Why a Christian Pastor Became a Messianic Rabbi
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He then asked me if I had always practiced Judaism. I told him, "No." I was raised as a Christian and was a Christian pastor for over thirty years." He and his wife were shocked.
"It was only two years ago that I converted from being a Baptist pastor to a Messianic Jewish rabbi."
He then said, "So you are a Christian?"
I asked him, "Do Christians celebrate on Shabbat? Do Christians read Torah every week? Do Christians celebrate our holidays? Do Christians pray for Israel and the Jewish people every day? Do Christians ever teach their children the Eighteen Amidah (Shemoneh Ezra)?"
He smiled, shook his head sideways and said, "Rabbi, you are very different."
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About the Book
This book unveils the miracle of God working His divine love and grace through a pastor. After thirty years of faithful service in the ministry and as a noted leader in Christian education, God intervened and a deeper, more spiritual journey began for Dr. Steve A. Mesarch.
Overcoming the human fears of loss, failure, ridicule and public humiliation, Dr. Mesarch obediently followed God's calling and rediscovered his Jewish roots and the foundation of Christianity. A few years later he emerged as Dr. Alon Barak, using his birth name and becoming the Messianic rabbi of Temple Baruch HaShem, in Southern California.
Dr. Barak says that the Messianic revival, accelerating rapidly around the world, is indicative of God’s promise to restore the lost house of Israel and unite Jews and righteous Gentiles into His end-time kingdom. Since the third century, Judaism and Christianity have been in spiritual opposition. However, there has always been a faithful Messianic remnant whose devoted members have attempted to bridge the gap. This book reveals Dr. Barak's remarkable Messianic journey.
About the Author
Dr. Alon Barak holds multiple degrees including an M.A. and Ph.D. in theology from the California Graduate School of Theology. After a successful seven-year pastorate at a community church in California, he moved to Ohio to pastor a Presbyterian church. He returned to California in 1980 to pastor a Baptist church and establish the Palm Springs Christian Schools. His thirty-year educational career includes serving as principal of four California Christian schools and being appointed to the California State Republican Party as an expert in educational reform. In 1998, Alon and his wife, Janice, founded Temple Baruch HaShem, a Messianic congregation, and today are answering the call to build a bridge of love between Jews and Christians.