The Jewish people of Mexico share much of the same history as their brethren in South America. After the conquest of the Aztecs in 1521, a number of Jewish Conversos who had been forced to adopt Christianity-at least outwardly-immigrated to New Spain or Mexico, as it was later named. Today Mexico has a Jewish population of over 40,000. They are mostly a mixture of Sephardic (Spanish) and Ashkenazic (European) Jews whose forebears were immigrants who arrived between the late 19th century and the eve of World War II. The overwhelming majority of them live in Mexico City, where Elias and Rosa Habif have begun their ministry.

Equipped for Ministry

Elias and Rosa Habif can truly be said to have been ordained through Chosen People Ministries for the very special task of reaching the Jewish people of Mexico.

Having grown up in a Conservative Sephardic Jewish family, Elias attended Hebrew school and practiced Judaism. In 1983, at a Chosen People Ministries meeting in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he was moved to receive Jesus as Messiah. There he met Rosa, who would become his wife. They immediately began to serve as volunteers in the ministry.

Late in 1988, the Habifs were ordained into the ministry. They began to serve full time the following year, beginning a ten-year period during which they worked to develop the ministry in Argentina and several South American countries. The Lord has blessed their work and has opened many doors for them to bring the message of salvation to the Jewish people of Latin America. Over the years, they have seen many Jewish people receive Messiah and have also ministered to many Gentiles. In addition, they've been instrumental in helping the churches understand the importance and the urgency of bringing the Good News to the Chosen People.

Expanding Horizons

Through the encouragement of Chosen People Ministries and the International Messianic Jewish Alliance, the Habifs began to pray about starting a Messianic Jewish Center somewhere in Latin America. The Lord answered their prayers by directing them to Mexico City, where they arrived in October 2000.

The work began with a small group of three women, two of whom were Messianic Jews. They met informally at first in the Habifs' dining room. They named this small fellowship Kehilat ha Derech - Congregation "The Way." Little by little, by the grace of God, the group has grown and now has a membership of 50 people.

Late in 2002, the Habifs started another Messianic congregation in Pachuca City, approximately 50 miles from Mexico City. There the fellowship numbers 30 people. Both synagogues consist of Messianic Jews and Gentiles who love our people. They have already welcomed many Jewish seekers who come and hear the Good News of Messiah Yeshua. They have also developed many relationships with non-believing Jewish people for whom they pray and whom they continue to invite to meetings.

The Habifs are a living example of the Apostle Paul's great exhortation: "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).