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Torah in the Pacific Northwest

By Daniel Lancaster | Comments (4) | Posted on February 13, 2007

Last Friday afternoon, a few hours before Shabbat, I was on scenic interstate 5 under the shadow of Mount St. Helens National Monument again. This was my third trip to the Pacific Northwest in a year. Last weekend, I had the privilege of teaching at congregation Lion of Judah in Lacey, WA, a suburb of Olympia. My writing responsibilities with FFOZ don’t allow me to get out on the road as much as I would like, but it is always great to get out and fellowship with other congregations. Travel, road-work and itinerant teaching a major part of our job at FFOZ.

The visit gave me the opportunity to stay with some friends I had made on last year’s FFOZ Israel trip. A delicious erev-Shabbat meal in their home was followed with a teaching engagement at the congregation. Shabbat morning I enjoyed the worship service at Lion of Judah, delivered the Sabbath message on the weekly parashah, delighted in the Sabbath oneg and taught about the history of the Messianic movement in the afternoon. On Sunday the congregation hosted an FFOZ seminar in Olympia, giving me the chance to present one of my favorite FFOZ teachings, “Yeshua My Rabbi and Master.” The event was well attended and a good time was had by all.

If you’d like to see the material, an earlier version is available in our webstore on DVD and Audio under the title Y3K: Yeshua, Yeshua, Yeshua.

Most importantly I treasured the opportunity to connect with brothers and sisters who share our convictions. The leadership at Lion of Judah is not just talking about Torah, they are doing it. Pastor Jim Pace, the head elder at Lion of Judah, is a Jewish believer of enormous humility and competence, a long time FFOZ supporter, friend of the ministry and kindred soul. His kind and gentle spirit was an encouragement. My hosts, Jim and Jane Miller, are an inspiration in their tireless service for the kingdom. Dr. Miller is a pediatrician who has given of his talents for the Master’s work. He and his wife have made repeated visits to Ukraine (and other impoverished places) to provide medical care for orphans. Every time I see the Millers, I fall deeper in dept to them for their kindness. George Wehnes, another of the leaders at Lion of Judah and director of the Olympia Union Gospel Mission has applied his time and talent to establish an Israeli version of Union Gospel Mission in Tel Aviv called Ohel Avraham (Abraham’s Tent), a much needed homeless shelter. You can check it out at www.rescueisrael.org

As I said, this was my third trip to the Pacific Northwest in twelve months. Last spring, during the counting of the Omer, I had the great blessing of spending the weekend at the Beit Tikvah Men’s retreat where we studied the stories of the resurrection appearances in celebration of the forty days of the resurrected Messiah among us. (That material will appear in the upcoming Passover edition of messiah magazine.) Congregation Beit Tikvah is located in New Castle, WA, a suburb of Seattle, but the men’s retreat was at a camp in the woods. During my time there I got to know Messianic Rabbi Hylan Slobodkin--a great brother in the Master, a man of integrity with an earnest heart for God. His daughter had just been married and was still on her honeymoon. Sunday night, after the men’s retreat, I joined Hylan and his wife Rita in the “mitzvah” of decorating the newlywed’s apartment doors and windows with “mazel tov” graffiti, balloons and ribbons. Why? Because we couldn’t find their car. The Talmud says providing joy for a new bride is a mitzvah. It doesn’t say anything about writing on her windows though.

To my surprise, I ran into Rabbi Slobodkin again last fall halfway around the world by the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He was leading an Israel tour from Beit Tikvah when we crossed paths.

Even earlier last year, some time in March 2006, Boaz and Toby and I were at Tim Hegg’s congregation (Beit Hallel) in Tacoma, WA for a Wooden Podium seminar. That was a great time. It was my first visit to Beit Hallel. You should see their library. It is the best-stocked library I have ever seen in a Messianic congregation. Tim explained that part of the monthly budget goes toward building the library. We had a rollicking erev-Shabbat there and a good time all day Saturday with Beit Hallel people. Unfortunately, I missed most of the Beit Hallel Shabbat service because my youngest son, who was traveling with us, became abruptly ill. (That was when I first met Dr. Jim Miller, a pediatrician who just happened to be worshipping with us that Sabbath.) My son recovered quickly, and we were able to enjoy a great evening with the Heggs that night.

On each of these trips I have been glad to connect with friends and FFOZ people from other area congregations including the Esteps and Jones families from congregation Beth El in Port Orchard, WA.

The Messianic Torah movement is strong and healthy in the Pacific Northwest. I am looking forward to my next trip to that beautiful corner of the world.

About the Author: Daniel Lancaster is FFOZ’s Director of Education and regular contributor to messiah magazine. He is the author of Torah Club Volumes Two, Four and Five, and the FFOZ books Mystery of the Gospel, Restoration and more.

Visitor Comments

I'm a member of Congregation Lion of Judah. I had the pleasure to hear the talks, discussions, & sermons by Daniel. Daniel, I feel confident that I speak for everyone when I say "the pleasure was all ours". The efforts of FFOZ have had a tremendous impact on lives in our area. We can't wait to have you out again. Go... Go...Go. Daniel and the rest of FFOZ!

Posted by: Daryl Olson | February 15, 2007 2:54 AM

Daniel,
Could your frequent visits to the Pacific Northwest have anything to do with the Minnesota winter weather? Hmmm...
Whatever the reason you come, we're always glad you do. We were able to bring three friends to the Yeshua teaching at Lion of Judah. Two of these friends are deliberating on the application of Torah in their lives, and the other is a "secret" believer in the Jewish community who needs to hear more about the Master. Your teaching was very edifying for all of us.
Kol hakavod!

Posted by: Anne Mandell | February 17, 2007 5:57 PM

Daniel, thank you for coming to Washington. Your presentation has spurred many late night discussions among the young people I brought to the meetings . They kept commenting how cool it would be to sit down and "pick your brain" for a few hours. They are eager to start reading your Restoration book. One night this week they spontaneously tore the page out of their Bibles that separates the "new Testament" from the "old'. Their hearts are burning with revelation. They want to start meeting for a Torah club study group. Please pray for them. There is such a hunger and thirst for truth and righteousness here among the youth. I am bursting with excitement

Posted by: Tanya Kaiser | February 19, 2007 4:39 AM

Dear Daniel,
Thank you so much for coming to the magnificent Northwest! I attended the Lion of Judah meetings here. Those on fire teenagers are not the only ones who would like to "pick your brain"! Thank you so much for your gracious and serving heart. I look forward to seeing you again in the future, perhaps with Lion of Judah!

Shalom!
Kellie Lund

Posted by: Kellie Lund | May 1, 2007 11:15 PM

In Breaking Bread we present a clear exposition on the traditional blessings before and after meals. Includes halachah, detailed explanations and an introduction to the table blessings of the early believers.

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