According to Judaism, it is a mitzvah (commandment) to make the bridegroom happy on their wedding day. And although this deed often manifests itself in singing, dancing, and performing for the couple at the wedding itself, one evangelical power couple took it to a whole new level.

Pastor David Swaggerty, senior Pastor at CharismaLife Ministries, and his wife Miriam dedicated a Women’s Wellness Center in Jerusalem, Israel on Sunday.

The center, which is a project of the Israel365 organization, was established to provide Israeli brides with all of their needs for their wedding day. The center specializes in loaning out beautiful wedding gowns to Israeli women who otherwise could not afford them.

Aside from the commandment to make the bridegroom happy, there is also a prophecy from the Book of Jeremiah which speaks about Jerusalem being silenced by the excited voice of the bride:

And I will silence in the towns of Yehuda and the streets of Yerushalayim the sound of mirth and gladness, the voice of bridegroom and bride. (Jeremiah 7:34)

…A prophecy being fulfilled by this holy initiative.

Another reason this is an important service is that wedding dresses in Israel are expensive leaving many less-fortunate brides in a bind. The economic downturn from the covid lockdowns has made matters even worse for young couples.

During the center’s inauguration ceremony, Miriam choked back tears recalling the time when she went with her own daughters to purchase their wedding dresses describing the experience as “earth-shaking” and”special, beautiful time for us.”

Pastor Swaggerty recalled several weddings that he officiated including those of his own daughters.

“We could not have imagined anything like this…what an honor,” he said of the new wellness center.

Israel365 Women’s Wellness Center Dedication.mp4 from Israel Videos on Vimeo.