Chosen People Ministries

The information on this page was last updated 8/15/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]

Summary

The mission was founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1894 by Rabbi Leopold Cohn, a Hungarian Jewish immigrant with a zeal to share the knowledge of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah with God's chosen people. Today, Chosen People Ministries serves in eighteen countries across the globe. Our outreach programs include evangelism and discipleship, Messianic Centers and congregations, equipping the local church for Jewish evangelism, digital evangelism through our Isaiah 53 Campaigns and I Found Shalom videos, and benevolence work. With your help, we will continue proclaiming the Good News through Jesus the Messiah to Jewish people around the world.

Contact information

Mailing address:
Chosen People Ministries
241 E 51st Street
New York, NY 10022

Website: www.chosenpeople.com

Phone: (212) 223-2252

Email: [email protected]

Organization details

EIN: 131659171

CEO/President: Dr. Mitch Glaser

Chairman: Tom McHugh

Board size: 12

Founder: Leopold Cohn

Ruling year: 1938

Tax deductible: Yes

Fiscal year end: 06/30

Member of ECFA: Yes

Member of ECFA since: 1980

Purpose

We exist... to glorify God, proclaim the Gospel to the Jew first and also to the Gentile, and develop resources and programs to accomplish this task.

We place... the worker above the work.

We are concerned with... and promote the welfare of the Jewish community.

We are... a board-governed organization whose ministry is planned and implemented by missionaries and supported by the administrative staff.

We are dependent on... God's provision for the Mission through the prayer and financial support of fellow believers.

Mission statement

Chosen People Ministries exists to pray for, evangelize, disciple, and serve Jewish people everywhere and to help fellow believers do the same.

Statement of faith

Chosen People Ministries exists to pray for, evangelize, disciple, and serve Jewish people and help fellow believers to do the same. The Chosen People Ministries' Doctrinal Statement affirms our commitment to the essence of historic, evangelical faith, and our core theological emphases as related to Jewish ministry.

BIBLE

We believe in the verbal, plenary inspiration of the Bible, which is inerrant and infallible in the original autographs. The sixty-six books of the Bible are the sole and final authority for belief, life, and practice (Psalms 107:11; 119:160; Mark 7:6-13; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 1:1-3; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

GOD

We believe there is one infinite and perfect God, eternally existing in three distinct and equal persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Leviticus 19:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; 33:27; Isaiah 6:1-3; 40:28-31; Psalm 90:2; Acts 17:24). Each possesses the characteristics of personality as well as the nature and perfections of deity (Matthew 28:19-20; John 1:1-3; 15:26; 16:12-15; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4). We believe God is love (1 John 4:7-8). He is compassionate, gracious, merciful, just, and true (Exodus 34:6-7).

CREATION

We believe God is sovereign and created all things in heaven and earth for his glory (Genesis 1-2; Job 38-41; Psalm 19:1-4; Isaiah 37:16; Jeremiah 10:11-12; John 1:1-3; Romans 4:17; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 11:3). We believe God created Adam and Eve in his own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27; 2; 5:1-2; 9:6; Luke 3:38). All human beings have value because they are made in the image of God.

SIN

We believe through Adam's sin, the image of God in humanity was marred so that all men and women are born guilty before God with a nature in rebellion against him (Genesis 3:1-24; Psalms 5:9; 10:7; 14:1-3; 36:1; 51:5; 53:1-3; 140:3; Isaiah 53:6; 59:7; Romans 3:10-18, 23; 5:12-21; 8:20-21). As a result, all people stand condemned and need reconciliation to God through the Messiah (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:23; 5:8-12; 2 Corinthians 5:20-21; Ephesians 2:1-4).

ISRAEL

We believe God chose the Jewish people as his bridge of redemption to a sinful world. He made an everlasting and irrevocable covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Genesis 15:9-21; 17:1-8; 26:3-5; 28:13-15; 35:11-13; Romans 11:28-29). It includes the election and perpetuity of Israel as God's chosen people, the gift of the land of Israel, and the promise of Messiah through whom all families of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3; 2 Samuel 7:6-16; Jeremiah 31:23-40; Romans 9-11; Galatians 3:6-4:7). We believe God initiated the restoration of creation by calling Abraham and his seed to bless the world (Genesis 12:1-3). The nation of Israel, Abraham's seed, is a kingdom of priests, a light to the nations, a witness to God's faithfulness, and a continuing part of God's program (Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 49:6; 61:1, 4-6).

