May 2005
Shalom Friends -
We often pinch ourselves that the Lord began our ministry just as the internet was becoming widely available, and through it, we now have friends in 28 countries (that we know of)! We praise the Lord that he has let us live at this time in history, and given us the tools to reach the world. This month we have news for those near by, and those far away – we hope all will see something that blesses them. This newsletter we will be sharing the following:
Fellowship Dinner, June 2 – Israel’s Songs for Our Soul with Dr. Timothy Brown
Pastor’s Breakfast May 19 – The Journey Home: A Pilgrimage of Faith Through Orthodox Judaism with Ruth Berghorst
Special Offer for Bible Study Sets: Listening to the Language of the Bible & Companion Bible Study
New Additions to the En-Gedi Board: Mr. Bill Van Dyk & Mrs. Laur Schaberg
Hebraic Study Week for Pastors Nov 14 – 18 – Thru Messiah’s Eyes II with Dwight A. Pryor
An update and prayer request for Living Water Units in Africa
Upcoming Fellowship Dinner, with Rev. Dr. Timothy Brown
6:30 PM, Thursday, June 2, 2005
We are pleased to announce our final Fellowship Dinner for this spring! Once again, we hope all of you who live in the area can join us for an evening of food and fellowship.
Along with sharing our homemade dishes in a wonderful feast, we will hear from very gifted pastor, Dr. Timothy Brown, who is Professor of Preaching at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI. Dr. Brown has a love for Hebraic studies and often shares with his seminary students the richness of Eastern, Jewish thinking and how it impacts preaching of God’s word. A wonderful communicator, he is well-loved in the western Michigan area. His talk is called:
Israel’s Songs for our Soul
What was the spiritual life of the people of ancient Israel like? What were their struggles, and how can their prayers relate to the experiences of our lives? Dr. Brown will walk through Psalm 135, looking at it as an excellent illustration of the way the ancient Hebrew worshipper expressed his faith. He will share how it can still speak with rich wisdom to us today.
Once again, our dinner is offered at no cost and will be potluck-style. We just ask you to bring a dish to share - we will provide tableware and beverages. We also ask that you RSVP by email (egrc@egrc.net) or phone (616) 355-2200 and give each of the names of those planning to come to help us plan for seating and make name tags. Location: Zeeland’s Howard Miller Community Center, 14 S Church St., Zeeland, MI.
Please Share This Invitation with your Pastor
Have you told your pastor about our ministry? Many pastors are glad to find fresh insights for preaching, our unique Hebraic approach gives them lots of sermon ideas. Please think about forwarding an article or two, or one of our books if you think they’ll enjoy it. And, if they are in the area, please give them this invitation:
Spring Pastor’s Breakfast, Thursday May 19, 7:30 – 9 AM
We are continuing our four-year tradition of breakfast seminars, and invite all pastors and seminarians to join us! We typically have 20-25 at each breakfast, and pastors from over 60 churches have attended. There is no charge - a free-will offering basket will be available.
Once again, it will be at the Zeeland (Howard Miller) Community Center, 14 S Church St, Zeeland, MI. Please RSVP by email (egrc@egrc.net) or by phone (616 355-2200) so that we can plan for food and make name tags.
We are very enthusiastic about our presenter, Ruth Berghorst, a woman from Zeeland with a fascinating story:
The Journey Home: A Pilgrimage of Faith through Orthodox Judaism
Ruth Berghorst grew up in a conservative family in an Assemblies of God church. Having struggled with faith, she shocked her parents by deciding to marry a Jewish man, and then going through the rigorous process of study, interviews and mikvah to become a Jew. Ruth immersed herself in her new-found faith and worked for both an Orthodox Rabbi and later a Hasidic Rabbi, becoming intimately involved in the life of the synagogue. After several years, tragedy caused her to re-examine her life. Hearing about Christ with new ears, she returned to the faith she grew up in, only now in a Reformed setting.
Ruth has told her story to several audiences, and has a fascinating perspective on Christianity through Jewish eyes, and Judaism through a Christians’ eyes. She has personal experience with what it is like to be a practicing Hasidic Jew, including experiencing anti-Semitism herself. She is well-read in the literature of each group, and can answer questions about their beliefs. We hope you can join us to learn from the amazing journey that the Lord has led her on to bring her to today.
Along with the presentation, we will be introducing the Companion Bible Study to Listening to the Language of the Bible and discussing how to use it in adult education classes. All who attend will receive a copy of our new book as a thank you. If you are in ministry but have not met the En-Gedi staff personally, we especially encourage you to join us! Once again, please RSVP.
