You’re So Fly: Tammy Priest

Jerusalem Calls shares a deeply personal journey of faith. What inspired you to finally put your story into a book, and why did you feel now was the right time to tell it?

People are surprised to learn that I had no intention of sharing my story in Jerusalem Calls! My plan was to write about the history of the three pilgrimage feasts, placing readers in the shoes of the ancient Israelites from the exodus wilderness through Jesus’ last year of earthly ministry. After reviewing my proposal, the acquisitions editor said they loved the book concept, but wanted me to write it from the framework of my own faith story. Honestly, I was a bit nervous about the idea; I often share my story at events, but I didn’t think I was ready to put it out there in print. In retrospect, I’m so glad the publisher asked me to write it this way. It was a special gift to reflect on and share such special memories and moments in my journey, including the restoration of so many precious relationships.

Your book explores the Feasts of Booths, Passover, and Pentecost. Why did you decide to write about those three feasts in particular?

Growing up in American Judaism, I didn’t really think about God’s call for a Jerusalem pilgrimage for each of those feasts. After all, without the Temple standing now, there’s no way to honor the pilgrimage commands. So instead, we celebrate them within our local communities just like we do for all the other Jewish feasts and festivals. But as I grew in my knowledge and understanding of Jesus, I saw that God had a unique purpose in tying these three together. I believe the ancient context of the pilgrimage feasts adds incredible depth and context to Jesus’ words and actions in the Gospels. So I really wanted to help people appreciate the richness of these three Jewish feasts and to help them grow in awe of the Messiah’s words, actions, and intentionality as a result.

You wrote Jerusalem Calls right here at Flywheel Coworking. How did being part of the Flywheel community influence your writing process, and what role did the space play in helping you bring the book to life?

Joining Flywheel was a game-changer for me! I’d been trying to write at home, but I found it impossible to tune out our English bulldog, our daughter’s tabby cat, and my endless to-do list. I tried writing at coffee shops, but I’m much too distractible in that social environment. One of my pastors suggested Flywheel. On the day I came in for my tour, I accomplished more in three hours than I had in the previous couple of weeks. There’s something about walking into a room where everyone is in work mode, even if you’re not technically working together. What I didn’t expect was the genuine friendships here that God brought into my life. Now it’s become a place of productivity, fellowship, and encouragement. I thought I was just renting space, but I gained community, too!

What do you hope readers—whether they come from a Christian background, a Jewish background, or neither—will take away after reading Jerusalem Calls?

I’d love for Christians to be able to place themselves within the New Testament narratives, understanding the Jewish context of these feast moments in the Gospels. This appreciation adds such depth and power to the ‘what, when, and why’ of everything Jesus said and did. For Jewish readers, including my own family and friends, I hope they will learn more about the history of biblical Judaism, as well as the Jewishness of biblical Christianity. But no matter what each reader’s religious background or beliefs happen to be, I think they’ll gain new insights into history, appreciate unique aspects of someone else’s journey, and grow in understanding of other faiths. Jerusalem Calls isn’t about doctrine or institutions; it’s about putting modern people in the shoes of ancient people during pivotal moments in history. So I hope every reader comes away having grown in some way!