John Ross - a new interview!

I previously aired an older interview, so here is my most recent interview with Rabbi John!

Rabbi John and his wife Becky have been members of Beth Messiah in Houston,Texas since 1994. John became the worship leader and youth pastor in 1995 and served in that role for 23 years. After that he transitioned to a role as a teaching elder before becoming the congregational leader in 2021. John and Becky have four grown children and one grandchild. John received his education from Houston Baptist University (B.S. in Biology and Theology), Masters International University of Divinity (Doctor of Biblical Studies) and Liberty University (M. Div. and D.W.S in Worship Studies). 

Shaya Greathouse Interview

Shaya was born and raised in Washington State, became a believer as a young child and chose to be water baptized at age 11. She became interested in the Jewish roots of her faith during her undergraduate studies and then became further acquainted with them while in grad school at Eastman School, when she was invited to join a Messianic Passover seder. Shortly after that, Shaya felt God called her to become a part of the local Messianic congregation in Rochester, where she has been for over 12 years. Over that time, Shaya has served as a cantor, dance leader, occasional worship leader, kiddish (hospitality) coordinator, and a member of many teams and outreaches.

Irina & Jesse Kauffman

Jesse & Irina Kauffman are the founders of Single 2 Married — a Spirit-filled, biblically grounded mentorship community helping singles prepare for marriage through healing, identity, and purpose.

Jesse shares powerful wisdom from years of singleness, discipleship, and meeting Irina at age 40. Irina brings prophetic insight and a passion for restoration, helping women walk in strength and dignity — inside and out.

Together, they guide others to discover their identity in Messiah and align with God’s design for love and legacy.

Before connection comes identity. Before marriage, preparation.

#Single2Married #FaithFilledRelationships #GodsTiming #KingdomMarriage

 

Moti Vaknin Interview

Mordechai “Moti” Vaknin was born in 1984 in Haifa, Israel, as the only child of an Orthodox Moroccan Jewish family. Growing up in a vibrant cultural and spiritual environment, Moti developed a deep appreciation for his heritage. As a young adult, he pursued radio broadcasting and served in the Israel Defense Forces from 2003 to 2006, gaining valuable life experience and discipline.

In 2007, Moti traveled to the United States to follow his dream of becoming a photographer. While taking classes at Photo Manhattan in New York City, he worked as a kosher supervisor on the Upper West Side. During this transformative time, he encountered Chosen People Ministries and was challenged to read the Bible independently and seek a personal relationship with God. Through prayer, study, and reflection, Moti came to the conviction that Jesus (Yeshua) is the promised Jewish Messiah.

Moti returned to Israel in 2010. Over the years, Moti has developed a thriving service ministry, working with youth, soldiers, and students across Israel. He and his wide Orel are devoted to sharing the good news with their fellow Israelis, with a special focus on mentoring young believers and equipping them to grow in their faith.

Today, Moti continues to inspire and guide the next generation, helping new believers embrace their Messiah and encouraging others to explore the transformative truths of the Bible.

Ted Pearce Announcement!!

Ted Pearce is my returning guest. In this show he shares that his metaquest/virtual reality tour of Israel app is now live!

Ted Pearce lived his teenage years in Beaumont Texas as an atheist. It was not until he decided to read the Bible, to find contradiction within it, did God reveal Himself mightily to Ted. A radically core shaking experience by the Holy Spirit in 1990 brought Ted to become a believer and he has been a worshipper for the Lord ever since.

Ted had already been playing professionally as a musician, but the Lord refined His gift towards worship and Ted soon recorded his first messianic album, "Shield of David" (1991).

He later put together a Christian rock band releasing 2 very different albums Nomadic Farmers (1997) and Big Methuselah (1999).

But his desire to bless Israel led him to record a new messianic project, which was called "Letter to the Hebrews" and released in Jerusalem on The Day of Pentecost 2001. Ted’s debut on Messianic worship label Galilee of the Nations followed in October of 2002 with "Zealous Over Zion".  He has since recorded several more CDs. 

Ted's vision is to see all the sons of Adam turn to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and believes that he can help build bridges of shalom.

