Donna Holbrook

A former teacher, entrepreneur, and stay at home Mom, Donna discovered Israel for her first of now 37 tours to Israel in 1996 with ICEJ. Donna brought new life into the Canadian branch when it was closed of its own accord in spring 2001. As a full time and overtime volunteer in her Executive role, Donna has a heart to build bridges of friendship between the Jewish & Christian community, to help fight the evils of Antisemitism, to educate on God’s eternal promises to Israel for the redemption of all people & to get as many people to Israel as possible, especially young adults where she has seen lives transformed.

Awarded the Meir Medical Center Woman of Valour award in 2006, and the State of Israel Bonds Kesher Award in 20012, she has served on many boards including CIC (now CIJA), Canadian Society of Yad Vashem, Israel & Our Jewish World, currently an advisor on StandWithUs Canada, and board member of HonestReporting Canada. Profiled in Lifestyles New Years 2011, she is quoted in Jewish and Christian press, and currently seen on Vision and Daystar Canada in Inside Israel with ICEJ Canada TV weekly program.

Jude Hodgson

Jude Hodgson was born in Toronto, educated at York University and has travelled extensively. She has a sincere love of Israel and the Jewish people and has served on the Board of Directors of ICEJ Canada for many years and is currently Board Chair.

Most recently her work has focused on missions and communications, in the field, and as a consultant. She served seven years as Executive Director of MissionFest Toronto, the largest missions conference in central Canada.

Her previous background however was in business, first as a bank manager and then as Senior Sales Director with Mary Kay Cosmetics where for 21 years she worked as a trainer and motivator of hundreds of women, winning a brand new pink Cadillac every two years and many other awards.

She was Co Founder of the “Look Good Feel Better Program” now a national initiative for women with cancer, the Executive Producer of video “Facing Cancer with Confidence. The recipient of the ”Town of Pickering Citizen’s Award for humanitarian effort and in 1997 won the Toronto Life Magazine: Women Who Make a Difference Award for Business Professional of the year and the Canadian Cosmetics and Toiletries Association Award of Merit.

Bonnie Peterson Traversy

Bonnie has lived a fully committed Christian life for over 40 years. She is the mother of 4 adults and is ordained with the Canadian Assemblies of God.

She has worked at the management level in church, television and health care ministries in both Canada and the USA; as National Director of Counseling & Follow-up with Crossroads Christian Communications (100 Huntley Street) in Canada and Director of Member Services for Christian Care Ministry in the USA. Bonnie has been keynote speaker for many Christian and business groups, and is a seasoned communicator appearing on Christian television programs on both sides of the desk, as guest as well as host and co-host.

Bonnie has a sincere love for Israel, the Jewish community and understanding ‘Jewish Roots’ in our Judeo Christianity. Her position as West Regional Director for ICEJ Canada has enabled her to co-lead many tours to Israel, teach and co-produce/direct television in bringing God’s understanding of Israel to others.

Pastor Adam & Edina Gabeli

"Before marrying Edina in the summer of 2010, Adam faithfully was serving as co-youth pastor at Westwood Community Church in Vancouver BC and also attending Pacific Life Bible College.

Adam filled the role of children’s pastor at Westwood for one year before being called in 2013 with Edina and their baby daughter Victoria to Montreal to serve as assistant pastor at Rockfield Pentecostal Church (RPC). Edina serves as church administrator at RPC in assistance to the pastoral team. Alongside local church ministry, Adam serves as the director of the Canadian Assemblies of God Quebec Youth District.

Adam and Edina have always had a deep love for Israel and the Jewish people. Coming from a Sephardic Jewish background, Adam has learnt to serve the global body of Christ in context with his Jewish roots. Edina having grown up in a Christian family in Europe was surrounded by a very Anti-Semitic society. This was disturbing to them, as they always stood strong in support and love for Israel.

Adam and Edina’s heart is to see God awaken the heart of the church, to relate Biblically and appropriately to Israel and the Jewish people, and see the love of God poured out on the Jewish communities of Montreal and all of Quebec. "

Kelley Stewart

Kelley is happily married with a blended family of 6 children and 3 grandchildren. Another baby is on the way in August 2013.

