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Navigating the Hebraic Community as a Gentile in the West

You may be from a non-Jewish background and thinking about living out your faith in Jesus in a Hebraic context. But as you searched online to learn more or to look for Messianic congregations, you were likely bombarded with a variety of ministries & congregations that all have a different angle. That’s because there’s a broad range of Hebraic and Israel-oriented ministries under the title “Messianic”. What’s the best option for you? That mainly depends on God’s will for your life and why He’s drawing you to the Messianic movement in the first place. So the first thing to do is identify what’s driving you to pursue a Hebraic walk, and ask God if it aligns with His purpose. While you may identify with all of the reasons listed below, it’s important to pinpoint your primary, most important one. It’s often one of the 4 reasons listed on the next section. But first:

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Before Reading the List of Reasons, Write Down Your Primary Reason for Wanting to Express Your Faith in a Hebraic Way. Then Check Where Your Written Reason Matches with Those in the List.

4 Primary Reasons that Gentile Believers Pursue the Messianic/Hebraic Path

  1. Desire for Deeper Scriptural Understanding: You find that learning about the Hebraic worldview, culture, language, & symbolism of Israel during the time of Jesus makes the scriptures come alive in a new way for you. Having the cultural context and a sense of the language unlocks layers of understanding that you wouldn’t necessarily see from reading them through a Western lens. Good Fit: A Hebraic Christian Congregation or a Mainstream Sunday Church that Incorporates Hebraic Worldview & Christian Zionism.                                                                           

  2. Desire For Biblically Authentic Lifestyle: You have had an experience that has caused you to have some mistrust regarding the religious institutions of man, but not a mistrust in God or the basic tenets of your faith. Your desire to break free from bondage to the traditions of men & to find an expression of faith that is least influenced by man-made doctrine has led you to pattern your life and worship according to the example set by Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, and His apostles, who were all observant Jews of the 2nd Temple period in Israel. Good Fit: Hebrew Roots Fellowship                                                                                                                      

  3. Call to “Grafted-In” Fellowship: You desire to live out the Kingdom vision of the Romans 11 “Olive Tree” and the Ephesians 2 “One New Man”, recognizing that God’s order was for the “law to go out from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isaiah 2:3). God has placed in your heart a love for and connection to the Jewish people that is more than just a casual interest or a means to be blessed by blessing Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:3). Like Ruth, the foreign daughter-in-law of Jewish Naomi, you feel led to walk & worship alongside Israel, united in Messiah, & to participate in elements of their culture and rhythm of life, such as Shabbat, the Appointed Times, life events, etc.You realize that Jewish and Gentile believers make up 2 halves of the Body of Messiah, and in order for the Body to move and function, those 2 halves must be united and coordinated.  Good Fit: A “One New Man” Messianic Congregation.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

  4. Call to be an Ambassador of the Gospel to Israel: You believe “all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26) and will receive Messiah as their inheritance. You accept the call as a Messianic Gentile to help Israel recognize their Messiah by stripping away from Him everything that is foreign, and by turning from any anti-semitic assumptions you’ve held. You desire to correct the misrepresentations of Yeshua that have occurred in the last 2000 years, knowing that, according to God’s own instructions (Deut.13), Israel CANNOT follow a prophet who tells them to abandon God’s laws and worship a foreign god. Just like Joseph, who was rejected by his brothers, sold to Egyptians (Gentiles), and glorified in power among the Gentiles, Jesus is unrecognizable to His brothers, Israel. Jewish people often view Jesus as a foreign God because of how Christians have misrepresented Him and disconnected Him from His Jewish identity. However, it’s important to identify the segment of the Jewish community to whom you’re called to witness: (A) religious Jews who are skeptical of Jesus, or (B) secular but curious Jews who may feel alienated from or unable to reach God through their inherited religious traditions.  Good Fit: A UMJC-affiliated // “To the Jew First” Messianic Synagogue if sent to “Category A”; a “One New Man” Messianic Congregation if sent to “Category B”.

Hebraic Christian Church

A Hebraic Christian Church is often led by a Pastor and it may observe the Saturday Sabbath, or it may have a Friday night or Saturday service/study in addition to a Sunday service. The emphasis in these congregations tends to be on restoring the First Century/ Book of Acts Church. Sermons and bible studies incorporate references to Jewish worldview at the time of Jesus and Hebrew word study to enhance understanding and unlock prophetic insights. But the style or structure of the service is usually more in line with a Western, non-denominational church, heavily featuring praise & worship with mostly English-language songs, praise dance, intercessory prayer, charismatic gifts, and prophetic teaching. A Hebraic Christian Church may or may not incorporate elements of a Jewish service, such as the public reading from the weekly Torah portion.  This type of congregation communally observes the 7 Biblical Appointed Times, perhaps not according to all the criteria of how they are observed in mainstream Judaism, yet they are still observed in a meaningful way according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. However, a Torah-observant lifestyle, such as keeping kosher, or personal abstinence from buying and selling on the Sabbath is not held as a standard or expectation for individual members. These congregations lean toward Christian Zionism & enthusiastically support the modern state of Israel as a prophetic fulfillment of God’s promises coming to pass.  Example Ministries: Jacob’s Tent in Cleveland, TN led by Pastor Bill Cloud (in-person & online), Beth Israel Worship Center in Wayne, NJ, led by Messianic Pastor & Rabbi Jonathan Cahn (in-person), El Shaddai Ministries in Sumner, WA, led by Pastor Mark Biltz (In-person & livestream),  Glory of Zion International Ministries in Corinth, TX led by Apostle Chuck Pierce (in-person & live-stream), Shalom Hebraic Christian Church in Humble, TX, led by Pastor Mort Petrushansky (in person)

