Holy Spirit Sparks Council’s Efforts to Reconnect Jews and Gentiles

Last month I attended the first formal conference for the Toward Jerusalem 2 Council in Dallas, Texas. I had heard about this council several years ago when I was writing my first book, The New Covenant Prophecy and visiting my old friend and elder Don Finto, who also serves on its board.

The Lord had encouraged me to reconnect with Don as He was deepening this new reconnection ministry focus within me, and Don subsequently introduced me to Dan Juster of Tikkun Ministries, of which I am now an associate member. I must say at the time I was quite intrigued by the idea of this new council and its vision and I also immediately understood the need for it in the body of Messiah/Christ. The prospect excited me.

As you may know, I now write and preach frequently on The Reconnection and the great need for us in the church to reconnect spiritually with Israel during these days. It makes total sense to me that amid this restoration in God’s family, the Lord would begin to raise up a body of elders between Jew and Gentile that could act more formally as an ambassadorship for this reconnection to take place between the church and Israel and all that goes along with it.

What impresses me the most about this council of elders is that their work and formation appears to have been sparked by the Holy Spirit. There is also an visible atmosphere of humility and servitude from within its leadership, like this is not their agenda, but rather the Lord’s (you can read more about their beginnings on their website.

Behind the scenes, this leadership group has already been meeting for several years and God has had the opportunity to knit their hearts together to help them establish a firm foundation for the council in numerous countries around the world. In addition, with a good amount of opposition, they have begun to make inroads with the Roman Catholic Church, which has expressed an interest in working with them to improve relationships between their church and the Messianic community.

I have listed the vision of TJC2 below:

TJCII is a reconciliation initiative that addresses the original schism between Jews and Gentile in the body of Messiah. We anticipate healing, restoration and unity for Christians and Messianic Jews through a second Jerusalem council that reflects the first council in Acts 15. By addressing the desired plan of God to break down the wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles, we hope to see shalom restored in anticipation of Messiah’s return.

The conference lasted a day and a half and brought hundreds of church and Messianic leaders together from all over the U.S. and Canada and a number of other countries oversees. At that time, the vision for the council and its objectives were laid. I had the opportunity to connect personally with a variety of church leaders who are sensing the same call. It appeared to me that this conference was acting more like an unveiling of the vision to begin to broaden its scope and horizon to the larger body of the church and many of us were truly excited by what God is about to do as He reconnects His family spiritually.

As I have often written, while this reconnection movement grows in the church, it is much like the busting of a dam. Very few actually hear or see the tiny explosives that may be used to initiate the dam’s destruction and opening and even the smaller cracks, but when it actually goes, everyone in its path is ultimately affected. But this is what I believe it will be like as the church at-large begins to recognize the significance of this Reconnection between Jew and Gentile in The One New Man. All of this is to properly prepare us for His return. How important at that time this council could be in helping to facilitate this move of the Holy Spirit in His kingdom and His church.

Here’s what a few of the TJC2 leaders had to say:

Dr. Daniel Juster, founder and member of Council of Elders for Toward Jerusalem Council II: “The Toward Jerusalem Council II convocation in Dallas last month was a wonderful boost to an important movement that seeks to see the church that affirms broad orthodoxy aligned with and joined to the Messianic Jewish Community. This year we had key leaders of denominations, including the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, the Four Square Church, the American Anglican Church and the new Apostolic Churches. It was an amazing time.”

Marty Waldman: “The TJCII North American consultation brought Christian and Messianic Jewish leaders to Dallas from across North America. The anointed teachings and testimonies produced a clear presentation of the TJCII vision, which resulted in an overwhelming response from various leaders who were present. These leaders now desire to see the TJCII vision expand throughout N.A … especially in their spheres of influence.”  

Don Finto: “How the church stands with Israel and the Jewish people may be the last great deception of which Jesus, Paul and the others speak as we approach the Lord’s return. The TJC2 meeting in Dallas was another step forward in challenging the entire body of Jesus believers from the Nations to know and unite as One New Man with the resurrected “Jewish community of Yeshua-followers, known to believe and to stand strong with God’s firstborn son.”

I have also listed 2 below video links that are quite brief, but very informative on the TJC2 vision. Both of these video messages were presented at the conference. The first was given by Rabbi Marty Waldman the Senior Rabbi from Baruch HaShem Ministries in Dallas, Texas who’s Congregation hosted the conference, and the second message was from Robert Morris who is the Senior Pastor at Gateway Church, one of the largest mega churches in the United States and how God has blessed them in their giving of funds, “to the Jew first … .”

Now, I can’t wait till the next conference! Grant Berry, Reconnecting Ministries

“What is TJCII?” with Rabbi Marty Waldman

“Why to the Jew First,” with Robert Morris.

Grant Berry is a Jewish believer in Jesus and author of The New Covenant Prophecy and The Ezekiel Generation. He has founded Reconnecting Ministries with the specific focus to help the church reconnect spiritually to Israel and considers it vital to the kingdom of God in the last days.