As a pastor, I’m blessed not only with two amazing sons, but also two servants of the Lord who have devoted their lives since a very young age to serving God in Israel and bringing the knowledge of Christ to this nation.
My youngest son, Guy’s journey is special, having been called early on to ministry, at the age of 18, on the verge of joining IDF to complete his military service, he is also an important part of our youth ministry, serving as a spiritual leader to many young people.
Every young Israeli boy or girl faces a very special new season in their life when they graduate high school. While in many countries, including the USA, that season is college, here in Israel the reality is different, which makes this new season unique and unlike any other for other 18-year-olds around the world.
The new season is the mandatory 3-year army service. It isn’t voluntary or optional and is practically unpaid. However, that is one of our civic duties living in a country like Israel whose survival many times depends on the strength of our defense forces, composed of mainly young people like my son Guy.
What makes this new season even more unique is that for believers who join the IDF, the journey becomes even more challenging.
I had an intimate talk with Guy and the idea was to share and give you an inside look into the hearts and lives of young Israeli believers as they start this new chapter in their lives called: IDF service. To investigate which challenges they face, both spiritual, mental and emotional.
We’re excited to offer you this opportunity to give you a glimpse into an otherwise unknown part of our lives as Israelis when we prepare to send our sons and daughters to the army, as well as their own struggles as they face the world as adults in this unique way, as defenders of the nation of Israel.
Be blessed by our conversation:
Beit Hallel is a Messianic Jewish congregation in Ashdod, led by pastor Israel Pochtar, serving holocaust survivors and the poor and needy locally and throughout the nation of Israel, while building up the body of Messiah in the promised land of Israel.