Shalom Chaverim,

I've been reluctant to put up a list of congregations because I cannot honestly give a recommendation if I don't personally know the leadership, congregation and the values/disciplines being lived.  The "Netzari" label is being adopted by Seventh Day Adventists, World Wide Church of Gawd, JW's, Mennonites, etc., who claim to be Netzarim but have not left the ideology, theology and lifestyles of their former churches.  There is also a Christian church of called Nazarene who are also a Torahless branch off Catholicism.  Many "ex-Christians" call themselves "believers" who like to use words like Torah rather than Old Testament and use the Name of YaHWeH rather than LORD but for them Torah is a new theology rather than a lifestyle.  There are some "leaders" using the Netzari label who would never be allowed positions in mainstream churches as they are thieves, liars, adulterers etc. with no transparency or accountability, they live behind keyboards and computer screens and can't produce any references for their "ministries" or service to Mashiyach, they look to be served and want a following and financial support for their publications.

There is also a new breed of Ebionites who label themselves as Netzari, some live under Rabbinical authority and are looking for people to come under their authority.  Others call themselves Netzari who are hierarchical (Ignatian) and/or super-spiritual charismatic manipulators just like their uplines from the Churches they've come out of so what does a person do, who is looking for fellowship?

I ask questions and wonder why are some folks get nervous when they are being asked a lot of questions.  I ask for references, it's a small world.  I ask for testimonies, how long have they been Netzari?  What does it mean to them to be Netzari?  Where did they learn?  What is their vision for the next 3 to 5 years?  Have they been to Jerusalem?  Have they lived in a Jewish community?  What kind of relationship do they have with Jews and Christians?  There are a lot of mad fear-mongering folk out there who think the Netzari Faith fits in with their global conspiracy theories as the Faith that was hidden from them, no it was never "hidden" really, there have always been Torah observant followers of Mashiyach, but it isn't popular, it demands suffering, sacrifice and disciplines.

It's apparent that we need to support and connect those who are beginning to live the Netzari Faith but who don't have local fellowship.  Wherever two or three are gathered in the Name of YHWH according to their calling in Y'shua Mashiyach this is fellowship and the richest fellowship is often in small intimate groups where each person makes a contribution and delights in searching out the awesome Beauty of YHWH and His Word.

Wherever I happen to be sojourning my house is always open for those of like precious Faith to join me on Shabbat, or for prayer during the week.  I've been in the Vancouver BC area for some time and see the beginnings of a beautiful community coming together but I'm a temporary resident and on the move again soon, I'm not a big city boy.

Canada, Burnaby, BC for a few more weeks...

We read the same annual portions of Torah that are read in Synagogue but in English and we make Hebrew and English prayers and sing (sometimes afterwards we do Davidic (Israeli style) dance on the lawn).  We study the Parasha, Haftarah and a portion of the Ketuvim Netzarim and have open discussion on whatever the Ruach puts upon our hearts.  Weather permitting and if the park is not overly congested we visit a local park in the afternoon.  We are not a social club so those who fellowship do so to learn and study Torah and pray and plan for how to properly prepare for future events.  We have no patience for fear-mongerers, big talkers or social butterflies who go from group to group with the latest cliché's, and I'm honest enough to tell people that they probably wouldn't like spending a Shabbat with me unless they've been to shul a few times and have a love for Hebrew and the Jewish people.  I don't have a problem with Rabbinical traditions that don't make void Torah or Y'shua, but I don't necessarily base a Torah service upon an Orthodox model, although I enjoy many of the Orthodox minhagim and know that much of it has roots in Tanakh.

Canada, British Columbia, Vernon  a small group of Torah Observant followers of Mashiyach meet together for Shabbat, those of like precious Faith who are interested may contact me and I will forward your information to David or Cynthia so you can arrange a meeting with them.  There is also a new group of ex-WWCG brethren who are meeting in Salmon Arm, Enderby and Vernon BC.  I had the privilege of joining with these Brethren and would be happy to forward your information to them if you live in the area.  They are not Netzari per se, but are studying Torah and love Mashiyach, they are independent older brethren who study deep into the Word of YHWH and have lively discussions and fellowship each Shabbat.

USA, Ohio, Fredericktown Kehilat Beyt Avraham is a lively Netzari fellowship in Central Ohio, USA.  I was first contacted by Daniel from this congregation about a year or so ago and here's a family of Believers that I am delighted to share with others.  For more information about their fellowship click here.

