A little history...

Over the past few decades, not since the first century have such a large number of Jewish people embraced Jesus (Yeshua) as Messiah and Lord. For many Jewish believers, however, a traditional “church” environment proved to be too foreign or simply unable to nurture and sustain their identity as Jews. To serve the unique needs of these Jewish believers, the Lord saw fit to establish what have become known as “Messianic Congregations” (sometimes referred to as “Messianic Jewish congregations”). From its humble beginnings in 1981, Beth Ariel Fellowship has served as a spiritual home for Jewish and Gentile believers who share a common faith in Messiah Jesus. Our fellowship is sensitive to the needs, backgrounds and special struggles of the Jewish believer. At the same time, we provide an exciting (and often enlightening) home for Gentile believers who desire to more fully appreciate the Jewish roots of their faith. We incorporate a creative approach to worship that reflects New Covenant (New Testament) teachings through the richness of Jewish culture as expressed in its history, holidays and music. In Hebrew, the term “Beth Ariel” means “House of the Lion of God.” It is Beth Ariel’s confession that Yeshua (Jesus) is that “Lion…from the tribe of Judah” (Revelations 5:5). Baruch HaShem! (Praise His Name!)

Keeping a balance...

A lot of history (some good, some not so good) has passed since the first century and believers have long needed a functioning model of a New Covenant (New Testament) congregation. Unfortunately, there was a great departure from the biblical model we see described in the Book of Acts. We are grateful to God that times have changed! Many larger, non-Jewish sectors of the Body of Messiah are experiencing a reawakening as to the Jewish roots of Christianity -- and with this has come a more sincere appreciation of the inherent Jewishness of the faith. Pointing to the first century assembly of believers as our model, Beth Ariel Fellowship seeks to be a congregation wherein Jew and Gentile are encouraged to maintain their ethnic and cultural distinctives, while at the same time worship and serve together as spiritual equals before God.

Pastor Louis Lapides was the founding pastor and spiritual leader of Beth Ariel Fellowship. Upon his recent resignation in August of 2007 (after 26 years of service), God answered our prayers for an interim pastor in the person of Messianic leader, Larry Feldman.

Larry was raised in a Conservative Jewish home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He came to faith in Yeshua, the Messiah, after receiving his B.A. in Psychology from Temple University in 1970, whereupon he felt the calling of God to prepare for service in full-time ministry. He attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois and received a diploma in the Advanced Studies Program in 1974. He led a Messianic congregation in Brooklyn, New York for the next five years. In 1979, he enrolled at the Dallas Theological Seminary where he received a Master of Theology degree in Semitic Languages and Old Testament Studies.

Larry has been involved with Chosen People Ministries for over 30 years and has founded six Messianic congregations, including Shuvah Yisrael, where he currently serves as congregational leader. He lives with his wife, Fran, and they have two grown daughters, Rachel and Rebekah, who also reside in Irvine.

Keeping a balance...