Returning to the Rooted Way
Finding the truth of the Word in a world of tradition.
Somewhere along the way, modern Christianity drifted away from the foundation of the scriptures, replacing the clear instructions of our Creator with man-made traditions. We see it in how the biblical Sabbath was moved to Sunday, or how holidays with no scriptural basis have replaced the holy days established in the Word. These traditions take root and intertwine with false teachings, forming a religion that is at odds with the very Scripture it claims to follow.
We believe it’s time to get back to the basics. Our goal isn’t to follow a new denomination, but to get to know our Creator, Yahuah/Yahweh (God), and our Lord and Savior, Yeshua (Jesus), through a sincere and honest study of the Word. We want to see the scriptures for what they actually say, not what we’ve been told they say.
At the heart of this journey is what we call the middle path. For a long time, people have been told they have to choose between law and grace, but in the Bible, these two aren’t enemies. We believe that salvation is a free gift received by faith in Yeshua, but that faith is meant to transform us. Yeshua didn’t come to throw out the Father’s instructions (Torah); he came to show us how to live them out perfectly. Walking the middle path means rejecting the idea that the law is a burden or a way to earn love, while also rejecting the idea that we can just live however we want. It’s about a heart that has been changed by the Holy Spirit to actually desire obedience. It’s a response of love to the one who saved us.
We don’t claim to be the gatekeepers of the truth or have every answer figured out. Instead, we see ourselves as seekers and decipherers. We aren’t interested in religious arguments for the sake of being right, but we are interested in exploring different perspectives, historical facts, and linguistic studies to refine our understanding. We believe that iron sharpens iron. By looking at different opinions and testing them against the Word, we can filter out the noise and find the core truth that was intended for us from the beginning. Whether you are a scholar or just someone who feels like there’s more to the story, we are all walking this path together.
What We Believe – Our Foundation
Everything starts with the gift of salvation. We believe that we are all in need of redemption, and that redemption is a free gift from the Father, Yahuah/Yahweh. We can’t earn it, and we don’t deserve it, but He offers it to us anyway through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, Yeshua (Jesus). Yeshua is the only way back to the Father. He died for our sins to bridge a gap we couldn’t cross on our own. Because of what He did, we now have direct access to talk to the Father in His name. He is our Mediator, the one who stands in the gap for us. It is by faith in Him that we are made right with the Most High.
We believe that Yahuah is One. You won’t find us teaching the traditional “trinity” doctrine here because we believe it’s a man-made attempt to explain something the Bible keeps much simpler. Yahuah is the Father, the Most High, and the Creator of all things. Yeshua is His unique Son. He existed before the world was even made, and everything was created through Him. While Yeshua is distinct from the Father, He shares the Father’s essence. He was the “Word made flesh”, perfectly divine and yet truly a man. He walked this earth to show us exactly what the Father is like and to set the standard for how we should live.
Following the Messiah isn’t just about changing your mind; it’s about a total life transformation. We believe that when you put your trust in Yeshua, the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) begins to work inside you. The Spirit isn’t a separate person, but the very power and breath of the Father. This power is what changes our hearts. It takes those old, selfish desires and replaces them with a genuine love for the Father’s ways. We don’t believe that living righteously is an impossible dream. If the Spirit lives in you, He gives you the strength to overcome the things that used to hold you back, and empowers you to live a life that actually honors the Most High.
We take the Bible seriously. We believe that the Old and New Testaments are the inspired instructions for our lives. Instead of just taking someone’s word for what a verse means, we like to roll up our sleeves and look at the history, the culture, and the original languages. We want to find the most accurate truth possible, even if it means moving past traditions that have been handed down for centuries.
Walking the Path of Obedience
For us, the Torah (the Law) isn’t a list of burdens or a way to earn salvation. It’s simply the Father’s instruction manual for how to live a blessed life.
- We keep the 7th-day Sabbath (Saturday) because the Father set it apart as a day of rest from the very beginning.
- We follow the Dietary Instructions (Leviticus 11) because we believe the Father knows what’s best for the bodies He created.
- We celebrate the Holy Days (the Feasts) because they are appointments the Father made to meet with His people and teach us about His plan for the world.
While we do teach obedience to Torah, we shouldn’t judge one another over the smaller things, like whether we wear tassels or how rigidly one must follow certain laws. We focus on the heart and the weighty matters like love, justice, and mercy. That doesn’t mean we neglect the teachings or gloss over how we are called to live by Yahuah. We remember the grace and patience the Father showed us as he called us to obedience, and then we show that same grace and mercy to our brothers and sisters as they walk out their faith. We encourage one another to walk in perfect obedience and we share in the mercy and grace of our beloved Lord and Savior Yeshua.
We believe that anyone who follows Yeshua is grafted into the family of Yashar’el (Israel). It doesn’t matter where you come from or what your background is; if you belong to the Messiah, you are part of the Father’s chosen people. We are looking forward to the day when Yeshua returns to this earth to set things right. He isn’t going to take us away to a city in the clouds; He’s coming back to rule right here on a New Earth. Those who have rejected the Truth will face a second death (a total end to their existence) but those who remain faithful will get to live and work in a Kingdom that will never end.