Kelley has been the Administrator of ICEJ Canada since November of 2010. She comes with an extensive background in Prayer Ministry & Worship, which she gained at her church of 21 years, St. Pauls' on the Hill in Pickering. She is always ready to pray for our ICEJ Canada Donors and Members when they call in.

Kelley travelled to Israel for the 2012 Feast of Tabernacles Tour where she had many personal moments with the Lord. One of the highlights from the Tour was the Opening Night at Ein Gedi. With a crowd of over 5,000 people representing 85 nations in the desert, they witnessed a sign and wonder of "the Mighty Rushing Wind."

She also represented ICEJ Canada in co-sponsoring a large Operation Lifeshield bomb shelter. Kelley travelled to Nitzan Betz where this "igloo shaped" bomb shelter was installed and dedicated for a Kindergarten Class. The children greeted the group with a table laden with treats and refreshments. They rejoiced together with the Mayor, children, teachers and people from the community, with songs and dancing. The community wanted her to know how much they appreciate ICEJ and all the work we do in Israel. The children were so excited by the "igloo" they ran into it to play.

This experience was especially meaningful because Kelley has a 4 year old grandchild named Hunter who goes to school each day without fear of having bombs dropped on him. In the Nitzan area bombs are sent in on an informal schedule of every 3 days (1 or 2) then every 3 weeks a mini barrage and then 3 months a "mini war" (many, many strikes). She thought of the parents of these precious children who will now be able to drop off their children and be reasonably assured that they are in relative safety and will see them at the end of the day. It was a great honour for Kelley to represent ICEJ Canada along with the Friends of Jesus Christ church. It was an experience never to be forgotten.

Since returning from Israel the Lord has called Kelley to a new church, True Life Fellowship in Ajax, Ontario where the Lord is beginning to reveal her new direction in Him and she anticipates many new adventures as her love for Israel, the Bible and Him continues to increase.

Adam and Edina’s heart is to see God awaken the heart of the church, to relate Biblically and appropriately to Israel and the Jewish people, and see the love of God poured out on the Jewish communities of Montreal and all of Quebec. "

Christine Williams

Christine Williams is a nine-time International Award-winning Journalist and Television Producer. As a current columnist, [among where] her writings have appeared: Jewish Press Online, Breaking Israel News, the Middle East Quarterly, USA Today Online, Wall Street online, Front Page Magazine, Jihad Watch, and the Hudson Institute. She also writes for the Gatestone International Policy Council where she has served on the Board of Governors.

Christine is currently working on a book project exploring Islamic Reform, commissioned by the Middle East Forum Education Fund and is on the Board of Advisors for Muslims Facing Tomorrow. She is an appointed Director with the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (a Federal Foundation in the Dept. of Citizenship & Immigration Canada); an appointee to the Office of Religious Freedom as an external advisor ( Dept. of Foreign Affairs Canada); and was formerly on the anti-semitism task force for the Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust studies in Toronto. Christine also works as Public Affairs and Media Consultant for the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem Canada (ICEJ Canada) which has 80 offices globally. For the ICEJ Canada weekly program aired on Vision TV network, Christine is also Director and co-Producer.

In past, Christine has conducted over 1,700 live television interviews as a daily call-in Talk show Host on CTS-TV in Burlington, Ont. and was also the fill-in Host for the Christian Broadcast 100 Huntley Street, aired on CTS-TV and the Global Television Network. For this program, Christine also launched a daily news and information segment in a joint venture with the World Evangelical Alliance and Christian Post in Washington and New York. Christine launched four different programs on the CTS-TV network; one of them, a successful multi-faith investigative news magazine program “Faith Journal” which captured three international awards during her tenure as anchor and news producer. As a political and crime news reporter and newsroom editor, Christine has also worked as a regular national columnist and news analyst with Metro News (Owned by the Toronto Star). She was also a Senior Advisor to the Hudson Institute in New York.

