BETH SHALOM
MESSIANIC JEWISH FELLOWSHIP
HISTORY
THE
OF BETH SHALOM
Humble Beginnings
Beth Shalom began as a home fellowship in Colton, California, in 1987. Originally called Shalom Fellowship and led by Bill and Nancy Rothschild, the fellowship met vital spiritual needs within the Messianic Jewish community in Southern California.
A New Name
One year later, in May 1988, Rabbi Bruce Booker became the leader of Shalom Fellowship and changed its name to Beth Shalom. John Popp first became acquainted with Rabbi Bruce Booker and his wife, Trish, while attending Beth Shalom in California. Over time, they became good friends.
Expanding the Ministry
In 1991, Rabbi Bruce and Trish left the Beth Shalom congregation in California and planted a Messianic ministry in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where they remained until September 1995.
Rabbi Booker then accepted a position with a communications company in Memphis, Tennessee, where they stayed until 1998. From there, they relocated to Priest River, Idaho, and in late 1999 began a ministry in Northern Idaho, using the same name as the congregation they had left in California years earlier.
In May 2000, John and his wife, Laura, reconnected with Rabbi Bruce and Trish.
A New Home in Idaho
In September 2000, the Lord gave John a prophetic dream that he and Laura would be moving to Sandpoint, Idaho.
During their time in California, John and Laura had learned many dances, which would later help them teach those interested in learning the dances once they were reestablished in community.
Upon arriving in Sandpoint, they partnered with Rabbi Bruce to establish Beth Shalom Messianic Fellowship.
A Shepherd for the Congregation
In 2001, Rabbi Bruce ordained John Popp as Pastor of Beth Shalom Messianic Fellowship, while Bruce started a community called Beth Yeshua in Priest River, Idaho.
In 2003, Pastor John and Laura moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and Beth Shalom Messianic Community was relocated to Post Falls, Idaho, our present location.
In 2019, Pastor John and Laura were called out of the area and temporarily relocated to California to be with family.
Before leaving, Pastor John placed Rosh Zaken Bill Miller in charge of leadership at Beth Shalom. A few months later, Pastor John returned to ordain Bill into ministry as Pastor of Beth Shalom, with Rabbi Bruce Booker's blessing.
Continuing the Vision
Now under the leadership of Pastor Bill Miller, Beth Shalom Messianic Fellowship continues the original vision of its past congregational leaders.
We exist as a Torah-pursuant fellowship of Jewish and non-Jewish believers in Yeshua the Messiah, with a mission to help both Jewish and non-Jewish people return to God and to the light of Torah.
By returning to the ancient paths, being grafted into the Olive Tree of faith, and coming together as the One New Man, we will then be able to proclaim the light of Torah to both Jewish and non-Jewish people for the purposes of repentance, testimony, and empowerment by Messiah's grace and through the Ruach HaKodesh.
“Each generation will praise your works to the next and proclaim your mighty acts.”
PSALM 145:4
Rabbi Bruce Booker
Pastor John and
Laura Popp
Pastor Bill Miller
Pastor Bill and Robin Miller
