Ben Borgman and Craig Etheredge launch Season Three with a powerful conversation featuring special guest, Pastor Israel Iluz. In this compelling episode, Pastor Israel shares his extraordinary journey of planting a church in Northern Israel—an area marked by spiritual resistance, war, and political instability. With unwavering faith and a heart fully set on the mission of Jesus, Pastor Israel unpacks how God is moving in the Galilee region through intentional relationships and bold disciple-making. His story is a vivid reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, the gospel still transforms lives and multiplies through leaders who are committed to the way of Jesus. If you’re a church leader, disciple-maker, or someone passionate about reaching the nations—this episode is for you. Tune in to hear how one leader is living on mission, multiplying the movement, and proving that His way still works.
Overview:
- 00:00 Conversation with Pastor Israel in Galilee
- 05:24 Journey to Faith in Israel
- 10:00 Small Church, Strong Community Bonds
- 10:57 “Building Relationships and Walking Together”
- 14:12 Community Beyond Walls and Buildings
- 18:43 Navigating Crises as Opportunities
- 23:03 Faith Tested Through Trials
- 26:02 “Gospel Outreach in Kiryat Shmona”
- 30:06 Crisis Resilience: Feeding Soldiers
- 31:41 Crisis as Opportunity for Growth
- 35:24 “Join the Global Church Planting Movement”
Discussion Questions:
- What are some key takeaways from Pastor Israel Iluz’s journey to starting a church in Kiryat Shmona?
- How does Pastor Iluz exemplify the qualities of a disciple-making leader in his ministry in the Galilee?
- In what ways did the ongoing crisis in Israel present new opportunities for Pastor Iluz’s church to serve their community?
- How did Pastor Iluz and his congregation manage to stay in the Galilee and continue their ministry despite the dangers and challenges they faced?
- What role does relational ministry play in building a disciple-making church, according to Pastor Iluz?
- How did the act of serving soldiers during the crisis impact the perception of Pastor Iluz and his congregation in the community?
- Discuss how Pastor Iluz’s background and personal story contribute to his effectiveness as a leader in his context.
- In what practical ways can churches in more comfortable settings take inspiration from the work that Pastor Iluz is doing in Israel?
- Explore the concept of crisis revealing “what you’re really made of” as discussed in the interview. How can this be applied to leadership in general?
- How does the model of leadership and discipleship at Pastor Iluz’s church reflect Jesus’s strategy for raising up leaders and multiplying a movement?
