Covenant & Conflict

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 story
• Ethiopia's ancient Jewish community and Zimbabwe's Lemba tribe
• The Ethiopia courtyard moment that pointed toward Nick
• The Budapest balcony vision and the founding of Gateway Center for Israel

Chapters

• 0:00 Why Israel Is Key to Reaching the Nations
• 4:54 Wayne’s Call to Missions
• 9:31 A New Revelation About Israel
• 16:52 The Calling That Led to Ukraine
• 32:17 A Life-Changing Encounter in Ethiopia
• 48:47 The Birth of Gateway Center for Israel
• 59:03 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 happiness
• How joy can coexist with suffering, loss, and uncertainty
• The difference between joy, peace, and pleasure
• Why gratitude is one of the most powerful spiritual practices
• And how God leads us into joy through obedience, not comfort

Even 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 think
• The difference between Jewish and Greek ways of thinking
• How the gospel is often told… and what’s missing
• Why antisemitism is ultimately a spiritual issue
• And what it really means to live “through” Messiah

00:00 – Intro: The Jewish Wrestle Begins Again
02:15 – 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 Everything
24:50 – “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 Scripture
55:00 – 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 is
• Whether Israel is committing genocide
• Why the UN constantly targets Israel
• What “occupation” and “settlements” really mean
• Or 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.
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Chapters
00:00 – Why Israel Is So Controversial Right Now
00:02:10 – Biblical vs Political Israel: Why It’s So Complex
00:13:52 – 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 Islam
02:05 Meet Nathaniel Buzolic (Nate Buzz)
05:30 Israel, Suffering, and Rising Global Tensions
12:10 Christianity: Religion or Jewish Movement?
20:15 What Islam Teaches vs. What People Assume
32:40 Jesus (Yeshua) in the Bible vs Islam
48:55 End Times, Spiritual Battle, and What’s Coming
1:05:10 How Christians Should Respond with Truth & Love
Subscribe 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 Judaism
• Replacement theology explained
• Jewish identity and the gospel
• Antisemitism in the Church
• Jewish believers in Jesus
• Faith 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 Judaism
• The shocking discovery of Jewish identity connections through DNA
• The journey to Israel during Operation Moses
• A life-changing dream encounter with Yeshua
• The cost of following Messiah — rejection, loss, and perseverance
• The birth of the Beresheet Congregation — the first Hebrew-speaking Ethiopian Messianic community
• A growing revival among young people in Israel
• Why believers around the world need to pray for Israel right now

Why 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:

• Israel
• End times prophecy
• The Jewish roots of Christianity
• Revival 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 leaders
• Unity among Jewish and Gentile believers
• Continued openness to the Gospel in Israel

Stand with Israel. Stand with the Body of Messiah.

Subscribe for MoreIf you're passionate about:

• Biblical truth in modern issues
• Israel and the Church
• Real conversations that matter

Subscribe 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.org
• Tikkun Global: tikkunglobal.org

If 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 Heated
• 00:31 — Who Ben Juster Is + Messianic Judaism’s Modern Roots
• 04:19 — Avoiding Fear & Date-Setting: Where to Start Biblically
• 06:44 — Matthew 24:14 + The Gospel to Every Nation
• 10:44 — Jesus Says “You Will Not See Me Again Until…” + Israel’s Role
• 21:29 — How to Prepare for Yeshua’s Return: Holiness vs Godliness
• 44:31 — Antisemitism, Replacement Theology, and Standing with Israel