In 2017, God called Henry and Ilse Strauss—a Namibian and a South African who met and fell in love in Jerusalem—to pack up their lives, sell everything they had for airfare and bid farewell to family and friends to partner with Him as He builds His kingdom in Israel. Months later, they boarded a flight to answer His call, having no idea what the future held, but trusting Him to know better than they did.
They joined the team of Bridges for Peace, an international Christian organization building relationships between Christians and Jews, as full time volunteers early in 2018.
The Strausses have now called Jerusalem home for over six years, and have spent these 72 plus months serving and loving the people God calls “the apple of His eye” (Zech. 2:8). They serve and bless the people of Israel because they love the God of Israel. They operate from a biblical foundation and hold the Scripture as the ultimate truth.
Ilse’s job is to tell Israel’s story, sharing the truth from a biblical perspective that the mainstream media often bypasses. She is passionate about the fact that Israel, her rebirth, survival and economic prosperity—literally this nation’s day-to-day existence—stand as proof of God’s existence. In fact, Israel today serves as God’s giant billboard proclaiming far and wide the evidence that He is alive, that He is who He says He is and does what He says He will do. Israel stands as confirmation that God keeps His covenant with man, not because Israel is smarter, better, holier or more important, but because God is.
Throughout the Old Testament prophets —almost like a precious refrain—God offered an extensive list of prophecies that He would fulfill—one day, thousands of years in the future—in, through and with Israel. And that day, the days He showed Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Isaiah and Zechariah, is today. We are the generation chosen for a time such as this to see the prophecies God spoke of being fulfilled right in front of our eyes. Over the past century, more prophecy has gone in fulfilment than during any other time in history except for the earthly ministry of Jesus. But God wants us to be more than spectators standing on the sidelines of history as it unfolds. He wants us to actively partner with Him, to be His hands and feet through which His plans are brought to fulfillment. Exciting? No! It’s mind-blowing!
Henry is the more practical Strauss. He has a heart for the community—and for the individuals who comprise the community. He embodies the saying “actions speak louder than words” and demonstrates God’s love in a practical manner to everyone in need of a helping hand or a supportive shoulder. That’s why he is often the first to get a call when there’s a physical need anywhere. Henry is also passionate about visitors to Israel experiencing God’s heart, precense and beauty in the land and will go out of his way with tips, practical assistance and advice to ensure that every visit to Israel is an anointed appointment with God.
Their daughter, Lily, joined the Strauss team in 2021, and together, the three live their lives as a testimony before the people they have taken as their own. They pour out God’s love as they volunteer, on the bus, in the supermarket or wherever He positions them. They live in front of and alongside the people of Israel, standing with them, praying for them, blessing them physically and showing them that they are not alone. Especially now.
Rimon Trust is more than a ministry—it is a lifestyle of devotion, faith, and action, demonstrating love not only in words, but in deeds and truth.