Ministry Update from Bill
Shalom everyone.
It’s been a while since I sent out an email — for that I apologize. With Sukkot preparations and the aftermath of that event (which went incredibly well), we’ve been playing catch up. So I wanted to touch base and let you know about a few things that are developing.
Shoreshim Ministries
After several delays, at long last, our teaching In the Footsteps of Abraham: From Babylon to Moriah is finished. In the next few days we’ll be posting this in the Premium Video section at www.billcloud.com and within a couple of weeks, we should have hard copies of the DVD available for purchase. This teaching is one of my favorites, tracking the journeys of Abraham from the time he was told, “Go to a place that I will show you” until the climactic even of his life — the binding of Isaac on Mount Moriah. I’m hopeful that you will enjoy the teaching as much as I enjoyed preparing it.
Other teachings in production are In the Beginning volumes 2, 3 and 4. These teachings are a follow up to our In the Beginning: The Why of Creation that was published a few years ago. Be looking for these teachings over the next couple of months as well as brand new installments in the Hebrew Treasures series.
Beth and I certainly appreciate your support of Shoreshim Ministries. Your assistance has enabled us to continue producing teaching resources as well as allowing us to branch out and start Jacob’s Tent. As I’ve said before, even though the two ministries are separate entities, your continued support of Shoreshim plays a very important role in fulfilling our mission through both. One of the best ways that you can assist Shoreshim is by becoming a Premium subscriber at www.billcloud.com. If you haven’t done that, we hope that you will give it prayerful consideration.
Update on Jacob’s Tent
Since Sukkot, things have been moving very fast at Jacob’s Tent. Our Shabbat services are consistently standing room only. Almost every service, including our mid-week service, 30 or more youth are in attendance and that’s not counting the smaller children. In just the last weeks, we’ve been notified by at least two families that they are relocating to the area to be part of the fellowship. Our LiveStream audience is growing by leaps and bounds as well. On average, 350 computers are logging on to watch our service in real time; replays have been as high as 6,000 views.
As of December 1, we have expanded our meeting space to include a separate fellowship hall where we will meet for Oneg and where our young people can have classes while the adults have midrash. In fact, this expansion has doubled our space in terms of square footage, even though it doesn’t allow for enlarging our sanctuary — at least not yet. As I said, things are happening fast. So fast, in fact, that a common saying around here is that “We’re building the airplane as its taking off.”
I don’t pretend to know what the future holds for Jacob’s Tent but I do feel that the Father is blessing our efforts to facilitate a safe and worshipful environment for His people. My daily prayer is, “Father, please don’t let me mess this up.” It is with that sentiment that Beth and I invite you to pray for us and the congregation. Pray that the Father will grant us continued guidance as we go forward and seek to expand the borders of the Tent. Pray that He will show us what He wishes us to do each and every step of the way.
Also, I want to acknowledge the generous support for Jacob’s Tent that many of you have supplied. It amazes me that people from all over the country and as far away as Europe and parts of Asia feel as if this is their fellowship, participating in every way possible, including financially. Recently, we were able to purchase our own camera equipment (we had been borrowing cameras) for the LiveStream, thanks to a generous donation from a lady in the Pacific Northwest. Others have done likewise, making it possible for us to outfit our fellowship hall. To everyone who has helped us financially and prayerfully, we thank the Father for you and your efforts!
If you desire to support Jacob’s Tent, you may send gifts to PO Box 3904, Cleveland, TN 37320, made payable to “Jacob’s Tent.” Online donations for the congregation can be made at www.jacobstent.org/support/. Remember: Jacob’s Tent and Shoreshim Ministries are separate entities. If you have any further questions about the matter, please let us know.
Hanukkah 2019!
We’re very excited about our upcoming Hanukkah celebration. As of this writing, we have very few seats available which means that, if you were thinking about coming, now would be the time to act. Once we’re at capacity (450 people), we will start a waiting list in the event there are cancellations. On that note, if you had registered previously and have discovered that you will not be able to attend, please let us know.
Joining us will be my good friends, Brad Scott and Hollissa Alewine, along with Brandon and Melody leading us in worship. All the details are posted on the itinerary page at www.billcloud.com and at www.Hanukkah2019.com. We’ll be updating all of our registered guests next week so be looking for that email. Looking forward to seeing you here in Cleveland.
A Great Big “Thank You”
As I’ve said may times before, Beth and I deeply appreciate all of you who contact us to offer your words of encouragement and for those who support this ministry with their giving. Please know that we thank God for each and every one of you.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill you just answered my question about ShoreShim Ministries and Jacob’s Tent, I just mail my little offering yesterday asking about this. So now I know. Thank you for your ministry and all your teachings. Your Faithful watcher Jeri
Thank you Ms Jeri. Blessings and Shalom.