“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
John 1:5, ESV
Dear friend,
Amid these dark times, with war raging in the Middle East and a diabolical rise in antisemitism here in Australia and around the world, there is a light that is shining brightly for Yeshua the Messiah. That light is the ZulaRoo Surf House in Apollo Bay.
In this newsletter you will read about the ongoing ministry of the ZulaRoo Surf House, and we hope that you will be encouraged and blessed by this report. ZulaRoo has become a crucial refuge for Israeli travellers in Apollo Bay. Amid increasing global unrest and rising antisemitism, Australia has a unique opportunity to provide safety, peace, and recovery for those affected by war and trauma. ZulaRoo is a light that is shining brightly for Yeshua in these dark times.
ZulaRoo, a ministry of Celebrate Messiah, was purchased in faith on October 6, 2023—just one day before the devastating attacks in Israel. Since opening in December 2023, it has welcomed over 160 young Israeli travellers, offering a haven of hospitality and renewal. Many guests arrive deeply affected by personal losses from war and terrorism, making the ministry of ZulaRoo even more vital.
We knew God was calling us to provide a safe and loving space for these travellers, but we could not have anticipated the depth of their need for comfort and healing. Tragically, antisemitism has also been on the rise in Australia, making it even more important to stand firm in support of the Jewish community and to ensure the ministry of ZulaRoo can continue.
ZulaRoo is not just a place to stay—it is a beacon of love, faith, and hospitality, fulfilling the call to “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God” (Isaiah 40:1). Deep conversations about life and faith take place there, and the love of believers in Yeshua is having a profound impact on these young travellers.
Through God’s gracious provision, half of the $1.725 million purchase price has been paid. We now trust Him to help us secure the remaining $862,000 in 2025. I urge you to prayerfully consider making a generous donation to help us fully establish this vital sanctuary.
Australia has a unique opportunity to be a light in the darkness. By helping us fully secure the ministry of ZulaRoo Surf House, we can be sure to stand with God’s Chosen people at a time when we need His love and comfort the most through Yeshua our Messiah.
Yours together for the salvation of Israel,
Lawrence Hirsch Executive Director of Celebrate Messiah
The ZulaRoo Experience:
Surf, Stay, and Shabbat
Nestled along the stunning Great Ocean Road in Apollo Bay, the ZulaRoo Surf House offers Israeli backpackers free accommodation, warm hospitality, and a home-away-from-home. Established by Celebrate Messiah, ZulaRoo fulfills a 20-year dream to comfort God’s chosen people in the name of Yeshua.
Each year, around 40,000 Israelis travel the globe, many seeking respite and adventure after military service. Inspired by “Zula”—Israeli slang for a comfortable place —and “Roo” for kangaroos, ZulaRoo emerged as a peaceful haven where travellers can rest, heal, and connect.
The journey began with a series of miraculous donations, including $357,000 for a house deposit, which enabled Celebrate Messiah to purchase a seven-bedroom property. Around the same time, Corey and Sarah Bolton, an Australian family with deep ties to Israel, felt called to host Israeli guests. Their timely arrival confirmed God’s hand in the vision.
ZulaRoo’s mission gained greater urgency after the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when 1,200 Israelis were killed during the Hamas attack on civilians. With the ensuing trauma, the need for a place of refuge, healing and peace became a reality.
In this issue, we share the latest updates on the ZulaRoo Surf House, highlighting its ongoing mission to serve and support its Israeli guests.
A Welcoming Home
We officially inaugurated our Surf House on Australia Day 2024, where believers from across Victoria gathered at the ZulaRoo Surf House to pray for the property, the Bolton family who graciously host Israeli guests, and for the welfare of all Israelis who will find refuge here. The warmth of Apollo Bay on that day mirrored our community’s deep devotion to God’s Chosen People.
Our guests have varied from solo travellers, to families of 8, to longtime friends and honeymooning couples. The conversations and time spent with the guests is crucial and truly amazing. It is a joy spending time with them, especially around the meal table. The Boltons have had many amazing opportunities to show them love and support during this difficult time, but also share about the hope we have in Yeshua.
For the Bolton family, the year started off busy with a steady flow of Israeli guests. Some have come through just for a very short visit, others have stayed for several days. The Boltons have really enjoyed meeting so many travellers from many different backgrounds and places within Israel. Many soldiers are beginning to be released from their Reserves duty which means there are many more travellers around now. Some have come to the ZulaRoo after seeing some difficult things; all of them come to ZulaRoo knowing personally someone who was killed on October 7, taken hostage or wounded or killed in battle.
