A former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot, KJ Johnson is interviewed by Wayne Shepherd about his testimony and role as Director of Chicago's CS Lewis Institute. (click for more...) Website: www.cslewisinstitute.org/chicago/ Karl “KJ” Johnson, Lt.Col., USMC (Ret.), a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot with a 20-year military career, shares how God redirected his life toward intentional spiritual discipleship after recognizing a personal lack of being deeply disciple...

Former radio shock-jock Phil Reaser tells his story of coming to faith in Christ and redirecting his life to follow God's call. (click for more...) NOTE: In addition to this normal length of our interviews, you can also listen to the extended version of Phil's story here. VoiceOver: philreaservoice@gmail.com Website: reaservoice.com Phil Reaser shares a powerful testimony tracing his journey from growing up as a pastor’s son with an ea...

Gregg Quiggle, author of BREAD AND BIBLES, talks with Wayne Shepherd about 19th century evangelist D.L. Moody and his focus on not only evangelism but social action as well. (click for more...) Website: www.moodypublishers.com/bread-and-bibles Dr. Greg Quiggle joins First Person to discuss his book Bread and Bibles, which reframes the legacy of D. L. Moody as a figure who integrated evangelism with extensive social action. Drawing from letters, biographies, and contemp...

Kevin Belmonte, a biographer of D.L. Moody, shares Moody's thoughts about Christmas with host Wayne Shepherd. (click for more...) Website: https://kevinbelmonte.wordpress.com The First Person Christmas episode features Wayne Shepherd in conversation with author and biographer Kevin Belmonte, reflecting on how famed evangelist D. L. Moody understood and celebrated Christmas. Through personal stories, historical anec...

Noted Christian apologist, Lee Strobel, joins Wayne Shepherd in conversation about his book, The Case For Christmas. (click for more...) Website: https://leestrobel.com/ Lee Strobel—former atheist, journalist, and now well-known Christian apologist—joins Wayne Shepherd to discuss The Case for Christmas and the historical credibility of the Christmas story. Drawing from his investigative approach, Strobel explains how a deeper look at language...

Doug Shaw, the author of CURATIVE CULTURE, Stepping Away from A Toxic Workplace, talks with Wayne Shepherd. (click for more...) Websites: www.dougshawperspective.com AND www.douglasshaw.com Doug Shaw, chairman and CEO of Douglas Shaw & Associates and author of Curative Culture, discusses his humble upbringing in a hand-built cabin in Washington and how those early experiences shaped his sense of purpose and work ethic. He explains the concept of a “curative culture” as the op...

Anita Deyneka has a long history of ministry to the people of Soviet and post-Soviet cultures, including children. She talks with Wayne Shepherd. (click for more) Websites: missioneurasia.org Read about giving a gift of hope at Christmas afamilyforeveryorphan.org Anita Deyneka is a longtime missionary, author, and advocate for vulnerable children, whose life and ministry have spanned the Soviet era, the collapse of communism, and the current crisis in Ukraine. Raised in...

As we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, Dr. Bill Thrasher joins Wayne Shepherd in conversation about the spiritual discipline of prayer and thanks. (click for more) Website: https://victoriouspraying.com Dr. Bill Thrasher reflects on the meaning and discipline of Thanksgiving, tracing its American roots to Bradford and Lincoln while emphasizing its deep biblical foundation. He explains that gratitude cures pride, restores perspective, and brings spiritual tra...

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 c...

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 provid...

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, ...

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-l...

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 th...

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...

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 Fran...

Jonathon Seidl talks with Wayne Shepherd 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 Christi...

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.comJenny'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 s...

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 Transforma...

Businessman John Wieland, author of Uncommon Threads, talks with Wayne Shepherd about his story of faith and the lessons he's learned about faith, family, and business. (click for more) You'll find the book Uncommon Threads here. John Wieland Program Notes: Background & Business CEO of MH Equipment (material handling/forklift company in Illinois).President of His First Foundation.Took over MH Equipment in 1994 when it was nearly bankrupt; no entrepreneurial or mechanical backg...

Hal Habecker of Finishing Well Ministries, joins Wayne Shepherd to talk about encouraging seniors to actively pursue and fulfill God's calling. (click for more) Website: https://www.finishingwellministries.org Interview notes: Background & Faith Journey Born in Hershey, PA, one of six children in a farming family.Came to Christ at age 6 in an independent Bible church.Early fascination with older people, shaped by the death of his childhood pastor.Active Christian leader in you...