Peace In Jerusalem: Wayne Hilsden

You know you’ve got perfect peace when it’s still there in the fiercest storms.

My friend Wayne Hilsden posted that statement on his Facebook page. He should know. Wayne and his wife Ann live in Jerusalem.

Jocelyn and I were with Wayne and Ann on one our trips to Israel. They have accomplished so much good in their lives. Let us introduce you to them.

King of Kings

Dr. Wayne Hilsden co-founded King of Kings in 1983, a Messiah-centered congregation in the heart of Jerusalem, and then helped to plant three other congregations in Israel. The church expanded into a multifaceted ministry that exists today.

In 1990, Wayne co-founded Israel College of the Bible. He has invested much of his life in mentoring young Israeli leaders, many of whom are key leaders in today Israel’s Body of believers. His wife Ann has produced many Messianic music albums and continues to assist Israeli songwriters to compose and release new worship songs in Hebrew.

Wayne earned a Master of Divinity degree from Wycliffe College and the University of Toronto, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Asbury Seminary. Wayne and Ann live in Jerusalem and have four sons.

Beginnings

I love stories of beginnings and the faith to take risks and be bold when all, except God’s leading, all seems uncertain.

When they planted the King of Kings church in 1990, they rented a YMCA auditorium. The congregation made that home for over 20 years. It was an adequate facility seating 600 people, which was great. But with a rented facility, there would be “surprises” every week. Things weren’t always in order and they felt that they really needed to have their own space and not just once a week on the weekend but throughout the week to meet as a community. They prayed and the Lord pressed upon Wayne that they could do it. God gave him the gift of faith to step out of the boat and believe God for the ability to acquire their own facility. They came across the largest movie theatre in Jerusalem and began to negotiate on the purchase.

Vision Leads To Provision

The view from their church’s prayer space.

They only had $200,000 saved up in the bank towards a building and the bank wanted $3.6 million dollars for the property. However they believed God wanted them to have the property, so they signed the papers. They needed $1.1 million in two weeks as a deposit. One day Wayne was sitting in a church staff meeting and he sensed the Lord say, “get on an airplane”. Six hours later he was on a plane and within 12 hours of his arrival a man and his wife said that the Lord had spoken to them to give them $1.5 million! The money arrived in their bank account in good time and they had more than enough for that first deposit and they saw miracle after miracle following that to make purchasing the building possible.

Peace

Whatever mountain or uncertainty you may be facing, know God’s direction, lean into Him, and experience a peace that will power you through. All the glory of the outcome belongs to Him.

Have you been to Israel? Have you heard Wayne preaching. Please join the conversation and post a comment below.

Pray for Wayne and Ann and the work of King of Kings.

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