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Messianic temple plans open house, Torah dedication
LAKE WORTH — Curtis Jones quotes Scripture with the fervor of a fire-and-brimstone Baptist preacher.
He also wears a yarmulke, keeps kosher and observes Shabbat.
Jones, of Delray Beach, is the worship leader of the newly formed Temple Ariel Messianic Congregation in Lake Worth. The congregation now occupies the white art deco building at 701 N. Federal Highway, formerly a Seventh Day Adventist church.
The sect embraces the controversial belief that Yeshua, or Jesus, is the promised Messiah of Israel. Its members include both Jews and Christians, and so do its critics.
Jones wants people to find out what it’s about for themselves. Temple Ariel will host a Torah dedication service and open house at 9:45 a.m. Saturday.
“We go back to the future,” said Jones, a former Baptist minister. “If there had not been any anti-Semitism, this is what we’d be seeing in the churches today.”
Jones and his wife of six years, Sydell, previously attended Temple Beth Tehillah Vetikva in Hollywood, one of several Messianic synagogues throughout Florida. Similar groups also exist in Palm Beach County.
The couple believes the Lake Worth area is ready for its own Messianic synagogue.
“There are a lot of Messianic believers in this area who may be looking for a congregation. They are welcome to come,” said Sydell Jones, a New York City native who is Jewish by birth.
Sydell Jones said she came to believe in Yeshua 29 years ago during a time when she was searching for answers in her life. She said her mother resisted her beliefs for years, but recently “became immersed” in the Messianic faith, she said.
She said the group does not force Jews to become Christians or reject their customs and identity. “They don’t have to give that all up and become a Christian,” she said.
The couple said the group exists for two reasons: to teach Christians about their Jewish roots and to help Jewish people learn about the Hebrew Messiah. Traditional Judaism teaches that the Messiah has not come yet.
“We do not place ourselves within traditional Judaism. We are Messianic Judaism,” which was what the early church was at the time of Christ, Curtis Jones said.
He said his group is not the same as Jews for Jesus, an organization known for its assertive methods.
Despite opposition, the group believes it will grow. About 40 people have attended services since Temple Ariel opened its doors April 1, Jones said.
“Even if one soul is touched and drawn to accept their Messiah, it would be worth it,” said Michael Sutherland, a congregant who helps with the group’s health outreach.
To reach out to young people, the Sabbath Torah service is followed by an 11 a.m. praise and worship service, which Jones describes as having a more relaxed atmosphere. During Saturday’s open house, the guest speaker at 11 a.m. will be Willie Ramos, better known as the “Ghetto Preacher.”
Jones said the congregation is looking for musicians and vocalists, and it hopes to form a praise and worship team. For information, call (561) 637-4436.
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