Camp Gilgal: Investing in the Next Generation of Jews for Jesus

“They surrounded me, called me ‘dirty Jew,’ and then they beat me up.”

This did not happen in Nazi-occupied Europe. It happened in Switzerland, just a few years ago—to a girl named Shoshi, a child of Jewish believers in Jesus.

Shoshi’s parents sought help from the school and were told, “Well, there is not much we can do … and anyway, if Israel wasn’t attacking Palestinian children, you wouldn’t have this problem, would you?” When they went to their minister for support they were told, “Well, you’re not really Jewish anymore are you?”

Feeling unsafe at school and misunderstood at church, Shoshi did what many in her shoes might have done: she walked away from the Lord—at least for a while. Nonetheless, Shoshi remembered a good experience she’d had at Jews for Jesus Camp Gilgal, where faith in Jesus and Jewish identity were both affirmed: Joshua Turnil had sung a biblical blessing over her and the other children. She’d recorded it on her phone and sometimes listened to it in the midst of dark places. It brought a little light into Shoshi’s heart, as God watered the gospel seeds that she had received as a camper.

Eventually, Joshua had the privilege of seeing Shoshi turn to Jesus and also baptizing her. He also officiated at her wedding to a young Christian man whom she had led to the Lord! We praise God for the work He has done in Shoshi’s life and in the lives of so many other Jewish children—thanks to help from friends like you. As part of our special Jubilee outreaches, we did a Camp Gilgal France program—look for your full capstone outreach report in our September newsletter!