An atheist who became a Pentecostal pastor stood in his own pulpit one Sunday and wondered whether he still believed what he was preaching. In this episode of the Messiah Podcast, Sebastiaan van Wessem, lead pastor of Celebration Church in the Netherlands and global director of KNGDM Alliance, tells how honest questions led him to rebuild his faith rather than abandon it. Sebastiaan candidly shares the struggles of pastoring through theological shifts, encountering Messianic Jewish relationships, and grappling with the dark history of European antisemitism at Auschwitz. From navigating the post-October 7 political landscape in Europe to uniting leaders around Jerusalem and the message of the gospel of the kingdom, this episode delivers an eye-opening perspective on a quiet spiritual revival happening in Europe.

👉 Key Discussion Points:

► Reconstruction, not deconstruction. Sebastiaan never felt he had to tear down his faith. He needed to rebuild it on firmer, first-century foundations. Asking honest questions about what you believe can deepen faith instead of destroying it.

► Understanding Ecclesia as the Assembly (Kahal) of Israel: Gentile believers are not a separate "second people of God" replacing or standing apart from Israel; they are grafted into the existing assembly (Kahal) of Israel through the Messiah.

► The gospel of the kingdom is bigger than personal salvation. Isaiah 52:7, “Your God reigns,” sums up the message Jesus said must reach all nations before the end (Matthew 24:14). Salvation and grace belong inside that message, but they aren’t the whole of it.

► Standing for truth in a polarized Europe. In a post-October 7 landscape marked by rising antisemitism and political hostility, standing with Israel and upholding first-century biblical foundations requires courage, clarity, and deep personal relationships.

🔖 Chapters

00:00 From Atheist to Pastor to a Kingdom Revelation

9:17 Dangers of Moving Too Fast

11:13 A Transformational Trip to Auschwitz

13:19 Recentering on Jerusalem

20:20 Rethinking Everything

22:00 Is the Church Actually Israel? Ekklesia and Kahal

24:45 The Three Mandates of Kingdom Alliance

29:54 Europe after October 7th

40:47 Young Europeans Searching for Faith

44:43 Advice for Pastors Starting This Journey

👉 Resources:

All Things Restored: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJG3GPZV

Celebration Church: Churchcelebrationchurch.nl

KNGDM Alliance: https://kngdmalliance.org/

Israel Matters: https://ffoz.store/products/israel-matters-book

Europe’s Anti-Semitism Is Awakened: https://ffoz.org/messiah/articles/europes-anti-semitism-is-awakened

My European Vacation: Anti-Semitism Lurks behind the Beauty: https://ffoz.org/messiah/articles/my-european-vacation-anti-semitism-lurks-behind-the-beauty

Why FFOZ Is Going to Europe: https://ffoz.org/messiah/articles/why-ffoz-is-going-to-europe

When Your Theology Fails: A Pastor’s Journey to the Jewish Jesus: https://youtu.be/sKY_PmctchQ?si=EKoqw9QiXjUiZicw

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

What will emerge from the current generational shift taking place in the Messianic Jewish congregational movement? We explore this question with Chaim Dauermann, son of Messianic Jewish legend Stuart Dauermann. While the Old Guard who led the charge in the 1960s and 70s continues to contribute in valuable ways, a new generation who grew up in Messianic synagogues is now emerging as leaders who engage deeply with their faith. Chaim shares his personal journey from secular bartender to Messianic Jewish leadership, offering insights into the history and future of Messianic Judaism, its diversity of thought, and how his Jewish identity brought him back to the Jewish Messiah. Whether you're a leader, educator, or curious believer, you'll walk away with a deeper understanding of how authentic expressions of faith grounded in Jewish identity can pave the way for impactful outreach and community vitality in the years ahead.

👉 Key Discussion Points:

► Chaim Dauermann shares his compelling story from a secular Brooklyn background, thriving in New York’s high-end bartending scene, to a profound re-engagement with his Jewish roots and faith in Yeshua.

► Hear how a near-encounter with antisemitism sparked a renewed sense of identity that eventually led him to become a congregational leader and a key player in Chosen People Ministries.

► You’ll learn about the shifting dynamics within the movement, including the transition from a code-based, legalistic outlook toward a focus on Messianic discipleship rooted in Jewish life.

► Chaim discusses the significance of cultivating a genuine life that naturally draws others with a balance of Torah, Yeshua, and cultural expression without compromise.

► Discover the challenges of representing a misunderstood movement, the importance of intergenerational continuity, and the hope that a more balanced, authentic Messianic future holds.

👉 Resources:

► Follow Chaim on Substack

► About Chaim

✡️ What is Messiah Podcast? ✝️

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God’s prophetic promises to Israel. https://ffoz.org

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. https://ffoz.org/friends

Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music “Cover the Sea” Copyright © WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

What does it take to maintain absolute integrity and spiritual focus in an age rapidly being consumed by artificial intelligence, geopolitical chaos, and digital noise? In this engaging, wide-ranging discussion we are joined by the founder and director of First Fruits of Zion, Boaz Michael. Boaz shares how First Fruits of Zion is navigating the technological disruption of AI while deepening real-world discipleship communities around the globe. Get status updates on long-awaited projects including the Messianic Jewish prayer book (siddur) decades in the making, upcoming books, the Bram Center in Jerusalem, and the vibrant continued flourishing of Camp Tzadi. Tune in for an inspiring, grounded look at staying faithful to the God of Israel amidst a rapidly changing landscape.

👉 Key Discussion Points:

► Strict Human Oversight in Teaching Content: First Fruits of Zion maintains a strict policy banning AI from generating Bible teachings or core content, ensuring that spiritual resources stem directly from human struggle, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.

► Prioritizing Real-World Community over Digital Isolation: To counteract the threat of virtual isolation and AI reliance, FFOZ is actively investing in human-to-human initiatives like Torah Club meet-and-greets, conferences, and youth programs.

► A Groundbreaking Messianic Prayer Book (Siddur): Decades in development, the upcoming Ya’aseh Shalom and Imru Amen prayer books offer a historically respectful, innovative framework that enables Gentiles to intercede alongside and echo the prayers of Israel.

► Equipping Disciples within Israel: The Bram Center in Jerusalem continues to thrive as an educational hub, educating local Israeli believers in their ongoing covenant responsibility to walk in the Torah rather than abandoning their Jewish roots.

👉 Resources:

Torah Club

FFOZ Store

Generation Tzadi

Online Discipleship Courses

✡️ What is Messiah Podcast? ✝️

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God’s prophetic promises to Israel. https://ffoz.org

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. https://ffoz.org/friends

Messiah Podcast theme music provided with permission by Joshua Aaron Music “Cover the Sea” Copyright © WorshipinIsrael.com songs 2020. All rights reserved.

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.