Hebrew Roots Fellowship

Hebrew Roots Fellowships are assemblies of mostly Gentile believers in which a Torah-observant lifestyle is encouraged and celebrated, including following Biblical dietary laws, not buying/selling/working on the Sabbath, wearing tzitzit (prayer tassels) on the 4 corners of their garment, etc. Hebrew Roots ministries believe and promote a “One Law” doctrine -  the belief that adherence to all of the 613 commandments in the Torah is required equally of both Jews and Gentiles. There is a strong emphasis on departing from traditions and practices that were not held during the time of Jesus, that they believe have pagan origins, such as celebrating Christmas, a Sunday Sabbath, Easter, and Halloween. In their conviction, some Hebrew Roots adherents are very vocal about their belief, to the point of casting judgment on or condemning mainstream Christians who worship on Sunday or celebrate Christmas or don’t follow the dietary laws. The worship service will usually feature basic Jewish/Hebraic liturgy, such as reciting the Shema & V'ahavta, as well as a reading from the universal weekly Torah portion, perhaps partially read in Hebrew, followed by a teaching on the reading.  Hebrew Roots communities generally don’t view the Talmud or Rabbinic teachings as an authority to guide their observance of Torah, so their avoidance of man-made tradition also applies to avoiding Jewish customs that are not explicitly written in the Old Testament. While there are prominent Hebrew Roots voices online, there is no central governing organization that oversees Hebrew Roots fellowships, so all fellowships and congregations are independent, unregulated, and can vary in their approach. Oftentimes, these fellowships are small groups (<50 people) that meet in a private home, or borrowed/rented space in a church facility.  My personal observation is that Hebrew Roots fellowships tend to be in smaller towns & rural areas where there’s not much cultural diversity and the Jewish population, including Jewish followers of Yeshua, is small or non-existent. Because of this, Hebrew Roots fellowships often live a Hebraic lifestyle in isolation, disconnected from a Jewish community.  Point of Caution: Highly-disputed & false doctrines have entered some Hebrew Roots ministries, mainly (a) Two- House/ Two-Stick/ Ephraimite belief that all Gentiles who come to salvation through Yeshua (Jesus) are actually descendants of the northern 10 Lost Tribes of Israel, being reunited with the tribe of Judah (Jews), which implies that one’s heritage plays a role in obtaining the salvation offered freely to the whole world. In some cases, this belief has given rise to forms of ethnicity-based replacement theology and (b) Sacred Name doctrine that believes that it is pagan or a sin to call Father God by any name other than His unpronounceable name YHWH, or to call Messiah by any name other than “Yahshua/Yahusha” (their mispronunciation of Yeshua)  Example Ministries: Triumph in Truth Ministries in Fort Worth, TX led by G.Steven Simmons (network of virtually led home fellowships), The Way Congregation in Lakewood, CO led by Pastor Doug Hamp (in person),  Parable of the Vineyard Ministries (Livestream), Yahweh's Restoration Ministry in Holts Summit, MO led by Co-Pastors Alan Mansager & Randy Folliard (In-person & Livestream), Passion for Truth Ministries in Cottleville, MO (online), Psalm 119 Ministries (online + fellowship finder), Hebraic Heritage Ministries / Hebroots led by teacher Eddie Chumney (online)

