History

Our ministry was founded in 1948 by Charles Halff, a young Jewish man from San Antonio, Texas, who became a believer in Jesus as his Messiah and Savior. The Halffs had long been prominent in the local Jewish community, and Charles’ confession of faith in Jesus caused quite a commotion within his family. The story is recounted in detail in his biography entitled What It Costs a Jew to Become a Christian.

The late Dr. Charles Feinberg of Dallas Theological Seminary took an interest in Charles Halff’s early ministry and encouraged him to go on the radio. Thus, "The Christian Jew Hour" (Charles’ popular radio program) became the first official name of the organization. In the mid-1950s, we were incorporated as “The Christian Jew Foundation.” Dr. Halff was assisted by a number of able and distinguished associates from the 1950s to the 1990s, that included Wayne Carver, Al Runge, A.H. Barbee, Woodrow Kroll, Arnold Fruchtenbaum. Several of these men went on to head their own ministries when they left San Antonio.

In 1988, Dr. Halff asked his longtime friend, Gary Hedrick, a pastor in Eureka, Illinois, to move to San Antonio and assume the presidency of the ministry.

Later, the name of the radio program was changed to "Messianic Perspectives" and the organization became known as “CJF Ministries.” Dr. Halff went home to Heaven in November 2000, and the ministry continues today under the leadership of his successor, Dr. Gary Hedrick.