Jackie Clarke

Jackie is an avid Bible scholar who has had a fascination with Israel since childhood. Her love for Israel has taken her there twice. The first visit was in 1995, and then again in 1999. She looks forward to making many more trips in the future. Jackie has been serving as the ICEJ Canada Prayer Director for just over a year. She holds degrees in Theology and Psychology. Her desire is to see the Hebraic roots of Christianity taught in the churches across Canada, beginning with her own congregation, Catch the Fire (TACF) Midtown and now through I for I at TACF/CTF Main.

Lily Kim

Lily Kim has a History Honours background at the University of British Columbia and studied Hebrew Biblical studies and Church History of the Holocaust (with an emphasis on Christian-Jewish relations) during her programs of study at McMaster Divinity College. Her Master of Theological Studies and Master of Arts were bestowed by McMaster University. Lily now volunteers as a church liaison for International Christian Embassy Jerusalem and is actively involved in the Christian-Jewish Dialogue Committee of Toronto's Holocaust Centre and its annual Holocaust Education Week [HEW]. She presently resides with her husband and with their two sons in N Toronto.

Robert D Onley

Robert is a business lawyer and litigator practicing law with a small firm in Ottawa. He previously worked at Global Affairs Canada in the Office of Religious Freedom for Ambassador Andrew Bennett. Robert's passion for Israel emerged in his undergraduate years (HBA, University of Toronto, 2009), when he began writing and extensively studying the history and politics of the people and State of Israel. Robert is an avid freelance writer with publications in the Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Israel National News and Israel Ynet News, as well as the National Post, Huffington Post, Gatestone Institute, and International Journal for Religious Freedom, among others. While in law school (JD, Windsor, 2012) Robert co-founded the Young Diplomats of Canada, a national non-profit dedicated to building Canada's next generation of global leaders. He currently serves as the Vice President of his neighbourhood community association in west Ottawa, where he and his wife Natasha raise their two young children, Isabelle and Charles.

Dr. John & Judy Howarth

Dr. John and Judy Howarth returned to the Soo three years ago, and are thrilled to be back up in “God’s Country”, close to good friends, as well as Judy’s mother who is now 94, and in a Nursing Home. Caring for her mom is one of the ways that Judy exercises her Spiritual Gift of “helps” (1 Cor.12:28) with many people each week.
For 30 years, John served as a Pastor-teacher in 4 churches in Ontario, including Bethany Baptist Church in the Soo, for 8½ years. He has also taught in several Bible Colleges and Seminaries in Ontario, as well as in the Ukraine, and Ghana, West Africa. In March of 2019, John and Judy will travel to Angola, where John will teach for two weeks at the Lubango Evangelical Theological Seminary, that is administered by SIM. John has also lectured widely, and has been published, regarding “Qumran & The Dead Sea Scrolls”.
John has organized and led 24 Tours to Israel, and Judy has accompanied him three times, so far. Between them, they have 13 children (including spouses), and thirteen wonderful grand-children!

Morgan Sharp & Diane Roblin-Sharp

Morgan Sharp and Diane Roblin-Sharp live in Cobourg, Ontario in spring and summer months, but head to their home in Progreso, Yucatan MX before the snow starts to fly. Morgan sang internationally as a tenor for many years and served as a financial advisor for SunLife Financial. Diane is a prolific writer and graphic designer, her website is http://www.bydesignmedia.ca. She was involved for many years with 100 Huntley Street, hosting Nite Lite for seven years. Married for four years, they minister and host Alpha programs during their winters in Mexico and are thrilled to represent ICEJ Canada as they share a deep love for Israel.

Sandra Berry

Sandra has always felt a connection to Israel and the Jewish people. She was born in Toronto the same year that the nation of Israel was ‘born in a day’ (Is. 66:8). In the sovereignty of God she grew up in Jewish neighborhoods having many Jewish school chums, even dancing the Horah and other Israeli dances in the playground during recess. She met a number of holocaust survivors – parents and grandparents of her friends – being shown their identification tattoos and hearing their tragic stories.

