Unanimously affirmed by the Delegates July 15, 2001:

The Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) supports the existence of the Jewish homeland in Israel. The UMJC supports the right of the nation of Israel to exist within safe and secure borders, and the right of all Israelis to freely live and travel without the threat of terrorism.

See the introductory video here.

The UMJC sees the local congregation as essential to Messianic Judaism, because it provides a setting in which Jewish people can both encounter Yeshua as Messiah and live for him as Jews. We believe that the survival and continuity of the Jewish people is a value stated repeatedly throughout Scripture, from Genesis 12 through the New Covenant writings. Furthermore, this congregational emphasis reflects conditions portrayed in the book of Acts, where an indigenous people movement for Yeshua swept the Jewish world. Building on this biblical model, the UMJC seeks to unify and strengthen Jewish congregations that honor Yeshua as the Messiah of Israel.

Today we face the challenge of helping to initiate congregations equipped to serve new generations of Jewish people in the name of Messiah Yeshua. In addition, many of our existing congregations need to be equipped anew for the future and its unique opportunities. The common denominator in both of these challenges is the need for new leaders who are gifted, trained, and called to serve the unique Messianic Jewish vision in their generation. The Kehilah 2020, or K20, initiative is working to meet this need. 2020 refers to a ten-year trajectory of congregational development, beginning in 2010. It also refers to 20-20 vision, with a focus on raising up leaders for the future. In recent years a wide spectrum of resources has been developed to encourage, educate, and train young leaders. Kehilah 2020 will bring all these resources to bear on the challenge of creating a thriving Messianic Jewish future, through:

1. Identifying, recruiting, and helping equip new congregational leaders.
2. Initiating new congregations wherever needed.
3. Providing placement and career tracking for new leaders in new or existing congregations.
4. Developing financial resources to support the training and placement of leaders, and the start-up of new congregations.

K20 is looking for Jewish potential leaders, and ready to help them become more fully trained or educated for service in a new or existing UMJC member congregation. Individuals interested in participating in this program can apply to K20 at any level of education and training after High School graduation. Our emphasis is on young adults, but the program is also interested in adults in their 40s and 50s with some ministry experience who are considering professional congregational service.

Academic scholarships are available for qualified students taking graduate-level classes at Messianic Jewish Theological Institute or Netzer David International Yeshiva (schools currently pre-approved by the UMJC to provide education for future leaders and rabbis). Scholarships will also be considered for other schools and classes at the discretion of the K20 committee.

For more information or to submit application materials, contact Rabbi Tony Eaton, K20 chair, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Download Application

Purpose

• To involve younger Messianic Jews, especially potential leaders, more deeply in our congregations.
• To provide the intern with a realistic view of congregational ministry and Messianic Judaism.
• To equip younger leaders for a life of ministry within a Messianic Jewish congregational setting as a viable option in Jewish ministry.

Internship Programs

Internships may vary depending on the host congregation and the type of internship, but the program seeks to provide exposure to all aspects of Messianic Jewish congregational life. The intern may be involved in all areas of ministry, including children’s education, outreach, music (if applicable), liturgical service (if applicable), adult education and administration. A leader in the congregation will be assigned to the intern as a regular contact. In addition, the intern will have weekly contact and meeting time with the congregational leader to evaluate the general progress of the internship.

The local congregation is essential to Messianic Judaism, because it provides a setting in which Jewish people can both encounter Yeshua as Messiah and live for him as Jews. The book of Acts pictures an indigenous people movement for Yeshua that swept the Jewish world of its day. Today the UMJC builds on this biblical model by unifying and strengthening Jewish congregations that honor Yeshua as the Messiah of Israel.

K20, the Kehilah 2020 initiative, is the leading edge of this effort. 2020 refers to a ten-year trajectory of congregational and leadershipdevelopment, beginning in 2010. It also refers to 20-20 vision, with a focus on raising up leaders for the future.

This unique initiative needs your prayers and financial support. Whether you are a member of the Messianic Jewish community or a friend and ally, now is the time to join with K20 to ensure a brighter future for this historic movement.

Contribute here:

Or you can send a check to the UMJC at 529 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, with "Kehilah 2020" in the memo line, or call 1-800-692-UMJC (8652) to contribute over the phone. Thank you!