YESHUA

We believe God the Son preexisted as the eternal Word, became man, and was known as Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, the Son of David (2 Samuel 7:8-16; 1 Chronicles 17:7-14; John 1:1-18; Romans 1:2-4). We believe in his full deity (Isaiah 9:6-7; John 10:30; 20:28; Acts 2:14-36; Colossians 2:9), his virgin conception (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:34-35), his full humanity (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15), and his sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 7:26; 1 Peter 2:22 [Isaiah 53:9]). He is Prophet (Deuteronomy 18:15; Acts 3:22-24), Priest (Psalm 110:1; Hebrews 2:17), and King (Psalm 2; Hebrews 1:1-14). He offered himself once for all as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity (Isaiah 53:5-6; Hebrews 9:6-10:18; 1 John 2:2; Revelation 1:5), was raised from the dead on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-7), ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11; 2:30-38; Ephesians 1:19-23), and intercedes for his people (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 9:24). As the risen Messiah, he exercises divine authority from God's right hand and will return to reign as King over Israel and the nations (2 Samuel 7:12-16; Psalm 110:1; Zechariah 14:9; Daniel 7:13-14; Matthew 2:1-11; Mark 14:62; Luke 1:32-33; 22:69; Acts 2:30-36; Philippians 2:10-17; Revelation 17:14) until he hands over the kingdom to the Father (1 Corinthians 15:24, 28).

HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the full deity and personality of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; Acts 5:3-4; Ephesians 4:30). He bears witness to Yeshua through the Word of God (John 14:25-27; 16:13; 1 Corinthians 2:10-11). He convicts the world of sin (John 16:7-11), regenerates individuals (John 3:3-5; Romans 6:3-4, 11; 8:11; Titus 3:5), baptizes believers into the body of Messiah (Acts 1:5; 2:16-18, 32-33; 1 Corinthians 12:13), and equips them for the Great Commission and the common good (Galatians 5:16-24; 6:8-10; 1 Peter 2:9-13). He indwells, sanctifies, fills, guides, helps, and produces the fruit of the Spirit in believers, and gives gifts to the body for the sake of God's people (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31; Ephesians 4:11; John 14:15-21; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:19-22; 5:18).

SALVATION

We believe salvation for both Jews and Gentiles is available only through Jesus and his finished work (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). People must repent and believe in Jesus as Messiah to receive this salvation, a gift from God by grace through faith alone and not by works (John 3:16; 10:28-30; Romans 3:21-4:25; 8:28-30; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 13:5). In accord with the New Covenant promise, believers in Messiah are forgiven of their sins, reconciled to God, regenerated and indwelt by the Spirit, empowered for godliness, granted abundant life, and sealed by the Spirit for the day of redemption (Jeremiah 31:31-33; Ezekiel 36:24-27; John 10:10; Romans 1:16; Ephesians 1:13-14; 2:10; 4:30).

MISSION

We believe God commissioned his disciples to take the gospel to the Jew first and to the nations (Matthew 10:5-23; 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; 9:15; Romans 1:16-17; Galatians 3:1-29). God promised to preserve a faithful remnant of Jewish people who embrace God's message of salvation through the ages (1 Kings 19:18; Romans 11:5). Today this remnant accepts Jesus as Messiah. The Apostle Paul urged Gentile believers to attract Jewish people to the gospel (Romans 11:11). One day this mission to his chosen people will conclude when the Lord brings the nation of Israel to repentance and the knowledge of his Son. Scripture declares, "all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25-29).

BODY OF MESSIAH

We believe the body of Messiah is comprised of Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Jesus as the promised deliverer (Ephesians 2:11-3:6). Gentiles who have come to faith in Messiah Jesus are fellow heirs with Messianic Jews in the kingdom of God (Ephesians 3:6; Galatians 3:1-4:6). We encourage Jewish and Gentile believers to live together in unity and mutual respect, recognizing the value of expressing their cultural diversity in worship and lifestyle (Acts 14:23; 15:24-28; Romans 14:1-15:21; 1 Corinthians 9:20-21; Colossians 2:16-23; Hebrews 10:24-25).

FUTURE

We believe when Jesus returns he will reign over his kingdom from Jerusalem in fulfillment of the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants (Isaiah 2:1-4; 19:23-25; Micah 4:1-5; Zechariah 12:10). All nations will participate in the blessings of the earthly kingdom and share in the worship of God (Daniel 7:13-14; 9:27; Zechariah 14:16; Revelation 20:1-6). After he has put all his enemies under his feet and presents the kingdom to the Father for eternity, unbelievers will suffer unending judgment in hell (1 Corinthians 15:20-28; Revelation 20:7-15). The heavens and the earth will be made new, and believers will abide in joy and fellowship with God in the New Jerusalem forever (Isaiah 25:6-9; 65-66; Daniel 12:1-2; Revelation 21:1-22:6).

Donor confidence score

This organization does not file a Form 990.

Transparency grade

D

To understand our transparency grade, click here.

