Zohar Gonen

Zohar Gonen

Representative

Zohar was raised in a secular Jewish home in Israel. Like most young Israelis, after finishing his I.D.F. military service, he travelled abroad where he met, for the first time, Gentiles who love Israelis. Some of these dear believers told him about Yeshua (Jesus) being the Jewish Messiah and that salvation is only possible through Him. Shortly after returning to Israel, Zohar began weeping over the realisation of sin in his life. It was then that he acknowledged that the Lord Yeshua had sacrificed His very life for him.

He also began to mourn for his own nation, knowing that they had rejected the Messiah for 2000 years. Thus began Zohar’s intense burden for his people, and a longing to see them turn to Yeshua in repentance and faith. Zohar joined an Israeli Hebrew-speaking congregation, where he met and married his wife, Tehila. Together they served in Israel for many years while raising their young children.

For ten years Zohar worked as an engineer for a telecommunications company in Israel until the Lord led him to a wonderful Bible College in New Zealand. It was during their time in New Zealand that Zohar and Tehila realised the great potential for reaching out to Israeli travellers. Zohar followed God’s call to full-time ministry among his people by coming on staff with Celebrate Messiah NZ.

Zohar and Tehila reach out (in Hebrew) to many of the thousands of Israelis who travel through New Zealand each year, connecting interested Israelis to local congregations back in Israel. In addition, Zohar trains local believers on the subject of Jewish evangelism, the unique role and future of Israel, the Feasts of Israel and other related topics.

The Gonens have five children whom they aim to rear to the glory of God: Aviel, Liam, Yakim, Eliya and Emette.

Israel in Prophecy
  • Israel in Prophecy
The Fall Feasts of Israel
  • The Fall Feasts of Israel
The Prophecy of Revelation 12
  • The Prophecy of Revelation 12
The 70 Sevens of Daniel
  • The 70 Sevens of Daniel
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Israel in the End Times Part 1
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Israel in the End Times Part 2
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What others are saying

Zohar Gonen has in one weekend addressed five separate meetings on five different topics applicable to Jewish Messianic mission. Zohar is an authentic Messianic Jew with an excellent grasp of the English language and a practical understanding of evangelising modern day Israelis. Zohar not only opened the Scriptures from a Jewish perspective but his presentations were at a gentle pace allowing time to make full notes. I attended two of his presentations where he gave sound incite into the way modern Israelis think. I have only heard positive feedback so I am privileged to recommend him.

As a Messianic Jewish believer, Zohar brings a wonderful richness and context to the Word that I find we seldom experience in New Zealand. The opportunity to hear the Word of God taught from a Jewish frame of reference will greatly bless any congregation considering extending an invitation to Zohar.  Zohar, as he himself will attest, teaches on a variety of topics and is particularly interested in teaching about Israel and particularly God’s plan for this Nation, the Jewish feasts and Eschatology. You will discover very quickly Zohar’s unmistakable passion for Jewish evangelism and the opportunity that New Zealand presents with visiting Israelis. One of the real surprises here is learning about the unique opportunity we have as Kiwis to support bringing the Gospel to Israelis in New Zealand.

Zohar spoke and lead our community through a Passover Seder celebration on the 19th of April 2016. Our time with Zohar was a fantastic experience for everyone involved. He brought a fresh and inspiring perspective to the Passover celebration. Zohar presented the rich heritage of Passover, and it’s significance in pointing to Jesus the Messiah. The way he spoke made the Passover celebration come alive, he explained the significance of the various elements of the celebration in such an understandable and inspiring way. The feedback from many in our community was that in a new way they were able to make the connection between God’s covenant people, and their story of God’s message of reconciliation for all peoples and cultures.

As an Israeli follower of Yeshua (Jesus) Zohar offers a fresh perspective and illuminating insights into the word of God and its application to the daily lives of believers worldwide. His passion for the Gospel and for the redemption of our people the Yehudim (Jews, Israel) is both an inspiration and a challenge. Zohar is polite, articulate, personable, kind, thoughtful, funny, warm and engaging. He brings the faith of our forefathers alive as he teaches the Jewish roots of Christianity and offers a reasoned and timely solution to both Jewish and world evangelism.

Zohar’s visit to the Nelson/Tasman area was well appreciated by those who already know and support viewing the scriptures from a Jewish perspective, and it was particularly encouraging for them to hear sound biblical teaching delivered in a caring, and compassionate manner. It was also a pleasure for others who had not previously been exposed to such teaching and who were able to come away with a whole new depth of understanding. Zohar’s knowledge of scripture and his wisdom in applying this to the topics covered made it possible for old hands and newbies alike to hear and understand the message. We are supportive of Nigel as he seeks to minister full time to the churches of New Zealand and his involvement in the ministry of Celebrate Messiah. We would encourage you to consider how you can prayerfully and practically support Nigel as the Lord leads you.

Gateway Church Hibiscus Coast recently had the privilege of Zohar Gonen speaking at our Sunday service. Zohar spoke on the place of Israel in the world today and on into the future based on what God has to say to us about this nation in his word to us, the Bible. We thoroughly enjoyed Zohar’s presentation, found it to be scripturally accurate and compelling and delivered in an engaging manner. We warmly recommend him as a speaker.

It was a pleasure to host Zohar in our home when he came through to
Greymouth to celebrate with our local Anglican church a Passover meal
and then again on the Sunday when he preached on the Triumphal Entry of
our Messiah into Jerusalem.   The preaching that Zohar delivered was
short but very much to the point and his message was suitable for the
congregation that were present, some being very young in their walk of
faith. Although Zohar‘s visit with us was brief,  his love of the Messiah and
his family was very evident.

We would highly  recommend Zohar for any speaking engagement as  he has
great discernment and wisdom and is able to bring out the word of God in
its truth and simplicity.

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