Some thoughts about Fellowship

When we meet together in the Name of YHWH and His Mashiyach we are entering into His Time, into His Rest, and into His Spirit but it can be difficult to leave "the world" behind and turn off the mindset and conversation we've heard during the rest of the week.  Fellowship with YHWH and His Mashiyach is the goal of fellowship and for this to happen the entire congregation must learn to protect the joy (simcha) of one another.  If you are not sure that certain conversation is appropriate on Shabbat save it until after Shabbat.  If there are those who are ignorant of your Shabbat peace you must request a time after Shabbat to speak with them so they understand the difference between social butterflies looking for a new sentimental emotional experience versus a disciple of Mashiyach who seeks to welcome the Ruach haKodesh in worship, in our thoughts and in our conversation each Shabbat.

Fellowship is a beautiful thing, the word "fellowship" speaks of unity, togetherness and belonging.  Over the years I've met "Messianic" Jewish "Rabbis" who go out to restaurants for Chinese food on Shabbat, or go to malls, shop for new cars and get hairdos because their carnal minds are more active than their spirit.  There is little point in trying to explain to a carnal Pastor (or Rabbi) what it means to be in Mashiyach on Shabbat, if these don't understand it's because they are content with the social club or crowd mentality.  One brother refers to these congregations and their leaders as "hobbyists", ideas about Torah and Mashiyach are a hobby for them, they are not interested to have Torah written upon their hearts or preserve Shabbat peace, what they have is an ideological theological identity with all the religious cliché's to prove it.

Torah teaches us how to bring glory (kavod) and beauty (tifereth) to the Commandments, this is a personal discipline that we each choose and it must be a discipline of every soul in the fellowship, otherwise there is little or no spiritual renewal, oftentimes the immature members will steal, kill and destroy Shabbat peace simply to get themselves a bit of recognition from a group of people, for them, fellowship is a social meeting with good food, pleasant talk and they leave with a bye, bye, see you next week.  They've fulfilled their duty to "go to church" or "attend" somewhere because it's been drilled into them that if they don't go to a meeting they'll wind up in hell.

Everything in and about YHWH that is Beautiful, Set-Apart, Glorious and Wonderful is within Torah and in Mashiyach Y'shua.  The observance of Peace and Justice and Blessings are a weekly experience for Netzari congregations and this is one reason why most Netzarim have maintained "underground fellowship" because those who delight in YHWH also delight in Shabbat and in keeping worship and conversation Set Apart and pleasing to YHWH and His Mashiyach.  Observing Shabbat take discipline and not everyone is interested in controlling their carnal mouths and bellies.

Unfortunately MANY who come from Christian backgrounds only see the Beauty of the Commandments and "tradition" as a theology, for example one brother became upset for being asked to pick his Bible up off the floor.  He had to give a lecture on Shabbat that his Bible is simply cigarette paper and leather, he was ignorant of a common respect that Netzarim have for the Word of YHWH.  A fool knows that cigarette paper and leather wasn't what was being referred too, but he and his buddies think the same thing of a Torah Scroll, just paper and ink.  There's no point in trying to teach a fool and like Solomon suggested even stripes for a fool aren't going to change a fool into a refined caring individual.  The best way to keep everyone happy is to invite fools to go to other "fellowships" with those who have similar values.  Now if you're reading this and think you are the one I'm referring to don't worry, plenty of Christians have been asked not to put their Bibles on my carpet, some listened and respected others didn't so you know who you are.

You can do what you want in your own home but you won't do it in my home, it's just that simple, you get a warning and then you go somewhere else if that doesn't work for you.  Another thing is that you won't be eating or drinking while I oversee a Yeshiva, not in my house or in your house either if you want me to conduct a Yeshiva.  Yes, you will have to stop filling your mouth if we have prayed and have YHWH's Word open to hear from His Spirit, it's just that simple, or find someone else to teach you because Torah is not mundane and hearing from the Ruach haKodesh is a great honor not a mundane act.

And you won't be talking over other people or interrupting others, you will wait until others have finished speaking their thought or you won't be in my Yeshiva again.  And, if you're not the solution to the problem then you won't be talking about others and their problems in my home or in my fellowship.  And, you won't show up at my fellowship with empty hands or not do something to make a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing and welfare of everyone else in the fellowship.  You can do what you want in other "fellowships" but in my "fellowship" you learn to respect the simcha of everyone present, it's just that simple.

These are "little things" that are important for fellowship, I believe in direct and immediate enforcement and I could give many examples.

