April 2026 Newsletter:
Salt & Light

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In This Issue:

Letter from Our Executive Director
Muchan Conference 2025
Summer at ZulaRoo: A Surf House Update
Host Israelis
Legacy Giving: Planning Gifts with an Eternal Impact
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Letter from Our Executive Director

Shalom dear friends,

We are deeply grateful to God—and to you, our faithful supporters—for helping make possible something truly extraordinary: a safe haven for Israeli travellers right here in Australia.

Just one day before the tragic events of October 7, 2023, we stepped out in faith to purchase what is now known as the ZulaRoo Surf House along the Great Ocean Road. At the time, we sensed the Lord’s leading, but we could not have imagined how urgently this place would be needed. Now, in the aftermath of war and ongoing uncertainty in Israel, we see more clearly than ever that God was preparing a refuge—both physical and spiritual—for His people.

Since opening, ZulaRoo has welcomed over 400 guests. As described in this newsletter, many guests may not initially seek spiritual conversations, but they are often curious about someone with authentic faith. Some ask thoughtful questions. Others receive a New Testament and continue exploring long after they leave. What begins as hospitality often becomes something much deeper—an encounter with the love of Yeshua the Messiah.

The Great Ocean Road is known for its salty beaches and sunny skies. In such a beautiful place, we see a spiritual opportunity: to be salt and light to our Jewish and Israeli brothers and sisters, showing them that Yeshua is the true light of the world!

This ministry is not limited to one house. Through the Host Israelis network, we are seeing believers across Australia open their homes and hearts, offering free accommodation with the Spirit’s love.

What’s more, you’ll read about our Muchan Conference, which Louise and I helped start years ago and continue to co-host. We are encouraged that more young believers, both Jewish and Gentile, are coming together as one body of Messiah to worship and know Him. It is a theme that runs throughout this issue, of the Lord raising up a new generation.

We are grateful for the incredible team and volunteers who help make these ministries possible. The Bolton family are integral to both ZulaRoo and Host Israelis, as they help oversee both initiatives. The Boltons came ‘for such a time as this’, and have been steadfast in their ministry. Further, we are thankful to the young Messianic Israeli couple who served at the Surf House, helping to host guests, maintain the property, and—most importantly—engage in meaningful spiritual conversations in Hebrew.

As we look to the future, we need your help.

The ZulaRoo Surf House currently carries a significant mortgage, $1.4 million, and with rising interest rates, the financial pressure has increased. We are thankful that we have been able to raise nearly half the amount, thanks to so many of you, but we still have $765,000 to go. The sooner we can pay off this property, the more secure and sustainable this ministry will be for years to come.

Would you prayerfully consider making a special gift toward the ZulaRoo Surf House?

At a time when Israel is at war and many are hurting, this is a practical and powerful way to show love to Jewish people and Israelis right here in Australia. We are mindful that the news does not depict Australia in a favourable light toward Israel, and so we want to ensure we continue to provide a place for Israelis where they will feel and be safe and welcome. Your support enables us to continue providing this haven—and to keep sharing the hope of Yeshua with those who need it most.

Louise and I will visit Israel soon to lead a tour through Israel. We are hopeful that while there, we will be able to invite even more Israelis to come here to Australia, to stay with our hosts and at ZulaRoo!

We thank you for standing with us. Together, we are seeing lives touched, hearts opened, and the message of Messiah brought back to the original messengers.

Yours together in Messiah Yeshua,

Lawrence and Louise Hirsch

Executive Director of Celebrate Messiah

Muchan Conference 2025

Every two years, Celebrate Messiah co-runs with our partner ministry, Chosen People Ministries, the Muchan Conference — an international conference for young Messianic Jewish and Gentile believers (ages 18-35), focusing on discipleship, community, and reaching the next generation within a Jewish context. It aims to connect young believers and equip them to share their faith. During the New Year’s 2026 holiday, it was held in Budapest with 115 or so young adults in attendance. Events featured Bible teaching, exploring the Jewish roots of the faith, visiting historical sites in Budapest and discussing the Messianic movement.

Muchan means “ready” in Hebrew, and we are ready to move forward as a generation of global Messianic young adults who love the Lord, stand up for Jewish life and Israel, and want to tell others of Yeshua, our Messiah!

Zara found both encouragement and practical insight. As her first time travelling on her own, the trip was already a big step, but she said the experience was overwhelmingly positive. She especially valued connecting with Messianic believers from around the world and attending workshops on topics directly relevant to young adults today, including combating antisemitism on university campuses and across social media. One lesson that stayed with her was the reminder not to engage with harmful propaganda online, but instead to report it and refuse to give it more traction. Spiritually, Zara was deeply impacted by the teaching that hardship, while difficult, can also be part of how God strengthens and prepares His people for His purposes.

