Rev. Agnita Oyawale appointed incoming President of the BMJA
The British Messianic Jewish Alliance is delighted to announce the appointment of Rev. Agnita Oyawale as its incoming President. The appointment was announced at the BMJA’s 160th AGM
Agnita succeeds Dr Richard Harvey, who will remain a member of the BMJA Committee and continue to be active in the Alliance and its work.
Agnita has served the Messianic Jewish community in Britain for more than four decades. Born in Antigua to a West Indian father and a Jewish mother, she moved to London as an infant and was raised by her Jewish mother, Rose Sternheim (ז״ל), also a Jewish disciple of Yeshua. She studied Theology and Education at King’s College London and has worked as a teacher in secondary schools, special-education settings and Bible colleges.
During the 1980s, Agnita served for six years as an evangelist with the Church’s Ministry among Jewish People, including a year seconded to Jews for Jesus in Los Angeles. She has previously served as Secretary of the BMJA and is currently a trustee and committee member. Her wider ministry has included service as a charity trustee and as Bromley Town Chaplain.
Commenting on her appointment, Agnita said:
“It is a privilege to be asked to serve as President of the BMJA. The Alliance has a long and important history of supporting and encouraging Jewish disciples of Yeshua. I look forward to serving our members, strengthening our fellowship and helping the Alliance remain a faithful witness to Yeshua and to our people.”
Outgoing President Richard Harvey welcomed the appointment:
“I am delighted that my good friend and colleague, Rev. Agnita Oyawale, will be stepping into this important role and responsibility. She understands and loves the Alliance and its members, has a pastor’s heart, a powerful testimony, and a passion for Yeshua and his people.”
Agnita takes up the role as the BMJA seeks to deepen its care for members, support Jewish disciples of Yeshua throughout the United Kingdom, respond to increasing antisemitism and engage a new generation in the life and work of the Alliance.
The BMJA asks its members and friends to pray for Agnita as she undertakes this responsibility during the coming year.
CHAI Summer Edition 2026
NEWS AND ARTICLES
INSIDE THE SUMMER 2026 ISSUE
Page 2: Notice of our AGM! 16 August – hope to see many of you there!
Page 3: BMJA family news – tributes to Joy Sims
Page 6: Report from the first BMJA Zoom Members’ Meeting
Page 7: Report from the International Alliance conference in Mexico
Page 9: Gerry Cohen’s reflection on the subject of Torah Observance
Page 13: Fiona Sorbala’s reflection on the I AM sayings of Jesus
Page 15: New book
Page 16: Report on CMJ UK’s conference
Page 18: A letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury
Page 20: So Great a Cloud of Witnesses: encouragement from Richard Harvey
BMJA: British Messianic Jewish Alliance
Connecting Jewish Believers in Jesus since 1866
BMJA has been serving Yeshua’s disciples for over 150 years – the oldest Messianic organisation still running ! We are an association of Jewish and Gentile Believers who have found the Messiah Yeshua as our Saviour and Lord.
We are found fellowshipping in Messianic fellowships and congregations and in all kinds of Christian churches up and down the UK.We seek to unite Messianic Jews in the bonds of sympathy and prayer and to bear a witness to Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah. We provide mutual support and fellowship for people who would otherwise feel isolated or different. We run regular residential conferences and a day conference, as well as some other events and publishing our own CHAI magazine, several times a year.
As we venture out into the next 150 years and beyond (unless the Lord returns) may we continue to honour and glorify Him who made us and called us to be Jewish and Gentile disciples of the Messiah, one in Him
Report on General Synod
by CMJ Alison davies
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CHAI SPRING 2026
NEWS AND ARTICLES
INSIDE THE SPRING 2026 ISSUE
Page 2: New! Date for your diaries – online meeting for BMJA members!
Page 3: BMJA family news – tributes to Dorothe Kaufmann and Martin Goldsmith
Page 8: Notes from the mission field
Page 9: Hamantaschen in a time of war – a reflection by Richard Harvey
Page 11: New book by Roni Mechanic