Unity Church
of Hilton Head Island
REV.JUSTIN EPSTEIN
 |
Rev. Justin Epstein |
Raised Jewish, Justin attended Hebrew School through the sixth grade and received Bar Mitzvah in an orthodox temple. Though many seeds for the spiritual journey were planted growing up, it was as a freshman at James Madison University that Justin began to read and attend lectures by such people as Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller, Swami Satchidananda, Dr. Maxwell Maltz, Wayne Dyer, Brian Tracy, Anthony Robbins, Unity authors and others.
Fascinated with the spiritual path and natural talent in communication, Justin graduated Magna Cum Laude in Communications and Religion-philosophy, from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he also received the Religion Award and Warren Hobbie scholarship as “The Person Most Likely to Make a Difference Through Organized Religion.”
In 1993, Justin became one of the youngest ordained ministers in the history of Unity. He has served as an assistant minister at Christ Church Unity in Kansas City and Unity Church of Tidewater in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Inspired by the teachings of revered yogi sage Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic Autobiography of a Yogi, Justin lived, worked and studied for three years at Ananda Village, one of the world’s most successful yoga-meditation retreats and spiritual communities. There, Justin became a licensed Ananda yoga instructor and also began speaking in Unity, Religious Science and other New Thought churches throughout Northern California.
In 1999, Justin was hired as the Associate Minister to Eric Butterworth, prolific author and spiritual mentor to many such as Dr. Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey. Justin had the rare opportunity of befriending Eric and having many private conversations with him on a variety of topics, including golf! Justin spoke at Lincoln Center 140 times, sharing the stage with such notables as Dr. Maya Angelou, Marianne Williamson, Les Brown and others. While in Manhattan, Justin graduated from the American Comedy Institute and performed in comedy clubs throughout New York City.
In September 2004, Justin moved to paradise after being hired as the Senior minister of the Unity Church of Hilton Head Island and has been enjoying the people, the beauty and the golf ever since.
Justin’s column “Practical Spirituality” has been featured bi-monthly in The Bluffton Today since 2004. He is a frequent speaker for local groups, corporations and conferences on spiritual and non-spiritual subjects. Justin’s background of Judaism, Christianity, Yoga philosophy and personal development studies are evident in his Sunday messages and services.
Suggested Reading
"Discover the Power Within You" by Eric Butterworth
"Unity: A Quest for Truth" by Eric Butterworth
"Lessons in Truth" by Emilie Cady
"Autobiography of a Yogi" by Paramhansa Yogananda (1st Edition)
"Man’s Eternal Quest" by Paramhansa Yogananda
"Superconsciousness: A Guide to Meditation" by J. Donald Walters
"To Know Your Self" by Swami Satchidananda
Unity Church of Hilton Head
The Quality Inn
200 Museum Street
Hilton Head Island, SC 29926
Phone: 843-842-8300
Emergency: 843-298-2785
E-mail: unitychurch@hargray.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 22945, HHI, SC 29925-2945