WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE?
First and foremost, we wish to follow the teaching of Yeshua, who said “make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:19,20). Therefore, we study and teach the entire Word of God as our guide to life. Secondly, we desire to present the wonderful news that Yeshua of Nazareth is indeed the Messiah promised in the Hebrew Scriptures to Israel and to the world: “The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from among your countrymen, you shall listen to Him.” (Deuteronomy 18:15).
WHERE DO WE MEET?
We meet weekly for Shabbat Services at: 1800 E. La Veta, in the city of Orange, California. We're right near the intersection of the 22 Freeway and the 55 Freeway in central Orange County. Our Services begin at 10:30 am and ALL are welcome! For more details, click here.
WHY A MESSIANIC CONGREGATION?
The early followers of Yeshua were almost exclusively Jewish. Over the years that followed, however, the presentation and practices of the believing community migrated away from their roots to the point that, today, the Jewish origins (please click here for an expanded explanation) of this faith are virtually unrecognizable. We seek to restore the Jewishness of this presentation and these practices for two reasons:
(1) Because many of us are, in fact, Jewish and understand that one does not lose their heritage (become non-Jewish) just because they acknowledge that Yeshua is the Messiah.
(2) So that the world around us, especially the Jewish community, might come to the realization that believing in Him is indeed a very Jewish thing to do.
WHY THE NAME "BEN DAVID"?
Our name means “Son of David” and reflects our focus on the person and nature of the Jewish Messiah. It appears 26 times in the Bible, 10 times in the Tanakh and 16 times in the Brit Chadashah. Over the centuries, it became one of the most common biblical terms used by the rabbis when speaking of the Messiah. In Matthew chapter 22, we find this exchange:
"Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Yeshua asked them a question, saying, 'What do you think about the Messiah, whose Son is He?' They said to Him, 'Ben David' ('The Son of David'). He said to them, 'Then how does David in the Spirit call Him 'Lord,' saying, the Lord says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." (Psalm 110:1). If David then calls Him 'Lord,' how is He his Son?' And no one was able to answer Him a word, nor did anyone dare from that day on to ask Him another question."
Thus the choice of our name highlights the biblically sound, yet culturally sensitive, Jewish perspective we seek to establish in everything that we do.
HOW ARE WE SUPPORTED?
Our financial support comes entirely from the freewill offerings of those who attend our Fellowship. We have no membership fees or annual dues. We “ … let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (II Corinthians 9:7).
WHO ARE OUR LEADERS?
Doug Friedman has been a Jewish believer since 1976 and has served as a teacher, leader, and Elder in two other Messianic congregations. He has a Bachelor of Science from M.I.T. and a Master of Engineering from Cornell University. Currently employed as an engineer for the Boeing Company, he is also working on a Master of Divinity degree at Talbot Theological Seminary. He is married, lives in Irvine, and has three grown children. e-mail Doug
Albert Cerussi is the Assistant Congregational Leader. He became a believer in Messiah Yeshua in 1991 when he was a senior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York. He holds a PhD in physics from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. Dr. Cerussi is a junior faculty member at the University of California, Irvine where he conducts research in the application of light and optics in clinical medicine. Dr. Cerussi is married and lives in Rancho Santa Margarita. e-mail Albert
Since our inception as a fellowship in 2001, the governance of Ben David has been decided by a Steering Committee (SC), through the leading of the Ruach Hakodesh. Presently, the Board of Directors is comprised of two Elders and six Shamashim.
IN MEMORIAM
Craig (Glick) Skinner was one of the founding leaders of Ben David Messianic Jewish Congregation. The Lord took him home to be with Him in January of 2003. Please click here for a tribute to Craig.