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The gospel outline most of us learned jumps from creation straight to Jesus in the New Testament. Our kids inherit the missing storyline in the Bible and it shapes how they see Israel.On this episode of Covenant & Conflict, Nic sits down with his wife Tabatha, who holds a master’s in practical theology with a concentration in the land of the Bible. Their advice for parents starts before any theology: bring your kids into the story of Scripture, where Abraham’s family is at the center, Jesus was and still is Jewish, and Jewish people brought the gospel to us. They also name the small habits that keep the blind spot alive, like calling it the “Old” Testament.What we cover in this episode:• What a 14-year-old is hearing from classmates at a Christian schoolIsrael and the nations, and why we are the nations• The family language the Bible uses and the institutional language we use• Jeremiah 31, Romans 11, Ephesians 3, and Psalm 83 to read together• What “Zionist” and “Israel” mean when your kids hear them at school• Staying caring, curious, and committed to God’s word in the conversation00:00 Identity is formed in the story01:18 Meet Tabatha and why this conversation matters09:11 Start with Israel and the nations14:33 The blind spot we pass down28:01 Scriptures to read with your kids45:41 What “Zionist” and “Israel” actually mean52:43 Closing thoughts and prayer

In 1999, Wayne Wilks had a vision in a Budapest hotel room. Seventeen years later, on a balcony in that same city, he had another one... and it became Gateway Center for Israel. Nic Lesmeister sits down with Wayne to trace the whole story: an altar in Amarillo where a missions call turned into a lifelong love for the Jewish people, a festival in Odessa that filled a new Bible institute with purpose, and a moment in Ethiopia that quietly pointed toward who'd carry it all forward. They walk through decades of open doors, prophetic words, and one visa that cleared as the plane was boarding. What we cover in this episode: Wayne's 1982 altar moment in Amarillo and the Ezekiel study that reframed "to the Jew first"The 1996 Odessa festival and the Isaiah 37 visa storyEthiopia's ancient Jewish community and Zimbabwe's Lemba tribeThe Ethiopia courtyard moment that pointed toward NickThe Budapest balcony vision and the founding of Gateway Center for Israel Chapters 0:00 Why Israel Is Key to Reaching the Nations4:54 Wayne’s Call to Missions9:31 A New Revelation About Israel16:52 The Calling That Led to Ukraine32:17 A Life-Changing Encounter in Ethiopia48:47 The Birth of Gateway Center for Israel59:03 What’s Next for the Church and Israel

"If you walk out those doors, you're not coming back home." She walked out anyway, and that was only the beginning. On Covenant and Conflict, Trysten Tice tells David how a secular Jewish teenager from South Florida ended up asked to leave home for believing in Jesus, and what it cost her to keep going. She traces the years of persecution, the questions across the kitchen table, and the slow way her own family's hearts began to turn. What we cover in this episode: • Growing up culturally Reform Jewish, with faith as identity rather than belief • The church service where she wept and couldn't explain why • Praying "if Jesus is the truth, answer me" and watching her desires change • Being told to leave home, and the friends who took her in • Canceling her own baptism to honor her mother, then baptized in the Jordan River Chapters 00:00 From Jewish to Following Jesus 01:55 Growing Up Jewish Without Knowing God 04:20 The Church Service That Changed Everything 09:41 How Reading the Bible Changed My Life 13:54 Kicked Out for Following Jesus 20:25 Baptized in the Jordan River 26:39 How My Entire Family Found Jesus

Does God still have a covenant with Israel? Is the Church the "new Israel"? And is every Christian who supports Israel automatically a dispensationalist?In this episode of the Covenant & Conflict Podcast, Nicholas Lesmeister and David unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in modern Christian theology. They explain what dispensational theology actually teaches, how it differs from Olive Tree theology, and why these distinctions matter for understanding Scripture.The conversation also explores the resurgence of antisemitism after October 7, the relationship between Israel and the Church, Romans 11, replacement theology, and why the Bible's story doesn't end with Israel being replaced—it ends with all nations being grafted into God's redemptive plan through Jesus.Whether you've wrestled with covenant theology, end-times prophecy, or simply want a more biblical framework for understanding Israel, this episode offers a thoughtful, nuanced conversation rooted in Scripture.Chapters:00:00 The Israel Test02:06 Why Antisemitism Is Rising Again15:07 What Is Dispensational Theology?26:26 Does God Still Have a Covenant with Israel?39:30 The Israel Test Explained43:45 Why Israel Changes Everything53:48 Why This Conversation Matters

