Participant Qualifications

The ideal candidate is a single male or female who has recently completed a BA or graduate degree, or wants to take a year off before completing their degree and spend a year in Messiah’s service. In the case of an Israeli, the candidate could be taking a year off between serving in the army and starting a university program or job. Candidates will complete an application and provide four references, including one from their pastor or Messianic Rabbi. The individuals should have a sense of God’s call to reach Jewish students with the gospel.

Relationship to Chosen People Ministries

The full array of CPM activities will also be available to the participants including involvement with the CPM congregations in Brooklyn or Manhattan, various service opportunities such as Shalom Brooklyn, Youth Camps, Muchan and other young adult conferences, etc. Additionally, the opportunity to raise additional funds will be made available to the participants through CPM’s administration.

Essential Activities of the Program

• The development of personal ministry to Jewish non-believing students and with Jewish believers for discipleship
• Weekly Shabbat dinners held at the apartment
• Weekly training sessions for the program participants
• Weekly “open” Bible studies for all who wish to attend
• The celebration of the Jewish holidays on campus or at the apartment
• Quarterly events such as lectures, debates, concerts, etc., as ministries to the campus community
• Weekly mentoring meetings with CPM appointed mentors and engagement with campus Christian groups for the purpose of helping Christian students reach their Jewish friends with the gospel
• An annual retreat
• The opportunity to take a course with the Charles Feinberg Program for Messianic Jewish Studies, either for credit or audit
• The possibility of auditing a class at NYU each semester, either as part of the regular curriculum or the NYU School of Professional Studies
• Various personal projects mentored by CPM staff, such as writing, photography/videography, website design, biblical research, apologetics, etc.

The benefits to the participants are many. They will have a year of personal and community mentoring in the faith that will also enable them to develop their ministry skills in new and creative ways, which can be used later in their careers—whether they serve in vocational Messianic work or in a secular job. The participants will become more skillful in utilizing advanced Messianic apologetics and strategies designed to reach Jewish people with the gospel and disciple those who come to faith. They will also build relationships to last a lifetime with their fellow participants and with the CPM staff.

There is the added advantage of being able to grow in their Jewish identity if the participant is a Jewish believer. Participants who are Gentile believers will gain better understanding of what it means to be a Jewish follower of Yeshua and learn how they can touch the lives of Jewish students. All participants will have the opportunity to explore New York City’s Jewish culture and life and interact with hundreds of Jewish students.