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 College. Its vision is to support the Ohio District Council’s emphasis on ‘resourcing healthy churches’. 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 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. From time to time there shall be a ‘theme of the season’, which, for example, was the case during the summer and fall of 2005. The theme at that time was 'God’s Perfect Rest', which corresponded with a recent song Rev. Soza wrote and recorded.
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/concert setting for an entire service. He also leads a contemporary style Christian worship band called The Shema Project. The band could also be made available for a variety of ministry venues, including youth out-reaches, et cetera.
Products available for purchase:
Dr. Soza has personally published fourteen original songs which have been home recorded. The CD, entitled Your Perfect Rest, shall be made available for purchase at a date to be announced. The songs will also be spiral bound in book form with key signatures, treble clef, melody line, and guitar chords fully notated. The songbook may be purchased and used for worship. He has also professionally recorded a single of the song Your Perfect Rest, which is available for purchase on CD for $5. Other works in progress of a biblical/theological nature shall be made available in the coming months as they are published, as shall be workbooks which correspond with the power point presentations "The Development of the Bible" and "Religion in the World Today".
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
