A powerful testimony from the streets of Tel Aviv, shared by a volunteer at the Aviv Centre
Volunteer Igal (left) with Oren (right)
In the heart of Tel Aviv, in an old rundown bus station, just a short walk from the chaos of daily life, there stands a place of quiet hope – the Aviv Centre. Ran by Dov Bikas, this ministry reaches out to the homeless, the addicted, and the traumatised, offering hot meals, warm clothes, spiritual support, and a path toward lasting change through faith in Messiah.
One of their volunteers, Igal, recently shared this powerful encounter:
This week, a young man came into our Aviv Centre for a meal. After serving him food, I asked, “What’s your name?”
He replied, “My name is Oren.”*
“How long have you been using drugs?” I asked, after exchanging a few introductory sentences.
Oren hesitated and then said, “I started again six months ago, after coming back from reserve duty.”*
“So, you were clean before that?” I pressed.
Oren nodded and began to share his story. He explained that in his childhood, he smoked marijuana back in the Caucasus, where he grew up. “A lot of people there smoke,” he said.*
When Oren was in his late teens, he and his parents immigrated to Israel, where he started using harder drugs.*
“When I enlisted in the army, I stopped,” Oren continued. “I joined an elite unit and even served several years as a career soldier after completing my mandatory service. Then I acquired a good profession and started working. But…”*
When the war began, Oren was called back to the army.*
“I saw things that were very hard to live with,” he confessed. “A few days after returning, I started using hard drugs again. Soon, I left home and ended up on the streets.”
It was difficult to hear Oren’s story, but then I shared some of my own testimony about how Yeshua (Jesus) helped change my life. Oren seemed curious and said, “I’ve heard about Messianic Jews in the army, but I’m Jewish. I don’t understand how you can change your religion.”**
I explained, “There’s a big difference between religion and faith. I’m also Jewish, and Yeshua was Jewish too. He came first and foremost for the Jewish people.”
“If you’re interested,” I offered, “I can take you to a rehabilitation centre. There, we’ll have time to study the Scriptures together and learn more about Yeshua.”
Oren said, “I’ll think about it,” adding that he felt very calm at the Aviv Centre. “I can see this place is special,” he said.*
I smiled and told him, “If you only knew how many people pray for this place and for every person who walks through its doors!”
Before he left, we prayed together and I encouraged Oren to keep coming back to the Aviv Centre to eat, meet other believers, and maybe, one day, decide to enter a rehabilitation centre to try to change his life.*
Oren smiled, thanked me warmly, and left. Let’s pray for him, that God may direct him to the right path.*
(Shared by our volunteer Igal)
Prayer Points:
For many others like Oren – that they would find their way through the doors of the Aviv Centre and encounter the One who sets captives free.
For Oren’s healing – that the trauma he experienced during war would be healed, and that peace would take root in his heart.
For freedom from addiction – that Oren would be able to break free from drugs and take a bold step toward rehab and restoration.
For a revelation of Yeshua – that he would come to understand the difference between religion and faith, and recognise Yeshua as the promised Messiah.
For divine appointments – that Oren would continue visiting the Aviv Centre and connect with believers who can guide him toward lasting change.
For the ministry team – that God would strengthen and protect Dov Bikas, Igal, and all who serve, giving them wisdom, love, and endurance.
If you feel called, you can donate to the Aviv Ministry quoting code 4401.
