March 2022
Lawyer-Turned-Pastor
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Israelis are rarely impressed with anything. We live in a difficult country and life is hard. Perhaps because of that they take notice when people around them are in a good place. When I was in the army I was asked over and over, “What is this peace that we feel in you?” Clever phrases would have little impact if people saw me lose my temper or cheat on a test the day before. On the other hand, simple words—or even no words at all—spoke volumes when people watched me walking in the ways of the Lord (even if they didn’t know to call it that).

The pattern of humbly bringing what Souled Out had to offer to the people of Israel long enough to show local leaders how to do it (and then letting them adapt it into a more Israeli expression) is the difference between outside ministries that sprinkle rain on the Body in Israel, and those that dig wells for us to drink long term.

More often than not, Israelis—even Israeli believers—like to feel they can do everything on their own. Internationals for their part, tend to think what works back home will work here in Israel. It takes maturity to recognize we are a Body and God designed us to need each other.