Jewish Population
310,000
Regional Director
Ryan Karp
Midwest Regional Director and Chicago Branch Leader
Chosen People MinistriesVOLUNTEERS
Chicago
Chosen People Ministries in Chicago works on college campuses, disciples new believers, begins para-church outreach, conducts educational and evangelistic events, plants Bible studies, promotes Christian/Jewish forums, works with Russian speakers, leads children’s ministry, distributes gospel materials, interacts with the Orthodox Jewish community, both in-person and online, and much more.
Staff Serving
7
STAFF
Brendan Maynard
Missionary
Chosen People Ministries
Roy Schwarcz
Vice President of Congregational Ministries and Missionary
Chosen People Ministries
Kirill Swiderski
Missionary
Chosen People Ministries
Andrew Yelchuri
Missionary
Chosen People MinistriesVOLUNTEERS
History of Jewish Work:
In 1929, Joseph Hoffman Cohn, then president of the ministry, opened a Chicago branch in partnership with Solomon Birnbaum, the first director of the Moody Bible Institute’s Jewish studies department. Our ministry encouraged new believers from our work in New York City, Philadelphia, and Atlantic City to attend Moody Bible Institute. Recognizing a needy Jewish population on the north side of Chicago as well, the ministry established a second branch around those neighborhoods in 1936. Chosen People Ministries purchased a building in 1967. In the 1970s, ministry efforts included campus evangelism, tract distribution, door-to-door visitation, regular events, ministering in nursing homes, and developing volunteer programs. The Chicago work was responsible for planting a number of Messianic congregations beginning in 1980; many of which still thrive today!
Minneapolis
With Minneapolis being the most Jewish city in Minnesota (25 percent), Chosen People Ministries engages in door-to-door outreach in St. Louis Park, Bible studies, seminars on Messianic Jewish apologetics, one-on-one discipleship, and regular meetings with local (unbelieving) Jewish people.
Jewish Population
Just under 50,000
Staff Serving
2
STAFF
Trevor Rubenstein
Branch Leader
Chosen People Ministries
Matthew Frey
Missionary
Chosen People MinistriesVOLUNTEERS
History of Jewish Work:
The work in Minneapolis began in 1963 under the leadership of Harry Jacobson. In 2016, Good News for Israel, one of the oldest evangelical outreaches to the Jewish community in the United States, integrated into Chosen People Ministries. As a result, the latter obtained a building in the heart of St. Louis Park—the Jewish center of Minneapolis—and provided two missionaries. Over the years, Minneapolis has been a stronghold of the Messianic Jewish community with many leaders coming from this area.
Indianapolis
Our Jewish ministry in Indiana is presently involved in direct mailing campaigns reaching 1,100 Jewish households in the greater Indianapolis area. We network with churches and Christians who want to reach Jewish people with the gospel. These believers have unsaved Jewish friends, neighbors, co-workers, or family members. We provide resources for them and, on occasion, meet their Jewish connections for coffee or dinner.
Jewish Population
25,000
Staff Serving
1
STAFF
Jon Lieberman
Missionary and VIP Coordinator
Chosen People MinistriesVOLUNTEERS
History of Jewish Work:
The work in Indianapolis began in 1943 with Miss Hoit and Miss Summers, who were on loan from another ministry. Joseph Hoffman Cohn even called Miss Hoit a “virtual dynamo.” Since the 1950s, Chosen People Ministries has been working with volunteers in Indianapolis to reach Jewish people with the good news. In 2010, the ministry brought in Jon Lieberman, who grew up in the city and has a great love for the Jewish people there.
Pittsburgh
Chosen People Ministries planted Squirrel Hill’s only Messianic congregation, where they gather for Sabbath services, Jewish holy days, special events, etc. Our missionaries speak in churches throughout Pittsburgh, Western and Central Pennsylvania, and East Ohio. On Tuesday afternoons, the branch hosts an evangelism time in Squirrel Hill. Missionaries and volunteers participate together in Jewish discipleship, mentoring, counseling, and visitation.
Jewish Population
50,000
Staff Serving
1
STAFF
Jeff Kipp
Branch Leader
Chosen People MinistriesVOLUNTEERS
History of Jewish Work:
Chosen People Ministries’ Pittsburgh branch began in 1918, thus making it the Mission’s third-oldest branch. This area was a dynamic mission station with its own building in Squirrel Hill, and it had a number of amazing workers including Victor Sedaca and Al Runge. Charles Feinberg, who would help found the Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, met the Lord here. Sadly, for many reasons, the branch was disbanded around 1982 and its building sold. However, the ministry revived the work here in 2006.
