First Person with Wayne Shepherd

The Founder of The Timothy Initiative, David Nelms, talks with Wayne Shepherd about this extensive disciple-making ministry.   (click for more...)

Website:  https://ttiglobal.org

The interview with Pastor David Nelms, founder of The Timothy Initiative (TTI), centers on his mission to plant churches among unreached people groups worldwide. Nelms explains that TTI focuses on areas with few or no churches—primarily Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and animist regions—and has helped establish churches among more than 1,700 ethnic groups. He describes how the ministry began after witnessing an Asian village with no Christian presence, leading his church to start 7,000 house fellowships by removing traditional barriers such as salaries, sanctuaries, and seminaries. TTI’s model emphasizes discipleship multiplication based on 2 Timothy 2:2—training believers (“Pauls”) to mentor others (“Timothys” and “Tituses”) who then start new fellowships. Now operating in over 45 countries and training more than 200,000 Timothys, TTI also uses mapping technology to identify unreached villages and partners globally through a “Coalition of the Willing.” Nelms shares dramatic transformation stories, such as men delivered from bondage through the gospel, and concludes by urging believers to pray, give, and make disciples both locally and globally.

                                              Next week:  Bill Thrasher

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Retired USAF Chaplain Thomas Westall, now President of Operation Military Blessings, talks with Wayne Shepherd about assisting military personnel.  (click for more...)   

Website:  http://operationmilitaryblessings.org

Retired Air Force Chaplain Thomas Westall, president and CEO of Operation Military Blessings (OMB), highlights his ministry’s mission to assist active-duty military families facing financial crises. Founded 30 years ago out of a small Bible study, OMB provides immediate aid—such as food cards, baby supplies, or emergency grants—to families in need when government programs are delayed or insufficient. Westall notes that many lower-ranked service members live below the poverty line, with food insecurity affecting a significant portion of military families. OMB operates at 25 U.S. bases and overseas, offering programs like “Operation Babies, Bottles, and Diapers,” and aid for disabled children and disaster victims. They’ve also distributed thousands of MacArthur Study Bibles to military personnel. Westall’s motivation stems from his experience as a chaplain and his belief in meeting both material and spiritual needs. Now nearly 80, he continues serving passionately, emphasizing that God’s call to ministry never retires.

                 NEXT WEEK:  David Nelms, The Timothy Initiative

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With an upsurge in college campus faith activity, Dr. Bob Bakke joins Wayne Shepherd and reports on what he sees happening.  (click for more...)  

Websites:  https://www.onecry.com   https://ttiglobal.org  https://collegiatedayofprayer.org

Dr. Bob Bakke, interviewed by Wayne Shepherd on First Person, describes an extraordinary spiritual awakening taking place among college students across the U.S. and internationally. After years in pastoral and prayer ministry, Bakke now serves with The Timothy Initiative and OneCry, focusing on revival and discipleship. He connects the current movement to past awakenings that followed seasons of crisis, noting that post-COVID conditions have created fertile ground for renewal. Through efforts like the revived Collegiate Day of Prayer—now covering over 4,200 campuses—and events such as the Asbury Revival of 2023, millions have been drawn to prayer and faith, with a measurable rise in belief among Gen Z. Bakke highlights student-led gatherings like those at Auburn University, where thousands came to Christ and were baptized, emphasizing that similar movements are spreading globally. He believes this generation’s deep longing to know God represents the greatest opportunity for revival in more than a century and urges the church to respond through prayer, discipleship, and support of young believers.

NEXT WEEK:  Thomas Westall, Operation Military Blessings

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Dr. John Munro, senior pastor of Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and host of The Verdict radio program, talks with Wayne Shepherd about his journey from law to ministry.   (click for more...)   

Website:  www.calvarychurch.com

The Verdict Radio Program:  https://theverdict.org

Originally from Scotland, Pastor Munro was raised in a Christian home and came to faith at age 12. After a successful career as a prosecutor and attorney, he felt a strong, Spirit-led call to leave law and study at Dallas Theological Seminary, leading him into pastoral ministry in North America. He and his wife, Gudny, from the Faroe Islands, have served faithfully for decades, focusing on preaching grace and shepherding people with compassion. Munro spoke candidly about losing his adopted son, Christopher, during the COVID pandemic—a tragedy that deepened his understanding of grief and dependence on God’s sustaining grace. Through that experience, he learned the power of presence over words and gained renewed empathy for those who suffer. Now in later years, he continues to serve passionately, viewing ministry as a lifelong calling rather than a profession to retire from, grateful to be used by God wherever He leads.

                                              NEXT WEEK:  Bob Bakke

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Host Wayne Shepherd interviews Sergey Rakhuba, President of Mission Eurasia, who shares his journey from growing up in a Christian family in Soviet Ukraine to leading a ministry serving the former Soviet Union. (click for more...)