Through divine encounters with the Lord Jesus Christ she came to a saving faith in her early 30s. She is a graduate of Canada Christian College in Toronto and was blessed to visit Israel as part of an accredited history/geography course. Sandra understands her role to be an intercessor, teacher of the word of God, and author. She has a heart for a global revival and harvest of souls, and believes that key to this will be the manifestation of the ‘one new man’ of Ephesians 2:15, as believing Jews and gentiles grow together in the Body of Christ.

Across the years, Sandra has served in a number of capacities including pulpit/seminar/conference speaker, roles with March for Jesus (national and Toronto), founder and coordinator of PrayerNet Toronto (GTA), author of articles, manuals, booklets and tracts.

She now resides in the Kawartha Lakes area where she moved in the early 2000s to be closer to her aging parents. Sandra is very happy to represent ICEJ Canada in her area, support the extensive ongoing work and witness of the ICEJ by helping us fund our core activities in fulfilling our mandate to support Israel, educate the Church and promote justice.

Allan & Jean Herman

My name is Jean Herman, born in Ontario and raised in Holland Marsh in a Christian home and attending Christian School. At the age of ten I was bed ridden through an illness and during that time I invited Jesus into my life. I never fully understood the implications of that decision until I was thirty years of age, met the Holy Spirit in a profound way and made Jesus Lord of my entire life.

I became a beautician, got married, had four children and was blessed with eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. My husband passed away in 2003 and so I became a widow, until eight years later when I met and married my wonderful husband Allan, a beautiful gift from God.

In the seventies, my love for the Messiah led me into courses at OBC and Emmaus Bible Institute, I was invited to come on board with Christian Woman’s club, as “Prayer coordinator” and “Special features chairlady” facilitating women`s bible studies, and adult electives at church, my hunger for the word and the love for Jesus has never subsided,

Understanding God’s plan for Israel is more relevant than ever, as long as I can remember I’ve always had a love for Israel and the Jewish people, visited Israel in 1980 and in 2010 and plan to go with Allan in 2015 for the Feast of Tabernacles.

Allan’s and my desire is to bring the Church and the Jewish people together before the Messiah’s return, to bring awareness of the false teaching of “Replacement Theology”. We consider it a privilege to be part of the answer to Jesus prayer in John 17.

I, (Allan) was born in South Africa, but grew up in Zimbabwe, with my Mother and Stepfather, from the age of 4. After completing high school, I served in the Police Force, as well as in the Military. I attained managerial positions, Branch, as well as Regional, in the Financial Sector, and thereafter, marketing fields.

After the so called Civil War, in which we all served, black and white, side by side, and the worsening conditions in the Country I emigrated to The Netherlands in 1987, where I worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry.

I am the father of 2 boys, and a daughter. One son is still in Africa, whilst the other two are in Holland. I went through a divorce in 1998, by mutual consent, and hasten to add, that I was not walking with the LORD at that time.

I was “born again” in 2005, after suffering a serious illness, and discovered our Hebraic Roots, which I pursued, and am pursuing with an insatiable hunger for more. Jewish Roots had an enormous impact on my thinking, and my lifestyle.

Although I was brought up in the Presbyterian Church, both my Mother and Stepfather were non-practising Jews, and I have always had an interest, and affinity for Israel and the Jewish people as a result.

I met my lovely wife, in June 2011, on the Internet, (no, not a dating site), during a three day Bible Conference, which took place in the U.S.A.

I came to Canada 3 weeks later, for a 5 week visit, to meet my now wife in person.

We became engaged 3 weeks after my arrival, and married on September 24, 2011, after I had been back to the Netherlands to close up shop.

We know that we know, our union has been brought about by The Hand of God.

We are visiting Israel soon, and look very much forward to be able to serve as ICEJ Canada Representatives, to support the ongoing work, and fulfillment of the mandate of ICEJ Canada.

Marysa Bonnema

Marysa Bonnema is from Montreal Quebec and is passionate about seeing people walk in their true identities as loved sons and daughters. She has a heart for Israel and had the opportunity of attending the Arise Tour in 2014. She desires to see young people rise up in prayer for Israel and to see a generation who will seek after the heart of God.

