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How does a Christian from the hills of Tennessee end up building one of the most respected Christian service organizations in Israel?

In this episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert sits down with Tommy Waller, founder of HaYovel, to discuss the remarkable story of how a family from rural Tennessee became deeply involved in serving Israeli farmers and building relationships with the Jewish people in Israel and around the world.

For years, Tommy, his wife Sherri, and the Waller family have mobilized thousands of Christians from around the world to volunteer in Israel through vineyard work, agricultural service, and practical acts of friendship. But this conversation is about much more than farming. It is about trust, reconciliation, and what it looks like for Christians to build meaningful relationships with Jewish people.

Tommy shares the origin story of HaYovel, the challenges of earning trust in Israel, the growth of the organization, and the impact of October 7th on both his family and the work they have devoted their lives to. He also reflects on the role of the Waller family in this mission, the next generation’s involvement through projects such as Israel Lighthouse for the Nations and The Israel Guys, and the lessons he has learned from decades of relationship-building.

The conversation concludes with Tommy’s thoughts on rising antisemitism, growing hostility toward Israel, practical ways Christians can become bridge-builders in their own communities, and the reasons he remains hopeful about the future of Jewish-Christian relationships.

Whether you are passionate about Israel, interested in Jewish-Christian relations, or simply looking for an inspiring story of faithfulness and service, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about HaYovel: https://www.hayovel.com

Learn more about The Israel Guys: https://theisraelguys.com/

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Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"

The Weird Apostle
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

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In this special episode of Bridge Builders Forum, Ryan Lambert provides an important update on the Olive Tree Campaign and explains why Christians urgently need a clearer theological language regarding Israel, Judaism, and the Jewish people.

Many Christians today genuinely want to stand against antisemitism and replacement theology. They want to express solidarity with the Jewish people in ways that are biblically grounded, thoughtful, and constructive. But when it comes time to explain why that relationship matters theologically, many realize they lack the vocabulary to do so.

That lack of language has consequences.

Too often, inherited assumptions about Judaism being obsolete, inferior, or merely a stepping stone to Christianity continue to shape sermons, classrooms, and Christian culture without being carefully examined. In this episode, Ryan explains how the Olive Tree Campaign seeks to address that problem through the Olive Tree Affirmations, educational resources, and the growing Olive Tree Network.

Rooted in the Apostle Paul’s Olive Tree imagery in Romans 11, the Olive Tree Campaign invites Christians to recover a posture of humility, gratitude, and covenantal clarity regarding the Jewish people and Judaism.

This episode also includes:
• An overview of the Olive Tree Affirmations
• Why “zero-sum” theology has damaged Jewish-Christian relationships
• How replacement theology still influences the church today
• Updates on the Olive Tree book, course, and network
• Ways to get involved and support the campaign

To learn more, download the free Olive Tree Affirmations PDF, join the Olive Tree Network, or support the campaign, visit:
https://bridgebuildersforum.com/olivetree

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Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"

The Weird Apostle
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 2 of this conversation, Ryan Lambert continues his discussion with New Testament scholar Dr. Anders Runesson about his book Judaism for Gentiles.

Building on Part 1, this episode explores some of the biggest questions surrounding Paul, the early Jesus movement, and the relationship between Judaism and Christianity.

Together, Ryan and Anders discuss:
• Paul’s “rule in all the ekklesiai” and whether it represents a central feature of Paul’s mission and message
• The difference between the “joining of the ways” and the more familiar “parting of the ways” model
• Whether Paul intended to create separation between Jews and Gentiles
• How Paul’s writings were later received as Judaism and Christianity developed into distinct identities
• Whether the hostility that eventually emerged between Jews and Christians was inevitable
• The broader implications of the Paul within Judaism perspective for modern Jewish-Christian relations

This conversation not only explores the historical Paul, but also asks what it might look like to read the New Testament in a way that encourages healthier relationships between Jews and Christians today.

Judaism for Gentiles is available as an open-access book at https://www.mohrsiebeck.com/en/book/judaism-for-gentiles-9783161619960/

Learn more about Dr. Anders Runesson at http://www.andersrunesson.com/

Bridge Builders Forum
An educational entity dedicated to helping Jews and Christians understand their faith, the Bible, and each other.

Bridge Builders Forum Email News and Updates

Download the free PDF "Recovering the Jewish Paul: Three Keys to Understanding the Apostle and Building Bridges Between Jews and Christians"

The Weird Apostle
Ryan's book places the Apostle Paul in his Jewish and Greco-Roman context.

Make a tax deductible donation to the Bridge Builders Forum