About Me and the Ministry
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About Me and the Ministry
Welcome to Awaken to Torah Ministries! I’m Messianic Rabbi James Gillispie, and I’m thrilled to share my journey and passion for the Torah with you.
A Journey of Faith and Service
From the humble beginnings of pioneering and leading two amazing messianic fellowships—Believers at Haleyville Oklahoma and Beit Hillel Messianic Fellowship in Stilwell, Oklahoma—my wife Floridel and I, along with our dedicated team, have poured our hearts into building a community that thrives on spiritual growth and unity.
Founding the Tents of Israel Together with our dear friends Chris and Robin Jones, and the invaluable support of Ryan and Koska Null, we launched the Tents of Israel and the ministry and 5th Sabbath. Our latest venture is poised to become the premier site for celebrating Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles) at Camp Eagle Rock in Missouri,).A true testament to our commitment to creating meaningful and joyous experiences for all who seek to learn about and obey the Elohim of the bible.
A Soldier Turned Shepherd
My early life’s journey took a significant turn at the age of 17 when I joined the US Army, becoming both a Gulf War and Afghanistan veteran. During this same time my early ministry as a non-denominational pastor took a transformative path as well. In the early 1990s when the Father began to revealed the profound truth of His Torah to me, I knew no matter what my life would never be the same. This revelation led me to leave the Christian church and immerse myself in Yeshiva studies, deepening my understanding and commitment to the Torah.
A Unique Approach to Scripture
In the messianic faith, I have been described as a dynamic and engaging teacher who brings a distinctive two-fold approach to scripture: every truth must be revealed by the Spirit and grounded in the Torah. This balanced perspective ensures that our faith remains firmly rooted and resilient. My no-nonsense philosophy is simple: the Torah is the bedrock of our faith, and anything that doesn’t align with it must be reconsidered. It’s not just about hearing the word; it’s about living it.
Expanding the Reach
Alongside my guest hosts Chris Jones and Ryan Null, we dive into thought-provoking discussions on faith, family, politics, and current events in our weekly episodic show. I am also an author who has a passion for sharing the truth of Yahweh’s word in written form as though we were just chatting and having a friendly conversation.
A Heart for Ministry
Whether teaching at a conference, in a synagogue, a living room, or even on the side of the road, my mission remains unwavering: to open blind eyes, redeem souls for the kingdom, and restore families. At the core of it all is a deep love for Yah and our fellow man. It’s this love that drives everything we do at Awaken to Torah Ministries.
Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together, let’s continue to seek truth, live faithfully, and embrace the fullness of the Torah.