Marysa was a student and Intern with Catch the Fire Toronto and Montreal. She attended Toronto’s School of Ministry and completed the Heart and Advance Module. Marysa also interned with the creative services at CTF Toronto where she worked with Revival magazine as an editor and writer. In CTF Montreal she interned as a small group leader for their Francophone School of Ministry. After interning with CTF Montreal she traveled to Tønsberg Norway and interned with a non-profit organization called World Outreach Mission. She was responsible for administrative work, participated in an outreach trip to Sweden, and was a youth group leader.

Currently, Marysa is a student at Concordia University studying Western Society and Cultural studies. She volunteers with WeR1 ministries, attends La Chapelle and writes on her blog. She is engaged to Philippe Bédard who is a worship leader at La Chapelle and who is a student at Institut de Théologie pour la Francophonie. They both have a heart for prayer, worship, missions, and healing ministries. They aspire to see Quebec transformed by the love of the Father, and for the church to rise up in intercession for Israel, and the nations.

David L Dunn PHD

David is married to Patricia and lives in Three Hills Alberta; he is the father of three grown daughters who are all married to wonderful Christian husbands and is grandfather to three little children.

The Lord has given him thirty-three years (including adjunct status) of teaching at Briercrest Bible College, 1976-1987; Nipawin Bible College 1987-1996; and Prairie Bible College 1998-2008.

A special blessing to him has been his work in archaeology in the Holy Land. Along with holding a PhD in Biblical Archaeology, he also taught a course in the geography and archaeology of the Holy Land. Also, for six years he served as a permanent staff member of the Ramat Rahel Archaeological Expedition in south Jerusalem.

In the summer of 2011 David dug at the Old Testament port city of Dor, just south of Haifa with the archaeological teams from Hebrew University in Jerusalem and the University of Haifa.

In 2012 he returned to dig with TAU and HU at the Philistine city of Azekah in the Elah Valley where David fought Goliath. This site has never been excavated before, so expectations were high. The results did not disappoint.

“The Lord has blessed our family so very much! My ministry has been a reflection of two of the principles that govern our lives, seeing things the way God sees them, and, loving what God loves. God surely loves Israel. So do we!”

Aron May

Aron May, ICEJ Canada Edmonton Area Representative, joined our team through a desire to connect Canadians with the land and people of Israel. He has been in the travel industry for over thirty years specializing in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, arranging travel for individuals and church groups which he often leads on land or by cruise ship.

“Bible stories of God’s love for Israel did much to direct me toward a degree in history, biblical and cultural study, and opportunities in sharing that part of the world with others through travel. ICEJ is another way to involve myself with blessing this land and its people.”

Aron and his wife now make their home in St. Albert, within sight of Edmonton where they are involved in music and other church activities. If you would like to become involved in the work of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ); if your church would like to host an Israel information night or an on-going prayer and study group to grow your knowledge and love for the prophetic land of Israel and its people, you will want to contact Aron.

Support the extensive ongoing work and witness of the ICEJ by helping us fund our core activities in fulfilling our mandate to support Israel, educate the Church and promote justice. For more information contact Aron.

Tim and Stephanie Hall

Tim and Stephanie became believers in Jesus Christ in 1988 and in the same year were married. They like to say that they are an example of “the one new man” referenced in Ephesians 2:14-16. where Jew and Gentile will be one in Messiah. Stephanie is a Jewish believer and Tim a Gentile believer.

Over these past 28 years, Tim and Stephanie have served the Lord through various ministries in order to advance the Kingdom of God. They are both passionate about Israel and what God’s word has to say about the land and the people. They enjoy sharing and teaching about the Jewish roots of Christianity.

Tim and Stephanie are Ordained Ministers through the Full Gospel Assembly Vancouver and serve as Elders. They hold House Church in their home every Friday evening and are part of the Edge House Churches and Communities.

