Sitting in bed reading a children’s edition of the Book of Ruth, 12-year-old Gina Brown draws deep inspiration from the story’s main character. Ringing through her head and staying etched in her memory from that moment forward was Ruth’s promise to Naomi: “Your people shall be my people, and your God is my God.” (Ruth 1:16)
“When I read that story as a child, I felt my inner spirit praying those exact words,” Gina said, looking back at that moment many years ago.
Gina’s spiritual awakening at 12 years old was remarkable considering that she was raised in northeastern England without a Biblical upbringing. Gina describes herself as having felt a “big gap” back then, lacking direction in her mission to follow Ruth as a guide for life. It was only after Gina married her husband, a practicing Bible believer, that she started filling the “gap.”
“After I married my husband, I found the God of the Bible, gave my heart over to Him and thanked Him for taking me under His wings,” she added.
After moving to her husband’s hometown in Inverness, located in the Highlands region of Scotland, Gina began attending Church and reading the Bible on a consistent basis. She very quickly discovered the deeper meaning behind Ruth’s promise to Naomi.
“From the beginning of the Bible to the end, it is clear that God loves His people Israel,” Gina noted. “If the People of Israel are so important to God, then the People of Israel must be important to us as Christians.”
Gina started pouring her heart out for God and His people, asking Him to bring deliverance and salvation for the People of Israel. And like Ruth, Gina took action. For almost a decade, Gina has served as the head of the local Christian activist group, “Highlands Friends of Israel.” Every Saturday on High Street, the main shopping street in Inverness, Gina and other members of Highlands Friends of Israel hold placards, banners, pictures and signs displaying their love and support for the Land and People of Israel.
“Of course, a key part of our mission is to spread the word and the truth about God and His People,” Gina said. “This is a team effort, and everyone’s testimony makes a difference.”
“But ultimately what drives me is a dedication to letting the Jewish people know that they are not alone,” she continued.
While leading Highlands Friends of Israel, Gina soon seized upon another opportunity to demonstrate her commitment to the Land and People of Israel. One of Gina’s friends invited her to join online Bible study sessions led by CFOIC Heartland’s Founder and International President, Sondra Oster Baras. Shortly thereafter, Gina attended a solidarity tour through the Biblical Heartland sponsored by CFOIC Heartland.
“Knowing the Biblical and historic significance of Judea and Samaria, I wanted to go and meet the pioneers on the ground so that I could share their stories and testimony back home,” Gina explained.
Gina wanted many others in Scotland to bear witness to testimony from a pioneer residing in the Biblical Heartland. Towards that end, Gina organized a tour throughout Scotland in June 2024 for CFOIC Heartland’s Israel Director Shmuel Junger. Thanks to Gina’s initiative and ambition, countless Christians all over Scotland have joined the CFOIC Heartland family and Gina in her mission to stand with God’s people.
Gina has also made sure to return to Israel regularly including several times since October 7th. During CFOIC Heartland’s solidarity tour in March of 2024, Gina handed IDF soldiers loving postcards from Christians in Scotland.
“Their faces lit up,” Gina related.
Gina hopes that many more Christians will follow Ruth’s path in standing with God’s people.
“I call upon Christians to not only pray but to act,” she said. “Visit Israel with CFOIC Heartland and show your love to God and His People! There is no better time than now!