Sukkot NW 2016 Praise Report

70d-202

We’re back from Sukkot NW 2016 on the middle Rogue River near Grants Pass in SW Oregon. Here is a quick review of the event.

This was our fifteenth and final Sukkot NW. My wife and I founded this ministry in 2002 and every year we have gone to a beautiful location in the state of Oregon in YHVH’s creation and away from the Babylon of the big city to meet with him and to join with those who hunger for the kingdom of Elohim and his righteousness.

When we planted Sukkot NW, there were no other events like ours in Washington State or Oregon. Over the years, we have helped  to transmit this vision to many people and to train them how to do a Sukkot event, and now there are many such events going on around us. We praise Yah for this. It is now time for my wife and I to pass the baton to someone else and focus our energies on other ministry areas that need our attention. To our excitement, YHVH has gone ahead of us and has raised up another family to receive this spiritual calling, and plans are already being made for next year’s Sukkot in the NW region of the United States.

This year, we again rented Griffin Park on the Rogue River. People came in from as far away as Alaska and southern California, as well as Washington State and Continue reading

 

Sukkot NW 2016

Sukkot NW 2016 on the Rogue in Southern Oregon, October 16-24, 2016, http://sukkotnw.org

Visit SukkotNW.org

YOU ARE INVITED…DON’T DELAY!

There is still time to register for Sukkot Northwest 2016 on the wild and scenic Rogue River in warm and pristine Southwest Oregon. We have rented an entire campground with full camping and RV facilities, and several camp sites are still available.

After seeking YHVH Elohim, the theme for this year’s Feast is, “Get in the River of Life…Be a River of Life!” Our cornerstone scripture passages are:

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Yeshua stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:37–38)

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (John 4:14)

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (Rev 22:2)

We were led by the Spirit of Elohim to choose this theme unaware of its broader prophetic implications until Brother Bill who is from Washington State and is one of our speakers pointed out to us, “This is a wonderful theme to have this year, just having come off of last year’s theme of ‘Coming out of Babylon.’ Babylon is known by several names, one of which is the ‘Land Between Two Rivers.’ One river speaks of death, and the other river speaks of life. Babylon is a mixture of the two. ‘Come out of (the river of death)” was last year’s theme.  ‘Get into the River of Life!’ (and then be a river of life) is this year’s theme. A natural progression!” Thank you Bill for this encouraging confirmation.

Our primary motivation for choosing this theme is a response to the times in which we are living. Evil in the form of secular humanism, the rise in false and demonic religions, the moral and the spiritual decline of our society, the rise of the spirit of Antichrist, the rapid expansion of the police state and the move toward one-world government is coming upon us like a tidal wave! What should be our response? What can we possibly do about it? Very simply this: Do what Yeshua and the apostles did. Be a menorah on a hill boldly proclaiming the light of gospel message in the power of the Spirit of Elohim through our lifestyle and our words. This is the one weapon that we possess that makes all the powers of death, hell and darkness tremble. So, it’s time to saddle for battle!

A theme running through this year’s Sukkot will be learning to operate in the gifts of the Spirit to be a river of life to those around us as we help to gather in the lost sheep of the house of Israel in preparation for Messiah Yeshua’s second coming. Everyday, we will be having short teachings followed by group discussions (where we can learn from each other) on the gifts of the Spirit including prophecy, healing, deliverance, dreams and visions, signs and wonders, and the baptism of the Spirit. These will be followed by a workshop the following day in the prayer tent where we can learn to minister and be ministered to in these areas.

Nearly every day, we will have live praise and worship, Torah reading, and teachings from anointed speakers from several West Coast states.

We will also have workshops and several fun group activities including our annual erev Shabbat dinner, river immersion and water pouring ceremony.

For specific information and details on Sukkot NW 2016, please visit sukkotnw.org.

For a sense of what to expect at Sukkot NW 2016, we invite you to watch a fun video of excerpts from Sukkot NW 2015.