Recently, this couple relocated to the Interior of BC to establish a small homestead. They are excited to be able to work the land that God has entrusted to them. Tim and Stephanie also enjoy serving in their community market place. Tim has established his own plumbing and heating company while Stephanie is a Registered Nutritionist and Chartered Herbalist.

They are excited to be included in ICEJ Canada and in what God will be doing in the days to come!!!

David & Katharine Reimer

Rev. David & Katharine Reimer David & Katharine are Senior Pastors of Shalom Family Worship Centre in Steinbach, Manitoba. Katharine writes of her husband: David is a man of integrity who’s "walk matches his talk." He possesses a wealth of experience, coupled with boundless energy and enthusiasm and is eager to serve. David is passionate in his love for God, his family and his country. We have been married since 1968; have three married children and four grandchildren. We have been foster parents to over 40 children and continue to care for a vulnerable adult. We have been able to introduce many of our foster children to Christ and a number have continued to walk with the Lord. We have been in full time ministry since 1985 first in Seattle, Washington for one year, Wetaskiwin, Alberta for five years and Steinbach, Manitoba since 1991. Our Church name is Shalom Family Worship Centre, which we choose because of our love for Israel. We both have had a keen interest in business but our hearts have always been to serve the Lord since we were saved in 1979. David and I are passionate about God and love Israel. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem regularly.

Betty-Lou & Neil Loewen

My name is Betty-Lou Loewen; I was born in Norway, but came to Canada with my parents as a baby. I was blessed to have a Christian heritage, as well as one that recognized the importance of Israel in the Bible and its prophetic significance today in world affairs. After finishing university, becoming a teacher and getting married Neil and I spent a year in Europe with YWAM. Part of our studies included a 3-month Middle East field trip, which culminated in 2 weeks in Israel – which influenced the direction of lives forever.

We immediately felt a great affinity to the Land and the People of Israel, and a desire to understand more about the Jewish roots of our faith, and that identification has continued and grown, to this day. Another profound influence in our lives has been our association with Merv and Merla Watson, who have lived in our area when they are not in Israel. Their dedication, creativity and passion has been a constant inspiration to us, and it was through them that we were introduced to the ICEJ and the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles – back in 1979!

We have been to Israel 7 more times over years, have supported various pro-Israel ministries all our adult lives. We are delighted to be able to serve in some way through our involvement in ICEJ Canada. I enjoy researching, writing, speaking and teaching about Israel, and my husband is a talented artist. He can depict in a painting what I struggle to find words to express! I also attended Israeli folk dancing classes for many years, we have learned to play and sing many Hebrew songs, and we enjoy Middle Eastern food and attending Israeli cultural events.

We have four grown children and four grandchildren, and our greatest joy is to share with them what we have learned and to celebrate with them the wonderful Biblical holidays that teach so many spiritual lessons.

Gail Mobbs

Gail was born and grew up in South Africa. She qualified as a RN and then married her husband Christopher. They are blessed to have two wonderful daughters. In 1994 they immigrated to Canada and have lived in BC for the last 18 years. Gail loves Israel and believes that if all Christians would give the Father permission to place His love for the Jewish People, Israel and Jerusalem in their hearts the Church would experience a new Pentecost more powerful than anything we could ask or imagine. But it may be a long and painful process to knit God's family- Jew and Gentile back together with complete love and understanding, however it is well worth the effort and with ICEJ we are working towards that reconciliation every day. Gail was a sponsored delegate of Christian Friends of Yad Vashem Int’l Leadership training in Jerusalem, returning with more knowledge to share with her community on the Holocaust and our responsibility.

Yan Lam

Yan Lam is a long time supporter of ICEJ Canada and represents us in the Chinese community in Vancouver and the surrounding areas.

Pastors Joy & Peace Guo

Joy was born in the year of 1953 to a Christian family in south part of China. Her parents and grandparents were dedicated Christian Ministers of the Gospel. She was baptized in Fujian Province of China in 1980 and has experienced the love and grace of the Lord since she was a child.

