Annual Report

BSMJC Annual Report 2007

Shalom,

First of all I want to thank each and everyone of you for your love and support of the Jewish People and Israel, both prayerfully and materially. It is evident by your fellowship and involvement with Beit Shalom and other like-minded people and organizations. This is very special, and sadly rare, in the Christian world, to share with other believers, the Father’s love for His chosen people.

I have had it on my heart for sometime to begin doing annual reports. Now that I have been retired from full time secular employment for over a year, I find I am more able to begin fulfilling this and other needs. Phasing into fulltime ministry, and leadership responsibilities, requires adjustment, and I greatly appreciate your prayers, patience and feedback.

Reports of this nature are in addition to our regular times of fellowship when we can communicate general and critical information.

As a body of believers, it is good to be aware of, and involved with the many Jewish/Israel dynamics. For us, this includes evangelism, both directly and indirectly, as well as general support. We are very much a part of the spiritual and physical developments concerning the Father’s chosen people. In fact, in these last days, we are on the front lines with them against the world, the flesh and the devil.

At the same time, it is good to be in growing communication and relationship with the Body of Christ at large. Clarification of what we are about with our fellow brothers and sisters, and their churches, is important. Encouraging them to also pray for and support the Jewish people and Israel is very Biblical..

Prioritizing the Jewish people and Israel is clearly the Lord’s will as stated throughout scriptures. Standing with them, is to stand with the Lord.

The proper implementation of the above requires our dependence on the leading of the Holy Spirit in the growing clarity of: 1) vision, 2) mission and 3) goals.

1) Our congregational vision is to honor our Lord, in faith, by doing His Will concerning the Jewish people, Israel and the world. First, through prayer, spiritual assistance, evangelism and discipleship, secondly by material support, to the Jew first but also to the gentiles. Romans 1:16 and 15:27.

2) BSMJC’s mission is to provide our congregants with opportunities to practice this vision in our daily lives, Ephesians 4:12-16.

3) Our goal(s) are based on teaching and discipleship from the whole literal Word of God in context and proper exegesis, Psalm 119:160. We live by the “Berean caution” of checking “…to see if it be so…” Acts 17:11.

Because of these three statements and the resources related to our size, we are limited. We do support community ministries that do an excellent job of screening and meeting other spiritual and material needs.

I believe we have found and are practicing the following important Biblical keys for proper relationship”…submitting one to another” Ephesians 5:21, “…in humility…” 1 Peter 5:15, “…preferring one to another…” Romans 12:10, and “…built up in love…” Eph. 4:16. These scriptures, and others, keep our Beit Shalom congregational family blessed and healthy. This, along with everyone volunteering to help out, sustains us in a very Biblical and satisfying way.

We are in our seventh year, three plus years as a “home group/fellowship” and four years as an incorporated “congregation” with a board. This makes us somewhat new at being a Messianic Jewish Congregation, so we have experienced some of the growing pains that come with it. The Lord has been our ever “present help” 2 Samuel 22:7. Over all, I believe we have been faithful with what the Father has given us. We have learned to adapt to the dynamic spiritual and physical environment we find ourselves in. All glory to Him.

One of the key ways we have Biblically adapted is by our brothers and sisters making themselves available for teaching, doing liturgy, prayer and other ministries. This is the outworking of spiritual growth and discipleship.

Because our basic purposes include evangelism, we tend, for the most part, to be outward focused, and less introspective. This is Biblically healthy. We are also receptive to congregational and individual needs, improvements, adjustments and suggestions. The board meets several times a year, including occasional invited guests. Our goal is to keep everyone informed on issues of importance.

When we love as Yeshua loves, we grow in communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, fostering an atmosphere of shalom peace. I believe Beit Shalom is doing this, and it must give the Father great joy. All glory to Him. I can’t tell you how many times myself and others at Beit Shalom have been told that there is a special genuine warmth and personal fellowship. They may forget much of what was said, but they don’t forget how they were made to feel. I only wish some people would not have to drive so far to give and receive this treasure of true “koinonia” fellowship with the Father and one another.

We ask for your ongoing prayers for Beit Shalom, for more leadership and teachers, including a “born again rabbi.” But, because there is such an acute shortage of these in the Body of Messiah, I can’t help but think the Lord wants each of us to humbly fill the needs of the congregation as long as necessary. I believe the Lord has given us all many gifts and insights into His Word that will bless the body.

Most of you probably already know, teaching and ministering at BSMJC is open to all regular attenders, after agreeing to and signing our Biblical statements of faith and purpose. There should be some preliminary review of any of the material and procedures by one or more of the board members listed below.

Because we meet in the evenings, at the end of the day, a total teaching time of 40 to 45 minutes with single or multiple teachers, should be honored. We don’t want to quench the Spirit, but we don’t want wear out the sheep either. There does need to be allowance for additional time during special events such as feasts and guest speakers. Also, it should be clearly known, that people are free to leave early as needed.

Finally, many of us are interfacing with other churches directly and indirectly. A growing “grass roots level” reconciliation of the Jewish people and Christians is occurring here in West Michigan, and throughout the world. May Jehovah bless and multiply this.

Again, Todah rabah, thank you very much for being a very special part of the Beit Shalom mishpocah (family).

Until the nets are full,

Ahava and T’feelim, Love and Prayers