Back in April 2016 I visited Tony and Kathy Stewart in their home to interview them about the remarkable work they had founded, the Mount Moriah Trust. (Click here to read that interview – and subsequent update). Now a book has just been published, written by Kathy, telling the story in full and bringing it up to date.

Call and vision

In 2001 God called Tony and Kathy to begin the Mount Moriah Trust to help and support needy believers in the land of Israel. Starting with Messianic Jewish believers, their work expanded to include Christian Arabs living in Israel and then in Gaza and the West Bank. The Trust now has links with over thirty congregations to relieve hardship and suffering among believers, both Jewish and Arab.

The books opens with the call that Kathy received in August 2001, which not only gave them the name for the new work but also reassured them that the Lord himself would birth it, which he did nine months later! Without this it might have been tempting to simply join in with an existing organisation doing the same ministry. But the call was clear: “obey me and I will start something new for you to lead”.

Testing and cleansing

Biographical details then follow of Kathy’s upbringing and Christian beginnings. After this comes a chapter explaining the importance of Mount Moriah in Scripture and the significance of Israel in the plans and purposes of God. Kathy also shares how God took her through a period of testing and cleansing, and how her husband, Tony, came to faith and began to have an active role in the ministry, based upon skills he had been using in secular employment.

By 2020 “the Trust passed the significant financial milestone of having sent over £1.5 million to the needy in God’s Land” 

Ongoing journey

The heart of the book is contained in five chapters outlining the Trust’s work from 2002 to 2020, each chapter taking us through a four-year period. It is clear how God has been growing the ministry regularly throughout this time, so that by 2020 “the Trust passed the significant financial milestone of having sent over £1.5 million to the needy in God’s Land” (p.171).

Kathy also explains how this is a true faith ministry. “We visit the pastors and leaders each year and discuss with them their needs and decide with them who needs help and how much we will give. We make a covenant to provide each month for the coming year. We do this without knowing that the finances will be available during that time” (p.179).

One new man in Christ

It is important to stress that the Trust operates without prejudice. It “stands as a true friend to the Jews, Arabs and Palestinians in God’s Land; the ‘One New Man in Christ’” (p.191); Palestinians here referring to Arab believers in Gaza and the West Bank. Secular news broadcasts and political ideologies do not come into their plans, as the Lord made it clear to them to be balanced and not political in their dealings.

The Trust operates without prejudice. It “stands as a true friend to the Jews, Arabs and Palestinians in God’s Land; the ‘One New Man in Christ’

The book contains several delightful stories throughout, but two of the final chapters are specifically dedicated to many testimonies from both pastors and supporters. Several pages of colour photos complete the book, which as a whole is well presented and a pleasure to read. Above all it is a spur to each one of us to think seriously about what we can do for the Lord if we are willing to be obedient to his calling.

‘Go to the Land of Moriah’ (270pp) is published by Freedom Publishing, and is available for £8 (plus £2 p&p) from Mount Moriah Trust