Bible Study Sets Now Available:
Listening to the Language of the Bible: Companion Bible Study
Our book Listening to the Language of the Bible contains many brief articles on rich Hebrew words and Jewish cultural concepts that deepen our Bible study. Ever since it came out, people have been asking for a Bible study guide based on the book, so that they can learn to study the Scriptures more hebraically. We are excited that this week the Companion Bible Study will be available. It is an exploration of the Hebrew words and ideas in additional passages, with thought-provoking questions about what the Bible might be saying from its own cultural perspective. (A preview of the questions is available on the website – answers are also included in the book.)
We believe that the two books in combination will be an excellent Bible study for a small group or adult education class (as well as personal study). A section of the author’s suggested answers is included at the end for a leader’s reference, and a beginning point of discussion. You will greatly enrich your faith by studying your Bible from Jesus’ point of view!
Introductory Offer Extended!
Listening to the Language of the Bible:
Companion Bible Study
By Lois Tverberg
Regular price $6.99 - But during this introductory offer from now until May 2, order them for just: $5.49 with free shipping! (Also, if you order both Listening to the Language of the Bible & the Companion Bible Study, get the set for just: $14.99 with free shipping*
Order now at the En-Gedi Bookstore, until May 31
(*Free shipping on US orders only)
We hope that as you plan for your summer or fall Bible study, you’ll think about studying Hebraically!
En-Gedi Board Update
En-Gedi is glad to announce two new board members who will be helping to guide En-Gedi in its expanding ministry. Mr. Bill Van Dyk is principal of Zeeland Christian School, and has traveled to both Israel and Turkey to study the biblical story in its context. He is passionate about making the Bible come alive for his students by teaching about it in its context.
Mrs. Laur Schaberg is Development Director for Maranatha Bible and Missionary Conference in Muskegon. She loves the work of En-Gedi and also wants to find opportunities for support and outreach for the ministry. We look forward to their service to our organization. Also, Rev. Mike Van Kampen, of Vriesland Reformed Church in Zeeland, is retiring from En-Gedi’s board after 4 years of excellent service and wise counsel for the ministry. Thank you, Pastor Mike!
Haverim School of Discipleship: November 14 – 18, 2005
En-Gedi is honored and excited to host a week of intensive Hebraic study for pastors and seminarians led by Dwight A. Pryor, president of the Center for Judaic-Christian studies. In March of 2004 we hosted our first seminar of this kind, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Dwight Pryor is an internationally-known speaker who combines a thorough knowledge of Hebraic studies with a enormous depth of wisdom for how it can impact the church today. More information and a registration form are available at this link.
Thru Messiah's Eyes II
Renewing the Christian Mind
Recovering the Church's Hebraic Heritage
Dwight A. Pryor
President,
Center for Judaic-Christian Studies,
Dayton, OH
November 14-18, 2005
Prince Conference Center · Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI
We invite you to join us for five days of study with Dwight Pryor, a powerful communicator who will be sharing key Hebraic insights relating to Jesus, his Jewish life and atoning death and resurrection. We will grapple with how understanding Christ in context relates to our lives and his ambitions for the church. We will also look at how it impacts us as pastors and leaders as we walk before our flocks as godly shepherds. We will also gain some vital insights into the ministry and writings of Paul in his Jewish context, and look at how these connect to the teachings of our rabbi, Jesus.
See link for more information. Early registration discount ends May 31, 2005
Prayer Request for Our Upcoming Work in Uganda
We ask that all of you begin praying now for our summer activities in Africa. We have been involved in a project to provide clean drinking water in Uganda by installing several water purifying units from Water Missions International, and after four years of preparation, this summer appears to be the time when they will finally be installed (see this link for more on the history of this project). The units will provide clean water to tens of thousands of people who are exposed to severe illness from unclean water every day. In mid-May, the units will be packed in a freight container and shipped by sea from Charleston, SC to arrive in Mombassa, Kenya six weeks later, and then brought by truck to Uganda. Bruce will fly to Uganda in mid-July and will oversee their installation during August. The plans are that Ugandan national television will broadcast the ceremony, and the President of Uganda will participate! With all equipment, planning, and logistic difficulties, certainly this project needs the Lord’s guidance and protection, so we ask for your prayers.
Why are we doing this? Our ministry believes that once we understand Jesus in his culture, we are obligated to obey what we have learned, not just to fill our heads with facts. To this end, we believe we are obligated to follow his command to give a cup of cold water to those who need it, whether it is the Living Water of a fresh insight on the Bible, or real cup of water to drink.
While Bruce is there, he will also begin work on another project for En-Gedi. Almost all Ugandan pastors are without resources for study or sermon preparation. So we are beginning work with the head of a pastor’s training college to establish study centers with internet access to those in ministry there. Stay tuned for more details later!
Once again, your prayers are greatly appreciated for these adventures ahead.
Blessings from En-Gedi -
Lois Tverberg & Bruce Okkema
Directors, En-Gedi Resource Center