Hi folks, let’s talk about something heavy and very important for us as believers. I recently came across a story that gripped my heart on the Liam Tuffs podcast, it is a story of survival, loss, and the cry for justice that points us straight to the Word of God.
It is about two women, Tal Hartuv and Kristine Luken, whose lives intersected in a way that shows God’s grace in the darkest moments and challenges us to pray, think, and act as followers of Jesus.
Now, you might have seen our social media of us attending the Keswick Convention or that powerful “Bible Comes to Life” talk we attended at Partick Victoria Park Church in Glasgow last week.
There, we brushed shoulders with folks from the Church’s Ministry Among Jewish People (CMJ), a group dedicated to sharing the love of Christ with Jewish folks and teaching us about the Jewish roots of our faith.
That’s where this story begins, with two women who loved the Lord and His land, Israel.
Kristine Luken: A Life Poured Out
Kristine Luken was a 44-year-old American lady, a sister in Christ with a heart on fire for God. Born in Colorado, raised in Virginia, she worked for years in Washington, D.C., but in 2009, she heard the Lord’s call and left it all to join CMJ. She moved to Nottingham, England, serving as an administrator, helping folks understand the connection between our faith and Israel.
Kristine loved hiking, loved the Lord, and felt at home in Israel, where she went to serve with CMJ. In 2010, she met Tal Hartuv, a British-born Israeli tour guide, on a CMJ trip to Poland, visiting Holocaust sites. They hit it off, sharing a love for God’s creation and His people.
But tragedy struck. On December 18, 2010, while hiking near Jerusalem, Kristine and Tal were attacked by two Hamas terrorists. It was brutal—machetes, 30 broken bones for Tal, and Kristine… well, she didn’t make it.
They thought she was Jewish, but Kristine was a Christian, pouring out her life for the Lord’s call. Kristines last words to her friend were to “search out the goodness of God in the face of tragedy.” This reminds of what of Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Kristine’s faith challenges us to trust God even when the pain is raw.
Tal Hartuv: A Survivor’s Cry
Tal, originally Kay Wilson from the UK, survived that horrific attack. Stabbed 18 times, with a collapsed lung and shattered bones, she played dead and walked a mile for help. Can you imagine that kind of strength? It’s like Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Tal’s a Jewish believer now living near Jerusalem, an artist, speaker, and Holocaust educator at Yad Vashem. She’s poured her pain into purpose, writing a book and starring in a documentary called “Black Forest” about her survival.
But Tal’s not just surviving, she’s speaking out. At a rally in London this year, she shared her frustration that British taxpayer money indirectly funds the Palestinian Authority’s “pay-to-slay” program. This is a program pays stipends to terrorists, including the two who killed Kristine and attacked Tal.
To me it is sicking, knowing UK aid, meant for good, might free up funds for this. But Tal’s heart aches for justice, yet she’s willing to support a hostage deal that could free her attackers if it saves others.
What’s God Saying to Us?
Folks, this story hits hard, especially for us in Scotland, where we’ve seen CMJ’s work up close. Kristine’s life reminds us to follow God’s call, no matter the cost, like Abraham in Hebrews 11:8 (NKJV), who “obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance.” Tal’s survival and cry for justice point us to Psalm 89:14 “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and truth go before Your face.” As believers, we’re called to pray for justice, for peace in Jerusalem Psalm 122:6 , and for wisdom for our leaders 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
This mix of survival, sacrifice, and tough questions about justice challenges us to lean into God’s Word. Kristine’s legacy lives on through the Kristine Luken Camp Koby Scholarship Fund, helping Israeli kids who’ve lost loved ones to terror. That’s the heart of Matthew 25:40 “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Tal’s courage invites us to stand for what’s right while trusting God’s mercy.
Let’s Pray and Act
So, what do we do with this? First, let’s pray, for Tal, for Kristine’s family, for CMJ, and for peace in Israel. Let’s ask God to guide our leaders so funds don’t fuel harm. Secondly, let us share this story.
It is a testimony of God’s grace in extreme tragedy and a call to live boldly for Jesus.
Maybe check out CMJ’s work or support the Kristine Luken Fund. And let’s keep digging into the Word, letting it come to life, just like that talk at Partick Victoria Park Church showed us.
What do you think, folks? How’s God speaking to you through Tal and Kristine? Drop a comment on bornagainchristians.org, and let’s pray together for His light to shine in this broken world.
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