Training a New Generation of Leaders

King Solomon wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). For more than a century, Chosen People Ministries has conducted children’s camping programs. We value investing in the next generation. Our camps for young Messianic children are located on the East Coast, West Coast, and even in Israel.

Camp Sar Shalom is our children’s camp in California. Sar Shalom means “prince of peace” and is a reference to Isaiah 9:7. Camp Sar Shalom brings children and teens together who would not regularly see one another throughout the year. Many Messianic congregations have smaller programs for their children, so camps broaden their relationships with youth from Jewish homes or who are part of Messianic congregations. At the end of the week, we have a final evening campfire at which time many campers have given their lives to Jesus and decided to live for Him.

The counselors share their own personal walks with Yeshua through the small groups, time in the bunks, doing sports, hiking, and during worship time. The counselors are with the campers almost twenty-four hours a day. This allows them to have a major impact upon the campers’ lives that they would not normally have in any other setting. It is an excellent way to develop leadership and organizational skills. We have had many campers return as counselors and even go on to serve on the staff of Chosen People Ministries.

Camp Kesher is the name of our camp in Pennsylvania. Kesher is Hebrew for “connection.” We chose this name because campers form lifelong connections and, thanks to social media and regional gatherings, these connections stay strong all year long. These campers encourage each other in the faith and help each other feel part of a greater community in the Lord.

Camp Kesher is full of fun activities and traditions, along with a strong focus on studying the Word of God. We combine Scripture memory verses, devotions, and camper-oriented messages from the Bible with an active schedule to create a Jesus-centered community within a Jewish cultural context. During the past three summers alone, fourteen campers, ages eight to sixteen, have committed their lives to the Lord for the first time. Countless others have recommitted themselves to the Lord.

Last month, we had our first winter weekend camp at the Sandy Cove Retreat Center in Maryland! Kesher Ice will help us maintain and build on the momentum created from our summer camp.

This past December 27, 2018 through January 2, 2019, approximately 150 young Jewish and Gentile believers from the United States, Canada, Israel, Germany, England, Russia, and South America gathered in Rome for our fifth Muchan (pronounced mu-khan) conference. Past conferences have been held in Berlin, Paris, Prague, and Madrid—each city chosen for its unique Jewish history.

Muchan, which is Hebrew for “ready,” exists to impact young believers between the ages of eighteen and thirty-five. The conference helps connect these like-minded brothers and sisters and serves to strengthen their faith and vision for the future. They spend time learning more about what it means to be a disciple of Yeshua and to consider the various opportunities around the world for Jewish evangelism. All this happens over a week through workshops, worship, prayer, and intensive Bible study. The participants studied the Book of Romans (of course—we were in Rome), the Jewish history of Rome, Jewish evangelism, and more!

We believe these young Messianic leaders will shape the future of Jewish ministry. For this reason, Chosen People Ministries significantly subsidizes a large percentage of the costs so that finances will not hinder any young person from attending. For example, this year we had more than forty millennials from Israel who really needed the financial help!

The college campus is one of the best places to engage Jewish students with the gospel. Students are more open-minded as they are often away from their parents, extended family, friends, and their local Jewish community. Jewish young adults are generally taught not to believe in Jesus but are often willing to talk about Him in a college environment, as they are usually open to new ideas.

We encourage and provide training and resources for campus ministries, local churches, and Messianic congregations near universities. We encourage them to offer guidance, warm fellowship, a home-cooked meal, and lots of love! We also try to motivate Christian students on campus to share the gospel with their fellow Jewish students.

Unfortunately, antisemitism is also on the rise on many college campuses in North America. Opposing the blight of antisemitism offers Christian students an opportunity to show solidarity with Jewish classmates, and to let them know that true believers love the Jewish people and detest antisemitism. This is a great testimony to Jewish students.