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).

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, the Christian community and especially the Jewish community, might come to the realization and the knowledge of the Hebrew roots of the faith.

For a closer look of how we came to be a congregation and our purpose please click here for the featured article in the Messianic Times — "In the Times"

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.

We meet weekly for Shabbat Services at: 651 West Sunflower Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92707. We're right near the intersection of the 405 Freeway and the 55 Freeway, a block away from the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Our Services begin at 10:30 am and ALL are welcome! Click here for directions.

Our financial support comes entirely from the freewill offerings of those who attend our Congregation. 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).

Doug Friedman is an ordained Messianic Rabbi and is currently serving as the Ben David Congregational Leader. He was raised in a Conservative Jewish home and was a Bar Mitzvah at the Forest Hills Jewish Center in Queens, New York. He has been a believer in Messiah Yeshua since 1976. He has a Bachelor of Science from M.I.T., a Master of Engineering from Cornell University, and a Master of Arts degree in Biblical & Theological Studies from Talbot Theological Seminary. In addition to leading the congregation, he is employed full-time as an engineer for the Boeing Company. He lives in Irvine with his wife, Bonnie, and has three grown children.

Glenn Edwards is an elder at Ben David Messianic Jewish Congregation, having previously served as a Shammash (deacon) for four years. Additionally, he plays the bass guitar on the worship team. He was raised in Canada in a believing household and became a believer in Messiah Yeshua in 1977. Glenn is a Property Manager for Pinnacle Resources International Incorporated. He and his wife, Heather, live in Corona.

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.