About Us

The Way Council was founded as a ministry in 2024.

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

To proclaim Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), strengthen Torah-centered discipleship, and advance the ‘Yeshua & Torah movement’.

Proclaiming Messiah Yeshua (Jesus)

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.

Strengthening Torah-centered Discipleship

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 Torah observance within the body of believers.

Advancing the ‘Yeshua & Torah Movement’

Faith groups proclaiming Yeshua and observing Torah are rapidly growing. We serve and support aligned ministries by amplifying their teachings and products, and encouraging the movement toward service and good works.

Vision Statement

We envision a world that knows and trusts in Messiah Yeshua, and a vibrant and growing Torah-observant community living faithfully in unity and love, 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: “Here is the perseverance of the kedoshim [set-apart ones]—those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Yeshua.” (Rev. 14:12, 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)

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 singular and for/against statements that explain these principles of faith.

  • There is one Elohim (Deut. 4:35, Deut. 6:4, Jas. 2:19) and the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are Elohim (Rom. 1:7, Heb. 1:8, Acts 5:3-4).
  • Yeshua of Nazareth is the promised Messiah who lived a sinless life (Mark 14:61b-62, 2 Cor. 5:21, Heb. 4:15, Heb. 7:26, 1 Pet. 2:21-22, 1 John 3:5) and whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16b).
  • The Torah and Messiah’s example are Elohim’s standard of conduct for His people (Deut. 6:24-25, Matt. 5:18-20, 1 Cor. 11:1, 1 John 2:6).
  • 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).
  • Salvation is by grace through faith—a gift of Elohim—and not of works, so that no one can boast (Eph. 2:8-9).
  • Concerning chosenness, Israel is loved on account of their forefathers, and their gifts and calling from Elohim are irrevocable (Rom. 11:28b-29a).
  • 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 the elect of Israel (see Rom. 11) and are made 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).
  • The sixty-six book canon is divinely inspired and inerrant (in the original text).
  • Paul is a chosen apostle of Elohim and his letters are scriptural cannon (Acts 9:15, 2 Pet. 3:15).
  • Marriage is between one man and one woman (Matt. 19:4-6).
  • 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 and genealogies, rejection of any apostles or the standard sixty-six book Scriptural canon, and others.

Why advance the ‘Yeshua & Torah movement’?

There is a range of Torah observant theologies and faith groups active and prevalent in the growing ‘Yeshua & Torah movement’ today. These include Messianic Judaism, One Law/One Torah theology, the Jewish/Hebrew/Hebraic Roots movements, Whole Bible believers, Pronomian Christianity, and others that proclaim Yeshua as the Messiah and uphold the value 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 ‘Yeshua & Torah movement’ to serve and support each other and to serve and impact the wider Christian community which is often unaware or uninformed about the movement, 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 following Yeshua and observing Torah has to offer.

Addressing challenges within the ‘Yeshua & Torah movement’

The Way Council recognizes the challenges within the ‘Yeshua & Torah movement’ and seeks to address them as follows:

  • An increasing complex and confusing landscape –> Develop a clear and accessible map of the landscape
  • The spread of questionable or unbalanced teachings –> Strengthen doctrinal clarity and accountability
  • Fragmentation that leaves individuals and groups isolated –> Promote internal community building and integration
  • A sectarian mindset that hinders unity with the broader Body of Messiah –> Cultivate humility and interdenominational dialogue and cooperation
  • Limited visibility and recognition within the wider Body of Messiah –> Increase outreach and collaboration with the broader Body
  • Patterns of judgment, conflict, and internal hostility –> Foster a culture of grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation
  • Overemphasis on certain laws and practices that distorts core priorities –> Refocus on gospel-centered teaching and balance
  • A lack of meaningful and structured discipleship pathways –> Strengthen access to comprehensive discipleship programs
  • Insufficient focus on mentoring and equipping the next generation –> Invest in youth and children’s ministries
  • An inadequate emphasis on living out the faith through practical good works –> Provide mission and service opportunities focused on good works

Meet the team

Click a photo to learn more.

Shane Graves

Founder and Admin
admin@thewaycouncil.org