East River Ministries

Restoring the Land and the People to Israel

Twelve Tribes Small Groups

East River Ministries is looking for (at least) 12 hosts/hostesses who will begin a small group in their home, and invite (at least) 12 people to become part of that group. These small groups can be anywhere in the country or even the world! Each small group will meet every month (12 times per year). The purpose of these 12 small groups will be:

1. To pray for the salvation and restoration of each of the 12 tribes of Israel.

 2. To pray for their release from the four corners of the earth as they make Aliyah (immigrate) to Israel, fulfilling bible prophecy.

3. To form cohesiveness and bring focus and unity within East River Ministries.

4. To enjoy a monthly fellowship within a small group.

5. To develop and strengthen a love for the land and people of Israel and to increase in knowledge and understanding of why Israel matters to God and us.

6. To love, pray for and encourage each other for healing and restoration as individual needs may arise.

How the Small Groups (Tribes) Work

Each of the twelve small groups will be designated a name of one of the twelve tribes with which they will be identified. Each of the twelve small groups, when they gather each month, will focus their discussion and prayers on one of the twelve tribes, until at the end of the year they will have covered all twelve tribes. Each month will be designated for a particular tribe, that all of the groups will be focused on. A general outline will be provided by East River Ministries to facilitate the discussion and prayer. The twelve tribes are: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher.

Leader/Facilitator

There should be a person who will lead or facilitate the discussion and prayer each month. This can be the same person each time, or a different person who will be decided upon at each meeting for the next month. Scribes and Praise Reports Within the groups, someone will be designated for that month, or ongoing, as “scribe” who will write a praise report of that particular meeting and e-mail it to East River Ministries at yngsmsmm@aol.com. This should be done immediately, while it is still fresh in mind of that scribe. These monthly praise reports will be invaluable as we come together at the end of the year to share what God has done within each group.

Freedom within the Groups

There is freedom for individuals to visit or switch to various groups as they feel comfortable. The host/hostess is encouraged to invite others along the way. These are not closed groups, but open and welcoming any who would want to participate at any time. Individual prayer is encouraged if someone needs it. There should be freedom within the groups to be led by the Holy Spirit because sometimes His plans are not our plans. Since the true theme of these gatherings is “restoration”, it is important to pray, not only for the Tribes of Israel in a literal sense, but also for all those who want prayer. We suggest that you do not take time to take prayer requests, but simply if someone brings up a prayer need, if they Holy Spirit is moving right then, just stop and pray for them. We are believing God to do great and mighty things, and for His blessings to flow within Israel, as well as within the lives of those who participate.

Love Offerings

Those who attend may want to bring a $12 per month offering as part of the 144,000 campaign, but not required. A love offering for East River Ministries may be taken by passing an offering basket. Menus and Gathering Arrangements Each host/hostess will decide concerning their own menus each month, whether it will be covered dish, everyone bringing a particular food item, or they may want to prepare it themselves. They may decide within that group to meet in the home of the host/hostess each month, or in various homes of the small group members. It is up to each group to decide how they want to do it. The important thing is that they meet together each month. Each group can decide the day and time of their meeting. It would help to keep this as consistent as possible, allowing of course for re-scheduling if necessary.

Schedule and Hanukkah Party

The small groups will begin in January, and end in December, all coming together for a Hanukkah party at a designated location. The theme of Hanukkah is about “restoration”, because it is a celebration of the temple being restored. Each of the “Tribes” will be responsible for decorating a table for their tribe, and will share insights and experiences from their twelve months of meetings. If a particular “tribe” from another area of the country is too far away that they cannot all attend, perhaps a representative(s) could be sent, or they could have their own Hanukkah party with the Twelve Tribes theme.

In Memory

This program is in memory of Sherri Bomback and family.