Norwegians in Israel?

In the United States, we are used to Christian denominations like the Southern Baptist Church and the Assemblies of God movement taking the lead in the Messianic movement. However, in Israel there are different Christian denominations sponsoring and supporting Messianic "Jewish" congregations in their attempts to convert the Jewish people.

The Norwegian Church Ministry to Israel (NCMI) is an active part of the Christian evangelical push in Israel. Their flagship attempt to evangelize Jews toward Christianity is the Caspari Center. The NCMI created the Caspari Center in 1984, an evangelical Christian educational outreach which trains Messianic leaders and teachers throughout Israel. The Caspari Center is a large operation, with expenses at over $300,00 per year and involves the participation of several other Scandinavian Christian organizations.

The Norwegian Church Ministry to Israel is also the founder of a Messianic congregation called Beit Eliahu in Haifa. Beit Eliahu's original name was Elias Church and it is a church plant of NCMI's Reverend Magne Solheim. NCMI has also planted a Messianic home for the elderly called Ebenezer Home. Lastly, the NCMI runs Immanuel Church, which includes Hebrew services on Saturdays. Why would a church have Hebrew services on Saturdays when they have perfectly good Christian services at the same church on Sundays? There is only one reason; to convert the Jews.

I hope this served as a taste for the Scandinavian Christians investment in the Messianic movement as a method of evangelizing the Jews.