Paul Luckraft reviews ‘Mount Sinai in Arabia’ by Joel Richardson (Winepress, 2019)

Paul Luckraft interviews Tony and Kathy Stewart, Founders and Directors of the Mount Moriah Trust, a non-denominational Christian ministry helping needy believers in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.

The story of how Tony and Kathy founded the Mount Moriah Trust and how it has grown under God's guidance and provision is an inspiring example of obedience leading to fruitfulness. They both testify to how God has prepared them for serving him in this particular ministry and can look back over 15 years of his gracious guidance along every step of the way.

Journey to Faith

Starting in 1972, Tony and Kathy made several visits to Israel as part of Tony's working life -staying for up to three months at a time. Although nominal Christians, neither of them were born again believers, but the place and the people began to impact them. During this time Israel was often at war with its neighbours but somehow they always felt safe – even protected – without quite knowing why!

In 1993 the Lord brought them to himself and they began a spiritual journey, maturing in the faith mainly through Christian conferences and Ellel Ministries. They were also faithful members of a local church, but Replacement Theology was a strong feature there and the Holy Spirit spoke clearly to them about this, making them realise how unbiblical it was. An eventual change of church was an inevitable and necessary step of obedience.

Even before they became Christians, Tony and Kathy were impacted by the place and the people of Israel.

New Impetus in Jerusalem

In 2001 a major change occurred as a new impetus emerged. Kathy felt a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to go to David Hathaway's Fire over Jerusalem conference and while she was there, a chance meeting with a Messianic Jew (who was a taxi driver at her hotel!) opened her eyes to the hardship Jews were facing due to the Second Intifada which had begun the previous year. In addition, Messianic Jews were experiencing persecution and often lost their jobs when it became known that they were believers in Yeshua (Jesus).

On returning home, the Stewarts' first step of obedience was to support this particular believer and his family. After three months, during a time of prayer God told Kathy to start a trust to help needy believers. He assured her that he was birthing this work, and even gave her the name – the Mount Moriah Trust. This was in August 2001; nine months later (28 May 2002) the charity was registered – or, rather, born!

After a chance meeting with a Messianic Jew in Jerusalem, Kathy and Tony became aware that God wanted to birth a bigger project through them: a trust to help needy believers in his Land.

Developing an Approach

They now knew what to do, but not always how to do it! However, Tony found that the experience and skills gained from his working life (he retired in 2005) were now being put to good use in setting up and administering the trust. Ken Burnett of Prayer for Israel became their patron, and they also had the support of their new church which was pro-Israel. But it was still a slow start and it wasn't clear how to operate – until God directed them again!

As a couple they were still providing financial support for the Jerusalem taxi driver and his family, and suddenly they realised that helping families was the way forward. Their focus was to stand alongside believing families and they started with three. With further help from Ken Burnett, contacts were made in Israel and the pattern of working was established – they would work alongside local pastors. This has been their standard method ever since. It is pastors on the ground in Israel who know best the needs of their congregation and how to help them. It would be through them that the financial and spiritual support would be channelled.

At first it was only Messianic Jews who received help, but in 2005 God told them to support Arab believers in Israel also, and pastors in Cana and Nazareth joined the work. This later spread to Palestinian brothers, those in Gaza and the West Bank, as God showed them that when it came to helping Christian believers, there was to be no prejudice. It was to be a balanced operation, like the two arms of a pair of scales. The phrase 'one new man' was impressed upon them as they realised how God wanted to break down walls and barriers.

At first aid was only given to Messianic Jews, but God soon encouraged them to broaden this to include all Christians in the region, Jew or Arab, breaking down barriers.

God Provides!

After this the work grew rapidly. There are now nearly 40 pastors involved in the Trust. Tony and Kathy visit them every year in October/November in order to assess the work. They review the effectiveness of the past year's support and agree with the pastors what they need for the coming year. Tony and Kathy then return home and wait for God to provide! After all that is what God has promised through naming the trust himself – Moriah is the place where he provided the lamb for Abraham to sacrifice (Gen 22:8).

No direct fundraising is necessary. No special appeals are made. Contacts happen as God draws people to the work and under his leading they start to give. Last year £130,000 was raised and it is rising year on year. A total of over one million pounds has now been sent out. Every penny goes to the congregations - nothing is taken out for administration, travel or other costs, which are met privately.

Not only are the agreed needs met each year but there is often something left over to help with emergencies that arise during the year. This is only to be expected - after all, God had given Tony and Kathy a picture of the loaves and fishes, which adorns their logo alongside their motto, 'God provides'.

The story of the Mount Moriah Trust is an inspiring example of obedience leading to fruitfulness, through God's guidance and provision.

Scripture-Based Ministry

God's word has always been a strong motivation for Tony and Kathy, and the ministry has been founded on certain scriptures. "Comfort, comfort my people" (Isa 40:1) was a key word, as were the exhortations of Paul to "share with God's people who are in need" (Rom 12:13) and to "do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers" (Gal 6:10).

The support provided to the elderly, widows, single mums and families is mainly for basic humanitarian needs – food parcels/vouchers, medicines, clothes etc. In recent years the Lord has guided them to support children and youths, ensuring that they have all the books and equipment that they need to get the best education possible, and strengthening their walk with the Lord through sponsoring attendance at summer and winter Bible camps. Helping the next generation to lift themselves out of poverty is seen as a key to the future.

Each step of the way has been guided by God, simply because he planned it from the beginning. Divine appointments keep happening. There are now contacts in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia - plenty to keep Tony and Kathy, God's faithful servants, busy for the rest of their lives! They know there will be more to come – but not knowing exactly how or from where makes this an exciting adventure. God will lead, and they will follow.

Each step of the way has been guided by God, who planned it from the beginning. The future will be an exciting adventure – God will lead and they will follow.

Discover more about the Mount Moriah Trust's work for yourself by visiting their website, mountmoriah.org.uk. Contact Tony and Kathy via the site if you would like to be sent resources to share with others. You can also sign up to receive regular newsletters and invite Tony and Kathy to speak in your area.

Or explore their YouTube channel, where you can listen to some of the local pastors speaking, as well as view the Mount Moriah Trust DVD entitled 'The Heart of God'.