Repeat- Jonathan Bernis Interview

NOTE: this is a repeat of the 2016 interview. I did with Rabbi Jonathan Bernis.

Rabbi Jonathan is the founding Rabbi of my home congregation, Congregation Shema Yisrael in Rochester, New York. 

Jonathan has been a leader in the Messianic Jewish community for more than 30 years. He has authored numerous books and has planted communities all over the world. Rabbi Jonathan currently serves as the President and CEO of Jewish Voice Ministries International (JVMI).

Jonathan resides in the Los Angeles area with his wife, Elisangela, and their two daughters. He has a heart for Los Angeles and is excited to see Jewish and interfaith families thrive in the Heritage Community!

Dee Linden Interview

Dee grew up in a non- Jewish home and fell in love with the Jewish root of her faith and the Jewish people many years ago. She encountered the Lord many times, from being rescued from a harmful marriage, to being healed of cancer several times, and even when she had an out of body experience. She loves to share her joy of the Lord with anyone who will listen. I know you will enjoy this interview with a very sweet woman who loves the Lord!

Rabbi Jim Appel Returns Again!

Rabbi Jim has been a Jewish believer in Yeshua (Jesus) since 1977. He has served Congregation Shema Yisrael as Elder, Home Group Leader, Prayer Leader, Outreach Coordinator, Youth Group Leader, Special Events Coordinator and Head Usher. Rabbi Jim has been the full time Messianic Rabbi of Shema Yisrael since 1996.

Prior to entering full time ministry Rabbi Jim worked for Xerox Corporation in Webster, NY for 24 years as an Optical Engineer and Engineering Manager. He holds more than 45 patents in the areas of copier imaging systems and laser printing. Rabbi Jim received a Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering from the University of Rochester in 1967 and a Master's degree in Physics from the University of Southern California in 1970. He is ordained by the IAMCS (International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues). Jim and his wife Diane live in Brighton and they have two grown children.

Rabbi Jim's parents were atheists who taught him that God did not exist, and that organized religion deceived and oppressed people. He began his search for spiritual reality when he left his parents' home to go to college in 1963. His search took him into the world of mind-altering drugs and Yoga meditation. It ended with a dramatic encounter with the Messiah who revealed Himself to Jim in the privacy of his bedroom without the assistance of any other person.

Rabbi Jim has published four books on deep spiritual meaning of the Moadim, or Jewish Holidays, which can be purchased online at www.figtreegiftbooks.com. They are Yom Teruah (The Day of Sounding the Shofar), Yom Kippor (The Day of Atonement), Pesakh (Passover) and Firstfruits/Resurrection Day

Rabbi Jim has also been involved in several community efforts. He has served on the Leadership Team for the March for Jesus, the New York State Prayer Summit, the Day of Revolution, the Field of Miracles and as President of GRAE (Greater Rochester Association of Evangelicals).

Pastor Henry Wright

Henry W. Wright was the president and founder of Be in Health Global. He was exposed to the power of spiritual healing at an early age when his mother was miraculously cured of terminal cancer and a fatal tumor that was wrapped around her jugular vein. Wright was committed to the belief that human problems are fundamentally spiritual, with associated physical and psychological manifestations. With his pre-med background and insights into the medical as well as the spiritual aspects of disease, he brought a fresh perspective to the process of ministering to the sick. 

He authored two books, A More Excellent Way and Exposing the Spiritual Roots of Disease. He also has presented seminars worldwide and across broad denominational lines for a number of years and was a frequent guest on many well-known television and radio programs. Wright was also the pastor of Hope of the Generations Church in Thomaston, Georgia.

Rabbi Eric Carlson Interview

Rabbi Eric Carlson is founder and shepherd of Congregation Zion’s Sake, a Messianic Congregation, located in Newport News, Virginia. Eric is a native of Fairview, Pennsylvania and holds a bachelor of Theology degree. He attained the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy, retiring in August 2003 after 22 years of decorated service in the Submarine Force. Responding to God’s call, he founded Congregation Zion’s Sake in May 2000 and entered full time ministry upon retiring from Naval Service. Eric is married to the former Barbara Patterson of Altoona, Pennsylvania. Barb teaches Israeli and Messianic Worship Dance and leads the Congregation Zion’s Sake Dance Team.

Heather Walker is Back!

Heather Walker lives in Northern California with her husband who pastors Harei Yeshua and First Baptist Church (FBC) of Paradise. Heather is mother to 6,  (grandma) to 5. 

Heather currently serves at FBC Paradise as Women’s Ministry leader, and office administrator. She loves to talk about textual criticism and apologetics and of course knitting. 

The Walker family lost their home and all their possessions in the 2018 fires in Paradise California, but never lost their faith.

Beckah Shae is Back!!

Beckah credits her mother, who was raised in a Jewish family, as being a key influence in her spiritual development.  In her early 20's she was at an all time low and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and joined a cover band.  While there she began to feel an empitness creeping in, she was searching for a home.  She searched online for a church then attended the worship service there.  Beckah says, "During the worship service, I was crying out to the Lord, 'Make a way out for me. I'm so sorry."

In 2010 she accumulated two consecutive Top 10 hits at CHR radio for "Here in This Moment" and "Life" and was featured as iTunes "Discovery Download" of the week.  She also was nominated for a Dove Award in 2011 under the category of Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "Life."   Together with her husband, producer, Jack Shocklee, they have produced over a dozen full length albums. They reside in Nashville with their three daughters Joy, Grace and Hope.