Financial efficiency ratings

Sector: Evangelism

Category	Rating	Overall rank	Sector rank
Overall efficiency rating		977 of 1115	43 of 48
Fund acquisition rating		934 of 1116	42 of 48
Resource allocation rating		640 of 1116	33 of 48
Asset utilization rating		935 of 1115	37 of 48

Financial ratios

Financials

Compensation

Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.

Response from ministry

No response has been provided by this ministry.

The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 8/15/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]

History

How It All Began

In the latter part of the 19th century, people were on the move because of political and social upheaval in Europe which continued throughout the turn of the century. This turmoil generated an intense longing for material stability and religious freedom. Most Jewish people who lived within the ghettos of Eastern Europe had little to do with Christians, because of common antisemitic attitudes held at the time. Antisemitism was a real threat to the safety of Jewish lives and property.

In 1862, in the ghetto of the little town of Berenza in eastern Hungary, a family of orthodox Jews joyfully welcomed a new son, Leopold Cohn, whose destiny would become interwoven with the future of Jewish people across two continents. At the tender age of seven years old, Leopold lost both of his parents and he and his sister became orphans. This tragic loss combined with the loneliness and isolation of ghetto life caused Leopold to cry out to God for help and comfort. The Lord answered Leopold's prayers and guided his steps throughout the rest of his childhood and as a young adult, providing an illustrious rabbinic career and a wife named Rose, who was a beautiful, accomplished daughter of a wealthy Jewish family.

However, tragedy struck again in 1881, when Leopold's father-in-law died unexpectedly only one year after his wedding. Leopold again cried out to God and also began fervently searching the scriptures about the Messiah-who he was and when he was coming. During this time Messianic expectations were high. Jewish people everywhere were hungrily searching for the Messiah and thought he could be alive and living in another part of the world at that very moment, like a long-lost relative.

A Rabbi's Quest

It was during these years of rabbinic study that certain portions of Scripture leapt off the page to Rabbi Leopold, especially the passages in the book of Daniel that describe the timeline of Messiah's coming. According to Daniel's timeline, the Messiah should have already come two thousand years ago! Cohn asked himself, "Is it possible that the time which God had fixed for the appearance of our Messiah had passed away without the promise of our true and Living God being fulfilled?" Cohn was perplexed... if Daniel was correct, then the rabbis of the Talmud were wrong. Rabbi Cohn decided to dig deeper, but after much searching, he could find no satisfactory answers for his troubled soul. One rabbi in a distant town advised him to go to America where people knew more about the Messiah, so Cohn immediately made his preparations to leave for the United States.

To The Jew First

Three weeks after Leopold's arrival in America (New York City to be exact), he happened to walk by a church where there was a sign with Hebrew letters saying "Meetings for Jews." Too curious to turn away, Cohn entered the church, and to his utter amazement, the room was packed with 800 or so Jewish men and women. There was even a choir of Jewish girls singing "At the cross..." Cohn found this confusing but he stayed to hear some of the preaching. He was fascinated...but as an observant Orthodox Jew he was also disgusted...there were many cultural things that were off-putting to his traditional Jewish upbringing, such as women and men sitting together, the presence of crosses, and the preacher saying God's name without a yarmulka (skullcap). Cohn left halfway through the message but got the contact information for the preacher from the security guard. He visited the preacher at his home, and after much discussion, the preacher gave him a New Testament in Hebrew to read. As Leopold read the New Testament, he realized that Jesus was the true Jewish Messiah!

Cohn knew that there was but one course for him to follow: he must share the knowledge of the Messiah, Yeshua, with his Jewish people. He explained an early encounter with members of the local community: "I showed them from the Scriptures that to believe in Yeshua was Jewish faith, real Jewish faith." This became Leopold Cohn's life calling. It also became a guiding principle for our ministry, which he founded in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, New York, in 1894.

Leopold Cohn began this ministry by holding meetings in a store which was a renovated horse stable. He founded his work upon faith, in response to the Scriptural exhortation of Romans 1:16, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." The ministry's first Bible meeting was attended by eight Jewish people. The Lord continued to bless this work, and in the course of his lifetime, Leopold Cohn led over 1,000 people to the Lord.

A Family Ministry

Responsible Jewish evangelism has characterized Chosen People Ministries from its inception. Over the years, different aspects of our ministry's outreach have continued and expanded. The early work was a real family ministry. Mothers would come to the mission to participate in women's activities. They would also bring their children, who took part in children's programs. This, in turn, resulted in fathers coming to the mission. Through the dedicated work of early workers, many individuals and entire families came to believe in Jesus. There are many Jewish Christian family trees whose spiritual roots began through the outreach of Chosen People Ministries. Several of them, including some of our staff, are in full-time service for the Lord.

Program accomplishments

Needs