God’s servants need renewal and refreshment. Matt Kearney ’13, a graduate from Olivet Nazarene University’s Department of Communication, is no exception. For nine days in March 2018, he walked where Jesus walked and immersed himself in the history of our Christian faith. “This was like taking a seminary-level Bible class,” Matt says.
While in Bethlehem, he helped lead a men’s breakfast, a youth outreach program and a dinner outreach with a Palestinian Christian church. “We were told that a number of Muslims came, despite receiving threats,” Matt says. “We were only allowed to share the gospel in a church facility and within the context of our personal stories. More than 200 people decided to follow Christ. Some risked their lives to do so!”
He also worshiped at that same Christian church later in the week. According to the Israeli government information Matt received, out of almost 9 million people in Israel, only 1.5 percent are Christian. Even fewer are evangelical Christians. “It was powerful to hear the praises of Jesus in Arabic and English,” he says. “We heard testimonies of Christians who have been brutally persecuted for their faith. The service was broadcast across the Middle East.”
One of the most powerful historical moments for Matt was when he stood atop the archaeological ruins of King David’s Old Jerusalem. He saw the Kidron Valley and the Mount of Olives. Jesus would have crossed this valley with his disciples to go to the Garden of Gethsemane.
He was surprised to learn that Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth is no longer a small village. In Caesarea, he gave a devotional on Acts 10. This is the place where the very first Gentiles became followers of Jesus.
“It was truly an honor to be in Israel,” Matt says. “Reading the Scriptures aloud to our team at all the holy sites was a blessing.”
Matt founded and leads TransformNation, a ministry to help followers of Christ share the transforming love of Christ with others. “We equip and mobilize believers and churches to live missionally,” he says. “We help them do this by caring for others’ needs, sharing the good news of Jesus and inviting others to receive Him.”
Matt and this team have been asked to return to three different communities in Israel. He adds, “I don’t think I’m done with work in Israel!”
Hear some of Matt’s testimony about the impact of this trip on him personally here.
Learn more about Matt’s ministry, TransformNation, here.
For more information about Olivet’s areas of study in the Department of Communication, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
Photos courtesy of TransformNation
Published: 4/3/2018