What if joy wasn’t the absence of pain, but something deeper, stronger, and always available? In this powerful episode of Covenant & Conflict, David Blease sits down with author and missionary Bonnie Saul Wilkes to explore a lifetime journey of calling, sacrifice, and discovering what true joy really is. From growing up with a Jewish last name in a Christian home… to encountering antisemitism that sparked a lifelong calling… to living on a kibbutz in Israel and eventually moving to the former Soviet Union to disciple thousands. Bonnie’s story is marked by bold obedience and unexpected turns. But what stands out most isn’t just the mission… it’s the joy she found along the way. In this conversation, Bonnie unpacks: Why joy is not the same as happinessHow joy can coexist with suffering, loss, and uncertaintyThe difference between joy, peace, and pleasureWhy gratitude is one of the most powerful spiritual practicesAnd how God leads us into joy through obedience, not comfortEven through cancer diagnoses in her family, hardship in missions, and seasons of deep pain, she discovered that joy isn’t something you stumble into… It’s something you walk into. Her new book, A Roadmap to Joy, is the result of decades of journaling, poetry, and real-life encounters with God, and every story somehow leads back to one truth: Joy is always available in His presence. Watch now and discover what it means to walk the pathway of joy. 00:00 – Intro: A Life Marked by Calling 02:15 – From Antisemitism to a Calling for the Jewish People 08:00 – Leaving Everything for the Nations (Soviet Union Missions) 13:11 – The Unexpected Theme: Why Every Story Led to Joy 19:50 – Joy vs Happiness: What Most People Get Wrong 30:55 – The Counterfeits of Joy (Pleasure, Success, Isolation) 35:15 – Joy vs Peace: How to “Soar Over the Chaos” 41:10 – A Final Prayer: Walking the Pathway of Joy

What happens when a Jewish man finds Yeshua, but refuses to stop being Jewish? In this powerful episode of Covenant & Conflict, we sit down again with Rocket Rudolph, a Torah-observant Jewish follower of Jesus, to wrestle through one of the most misunderstood tensions in Christianity: Can you follow Jesus and still remain Jewish?What does “Torah observant” actually mean today?Did the early Church unintentionally create division in Acts 15?And why does the word “Christ” feel complicated for many Jewish followers of Yeshua.This conversation goes far beyond theology, it’s about identity, calling, and the deeper story most believers have never been told. From the meaning of Israel (“to wrestle with God”) to the real implications of Torah, exile, and Messiah, this episode challenges both Gentile Christians and Jewish believers to rethink what faithfulness really looks like. Along the way, we unpack: Why being “chosen” might not mean what you thinkThe difference between Jewish and Greek ways of thinkingHow the gospel is often told… and what’s missingWhy antisemitism is ultimately a spiritual issueAnd what it really means to live “through” Messiah 00:00 – Intro: The Jewish Wrestle Begins Again02:15 – What Does It Mean to Be “Chosen”? (It’s Not What You Think)08:10 – Torah Observance: Law, Identity, or Something Deeper?15:30 – Acts 15: The Decision That Changed Everything24:50 – “Christ” vs “Messiah”: Did Translation Shift Theology?34:10 – Why Antisemitism Is More Than Political (It’s Spiritual)45:20 – The Gospel We Preach vs The Gospel in Scripture55:00 – Final Thought: Don’t Stop Wrestling

In this long-awaited episode of Covenant & Conflict, we sit down with international lawyer Andrew Tucker to unpack one of the most misunderstood and controversial topics in the world today: Israel and international law.From accusations of genocide to debates over occupation, settlements, and the United Nations, this conversation brings clarity to the legal language dominating headlines and social media.If you’ve ever wondered: What international law actually isWhether Israel is committing genocideWhy the UN constantly targets IsraelWhat “occupation” and “settlements” really meanOr how the modern conflict connects to biblical themes…this episode will help you think clearly and respond intelligently.Andrew Tucker serves with a legal think tank focused on Israel and international law, advising at the highest levels—including the UN. He brings both legal expertise and a deep understanding of the spiritual and historical dimensions behind the conflict.This is not just a political conversation. It’s about truth, clarity, and understanding one of the most important issues of our time.⸻Chapters00:00 – Why Israel Is So Controversial Right Now00:02:10 – Biblical vs Political Israel: Why It’s So Complex00:13:52 – What Is “International Law” (Really)?00:24:59 – Are Israeli Settlements Illegal?00:45:19 – What Is Genocide? (Legal Definition Explained)00:50:54 – Is Israel Committing Genocide in Gaza?01:03:59 – Who Owns the West Bank? (Legal Breakdown)01:06:04 – Why a Two-State Solution Keeps Failing

