Gary Derechinsky grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home in northern Jersey before giving his life to Jesus at the age of 18. A husband and father, Gary spent many years in Jewish evangelism ministry before pastoring New Hope Chapel for 18 years. In 2010, Gary accepted the call to serve as the Messianic Rabbi at Beth Ariel Fellowship in Canoga Park, California. Gary went on to receive his B.A. from Northeastern Bible College and a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He also completed coursework at Dallas Theological Seminary and Harvard Divinity School. Because of his love for the Jewish people, his desire to share Messiah with them and to help the local church learn more about the Jewish roots of their faith, he served with Chosen People Ministries for 17 years, from 1975 to 1992. In1992, Gary accepted an invitation to pastor New Hope Chapel in Arnold, MD, where he served for 18 years. During that time, Gary also worked as a Bible teacher at the Annapolis Area Christian School teaching middle and upper school students. In addition, Gary taught at Bethel’s Seminary of the East where he served as an Old Testament adjunct professor and at Ariel Ministries’ Camp Shoshanah alongside of Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum. Using his understanding to help explain the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, Gary has recorded daily radio spots on WRBS, a Baltimore, Maryland, based radio station for the ministry of Christianity is Jewish. Gary now pastors Beth Ariel Fellowship - a Messianic congregation outside of Los Angeles. Gary is an avid sailor having enjoyed navigating the Chesapeake Bay. He is a talented musician, playing guitar, bass, and drums. Gary is married to Marilou, his wife of 36 years, and they have a son, Joel, who is a graduate of Gordon College. Gary and Marilou also have two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels – Fenway (named in honor of the Boston Red Sox) and Dylan (named after the traveling troubadour, Bob Dylan).