Ahavat Yeshua Messianic Congregation

Ahavat Yeshua is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Indianapolis. It gathers for Shabbat every Friday evening at 7:30, and the service usually runs 75 to 80 minutes. Congregational Leader Sam Stevens leads the community, which is member-governed with an elected board.

People from Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds make up the congregation, united by faith in Yeshua. They believe He is "the promised Messiah of Israel and the Savior for all people." The whole Bible, Tanakh and Brit Chadashah, is held to be the inspired and authoritative Word of God. Shabbat and the Feasts are observed together as a congregation, and baptism is by immersion.

Worship opens with Shabbat and other Jewish blessings, including the Shema and Aleinu. Hebrew prayers and Torah readings sit alongside practical teaching centered on Yeshua, given by Sam Stevens or other speakers. Contemporary Messianic music often carries Hebrew phrases, and Israeli folk dancing is part of worship. No Hebrew is needed, since English translations are given aloud or on screen. About once a month the community shares the Lord's Supper with matzah and grape juice. An Oneg Shabbat sometimes follows on Friday evening or Saturday. A Shabbat school runs during the service for school-aged children. A prayer meeting gathers on Tuesday nights.