Our Vision & Mission Priorities
We pray to see an active and influential Christian student group in every university and college in Israel, influencing the church and society.
The Fellowship of Christian Students in Israel (FCSI) is a non-profit organization whose aim is to reach out with the gospel message to students in Israel. FCSI works in campuses all over Israel, mainly through students who reach out to their fellow students.
We believe students are important, and that is why we invest in them. We believe they are the future – both of the Church and of society. Our mission field is a large one: there are around 330,000 students in Israel studying in 8 universities and 58 colleges.
Our ministry is unique in that we combine Messianic Jews, Arab Christians, and International students under one umbrella because we desire to model a good example of Christ’s redemptive love to the people living in Israel.
Though FCSI itself is not a large organization, we believe it is possible to have an impact on Israeli society, trusting the Lord to fulfill this call.
We engage in our mission through Scripture Engagement, Prayer, Witness & Evangelism, Unity in Diversity, and Student Leadership.
Our Values
1. Rooted in Scripture
We believe that the Bible is God’s living Word – the foundation for our faith, identity, and mission. Through personal and communal study of Scripture, we grow in our relationship with God and learn how to follow Jesus faithfully in every area of life. We equip students to engage deeply with God’s Word and apply biblical truth to the challenges of university life, current events, and the world around them. Our desire is to raise disciples who think biblically, live faithfully, and glorify God in every sphere of society.
2. Dependent on Prayer
We believe prayer is the foundation of our mission. It expresses our dependence on God’s grace, unites us in seeking His will, and empowers us to share the gospel with humility and love.
3. Passionate about Evangelism
We seek to share Christ with every student on campus and beyond, inviting them to encounter Him and experience His redemptive love. We are committed to both public proclamation and personal, relational evangelism – through friendships, conversations, and everyday life.
4. United in the Body of Christ
As Messianic Jews, Arab Christians, and internationals, we are one family in Jesus. Our shared life demonstrates the power of the Gospel to reconcile and unite diverse communities. We believe that living out this unity is a testimony in itself to the love and transforming work of Christ.
5. Committed to Raising Leaders
We are committed to developing leaders who reflect the character of Christ – humble, courageous, servant-hearted, resilient, and full of integrity. These leaders are equipped to influence not only their campuses but also their churches and society for the glory of God.
In 1979
At the 1979 IFES (International Fellowship of Evangelical Students) General Committee in Norway, Israel was highlighted as a country where there were no immediate prospects of student work beginning. Afaf Musallam, who was born in Haifa and serving with the Lebanese student movement, asked special prayer for this matter. The gathering agreed to ask God for at least an observer from Israel at the 1983 General Committee. The prayer was answered.
In 1980
In spring 1980, John Woodhead (not pictured), a student leader in Scotland who had grown up in Israel among Arabs and Jews, made an exploratory trip to Israel with the enthusiastic backing of Scottish Christian Unions.
However, when he got to Israel, he found that the Lord had answered prayer and raised up no less than six Bible study groups already, including both Hebrew and Arab students! It was indeed a work of God. John continued to invest in students in Israel for several years.
1980 to 1990s
In the 1980s, Arabic and Hebrew-groups ebbed and flowed, with generations of students passing the torch to the students after them. And in 1987, FCSI became an official member of IFES. Starting in the late 80’s and into the 90’s, FCSI established a rhythm hosting conferences, providing training, and equipping student groups with evangelism materials.
1995 to 2000s
In the last several decades, FCSI has witnessed the rise of international students ministry and their important role in influencing their campuses for Christ. In addition to their valuable presence within FCSI, these students are uniquely positioned to affect their local communities when they return home.
As the needs of the ministry grew, so did the staff team. Leaders from Messianic Jewish, Arab Christian, and international communities carried on the mission, focusing on God’s word and the transformative power of the Gospel.
Since 2018
Rasha Saba has been leading as General Secretary (GS) for the movement, serving both the local and international team members as well as our many students. The ministry currently oversees 25 different student groups across the country, and strides are being made in increasing our evangelistic efforts and bringing our Arabic, Hebrew, and English-speaking groups together.