Please pray that as Israelis visit Apollo Bay and travel throughout Australia that they will find rest, recovery and healing through Yeshua. That words of life and restoration can be spoken to them.
Here are just a few of the messages taken from the guest book at ZulaRoo:
“We arrived at your home and you welcomed us with a smile and such warm hospitality. It was a pleasure to meet you and your kids and to hear your story. We truly appreciate your kindness and generosity that you give from your heart, with pure love for others. “
“Thank you for opening your home and your hearts for us, you are doing something huge and it really means the world to us. Thank you for all the things you are doing for the Israeli community.”
“The Monday dinner was very fun and the campfire was even better! I wish I had more time to stay with you in your place in what can only be described as a little piece in paradise.”
“The experience (at the ZulaRoo) was just amazing and we felt at home from the first moment.”
It is an honour and blessing to be able to offer these travellers a home-away-from-home, even if it is just for a short time. The Bolton family have the privilege of sharing the message of Yeshua the Messiah with these backpackers through their hospitality, driven by love. Together, they have also celebrate Shabbat and Jewish holidays like Hanukkah, fostering a sense of home and tradition for guests.
Reflections and Renovations
As the ZulaRoo marks its first year, valuable lessons have emerged about what changes and improvements were needed. One key area was the kitchen. With many guests passionate about cooking, a fully equipped kitchen became essential. Thanks to Mobile Mission Maintenance and other generous donors, the kitchen was upgraded in late 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, there are a few dream projects on the horizon, including creating an outdoor entertaining and BBQ area and adding new external stairways.
The past year also brought some unexpected challenges. A flooded guest ensuite left an entire guest room and bathroom unusable for six months. Thankfully, it has now been restored and improved, allowing the ZulaRoo to host more guests comfortably once again. During the kitchen renovations, additional repairs were needed in another guest bathroom, complicating hosting for a time. However, those updates have also been completed, thanks to the generosity of donors and the support of Living Waters Inc.
In December, the Boltons celebrated two exciting milestones: their 100th Israeli guest and their first anniversary in the house. It was a special week for reflecting on the journey so far.
Life in Apollo Bay
The Bolton family has settled well into life in Apollo Bay, building friendships, finding casual work, and embracing local sports. Living in an isolated town, with the nearest major center an hour’s drive away, has its challenges, particularly the absence of a local faith community and support network. Still, the beauty of the area and its lifestyle offer many rewards.
A major highlight for both the Boltons and the ZulaRoo was welcoming their first puppy, Keshet (Hebrew for “rainbow”), at Christmas 2023. With her sweet and affectionate nature, she quickly became a beloved part of the hosting experience, delighting Israeli guests. In December, Keshet was joined by a second puppy, Tsel (Hebrew for “shadow”), a fluffy black pup with one white paw. Guests are already enjoying Tsel’s puppy charm and cuddles, making him another cherished addition to the ZulaRoo family.
Throughout the year, Corey represents Celebrate Messiah around Victoria, presenting biblical teaching from a Messianic perspective. On top of this work and hosting at the Zularoo, Corey is also working two other jobs in Apollo Bay. Although it’s a great way to connect with the people in the local community, it can be very draining and takes time away from the family and the surf house. Please pray that The Boltons can increase their financial support through giving, so that Corey can be free to concentrate more time on hosting and making the Zularoo the best that it can be.
Finding ZulaRoo
More and more guests are coming to the ZulaRoo Surf House via the Planet Zula hosting app, a global network of Christian hosts opening up their homes and hearts to Israeli backpackers. Many are also hearing about us from previous guests and are coming with returning guests! Surprisingly often, visitors find their way to the ZulaRoo after a chance encounter with one of the Boltons—whether at the beach, in a carpark, or during a casual outing.
During a visit to another nearby beachside town, Corey overheard a family speaking Hebrew and immediately introduced himself. He told them about the ZulaRoo and extended an invitation to visit if they ever made their way to Apollo Bay. At the time, the family was traveling around Australia in a van and hadn’t yet ventured down the Great Ocean Road. When they eventually arrived in Apollo Bay on a stunning day, they fell in love with the area and decided it would be a great place to settle temporarily and look for work. Now living and working in Apollo Bay, they have become frequent visitors to the ZulaRoo.
Join the Mission
The $1.72 million ZulaRoo Surf House is already half funded, with a goal to pay it off by 2025. There are also some other significant needs that would assist in the running of the ZulaRoo, such as a new fridge for the guest kitchen and clothes dryer.
