“Shalom Bridge Family: Summer on the Farm, In the Word, and On Watch”

Dr. Eugene
Jun 30
8 min read

Welcome to the Shalom Bridge Family!

Shalom and welcome to Shalom Bridge, a community of Jews and Gentiles discovering our shared roots in G‑D’s promise to Israel and the transforming life we share in Messiah.

This summer, help grow Shalom Bridge. For just $5 a week or $25 a month, you can help us continue building understanding, teaching, and connection between Jews, Gentiles and those needing to hear the message of Yeshua. If you are already supporting this work, thank you—we are deeply grateful for your partnership and faithfulness. Every gift strengthens the bridge.

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/partner-with-shalom-bridge-making-disciples-of-yeshua

News

Shiloh Campus Update: What a week here on the Shiloh Campus farm of Shalom Bridge Ministries—apparently, the birds didn’t get the memo about peaceful coexistence.

Our current “feathered fellowship” stands at 30 quail, 13 chickens, and 4 guinea fowl, which means we are officially outnumbered and out-clucked. Some of these fine creatures have decided that the best use of their time is beak-to-beak combat, going for eyes and heads like they’re auditioning for a poultry action movie. Others are perfectly happy to stroll through the grass and wood chips like retirees at a resort, pretending not to notice the chaos around them.

And then there’s our little Polish chicken, whose crown of feathers is getting more outrageous by the day. At this point, it looks like a cross between a royal headdress and a bad hair day. Every time we see that wild feather-top, we’re reminded that G‑D is a Creator with a delightful sense of humor. Yes, we know chicken breeds are carefully developed for certain traits, but none of this feathered fashion show would exist without G‑D designing the DNA in the first place.

The weather has been just as dramatic as the birds—one day we’re in the 80s, and the next we’re wondering if 58 counts as winter again. Our wardrobe is in a constant state of repentance and adjustment. Over the past two weeks, there’s been plenty of grass cutting and more than a little cleaning up after birds and the aftermath of winter.

In the middle of all this, we managed to hatch something besides eggs: a small children’s book! It’s now in the hands of illustrators, and we’re hoping to see it come to life with pictures and playful art. Apparently, the farm isn’t the only place where imagination is running wild.

This Week's Parashah

(A parashah or Parashat is a term meaning portion~ in this case, it is referring to a portion of This Shabbat, synagogues and Messianic Jewish congregations around the world will read and teach Parashat Pinchas (פִּינְחָס) from the book of Bamidbar, “In the Wilderness” (known in the Christian Bible as “Numbers,” from the Greek Septuagint), covering Numbers 25:10–30:1

Prayer: Blessed are You, O L-RD our G-D, King of the universe,

Who sanctifies us by His commandments

And has commanded us to engage with Your Word.

Zeal in Shalom

In a world that often prizes comfort over conviction, Pinchas reminds us that holy zeal—rightly directed—is not about anger, but about alignment with the heart of G‑D. This is the very meaning of Shalom (often simply translated as peace).

Pinchas steps forward in a moment of moral collapse in Israel, when idolatry and immorality threaten the very identity of the people of G‑D. His decisive action turns back wrath and restores a measure of holiness to the camp. Yet the text does not glorify violence; it highlights G‑D’s gift: a “brit shalom,” a covenant of right order and peace. True zeal, in G‑D’s eyes, must ultimately lead to shalom, not perpetual strife.

As Messianic believers, we see in this portion a foreshadowing of the One who bears the ultimate covenant of Shalom: Yeshua the Messiah. Through His faithfulness unto death and His resurrection, Yeshua confronts sin and idolatry at their root, not by taking life, but by laying down His own. He embodies the perfect balance of truth and grace, justice and mercy, zeal and gentleness. He walks in right relationship to the Father as to give us the very image of Shalom.

For us, Parashah Pinchas raises a searching question: Where is G‑D calling us to stand apart from compromise—not with self-righteous anger, but with humble, courageous faithfulness? Perhaps it is in our speech, our media choices, our ethics in business or ministry, or in the way we guard the sanctity of community life. Zeal without love wounds; love without holiness drifts. In Messiah, we are invited into both.

May G‑D grant us discernment to recognize the idols that creep into our lives, courage to turn from them, and the spirit of shalom that marks all true zeal. As we walk through the “wilderness” of our generation, may we bear witness to the Prince of Peace, in whose covenant we stand.

Prayer: Avinu Malkeinu, our Father and King, Guide and empower us to walk in Your covenant faithfulness when we feel vulnerable, weary, or surrounded by opposition. Let the words of our mouths, the actions of our lives and the meditation of our hearts honor You, and lead us to walk humbly, act justly, and love mercy through Yeshua the Messiah. Amen.

Antisemitism Watch | June 24,-June 30, 2026

This past week has seen several troubling examples of antisemitism in public life, especially in the United States and Europe.

