Dr. Jay Christianson Interview

I was delighted to find Dr. Jay on Facebook.  He is a fascinating man.  Here is some background:

Dr. Jay Christianson is the founder and President of High Beam Ministry and has faithfully served in ordained ministry since 1994. He is a pastor, teacher, worship leader, speaker, Israel tour leader, independent researcher, Jewish-Christian Dialogue participant, and outspoken advocate for Israel and the Jewish community.

 

Through his online High Beam Ministry, Dr. Jay hosts the weekly Truth Barista Podcast, authors the Frothy Thoughts Blog, teaches Bible classes, and produces Bible study resources.

He is an enthusiastic teacher who focuses on understanding the Bible from the original Hebraic-Jewish context. He first became excited about the Hebraic heritage of Christianity in 1986. Since then, he has led tours to Israel and twice participated in Bridges for Peace’s Institute of Israel Studies in Jerusalem, Israel. He enjoys teaching Christians about the Jewish foundations of their faith and encouraging interfaith understanding between Christians and Jews.

Dr. Jay Christianson holds a Bachelor of Arts (University of Minnesota), a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Studies (North Central University), a Master of Arts in Judeo-Christian Synergism (Masters International University of Divinity), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Studies (Master’s International University of Divinity).

Jay and his wife, Jeanne, reside in Naples, Florida.

Check out his website:  The Truth Barista Podcast | Highbeam Ministry

Rabbi Jim (Appel) Returns!

It's always an honor to chat with my Rabbi.  Here's a little bit about Rabbi Jim:

Rabbi Jim Appel has been the spiritual leader of Congregation Shema Yisrael since 1996 and a Jewish follower of Yeshua since 1977. He is ordained by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues.

Rabbi Jim previously worked for Xerox Corporation in Webster, N.Y., 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.

Rabbi Jim decided to follow Yeshua after a long spiritual search. He grew up with parents who taught him that God did not exist and organized religion deceived and oppressed people. In 1967 after completing college, Jim became disillusioned with life as an atheist. He rejected his parent's teachings and began his search for spiritual reality. This search took him into the world of mind-altering drugs and yoga meditation, and ended with a dramatic encounter with Yeshua the Messiah, who revealed himself to Rabbi Jim in the privacy of his bedroom without the assistance of any other person.

In this broadcast we discussed the miracles surrounding our purchase of our beautiful new building, miracles in his life, and the meaning of Shavuot.

Rabbi Carmen Welker Leannah

Carmen was raised in a gentile home but discovered later that she was Jewish.  Rabbi Carmen Welker is a graduate of Messianic Jewish Rabbinate.  Author of several books and host of a major Messianic website, The Refiner’s Fire, she is a former U.S. Army Sergeant Major who served 22 years as a journalist and newspaper editor, administrator and German language translator. Originally from Germany, she came to the United States in 1960 when her mother married an American soldier.

Carmen has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of the State of New York and is also a graduate of Mid-America Business College (Springfield, Missouri); the Defense Information School (journalism) at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana; and the prestigious United States Army Sergeants Major Academy in El Paso, Texas, where she also worked as a lesson developer and instructor.

A former Bible study teacher and leader in the prison ministry “Friends in Transition,” she is now a Hebraic Faith/Netzari teacher and author who had the distinct privilege of being the original editor/proofreader of the Aramaic English New Testament. 

Avi Snyder Returns!

It was great to reconnect with Avi Snyder.  Avi was raised in a conservative Jewish home in New York City and came to a saving faith in Jesus in 1977 with the help of a Jews for Jesus tract and the forthright witness of Christian friends. He graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary, the School of World Mission, with a Masters degree in missiology. Avi has served with Jews for Jesus since 1978 and has provided leadership for branch offices in the US, the UK, the former USSR, Germany, and Hungary. He currently lives with his wife Ruth in Budapest where he serves as the ministry director for Europe and the former USSR. He and Ruth have three grown children. 

A Tribute to Jonathan Settel

On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, Jonathan Settel passed away, and ran into the arms of Yeshua. His music has been a part of my show since the very beginning and I have interviewed him a few times.  Today I am paying a tribute to one of the greatest Messianic recording artists ever, and a dear friend as well.  Enjoy the music and the interview.  Here is a bit of background:

Jonathan was born in Berlin, Germany and grew up in a traditional Jewish family in Washington, D.C. He studied music at the Inter American University of San German, Puerto Rico. For twenty years he was a vocalist in nightclubs, hotels, bars and cruise ships in the United States. In February of 1984, while employed by Walt Disney World, Jonathan had an "Encounter with Eternity". He became a Believer in Yeshua Ha Mashiach.

He was discipled for six years in a small church in Florida and was one of their worship leaders for their Erev Shabbat Service. In 1990, Jonathan responded to The Lord's call to make "Aliyah" (returned to his homeland, Israel), and moved his family to Jerusalem where he came to love and identify completely with the Israeli culture–and was fired up to "bring the Word forth from Zion". After a tremendous growth in Ministry, in June of 1996, he and his family then returned to the U.S. to fulfill the next part of God's plan for them.

Rest in peace my friend!

Karol Joseph Returns

I first met Karol Joseph in the 1990s when we lived in the NYC area.   She is a sweet, loving woman and I am was so excited to have her on with me again today.

Karol was born to Jewish parents in the Boston, Massachusetts area. In the years following her Bat Mitzvah, she was Jewish culturally only.  She had many fears, anxieties, and also battled an eating disorder. While working on her PhD, a fellow student shared Isaiah 53 with her, and she was intrigued. Eventually, she contacted Jews for Jesus (J4J), and begin seriously considering the Jewishness of Jesus. She became a believer in her Jewish Messiah, and later joined J4J and has worked for them ever since, bringing the good news to her fellow Jewish people.  Karol lived in the New York City area for many years, and now resides in Florida.  

Rabbi David Levitt

This is the first time Rabbi David has been on the program since he has become our assistant Rabbi at Congregational Shema Yisrael.

David Levitt was born to his Methodist mother and Jewish father in Atlanta,
GA. He grew up following the Methodist traditions with a few Jewish customs
throughout the year. He came to salvation when he was 20 years old through
Campus Crusade and has been seeking the Lord since.  In this interview, we discuss how he was drawn to his Jewish roots and became interested in Messianic Judaism. We discuss his journey to becoming a Messianic Rabbi and what it was like moving here, looking for a house, and the excitement of fulfilling his calling to the Jewish people.