Meet Our Affiliates
- Eli Biton:
- Following the Scriptures
- Haim of Haifa and Family:
- The harvest is still plentiful
- Johnny Khoury:
- Rising for the elderly
- Marvin Kramer:
- Advocate for justice for all
- Yossi Ovadia :
- When sociologists dream
- John and Judy Pex:
- Yeshua’s diversity
- Dr. Erez Soref:
- Shepherding the found sheep of Israel
- Paul and Traci Valerio:
- Hearts in Israel, feet in America
- The Bethel Congregation:
- Loving those who love Yeshua
Paul and Traci Valerio:
Many Christians view the mission field as a place outside of one’s comfort zone: God plucks one from the comforts of home and plants him in another location. By His grace, the worker becomes progressively adjusted to life on the mission field, but still misses the place from which he has come. For the Valerios, the opposite is true. The "field" of Israel became their home, and the United States is now the field of ministry to which they are called and where they labor each day to adjust to life.
In 1984, after attending Capernwray Bible College in Carnforth, England, Paul and Traci traveled to Israel where they eventually became the managers of a Christian youth hostel. In addition, Paul worked in a general hospital as a physical therapist. Their ministry also extended to supporting the indigenous church. As their family grew to include three children, Ben, Michael and Elizabeth, their ministry expanded to pioneering a children’s work which served the needs of different congregations in the city of Haifa.
Not being Jewish, Paul and Traci fell under scrutiny for their presence in the Land, had the renewal of their residency visa denied, and eventually had to leave Israel in 2002 after eighteen years of making it their home. Though they are now in the US, their work continues in an invaluable way as a contact point for HCF and as a gateway for believing Jews who visit the US to speak about the Israeli church.
Approved in 2001 as workers with HCF, Paul and Traci are the US “go to” people for life in the Land. Their experience has afforded them valuable insights into the condition of the Israeli church and into Israeli society overall. With their background in managing a ministry that was chiefly operated with the assistance of foreign volunteers, they offer a reservoir of information to aid those considering volunteer service in Israel.
Paul, a licensed physical therapist, and Traci, a substitute teacher and radio journalist (she has interviewed a number of guests from Israel on Christian radio) lead the youth ministry of their church. Paul is currently working on an MA in Jewish studies, while Traci is earning an MA in teaching. They maintain connection with the local Jewish Community Center and actively participate in events hosted by the Center.
On their difficult transition from one culture to another, Traci writes this: “ One thing that I hear myself tell others these days is that though our heart is still in Israel, our feet are in America. I think one of the lessons I've learned from our abrupt transplant is that although you might prefer to serve God in the location of your heart where you give of yourself with gusto and unreservedly, you must be willing to serve Him where He plants your feet. It is necessary to wake up each morning, put your feet on the floor and ask where He will lead you this day.''
Another Paul (the Apostle Paul) wrote that his “heart's desire and prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” Yet his feet traveled wherever the Lord willed them. "Surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses," the Valerios are following the Apostle's example. While their heart's desire and prayer remains steadfast for Gospel work in the Land, they continue with like passion to minister in the place the Lord has planted them.
If you would like more information on the Valerios, please contact the Director.