Cristin_Judith Interview

Today I talked with Kristin Glazner and Judith Benhamou and they shared their plans for this summer‘s Jewish messianic vacation Bible school.

Cristin Glasner is a Middle School Science Teacher that has been serving in education for 26 years. Along with a love for teaching Science she has a great love for Yeshua and his word. She has been serving in children’s Ministry for 20 years, the last 3 years at Shema Yisrael. She is passionate about sharing with her students how much God loves them and how important it is to study his word through fun engaging lessons and crafts. 

Judith Benhamou has been working in Children's Ministry since 1985 teaching children ages 2 to 12.  She holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood with an extension in Gifted and 
Talented Studies teaching school children and Directed children's programs throughout her career.  She has been a believer since 1973 and her desire is to create fun and engaging programs that help children discover the blessings of following the Lord.

Rabbi Ron Goldberg Came Back!

 If there was an award for my most frequent guest, it would be Rabbi Ron Goldberg! He is my “Frequent Flyer!”  Catch my other podcasts on this site or on iTunes. Here’s a little background:

Rabbi Ron was raised Jewish. While in High School, Ron did two things Jewish people are not supposed to do. First, he began sneaking out to church. Second, he read the "forbidden" Jewish New Testament. As a result, Ron met the Jewish Jesus. In 1985 he spent several months in deprogramming where 2 counselors tried to get Ron to reject Yeshua as Messiah. This was unsuccessful and he has spent his life helping people meet the Jewish Jesus.   

Some of Rabbi Ron’s Experience:

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• Jews For Jesus Summer Campaign 1990

• Mentored & ordained by Jonathan Bernis.

• ‘Hear O Israel’ Outreach in Russia & India

• Led a Messianic Congregation for 16 years

• Co-host of Messianic radio show for 5 years

• Taught in churches/colleges since 1986

• Trains people in sharing the Good News with Jewish People

In this broadcast Rabbi Ron shared an update of what's happening with his family. 

Jacob Rodriguez Interview

Jacob is the congregational leader of Congregation Rebirth in North Orlando ( Longwood), Florida. He was once living in pursuit of his own desire and  Messiah Yeshua revealed His power and grace to him in 2009. He chose to follow Him, and the Lord called him up (Aliyah) to his Jewish heritage, faith, and purpose. With the help of God, while having ministerial leadership since 2010, he  achieved a BA in Business from Rollins College in 2018 and, from the IAMCS Yeshiva, a Certificate of Completion for Ordination in 2024. Lastly, he is a candidate for a Masters of Divinity from Liberty University. Rabbi Jacob’s hope is simply to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Yeshua and to lead those God has called him to in remembrance of our shared Heritage in Messiah Yeshua. Jacob recently authored the book “The Unkosher Marshmallow.”

Daniah Greenberg Returns!

Daniah came to know the Lord in Rochester, New York under the leadership of Rabbi Jonathan Bernis and eventually, she and her husband Mark were sent out to lead a congregation in Syracuse, New York. The Lord let them on other adventures and they eventually ended up in Texas.  Sadly Mark passed away from vascular dementia in January, 2023.

The Greenbergs followed God on a seven year mission to fulfill the vision of providing a new Family Bible with the brand new Biblical text, the Tree of Life Version (TLV), for both Jews and Christians together to inspire families to return to God of Israel through faith in Messiah Yeshua – Jesus.

In this interview, Daniah shares her sadness at losing Mark and has a surprise announcement for us!

Michael Gabizon Interview

Dr. Michael Gabizon is associate professor of Jewish studies at Moody Bible Institute. He has a B.A. in Jewish studies from Moody Bible Institute, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from McMaster University.  He was raised in a Messianic Jewish household in Montreal, QC, and has been active in both ministry and academia. 

Shelly Sinclair Interview

Shelly has been a believer in Yeshua for many years and has been to Israel four times. She has traveled through Guatemala, Belize, Panama, Costa Rica, Tahiti, Jordan, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Honduras and spent ten years teaching Science and Mathematics to Yupik, Cupik, and Inupiaq students in three very remote villages of Alaska. Many of her students became strong believers and have gone on to lead others to Yeshua.  Currently Shelly lives in Kent, Ohio with her mother and she still teaches Science and occasionally substitute teaches. 

