What’s The Deal With Israel? A High-Powered, Multi-Media Presentation for Young Adults --Informative and inspiring for all ages-- Presented by Zealous8:2, the Young Adults of Bridges for Peace “Your Israel Connection”

Overview

We are living in a critical time in history. Today’s young adult generation is getting conflicting messages on Israel. In the media and on campus they are hear a message of hate and injustice. When they read their Bibles they are confronted with truth, which leaves them asking, “What’s the deal with Israel?” Bridges for Peace answers this question and presents God's heart for Israel in biblical perspective.

Zealous8:2 exists to educate, equip, and inspire young adults to stand up for Israel. Zealous tour, internships, and volunteering are the ways we accomplish this in the Land of Israel. Back here in the USA, our primary tool is a dynamic evening event called What's the Deal with Israel? (WTDWI).

While Zealous8:2 targets young adults (18-30), ALL ages are welcome and will be impacted through this powerful outreach. All ages of BFP-USA field leaders are also called to be "Zealous!" Your leadership is key to opening the door for Zealous Team USA to bring in a WTDWI to your locale. The first step is to familiarize yourself with the program.

What's the Deal with Israel? Program 1. Opening

15-20 min. prior to start: Israel trivia and current pop culture facts projected with modern Israel-themed music playing in the background. (Like a movie theater pre-show reel.); show logos of event sponsors and other advertisements/announcements at this time. The event opens with a high impact video that asks the question: What’s the Deal With Israel.

Without introduction, move into a dramatic presentation about Israel.

Introduction and welcome to the event; special thank-yours and announcements.

2. The Word and Worship

Zealous Team Leader begins to answer the question “What’s the Deal With Israel?” through the preaching of the Word of God.

Each preaching point is spoken in brief by Zealous Team Leaders. The illustrations that go with each point are noted in parenthesis and subject to change. The point “theme” is on the screen during the speaking. Each point comes from the essay found on the Zealous8:2 website:

I. “It’s about God…” “It’s about His glory…”

Worship set (led by local team)

II. “It’s about world redemption…”

Spoken scripture collage: 6-8 young people on stage quoting prophetic verses (ie. The birth of The Nation, return of the Jews from the four corners of the world, etc.), followed by the song Aliyah by local team with a video collage showing different Aliyahs.

Monologue about Jesus’ prophecy regarding Jerusalem being trampled on by Gentiles and then about Jerusalem being recaptured in 1967.

Jerusalem – a hip-hop dance to Matisyahu’s “Jerusalem” (local team).

III. “It’s about our identity…”

Spoken word poetry from Romans 9-11 (local team member).

IV. “It’s about you… 3. Promo Videos

Run the Zealous Tour short promo

4. Interview

This is conversational interview about the work of Bridges for Peace with a Bridges field or senior leader covering the importance of a new generation standing with Israel and what message does he/she want to pass on to the next generation. The conversation could take place between a Z-Team Leader or any approved authority on the issues of the day, Christian or Jewish.

Interview questions: (Subject to approval of the one being interviewed)

What’s your favorite place in Israel?

What role should a Christian have in regards to Israel?

What originally got you interested in ministry in Israel?

Are you afraid of war breaking out? (We think young adults wonder about this, so we’d like help forming the right question)

Two questions from the audience

How are Christians impacting Israel?

Can you share a story of a life changed from Christians blessing the Jewish people in Israel?

How can a new generation stand with Israel?

Why is it important?

How can I get involved with what God is doing in Israel?

What parting words do you have for this generation of Christians?

5. Offering:

Host leader gives a passionate appeal for everyone to give something, a small sacrifice, to help BFP/Zealous bring WTDWI across the nation. As ushers collect, run the 45 sec. BFP promo video.

6. Closing:

Closing remarks from Joel 2 urging a new generation/ a new army to rise up (Zealous Team leader)

Drama set to Lion of Judah by Jason Upton

Planning and Support

Coordination: The host church young adult ministry leader and the local Bridges Representative serve as liaison between BFP-USA/Zealous and the host senior pastor.

Venue: The venue needs to be an environment conducive for a worship service. The venue size needs to be in proportion to the expected guests. Lighting must be controlled at the sound board and be able to do a black-out and other simple commands. It must provide a video projection system to plug a laptop into. There needs to be a powerful sound system suited for the venue and a technician to run it. The foyer should be available for exhibiting and the host church should open their café/snack shop if available. The ministry team will need a backstage area for props/costumes and a room for pre-service prayer.

Worship: The host church generally provides the worship team. If an outside worship team is brought in, the senior pastor or worship pastor must approve it.

Promotion: This is one of the main responsibilities of the Bridges Representative with the full support of the BFP-USA national office. The national office provides appropriate promos and mail support to the local churches. The local representative builds relationships with churches, campuses, coffee shops, etc. and promotes the event “on the ground."

Budget: The goal is to keep costs down while covering all expenses and properly honoring those who serve

Sample Budget*

Host church $250.00 Sound/light technician $250.00 Worship team $250.00 Z-Team leader transportation, lodging $600.00 Drama/art team 250.00 BFP Senior Leader transportation, lodging 600.00 Supplies and tech rentals 400.00 TOTAL $2600.00 *It is hoped that not all of the above costs will be incurred. If a church invites BFP, that church is assumed to be providing the venue, technicians, and worship team at no cost to the ministry. They may voluntarily bear some of the other expenses as well. A well delivered offering appeal can go a long way toward this goal too. Raising sponsors is the other component that can significantly address costs. See separate guidance for that. Follow-up:

BFP-USA will send all registered participants the online BFP-USA Participant Evaluation to get their feedback on the event and indication of how they might partner with Bridges going forward.

Zealous Team Leaders and the RD/RR will receive the evaluations to help them follow-up with the most interested/committed. The field leaders are the critical function here-- personal contact means everything and leads to more Zealous Tour participants, prayer supporters, donors, Israel volunteers, and future leaders for the ministry.

Heart:

It must be in the hearts of several key people to see an event like this come to pass. WTDWI has an important message for a new generation of the Body of Christ. With opposition to Israel on many fronts, we need a unified group for this event to happen. The people that need to be on board are the BFP Regional Director, one area Bridges for Peace Rep or Key Contact, national and area Chai leaders, host church senior pastor, worship pastor, young adult pastor/student ministry director, and at least one pastor from another local church. All members of this team must be committed to prayer for the success of this event.