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"What happens when childhood questions about God remain unanswered despite years of religious education? Today, we will explore Pastor Geoffrey Ekstein's remarkable journey from Judaism to Christianity, which captured the essence of authentic spiritual seeking and the courage required to embrace truth regardless of the cost."
Growing up in a devoutly Jewish home where his identity was firmly rooted in Jewish tradition, Geoff found himself fascinated by biblical figures who had personal relationships with God. "David made God smile," he recalls thinking as a child, which prompted his persistent question: "How do I have that kind of relationship?" Despite consulting rabbis and participating faithfully in Jewish traditions, the answer remained frustratingly elusive.
The turning point came unexpectedly through fatherhood. When Geoff and his non-Jewish wife welcomed their daughter, the weight of responsibility awakened his dormant spiritual questions. On his first Father's Day, seeking affirmation of his new parental role, he instead discovered "how great a father our heavenly Father is" through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The revelation that Jesus was Jewish—not Catholic as he had assumed—opened his eyes to see Christ as the fulfillment of everything he had been searching for.
The most powerful moment in this testimony occurs when Geoff's father directly confronts him: "Are you a Christian?" Standing in that driveway, with Jesus's words about denial echoing in his mind, Geoff faced what he calls his "crucible moment"—choosing faith over fear with a simple "yes." This honest confession, while initially creating tension, ultimately led to deeper family relationships built on mutual respect and understanding.
Geoff's story brilliantly illuminates the purpose behind Jewish identity: "We were chosen to be the mechanism through whom the Messiah would come." His journey from synagogue to sanctuary demonstrates that sometimes our longest-held questions find their answers in unexpected places, and that standing firm in our convictions, despite potential rejection, opens the door to authentic relationship with both God and others.
If you've ever wrestled with questions about faith, identity, or family expectations, this testimony will resonate deeply. Share this episode with someone seeking answers to their own spiritual questions.
Pastor Geoff's email: pastorgeoff@bccdelmar.org
Bethlehem Community Church: https://bccdelmar.org/
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42 min
30 min