About Us

The Way Council was founded as a ministry in 2024.

Its name harkens back to the name of the sect of the first followers of the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22), who referred to Himself as “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Moreover, its name draws a connection to the message of John the immerser, who was prophesied to be the voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the Way of Adonai” (Isa. 40:3). This ministry, too, is answering a calling to “prepare the Way of Adonai” by preaching the name of Yeshua the Messiah and walking in His Torah to a world desperately in need.

The Way Council is a private ministry and is not currently a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, but future plans include incorporating as a nonprofit organization, at which time tax-deductible donations to the ministry will be possible. To make a donation (not tax deductible) in the meantime, click the ‘Contact us’ link at the bottom of the page and send us an email to start the process.

Mission

& Vision

Mission Statement

The Way Council shares the Good News of the Messiah, advances Messianic Torah observance, and grows the Messianic Faith movement. We do this by cultivating a network of disciples of Messiah Yeshua–commonly known as Jesus of Nazareth–to fellowship with one another, raise up and support leaders, and impact the world around us.

Sharing the Good News of the Messiah

The life and purpose of Yeshua (Jesus) of Nazareth is the cornerstone of our mission. We share the Good News of Elohim’s plan of salvation through His Son—the promised Messiah—and His love to those in need.

Advancing Messianic Torah Observance

The Torah—as given by Elohim and made manifest in the life of Yeshua—is central to faithful obedience. We engage in teaching, sharing, partnering, and investing to advance Messianic Torah observance within the body of believers.

Growing the Messianic Faith Movement

Messianic and Torah Observant faith groups are rapidly growing. We serve and support Messianic Torah Observant ministries by amplifying their teachings and products, and encouraging the movement toward good works.

Vision Statement

We envision a world that knows and trusts in Messiah Yeshua, and a vibrant and growing community of faith within the body of Messiah that is Torah observant in our following of the Messiah, in accordance with the Scriptures as follows:

  • Elohim set apart the nation of Israel by way of covenants to be holy unto Him: “For you are a holy people to Adonai your God—from all the peoples on the face of the earth, Adonai your God has chosen you to be His treasured people.” (Deut 7:6, TLV)
  • Elohim gave the Torah to the nation of Israel with the expectation to keep it: “See, I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil. What I am commanding you today is to love Adonai your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His mitzvot [commands], statutes and ordinances.” (Deut. 15-16a, TLV)
  • The Messiah kept the Torah and affirmed that it is to be kept continually: “Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif [stroke] shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass.” (Matt. 5:18, TLV)
  • Disciples of the Messiah are to make disciples from the nations: “And Yeshua came up to them and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, immersing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Ruach ha-Kodesh [Holy Spirit] teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. And remember! I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’” (Matt. 28:18-20, TLV)
  • Disciples of the Messiah from the nations become fellow citizens of Israel and partakers in the covenants: “At that time you were separate from Messiah, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Messiah Yeshua, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah… So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” (Eph. 2:12-13,19, TLV)
  • The Revelation of John prophesies a body of believers that is faithful in Messiah Yeshua and keeps the Torah commands: “So the dragon became enraged at the woman and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring—those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Yeshua.” (Rev. 12:17, TLV)
  • The nations are destined to learn the Torah, as the prophets foretold: “Then many nations will go and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of Adonai, to the House of the God of Jacob! Then He will direct us in His ways, and we will walk in His paths.’ For Torah will go forth from Zion, and the word of Adonai from Jerusalem.” (Mic. 4:2, TLV; see also Isa. 2:3)

Why promote Messianic Torah observance?

The principles of The Way Council are expressed through the range of Torah Observant theologies and faith groups that are active and prevalent today. These include the Hebrew Roots Movement, Messianic Judaism, and others that teach and uphold the values of Torah observance. These theologies and faith groups represent a colorful and diverse set of communities that vary on certain doctrinal issues, including specific practices related to Torah observance, cultural identity and history, and so forth. The Way Council seeks to build a coalition of believers within the Messianic Faith movement to serve and support each other and to serve and impact the wider Christian community which is often unaware or uninformed about Torah observance, and unbelievers throughout the world who desperately need the Good News of Yeshua and to be discipled in obedience. Through outreach and dialogue, we aim to bridge communities and create fellowship opportunities between communities and, ultimately, allow people to experience the enriching lifestyle that Torah observant theologies have to offer.

Principles of Faith

The Way Council has certain principles of faith that explain our positions and direct the conduct we expect among our members. Below is a series of for/against statements that explain these principles of faith.

  • We are for ‘pronomianism’: We allow debate with regards to who is responsible in what ways to upholding Elohim’s Torah commands and how that plays out practically in the lives of disciples today, but the bottom line is we all agree that the whole Torah is meant to be everlasting in the olam hazeh (present age).
  • We are against ‘antinomianism’: We reject the notion that Yeshua ‘fulfilled’ the Torah in any sense that would mean its commands are no longer to be observed in faithful obedience during the olam hazeh (present age).
  • We are for ‘grafted in theology’: We hold that non-Jews (aka, gentiles) who come to trust in Yeshua and be discipled after His ways are grafted in to Israel (see Rom. 11) and fellow heirs in the covenants of promise, fellow citizens with Elohim’s people, and members of Elohim’s household (see Eph. 2).
  • We are against ‘replacement theology’: We reject any notion that claims Elohim has rejected Israel, the ‘church’ has replaced Israel as Elohim’s chosen people, and Israel has forsaken its gifts and calling of Elohim (see Rom. 11).
  • We are for edifying discussion: We allow edifying discussion about such topics as responsibility to the Torah, practically walking out the faith, the nature of Elohim, and more.
  • We are against divisive arguments: We do not allow divisive arguments about such topics as the use of ‘sacred names,’ special Hebrew/Israelite/Jewish identities, rejection of any apostles or the standard sixty-six book Scriptural canon, and others.

Meet the team

Click a photo to learn more.

Shane Graves

Founder and Admin
admin@thewaycouncil.org