Adar II - Nisan 5763
UP TO OUR EARS IN (SCHOOL) WORK!
Well, it's been a busy first couple of months of 2003, with two
out-of-town trips already - one to Pasadena and one to Atlanta.
Actually, looking back over the last 9 months, we've been out-of-town
for some aspect of the ministry every month! And, this will continue
for at least another six months.
As you know, one of the very important aspects of Menorah Ministries
- and a major purpose God has led us toward from the very beginning
- is the equipping and training of leaders for Messianic Jewish
synagogues and organizations worldwide. And, as it turns out, much
of our travel over the past and coming months relates to that very
responsibility.
The trip to Pasadena, for example, was for an important meeting
launching the Messianic seminary of the Union of Messianic Jewish
Congregations. This seminary will work in conjunction with our own
seminary and yeshiva in St. Petersburg. We're off to a good start,
and John will meet with the rest of the team shortly in Baltimore.
And, speaking of our own seminary and yeshiva, significant progress
has been made in making these vital courses available through correspondence
as well as online. This is strategic because many of the people
who will profit most from this training - especially those Messianic
Jewish leaders and potential leaders worldwide who have already
inquired about our courses - cannot come to St. Petersburg for this
essential training.
Although this area of our ministry is a lot of work, it can be
very encouraging as well! Since you share our ministry, we wanted
to share the comments of a couple of our current students.
" I have really enjoyed coming to the synagogue. I've learned
a way to worship God."
" I've learned the importance of studying and understanding
the Word of God. Just being in this class has allowed me to to study
the Word more than ever."
" Six months ago, I had no idea that I had been grafted into
Abraham's people (Rom. 11:17-19) and that my roots are in the people
of Israel. I did not realize that the history of the Old Testament
is my history too. Like many, I had studied parts of the Old Testament,
but always looked at it as background material to help me understand
more about the Testament and what Jesus has done for us. I looked
at it as the history of the Jewish people - not mine. After taking
Jewish Roots, I now realize that the Old and Testaments are one
continual book that must be read as such. I also now know that the
covenant God made with his chosen people is still in effect - it
is, as he himself said, 'everlasting.' The covenant we now have
through Jesus is not a covenant replacing the old; it's simply an
extension of the original. The Old Testament, with its history,
poetry, wisdom and prophecy, is just as important as the Testament.
It is the book that Jesus, a Jew, studied and preached from. He
came not to abolish the Jewish laws, but to fulfill them (Matthew
5:17-19)."
It's always exciting to learn about God touching and changing lives;
thanks for making it all possible through your prayers and contributions!
Most warmly in Yeshua,
John and Patrice
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