Israeli Town Honors Messianic Pastor, saying, "You're the only one that everybody agreed on"

David Lazarus : Sep 2, 2014
Israel Today

Yahav was also recognized at the ceremony for having received the prestigious Israel Kaplan Prize at the Knesset in Jerusalem for his contribution to Israel's economy.

Daniel Yahav, pastor of the Tiberias-area Messianic congregation Peniel, has received this year's Honorary Citizen Award in his hometown of Yavne'el. Yahav asked that we express his humble thanks to God for this recognition. (Photo via Israel Today)

The medal of appreciation is awarded to citizens engaged in public activities on behalf of the city and its people. In recognition of Pastor Yahav's work in the public sector, the degree was awarded at a ceremony in the center of town.

Yahav was recognized for his service to the town in organizing home-front defense during wars and emergencies. He also initiated a project for community safety during times of natural disasters. The Town Council spokesman told the crowd that "Daniel loves the people of Israel, the God of Israel and thanks the people of Yavne'el for the privilege to be recognized as their honorary citizen."

A video of residents describing why they thought Yahav should get this recognition was shown at the ceremony. "You are the only one that everybody agreed on. Who else would get it?" some said.

The son of a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to Israel in 1948, Yahav left active duty in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) with the rank of major and continues to serve as a reservist. In 1985, Yahav and his wife Shiriya built their home in Yavne'el, a small town overlooking the Sea of Galilee, where most of their seven children and six grandchildren still live today.

"Immediately upon our arrival in Yavne'el, the Yad L'Achim anti-missionary organization went door-to-door in our neighborhood and slandered us because of our faith in Yeshua," Yahav told Israel Today. "Years later, they distributed a flyer against me in every mail box in town. But just as light overcomes darkness, so the light of our testimony over the years has overcome the darkness of these slanders."

Yahav was also recognized at the ceremony for having received the prestigious Israel Kaplan Prize at the Knesset in Jerusalem for his contribution to Israel's economy. At the age of 26, with only a high school education, Yahav and his team of faithful managers turned Galtronics, a Messianic/Christian telecommunications company, into a blessing for the Jewish state, and especially for Tiberias, a city known at the time for its high unemployment and unskilled work force.

"When I was appointed directing general manager, we couldn't pay salaries," says Yahav. "It was a shame to the name of Yeshua [Jesus]. Police came to confiscate equipment because we didn't pay our bills. There were 24 court cases against us."

"They were writing about us in all the big national newspapers mocking us," recalls Yahav. "The Messiah of Galtronics," they scorned. "People threatened to burn the place down."

"We prayed and asked the Lord what was wrong and repented of every sin in the camp," says Yahav. "After that things began to turn around. We solved a problem with mobile phone antennas and became the sole supplier for Motorola worldwide. Nokia wanted our antennas as well. Over a period of seven years the business grew to a yearly turnover of $18 million." Soon after, the company was able to cover all its debts.

This year, a member of the Peniel congregation received the President's Award, the highest national honor given to a soldier. "We have more than 20 soldiers in our congregation and many of them have been bestowed with Outstanding Soldier Awards," says Yahav. "We also have an Air Force pilot in the fellowship and the whole town is really proud of that. A girl from our youth group became an elite naval officer, one of only a few young women who ever did that."

Yahav has served Peniel, one of the leading fellowships in Israel, for over 20 years. He believes that the greatest testimony of faith in Yeshua can be seen in service to our communities and nation.