Website:  MissionEurasia.org 

Gift catalog:  https://missioneurasia.org/your-gifts-change-lives/

Sergey recalls his struggles with faith during his youth under Soviet pressure, his spiritual turning point after overhearing his parents’ prayers, and the deepening of his faith while serving in the Soviet army. After studying at Moody Bible Institute and settling in the U.S., he began leading Mission Eurasia, which was headquartered in Irpin, Ukraine, until the facility was destroyed early in the Russian invasion. Undeterred, the ministry mobilized thousands of trained young Christian leaders to provide food, trauma counseling, Scripture, and hope to millions of displaced and suffering Ukrainians. Sergey describes programs such as Summer of Hope camps for children and Gift of Hope Christmas outreach, all designed to bring healing, comfort, and the message of Christ amid the devastation of war, concluding with a heartfelt prayer for Ukraine, its people, and the end of the conflict.

                                           NEXT WEEK:  John Munro

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Professor Emeritus at Moody Bible Institute, Dr. Winfred Neely talks with Wayne Shepherd about his life of preaching and teaching.  (click for more...)    

Dr. Neely shares his remarkable journey of faith and his lifelong calling to preach and teach the Word of God. Introduced to prayer by his mother as a child, Neely came to personal faith in Christ at age 19 while serving in the U.S. Army through the witness of a humble dishwasher who led him to salvation. Just two weeks later, he began preaching—a calling that has shaped more than fifty years of ministry as a pastor, missionary in West Africa, and teacher of biblical exposition. In conversation with Wayne Shepherd, Neely describes preaching as the sacred task of a “herald” who faithfully proclaims God’s message without compromise, combining instruction, engagement, and transformation. Grounded in prayer and Scripture, his approach to preaching emphasizes faithfulness to the text, dependence on the Holy Spirit, and deep concern for the listener’s heart. His passion for training the next generation of preachers reflects his conviction that true preaching begins with God’s dealings in the life of the preacher and extends through him to the world.

                                         NEXT WEEK:  Sergey Rakhuba

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Ken Isaacs of Samaritan's Purse talks with Wayne Shepherd about his calling to meeting humanitarian needs around the world in the name of Christ.  (click for more...)  

Ken is Vice-President of Programs and Government Relations at Samaritan's Purse, and the author of Running to the Fire, Helping in Jesus' Name.

 Interview Notes:

Former water well driller, went as a volunteer to West Africa (1985). 

• Felt called by God to serve internationally. 
• Connection with Franklin Graham led to work in Ethiopia with his family under difficult conditions (communist govt., war). 
• Experience deepened faith and reliance on God.
• At 73, still actively serving—“Moses never retired.” 
• Loves the work, considers it God’s calling. 
• Finds purpose and energy in “running to the fire”—meeting needs in crises.
• Samaritan’s Purse Ministry:
  • 17–18 international offices, ~4,000 staff.Focus on war zones, famine areas, disaster zones (Israel, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, Congo, Niger, Liberia, Colombia, etc.). 
  • Staff chosen for faith commitment and skills (body of Christ with diverse roles). 
  • All service explicitly in Jesus’ name—aid is unconditional.
  • Philosophy:
  • Meeting urgent needs (food, water, shelter, medicine) creates a platform for witness. 
  • Work must be done with excellence; poor quality undermines witness. 
  • Reputation sought: compassionate, loving, present in people’s greatest need
  • Partnerships:
  • Works with local churches and Christian organizations. 
  • Example: Mission Eurasia in Ukraine; 1,600 churches partnered there. 
  • Seeks partners passionate about proclaiming Christ.
  • Global Needs & Focus:
  • Sudan: Severe civil war, famine, displacement (12 million displaced, 150,000 killed). 
  • Gaza: Food distribution, partnerships with local groups despite conflict.
  • Syria: Healthcare, new opportunities with emerging governance. 
  • Emphasis: most crises are politically driven, not natural disasters.
  • Funding & Resources:
  • Less than 5% of support from US govt. 
  • $530B in US private giving vs. $43B government aid (2023). 
  • Independence from government allows freedom and faith-based work.
  • Scriptural Foundation:
  • Luke 10 (Good Samaritan) – “Go and do likewise.”
  • Matthew 24 – signs of the end times: wars, famines, earthquakes; Isaacs sees Samaritan’s Purse as positioned for these times.
  • Encouragement to Listeners:
  • Stay generous; pray for leaders worldwide.
  • Follow updates at samaritanspurse.org. 
  • Remember ultimate goal: share Christ’s love through compassionate action.

NEXT WEEK:  Winfred Neely

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Wayne Shepherd talks with Jonathon Seidl about his alcohol addiction and the transforming power of Jesus to deliver him daily from his addictive behavior.  (click for more...)

