Jonathan Bernis

A Jewish believer in Yeshua (Jesus), Jonathan Bernis is Executive Director of Jewish Voice Ministries International. JVMI’s mission, in accord with Romans 1:16 is to proclaim the gospel “to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile” throughout the world. The Good News is proclaimed through television, radio and large scale Messianic Outreach Festivals.

More than 500,000 people have attended these vibrant Hear O’ Israel! Festivals throughout Eastern Europe, India, Africa and South America. Millions more have participated via live television broadcasts. Thousands have responded to altar calls, and about one third of those who have responded have been Jewish. Over a dozen new Messianic Jewish Congregations have been birthed in the Former Soviet Union through these outreaches. JVMI also partners with several other Messianic ministries to establish and operate Messianic Jewish Bible Institutes around the world to train leaders for Jewish Ministry.

Jonathan hosts a weekly television program called Jewish Voice Today, which is aired throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The program teaches Christians about the Jewish roots of their faith and seeks to impart a love for Israel and the Jewish people. Believers are taught the importance of proclaiming the Gospel to Jewish People and learn how to effectively share their faith with Jewish friends and acquaintances.

Jonathan is the founding Rabbi of Shema Yisrael Messianic Congregation in Rochester, New York where he served as Senior Messianic Rabbi from 1984 to 1993. He also founded and pastored the Messianic Center of St. Petersburg, Russia where he lived and ministered from 1993 to 1996. He now travels extensively worldwide, bringing the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles, equipping believers with a deeper knowledge of the Jewish roots of their faith and teaching them how to reach Jewish people with the Good News.

A much sought after speaker, Jonathan teaches at conferences, seminars and in local congregations worldwide. He is a prominent leader in the Messianic movement and serves on the board of over a dozen other ministries. He is a contributing editor for Charisma magazine, where his column, “Ask The Rabbi” appears bi-monthly.

Jonathan holds University degrees in Judaism and Early Christianity, and has done extensive post graduate study including work on archeological excavations in Israel. He has led over 30 teaching tours throughout the Holy Land since 1984.

He resides in Phoenix with his wife, Elisangela, and their daughter, Liel Gabriella.