Definition and purpose: Sh'ma ministries is an itinerant ministry of Dr. Joel R. Soza, an Ohio Assembly of God ordained minister, and Associate Professor of Old Testament at Malone University. The name is taken from Deut.6:4-5 which commands the people of God to "hear" (‘sh'ma’ in Hebrew, which is to hear in the sense of obeying) and to love him "with all the heart, soul, strength, and mind" (as quoted in Lk.10:27). Sh'ma ministries offers ministry on a love offering basis and attempts to minister to the previously mentioned four elements of the human person through not only the ordinarily expressed means of preaching, teaching, and music; but also through biblical scholarship and military chaplaincy perspective and experience. One may choose from the following menu of four specific ministry selections: Dr. Soza as
1) professor/scholar:
Professor Soza has written a book entitled Food and God: A Theological Approach to Eating, Diet and Weight Control, published by Wipf & Stock in May of 2009. The book is available for purchase. He has developed a three-fold power point presentation entitled, "The Development of the Bible", which documents the development of 1) the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, 2) the Greek New Testament, and 3) the translation of the English Bible, from antiquity to the present. The purpose is to encourage the church as to the providential care and accurate preservation of the beloved Scriptures and to help one navigate through the variety of English Bibles on the market today. Another available power point presentation, entitled, "Religion in the World Today", examines the major belief systems in the world for the purpose of better equipping the church for its world-wide mission.
2) pastor/military chaplain:
In this presentation, Chaplain Soza draws from his ten year reserve
military experience as both an enlisted Marine and A/G chaplain, having served
tours of duty with the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The purpose of
this presentation is to provide a historical, philosophical, religious,
theological, and biblical perspective to the post Sept.11, 2001 world and the
age of global terrorism in which we now live.
3) preacher/evangelist:
Rev. Soza’s initial call to ministry came as a preacher and evangelist in 1985. His expertise is in the Old Testament prophets’ call to repentance and a lifestyle of justice and righteousness, although the entire council of God is of course preached.
4) musician/songwriter:
Rev. Soza has written and continues to write worship songs for the Christian church. He typically includes selections of original songs when actively preaching or teaching, or may provide music in a worship setting for part of a service.
The Soza family writes and performs Christian songs together. Mrs. Soza, Dalia, is a gifted speaker and singer who specializes in hospitality and family ministry. She also is available for speaking engagements, especially for ministries to women and children.
If interested in any of the above mentioned ministry opportunities for any given context, or for further information, please feel free to call or e-mail Dr. Soza at the numbers and addresses posted in this website. Thank you for prayerfully considering Sh'ma Ministries.
May Christ’s blessings be evident in your life.
Warm wishes,
Dr. Joel R. Soza (DTh)
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Malone University
