Rabbi Roger Ludington Started Churches

Rabbi Roger Ludington was born into a Catholic tradition, reared a nondenominational Christian and ordained a Messianic Jewish rabbi.

His work took him from his native Yakima to Israel, Africa and back before he founded Beth Ha Shofar Messianic Congregation in Tukwila.

"While he was in Jerusalem in 1974, he had a transforming experience with the Lord and felt it was time to return fully to his Jewish roots," said Tom McLeod, pastor of Beth Ha Shofar.

"He incorporated Jewish traditions completely into his services (and) began a deeper walk in his Jewish roots."

Rabbi Ludington died last Wednesday (Sept. 23) of lung cancer. He was 64.

He was raised in Yakima by a daughter of Jewish immigrants who had adopted Catholicism in their native Eastern Europe to avoid persecution.

But his mother, who had converted to Christianity with a Zionist orientation, taught him respect for his Jewish heritage.

After high school he served in the Coast Guard and learned the sheet-metal trade. He also became an ordained minister at age 25.

He founded the Gospel of Peace Tabernacle in Yakima. He ministered in about 35 countries, including in Africa, where he founded Christian congregations that believed in the restoration of Israel as a spiritual and material center for all nations.

He moved part of his congregation to Tukwila in 1968 and turned a Methodist church into a tabernacle.

He eventually shaped the Gospel of Peace Tabernacle into Beth Ha Shofar. It addressed the Messiah by the name "Yeshua," held a Saturday sabbath, worshipped in Hebrew and observed Jewish holidays.

It joined the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations, an international group with 180 synagogues.

And Rabbi Ludington joined the board of the Seattle chapter of the Jewish National Fund.

"He was a wonderful man known and loved by people around the world," said his wife of 25 years, Janice Ludington of Tukwila. "He did a great deal toward the restoration of Israel both spiritually and naturally."

Other survivors include his children, Rick Ludington and Patricia Caldwell, both of Seattle, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His first wife, Bernice Ludington, died in 1960.

A memorial service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Beth Ha Shofar, 13001 37th Ave. S., Tukwila.

Remembrances may go to the Seattle chapter of the Jewish National Fund. For information, call 206-624-8625.

Carole Beers' phone message number is 206-464-2391. Her e-mail address is: cbeers@seattletimes.com