שלום חברים
Shalom Dear Friends,
Transitions are part of life and we are starting into a major time of change at HaDavar this month with three transitions on our plate. To begin with, I am now a member of the NRA. No, not the National Rifle Association. I have now become a member of the Normal Retirement Age group. As such, I am moving toward retirement. That being the case, we have been looking for a new missionary Director to take my place. I plan to transition from the Director’s seat into the realm of faculty at the HaDavar School of Biblical and Jewish Studies Much to my delight, God has provided the man for the position, Mr. Jeff Carter. Let me introduce you to Jeff.
#1 Assistant Director
Jeff has graduated from Talbot Seminary, Biola University with two degrees earning 1) a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) in 2001 and 2) a Masters of Theology (Th.M.) in 2002. He has also done extensive post-graduate work in Systematic Theology, as well as teaching undergraduate systematic theology in local universities. He has also taught English composition and speech communication in local schools. He is well qualified from the academic standpoint. He is also trained in video production and direction, which is a great foundation from which to expand our worldwide Internet Video Class outreach.
On top of all of this, Jeff has a passion for Jewish ministries. From 2006 through 2011 he had been involved in church discipleship ministries, during which he taught classes in Jewish History and Culture and the Jewish roots of the Bible. These are great qualifications and experience from which Jeff, as the new Director, can expand the outreach of HaDavar into the 21st Century.
Jeff came to faith when he was 10 years old, being surrounded by Christians as far back as he can remember. His father, uncles, and grandfathers were either pastors or missionaries. He very clearly recognizes that the Lord has been hard at work molding, shaping and forming him into the image of Yeshua throughout the past 39 years. Jeff wants to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, to the praise and glory of His grace. He loves the Word of God. Jeff has been married for 26 years to Michelle. They are the parents of 3 children (2 in college and 1 a senior in high school).
On June 1, 2014, Jeff began his official position of Assistant Director for HaDavar Messianic Ministries. During the next few months, he will be learning all about HaDavar and becoming familiar with all our ministries, classes, and office systems so he can make a smooth transition into the Director position.
HaDavar continues to be a self-supporting faith mission. That being the case, Jeff’s most important task during the next few months will be support raising. He will be trusting the Lord to direct him to individuals and churches who desire to partner with him in the mission of HaDavar through prayer and financial support.
As such, this is a major prayer request for us. Jeff cannot move into the Director’s chair unless he has a prayer and support team behind him who will provide his families financial needs. Please be praying for Jeff and this crucial time in his ministry for HaDavar. Would you pray and if the Lord so leads, consider how you could help him reach his support goal? If you feel led of the Lord, please designate support for Jeff on the last page of this newsletter. Thanks for considering this very important request.
Our second transition concerns the Director’s part-time Administrative Assistant. My current Administrative Assistant, Roxanne, presented me with her one month notice at the beginning of May and I proceeded to look for a replacement. Again, God was very gracious and Jaimi Kingsbury began serving HaDavar on June 1, 2014 as our new Administrative Assistant. I will let her introduce herself to you through a short version of her testimony.
I had the privilege of growing up in a God-fearing household. My mother came from a strong believing family, although my father did not receive salvation until adulthood, having grown up with parents who intentionally left him on his own to figure out what to do with his spiritual life.
When he became a believer, he determined to never withhold life-giving truth from his own children. My parents taught me this truth from the Bible, and I accepted Christ as a young girl at a youth camp at Hume Lake, CA. Since then, God has not stopped demonstrating his grace and faithfulness in my life. He led me to my husband, David, who lovingly challenges me to grow in the image of Christ. He has always surrounded me with a wonderful group of believers to learn from, and this is more true than ever with our church family at Irvine Community Church.
Jaimi will be working for HaDavar part-time in a challenging position that requires many different skills and a lot of flexibility. She’s up to it! Glad to have you aboard, Jaimi! Please be praying for Jaimi as she tackles all the new responsibilities.
Josh and Irena are now the parents of a beautiful little girl, Shani, born May 14, 2014. Shani is a Hebrew word for crimson. She is named in honor of the Yeshua’s sacrifice. The forgiveness of sins comes only through His crimson blood shed in our place on the cross, through which we have hope and life.
Please pray for Josh and Irena and Shani as they start out on this new adventure together. Please pray that little Shani will have the blood of the cross applied to her life at a very early age and that she would serve him all her life.
Thanks
As I finish up this newsletter, let me not be remiss in thanking Roxanne for her 2 years of service as my Administrative Assistant. Roxanne, you have done a great job. May God bless you and guide you in your new endeavors.
HaDavarniks, thank you for being part of our ministry team.
– Bob