2024 –
We are thankful to our Lord for 45 years of ministry, and to every brother and sister who has invested time, money, and servanthood to the development of student ministry in Israel. In the midst of trials and transitions, one truth remains unshakeable — the goodness and grace of God is woven like a thread through a story only He could write, binding us together in a tapestry of love for Him and for one another. We look forward to the years ahead!
Our Team
RASHA SABA
Rasha Saba is the General Secretary of the Fellowship of Christian Students in Israel (FCSI). She has been leading the ministry since June 2018. Before taking her current role, she worked with the ministry for six years among Arabic-speaking students and as the training coordinator – the first to hold this position. Rasha left behind a career in occupational therapy to work for FCSI because of the personal calling she felt from the Lord. She possesses a master’s degree in Counseling and Group Facilitation and a certificate in Couple Counseling and Mediation, and is currently studying for a master’s degree in ministry. She and her husband Rani live in Nazareth in Galilee, where Rani pastors The Baptist Church in Nof Hagalil (upper Nazareth Elite).
NEEMAN MELAMED
Shalom dear brothers and sisters!
My name is Neeman. I am staff minister in FCSI among Hebrew-speaking students. I am married to a wonderful Siberian woman, Ludmila, and we have two boys – Yonatan and Ranel. I am honored to be a part of this ministry that has a very strategic vision – spreading the good news of God’s kingdom to Arab and Jewish people in the academic world! I studied International Relations and political science as my BA, and my MA is in Middle Eastern studies. My credo for ministry to others: “I want my ceiling to be your floor.”
I enjoy reading books: historical, political, Russian and World Classics. I have also been a professional table tennis player in the past and I can teach you the game!
KEVIN NALTY
Kevin is a staff with the FCSI, focusing on the International student population. He has a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology and is an ordained pastor with the Alliance church. His passion is to help people not just believe in Jesus, but to truly follow Him and live for Him! He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and two kids.
HANYA NAOUM
My name is Hanya! I’m so grateful to be part of the team in FCSI, helping to train the Arabic student groups across the country. I did my studies at Western Galilee College with a degree in Business Management and Human Resources.
The thing I’m most excited about in this work with FCSI is when I visit the students on campus. We share a lot of things, and we study the Bible, and most importantly I feel the love between them and I feel at home with them; this gives me the energy to serve the students with love.
My passion is sports, especially basketball, which I played for eight years! My husband and I live in Shfar’am.
RACHEL HAWKINS
Hello everyone! My name is Rachel. I am an international staff with FCSI and have served with the movement in-country for three years. I am a native Montanan with an equal love for both the mountains and the sea! I am grateful to serve with FCSI among international students and locals alike. I have seen how the gospel is able to unite people groups under the name of Jesus and I believe in the mission of FCSI to be “salt and light” (Matt 5: 13-16) to the world.
Hobbies: drawing and painting, attempting Israeli recipes, good coffee and hiking, and going on outdoor adventures with friends!
NERIA HAZZAN
My name is Neria! I am an accounting and economics student at the Open University. I work with the FCSI team as an administrative assistant.
Being part of the FCSI team during my studies is a great blessing from God. The team is like a family that supports me, prays for me, and is always available to listen to and encourage me.
The things I love most about my job are having responsibilities on the administrative side of the ministry, and being part of the logistics for FCSI’s programs and conferences, where I see the need for God even in the small details!
This role has helped me grow with God, especially during our monthly staff Bible study, and I am learning how to love others as He loves us.
FARAH SAMAWI
My name is Farah! I am a psychology student at the University of Haifa and the social media manager for FCSI. Balancing my roles as a student and media manager has allowed me to see God’s work among students here like never before.
Like many other students, FCSI has been pivotal in my spiritual growth, teaching me leadership, patience, and joy in ministry, and instilling in me perseverance and growth.
What I love most about my role is creating media content that engages students locally, nationally, and globally. I enjoy connecting with them, using social media as a tool to reach out, and touching their hearts with the Word of God–all while multitasking to manage various responsibilities. In my free time, I enjoy writing, playing music, and sports.