The city of Adelaide became the hub for Friends of Israel in Australia

ABOUT FOI AUSTRALIA

OUR MISSION

 Our mission is to bring physical and spiritual comfort to the Jewish people while teaching about

Israel and the Messiah.

 OUR HISTORY

1938 in Philadelphia USA

It was the 1930s, and the face of Europe was changing. The winds of war were blowing, and caught in the crosshairs were the Jewish people.

Filled with concern, Pastors and Christian businessmen gathered in Philadelphia. Requests for help were coming in regularly, and these believers knew they had to act. Verbal support was not enough.

The tipping point came on November 9–10, 1938. Kristallnacht. The night of the broken glass. The Nazi-led pogrom spread throughout Germany and Austria like wildfire as mobs burned down thousands of Jewish synagogues, homes, and businesses and killed hundreds of Jewish people. Adolf Hitler’s intentions became crystal clear.

1992 in Adelaide, Australia

FOI-Australia had it’s beginnings in Adelaide following a visit to Australia in 1991 by FOI International Ministries Director David Levy.

Today the mission has representatives covering almost all Australian states and territories, a growing online ministry and an office based in Adelaide.

READ MORE ABOUT FOI AUSTRALIA
Black and white photograph of a group of fifteen people, mainly men in suits, in a room with a world map on the wall. Some are seated at a wooden desk with papers and a telephone, others are standing behind them.

These pastors and businessmen decided now was the time to act. They would help Jewish people who were scrambling to escape the surging Nazi threat. Many Jewish people were trying to immigrate, but the United States required they have a sponsor who could guarantee the desperate immigrants would not become financial burdens to the U.S. Government.

Collage featuring a family photo, a political event with two elderly people speaking, and a logo of the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. The family includes six members, some wearing patterned shirts, outdoors with trees and a church steeple in the background. The elderly man is holding a microphone, and the woman stands beside him. The logo contains a blue Star of David with the acronym FOI.

Get To Know Us

Since 1938, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry has stood firmly against antisemitism by loving the Jewish people and boldly proclaiming God’s Word.

Driven by a deep passion for God’s Word and compassion for God’s Chosen People, we equip and mobilize Christians to serve the Jewish community and to stand confidently with Israel.

AUSTRALIAN MINISTRY TEAM

  • Black and white photo of a smiling middle-aged man with light-colored hair, wearing a dark suit, light dress shirt, and dark tie, sitting indoors in front of a window with a brick wall background.

    Dr Les Crawford

    Australian Director & Representative (SA)

    ABOUT LES
  • A smiling man with glasses and a beard wearing a collared shirt, standing indoors near a window with a brick wall background.

    Colin Lituri

    Ministry Representative (QLD)

    ABOUT COLIN
  • A black and white photo of a man in a suit smiling outdoors.

    Mark Rogers

    Ministry Representative (VIC)

    ABOUT MARK
  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man in a checkered shirt and tie.

    Kevin Vigus

    Ministry Representative (WA)

    ABOUT KEVIN
  • Black and white photo of a smiling man with short hair, wearing a sweater with a zipper, outdoors in front of a blurred background of trees.

    Simon Lawry

    Ministry Development Representative (AU/NZ)

    ABOUT SIMON

  • Jordan Dorr

    Ministry Intern (QLD)

    ABOUT JORDAN
SUPPORT OUR FOI AUSTRALIA TEAM HERE

 OUR FOI AUSTRALIA BOARD

  • Black and white photo of a smiling man with glasses, wearing a white shirt and a dark sweater, standing against a brick wall background.

    Dr.Jim Showers

    President / CEO / Board Chair

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling man with a beard, wearing a collared shirt, tie, and a zip-up jacket.

    Daniel Price

    Director of International Ministries/Board Director

  • A smiling man with light-colored hair and eyebrows, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie, standing indoors near a window with a brick wall in the background.

    Dr. Les Crawford

    Australian Field Director / Board Director

  • Black and white photo of a smiling middle-aged man with glasses, wearing a button-up shirt.

    John Wilcox

    Vice President of Finance / Chief Financial Officer & Board Treasurer

  • Black and white portrait of a man in formal attire smiling at the camera.

    Kevin Vigus

    WA Ministry Representative/Board Director

  • Lyndon Beasy

    Senior Pastor of Navigate Baptist Church / Board Director

OUR OFFICE TEAM

  • A smiling man with light-colored hair, wearing a suit jacket, dress shirt, and tie, sitting in front of a brick wall and window.

    Dr. Les Crawford

    Office Manager

  • A woman with glasses and short, curly hair sitting in an office, smiling, with file cabinets and office supplies in the background.

    Margretta Hutchison

    Office Assistant

  • A man with glasses, a beard, and a bald head, smiling, sitting in an office chair. He is wearing a dark sweater and a collared shirt, with office equipment and shelves visible in the background.

    Edy Lok

    Financial Assistant

  • Jemima Richards

    Digital Communications & Content Creator