Journey To Israel: A Nova Festival Survivor’s Story of Faith, Courage, and Choosing Life
Release Date: 01/14/2026
He Left the 99 for One: Why Every Student Matters More Than You Think
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
What if the one student you almost overlook is the one who matters most? In this powerful episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards shares a compelling message on the value of every student, rooted in the biblical truth that Jesus would leave the 99 to go after the one. From a story about a college basketball player choosing jersey number 99 as a reminder of this truth… to deeper insights into how students are shaped by their home life and relationships—this episode challenges youth pastors, leaders, and parents to see students differently. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll discover: •...
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Small Beginnings, Stay Faithful: How God Builds Big Things Over Time
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
What if the small, overlooked things in your life are actually where God is building something great? In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards shares a powerful message on faithfulness, small beginnings, and trusting God with the process—drawing from real-life ministry experiences, leadership lessons, and biblical truth. From cutting down an overgrown baseball field in the Dominican Republic with a push mower… to learning responsibility as a kid… to watching God grow small opportunities into something much bigger—this episode is a reminder that God often starts with what...
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Vision Matters: Finding God’s Direction in Ministry and Life
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
How do you know when God is giving you a vision—and what are you supposed to do with it? In this episode of Youth Worker on Fire, Doug Edwards shares a powerful and personal message on vision, obedience, and showing up where God calls you, drawing from real-life ministry experience and timeless wisdom from Oswald Chambers’ My Utmost for His Highest. This episode is for anyone who feels called to something more—but isn’t sure what the next step is. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll discover: • Why vision matters in youth ministry and leadership • How to recognize when God is calling...
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Dr. Jay Strack: From Small Beginnings to Global Impact in Youth Ministry
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
What does it look like to spend a lifetime investing in students—and watch that impact reach across generations and around the world? In this powerful episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards sits down with legendary youth ministry leader Dr. Jay Strack for an unforgettable conversation on leadership, calling, and long-term ministry impact. From his early days speaking in small rooms to influencing leaders on a global stage, Dr. Strack shares how God uses faithfulness, relationships, and simple obedience to shape a life that truly makes a difference. Doug and Dr. Strack also...
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5 Habits of Highly Effective Youth Pastors (That Transform Student Ministry)
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
What makes a youth ministry truly effective? In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards shares five powerful habits that the most effective youth pastors consistently practice to build strong, disciple-making student ministries. Drawing from Romans 8 and decades of experience in student ministry, Doug explains how spiritual leadership begins long before a youth service ever starts. In this episode you’ll discover: • Why effective youth pastors prioritize daily time with God • How real relationships with students create lasting discipleship • The importance of teaching the...
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Obedience vs Duty in Ministry: The Ripple Effect of Faithful Youth Workers
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
In this episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards challenges youth pastors, ministry volunteers, and parents to examine the difference between serving God out of duty and serving Him out of obedience. Drawing from Matthew 7, the teachings of Oswald Chambers, and reflections from decades of ministry leadership, Doug explores how faithfulness in small acts of obedience can create ripple effects that influence generations. This episode also reflects on the legacy of ministry leaders who invest quietly in others and how their impact multiplies far beyond what they ever see. You’ll...
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Why Youth Pastors Must Understand Israel: A Biblical Worldview Conversation
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
In this episode of Youth Worker on Fire, Doug Edwards sits down with , global disciple-making leader and , for a powerful conversation about Israel, youth ministry, and the next generation’s worldview. After traveling together to Israel, they reflect on: • Why ministry leaders chose to go despite global tension • What they witnessed at the Nova Festival site and memorials • How media narratives shape the next generation’s thinking • Why so many students don’t understand the history of Israel • The difference between soundbite culture and biblical context • How youth pastors...
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When Ministry Drains You: Finding Strength, Joy, and Endurance in God
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
Youth ministry is one of the most rewarding callings — and one of the most exhausting. In this devotional episode of Youth Worker on Fire, Doug Edwards speaks directly to youth pastors, volunteers, educators, and parents who feel spiritually drained from constantly pouring into others. Drawing from Isaiah 40:28, the writings of Oswald Chambers, and the life of Olympic runner and missionary Eric Liddell, this episode explores the difference between burnout and faithful service — and how God becomes the source of strength when our own energy is gone. You’ll discover: • Why spiritual...
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Journey to Israel: Faith, Culture, and Coexistence in Jerusalem
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
In this interview episode of Youth Worker on Fire, Doug Edwards sits down with Eli, a Jerusalem-based tour guide fluent in English, Hebrew, and Aramaic, for a thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation about faith, culture, history, law, grace, and life in modern Israel. Recorded at the end of a leadership journey through Israel, this conversation moves beyond headlines and into deeper questions about: • Growing up Jewish in Israel • Military service as a character builder • Responsibility, leadership, and cultural identity • Law versus grace in Jewish and Christian traditions • The...
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Journey to Israel: A Father, a Soldier, and the Hope for Peace
Youth Worker On Fire Podcast
In this interview episode of Youth Worker on Fire, Doug Edwards sits down in Jerusalem with Maor, an Israeli husband, father, and lifelong military reservist, to hear a deeply personal story of service, sacrifice, and hope. Maor shares what life has been like since October 7, when he was called back into reserve duty—eventually serving nearly 600 days over two years, far beyond what is normally required. In this honest conversation, he describes the emotional weight of leaving his family, the uncertainty of those early days, and what it means to protect your home while still longing for...
info_outlineIn this powerful interview episode of Youth Worker On Fire, Doug Edwards sits down with Haji, a survivor of the October 7 Nova Festival attack, to hear his remarkable story of survival, faith, intuition, and choosing life after unimaginable trauma.
Recorded on location during the Ambassadors Summit in Israel, Haji shares his journey—from his background in Israeli media and government, his experience of the Nova Festival attack, to the moments where his instincts, quick decisions, and what he credits as God’s guidance helped save his life.
In this emotional and deeply human conversation, you’ll hear about:
• How Haji felt something was “off” even before the festival began
• The moment the morning sky filled with rockets
• Why he left a shelter just minutes before it became a tragic site
• How hundreds of people escaped together across open fields
• What survival mode feels like in real life
• The long road of healing, grief, and processing trauma
• Why he chose to travel the world sharing his story instead of staying silent
• How he learned to live with gratitude, embrace uncertainty, and choose life every day
Haji also speaks honestly about survivor’s guilt, the emotional toll on many who lived through October 7, and why movement, purpose, and telling the story have been central to his healing journey.
This is not a political episode. It is a human story, a testimony of survival, and a conversation about faith, resilience, and hope in the aftermath of trauma.
This episode is especially important for:
• Youth pastors and ministry leaders
• Christian educators and student leaders
• Parents walking with students through anxiety, fear, and trauma
• Anyone helping young people process suffering, grief, and faith
✨ Sometimes the most powerful lessons we can offer students don’t come from a stage—but from a true life story.
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EPISODE CREDITS
Email us at: youthworkeronfire@gmail.com
Hosted by: Doug Edwards
Theme Song: "The One and Only" by The 808 : Listen to more at https://bit.ly/3FTYIAJ
Intro/Outro Voiceover: Michael Helms: https://www.youtube.com/@MichaelTheSoundGuy
Edited by: Secret Roots Music House
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Youth Ministry, Student Ministry, Youth Pastor, Christian Leadership, Faith and Trauma, Testimony, Nova Festival Survivor, Journey to Israel, Ambassadors Summit, Christian Educators, Next Gen Ministry, Youth Worker On Fire, Faith and Resilience, Choosing Life, Christian Parenting