Roy and Joanne Schwarcz

Roy Schwarcz was born and raised in New York City. His mother and her family fled Berlin with the growing persecution of Jewish people by the Nazis. Roy became a bar mitzvah at the age of thirteen in the Orthodox tradition.

While traveling across the country, Roy met Christians who demonstrated God’s love and explained the gospel to him. Through their kindness and prayers, he came to believe Jesus was his Messiah.

Roy has been involved in almost every type of Jewish ministry since he came to faith. He worked on college campuses, led home Bible studies, and began two Messianic congregations in the Chicago area: Olive Tree Congregation in Prospect Heights and Rock of Israel in Long Grove. He currently serves as the vice president for congregations and is leading the team rebuilding our Manhattan branch. Roy also leads the monthly Chicago outreach of Beth Sar Shalom, which meets at Moody Church, as well as the monthly outreach in Highland Park, Illinois. Additionally, he leads a weekly interactive Bible study via Zoom.

Roy graduated from Moody Bible Institute where he received his diploma in Jewish studies. He then earned his Master of Arts in Theology from Talbot Theological Seminary at Biola University.  He was ordained through the Olive Tree Congregation, the first congregation he planted with Chosen People Ministries.

Roy authored the book “Where Jesus Walked”, which examines more than fifty portions of Jesus’ life, demonstrating how the Old Testament prophets foretold events in the life of Jesus and how they were fulfilled in the New Covenant. Each portion is considered from a Jewish perspective, giving insight and perspective on the unity between the Old and New Testaments.

Roy and his wife Joanne have four grown daughters and ten grandchildren.