What should Christians really believe about Islam, and why does it matter right now?In this powerful and unfiltered episode of Covenant & Conflict, we sit down with Nathaniel Buzolic (Nate Buzz) to explore one of the most important and misunderstood topics in the Church today: Islam, Christianity, and the truth about Jesus (Yeshua).This conversation goes far beyond headlines. We dive into the theological foundations of Islam, how it compares to the Bible, and why so many believers feel unprepared to engage with it. From the identity of Jesus to the story of Israel, from history to modern conflict, this episode challenges Christians to think clearly, biblically, and courageously in a cultural moment filled with confusion.At the heart of this discussion is a deeper question: is this simply a difference of religion, or is there a much bigger spiritual reality unfolding? As Nate shares from personal experience and study, the conversation reveals why understanding Islam is not optional for the modern believer; it’s essential.“This is not just political… this is a spiritual battle.”Our heart in this episode is not to attack people, but to pursue truth. We believe real love requires clarity, and real clarity leads us back to the person of Jesus and the story God is telling through Israel and the nations.If you’ve ever wrestled with questions like What does Islam actually teach? How is Jesus viewed in Islam vs the Bible? How should Christians respond?—This episode will challenge, equip, and stretch you.00:00 Introduction: Why Christians Must Understand Islam02:05 Meet Nathaniel Buzolic (Nate Buzz)05:30 Israel, Suffering, and Rising Global Tensions12:10 Christianity: Religion or Jewish Movement?20:15 What Islam Teaches vs. What People Assume32:40 Jesus (Yeshua) in the Bible vs Islam48:55 End Times, Spiritual Battle, and What’s Coming1:05:10 How Christians Should Respond with Truth & LoveSubscribe for more conversations on Israel, theology, and the intersection of ancient truth and modern conflict.

In this powerful episode of the Covenant & Conflict Podcast, we sit down with Joshua Aaron to unpack one of the most complex and misunderstood topics in the Church today: the relationship between Judaism, Christianity, and the identity of Israel. Joshua shares his deeply personal story. He grew up between Orthodox Judaism and Christianity, encountered Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah, and now lives in the tension as a Messianic Jewish believer. From Holocaust family history to a miraculous reunion decades later, to raising children in Israel during war, this conversation is raw, emotional, and incredibly timely. We also address some of the hardest questions believers are asking right now. Has the Church replaced Israel?What is replacement theology, and is it biblical?Why is antisemitism rising again, even among Christians?How should believers view modern Israel?What does Scripture actually say about Israel’s future?This episode brings clarity, historical perspective, and a Spirit-led call to discern truth in a confusing cultural moment.If you have wrestled with Israel, the Church, or your theology around both, this conversation is for you. Video from Joshua Aaron's YouTube of his mother reuniting with her brother: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo_4BWkItRg Topics Covered Messianic JudaismReplacement theology explainedJewish identity and the gospelAntisemitism in the ChurchJewish believers in JesusFaith in the middle of war

What happens when an Ethiopian Jewish man, raised in deep tradition, encounters Yeshua (Jesus) in a dream that changes everything? In this powerful episode of Covenant & Conflict, we sit down with David Safafa, an Ethiopian Jewish believer and leader in Israel, as he shares his incredible journey from growing up in a remote Jewish community in Gonder, Ethiopia, to immigrating to Israel during Operation Moses, and ultimately discovering the Messiah. This is more than a story… It's a testimony of identity, sacrifice, calling, and revival in Israel today. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Life as an Ethiopian Jew before modern connection to global JudaismThe shocking discovery of Jewish identity connections through DNAThe journey to Israel during Operation MosesA life-changing dream encounter with YeshuaThe cost of following Messiah — rejection, loss, and perseveranceThe birth of the Beresheet Congregation — the first Hebrew-speaking Ethiopian Messianic communityA growing revival among young people in IsraelWhy believers around the world need to pray for Israel right nowWhy This Story MattersGod is moving in Israel. From Ethiopian Jews to native-born Israelis, there is a rising hunger for truth and identity in the Messiah. David's story is a glimpse into a larger movement that connects the Jewish roots of the faith, the restoration of Israel, and the global Body of Messiah. If you care about: IsraelEnd times prophecyThe Jewish roots of ChristianityRevival among the nations…this episode is for you. 00:00 Introduction – Ethiopian Jewish Believer from Israel03:47 Growing Up Jewish in Ethiopia06:53 Journey to Israel – Operation Moses & Aliyah Story10:12 Encountering Yeshua in a Dream (Radical Transformation)14:50 The Cost of Following Messiah (Rejection & Faith)16:08 Calling & Launching a Congregation in Israel24:04 A Hebrew-Speaking Revival Among Young Israelis26:48 What God Is Doing in Israel Right Now (End Times)30:11 How to Pray for Israel & Stand with the Body of Messiah Get InvolvedDavid and the Beresheet Congregation are seeing a real revival in Israel, especially among the next generation. Pray for: Strength for leadersUnity among Jewish and Gentile believersContinued openness to the Gospel in IsraelStand with Israel. Stand with the Body of Messiah. Subscribe for MoreIf you're passionate about: Biblical truth in modern issuesIsrael and the ChurchReal conversations that matterSubscribe to Covenant & Conflict and join the conversation.

