Rev. Kevin Parviz is the Executive Director of Luthrans in Jewish Evangelism (LIJE) and Pastor of Congregation Chai v’Shalom, a Messianic-Lutheran congregation of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS).
LIJE is a Recognized Service Organization of the LC--MS, founded in 1982 by the Rev. Bruce Lieske, and served for much of its history in the Florida/Georgia District. In May of 2005, LIJE moved its offices to St. Louis, and continues to provide and promote direct evangelism to Jewish communities in the United States, and to educate the church body regarding the need for evangelism and the richness of the Jewish roots of Christianity. LIJE currently operates three branches, LIJE-Michigan, LIJE-Central Florida, and LIJE-StL, with plans to plant new branches in South Florida, Tampa, Atlanta, and Cincinnati during the next few years.
Kevin, a Jewish believer in Jesus, came to faith through the ministry of St. John’s Lutheran Church and School in Denver, Colorado. As the father of a child in a Lutheran school, he found an unusual love for the Christian teachers, parents and children who witnessed their faith to him so sincerely. Through the faithful prayers of his wife and daughter, and the patience of the pastors and members of St. John’s, Kevin’s heart was softened and he was brought to faith through the Holy Spirit.
His love for the school led him to eventually become a teacher there. Kevin spent two years as the school principal and then, Kevin entered Concordia Seminary, St. Louis to study for the pastoral ministry. It was there that Kevin began to realize the direction that God was leading, as he helped to begin the Apple of His Eye Mission Society, another mission of the LC--MS, in 1996.
Kevin was chosen as the first student to enter a new track for cross-cultural ministry. After completed his academic study, Kevin attended the Church Planters’ Institute in Irvine, CA, and became the first certified church planter for the Missouri District in 1998. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in 1998, and with the help of God, has planted a model Lutheran Messianic Congregation in the St. Louis area. Congregation Chai V’Shalom (Life and Peace) enjoyed its inaugural service on April 18, 1998, and meets on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. at 6327 Clayton Ave., in Dogtown, St. Louis.
Kevin also works at Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis, and has authored several articles for publication. Additionally, he is a contributing author to the devotional, The Best Loved Passages of the Bible, as well as to Concordia Pulpit Resources, the “Tell the Good News About Jesus” project, and has authored a LifeLight Bible Study called Bible Feasts, all for CPH. He authored the 2000 Lenten Devotional Ponder the Path... the 2001 Advent Devotional Amen, Come Lord Jesus, and has written for the online “Equipping Newletter,” all for Lutheran Hour Ministries, has written for the synodical publication “Evangelgram,” and has served Concordia Lutheran Church in Kirkwood, MO as an interim youth minister, has served on the Board of Directors for Concordia Gospel Outreach, the Board of Congregational Services representing the Task Force on Witnessing to the Jewish People, has chaired the Committee for Curriculum Development for Missionaries and Evangelists to the Jewish People through the task force, and has served on the planning committee for the New Directions in Mission Leadership Conference. He is also finishing up his Ph.D. in Practical Theology through Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. Since 1997, Rev. Parviz has preached and taught in over 200 churches in 4 countries.
Kevin and Colleen have been married for 26 years and have four children, Courtney, Rachel, Benjamin and Joshua. They also have a new son-in-law, Courtney’s husband Mark.
Wherever Kevin gives a presentation, he hopes that those in the church will take the initiative to invite their Jewish friends to come and consider Jesus from a Jewish perspective. A free-will offering will be received for the ongoing missionary work of Lutherans In Jewish Evangelism.
Kevin can be reached at Lutherans In Jewish Evangelism, 6327 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63139. His phone number is (314) 645-4456. He may also be reached via e-mail at revkevye@lije.org.
You are invited to correspond with him about Jewish people and evangelism.