"AMC Southwest Messianic Conference July 2005 Tucson Arizona"

New: A Report on the

SOUTHWEST MESSIANIC CONFERENCE 2005
sponsored by the ASSOCIATION OF MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS

Sunday & Monday, July 17-18, 2005 Tucson, Arizona

Our Conference was focused on building healthy, Messiah centered Messianic Jewish Congregations. About 35 attended the full Conference, with additional attendees from local congregations. Among those present were Messianic Rabbis, Congregational Leaders, Shabbat School Leaders, Elders, Trustees, Sisterhood Leaders and Jewish outreach workers from California, Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Hawaii, Washington, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, and even a few from Yennevelt !

Special thanks to the members of Congregation Beth Sar Shalom of Tucson for making arrangements, providing the sound system and leading us in music & worship!!

The Conference was held at the beautiful Viscount Suites Hotel Conference Center, Tucson, Arizona. With a four story Atrium surrounded by a luxurious Garden setting, it was a great place to gather, eat, learn and schmooze.

Our primary workshop leader was Sam Nadler, Messianic Rabbi at 'Hope of Israel' Congregation in Charlotte, NC, and founder of "WORD OF MESSIAH MINISTRIES". Sam was raised in a Jewish home in New York City and has planted two Messianic Jewish Congregations, successfully developing leaders in each.

We had a variety of workshops and speakers, including Steve Shermett (left), the President of the ASSOCIATION OF MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS, and Mottel Baleston (right), a Messianic Rabbi from New Jersey. We designed the sessions for maximum benefit for all those who are in leadership in Messianic Congregations, whether full time or volunteer. We also tackled some of the current areas of controversy in our Messianic Movement, and attempted to shed some Biblical light on these.

Mottel, Sam & Steve lead a forum for Messianic Leaders

Some of the delegates gathered for Breakfast to renew acquaintances and make new friends. A basic knowledge of Yiddish was helpful here !

Steve listens to Conference delegates

Sam conducted 5 Seminar Sessions laying out foundations for healthy Messianic Congregations. Many in attendance lead Congregations and expressed their gratitude for the principles Sam taught from his 30 years of experience in Messianic Leadership.

Mottel addressed the importance of a Messianic Jewish Culture in our Congregations

Above, Cathy shares how her Messianic Fellowship is doing outreach. At right, Steve looks like he just delivered the punch line: "Fetch? I thought you said Kvetch!!", but he was actually making a great point about being faithful leaders. At far right, attendees scan the resource table for Messianic Books, CD's and chatkes.

THE ASSOCIATION OF MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS
5002 East 4th Street - Tucson, AZ 85711 tel# 520-326-2020

Southwest Conference E-mail: Office@MessianicAssociation.org