 

Wish You Were There! Sukkot NW 2014

How can I succinctly and honestly describe Sukkot NW on the Rogue River near Grants Pass, Oregon without resorting to sugary religious hyperbole, cliches and exaggerations that border on bearing false witness? Let me try.

The setting of the gently rolling slopes of the Griffen Park Campground nestled among the oak, ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees leading down to a large grassy meadow along the sand and river rock-covered beach interspersed with clumps of willow trees along the banks of the still waters and mirror-like Rogue River set the tone for this year’s Sukkot. It was peaceful and sweet. When you think rogue, you think rough and fiendish, and when you think Rogue River, turbulence and choppy, if not dangerous waters comes to mind. That wasn’t the case here.

In a world increasingly full of turmoil and danger, YHVH chose to set his people down in a campground where the waters of the Rogue River were glassy smooth, though still moving rapidly on their way to the sea. It was as if he was telling us that if we just trust him during the troubled times of the last days, he will lead us to the place of shalom and still waters although the world may be falling apart all around us. This is what we experienced when for eight days during the Feast of Tabernacles we left the Babylon of this world to meet with him where he chose to place his name.

He chose this campground — we didn’t. We intended to rendezvous at another campground down river, but when the wells ran dry there due to a severe regional drought, we were forced at the last minute to relocate to Griffen Park where the drinking water was sweet, pure and plentiful. It’s again as if he was telling us that even in the desert wilderness where the physical and spiritual waters will run dry elsewhere, he will move his people to a place of abundant provision if they will but trust and follow him.

For all of the eight days except the very beginning and end, YHVH’s people had the entire campground to themselves. Before each meeting at the nearby picnic shelter, the sound of the shofar radiated out calling the Israel of Elohim to gather before the Creator to sing his praises, to worship him, and to hear his word expounded by Spirit-led teachers. Thanks to modern technology, the praise and worship music as well as the instructive messages of the Spirit-led teachers was amplified and could literally be heard throughout the entire campground. In my 48 Sukkots, this was the first time that I had experienced anything quite like this. It was a Hebrew encampment with few if any outsiders — a true and unmitigated foretaste of YHVH’s kingdom on earth of which the Feast of Tabernacles is to be a prophetic picture — a time when the glory of YHVH will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea, and when the Torah-Word of Elohim will go forth over the whole earth from the epicenter of Jerusalem.

Representatives from all three American West Coast states (Washington, Oregon and California) were present to celebrate the feast. One couple came all the way from northern Washington just below the Canadian border and another couple migrated north from southern California to be with us. The rest of us came from various points in between. The folks ranged in age from newborn sucklings to some elders in their mid-70s. It was a constant source of joy to see the youngsters (both teens and preteens) running, playing ball and capture the flag and other games on the grassy meadow overlooking the river.

At night, numerous campfires were lit at various camp sites, and one could walk around the campground and visit folks talking and laughing at the different camps. On several occasions, we had a community campfire and sukkah party. The highlight our annual erev-Shabbat kosher shared-dish meal on picnic tables under the stars was we welcomed in the Shabbat with music, the barachah, liturgy and other festivities.

Mid-week, the warm summer-like temperatures and bright blue sky gave way to some serious rain for a parts of a couple of days. These Israelites rose to the challenge without murmuring and helped each other to baton down the hatches of their tents and all survived heaven’s outpouring warm and dry. Several folks in travel trailers extended their right hand of fellowship by exhibiting the gift of hospitality and sharing their spare beds with those who weren’t accustomed to the rigors of camping in tents. Pretty soon the rain showers cleared out, and by the end of the week we were back to sun and clear skies. We were blessed to be able to put our tents and sukkahs away dry!

Four teaching elders from all three states presented 13 Bible-based messages encouraging YHVH’s people to embrace their Torah heritage as the redeemed Israelite people of YHVH Elohim and to go deeper and higher in their spiritual walk following Yeshua the Messiah. Some of the messages were presented in gentle and quiet tones, while others were spicy and provocative. Several messages were interactive with participation from the congregation.