For Jonathan, the conference was memorable not only because of the setting, but because of the people. He described Budapest as an incredible city and loved experiencing the snow, the Christmas markets, and the beauty of celebrating in such a historic place. Yet above all, he said the greatest blessing was being together with Messianic believers from around ten different countries. As someone from Australia’s relatively small young adult Messianic community, Jonathan found it deeply meaningful to share fellowship, worship, and learning with believers from across America, Israel, and Europe.

Sam said the conference became a major milestone in his faith journey. When he first considered attending, the cost seemed impossible, especially after launching his own small business. But after praying and stepping out in faith, doors opened, and he was eventually able to make the trip. For Sam, simply being there was a testimony to God’s provision. Coming from a Reformed Jewish background in an atheist family, Sam explained that his walk of faith has not always been easy, which made the conference all the more significant as a time of reassurance, growth, and spiritual encouragement.

Please pray for continued outreach to younger generations, that they would learn more about the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and grow in a deeper love and understanding of Yeshua and the Jewish people. Our prayer is that more young believers would come to see how we are all connected as one body under Yeshua.

Summer at ZulaRoo: A Surf House Update

As we, the Bolton family who host the ZulaRoo Surf House, reflect on the last few months, we see that this summer has provided plenty to celebrate.

Since opening, ZulaRoo Surf House has welcomed 400+ guests, averaging around 15 guests per month! After the SOLU worship team visited us in the first week of December, we have hosted nearly 150 guests, making this one of the busiest and most fruitful seasons to date. Throughout the summer, there were very few days without visitors staying at the house!

The guests this year have been especially diverse. ZulaRoo has welcomed families, couples, single travellers, and backpackers, including some travelling with their parents while acting as tour guides. A large proportion of guests have been Israelis living and working in Melbourne, continuing the Surf House’s unique role as a place of hospitality and connection for Israeli travellers and visitors.

Among the many memorable guests this summer were a Chabadnik (religious Jew) from Brooklyn, an Israeli who had been present during the Bondi attack, an ex-Haredi (ultra religious) backpacker, an Orthodox female traveller, and a family of seven. One Israeli couple contributed by running a pizza night at the Surf House and helping us set up a new AI booking system for future guests.

A particularly significant part of the summer was the contribution of volunteers. Having a Messianic Israeli couple at the Surf House proved to be a game changer. They took responsibility for room cleaning and resets after guests departed, maintained the downstairs area so it remained clean and welcoming for new arrivals, and cared for practical maintenance tasks such as mowing the yard. Just as importantly, they worked closely with us to engage guests during their stay, creating a strong and joyful sense of teamwork. After two and a half months, they departed and now their absence has already made clear how essential this kind of support is during the summer season.

In addition, three volunteers from New Zealand also came to help, including one who was especially gifted at engaging Israeli guests in conversations about the gospel and matters of faith.
Spiritually, this summer marked a noticeable shift. The team has been more open and deliberate in sharing their faith. This was made easier in part by the Messianic Israeli couple, who were able to answer questions and explain matters of faith more effectively in Hebrew, rather than relying solely on English.

Several new ideas were implemented, which opened the door to meaningful spiritual conversations. These included opening the Scriptures after Shabbat dinner and discussing the text together, inviting guests to participate in Discovery Bible Studies, and sharing personal testimonies about faith and life with Yeshua our Messiah. While not every guest wants to engage in conversations about Yeshua, many are willing to observe, listen, and experience something of how faith is lived here in the Surf House. Others ask thoughtful questions, creating opportunities for deeper discussion and, in some cases, for receiving a New Testament or other resources for them to explore further on their own.

Beyond hospitality and ministry, the natural drawcards of the Surf House remained as strong as ever. Surfing continues to be a major highlight for guests. Many have never surfed before, so lessons became a regular part of the summer experience. There were also several guests who already considered themselves surfers, leading to mini surf trips in search of good waves. Another standout feature was the opportunity to visit the local seal colony, which proved to be a memorable experience for many. However, there was an accident on the beach where two guests accidentally rowed our kayaks into the wrong area, which caused them to crash into rocks and destroy the kayaks. The destruction of the kayaks was a real disappointment, as they had become a valuable part of the ZulaRoo experience. Thankfully, we just received a donation to purchase new kayaks!

Although there is much more that could be shared, we overall feel gratitude. This summer has been another reminder of the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness in and through the ZulaRoo Surf House. Through the steady stream of guests, the dedication of volunteers, the spiritual conversations, and the simple joys of surfing and exploring Great Ocean Road, the team has seen again how the Lord continues to work through this place and through the people He brings through its doors.

If you would like to contribute to the on-going costs of our ZulaRoo Surf House, please go to celebratemessiah.com.au/donate and select ‘ZulaRoo Surf House’ under ‘Donation Allocation’. You can also directly donate to the Bolton family, who run the ZulaRoo Surf House, by selecting ‘Bolton Family’ under the ‘Outreach Worker Support’ drop-down menu under ‘Donation Allocation’. Every donation, no matter how small or large, helps us continue this work of providing a safe place for Israeli travellers as they journey in Australia.