What did Yeshua actually say must happen before His return, and what does that mean for how we live right now? In this episode of Covenant & Conflict, David Blease sits down with Ben Juster (President of a network of Messianic Jewish congregations through Tikkun America) for a deeply practical, Scripture-grounded conversation on Israel, the End Times, and the return of Jesus without date-setting, fear, or internet conspiracy vibes. You’ll hear why end-times teaching can become a “minefield,” what Matthew 24:14 means for the global mission, why Jerusalem and the Jewish people still matter in God’s covenant plan, and how preparing for the return of Yeshua looks less like panic and more like holiness, godliness, unity, gospel witness, and enduring suffering with hope. This one is for anyone who’s asked: Are we in the “season” of Yeshua’s return?What role does Israel play in the last days?Why does the Bible still speak of Israel and the nations together?How should believers respond to rising antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment?Does my end-times framework change how I live?Resources mentioned Israel, the Church, and the Last Days (Asher Intrater & Dan Juster)Tikkun America / Tikkun Global (see links below)Connect with Ben / Tikkun Tikkun America: tikkunamerica.orgTikkun Global: tikkunglobal.orgIf this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who’s confused about Revelation, and drop a comment: What’s the most practical takeaway you’ve heard about the End Times? Chapters 00:00 — Welcome + Why End Times Conversations Get Heated00:31 — Who Ben Juster Is + Messianic Judaism’s Modern Roots04:19 — Avoiding Fear & Date-Setting: Where to Start Biblically06:44 — Matthew 24:14 + The Gospel to Every Nation10:44 — Jesus Says “You Will Not See Me Again Until…” + Israel’s Role21:29 — How to Prepare for Yeshua’s Return: Holiness vs Godliness44:31 — Antisemitism, Replacement Theology, and Standing with Israel

Are modern Christians missing the gift of the Sabbath? In a world addicted to productivity, burnout, and constant noise, what if the Fourth Commandment isn’t a burden, but an invitation? In this episode of Covenant & Conflict, we sit down with Michael Hirsh, author of Pressing Pause: A Guide to Sabbath Rest for Modern Believers, to explore how rediscovering Shabbat transformed his faith, marriage, and ministry. Michael shares his radical conversion story from growing up without faith in Michigan to leaving the dream of baseball behind to pursue Jesus. But the real turning point came years later in Jerusalem, during a Shabbat dinner that he describes as a “Damascus moment.” What he discovered about the command to “Remember the Sabbath” changed everything. This episode unpacks: What the Fourth Commandment really meansWhy Sabbath is not legalismThe burnout epidemic in modern ChristianityHow Shabbat restores identity and communion with GodPractical steps to start observing Sabbath todayIf you are a pastor, leader, high achiever, or simply exhausted… this conversation may be exactly what your soul needs.

