First Christian Church, Shawnee is always looking for new ways to use and share their building with the community. Their most recent way to share with the community reminds us that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has always been about unity of all Christians and supports ecumenical efforts to bring Christians together.

Rev. Ray Belford, Senior Pastor at FCC Shawnee and the board members at FCC Shawnee welcomed the Beit Shalom Messianic Congregation, as they started meeting in the library/chapel in July at FCC Shawnee’s building.

The Messianic congregation is led by Rabbi Baruch Hanes and his wife Rebbetzin Shamira Hanes who moved to Shawnee in January 2010, after feeling called by God to plant a Messianic Jewish congregation here.

The small congregation had been meeting in private homes until they were extended an invitation to use the facilities at First Christian Church.  As Messianic Jews, the Sabbath is observed on Saturday, and the local group meets at 1 p.m. each week.

Messianic Jews accept Jesus as the promised Messiah revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament).

Being Jewish is not a requirement of becoming a part of the Messianic Community. Rabbi Hanes said “We teach those who attend an understanding of the roots of Christianity”.

Rev. Ray Belford, said “Sometimes, we modern-day Christians seem to forget that Jesus was a Jew and that the apostles were Jews. I believe history shows us that the original church was a Messianic Jewish congregation, before the all-inclusive message of Christianity spread to the rest of the world.”

They teach some Hebrew, but learning Hebrew is not necessary for participation. Although Rabbi Hanes and his wife observe the teachings of the Torah (first five books of the Bible) as well as Jewish customs and traditions, it is a choice for members of the congregation.

Rabbi Hanes said, “We believe that it is a choice that individuals should make based on how the Holy Spirit leads them”.

Beit Shalom has begun to experience some growth and are exploring using more of the First Christian building.

Rev. Ray Belford and the FCC Shawnee congregation are continually looking for uses for their large church building which is empty most of the week.

Currently, FCC Shawnee hosts several community events:

  • local Boomer Bridge group which uses the fellowship hall each Wednesday afternoon
  • Overeaters Anonymous meets on Monday and Thursday at 11 a.m. in the church parlor
  • an art group uses the facility for classes
  • the Sine Nominee community choir rehearsals
  • meetings of the local police union
  • a variety of local organizations’ fundraisers
  • funerals and memorial services for other congregations in need of a larger sanctuary
  • hosted the Heartland Hospice Annual Memorial Service
  • hosted the first 18-months of operations of One Safe Place of the Family Justice Center

We recognize FCC Shawnee for using their building to help serve others in the community.