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Beit Ha-Or — “House of Light” — is a Russian-speaking Protestant church in the Pentecostal tradition, based in Rishon LeZion in central Israel.
Protestant, evangelical and Pentecostal
These words describe our Christian tradition. Jesus Christ, the Bible, prayer and worship are at the heart of our church life. We are not an Orthodox parish. If you are looking for a Russian-speaking church in Israel, you can get to know our community at a worship service or through our online small group.
We seek to be a place of God's presence, meaningful fellowship and care for people. We learn to live by Scripture, grow in faith and serve with the gifts God has given us.
Our Pastor
Aviel Stankevitch
Aviel Stankevitch is the senior pastor of Beit Ha-Or Church in Rishon LeZion, Israel. A Bible teacher with a bachelor's degree in theology, he is committed to helping people know God, understand Scripture and grow in their faith. In his preaching and personal conversations, he explores how faith shapes relationships, family life, work and everyday decisions.
Aviel seeks to nurture a church community where people know one another, find support and learn to care for those around them. He places particular emphasis on discipleship, mentoring young ministers and developing mature, responsible leaders. His wife, Tatiana, also serves in the church and provides pastoral care for women.
Alongside his ministry in the local church, Aviel serves as a board member of DCPI Europe and Regional Coordinator for Israel. Through 21 Forward Ministry, he develops relationships between churches and supports leadership development and youth ministry.
His professional coaching experience also informs his work with church leaders and teams, helping them gain clarity about their calling, work well together and maintain emotional resilience.
Life as a church family
Everyone has their own story, their own questions and their own journey towards God. At Beit Ha-Or, those journeys meet. As we get to know one another and learn to trust each other, we become people who can share both the joyful moments and the difficult days. For us, being a church family begins with simple things: noticing someone, listening, praying together and being there when support is needed.
On Fridays, we gather to worship God and open the Bible together, seeking to understand His Word more deeply and put it into practice. We come early to catch up, hear how others are doing and welcome those visiting for the first time. Children take part in their own ministry, while young people find friendship, encouragement and opportunities to discover and develop their gifts.
Our life together continues throughout the week through gatherings in homes and online, shared prayer, personal conversations and practical care for one another. There is room to ask questions about faith, share what is on your heart, ask for prayer and look for answers together in Scripture. We grow as we learn to listen, forgive, receive help and offer support to others.
We want everyone to find their place in the life of the church. Some have a gift for music; others enjoy working with children, offering a word of encouragement or making people feel welcome. As different people contribute, our shared faith becomes visible through love and practical acts of care.
Whether you are exploring the Christian faith, looking for a church in Israel or hoping to reconnect with God, you are welcome here. We would love to get to know you and share the journey with you.
