Our History
Lev Y’shua translated to English means Heart of our Savior/Heart of Jesus. In 2002, Marci Hughes (of blessed memory) envisioned a Hebrew Roots Congregation of sojourners who walk the path of faith in a Torah obedient fashion.
When Lev Y’shua formed, the congregation initially met at the Hughes home in Boalsburg. After which we wandered for many years, primarily in Centre County. From house to house, Sabbath to Sabbath, sojourning, never continuing in one place for very long. We spent time at three different public locations, including a grammar school library where members sat on children’s chairs.
No place really satisfied.
Additionally, gathering to celebrate the Feast Days was always challenging as arrangements needed to be made to find ancillary locations such as parks. We had no home. Even our belongings were co-mingled in storage along with the host institution’s belongings at these various locations.
We began meeting in Belleville in 2013, specifically for the feast of Sukkot. This location afforded us a place to camp and a shelter where we could get out of the elements. As time passed, congregational members decided that meeting here was preferable over the various places we had rented in order to gather in State College. Since our location had no running water at the time, we rented a job johnnie and made do. However, it was here the vision for a facility where we could settle in and minister more formidably was kindled. Thus, the Elder Team entered into a building project to renovate a 40 X 40 Pole building, enhancing it with an addition which includes a kitchen and bathroom facilities including showers to accommodate overnight campers as we gather for feast day celebrations, the highlight being Sukkot or Tabernacles.
It is with hearts of gratitude, that we consider those who have gone before us, ministering within this body, effectively bringing us to this place today.
We believe salvation was achieved for us through our Messiah Y’shua’s (Jesus) death on the cross and that it is a free gift given to us by the grace of God. Once we have received our Messiah as Savior, it is our responsibility to make Him Lord of our life as well. We desire to follow Him in the purity of His word and nowhere in scripture does He tell us to lay aside the Torah or His commandments. In fact, just the opposite. Torah is translated as law; however, it comes with the connotation of missing the mark. Thus, we desire to be obedient and not miss the mark! Y’shua said, “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to uphold.” In other words, to show us how to walk out our faith walk. Y’shua was an observant Jew and like Him, we observe a 7th day Sabbath. It is a wonderful time of fellowship. We give testimonies, pray for one another, worship together, and study the word by reading the weekly Torah portions and discussing them. We linger, soaking in the sweetness of the day and always conclude our weekly gathering with a fellowship meal. Because we see ourselves as part of the Commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2), we, therefore, follow the instructions given to Moses on behalf of all of Israel at Sinai. We observe His Feast Days as outlined in Leviticus 23, the first of which is the weekly Sabbath. We observe not for salvation which we cannot earn, but rather to please our Father through obedience to His word.
As our building project concluded, we dedicated our new building on March 24, 2018 with the words of Hosea:
Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness, Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to Seek Yahweh Until He comes to Rain righteousness on you. ~Hosea 10:12
We are a blessed people, called out for His Divine purpose, which motivates us with humility. Our heart and passion at Lev Y’shua is to uphold His right rulings in our lives, in our congregation and in our community for His Glory alone.
Get Involved & Walk as Y’shua Walked!
We meet every Saturday at 1 PM to celebrate the Shabbat and enjoy the Fellowship of the Brethren. We invite you to get involved with our congregation as we study The Word and lift praises and prayers to our Almighty Elohim.