Her husband Cheng Tai Hsiao (Peace) and Joy were ordained in 2006 as Pastors and they started a small church in Beijing China. Since immigrating to Canada they have had held Early Morning Prayer Meetings where they pray for Israel and the peace of Jerusalem; Canada and other nations, as the Lord leads them. They also host a monthly prayer meeting for Israel at their home in Richmond on the last Saturday of each month.

“We serve the Lord because of we love Him. The Lord is worthy to be praised. It is honorable for us to serve him. We are very blessed to have a great and mighty God to serve ICEJ Canada. Glory to the Lord!”s.

Dina Kaufman

Born in the Netherlands and raised in metro Vancouver, Dina Kaufman has a deep love for the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

As a very talented soloist and worship singer for many years, Dina is honoured to work with ICEJ.

Dina has been selected to be a delegate at the 2013 Leadership Seminar in Jerusalem with the Christian Friends of Yad Vashem, April along with her brother from Holland and another colleague from BC.

Dina currently lives in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada with her husband and son.

Catherine Hewitt

Catherine was born in Newfoundland and currently lives in the Grand Falls/Windsor area. With a career in social work, Catherine coordinated a group home for troubled youth and eventually met and married her husband John. They have two married children who have blessed them with five grandchildren and two great grandchildren!

She has been involved with Aglow for years, which is where God began to plant a love for Israel on her heart, and a burden to pray for that beautiful nation and the Jewish people.

In 2009 God blessed her with an opportunity to travel to Israel. The first day they toured the gardens of Neot Kedumin (Biblical Landscape Reserve between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem) and planted a tree. “That day I fell in love with the physical land of Israel as well as the love God gave me for the nation. I get homesick for Israel and would like to go there very often. I did go back in 2012 and am longing for the day when I can go again”.

At her church, her pastors are very supportive and welcomed her to start a weekly ‘pray for Israel’ prayer group recently.

“We need to bless Israel and support her people. I am happy to become an ICEJ representative, to help fulfill the mandate and God's command to pray for the peace of Jerusalem”.

Rev. Larry Pennell

Pastor Larry Pennell and his wife Audrey are the founders and pastors of New Life Church in Yarmouth, NS for the past 35 years. Larry is involved with Watchmen for the Nations and is Global Christian Ministry Forum's coordinator for the Atlantic provinces. He is involved with several apostolic ministries. He has ministered in many countries around the world and has authored the book "Tips from a Shepherd". He has been married 51 years to Audrey, they have one son Walter who works with Larry in the church, two daughters Connie and Lori and eight grandchildren. Larry has been a member of ICEJ for over 20 years.

Linda Thompson

Born in Vancouver to Christian parents, and a believer all her life, Linda was blessed to also learn Israel's continued role in the Bible through the teaching of Merv and Merla Watson. In 1981 as an 11 year-old, Linda had the opportunity to tour Israel, get baptized in the Jordan, plant a tree, and participate in the ICEJ Feast and parade. That experience stuck with her through the years.

Linda worked in short-term missions in Slovakia in the 1990s and later graduated with an Audiology degree from the University of British Columbia. UBC also sent her to the Yukon where she met her husband, Ivan Thompson. The Lord allowed several 'setbacks' through the years that, instead of driving Linda away, caused her to get very intentional about her faith in Jesus, in studying scripture, in growing in obedience to the Lord, and in knowing where we are in these days.

The Thompsons live 10 km outside a town with no evangelical church and Linda leads a small Bible study in her home. No longer practicing Audiology, Linda now supports her husband in their family business which supplies the Yukon with wood for heat. Linda also volunteers with Yukon EMS.

This year (2017) things came full-circle; Linda was able to bring her husband and two boys (14 and 12) to Israel where the boys toured around, got baptized in the Jordan, sponsored a tree (through ICEJ), and participated in the feast and parade

Realizing that she might be the only person (so far) with connections to ICEJ Canada in the Yukon, Linda made herself available to represent ICEJ there and to help others get excited about faith in Jesus and in our responsibility as believers to His people, Israel.

Linda Thompson, M.Sc., Aud(C)
Bear Creek Logging Inc.