For what is believed to be the first time, a Christian congregation in Israel is building its own church. Grace and Truth, a Reformed and Baptist church, is located in a Jewish area near Tel Aviv. The more than 450 congregants (of whom 150 are under the age of eighteen and 150 are new believers) are reaching out to Jews and Arabs. The building plan was hotly contested by Orthodox Jews; the property is now guarded twenty-four hours a day from those who would seek to vandalize the unfinished structure. Expenses for legal fees, security, insurance and changing demands of authorities have thus far made the completion of the building impossible. (Assist News Service)
