Tag Archives: Jewish Studies

Kerstetter Chronicles: September

     Crisp autumn air has come again to Chicago, and with it has come more change and opportunity for growth in our lives. Since our letter at the end of August,

  • We have begun weekly Jewish evangelism outreach at a Starbucks in Skokie (a suburb of Chicago with a large Jewish population). Please be praying for our new friends, Carol (Starbucks barista), Elon, Danny and Freddie, (Starbucks regulars), with whom we have been building friendships as we discuss Judaism, Israeli & American politics, and most excitingly – the identity of Yeshua and faith in Him as the Jewish Messiah.

  • We had the honor of meeting Joel C. Rosenberg and hearing him speak about three imminent threats to America, Israel and the Church in the Middle East, as well as address the Arab-Israeli conflict. You can read about his visit to Moody in an upcoming Coffee Talk blog post here.

  • We have been attending Devar Emet Messianic Synagogue. The family of believers at Devar Emet, and in the greater Messianic community of Chicago, have already been a wonderful blessing to us and we are thankful to have a “home away from home” among them.

  • L’shana tovah! We just celebrated Rosh Hashanah – the Feast of Trumpets. According to the Jewish calendar, this Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the year 5775. It also begins the Jewish High Holiday season, and we have been learning about each Jewish holiday in weekly studies at Devar Emet. What a blessing it is to look into God’s Word and read about the holidays that He ordained for Israel, to see what truths and blessings He has given in them. Our studies into these holidays have begun to open to us the rich depths of the history and culture that Jesus himself embraced and celebrated. Watch for new blog posts about the holidays at kerstetterconnection.com/category/coffee-talk, and take a look at our calendar to see what’s coming up next!

  • God has led us to decide that I (Carissa) will not be taking classes for credit at this time. This was a difficult decision in many ways, but we have peace that it is the right one. I am excited to continue learning alongside BJ in our class, History and Thought of Modern Israel, with Dr. Michael Rydelnik. We have already found this to be an incredibly valuable course!

  • We have received 80% of the funds necessary to pursue a new treatment for my (Carissa) Lyme’s Disease. At this time, we only lack the money to fly to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for the treatments scheduled January 5 – 8, during our winter break from school.

  • Praise the Lord! We have received donations totaling 67% of the school payment due October 1. We still need $551 to make this month’s payment, and our total remaining school bill for this semester is $3,551.

We are so thankful for your continued prayers and encouragement for us. God is truly teaching and stretching us here in Chicago, and we are excited to see what this next month will bring. L’shana Tovah – to a good new year!

 

Kerstetter Chronicles: August

Shalom from Chicago!

family photo

Family photo in our new place!

Thanks to all of the friends and family who helped us, we have made the move, and we’re now settled in at Moody Bible Institute.

MK Orientation

MK and International Students gathered for Orientation (Picture taken by Pavel Adamek)

Things started out light and easy for us with a special MK (Missionary Kid) & International Student Orientation.

 In addition to completing some required Orientation sessions early, we got to meet other students from all over the world and enjoy some events hosted by the MuKappa group here at Moody. Now the rest of the student body has joined us and Monday was our first day of classes! We’re so excited as we get started learning more about the ministry and the People to whom God has called us.

Jewish Studies fellowship

A few Jewish Studies students gathered at our place for fellowship

Already in our first Jewish Studies class, History and Thought of Modern Israel, our passion has been rekindled for the great need of the Jewish people for the truth of Messiah. It is such a privilege to be here and our hearts are overwhelmed with excitement for all that God has for us here! It is our excitement that motivates us to come to you even more eagerly for your prayer and support. I must confess that we are just beginning to learn what it means to be transparent with you, our family in the Lord, and understand what things are important for you to know about our lives, needs and ministry. Recently, we have been convicted and challenged in this area. So it is out of our sincere desire to be open with you and to better allow you the opportunity to partner with us in ministry, that we are writing this letter.

As you know, BJ and I both come from missionary homes, and have been blessed by the testimony of our amazing parents who have made countless sacrifices through the years for the sake of the Gospel. As a result of their sacrifices, and the high financial costs of my (Carissa) healthcare over the past three years, we have very little savings set aside for school. While most students in such a position may consider student loans, such a choice would prohibit us from continuing into ministry after graduation. Instead, we would need to postpone missions work and work instead to pay off our school bills. For these reasons, Moody strongly discourages students from taking out student loans and only permits this option as a last resort in certain approved circumstances.