Host Israelis

Celebrate Messiah, in partnership with Chosen People Ministries, has developed two strategic approaches to reach travelling Israelis. First, we operate accommodation in key destinations around the world. As you’ve already read, our Australian centre is the ZulaRoo Surf House along the Great Ocean Road. These places provide welcoming environments where Israelis can connect with believers, receive hospitality, and encounter the love of Messiah.

Second, we co-created Host Israelis—a network that connects travelling Israelis with Christian host families. We also have an app, Planet Zula, where Israelis connect with approved and trained hosts willing to welcome them completely free of charge. It works like Airbnb, but instead of a transaction, it is an opportunity for believers to demonstrate the love of Yeshua through authentic hospitality.

Why Travelling Israelis Are So Open to the Gospel

Ministry to travelling Israelis is so powerful in part because they are away from the influences that would normally discourage them from exploring faith in Yeshua. At home, a young Israeli expressing interest in Jesus would likely face pressure from parents, teachers, rabbis, and peers. Yet on a hiking trail in New Zealand or sharing a meal with Christians in Japan, they are free to ask questions, listen to testimonies, and consider the claims of the Messiah without fear of judgment.

Celebrate Messiah and Chosen People Ministries staff and volunteers hike with these Israelis, tour sites, and share meals. These activities build relationships and trust, leading to genuine friendships and powerful gospel opportunities. When a young Israeli sees the love of Yeshua lived out through a host or volunteer, something clicks. They begin to wonder if this Jesus they have been taught to dismiss might genuinely be their promised Messiah.

What Can You Do?

You can pray for these young Israelis to encounter Yeshua on their journeys. Furthermore, we have a network of volunteer hosts in Australia and around the world, welcoming travelling Israelis. You can learn more and apply to become a host by registering at hostisraelis.com.au.

You can also support these ministries financially. Your donation helps us cover the costs of materials, such as our booklet “Why Us?” that explains Yeshua is the promised Messiah, or our “Isaiah 53 Explained” book. Your assistance helps us put more of these booklets into Israelis’ hands.

Remember—when young Israelis are thousands of miles from home, away from the pressures that might prevent them from exploring Yeshua, your gift helps ensure our hosts are ready to share the love of their Messiah. Visit hostisraelis.com.au to learn more or register as a host today.

Legacy Giving: Planning Gifts with an Eternal Impact

Over the past twelve months, we have seen many Jewish people come to faith in Yeshua here in Australia. These decisions for Messiah reflect a wider movement of openness and spiritual hunger, and we believe we are witnessing a significant season of gospel opportunity.

Celebrate Messiah is actively engaged in evangelism, discipleship, leadership training, and congregational support among Jewish communities across Australia, in the Far East of Russia, and in Israel. In addition, through our long-standing partnership with Chosen People Global Ministries, we are working collaboratively in 23 countries worldwide, combining local presence with global strategy to ensure effective and accountable mission.

Your partnership enables us to:

Respond to increasing evangelistic opportunities and disciple new Jewish believers in Yeshua
Train leaders for long-term gospel impact through speaking and our Messianic Training Centre
Strengthen our gospel witness among Jewish communities through our outreach programs

Your Impact

Our supporters make an impact with legacy giving:

One supporter granted us a $356,000 donation, which allowed us to finally purchase the ZulaRoo Surf House, something we had dreamed of for years. Since then, it has hosted over 400+ Israelis!
A couple gifted us last year a bus, which we were able to utilise for driving the SOLU team to their tour stops. It is now used as part of our Tikkun Olam ministry.

Turn your gift into a legacy.

Planned Giving Options

Charitable Bequest through Your Will –
A bequest through your will is an enduring gift to the ministry and will benefit Jewish evangelism beyond your lifetime. If you would like to leave a bequest, we recommend speaking with your solicitor and using our organisation’s full legal name and ABN in your Will so your wishes can be carried out clearly.

Tax-Deductible Gift –
Our initiative, Tikkun Olam, is an endorsed Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), so donations and some other eligible assets may be tax deductible in Australia. This can include cash gifts and, in some circumstances, gifts of listed shares or other property.

Gift of Property or Shares –
Some supporters choose to make a major gift of shares, property, or other assets. Depending on the type of asset, when it was acquired, and the recipient’s DGR status, tax rules may apply differently, so we encourage you to seek professional financial and legal advice before proceeding

To learn more about your options, please contact us at [email protected] or call our office on + 61 3 9563 5544 for more information. Thank you for your partnership!

Thank you for your ongoing support of Celebrate Messiah and its ministries. We are passionately committed to sharing the hope of Yeshua with the Jewish people, both in Australia and worldwide.

Your donation empowers evangelism, discipleship, and hospitality outreach across the country. Partner with us today—every gift helps bring the good news of Messiah!

To donate, go to: celebratemessiah.com.au/donate