Claudia Kiesinger Interview

Claudia Kiesinger is the National Coordinator for March of Remembrance. She has been part of the March of Life movement since 2007 with her own personal family history as descendant of Nazi perpetrators. She is also the representative of the UN Prayer Watch, a Christian prayer and advocacy initiative at the UN for Israel.

Kristin Wiprut Interview

Kristin and her husband Jim serve at Congregation Beth Shiloh in the Carolinas as Associate Rabbi and Rebbetzin.  Kristin was born in Southern California and raised Catholic.  She met her husband while attending college in Santa Barbara, CA.  While in Santa Barbara, Kristin found herself drawn to the New Age movement and spent the next decade in that world. In the midst of this, G-d began working significantly in her life and in the life of her husband. In 2010, feeling a calling to the Asheville area, she and her husband left their home in California and moved across country with their two young boys. Once in North Carolina, everything changed. Her husband began questioning spiritualism, religion, and New Age. He became a born-again Jewish believer in Yeshua and began praying desperately for his wife to find Yeshua again.  In August 2012, after Jim spent a full year praying for her, she gave her life again to Yeshua and became born again.  Soon after, they began attending Congregation Beth Shiloh. They began taking on active rolls in the service during their first year. Kristin taught Shabbat school Saturday mornings for the children and was spending her extra time taking on administrative rolls at Beth Shiloh. Jim felt a calling on his heart and soon began taking Yeshiva classes to become a Rabbi.Through all of this, Kristin believes that the most important ministry she has been involved in has been her family.

Macario Hernandez III Interview

Macario has been in the Messianic Jewish Faith since he was three years old. He attended Wharton County Junior College and then Texas A&M-Corpus Christi where he led a Bible-Study teaching people about the Torah and how Yeshua lived. Macario received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Mathematics. Currently Macario attends Congregation Beth Messiah (CBM) in Houston, Tx where he is one of three Directors for their online services, one of their stage Lighting Technicians, and is an active volunteer in other areas as well. Macario will dance in the CBM Men’s Dance Team for this year’s upcoming Passover Sedar hosted by CBM as he done for the past few years.  He also serves as an Aide/Chaperone for CBM’s Youth Group and is a part of CBM’s College & Career group. Macario is excited to see how else God intends to use him in the future. 

Debbie Bateman Interview

Debbie Bateman is a wife, mother, and grandmother of 3 amazing boys.    She is also a daughter, sister, and an aunt of 18 nieces and nephews. Her heritage is English, Irish, Scottish, Cherokee, German Jewish, Norman French. In addition to serving in L’Chaim Pro Life ministry,  she leads Israeli and Messianic Dance in their community and is very involved with her congregation.

Jeff Marcus

Jeff Marcus was born in Brooklyn and went to Lawrence HS in Long Island. He attended Rider College, and Grad school at Trenton State. Jeff worked in the mental health field and in Special Education.  He has been married for 44 years, has 2 children and 2 grandchildren.  Jeff became a believer 5+ years ago and currently attends Beth Zion Synagogue in Jackson, NJ.  

He is currently retired and teaches chess to schools and also privately. 

Judith Mendelsohn Rood Interview

Judith was raised in a Conservative Jewish home, attending Hebrew School at the Tree of Life in Pittsburgh and Adas Israel in Washington, DC. Her father’s escape from Nazi Germany made her a student of the Holocaust, Antisemitism cast a long shadow over her life—shaping how she saw and understood history. Her love for Israel led her to question why the Palestinians hated the Jewish people, leading her on a journey that led her to the foot of the Cross. While she was a doctoral student she accepted Yeshua as her Messiah and Savior, recognizing that He is God, and has been with all who suffer in this Age of War. Her new book, Beauty for Ashes: Understanding the Israel-Hamas War (WestBow, 2024) analyzes the history of Zionism and the Palestinian Resistance from a faith perspective framed by her life of scholarship. This is the Age of Salvation—an age that offers hope to everyone in the time that remains.

