Another Ted Pearce Interview!

So excited to welcome Ted Pearce back to Bagels and Blessings! 

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. His latest project is a unique collection of songs, written by Ted and Rabbi Michael Stepakoff.  "Stepakoff Sessions" uses AI to produce original songs that they co-wrote, giving us an Israeli sound with a full band effect.

Ted is excited about his virtual reality tours to Israel and excitedly shared the latest project that he and his son developed.  His 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.

 

Katherine Thomas

Katherine Thomas was born and raised in San Diego, attending a Lutheran church throughout her childhood.  She was introduced to the Messianic Movement in her mid-twenties when Tree of Life Messianic Congregation moved to the campus of the church she attended.  Katherine fell in love with the messianic congregation and enjoyed learning about the Jewish roots of her faith for the first time. Now years later, Katherine volunteers with the worship dance team, children’s ministry, and prayer team. She currently works as a Registered Behavior Technician, serving young children with autism and their families.

Rabbi Ron Aaronson Interview

Rabbi Ron is an author, speaker, and has been in ministry since 1965 as an evangelist, youth director, associate pastor, congregation planter, was the Rosh Yeshiva (Dean of Yeshiva) for the UMJC, and an associate Rabbi of CBMHouston.org.  Rabbi Ron started the Israel Benevolence Fund (IBF) to help with widows and orphans.  

He was a faithful husband for 61 years to Dolly, until her death, also father of two daughters and several grandchildren, and mentor to many.  

Rabbi Ron and his wife Jill reside in Texas. 

Jill Aaronson

Rebbitzin Jill Kamp Aaronson is an experienced executive leadership coach, communications consultant, author and organization development specialist, strategic planner, motivational speaker, bridge builder, conflict resolution facilitator, public relations spokesperson, and message developer.
For four years she developed courses and taught at CMEL, Center for Management and Executive Leadership for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and became a senior advisor at FAA headquarters. 
Jill spends most of her time leading and coaching leaders, asking challenging questions, setting direction for others to grow, strategic planning, disciplining others, and facilitating Bible contemplation.
Jill also founded American Showcase Theatre Company, now Metro Stage, a professional company that won Helen Hayes awards and nominations and she trained over 6000 actors. In 1990 she received their Woman of Distinction Award for her achievements as an entrepreneur and leader.
She earned her MA from New York University in theatre arts and has had seven careers in the DC area including part time teaching for almost every college and university in the DC metro area. Trademarked as Queen of Bargains, she had a column in The Washington Times for five years, a call in radio show on WAVA, weekly features on Channel 7 TV and many personal appearances.
Jill currently resides in Texas with her husband, Rabbi Ron Aaronson . Jill is a wife, mother of four, and grandmother of six.

Renate Kaufmann 1999 Interview

Renate grew up in Cologne, Germany. Hidden as a child, Renate survived the Holocaust.   Renate shares her surprise when she learned that she was Jewish, the tragedy of her father's death and the faith that he taught her.  This faith carried her through many tough times.  Through Yeshua, Renate learned to forgive those that harmed her father.   A poet, artist and former seamstress, Renate wrote about her experience during the Holocaust in her book, "Justify Us Through Your Life."  She also published a book of her poems called "I Survived the Holocaust." She currently resides in Israel, although originally she was denied citizenship by the Israeli government because of her belief in Yeshua as Messiah.  Her court case was handled by the Jerusalem Institute for Justice.  Renate was granted permanent residency in Israel and has been there for several years.   Pray for her and others who are frequently running to bomb shelters in the midst of the current war.

Nathan Wilbur Interview!

Nathan is the first-born son of Paul and Luanne Wilbur and is currently operating as the Director of Wilbur Ministries. After finishing two years of undergraduate work, a semester of Jewish studies at Christ for the Nations in Dallas, Texas, and graduating from the Jacksonville Police Academy, Nathan was hired to manage the ministry office and oversee the ministry travel schedule.

When ten years of service and travel as a part of the team had been completed, Nathan was ordained as a minister of the gospel with several leading pastor’s affirmation and participation. Today Nathan continues as the Director of the ministry which also includes oversight of the monthly streamed service called First Friday. Nathan also continues to travel and minister as a part of the Wilbur team, sharing preaching, ministry and administrative duties.

Nathan, along with his wife Malki and their eight-year-old son, Caleb currently live near Jacksonville, Florida.

Zamariah Jackson

Zamariah Jackson, affectionately known as "Z," is a Jewish follower of Messiah Yeshua. She currently serves as Chair of the Living Free Women’s Conference. For quite some time, it has been Z’s heartfelt vision to host a powerful gathering for women across the Messianic and Christian spectrum—both Jew and Gentile alike. Her desire is to see women set free from every chain that holds them back, so they can walk boldly in the fullness of all that God has called them to be.

In addition, Zamariah serves as the Head Worship Leader at Congregation Ahavat Yeshua in Washington, DC, where she has faithfully ministered for 27 years.
A gifted recording artist, producer, and studio engineer, Z has joined forces with two other anointed Messianic worship leaders—Sue Samuel and Kerah Oliveira—to create a powerful new project. Together, as the the Sword & Song Collective, they have written and recorded a collection of anointed songs for their upcoming spiritual warfare album entitled Victory, set for release in 2026.