart phone, trusting the Lord. Step by step, God helped us grow. Today, by His grace, we broadcast with multiple cameras, reaching families through Facebook and even through Cross TV. What began in simplicity has become a powerful tool to share the message of Jesus far beyond Nazareth.

Solomon has now graduated as a software engineer, but his heart remains the same. His desire is not only to use his skills, but to serve God wholeheartedly. That is why he also helps at our Humanitarian Aid Center—serving people in need and showing them the love of Jesus in practical ways.

Standing together on the Mount of Precipice, overlooking this city, I was reminded that Nazareth once rejected Jesus—and yet His message went on to change the world. Today, that same Gospel is still alive, still powerful, and still being carried forward by the next generation.

This is our prayer: that our children would not simply grow up around faith, but grow deep in faith. That they would not only inherit the church, but become living witnesses of Christ. That they would serve with humility, love the Word of God, and use every gift God has given them for His Kingdom.

Thank you, dear friends, for standing with us. Your prayers and partnership are helping shape lives, families, and futures here in Nazareth. Together, we are witnessing God’s faithfulness—one generation at a time.

With love and gratitude,
Pastor Saleem Shalash

homejtk.org / jtk-israel.org

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