Are you looking for fellowship or a "good time", a routine Shabbat party once a week where there is great food, wine, dessert, laughing, singing, catching up on the latest gossip etc?  I've visited numerous congregations where there would be dead silence if certain people were not allowed to gossip or incessantly talk about the big bad world during Shabbat, and in many of those congregations if I were to teach I would be marked as a sheep stealer, a threat, a challenge to the Pastor or Rabbi's authority.  Isn't it amazing how many insecure men are "of the cloth", they seem to make up a majority of leaders who are like dogs in the manger who can't eat the hay and won't let the cows eat it either.

We all talk about the things that are important to us which is why Y'shua taught that from the abundance of the heart the mouths speaks.  So what I'm saying is that you're not alone, if you've been looking for intimate fellowship with others of like precious Faith there are thousands like you, who like you, are not satisfied with conventional religious meetings and it is always music to my ears when I hear from brethren who are meeting in small home groups and delighting in the Word of YHWH each Shabbat.

Some congregations routinely bring in "speakers" who are professional talkers and this makes everyone feel uplifted...by the talk.  The difference between ministry and talk is much like life and death, but talk isn't cheap because the clock is ticking and just listening to big talkers is going to leave you unprepared and ill-equipped for future events.  Many congregations I've visited have a few designated big-talkers who are very interesting to listen to, these are entertaining people who are fully equipped to amuse you and even with spiritual insights and deep esoteric systematic theological knowledge that stimulates the spiritual senses, you can walk away with a warm fuzzy that melts by the time your head hits the pillow.

I often hear of those "starving" for fellowship but what many suffer with is simply a lack of discipline, they want a Rabbi or a teacher or a worship leader or a speaker so they can plant their butts in an upholstered chair, open their mouths and get fed like little birdies.  I suggest opening up the Word of YHWH daily, meditating upon His Word and finding others who also love His Word and want to adapt to a Torah-based lifestyle in Y'shua.  Perhaps if you can't find fellowship it may be that you're just boring to be around?  No that wasn't a pretty thing to say, but, if YHWH has called you to walk in Torah in the Love of Mashiyach Y'shua then He has called YOU for His purpose, don't dig in your heals and complain about not having fellowship, you ARE a fellowship.  You are called to WAIT upon the Ruach haKodesh and make a contribution rather than be dependant upon others for teaching. 

If you could see yourself through the eyes of Mashiyach you would realize that you have unlimited potential in Him, you do, not your leaders.  Have you learned how to control your thought-life on Shabbat?  Suffering and discipline are two wonderful teachers are they not?  Better to go to the house of mourning than the house of partying, why?  If you learn the disciplines (and precious few brethren know this) about how to keep your mind from wanderlusting on Shabbat then you will know why the order of the Service is as it is and why Torah gives hundreds of disciplines for the mind and heart each Shabbat.  Most ex-Christian and Jewish "believers" are ignorant of the basic hiddur mitzvoth elements of Torah observance, even to talk about it becomes a burden for them because their anti-Semitic or anti-Rabbinical brains can't think beyond a Christian framework. Shabbat oneg for example is taken from Isaiah 58:13 but unfortunately even in many Sacred Name groups "believers" are so busy hating Jews and Rabbinical Judaism that they can't imagine that in 4,000 years of Shabbat observance that the Jewish people have learned many wonderful things about YHWH's Set Apart Moedim.  Oh well....

I started as a youth pastor when I was 18 years old (because no one else wanted the job and neither did I, but it was the right thing to do), then a Pastor (because nobody else wanted the job and neither did I, but it was the right thing to do), then a Rabbi (because nobody else wanted the job and neither did I, but it was the right thing to do) then things escalated and "the big boys" sent me an invitation to be an ordained Rabbi with a big "R" and I sent their paperwork back, why?  Because my ordination doesn't come only from others, that's part of it, but I trust that YHWH has called me to service.  I never asked anyone if I could be involved in leadership I can see that there is an obvious EPIC need, a MONSTROUS NEED and MIND-BLOWING NEED for men and women to stand upright and be counted with YHWH and His Mashiyach.  Wouldn't you say so?  Well then how do you plan to serve?

I've had to learn Torah (it wasn't easy) and learn about Mashiyach (over my lifetime), I've struggled to learn how to play the guitar (it didn't come easy, many are much more gifted than I), play some keyboard (but I don't have the time to sit and learn as much as I would like), I love to sing (but I was told that I would never be a singer), to cantor (but I have to learn and relearn the siddur and I'm not that great at it), I'm a pretty decent cook and can whip up some awfully tasty dishes.  After Shabbat I can also play some pop songs, tell a few jokes, try to balance a pencil on my nose, wear a lampshade while doing an impersonation of Tiny Tim and even think about some interesting places to go hiking, things to experience locally, stuff like that see what I mean?  How much are you prepared to invest in your spiritual walk?

