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Is "Jews for Jesus" Jewish or Christian?

We have received so many questions from concerned Jews as to the background of “Jews For Jesus.” To make the record clear, Jews for Jesus is a Christian missionary organization – period. They are one of the older and certainly bolder operations targeting Jews for conversion, though formally only about 30 years in operation.

We have received so many questions from concerned Jews as to the background of “Jews For Jesus.” To make the record clear, Jews for Jesus is a Christian missionary organization – period. They are one of the older and certainly bolder operations targeting Jews for conversion, though formally only about 30 years in operation.

Compared to other Hebrew Christian groups, we acknowledge that Jews for Jesus has been quite up front about their identity, such as the information anyone can gather at their website. However, we restate the obvious here. Jews for Jesus is not a Jewish organization endorsed, supported or trusted by the larger worldwide Jewish community.

We recognize their zeal, their hunger for a deep and vibrant connection to their spiritual heritage, their passion for Israel and their quest to understand Torah. We believe these are sincere aspirations which have been co-opted by the missionary agenda to bring as many Jews into Christianity as possible – by whatever means possible. Those means have including the fabrication of the hybrid movement known as Hebrew-Christianity and Messianic Judaism. But please note the following:

Jews for Jesus organizational affiliation is Christian. Consider their membership in:

  • The Evangelical Council on Financial Accountability (charter member)
  • The Canadian Council for Christian Charities
  • The World Evangelical Fellowship
  • The Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association
  • The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa
  • The Evangelical Alliance of Great Britain
  • The Lausanne Consultation on Jewish Evangelism

Jews for Jesus financial supporters are Christian. Consider their own declaration of fundraising sources:

We trust God for the funding of Jews for Jesus, and He has provided through caring Christians. Each missionary raises his or her own support. Jews for Jesus is not a church, so we ask our Christian friends to support their local churches first. Then we ask people to prayerfully consider giving to our ministry as well. We welcome the support of all Christians, though we particularly appreciate those who include our ministry in their regular missions giving.”

Jews for Jesus statement of faith is Christian.

When compared with any standard evangelical declaration of faith, the Jews for Jesus statement reads like a template with the addition of a Jewish “spin.”

Jews for Jesus works very hard to co-opt the contacts of Christians with Jews.

While our broadsides and media campaigns provide a good number of contacts, some Jewish people seek us out at the advice of people they know. In fact, many of the Jewish people we visit are referred to us by Christian friends like you!

In these respects, Jews for Jesus is no different than any other niche missionary organization such as Child Evangelism Fellowship, Arab World Ministries, Campus Crusade for Christ or Youth For Christ. Any Jew who becomes involved with Jews for Jesus is aligning with a para-church organization which exists to bring new “members” into the orbit of Christian identity and affiliation. The Jewish veneer in communications and presentation is created for the comfort and sensitivities of the Jewish audience. But the message is classic missionary Christianity.