Website and book:  https://www.jonseidl.com  

Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic

Key Themes
God only uses sinners: Jonathon emphasizes that aside from Jesus, everyone God uses is imperfect.
Shame and vulnerability: He initially resisted going public with his alcoholism due to fear of judgment in Christian circles.
Sobriety journey: Now over two years sober; life is richer, though not easier. Alcohol wasn’t the problem but the solution he used to escape deeper issues.
Root Issues & Turning Point
Alcoholism tied to childhood wounds of rejection and abandonment.
Turning point came on an anniversary trip where his wife confronted him—she wanted him to address why he drank, not just stop drinking.
Four Steps to Break Free
Abiding in Christ – Developing an experiential, daily walk with Jesus (scripture, journaling, stillness).
Finding true identity – Seeing oneself in Christ, not in addiction or failure.
Radical vulnerability – Going beyond surface-level honesty, sharing deeply with trusted biblical community.
Obedience – Trusting and following God’s direction, even when it feels small or uncomfortable.
Supports & Safeguards
Weekly Christian therapy (counselor Gina) helped uncover root causes.
Biblical community and small group provided accountability and openness.
Close sobriety group (texts/emails) for immediate honesty when tempted.
Practices radical vulnerability—naming struggles before they escalate.
Broader Lessons
Addiction often stems from escapism, not just the substance.
Messy sanctification: the Christian journey involves ongoing struggles, not just “minor sins.”
Scripture shows God working through deeply flawed people (David, Abraham, etc.).
Encouragement: there is room in the church for imperfect stories and God’s redemption.
Aims to help others struggling with addiction, break stigma, and point to biblical hope.

NEXT WEEK:  Ken Isaacs, Samaritan's Purse 

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Wayne Shepherd talks with Jenny Waltman, Founder, CEO, and Chairman of Grace Klein Community in Birmingham, Alabama.  (click for more)  

• A ministry dedicated to serving underprivileged and disadvantaged people, rooted in biblical principles.
• Website:  https://gracekleincommunity.com
• Jenny's Book:  God Chose the Wrong Person can be found here. 
• Jenny and her husband lost their construction business (approx. $400,000).
• Moved into a high-value house zoned for an inner-city school.
• Their daughter attended, exposing them to stark poverty.
• A birthday party experience highlighted contrasts in wealth and living conditions, deeply impacting them.
• Convicted of being “frauds” for not living out their faith in service.
• Within 24 hours, others confirmed God’s call to begin feeding food-insecure families.
• 2009 launch: started serving 58 families.
• Today: 20,000 people served weekly.

Mission & Ministry

• Grace Klein = “little gift from God”; community = koinonia (deep fellowship).
• Primary work: food support.
• Broader care: Bible studies, diapers, school supplies, Christmas outreach, community gatherings.
• Operates in 32 of 67 Alabama counties; goal: statewide, replicable model.
• Collaborative approach: businesses, churches, nonprofits, schools, municipalities.

Scale & Growth

• Budget in 2010: $14,000.
• Budget in 2025: $34 million (cash + in-kind).
• 1,013 partner organizations (Jan–July 2025).
• ~40 staff, thousands of volunteers (saving ~$3M in wage dollars annually).
• Facilities: 10 locations, 300+ distribution partners, 7 drive-throughs. Food turns over within 24 hours.

Approach

• Collaboration: everyone brings something to the table.
• Recipients are also contributors, reflecting biblical sharing (Acts, Corinthians).
• Theme 2025: “It’s not about us.” Focus on Jesus, love, forgiveness, unity.
• Works to shift Birmingham’s global reputation from hate (civil rights era) to love.

Global Connection

• Partnering with Beats and Books in South Africa.
• Building unity across races and cultures, learning from each other.
• Exchange of teams between South Africa and Alabama.
• Birmingham’s “Stronger Award” extended internationally.

Replication & Education

• Uses Food Rescue US app: mobilizes volunteers for daily food pickup (6 a.m.–11 p.m.).
• Donors protected under the Emerson Act (Good Samaritan law).
• U.S. food waste (40%) can be redirected to food-insecure (1 in 4 Alabamians).
• Teaches others how to replicate the model in their communities.

Impact Story

• Woman from Colombia, initially angry and facing custody issues.
• Grace Klein invested in her spiritually and practically.
• Over five years, she softened, grew in intimacy with Christ, and now impacts her community.

Jenny’s Perspective

• Wrote book: God Chose the Wrong Person.
• Believes God uses the “wrong” people to fulfill His purposes.
• Emphasizes surrender and reliance on Jesus.

Prayer Requests

• For staff and volunteers to remain focused on Jesus.
• To not “grow weary in doing good.”

NEXT WEEK:  Jonathon Seidl, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic

Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:
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Far East Broadcasting Company
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The grandson of the late Dr. Warren Wiersbe, Dan Jacobsen, talks with Wayne Shepherd about the publication of one of his grandfather's unpublished manuscripts. (Click for more)   

Years ago an unpublished Wiersbe manuscript tucked in a dusty manila folder was unearthed by the Jacobsen family. Wiersbe grandson Dan Jacobsen, a young pastor himself, spent two years preserving his grandfather's original writing and completed the work titled, Becoming New, A 100 Day Journey of Transformation Through God's Word. It's a powerful continuation of Warren Wiersbe's legacy.

In this FIRST PERSON interview, Dan mentions a podcast furthering the legacy of Warren Wiersbe-- it can be found at Apple podcasts here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/warren-wiersbe-sermons/id494964859. They can also be found on YouTube and Spotify.

And to hear a previous FIRST PERSON interview with Dr. Wiersbe, please click here:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/121603/episodes/10962795-warren-wiersbe

                                           NEXT WEEK:  Jenny Waltman

Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:
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Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!