Getting people to come for fellowship is the easiest thing there is to do on earth, REALLY.  I work and earn money and shop for groceries, prepare food, I can sweep the floors, wash the dishes and do the laundry, imagine!  Ever see your Rabbi cook and clean and prepare the Shabbat service, prepare and deliver a sermon, hold yeshiva, cantor the service, lead the worship, smile at everyone, then clean up the mess after they're all gone, and pay for most of the food they ate by working two jobs?  Can you imagine?  What are you prepared to do to make Shabbat a beautiful experience for yourself and others?  The Netzari Faith isn't a mainstream idea, it's not a once in a week meeting but a living and working and worshipping together experience, sharing common goals, working in independent home based businesses together, being dependant upon YHWH rather than government and worldly corporations, sharing, transparency, honesty, ministry, deliverance, growth and victory.

Would you take the time to learn Torah and work a side job to give others a meal who come to your house to learn?  And then listen to them gossip about some flaw they found in you?  Would you serve others who would never consider giving a tithe or making offerings as long as they had food on Shabbat and a place to go for fellowship.  I don't believe people when they tell me that they can't find fellowship, I think what they are often really saying is, where can I go to be served.

If I start cooking up a storm and put my keyboard out on the front lawn I could soon have a lot of the neighbors listening and eating "hot-dogs" and drinking cool refreshing beverages.  But we are looking for fellowship, right?  That means we have to learn to "be" a fellowship, a worshipper and a disciple ourselves.  You would be amazed at how many people become unsatisfied with my leadership, not my cooking, not my musicianship and not even my teaching but with my leadership because I would rather build community than talk about it.  I would rather do than preach.  I would rather ban gossipers and their gossip than have to deal with a gossiping spirit on Shabbat.  I would rather fellowship with two or three brethren than have a lying or controlling spirit come and play their religious games in front of YHWH and His Mashiyach, or suffer a two-facer who goes from one church to another to win an audience somewhere and find a "speaking engagement" to tell a bunch of religious people a whole lot of things they already know.  Lick the pointer finger and draw a vertical line, get the marks.

Fellowship is time very well invested for the Kingdoms sake, but social clubs are detours and distractions from maturing in Mashiyach.  Most of you who read this know a LOT of truth already, you know more about Torah and Mashiyach than your pastor, priest or rabbi.  Most of you have been marginalized by your pastor, priest or rabbi because you are a threat to their hierarchy, you can see that they are illegitimate hirelings who are in it for the money and prestige of being over and above the flock, they want to be served, religion is a career decision for them, they know how to tickle ears and feed the carnal flesh of people to make them feel saved and warm and fuzzy about God.

I pray you who have little or no fellowship understand that you are where you are because of your calling and the decisions you've made to follow YHWH and His Mashiyach.  Yes you have likely been abandoned by the world because you've returned to YHWH according to the Ancient Path which is not popular, I very much understand this, and I can also tell you about the religious status quo taking a few chunks out of me.  I could write a book about it and give a pretty reasonable assessment of why religious people reject Torah and Mashiyach.  It's not that they reject Truth, they reject YHWH Himself and they reject Y'shua because the spirit within them is not the same Spirit as YHWH, it's just that simple.  I'm finding that more and more people want to know ABOUT the Truth, but they don't want to live it.  So why would you waste your time trying to please those who don't please the Master of the Universe?

At no time in history has it been easy to follow Mashiyach and as the world becomes a more ominous place it will become much more difficult for isolated believers to find true fellowship with others, unless...  (as it was in the days of Noach so shall it be when Mashiyach returns) we go out to find others of like precious faith and the key is to introduce the Malchut (Kingdom) Elohim to those who have never heard before to find out if they belong to YHWH or not.  The key is to grow the Light of Mashiyach where you are and to do this YOUR LIGHT has to shine brighter.  Turn up your light brethren and "fellowship" will come to you, you will never be lacking... in fact you might wish that you had more time to yourself, more time to pray, study, read, meditate and sing songs to the King of all Kings.

But if you need some help, some counseling, some encouragement, a vision, some hope or a plan please pray and ask YHWH to give this to you, and if you like I'll pray with you and for you.  Don't go looking for fellowship when YHWH is trying to make YOU into a fellowship, Seek YHWH and His Mashiyach.

You've tried the rest now try the BEST!!!

YHWH be with you,

Shalom v'Simcha!

Baruch Ben Daniel