In a recent post entitled "Behold, I Will Do a New Thing," Olive Tree Ministries founder and Director Jan Markell revealed plans to redirect funds previously dedicated to media to expand a program that provides material needs to Israelis.
For more than 25 years, Olive Tree Ministries has focused on radio ministry and teaching — especially through its longtime Understanding the Times program, newsletters, bi‑monthly events, and written materials aimed at helping Christians interpret current events through a biblical worldview and prepare for end‑times prophecy.
Its outreach was built largely on broadcast media and print communication, but now, the ministry is shifting away from radio and into other "practical and eternal" forms of outreach in Israel, which she calls "the key to the last days, which has been our focus for decades and will continue."
"One small example, and maybe it's not so small: we are building bomb shelters throughout the country," Markell tells AFN. "We're providing particular military vests for the soldiers, because the government doesn't even do that. We spend time in Israel ministering to believers, helping soldiers and their families, providing food [and] clothing."
She says the ministry has already been doing that for about two years, but now the work will be more aggressive.
"It's that type of aid that we want to bring," she says, sharing the gospel in the process.
"We are not of the mind that we fill the stomach, but we ignore the soul, which is what too many outfits are doing," Markell relays. "Whatever we do, we do in the name of the Lord Jesus, and we're very, very open about that."
Olive Tree also plans to launch a new website where prayerful and financial supporters can stay "apprised of news and views in light of the soon return of our Lord."