We aren’t interested in being an exclusive club or acting like we’re the only ones with the truth. We believe there are people of sincere faith in many different groups, and we want to cooperate with anyone who is honestly seeking the Messiah. Let’s break bread together and talk about scripture, comfort and encourage one another when there is need, share in our joy and our struggles as a community. We started this organization out of a calling to teach but also because we long for a community to fellowship with. We hope to create a place where we can celebrate Yah’s Holy Days together, to worship in spirit and truth, and to grow with one another on this path we call life.
How We Work: Governance & Outreach
If you’re going to build something that lasts, you have to start with a solid foundation. In a time when many people have lost trust in organizations, we want to be as clear and honest as possible about how The Rooted Way Assembly operates. We don’t view this work as something we own; we view it as a stewardship, a responsibility we have to manage with the highest level of excellence for the Father and for the community. The Almighty gives us the ability to achieve everything he sets before us. His Holy Spirit should be matched by an equal amount of order and preparation. We haven’t just started a website, we have spent months building a complete system of organizational governance and operation to ensure that when we launch, we do it right. Our internal “blueprint” includes a massive library of documentation that dictates how we function, including:
Organizational Governance: Clear Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that define exactly how the Assembly is structured and held accountable.
Operational Standards: A Policies and Procedures Manual that covers everything from day-to-day management to the specific requirements for our services.
Integrity Protections: Strict Conflict of Interest Policies and Board Requirements to ensure that every decision is made for the right reasons.
Benevolence & Outreach Systems: Fully drafted Benevolence Fund Policies, Assessment Forms, and Grant Review structures so that when we give, we are doing it fairly, legally, and strategically.
The mission of our organization is never dependent on just one person’s opinion; it’s built on a rock of consistent, documented order. We are currently filling our Board of Directors, being careful to find the right people to help lead and grow this work. We aren’t looking for titles or prestige; we’re looking for men and women of high character who have a real world understanding of the mission. Our goal is to have a group of trustees who provide the oversight and accountability needed to keep the Assembly focused and healthy. This accountability extends to every dollar we receive. We believe that tithes and offerings are set apart for the mission, and we have a strict no-profit rule for our leadership. While the ministry will eventually provide fair compensation for those who labor in the work, our first priority is always the mission, never personal gain. We keep our books open and maintain full financial records because we believe that true light doesn’t hide behind closed doors.
While we respect the laws of our state and country, our ultimate authority is the Word of Yahuah (Yahweh). This means we hold ourselves to a higher standard than what is simply “legal.” We’ve established clear guidelines for how we handle disagreements or conflicts, ensuring that our focus stays on the Truth and the mission, rather than getting distracted by personal drama. By following the standard set by Yeshua (Jesus), we aim to be an organization that handles its affairs with maturity, wisdom, and a deep respect for everyone involved.
Mission Status: Planning & Formation > The programs described below represent our roadmap for work in the Rogue Valley. We are currently laying the foundation to make sure these services are handled with excellence. While we aren’t in physical operation yet, we are actively preparing for the work ahead.
Digital Curation: We are building a library of deep-dive resources to help independent seekers study the Bible with honesty. We want to provide the tools—like manuscript comparisons and word-for-word translations—that help you see the “Rooted Way” for yourself.
Physical Restoration: At The Rooted Way Assembly, we believe that faith isn’t just something you talk about, it’s something you do. In the Bible, Yeshua spoke about justice, mercy, and faith. For us, that means showing up for the people in the Rogue Valley who have been forgotten. There are already some great organizations in Southern Oregon doing hard work. We aren’t here to compete with them. Instead, we see ourselves as a bridge. When we meet people on the street, we carry more than just supplies; we carry information. Whether it’s a tip on how to find a meal at the Recovery Café or help navigating a shuttle through Jackson Care, we want to make sure people find the long term help they need. We also believe in being good neighbors, which is why we intend to coordinate with local city municipalities and law enforcement to make sure our work is helpful and focused where it’s needed most.
Our hands on work starts with the basics. We focus on distributing high quality pre-packaged food, clean water, and hygiene kits. We also try to keep up with the Oregon weather passing out socks and hand-warmers in the winter or cooling towels when the summer heat hits. Eventually, we want to grow into a program where we can host regular community cookouts or run a free food truck, providing hot, healthy meals to our neighbors.
The Heart of the Mission Everything we do is built on the Truth. We’ve found that many people have been taught a version of Christianity that is more about emotion than the Bible. It leaves out the need for real change and an understanding of Yahuah’s/Yahweh’s instructions for living. We are here to help people find their way back to a path of genuine transformation made possible by the Holy Spirit. Our help never comes with strings attached, but we are always ready to walk alongside anyone who is ready to follow the Messiah.