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Shalom and welcome. My name is Rabbi Joe and I am the pastor of Congregation Shofar Be Tzion. Since I have probably not had the pleasure of meeting you yet, I would like to tell you a little about myself. My great-grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Spain and I believe that my ministry is the result of a spiritual seed that God had placed in my heart through my ancestors. Our family recognized Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah so I was raised in a Christian home by two loving parents who walked with the Lord. Being brought up in a Christian home, I came to know the Lord at an early age. I attended worship services with my parents and participated in the rituals and rites of the church. However, it was not until I went to college that my relationship with God began to reach maturity. While attending Penn State University, I became involved with the Navigators Organization and began a season of intense Bible study, fellowship, and service. It was during this time that I fully and completely dedicated my life to the Lord Yeshua (Jesus). As my journey continued, I began to feel a deep passion for the study of the Hebraic roots of Christianity. Over the course of the next 30 years, I committed myself to the concentrated study of God’s Word. |
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In 1998, I met Rabbi Moshe Laurie only days after he opened the doors of Congregation Shofar Be Tzion (Trumpet in Zion) and I continued studying under his leadership. For the next nine years, I was involved in Jewish/Christian studies and active service with the Congregation. During that time, I have studied Hebrew, Old and New Testament Theology, liturgy, and pastoral care under Rabbi Laurie. I have served as the Congregation’s “Shamash” (dedicated servant-leader) and as the “Gabbai” (the Rabbi’s assistant). I continued to be responsible for assisting Rabbi Laurie with the worship services and oversight of the Congregation. I am licensed and ordained through Kingsway Fellowship International and Shofar Be Tzion Ministries. In 2007, Rabbi Moshe Laurie relocated to Marion, Illinois to establish an international headquarters. It was in the summer of 2007 that I assumed the duties of Congregational Rabbi. But enough about me, consider joining us for worship, and we’ll talk about Him. | |