In Washington, D.C., federal civil‑rights authorities opened an investigation into the National Education Association (NEA) after detailed complaints that the union created a hostile environment for Jewish teachers – from minimizing Jews in Holocaust materials to circulating a map that erased Israel and labeled the whole region “Palestine.” This case highlights how antisemitism can show up inside major institutions, not just on the street.
In New York City, a Brooklyn coffee shop, Poetica Coffee, publicly announced that it would not serve Jewish Congressman Dan Goldman, calling him a “genocide enabler” because of his support for Israel and telling him never to return. The U.S. Department of Justice has now opened a civil‑rights investigation into the incident.
In Thessaloniki, Greece, far‑left activists organized an “anti‑Zionist patrol,” marching in black shirts with Palestinian flags and intimidating Jews, Zionists, Israelis, tourists, and business owners. Greek Jewish leaders condemned the march as echoing assault squads that preceded an antisemitic pogrom in the same city 95 years ago.

These stories remind us that antisemitism is not only a matter of individual prejudice; it can be expressed through institutions, businesses, and organized street groups. As a community, we are called to stay alert, to support our Jewish neighbors, and to pray that G‑D exposes and restrains hatred against HIS people wherever it appears.

חָזָק (Chazak): The Heart of Courage

Standing In An Answered Prayer

Friend, I pray that the moment you read this, you are completely filled with the Lord’s joy, peace, and an overflowing hope (Romans 15:13, ESV)!

Have you ever looked at your current season and suddenly realized that you are standing right in the middle of a hidden answered prayer? Sometimes God responds to us, but because it arrives in an unexpected package, or takes years to manifest, we completely miss it. We get so consumed by daily busyness and just pushing through our routines that we lose sight of His supernatural alignment.

That happened to me recently. I never in a million years thought I’d live in Eastern Oregon, far from the Miami beaches. But the Lord recently triggered a beautiful, forgotten memory from years ago.

Years ago, when I was living in the flatlands of Florida and enduring the scorching heat, I used to pray to live in the mountains. I even had vivid dreams of flying over trees and massive peaks in a faraway place. And guess what? Here I am! I am standing right in the middle of that dream, living in these beautiful mountains with a wonderful husband (this is the extra bonus part LOL), surrounded by a stunning landscape, crisp air, and beautiful night skies. He never forgot.

I declare a prophetic awakening over your vision this week! The Lord is calling us to lift our eyes above the daily grind. When you look back at your journey through a lens of faith, you will see that He has actually given you far more than you originally asked for.

Let's activate this truth together today:

Think of 2 or 3 things you can be grateful for.
Start a daily "Grateful" journal with me, writing down at least one thank-you item each day.

Through this, we will fully trust Philippians 4:6 (NIV): "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" and Matthew 7:11 (NIV): "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Go ahead and ask Him with a grateful heart today, knowing He hears and responds – just sometimes not in the way we would have ever imagined!

Prayer: יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ׃ יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ׃ יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם׃

“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Through this prayer HIS name has been placed upon us!!! (see Numbers 6:27) May we walk worthy of HIS name!!!

Resources

Podcasts and More. Did you know we also host a weekly podcast called “Shema Shalom”?

Each episode is designed to encourage your faith and deepen your walk with the L-RD. You can listen anytime on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, or directly on our website.

We’d love for you to join us—wherever and whenever you listen!

You can also stay connected with Shalom Bridge on TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, where we share updates, encouragement, and teaching throughout the week. You’ll find our podcast episodes and weekly Parashah blogs anytime on our website at www.shalombridge.org.

🎬 Calling All Creatives! We Want You! Join our Shalom Bridge Ministry Team!

Do you have a heart for ministry and a gift for video editing? We are looking for someone to help us bring Shalom Bridge Ministries to life on screen! Once a week, we would send you raw footage, and you would work your magic — cutting it together into one beautiful, shareable video. If this sounds like something you'd love to pour your gifts into, we would love to hear from you! Reach out to us at connect@shalombridge.org or (720)722-2375.

Thank you for your faithful prayers and generous support. Your partnership enables us to continue sharing this message of hope and reconciliation with the nations. We are deeply grateful to walk this journey with you.

Stay connected with us at www.shalombridge.org or connect@shalombridge.org.

B’Shalom, Dr. Eugene & Judith Saunders

Partner with us to make disciples for Yeshua. Pray about making a gift today to support this ministry? There are many ways to give. You can give online through our Website using Zeffy, give via Cash App, Zelle (through 503-816-7599), or send a special offering to Shalom Bridge at 12745 South Rock Creek Lane, Haines, Oregon 97833. Please prayerfully consider partnering with us. Your help and support are greatly needed and appreciated.

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“There is neither Jew nor Gentile… for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” — Sha’ul (Paul) Galatians 3:28

At Shalom Bridge.org, we believe that unity is the heartbeat of truth and that love across lines, fulfills the vision G‑D gave us. Thank you for being part of something sacred—and for choosing to build bridges where walls once divided.

With deep gratitude and hope,

The Shalom Bridge Team Bridging faith. Growing love. Finding shalom.

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