Building bridges: Reveal tour held

On Saturday, July 25, 2026, attendees from Springfield, Missouri, and surrounding communities were privileged to enjoy a four-hour presentation by Bridges for Peace USA. Amazing Grace Fellowship hosted the mini conference. Approximately 75 were in attendance from a variety of communities and churches. Shirah Miriam Awmann (Mimi) from Branson, Missouri, invited 22 attendees. Families, children and adults were present. Homeschooling students with their parents attended the event. 

Reverend Patrick Verbeten, National Director of Bridges for Peace USA, and his wife, Rebecca, were the presenters. Years ago, they met and lived in Springfield. Patrick was born in Japan and served in the United States Marines. Rebecca worked with the church. They are the proud parents of two daughters who are in their twenties and have lived in Israel for many years.

• 

• 

• 

In 2026 Patrick and Rebecca are on a 100-day Reveal tour visiting cities across America, starting in Dallas and south Texas; San Diego and San Francisco, California; Arkansas and Missouri. In the fall they will go to Florida and Vermont. They will be in the Atlanta, Georgia, area soon. I asked Patrick what the purpose of their travel was intended to achieve. He said "the purpose of our tour is to educate the church, build relationships, visit friends and supporters.” Before the mini conference started I asked Patrick how he felt about the recent attack of two individuals who were stabbed in New York City. He said, "I can't believe this is happening in this country. We have freedom of religion." When I mentioned that the Jewish community is speaking up, he also encouraged others to do the same, stating, "Christians need to stand alongside them” (the Jewish community). “Anybody who believes in liberty, should say, hey, this is not ok because when they're done coming after the Jewish community, who are they going to come after next." Their goal was to provide historical clarity and practical tools to engage with confidence and grace supporting Israel. Building bridges is key to their mission.

There were four sessions that included the understanding of the covenants in the Bible, explaining God's promise to Abraham and why that promise has never been revoked: the difference between the covenants and why mixing them up creates real confusion among other definitions of biblical scriptures; understanding the conflict; building bridges referencing how the Church has a role to play; how to stand with Israel and the Jewish people in prayer; advocacy and action; and, what Bridges for Peace is doing and how you can be a part of it. The final session was a Q&A session. If I had to rate this presentation, I would give it a 10. Education of this importance gives people hope to be informed.

Rebecca and Patrick provided examples of scriptures, stories and personal examples of being aware and informed. They have a podcast titled Reveal Podcast BFP USA. A box lunch was provided through the hospitality of Amazing Grace Fellowship. Bridget Bartlet and her husband attending the mini conference from Hollister, Missouri, shared how they traveled to Israel in 2022 and fell in love with the people, the land and volunteered in olive groves with the harvest. When they returned home, they felt called to start a ministry serving Jews and showing love the way Jesus teaches. Bridget says "I was born in the United States and we are Christians." Another attendee named Jean said, "we have a Bible study on Monday mornings at 10 a.m. in Nixa.”

Everyone was very interested with the presentation and education at the mini conference. I have to admit I learned a few things myself.

I had an opportunity to speak with Rebecca, Patrick's wife. She was a joy and quite knowledgeable. She explained that Bridges for Peace is a Christian organization, headquartered in Jerusalem. She said "we work in two different areas, humanitarian feeding 24,000 Israelis. We work in the public schools and reach out to Holocaust survivors." She added, "we have offices in the USA and eight other nations; responding in times of attack, equipping the church." I continued with our interview asking how she felt about the stabbing incident in New York. Rebecca was concerned, stating, "Unfortunately, we are living in times where antisemitism is high which I've never experienced in my lifetime; similar, leading up to the days of World War II. And, our job is to engage the church, Christians and Jews." "On a secular level," she said, "a person needs to be prosecuted and things need to be in place so they don't happen again. We are aimed at equipping the church. Christians need to understand the history of Jews, the scriptures, with no shame, only purpose of resolve." In one of Rebecca's points, she quoted Ezekiel saying "nations are raging. God is calling Christians and Jews to participate." Also saying "I will give you a new heart." There was much more presentation including scriptures that were explained.

Finally, the conclusion of this mini conference stated "the root of the conflict is based on a spiritual battle. Prayer and intercession are something we all can do against antisemitism, which is the modern enemy; align ourselves with the word of God."

Patrick and Rebecca can be reached at www.BridgesforPeace.com and by email pverbeten@bgpusa.com.