Shalom Friends,
I want to share some of my personal thoughts about our upcoming National Conference in St. Louis.

For months, I have felt strongly that our emphasis was to be on "Israel." Not Israel as she stands as a nation today, but on the prophetic changes that are coming to her in this end-time hour.

We see little signs of such changes everywhere, and we feel a strong need to focus on them. We desire with all of our hearts to focus on what our God is doing at this time! We do not want to miss a minute of it!

My husband, Angus, wrote a House of David Herald Newsletter in the early nineties titled, "Ephraim, Free at Last!" In it he outlined Ephraim’s punishment and suggested a time frame wherein that punishment would come to an end (Eze 4). The idea in that newsletter was enlarged in Angus' 1998 book, "Restoring the Kingdom to Israel."

Since that time, many have replicated his scenario. It has been duplicated because what Angus saw prophetically, and wrote about more than a decade ago, has proven to be true, we do see prodigal Ephraim being restored! We see him coming to know himself and the truth of his Israelite roots! (Hos 1:9-11; Jer 31:18-20; Luke 15:11-32). It is happening in this hour because Ephraim’s punishment has come to an end!

Although YHVH put an end to Ephraim’s "kingdom," it was by no means their end as a people of promise. These scattered ones would one day respond to Jezreel. Like seed, they would respond to being scattered. They would be hidden, then take deep root and sprout forth, but this time in a new and more beautiful form (Hosea 1:4-2:22).

We are now seeing that sprouting. Ephraim is coming forth like true sons of Joseph, and like Joseph, they seek to protect and provide for brother Judah.

Judah is beginning to see Ephraim as a brother. Judah is yet cautious, even wary, but change is coming and the two sticks are being made one in the Father’s hand, as He long-ago long ago declared (Eze 37:15-28). And that is what this upcoming conference is about.

Even our conference location is prophetic, because the St. Louis Arch is said to be the "Gateway to the West." Abba said He would send an "east wind" against Ephraim (Hosea 13:15). East winds blow things in a westerly direction. He also promised concerning Ephraim in the last days,

Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will be glad as if from wine; Indeed, their children will see it and be glad, their heart will rejoice in YHVH. I will whistle for them to gather them together, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they were before. When I scatter them among the peoples, they will remember Me in far countries, and they with their children will live and come back. I will bring them back from the land of Egypt And gather them from Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon Until no room can be found for them (Zec 10:7-10).

He also swore,

I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, and I will not come in wrath. They will walk after YHVH, He will roar like a lion; indeed He will roar and His sons will come trembling from the west. They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria; And I will settle them in their houses, declares YHVH (Hosea 11:9-11).

When Ephraim begins his trek home, he comes trembling "from the west"!

In faith believing, we plan to walk through that "Western Gateway" with our faces set like flint toward Jerusalem in the east. We will do this because we believe it is time for us to seriously think about our return home.

Judah needs us, friends. Like never before, we need to arise, and be the brothers that we were called to be. Our conference will be about that brotherhood, and about us returning in faith.

At this inspiring conference, we will have updates from the land from long-time friends, Ephraim and Rimona Frank, and we will hear from Boaz and Rina Dryer concerning the Shefa Project.

In addition, we will hear from a member of the Israeli Knessset who knows and loves us as "B’nai Ephraim," as returning "Sons of Ephraim." You do not want to miss this heartwarming welcome home from Sagiv Assulin. Similarly, Hale Harris and Angus Wootten are forming a new organization, B’nai Ephraim. Together, they will offer a workshop for young men and women who are interested in returning to the Land as B’nai Ephraim!

My favorite teachers will be bringing forth powerful messages of encouragement – messages that are especially geared to the hour in which we live: Hale Harris, John Conrad, Daniel Botkin, and Frank Houtz. These are fine men of integrity. They will not tickle your ears, but will inspire and encourage you while suggesting the path that will lead us home. Even as Jeremiah tells us, "Set up for yourself roadmarks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your mind to the highway, the way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, Return to these your cities. How long will you go here and there, O faithless daughter? For YHVH has created a new thing in the earth..." (Jer 31:21-22). Thus says YHVH, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls" (Jer 6:16).

With all my heart I believe this conference will prove to be a mile-marker for many. It will be about truly committing ourselves to the Father’s path, and to the restoration of the whole house of Israel.

We will be blessed with a Shabbat Torah celebration led by Rastor (Rabbi/Pastor) Richard Altom, with Rabbi Mordecai Silver and a host of anointed Torah teachers.

For those who hunger for more of the Ruach haKodesh, for true understanding of His ways, Wally Smith will be teaching an informative session on that subject.

We will have classes on Hebraic dance by anointed teachers, Dan and Sylvia Calderon.

In addition, we will be blessed by Lenny and Varda, who will be offering two new CDs.

Worship will be led by Jimmie Black, who also will have a new CD and a wonderful new book about worship (edited by yours truly!).

Brenda Wheeler will bless us with awesome songs from her Genesis CD.

Once more, we will have an MIA conference that is overflowing with vibrant young people. (Bring your children so they can see old friends and make lots of new friends!)

For the diehards, for those who do not need sleep, we will have a Midnight Midrash. And our MIA COO, Scott Diffenderfer, will be there to give input and oversee this illustrious event.

Most important, we will have lots of fellowship with Believers from all over the country, even the world.

I too will be there, and I feel like I am the mother hen who clucks over her chicks, and does not want to miss a single one of you! For that reason, I pray that you will join us for this momentous event. I sincerely believe it will prove to be a life-changing in the earth.

Yours for the Restoration of the Whole House of Israel,
Batya