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Richard & Julia Freeman
Richard Freeman was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York into a very
traditionally Jewish, though not religious, family. He did, however, receive
religious training for five years in a conservative synagogue and received his
Bar Mitzvah at age thirteen. Following that experience, though staunchly Jewish
nationalistically, he drifted away from the synagogue and attended only on the
special holidays.
In 1973 Rich married Julia DeBellis who was from an Italian Catholic background.
It was primarily through Julia’s spiritual pilgrimage that God reached Rich. But
first Rich met another Believer, his supervisor at work. Though Rich responded
angrily at first to this man’s sharing his faith, his life was a wonderful
testimony of the peace and joy that comes to those who put their faith and trust
in the Lord. The joy in his life made Rich jealous and opened his heart to what
was to come. In August 1982, Julia accepted Yeshua as her Lord and Savior and
immediately began praying for her husband’s salvation. In January 1983, God
answered that prayer. Rich heard and responded to the gospel message and
accepted Yeshua as his Lord and Savior.
Immediately, God gave Rich a hunger to know Him and His Word intimately. He
immersed himself in the Bible and was discipled by other mature Believers. In
the summer of 1987 Rich and Julia responded to God’s call and moved to Dallas,
Texas where Rich attended Seminary. While in Dallas, Rich worked with Chosen
People Ministries. Before finishing the degree program at Dallas, Rich was
called to lead the congregation where he came to faith, Light of Israel
Messianic Congregation. He became Rabbi of that congregation in December 1989.
In April 1994, Rich also became pastor of Dunwoodie Baptist Church in Yonkers,
New York, which is where Light of Israel’s services were held. So, for five
years of his ten-year pastorate he enjoyed the unique challenge of leading two
congregations.
On July 1, 1999 Rich assumed his current position as Vice-President and Director
of Church Ministries and Conferences for Chosen People Ministries. Rich works
with churches throughout the United States and abroad. Rich teaches Bible
Conferences on various topics such as Jewish Evangelism, Messianic Prophecy,
End-Time Prophecy, The Church and Israel, The Feasts of Israel, and much more.
He also ministers to local churches in Florida where he and his family reside.
Rich finished his studies begun in Dallas and received his M.Div., in September
1994. Rich received his D.Min. at Gordon-Conwell Seminary in 2004.
In 2002 Rich and Julia helped establish Beth Sar Shalom Messianic Congregation
where Rich serves as a teaching Elder. |