For several people, this was their first Feast of Tabernacles. For others, this is something they have been doing for years or even decades. For many people, Sukkot is the high point of the year, and they make plans for it all year long. Several folks expressed that they couldn’t wait to get home and tell their friends about it, so they can bring them to the Feast of Tabernacles next year. Several spiritual leaders expressed that this year’s Sukkot encouraged them to go home and become more proactive about reaching out to those around them by establishing local fellowships.

There are probably some things I’m forgetting to mention about this year’s Sukkot in southern Oregon on the Rogue River, but these are the words YHVH’s Spirit as given me to say thus far, and so I will stop for now.

I took a lot of video footage of this year’s Sukkot highlights and will be putting together a montage of those highlights once I get it all edited. So stay tuned  for that.

By the way, several of us went fishing for steelhead in the river flowing next to the camp and caught some nice fish, which we cooked over a wood fire and shared with others.  Below is a picture of my youngest daughter Kaeli and myself. She caught the largest fish — a 19 inch steelhead trout. Mine was only 17 inches —and I’m not the least disappointed with that! Kaili also caught a couple  of 12 inch rainbow trouts. Go Kaeli!

A bunch of us went to the Oregon Caves National Monument. Below, I’ve posted several snapshots from that excursion.

Thanks for reading, and maybe you can join us next year for Sukkot NW 2015!

IMG_1161

 

IMG_1230

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMG_1203

IMG_1219

 

IMG_1238

 

 

Register Now for Sukkot NW 2014!

copy-sukkot-nw-2014-960x250c

It’s not to late to register for Sukkot NW in Southern Oregon on the Rogue River (near Grants Pass). Go to http://sukkotnw.org for more info.

Why go and what can you expect?

  • Celebrating Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) where YHVH has placed his name and with other like-minded believers is a biblical command.
  • Celebrating Sukkot is part of the end-times restoration of all things that has to happen before Yeshua returns (Acts 3:21).
  • Celebrating Sukkot is a fulfillment the biblical prophecy that in the end times before the coming of Yeshua, YHVH would begin to turn the hearts of the children (the saints) back to their (Hebraic) fathers of their faith (Mal 4:6).
  • Be encouraged and strengthened spiritually by meeting other like-minded redeemed Israelite believers.
  • Learn about the Hebrew roots of the Christians faith and get connected spiritually to what YHVH is doing on this earth in the last days as he raises up the Elijah and John the Baptist generation to help prepare the way for Yeshua’s second coming.
  • Learn more about the Torah.
  • Experience anointed times of Hebraic praise and worship, fellowship and fun activities for all ages.
  • Learn from gifted, anointed and experienced Bible teachers who have been walking with Yeshua and in the Torah for years, and some cases decades. This year we have Bible teachers from Washington, Oregon and California.

To learn more about Sukkot and Sukkot NW, please watch the following videos:

Highlights from Sukkot NW 2013

Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) Explained

 

Sukkot NW 2014 Registration Now Open

 

copy-sukkot-nw-2014-960x250cYou are invited to Sukkot NW 2014 Messianic Hebrew Roots Feast of Tabernacles celebration at Indian Mary Park on the Rogue River in southern Oregon! Sukkot is during prime salmon and steelhead fishing season, so you may be wise to make your camping reservations now.

 Registration for Sukkot Northwest 2014 is now open! Won’t you join us as we celebrate the season of our joy at Sukkot NW?

More Info

You are cordially invited to join the Sukkot NW planning team, Congregation Elim of Tigard, Oregon and Hoshana Rabbah Biblical Discipleship Resources for our twelfth annual Sukkot Northwest regional gathering this fall in southern Oregon on the wild and scenic Rogue River.