What is the theological foundation of the Messianic Jewish movement? Should Jewish believers in Jesus remain Jewish? And why does replacement theology continue to distort how the Church reads Scripture? In this deeply important conversation, Preston Benjamin sits down with Dr. Dan Juster, founding member of numerous Messianic Jewish assemblies, unions, and congregations. Today, we explore the history, theology, and future of the Messianic Jewish Movement. Drawing from decades of leadership and scholarship, Dr. Juster shares his personal journey from training as a Presbyterian pastor to helping pioneer the modern Messianic Jewish movement. What began as scholarly research into early Jewish faith within the Church became a lifelong conviction that Jewish followers of Yeshua are called to maintain their Jewish identity and covenantal responsibility within the New Covenant. We discuss: The historical roots of Messianic JudaismWhy Jewish believers in Jesus are called to live as Jews• The founding vision behind the UMJC in 1979What “Jewish life in a concrete historical community” truly meansThe principle of mutual blessing between Jews and GentilesThe theological dangers of the One Law movementThe global effort to repudiate replacement theologyPractical steps churches can take to align with God’s covenant purposes for IsraelDr. Juster makes a compelling biblical case that the Messianic Jewish movement is not a fringe expression of Christianity but a necessary restoration within the body of Messiah. He argues that Jewish continuity in Yeshua is essential to God’s redemptive plan and that the Church must move beyond supersessionism to faithfully understand Scripture. If you care about Israel, covenant theology, Jewish identity in Christ, or the future relationship between the Church and the Jewish people, this episode will challenge and equip you.This is not merely a historical discussion. It is a conversation about God’s ongoing covenant faithfulness and what obedience looks like today. Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of theology, Israel, and the Church. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:• https://instagram.com/CenterForIsrael• https://www.facebook.com/CenterForIsrael• https://twitter.com/CenterForIsrael• https://www.linkedin.com/company/gateway-center-for-israelLEARNING RESOURCES:• Getting Started — Israel 101: https://centerforisrael.com/getting-started• Israel Prayer Guide: https://centerforisrael.com/israel-prayer-guide• Perspective Papers: https://centerforisrael.com/papers

In this powerful conversation, David Blease sits down with Nathaniel Buzolic (known to many as “Nate Buzz”) to trace his extraordinary journey from Hollywood fame to radical faith, and from personal brokenness to becoming one of the most outspoken Christian advocates for Israel today. After moving to the United States in his early twenties, years of rejection in Hollywood finally led to a breakout role on The Vampire Diaries, but success did not bring peace. Choosing to follow Jesus publicly strained his career, complicated relationships on set, and forced him to confront what it truly means to surrender everything to God. After experiencing deep betrayal and heartache, Nathaniel desired to give up on life, left Hollywood, and traveled to Iraq during the Syrian civil war, volunteering with humanitarian efforts on the ground. In a moment of total surrender, he gave his life fully to God, leading him to read the entire Bible in 28 days and igniting a life-altering calling tied directly to Israel. Since then, Nathaniel has led countless believers through the Holy Land, helping Christians understand the Jewish foundations of their faith. After the October 7 Hamas attacks, he returned to Israel to document survivor stories, stand with the Jewish people, and speak truth in the midst of global confusion. In May 2024, Nathaniel made history as the first non-Israeli, non-Jewish person ever invited to light the torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony, exactly seven years after his first visit to the land. This episode also tackles: God’s covenant with IsraelWhy replacement theology fails biblicallyThe rebirth of Israel in 1948 fulfilled prophecyWhy Christians cannot understand Scripture without IsraelWhat it means to live out “promise made, promise kept.”Whether you’re wrestling with faith, Israel, end-times theology, or what it truly costs to follow Jesus, this episode will challenge and inspire you. 0:00 – From Poverty to Hollywood 8:35 – Landing Vampire Diaries 14:15 – The Moment Jesus Became Real 22:11 – Betrayal & Rock Bottom 25:29 – Iraq, ISIS & Surrender 32:28 – Reading the Bible in 28 Days 34:39 – God Said “Go” to Israel 43:10 – October 7th & The Spiritual War 48:34 – Lighting Israel’s Independence Torch

What does biblical unity between Jewish and Gentile believers actually look like in practice, not just theology, but lived relationships? In this episode, Micah and Abby Mahoney of Heartcry of David share their powerful journey into a ministry centered on reconciliation, worship, and covenantal unity. With backgrounds spanning Christian, Pentecostal, and Messianic Jewish spaces, they describe how God led them to confront a deep disconnect within the Body of Messiah and to pursue a vision rooted in Scripture, humility, and love. Heartcry of David was born out of a conviction that King David understood something profound about the Messiah and Jew-Gentile unity, and that this revelation still matters today. What began in 2015–2016 as an audacious, underfunded international worship project has since grown into multiple collaborative efforts across Israel, the UK, and Italy, bringing believers together through worship, Scripture, and shared spiritual inheritance. Rather than transactional encounters or one-directional ministry, Micah and Abby emphasize genuine, bilateral relationships; recognizing that Israeli believers are not just recipients of ministry, but are also called to minister to the nations. Throughout the conversation, they offer practical wisdom for believers who want to engage God’s heart for Israel in a healthy, biblical way: through prayer, teaching, and real relationships. This episode is a compelling invitation to rethink unity, calling, and what it means to walk faithfully in God’s redemptive story. Learn more about Heart Cry of David:  https://heartcryvedavid.comFind them on YouTube & Spotify