more than academia
After dedicating my life to God as a response to a life-changing message I heard as a college student in the Spring of 2021, I began realizing the biblical significance of Israel’s story and the Church’s role within this story.
In September of 2021, I attended a life changing conference on the restoration of Israel and the world. I began earnestly seeking God in my school chapel. I spend numerous months in Isaiah 62. Then Genesis 12. God was revealing Himself personally to me as the God of Israel in continues covanent with Abraham. Gods heart for restoration began within me…I couldn’t stay silent. A year later, I became president of Liberty’s Stand With Israel club and began on campus “Psalm 122 prayer for Jerusalem nights.” A move of God within the student body happened, culminating in an early morning prayer movement called The Dwelling Place.
God hasn’t stopped moving since. Then, on my 21st birthday something happened.
on my 21st birthday, something happened.
As a Jewish college student, I heard a troubling sermon one mundane Sunday. For me, it was anything but mundane.
It was my 21st birthday. This message burdened me. Profoundly. A few days later I attended a Holocaust memorial video showing where I met the executive director of LU Send at the time, a Jewish faculty member. He stepped into my life and connected me to a local rabbi. My journey took a meaningful turn.
I began to ask: What happened? Why is there such a disconnect between Christian theology and Jesus’ Jewishness? How can we return to the biblical foundations of the faith?
This one question “What happened?” has captivated my life to understand Jewish–Christian history
and to help educate the next generation in both Spirit and Truth (John 4:24).
So, I’m on a life-long mission.
I’m on a lifelong mission to restore an ancient divide.
An ancient divide between two communities that were always supposed to dwell together in unity.
The Jew and the Gentile.
I’m on mission to fight prejudice against Jewish people.
To challenge the legitimacy of replacement theology.
To pursue truth and transformation.
This is the journey.
Belief shapes behavior. Worldview is everything.
My studies are helping shape how I read Scripture, understand the world,
how I relate to Jewish and Christian communities,
and how I follow Jesus.
My hope is to pursue truth with conviction and humility,
build bridges across an ancient divide.
The importance of good philosophy
Bad ideas have bad consequences. The notable thinker, C.S. Lewis, brilliantly said, “Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered.” When it comes to questions of origin, morality, identity, meaning, destiny, or Israel — truth is paramount. The truth is so potent and powerful, it can set people free from false ideas.
Yeshua said it like this: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
Embracing the truth—about Yeshua, Israel, and the most fundamental question about reality—can transform a life.
Well beyond academia,
God has gripped my heart for three things
…to see Jesus rightly,
…understand Israel biblically,
…life life ready for His return
That’s the mission I’m on. With God’s help, I live to help others do the same.
-itsbrotherjake
8/20/26
