• Fall 2008 - Pastors' Retreat •
Conference Theme: "Return to the Ancient Pathway"
A Pastors' Retreat you won't want to miss - Get away to the marvelous beauty of Northern Michigan and revolutionize your ministry in the process. Click to hear an audio introduction by Max Lucado. (Please enable pop-up windows for this feature to work.)
Click here to Pre-Register
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A Different Kind of Pastor's Retreat...
"This is what the LORD says, 'Endure on the correct road and consider; desire the ancient pathway, where the pleasant journey is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.'"
Jeremiah 6:16
Timber Wolf Lake, Northern Michigan
"I came to know and appreciate this dear friend and his love
for the Torah... We could not learn enough about the
Hebrew heritage which we have been grafted into..."
- Max Lucado
Pastor and best selling author
San Antonio, Texas
Dear Pastor,
How often have we heard that if we are going to make the Scripture palatable to our audiences, we must adapt its message to our contemporary environment and present it within a modern context so that each person can see it's relevancy for today's world?
Haven't we all seen passion plays and nativity dramas put into a modern inner city context so that more youthful audiences will be able to "identify with" the message?
 Not long ago, I stood before a crowd of public high school teenagers, their teachers and parents. I had been invited to address a general meeting of students, voluntarily attended, after school in the gymnasium and as I stepped up to the podium, I prayed that the words which I had prepared would take root and grow in the hearts of my listeners.
I began by challenging my young audience. I told them that what I was going to share with them would likely drive a wedge between them and their culture. "I am going to attempt the impossible tonight", I boldly proclaimed.
Students love it when you do that. I went on.
"I'm going to show you how foreign the Bible is to you, your lifestyle, your country, your language, your way of thought... and yet when I am finished, I believe that you will feel closer to the Bible than you have ever felt before. The more I demonstrate the strangeness of this Book to all that you know, the more you will want to read it, learn about what it contains, and grow closer to the God who made you."
I had them listening. I further challenged them: 
"Some of you love the idea of rebelling or being different from others... You might get a thrill about achieving something which others say is impossible to accomplish. If that describes you, then hang on to your chairs, because we are going to attempt the impossible."
I then went on for over an hour (yes, you read that right) to describe the original contexts of their Bibles. We dealt with the Jewish language of Hebrew, Jewish people, Jewish geography, Jewish history, Jewish culture and Jewish traditions. I pointed out examples from the text where they would be completely unable to comprehend what was being said if they lacked an understanding of the various contexts I had been explaining.
These students sat there fascinated and there was a general silence until I was done speaking. The applause was gratifying, but more than that, when I stepped down to the front to meet some of the students, I was surrounded and questions were fired at me for another hour. Frequently, I heard students say that they never dreamed how learning about how foreign the Bible was to them would awaken a hunger to know more. One student told me that his parents had always tried to get him to read the Bible, but he had no interest in it... until that day. He simply wanted to know where he could get more Jewish roots information to help him study.
 If you are considering attending the Fall 2007 JewishEyes Pastors' Retreat, then you are likely one of a growing number of Bible teachers who are going back to their Jewish roots to be able to more effectively communicate the Word of God to their flocks.
Is It Working?
Those who've begun to use "Jewish roots" background in their teaching are discovering more congregational interest and more spiritual growth taking place than ever before. Their flocks are hungry for "the real thing"... a genuine context, and many are beginning to find new meaning to their walk with God as they celebrate biblical Jewish holidays as well. More Passover Seder demonstrations are being conducted and more invitations are being extended by churches to Jewish speakers today than at any other time in history.
My Challenge to You
If you are like most pastors, then you studied far more New Testament than Old Testament when you were in seminary. Yet, how well do you really know the New Testament? How would the events and message of the Gospels and Acts be understood if they were read by an orthodox Jewish scholar? If you don't have a Jewish contextual understanding of the Gospels and Acts, then the epistles and prophecies will not be nearly as rich in meaning as they should.
This retreat has been designed to educate, but not without a cost... in life change. If you are open to the God of Israel accomplishing a new, yet very old thing in your life, register today. We look forward to meeting you and learning of our Redeemer's ways together.
 You will Learn an "Ancient Pathway" Perspective on:
· A Shepherd's Calling, Installing, Overhauling
· Cancer in the Pews - Power of the Tongue
· Jew and Gentile - The State of the Union
· True Identity: How Many Brides?
· Lessons From Ruth's Sojourn
· The Return of Messiah - How Close Are We
· Critical Issues Fracturing the Congregation
· Re-Adjustment to an Ancient Paradigm
· Gender Roles Re-examined
· Re-Establishing Biblical Contexts
... and much more.
There will be personal interaction and downtime which will include question and answer time with the rabbi and discussion about the impact and effect of the conference on pastors' lives.
Other Amenities:
Man-Made Lake for -
• Swimming - sandy beaches and chaise lounges for relaxing
• Zip Line into the lake - 60' high tower
• "The Blob" - gigantic inflatable pillow catapults you into the water
• Beach volleyball
The Grounds -
• Frisbee golf course
• Waterfall and brook meander through the grounds
• Walk across the bridge to the island for prayer and meditation
• Beautifully manicured landscape
Full Sized Gymnasium -
• Rock Wall for Climbing - 3 difficulty levels
• Volleyball
• Basketball
Gaming and Activity Room -
• Pool tables
• Foosball
• Ping Pong
• Table shuffleboard
• Snackbar
Gift Shop -
• High quality souvenirs
• Sweatshirts and T-shirts
• Much more
Comments:
"Sometimes when I sit with Rabbi Thomson, I almost feel like I'm sitting as close as I ever will be to the Apostle Paul... a rabbi himself..."
- Max Lucado
Pastor and best selling author
San Antonio, Texas
"It was such a joy to sit under your skillful and enthusiastic teaching. You have helped us to further appreciate Jesus, our Jewish Messiah..."
- Pastor Bill Boersma
Christ Memorial Church
Holland, Michigan
"Rabbi Thomson has my full recommendation. His ministry is unique and scriptural. God will use him to challenge and bless your hearts..."
- Pastor Floyd McCrimmon
Inland Baptist Church
Interlochen, Michigan
"Rabbi Thomson is able to illuminate the Scriptures in such a way as to bring great insight and understanding to ... 'difficult to understand' passages."
- Pastor Richard Skar
West Bay Covenant Church
Traverse City, Michigan
"The clarity of Rabbi Daniel's teaching is exceptional... an enthusiastic perspective"
- DeWayne Coxon, PhD
Director, Blossoming Rose Ministries
Relief organization for new immigrants to Israel
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