A major part of our ministry focuses on Israel. This is not just our personal choice. Because of the circumstances of our respective callings to the land, as well as living there as long as we have, we know that we have an ongoing call to minister God's heart for Israel, however else the Lord may use us.
Duane's ministry in Israel reaches back to 1982. From then to 2005, he lived there on 7 occasions, up to 1 year at a time. We then lived in Israel for four years. His efforts included preaching, counseling, transportation to and from church services, coordinating social events, and other activities.
Most of this ministry took place at the Narkis Street Congregation in Jerusalem, always his home church while in Israel. He was also active in St. Paul's Fellowship and regularly attended King of Kings Assembly and Christchurch, all in Jerusalem. Wherever he found himself, his overall ministry was to be available for any assistance he could offer--whether that meant preaching, physical work or simply attending services to encourage other believers.
This kind of free-style support was also the basic service Duane and Ruth performed together. Such ministry is vital among the churches of Israel because most of them cannot afford a sizable paid staff. Yet, the need to establish a favorable public image is critical. Since proselytizing is considered illegal in Israel, the church at work and worship may be the only witness heard or seen. Therefore, the need for a wide variety of ministries which are both voluntary and proficient.
Our work centered at the Narkis Street Congregation. Narkis was Duane's home church in Israel since 1982. Ruth became acquainted with Narkis by attending services there during her visits to Israel beginning in 2002.
Duane and Ruth became friends at Narkis in 2004, and were married there in May, 2005. Later, when we left on a preaching mission to Uganda, Africa, Narkis sent us out with the laying on of hands and prayer. After Uganda, when we left for the US, Narkis again sent us out with the laying on of hands and prayer. Narkis Pastoral Team member, Richard Brogden, who performed our wedding, serves as a personal confidant and pastoral advisor for our ministry. We look forward to continued fellowship with this congregation, even as we live in Rochester, NY.
PLEASE PRAY: for protection of Israel and all it's people, especially believers...for the Lord's anointing and open doors to do what He wants us to accomplish...for us to speak only what He is saying...for His heart for the people...for the Lord's provision to meet every need...
Thank you all for partnering with us as the Lord leads.
Duane and Ruth Mayfield
Visit Ruth's View of Israel Blog for current prayer points, and news from a different perspective--updated sometimes daily. http://israelview.wordpress.com
A major part of our ministry focuses on Israel. This is not just our personal choice. Because of the circumstances of our respective callings to the land, as well as living there as long as we have, we know that we have an ongoing call to minister God's heart for Israel, however else the Lord may use us.
