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As part of our “Inspiring Successful Stories” series, we’re honored to feature Yair Pinto, host and content creator at TBN Israel, a powerful voice that brings the heart of the Holy Land to audiences worldwide. A Captain (Res.) in the Israel Defense Forces with deep roots in Jerusalem, Yair blends military insight, spiritual conviction, and media expertise to share stories that illuminate both the beauty and challenges of Israel. With authenticity and courage, he continues to amplify voices, build bridges, and inspire believers globally.

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You grew up in Jerusalem near Bethlehem. How did that environment shape your perspective on both Israeli and Palestinian communities?

Jerusalem is a beautiful city — it’s my home. Being a Jerusalemite is something very unique in Israeli culture because this city is a meeting point of all three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It’s also home to such a diverse population — secular Jews, Orthodox Jews, Israeli Arabs, Palestinians, Muslims, and Christians — all living together in a tiny and intense space. That makes it a place of both incredible richness and genuine tension. The most challenging period I remember growing up was during the Second Intifada. Palestinian suicide bombers were targeting buses all over the city, including the very buses that took my brother and me to school. Tragically, some of our classmates were killed or injured in those attacks. I’ll never forget one morning when my brother boarded the bus just before the one that exploded, while I got on the one right after. Those experiences left a deep mark on me. But despite living through that, I carry no hatred toward the Palestinian people I grew up around, or toward the Arab Israeli community. I’ve learned that the real problem isn’t the people themselves — it’s the corrupt leadership that fosters hatred and violence. Living in Jerusalem taught me to see the complexity: that ordinary people — Jews, Arabs, Christians, and Muslims — want to live, raise families, and find peace. That perspective shapes everything I do today.

From serving as a Captain in the IDF to hosting on TBN Israel, what connects those two callings in your life?

Every Israeli, men and women, serves in the IDF at 18 — men for three years, women for two. I ended up serving close to five years because I chose to become an officer in the IDF tank unit, which meant signing on for extra time. Those years were some of the most formative of my life. At a very young age, I was entrusted with incredible responsibility — leading 20 soldiers and commanding three tanks. I served on Israel’s northern border with Syria and Lebanon, and on the border with Gaza, where we fought Hamas terrorists. That experience shaped my character, my leadership, and my deep commitment to defending Israel. When my service ended, I transitioned into civilian life almost by accident — a small production company approached me and began working in media, learning everything from producing to camera work. My connection to TBN started much later, just four months before the October 7th Hamas war, when I was hired as Director of Operations. At that time, I wasn’t in front of the camera at all — I was managing productions and facilities. But the first time I recorded myself for TBN was on October 7th, when the war broke out, and suddenly I was sharing Israel’s story with the world. What connects both callings — the military and the media — is purpose. In the army, I defended Israel physically. Today, through TBN Israel, I defend Israel differently — by telling its story truthfully, by giving people a window into life here, and by calling the world to stand with us. Both roles come down to responsibility, leadership, and a deep sense of mission that God has entrusted to me.

You were redrafted in October 2023. What was that experience like, balancing the battlefield with your role as a communicator of truth?

Being redrafted in October 2023 was unlike anything I had experienced before. On one hand, I was back in uniform, leading soldiers and tanks in defense of Israel. But I also realized this war was being fought on more than one front. There was the physical battlefield — with weapons and tanks — and there was the media battlefield: the fight for truth, for public opinion, and for how Israel’s story would be told to the world. That’s why, even from the front lines, I began recording videos on my phone and uploading them to YouTube. Initially, it was just personal reflections as a soldier, but it evolved into daily reporting from the ground. The channel exploded — from 134,000 subscribers to over 1.5 million. Beyond the numbers, what moved me most were the prayers, comments, and support pouring in from people around the world. Soon after, TBN recognized the impact and offered me my own television program, Boots on the Ground, broadcast via satellite into homes across the globe. That allowed me to expand the mission — bringing Israel’s story not only to those following online but also to millions of viewers everywhere. Balancing both roles — soldier and communicator — wasn’t easy, but I see them as connected. On the battlefield, I defended Israel with a tank, and through the media, I defend Israel with truth.

When you see how quickly narratives about Israel shift in international media, what motivates you to keep speaking out?

It often amazes me how much global attention Israel receives. This is such a small country — you can drive from one side to the other in just two hours — yet we are constantly in the headlines. There are larger conflicts in the world, like the war between Russia and Ukraine, but Israel’s wars with Hamas and Iran consistently dominate international coverage. At first, that didn’t make sense to me. But then I realized: this isn’t just about politics or land — it’s a spiritual war. Israel is living proof that God is faithful to His promises. The Jewish people were brought back to their land, speaking the same language, living out biblical prophecies in real time. That reality is a testimony of God’s power and faithfulness — and the enemies of God cannot stand it. When they fail to destroy Israel physically with missiles and attacks, they turn to another weapon: lies and propaganda. They spread false narratives that blame Israel for everything, to the point where even university students in the West are supporting Hamas — an internationally recognized terrorist organization — instead of the only democracy in the Middle East. That’s why I continue to speak out. My team and I know the enemies of Israel are working overtime to spread lies, so we have to work even harder to share the truth. Since October 7th, I’ve been reporting every single day — not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. If we stay silent, the lies win. And I believe God has called me to stand for truth so that the world can see His faithfulness through Israel.

How do you navigate telling Israel’s story in a way that is honest yet also builds bridges with people who may not understand the complexity of the region?