As of September 1, we will have already paid to Moody all of our savings for school. BJ will continue to work and be able to pay a portion of our school bills, but this will not be enough. If we have not paid our first semester bills in full before the Spring semester, we will not be able to return to classes, and will need to move off campus. I imagine, as you read this, you may begin to wonder what I have frequently wondered myself – what sort of crazy thinking made them decide it was a good idea to move to Chicago and start school with no money and no idea how they are going to pay for it? So, I will explain.

afghani lunch

Lunch with friends, Vlad and Rachel from Devar Emet Messianic Synagogue, and our new friend, Isabel, who runs a guest house ministry for the Israeli backpacking community

We firmly believe that God has called us into Jewish Ministry. We know of no better way to thoroughly equip ourselves for this work than the Jewish Studies program here at MBI. Furthermore, we have seen the Lord clearly direct our steps to bring us here. We are trusting that the Lord will provide all of the funds necessary for us to continue our studies here, and we ask that you would prayerfully consider whether God may have a plan for you to partner with us in His work. Please also consider bringing this opportunity before your friends, church, elders or pastor who may be burdened for the Jewish people. Above all, please pray for us as we seek to follow the Lord, wherever He leads us, and learn to trust Him more deeply in these uncharted waters.

Here is a summary of our financial needs, so that you can pray specifically for us, and consider how you may be a part of God’s plan of restoration for the Jewish people.

  • Our total remaining school bill for Fall 2014 is $6,000
  • This is broken down to a payment plan of $1,500/month
  • Our estimated budget for living expenses (excluding medical bills) is $1000/month
  • Total expenses for Carissa’s Lyme treatment $4300 – Praise the Lord, He has provided 80% already!

To make a contribution directly to our school bill, call Moody’s Student Accounts at (312) 329-4223. Donations can also be made online  at https://portal.moody.edu/prt_mainpage.aspx?id=134337. (For online payments you will need to enter BJ’s student ID # 4132121.)

To donate directly to us, mail checks to BJ and Carissa Kerstetter CPO 2163 820 N. LaSalle Blvd. Chicago, IL 60610. Donations may also be made through our website at kerstetterconnection.com/donate.

THANKS again for all of your prayers & support. We appreciate you so very much. If you’d like to receive more detailed updates about what we’re doing in Chicago and what we’re learning in Jewish Studies, please let us know and we’ll sign you up to get all of our blog posts sent to your inbox! To read Carissa’s latest blog post, “Strategic Relocation,” visit our website at kerstetterconnection.com.

In His Love & Peace,

BJ and Carissa Kerstetter

Strategic Relocation

 

Big new city. Here we are at last. After a couple years of dreaming, months of planning and a few detours along the way, we’re here and we’re settling in to Chicago. Most of our boxes are unpacked, and order has begun to be restored after our go-with-the-flow nomadic summer. The last boxes left to unpack are the books. From where I sit, I can see my disorganized bookshelf and a couple still unopened boxes in front of it, next to more books scattered on the floor. But among the books already gracing our disheveled shelves, is a book whose title not only gave us a good chuckle recently, but also prompted a thought-provoking question, whose answer could change your life.

 

The title? “Strategic Relocation.”

 

This book, which we happened across a couple years ago, was written, by a Joel M. Skousen, with the purpose of providing the reader with a summary of all the primary factors which make a place strategic for safety and quality of life. He also provides a very informative “North American Guide to Safe Places.” In case you were wondering, Chicago – while it’s not the worst – is not very high on the list. And to be frank – it’s never been high on my list either. While the big city may have its charms, I’d take a cabin on a lake in the north woods over city bustle any day.

 

Besides personal preference, though, factors considered in determining Skousen’s overall rating of a place include – geography, climate, freedoms, politics, crime, standard of living, prospects of war, invasion and terrorism… you get the idea. While his analysis of the world at large leaves the United States at the top of the list of strategic countries, the state of Illinois rates only 1 ½ stars on Skousen’s five-star system. With Chicago – still ranked as one of the organized crime capitols of the nation and #9 of our nation’s worst traffic cities; a state-wide personal liberty rating of 1 out of 5; with corrupt politicians, judges and police, highly restrictive gun laws, several prime military targets and more than a couple nuclear power plants, Illinois is not exactly ideal for anyone seeking a strategic safe place. But I cannot think of a safer or more strategic place for us to be than right in the heart of Chicago… because God has moved us here. With such limited time here on earth, existing for the sole purpose of knowing God and making Him known to the world, what other factors matter?

 

Abraham. Moses. Jonah. Esther. Elijah. David. Daniel. Our Lord Yeshua. These are just a few examples from God’s Word of people who seemed to the world to be in terrible job positions, making utterly foolish life choices, or facing terrifying danger, but were actually strategically placed to be overwhelmingly blessed by God’s specific plan to use their lives for His purpose and glory.

 

So the question I have to ask is this – How will you determine your strategic location – for your home, your work, your direction as an individual or as a family? Maybe you haven’t really considered much of Joel Skousen’s lengthy criteria in your decision of where to make your home, but we all live by some kind of strategy – whether consciously or not. What is yours?

 

I believe that, while the world around us points to countless other factors to consider in the big and small decisions of our lives, the most strategic path is the one which God has clearly marked out just for us, even if that path is one of wandering through a dry Middle Eastern wilderness; leads us into the flames of an ancient Babylonian furnace, brings us face to face with the rage of a power-crazed, anti-Semitic world leader, or perhaps even takes us to the streets of downtown Chicago.