Bob Hall Interview

Robert (Bob) came to faith as a young man of 17 after viewing the movie “A Thief in the Night” and has never looked back. He was often told that he had to have Jewish blood in his background because of his stance on scriptures (not Jewish as far as he knows). He found the Messianic movement in 2004 when Shoresh David opened a community in Lakeland Florida. He joined soon after and has loved learning about the Feasts of the Lord. Robert is presently making plans to record a new CD called “No Other Place.”

Previously Robert spent six years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Force. He is currently the Worship leader and Elder at Etz Chayim Messianic Synagogue, Lakeland Fla.

Michelle Teeter Interview

Michelle Teeter grew up in a home where her faithful mother took her to church. In God’s world there are no accidents. Almost 45 years ago many questions and many desires were put on her heart which led her to Messianic Judaism . Michelle‘s love of the arts was the inspiration for creating jewelry and items with a Hebraic flavor and Jewish heart.  “Inscribed on My Heart” was born with the idea of starting conversations. Michelle and Dave have been married 40 years, have four beautiful daughters and three grandchildren.

Adrienne Prosser

Adrianne Prosser is serving the ministry of Operation Exodus USA as the Outreach Development Director.  Adrianne responded to the Lord’s call to work with Operation Exodus USA by joining their team of Intercessors in 2009 and volunteering. She has never looked back; her heart is to raise awareness for Operation Exodus USA and its purpose to assist Jewish people making Aliyah.  

Lydia Carlson

Lydia Carlson is a Messianic believer, born in Israel. She was raised as a Catholic and married a Messianic Jew. Publicly, she declared that his people are her people. Lydia is a massage therapist of 30 yrs and now retired, living in Florida with her husband Harrison, who is also retired. The Carlsons are on a mission from God to share the Good News of Yeshua HaMashiach, who's returning to Jerusalem soon and very soon!

Tov Rose Returns

Tov and his parents came to faith in 1973 through the witness of several Christian families, making Tov a second-generation Jewish believer in Jesus. He’s authored hundreds of articles and over thirty books. 

Tov is a husband and a father to two young people who love Messiah. Tov and his wife and have been through intense poverty, unemployment and have overcome many challenges. 

Beginning in 2022, Tov has been an academic Research Fellow with the Institute of Midrashic Studies of the New Testament, working on a Masters of Science in New Testament Research.

David Simon-2 Interview

David Simon is an educator whose goal is to bring the Bible and its stories to life for his readers. He grew up in a Jewish family where his parents and teachers shared the importance of living a life that honors God. David’s interest in spiritual matters led him to pursue an education. He earned a master’s degree in history and religion. David lives in North Carolina and shares his love for God throughout the United States and beyond. He is the author of five books: Spring: Connecting with God; A Christian Passover in the Jewish Tradition; Advent Journeys; Israel: Stories for Your Journey; and The Case of the Missing Body. He expects to publish a new book, John's Apocalypse soon.

John McKee Interview

John McKee (B.A., University of Oklahoma; M.A., Asbury Theological Seminary) is the editor of Messianic Apologetics, a division of Outreach Israel Ministries.

He is a 2009 recipient of the Zondervan Biblical Languages Award for Greek. He is the author of numerous books and commentaries, dealing with a wide range of topics that are important for today’s Messianic people.

Since 2014, John has been a member in good standing at Eitz Chaim Messianic Congregation of Plano, TX, where he teaches the annual New Members Class. In 2019, John was licensed as a Messianic Teacher with the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS), and was officially ordained as a Messianic Teacher in 2022.

He presently resides in McKinney, TX, just north of Dallas.

Natalia Kynazeva Interview

Natalia was born and grew up in Central Russia east of Moscow.  Her father was a Colonel and her mom is a math teacher. Natalia’s Jewish grandmother on her mother's side, Havah, had to hide the fact that they were Jewish because her whole family was murdered in 1918. When Natalya was 13, she found out that she was born with a heart defect, and needed a heart surgery urgently. Right before surgery,  God sent her the same dream with John 3:16 in it 3 times.  She had never read the Bible before,  but believed God and prayed to receive Yeshua into her life right after those dreams.  She promised to follow Him and serve Him all the days of her life if He let her live after her surgery.  He gave her life and she has been serving Him since then. Today Natalia and her husband serve at City of David Messianic Congregation in Toronto, Canada.