When I share what’s happening on the ground in Israel, I’m doing so from my personal perspective — because I’m physically here, living through these events, not reporting from a studio thousands of miles away. At the same time, I take the responsibility of reporting seriously. The information we share is researched, double-checked, and measured against journalistic ethics. Of course, we’re not perfect, and when we discover that something we’ve said is inaccurate, we make it a priority to correct it quickly. The key, though, is that my reporting isn’t just about facts and figures — it’s about context and humanity. By telling the story from my own experiences here on the ground, I hope to bring people closer to the realities of life in Israel, while still being transparent and honest about the complexities. That way, even if someone doesn’t fully agree or understand, they can at least feel connected to the human side of what’s happening, and that opens the door for dialogue and bridge-building.

As a Jewish follower of Jesus, how does your faith guide both your military service and your media work?

My faith guides every decision I make in life — whether it’s serving as an officer in the IDF or reporting on events here in Israel. In the military, during operations and even in moments of direct contact with Palestinians, I continually ask myself: What would Jesus do? How can I represent God in my actions, and how can I be an example of His love for people, even for those considered our enemies? That question shapes my choices on the ground. On a practical level, it means I pray a lot — asking God to give me wisdom in the moment — and I also invite believers around the world to pray for me to make the right decisions. The same faith also guides my media work. The Bible calls us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, but I believe that prayer becomes much more powerful when it is personal. For people to truly pray with understanding, they need to know the land, the people, the culture, and the reality of what’s happening here. That’s why we share the news in a boots-on-the-ground way — it helps people connect personally to Israel’s story. I hope that by giving them this window into the complexity and humanity of life here, they will be able to pray more deeply and allow God to guide their understanding of the events unfolding on the ground.

What do you wish global Christians understood better about Israel right now?

What I wish Christians around the world would understand is that this war is not ultimately about land, politics, or even just about Israel — it’s a spiritual battle between good and evil. The reason so much hatred, money, and effort are poured into trying to destroy this tiny nation is that Israel represents God’s faithfulness to humanity. Consider this: for over 2,000 years, God has preserved the Jewish people, brought them back to their land against all odds, restored their language and culture, and performed what can only be described as biblical-level miracles in modern times. If He has been faithful to Israel through all of that, then every believer can be assured — He will be loyal to you in whatever struggles you face. That’s the real testimony Israel carries, and it’s why the enemy hates it so much. So, I want Christians to see that this is not just Israel’s war — it impacts all of us. Radical Islam and those who hate Israel don’t just want to wipe out the Jewish people; they also want to destroy Christianity and the values of the West. That’s why believers worldwide need to rally together in prayer, standing in support of Israel and recognizing that we are united in this spiritual battle.

TBN Israel highlights beauty as well as conflict. What’s one story of hope or inspiration that stands out to you personally?

One story that really stands out to me is from the night when the Islamic Republic of Iran launched hundreds of drones and missiles at Israel. It was the middle of the night, and like everyone else, I was in a bomb shelter with my family — reporting live to the United States and other outlets as the attack unfolded. By God’s grace and with unimaginable interception rates of over 90%, almost every single missile and drone was stopped. In the end, the damage in Israel was incredibly minimal — just debris from one missile that didn’t even explode. But what struck me most wasn’t just the success of our defense systems — it was the spirit of the people. Not even two hours after this massive attack, on the parents’ WhatsApp groups, mothers and fathers were already asking: “So, it’s over? Can we send the kids to school today?” That moment captured the resilience and hope of Israel in such a powerful way. Even after facing the threat of destruction, life goes on. And that’s the story of Israel: a people who continue to live, love, and build a future no matter what comes against them.

What has been the most challenging part of moving between such different roles, soldier, journalist, and storyteller of faith?

The most challenging part of moving between all these roles — soldier, journalist, and storyteller of faith — is learning how to balance them with my most important role: being a husband and a father. When you’re involved in things that feel urgent and world-shaping, it’s easy to become consumed by the mission. The real challenge is stepping back and making sure I’m prioritizing my wife and kids, because at the end of the day, they are what matter most. Above all, I’ve learned that the anchor has to be God’s calling in each moment. If I’m putting His will and His priorities first, then I can have peace knowing I’m where I need to be. He takes care of the rest. That perspective helps me navigate the tension between these different roles without losing sight of what’s truly important.

“Looking ahead, what projects or messages are you most passionate about sharing in the coming years?”

I’m an optimist, and my prayer for the future is that I’ll be sharing stories not just about conflict, but about peace in the Middle East — peace between Israel and its Arab neighbors. I long to tell stories of cooperation, business partnerships, and families living side by side, planning their futures together. I know we’re still far from that reality, but I believe God can make it happen. He can touch the hearts of Israel’s enemies, and that is my constant prayer. Looking ahead, I want to share the message that Jerusalem is not only the heart of Israel, but also a light to the nations — a place where the truth of what God is doing in the world can go out to every corner of the earth. That’s the vision I’m most passionate about carrying forward.

When you think about your legacy, what do you hope people will remember most about your voice and your work?

I honestly feel like I’m just getting started, so I don’t fully know what the future will hold. But if there’s one message I hope people remember from my work with TBN Israel, it’s this: the most exciting life you can ever live is when you take a step of faith toward what God has prepared for you. Following Him will always be more meaningful, more adventurous, and far greater than simply chasing your own desires. As a good Father, God believes in us and has plans for our lives that are far greater than what we could ever imagine. My prayer is that my legacy will inspire others to believe that God can use them — ordinary people — to do extraordinary things, if they will only listen to His voice and take that first step toward His purpose for their lives.

How can our global readers keep up with you on social media or your website?

I can be found on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and the TBN website.

Thank you, Yair, for sharing your heart and perspective with us. From the front lines of service to the front lines of media, your voice reminds us of the power of truth, faith, and storytelling. We wish you continued strength as you share Israel’s story with the world, and great success as you inspire believers everywhere to pray, support, and stand with the Holy Land.