This year, we will be celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles (or Chag Sukkot) in one of the most beautiful campgrounds in Oregon — on the banks of the Rogue River — where bald eagles will be flying overhead and sea-run salmon will be spawning in the river waters below against a backdrop of steep canyon cliffs and tree-covered mountains. Our meeting facility literally overlooks the river and will be under an arching cathedral-canopy of huge oak and maple trees festooned in their bright fall colors. For your comfort and pleasure, the campground has all the amenities necessary for tent campers and RVers, including hot showers, a playground, various sports facilities, and ice. Don’t camp? You can rent a travel trailer and have it dropped off at the campground, or you can stay in a nearby cabin or lodge or a hotel in Grants Pass just 20 minutes from the campground. There’s even a full-sized grocery store only five minutes from the campground. Because Sukkot is so “late” this year, we prayed and asked YHVH to direct us to a location where the weather would still be dry, warm and beautiful through mid to late October and that was also close to major routes. Indian Mary Campground, in gorgeous Josephine County about 20 minutes from Grants Pass, Oregon and just five minutes from the small hamlet of Merlin, is such a place. This campground is located in YHVH’s beautiful creation and is away from the rat race of the city, yet easily accessible (just fifteen minutes off of Interstate 5) within a short distance from a larger city for your shopping needs. We praise YHVH Elohim for his bountiful grace! Since Sukkot prophetically pictures the one-thousand-year-long reign of King Messiah Yeshua (called the Millennium or Messianic Age), we wanted an idyllic spot that would best reflect our spiritual hope as we prepare to reign with King Yeshua as his glorified kings and priests in his eternal kingdom. We wanted a spot where, on this most joyous of all of YHVH’s seven festivals, we could meet with him and our fellow redeemed Israelites from various states as he has commanded in his Scriptures. We believe he has led us to such a spot.

  • Photo of the Rogue River taken from Indian Mary Park with white water rafters and bridge in the distance
    Rafters on Rogue River at Indian Mary Park
  • Photo of the Rogue River taken from Indian Mary Park
    Rogue River at Indian Mary Park
  • Photo of Sim Picnic Shelter at Indian Mary Park
    Sim Picnic Shelter at Indian Mary Park
  • Photo of the picnic shelter at Indian Mary Park showing the playground behind it.
    Sims Shelter at Indian Mary Park
  • Photo of the Rogue River taken from Indian Mary Park with bridge in the distance
    The Rogue River at Indian Mary Park
  • Photo of trees turning fall colors at Indian Mary Park.
    Fall colors at Indian Mary Park Campground

As is our tradition, Sukkot NW will be a blend of Hebraic (or Jewish) and Christian elements and will include plenty of teachings from well-studied and experienced Bible teachers, plenty of live Spirit-led and filled praise and worship, Davidic dance, and ample opportunities for discussions on biblical subjects. Additionally, there will be much food and fellowship around the community campfire and at our community sukkah, as well as a formal erev Shabbat dinner, and games and activities for the youth. For those who want to join us, we’ll be facilitating awhite water rafting trip on the Rogue River and a trip to the Oregon Caves National Monument. For those who are not only fishers of men, but also fishers of fish, bring your steelhead and salmon fishing gear. The coho or silver salmon and steelheads will be running at this time, and you can literally bank fish from the campground. Those of us who will be fishing intend to grill our fish over wood fires and share our catch with the others. The world famous Rogue River is one of the three best salmon fishing rivers on the West Coast of America.

As always, in the midst of our playing, vacationing and fellowship we want to keep our spiritual focus sharp. We come to Sukkot primarily to meet with our Heavenly King and to keep him at the center of everything. Our biblical teachers will be sharing and leading discussions on a variety of subjects as the Holy Spirit leads them. However, a major theme for this year will be the regathering and reuniting of the two houses Israel as the one new man in preparation for the second coming of Yeshua. We will be teaching about the historical and prophetic implications of this and how it affects your spiritual journey here and now. This is your formal invitation to join us (along with all of your other wild branch Israelite brothers and sisters) for Sukkot NW 2014 on the wild and scenic Rogue River in Southern Oregon.