Covenant & Conflict

Gateway Center for Israel
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Religion
  • Updated Biweekly

"Covenant & Conflict" is a thought-provoking podcast produced by the “Gateway Center for Israel” and hosted by Nic Lesmeister and David Blease, where ancient biblical truths meet contemporary issues head-on. Each episode offers a deep dive into complex and often divisive topics with subject matter experts, aiming to explore the intersection of covenantal values and modern debates. Instead of fostering division, this podcast seeks to model respectful engagement and peaceful discourse amidst conflict.

  1. 2d ago

    Why Israel is Key to Reaching the World

    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

  2. Jul 29

    What Happens when Your Family Rejects Your Faith

    "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

  3. Jul 1

    Everything Wrong with Dispensational Theology

    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

  4. May 13

    A Roadmap to Joy: Finding God in Pain, Purpose, and the Unexpected

    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

  5. May 6

    Torah, Jesus, and Identity: The Tension No One Talks About

    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

  6. Apr 29

    Is Israel Breaking International Law? The Truth About Genocide, the UN, and Gaza with Andrew Tucker

    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

  7. Apr 22

    What Christians Need to Know About Islam Right Now | Nathaniel Buzolic

    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.

  8. Apr 7

    Between Judaism & Christianity: A Messianic Story with Joshua Aaron

    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

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

"Covenant & Conflict" is a thought-provoking podcast produced by the “Gateway Center for Israel” and hosted by Nic Lesmeister and David Blease, where ancient biblical truths meet contemporary issues head-on. Each episode offers a deep dive into complex and often divisive topics with subject matter experts, aiming to explore the intersection of covenantal values and modern debates. Instead of fostering division, this podcast seeks to model respectful engagement and peaceful discourse amidst conflict.

Information

  • Creator
    Gateway Center for Israel
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gateway Center for Israel
  • Show Website
    Covenant & Conflict

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