Will you partner with us to comfort God’s people? Visit celebratemessiah.com.au/zularoo to learn more and support this vital mission.
In recent years, many young Israelis have come to faith in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. This remarkable revival has inspired a wave of new worship music, blessing believers worldwide.
Inspired by the biblical significance of seeing Jewish people in Israel come to faith in Yeshua, and the spiritual revival starting to take place in Israel, Celebrate Messiah is thrilled to announce that in November this year, we will be bringing SOLU, a vibrant and dynamic young worship band from Israel, on their first tour of Australia to bless the body of Messiah on our shores.
SOLU means “build up” in Hebrew and comes from Isaiah 62:10; “Go through, go through the gates. Clear the way for the people! Build up, build up the highway! Remove the stones. Lift up a banner over the peoples.” (Isaiah 62:10, TLV) Indeed, the word “Solu” is used twice in this verse and is an imperative verb, meaning it is a command. SOLU, the Israeli worship band, believe their mandate from the Lord is to do their part in “preparing the way for revival and Yeshua’s return”. We believe that SOLU will bless believers in Australia with the richness and vibrance of the fresh anointing they bring from Israel.
SOLU’s journey began in Jerusalem at Succat Hallel, a 24/7 house of prayer. There, spiritually hungry teenagers gathered weekly to worship and cry out to God. From these humble beginnings, their ministry expanded from prayer rooms to the streets of Jerusalem, and now is spreading to nations worldwide. Solu are band who bring a spiritual depth to their worship that speaks of the prayer that undergirds their ministry. Their music and ministry are lively and engaging, full of life and joy, paving a highway to prepare the way of the Lord.
For too long, media narratives have portrayed Israelis in a negative light. Through SOLU, we want to share the true heart of Israeli believers in Yeshua with the church in Australia, to give a glimpse of what the future of Israel can look like as the number of Israelis believing in Yeshua continues to increase. Bands like Solu are a sign that God is fulfilling His word to the Jewish people by restoring them to the land and giving them a new heart and spirit (Ez 36 and 37). He is uniting Jew and Gentile, Israeli and Arab, in worship of the God of Israel and the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
This November, SOLU will be performing in and around Brisbane (November 14th-16th), Sydney (21st-23rd), and Melbourne (28th-30th). They’ll be traveling between these cities during the weeks in between—don’t miss your chance to experience their music! For updates regarding SOLU’s performances, go to celebratemessiah.com.au/events or sign up for our newsletter at celebratemessiah.com.au/sign-up-for-our-newsletter.
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Passover 2025
Register today for our annual Passover Seders in Melbourne, Sydney, or Canberra! This event brings together individuals from both the local Jewish and non-Jewish communities to honour this significant cultural and religious occasion.
Passover marks the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt and symbolises our journey towards redemption, culminating in the Messiah Yeshua. The evening is meant to foster unity and solidarity within our community, featuring a comprehensive explanation of the Passover festival, interactive prayers, a delicious dinner complete with ceremonial elements, as well as live music and dance performances.
Canberra
Saturday, 12th April 2025
6:00 PM
Vision Church in Fyshwick
Melbourne
Sunday, 13th April 2025
6:00 PM
St. Kilda Town Hall
Sydney
Sunday, 13th April 2025
6:00 PM
St. Ives Community Hall
We are thrilled to invite you to Celebrate Messiah’s 30th Anniversary Celebration! For three decades, we have been blessed to “Bring the Message to the Original Messengers,” sharing the Good News with Jewish people. Now, it’s time to honour the Lord’s faithfulness together.
Worship Performance: Be inspired by the incredible music of the Sons of Korah as they take the stage and perform their original songs.
Celebrating God’s Faithfulness: Giving thanks to God for what he has done and is doing through Celebrate Messiah.
Fellowship: Connect with others who share a passion for reaching the Jewish community with the gospel.
Tickets are now available! Registration closes 13th March 2025 or until tickets sell out. This will be a joyous and uplifting evening, celebrating all that the Lord has done through this ministry. Your presence would make it even more special!
Messianic Training Centre USB Courses
Unlock the rich teachings of our Messianic faith with our USB flash drives, now loaded with our highly acclaimed online courses from our Messianic Training Centre. Each USB includes recordings of lectures as well as course materials.
By including Celebrate Messiah in your will, you become a vital partner in our transformative efforts among God’s chosen people across the globe, all while anticipating the return of the Messiah.
If you would like to speak with a Christian solicitor about including Celebrate Messiah in your will, please contact us at [email protected] or call our office on + 61 3 9563 5544 for more information.
Reflections and Renovations
