Who is Rabbi Eric?

Messianic Rabbi Eric David Lakatos is the founder of Light to the Nations.  He is committed to Messianic Jewish revival, seeing Jewish people discipled as believers in the Messiah; and working to reconcile the Church to its appreciation of its Jewish roots. He also serves as the rabbi of Tikvat Yisrael Messianic Jewish Synagogue in Lyndhurst, on the east side of Cleveland Ohio.  He and his wife Gisela have 5 children and reside in Solon, Ohio. 

Prior to his rabbinical career in ministry and his faith, Rabbi Eric was born and raised in a secular Jewish home in Toledo, Ohio. While the family did not discuss their Jewish background, Eric grew up hearing stories from his grandmother, Lucille (Forman) Lakatos, about his Jewish heritage.  As Rabbi Eric shares: “Lakatos is a Hungarian ethnic name and it means, “locksmith”. My grandfather was born in Budapest. Our Jewish lineage was kept mostly quiet growing up, that is until I came to believe in Yeshua, and then my Jewish heritage took on a whole new meaning for me and my family.”

At age 18, Eric was first introduced to the Good News of the Messiah, Jesus and received his faith in Him.  Afterwards, he began his biblical studies at Southwestern AG University, and the IAMCS Yeshiva, he also carries a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  In 1997, he became the rabbi of Adat Adonai Messianic Jewish Synagogue in Toledo, Ohio, and was licensed by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS) and served there for 5 years.  He later relocated to Cincinnati, and attended Beth Messiah Messianic Synagogue, and studied under Rabbi Michael Wolf who himself was a disciple of Martin Chernoff, who is considered a Pioneer and founder of Beth Messiah and of the modern Messianic Jewish Movement in America. 

In 2008, Rabbi Eric became the leader of Tikvat Yisrael Messianic Synagogue and in 2010, he launched “Light to the Nations” a teaching ministry to all believers sharing the Good News of Messiah, the Jewish Roots of the Faith and the Restoration of Israel.