"One New Man" Congregation

A “One New Man” Congregation or Synagogue is usually led by either an ordained “Roeh”/ Pastor  or by an ordained Messianic Jewish Rabbi if it’s a designated synagogue. The defining feature of a “One New Man” congregation is that it is made of a mixture of Jewish and Gentile believers, and is served by a leadership team that is a combination of Jew & Gentile.  It will usually describe itself as a One New Man congregation, with phrases such as “Jew & Gentile, one in Messiah” or a “grafted-in” congregation. These congregations gather on Shabbat (Saturday), and celebrate the Biblical Holy Days, as well as the Jewish memorial holidays (Hanukkah & Purim), and life events (B’ris/circumcision, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, Huppahs/Weddings). Gentile brothers and sisters are embraced and supported as they learn to express their faith in a Biblical Jewish context, but they are not required to be Torah-observant. Gentiles are simply free to participate in as much of the Jewish/Hebraic lifestyle as they feel led to by the Spirit of God, without being in bondage to it, or excluded from it.  A Torah lifestyle is regarded positively, not as a standard of righteousness or salvation, but instead as a practical way to apply God’s wisdom and order to one’s life. While the Shabbat service expresses Jewish culture by following at least the basic format of Jewish liturgy, such as the Shema & V'ahavta (Deuteronomy 6), and the reading &/or Hebrew canting of the weekly Torah portion, this type of congregation doesn’t allow itself or the Holy Spirit to be restricted by tradition. Instead, its focus is on offering heartfelt praise, pursuing the presence of God and a move of the Holy Spirit. The large-scale mission of a “One New Man” congregation is to usher Gentiles into their fullness through being grafted into the Romans 11 olive tree rooted in Yeshua, and in union together through intercession & evangelism, usher in revival and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit among Israel and the Jewish people. Many, but not all "One New Man" congregations are members of the IAMCS (International Association of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues), and/or Tikkun America (Tikkun Global Messianic Family) and are accountable to their standards and mission.  Examples Ministries: Messiah Congregation: A One New Man Congregation in Washington Mills, NY led by Rabbi Justin Elwell (In-person & FB Livestream), Ahavat Yeshua Messianic Congregation in Washington DC led by Rabbi Michael Rudolph and Pastors Ralph Finley, Marcellus Powell, & Hilton Yhap (In-person & Livestream on Zoom),  Beth Simcha Messianic Jewish Congregation in Wilmington, NC led by Messianic Leader Ben & Erica Lecasse (Rabbi Emeritus Marty Schilsky) (In-person & Livestream), Congregation Beth Adonai in Tucker, GA led by Rebbetzin Judy Sekulow (on behalf of Rabbi Scott Sekulow), Seed of Abraham: A One New Man Congregation in Schenectady, NY led by Rabbi Steve & Barb Feldman (in person & livestream), Congregation Ari Yehuda (Lion of Judah) in Yardley, PA led by Rabbi Peggy Michalchuk (In-Person), Shomair Yisrael Messianic Synagogue in Knoxville, TN led by Rabbi Michael & Jan Weiner (In-person & Livestream), Beth Shalom Messianic Jewish Congregation in Corona, CA led by Rabbis Rene’ Bloch & Robert Block (In person), 

"To the Jew First" Congregation

A “To the Jew First” Messianic Synagogue is based on Romans 1:16, and is a congregation of majority Jewish believers led by a yeshiva-trained Messianic Jewish Rabbi with specialized background in Jewish studies. In a "to the Jew first" Messianic synagogue, Rabbinical Jewish tradition is fully embraced, including full Jewish liturgy (Shema & V'Ahavta, Amidah, the Aleinu, Hebrew canting of the Torah portion with its prescribed blessings, and the Kaddish), in addition to the Biblical Holy Days, Jewish memorial holidays (Hanukkah & Purim), and life events (B’ris/circumcision, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, & Huppahs/Weddings). Gentile believers are welcome to participate in some aspects of synagogue life, but with a distinct and separate calling from natural born Jews. This means that there may not be a focused effort on the part of congregational leadership to encourage or support Gentile believers in learning or adopting a Jewish expression of their faith or a Torah-observant lifestyle. However, opportunities for New Testament discipleship for the development of Godly character, and of one’s spiritual gifts are offered to both Jew & Gentile alike.  The emphasis in this type of congregation is to maintain and preserve a historic & authentically Jewish identity among Jewish followers of Yeshua and to create a synagogue environment that parallels a normative Jewish synagogue to make Yeshua more recognizable and accessible to the wider Jewish community. Therefore, a “to the Jew first” synagogue is more likely to be located near a larger city or near a metro area that has a larger, more diverse population, and naturally, a larger Jewish minority community. Many Messianic synagogues with a "To the Jew First" mission are members of the UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations), and/or Tikkun America (Tikkun Global Messianic Family) and are accountable to their standards and mission. Example Ministries: Ohev Israel Messianic Jewish Congregation in Springfield, VA led by Rabbi Aaron Allsbrook (In-Person & FB Livestream), Tikvat Israel Messianic Synagogue in Richmond, VA led by Rabbi David Wein (In-Person & Livestream link upon request),Congregation Shaarei Shalom in Cary (Raleigh-adjacent), NC led by Rabbi Seth Klayman (In-Person & Livestream), Tikvat David in Roswell GA (In-Person & Livestream on Website), Adat Yeshua Messianic Jewish Congregation in Overland Park, KS, led by Rabbi Jerry Feldman (In-Person), Tsemach Adonai in Los Gatos, CA (In-Person & Livestream), Kehilat Ariel Messianic Jewish Congregation in San Diego, CA, led by Rabbi Barney Kasdan (In-Person).

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