 

BJ has a t-shirt that reads: “Obey… or Get Swallowed.” I think the message of Jonah’s story is clear. God can accomplish His purpose with or without us, but He wants to give us the incredible opportunity to be a part of the process. And I don’t know about you, but I think in the end, whatever the “strategic” ratings say, Nineveh looks better than the belly of a fish.

 

Judaism Q & A

 

Shalom! I have a homework assignment for you. Yes, I know, I’m the one starting school in a few weeks. But we’re in this together, right? 😉 Actually, this is your chance to put me to work! I have put together a list of some of the words, questions and topics that I want to learn more about in school. Sort of like my “to-do” list of things to learn. If you’d like, you can send me your questions and I’ll add them to my list. As I study through the list, I’ll report back here with a post about my findings. Because it is part of my heritage, and central to God’s Word, Jewish culture has always fascinated and intrigued me. Sadly, I have spent very little time really studying or experiencing Judaism – until now! I’m so excited to get started! So, without further ado, here’s my list. Send me yours via email or leave them in the comments below!

 

 

  • What is the “Mishna?”
  • What is “Succot” all about? And how do you even pronounce that?
  • What is the “Tenach?”
  • Who is the “remnant” referred to in Romans 11?
  • Why do the rabbis say that Jewish lineage is passed down through the mother?
  • What does Scripture say about the Church’s responsibility concerning Israel?
  • Why do Jews & Messianic Jews write “G-d” without the ‘o?’
  • Who assigns the weekly Parsha? How did this tradition start?
  • How can I ask Jewish friends about their beliefs in a non-offensive way?
  • Is there still a Biblical basis for Christians or Messianic Jews to keep kosher?
  • What does God’s Word say about the Palestinians currently living in the land of Israel?
  • Why does the woman of the house pray and “welcome the light” each Shabbat (Sabbath)?
  • Is it traditional or Biblical to light the candles and share bread and share wine at the beginning of Shabbat (Sabbath)?

Check back here if you’d like answers to these questions or some of your own. I’m looking forward to learning together!

Love,

 

Carissa Kerstetter

 

 

Next Stop: Chicago

Dear friends,

     I am so excited to tell you that God has seen fit to move BJ and me on to our next step in His plan for our lives. Over the past many months, we have seen His hand clearly directing us into full time Jewish evangelism. To become better equipped for this work, we have now officially enrolled for the 2014 Fall Semester in the Jewish Studies program at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois.

     The past couple years have been a time of great learning and growing for us, filled with many challenges and many truths revealed about God’s perfect plan and enduring faithfulness. As most of you know, both of us have had some health issues. So we had put off school until now to seek treatment in Waukesha, WI, where we’ve been since we graduated New Tribes Bible Institute in May 2011. BJ is almost back to full health, but still lacking some of the vigor and energy of a healthy 22 year old. My health is also still a cause for prayer, as I am still battling Lyme’s Disease, and dealing with considerable pain and sickness as a result. At this point it would still be too much for me to take on a full class load at Moody, so I plan to enroll as a part time student, and we expect even this much will be difficult. But we leave this as it ever was, in the hands of our faithful Father, and would so appreciate your prayers for healing, if it be His will.

     Despite these continued challenges, we are ready and so excited to move forward. Now begins the planning and packing and figuring out of all the fun, technical details of getting ready for school. We will both be done working by June 15th, when I am done driving kiddos around in my bright yellow school bus! After that we plan to spend most of our summer with BJ’s family in Missouri, where BJ will be studying and working to further his budding career in web design. It is his goal to use this work to pay our way through these next couple years of school. Because he will only work part time, and I cannot work at all due to my health, we won’t make enough to cover our expenses. Please pray with us as we apply for scholarships and wait on the LORD to provide. We are confident that He is guiding us in this direction, so we are eager to see how He will work it all out!

     We invite you to partner with us in prayer, for “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much,” (James 5:16). and stay connected with us as God moves us forward into His work. We ask for your encouragement, input and accountability to accompany us as we “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:14) and endeavor to walk with Him and make Him known. To see specific prayer requests visit our “Prayers” page (click here). To make plans to spend time with us before our move visit our “Connect” page (click here). If you would like to keep in touch and get continued updates from us, go back to our home page (click here) and “subscribe” to get weekly or monthly emails. We’d always love to hear from you!

Because of His Love
BJ and Carissa

April Prayer Requests

> Praise the LORD! We’ve been accepted to the Jewish Studies program at Moody Bible Institute for Fall 2014. Hurray!

> Pray that God will prepare our hearts and minds to study at Moody.

> Pray that God will continue to provide financially for us to go to school and continue Carissa’s treatment.

>Pray that Carissa will continue to heal and be ready start classes alongside BJ in August.

> Pray for a new “Lyme-literate” primary care physician to work alongside Carissa’s current naturopathic doctor.