John is a graduate of Theology from
Baptist Bible College in Springfield, Missouri and holds a degree
from Southwest Missouri State University. While attending school,
John realized that God was calling him to the mission field,
specifically the Jewish mission field.
John has helped plant two Messianic congregations, authored a
book on Jewish Messianic discipleship, How to be like the
Messiah, and has co-hosted a radio program, "Light of Israel"
with co-missionary Roy Schwarcz discussing current issues in the
Middle East..
Serving as President of Middle East Ministries allows him to
fulfill the vision God laid on his heart for the Jewish people.
Helping churches to foster an appreciation for its Jewish roots,
helping them develop an understanding of God’s plan for the Middle
East and helping to share the love of Jesus with the people of the
Middle East are at the heart of his ministry with Middle East
Ministries.
He is also currently serving as senior pastor of Grace Pointe -
Naperville Bible Church, a congregation of 2000 in Naperville,
Illinois.
Larry graduated from the University
of Minnesota and Denver Seminary. While in school, Larry realized
God was calling him to the mission field. To gain ministry
experience while in seminary, Larry began doing outreach work with a
local Jewish mission in Denver. Though not Jewish himself and having
had little previous contact with Jewish people, Larry soon realized
Jewish missions was where God was leading him.
Larry's ministry in Jewish evangelism
has transcended one of the most exciting periods of Jewish
evangelism since the early church. Larry served as a missionary,
regional director, and U. S. national director with an
internationally known Jewish mission over a span of twenty-six years
before joining Middle East Ministries. During that time, Larry was
also very involved in planting a Messianic congregation in the
Rockville, Maryland, area.
As International Ministries Director
for Middle East Ministries, Larry oversees the deputation and
ministries of the work in the Holy Land. He is recognized as an expert in the field
of prophecy and in helping the church understand the Jewish roots of
her faith. His wife, Gail is the administrative assistant for the
ministry.
Roy Schwarcz was born in New York City.
His mother had emigrated from Berlin, due to the Nazi persecution.
At the age of thirteen he received his bar Mitzvah in the Orthodox
tradition.
While traveling across the country in the summer of 1971, Roy met,
for the first time, Gentile Christians who loved him because he was
Jewish. It was then that he realized that not all Gentiles are
Christians. Through their love and prayers he soon received Jesus as
his Messiah.
Roy attended Moody Bible Institute where he received his diploma in
Jewish Studies. He was ordained through the Olive Tree Congregation,
the first church he planted, located now in Prospect Heights IL.
Roy has been involved in Jewish ministries since 1975. He has worked
on the college campus, led home Bible studies, and has been involved
in the planting of three Messianic Congregations – one in Toronto
and two in the Chicago area.
Presently, he serves as National Ministries Director for Middle East
Ministries and serving as pastor of Adat Hatikvah (The Congregation
of the Hope) of Evanston IL, one of the oldest Messianic Jewish
congregations in the United States. Roy also leads our "Light to
Israel" tours.
He has authored the book Where Jesus Walked, which
examines the life of Christ from a Jewish perspective demonstrating
how the Old Testament prophets foretold events in the life of Christ
and how they were fulfilled in the New Testament. Roy's audio study
on The Book of Revelation Thru Jewish Eyes is a must
for any student of scriptures. Both of these resources are available
in our Resource Center. Roy is married to Joanne and they have four daughters.
