OUR HISTORY

 

The leaders and founders, Craig and Alicia Smith had been members of Temple Shalom Yisrael Messianic Congregation in Rolling Meadows, IL for a number of years where Alicia served as worship leader and they both had been on the TSY board. Neve Shalom began as an in-home Bible study when Craig and Alicia relocated to Belvidere, IL in 2005 to be closer to Craig's elderly parents.  Alicia had been serving part-time as worship leader at Beit Eyeh - a Rockford home-based congregation. After Beit Eyeh closed their doors, Yahweh prompted Craig and Alicia to open their home to those members of Beit Eyeh that had no place to go.  The Smith home was now the new meeting place for Friday night Shabbat services.

 

Almost immediately, word spread about this group and before they knew it, they were in need of a larger place to hold meetings.  As an answer to prayer, a local pastor was prompted by the Holy Spirit to offer her church building as a meeting place for this growing group of believers in Messiah Yeshua.  Thus, the Rockford Area Messianic Havurah (RAMH) was born in 2007.

 

As our Havurah (fellowship) continued to grow, it became necessary to relocate several times to accommodate our numbers.  After much prayer, the Holy Spirit revealed what our new name would be: Neve Shalom - Oasis of Peace.  This fit perfectly!  So many who have come to worship with us have remarked how peaceful and refreshing their experience has been with us and how they sensed the presence of Yahweh's Spirit in every Sabbath service.

 

We invite you to come and experience the Shalom - Peace that can be found in the presence of our G-d and Messiah. Come to the Oasis.