Elul 5761

A MOUNTAIN(S)TOP EXPERIENCE

As often happens with us during the summer months, it was a time of traveling to various places. The first stop on the "summer tour" was the University of Denver. Here John taught a course for the yeshiva (traveling seminary) of the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (the UMJC). The course è Jewish Backgrounds of the Gospels è highlights the Jewish nature, themes, approaches, and perspectives of each of the four gospels. The course was received with a great deal of enthusiasm by the 40 plus students from literally all over the world. There were leaders (and potential leaders) from South Africa and Zealand, from Texas to Montana, and from York to California! There was even a leader who has helped establish Messianic congregations in Spain as well as throughout the Hispanic world. Among the students was Randy, our irreplaceable and usually irrepressible associate and office manager.

The next stop was the annual conference of the UMJC, held this year at Snow Mountain Ranch in the Rocky Mountains. Here, nearly 1000 people gathered, representing nearly 100 Messianic congregations from around the world. There were people from Brazil, Argentina, Canada, South Africa, Zealand, and of course, Israel. There were even people from Khazakstan (formally of the USSR) and Germany!

We even got the chance to speak in depth with the publisher of the revised SIDDUR FOR MESSIANIC JEWS, the book of worship and prayer we developed for Messianic synagogues. Funds permitting, this should be available this fall.

The UMJC added, among others, 2 member congregations from Montana. Next year 2 more Montana congregations plan to join the UMJC. The exciting thing about these congregations is that these were among those attending the conference we spoke at some 18 months ago. And, one of the leaders mentioned that it was largely as a result of our influence that they had decided on this direction.

The theme of the conference had to do with God's rest. So John was asked to speak on Hebrews 4, "Achieving Rest God's Way." It turns out that this was one of the fastest selling tapes of the conference. That was very encouraging s.

The final stop was at Camp of the Woods, a Bible conference in the Adirondak Mountains. Despite all the competing activities and enticing recreational opportunities, John had over 50 people in his seminar session, "Are We Seeing Prophecy Fulfilled Before Our Eyes?" In fact, people remained afterward asking questions for over an hour, until the dinner bell called them away. By the way, Seth's basketball team won the tournament that week.

Speaking of the family, Patrice turned 50 in July, and Seth is off to college at Emory University in Atlanta. In case you missed it, Eve graduated from Northwestern University last June and remains in the Chicago area. Do keep our whole "crew" in prayer, please.

As always, thank you very much for your prayers, encouragement, and financial investments, all of which make this ministry possible.

Warmly in Yeshua our Messiah,

John and Patrice

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