First Person With Wayne Shepherd

He was born and raise in Mongolia, became a Christian, and witnessed the birth of the church in his country. Batjargal Tuvshintsengel joins Wayne Shepherd in conversation. (click for more...)Website:  www.febc.org/where-we-work/mongolia/Born and raised in Mongolia under Soviet-era communist rule, Batjargal Tuvshintsengel first heard the gospel at age 20 through a British missionary who taught English using the Bible — a transformative moment that set him on a lifelong path of Christian ministry. He witnessed the remarkable birth of the church in Mongolia following the fall of communism, when the country suddenly opened to missionaries and the gospel for the first time in generations. Drawn to media from childhood, Batjargal channeled that background into ministry, helping launch Mongolia's first Christian FM radio station in Ulaanbaatar in 2001, which grew into a network of 17 stations reaching nomadic populations across the country via satellite. He credits this media ministry with supporting the growth

Biographer Kevin Belmonte joins Wayne Shepherd in conversation about Kevin's new book, GK Chesterton on Life, a book of memorable Chesterton quotes.  (click for more...)Website:  www.amazon.com/G-K-Chesterton-Life-Encountering/dp/1400355567/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=VRH4WFPSD4IK&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.g5DPZLtJUcpYrg3zd3J8LERdJbqkex_E0Fe0aknuDQIdFAn7XP7_6cXfKelSEpUWsR6MZKGBza4L-6OGN53cWNb3OFdua9h3Qm0TOD0urgAyw4SP69G5-Lnkw36XkGFwJXJfNPMIeGcUDlBIPni5zZgXxfWCap6v-Aa6bacO17Zyk1xlTzCqznABCzJeU2z3iuhrdzPLSi72WZwfYs-5wTM5cSDCeBHEoLVqW_Fwuk8.Mo4jYJUDRDEVFqFm5u7YxpTXUuZArUz2LisSnTyzgGU&dib_tag=se&keywords=GK+Chesterton+wit+and+wisdom&qid=1776276794&sprefix=gk+chesterton+wit+and+wisdom%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1This episode features a conversation with biographer Kevin Belmonte about his latest book, GK Chesterton on Life: Encountering His Classic Wit and Wisdom for Today — a hardcover gift book collecting Chesterton's most memorable quotes, organized the

Sean Kerr, the motorcycle enthusiast of YouTube's Bike and Beards, invited Wayne Shepherd to his shop for a conversation about his life and testimony.  (click for more...) YouTube:  www.youtube.com/@BikesandBeardsAnother channel Sean has started about developing his TN property:YouTube:  www.youtube.com/@SeansFarmchannelSean Kerr — a Christian entrepreneur and motorcycle enthusiast best known for his YouTube channel, Bikes and Beards, has around 2.75 million subscribers. Sean grew up in the church, attended Toccoa Falls College intending to go into pastoral ministry, but eventually realized his calling was in business. He started the channel 10 years ago, and as his audience grew, he began including a Bible verse in every video as a way to share Scripture with hundreds of thousands of viewers. The interview touches on Sean's personal life — his wife Rachel, whom he met in college, and their four children — as well as his philosophy that family and faith bring greater motivation and joy than career s

An addendum to the interview with Sean Kerr. Wayne and Sean take a brief tour of the motorcycles in Sean's shop. Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:FEBC National Processing Center Far East Broadcasting CompanyP.O. Box 6020 Albert Lea, MN 56007Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!

A former Muslim, Abdu Murray, talks with Wayne Shepherd about his conversion to Christianity and the importance of the bodily resurrection of Christ. (click for more...)Website:  www.embracethetruth.orgYouTube:  www.youtube.com/@AbduMurrayOfficialBackground & Early Life as a Muslim ApologistAbdu Murray grew up in a devout Shiite Muslim home in the metro Detroit area. Far from being a nominal believer, he took his faith seriously and actively challenged Christians and people of other faiths, pressing them to articulate why they believed what they did. He found that most Christians he encountered couldn't explain their faith beyond tradition or habit, and he used this to try to draw them toward Islam.A Turning Point in the BibleIronically, while attempting to find contradictions in the Bible to use against two Baptist men who kept visiting his apartment, Abdu stumbled upon John the Baptist's words in Luke 3 — warning people not to rely on tradition or lineage for salvation. The passage struck him

Joe and Cindi Ferrini, the couple behind the book, The Special Needs Parent, join Wayne Shepherd to talk about the calling they never expected.  (click for more...) Website:  www.moodypublishers.com/the-special-needs-parentDr. Joe and Cindi Ferrini are the parents of Joey, a 44-year-old son with a rare syndrome causing cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and epilepsy, requiring round-the-clock care his entire life. Despite this never being part of their life plan, the couple — Joe a retired dentist — have built their lives around caring for Joey while also raising two daughters and maintaining an active ministry. Their central message, captured in their book The Special Needs Parent: A Guide to the Life You Never Expected, is to "Embrace the Place" — accepting and committing to the life God has given you rather than resenting it. Both Joe and Cindi candidly share that this acceptance didn't come instantly; Joe in particular struggled before reaching a turning point where he chose faith over bit

Matt Davis specializes in helping people and organizations through leadership challenges and ministry transitions. He's Wayne Shepherd's guest on this week's FIRST PERSON.  (click for more...)     Website:  www.ministrytransitions.comIn this episode of First Person, host Wayne Shepherd interviews Matt Davis, President and Chief Pastoral Officer of Ministry Transitions, an organization that helps churches, nonprofits, faith-based companies, and individuals navigate leadership changes. Matt speaks candidly about his own story — after spending decades as an executive and teaching pastor, he experienced a moral failure that ended his ministry career, causing significant pain to his family, colleagues, and congregation. Through years of counseling, restoration, and personal rebuilding, he co-founded Ministry Transitions with Bill Tom to fill a gap he experienced firsthand: the lack of structured support for ministry leaders in transition. The organization works with boards and individuals through th

Master calligrapher Tim Botts is Wayne Shepherd's guest, talking about his approach to the creation of his art and the inspiration he finds in God's Word.  (Click for more...)Website:  www.TimBottscalligraphy.comThis week we feature Christian artist and master calligrapher Timothy Botts, who has spent decades expressing Scripture through colorful calligraphy and visual art. Botts explains how his work is deeply inspired by the words of the Bible, combining his training in graphic design with his love for God’s Word to visually communicate its meaning rather than simply decorate it. Influenced by music, early encouragement from teachers, and artistic exposure during missionary work in Japan, he developed a distinctive style that brings together art, worship, and communication. Botts also reflects on the role of visual art in the church, encouraging congregations to value and support artists as part of gospel ministry. Through initiatives such as the Masterpiece Arts Camp, he mentors young creatives,

Christian Comedian Phil Callaway joins Wayne Shepherd for a conversation about his life and calling to a ministry of comedy. (click for more....)Website:  www.PhilCallaway.comThe interview features Christian comedian, author, and speaker Phil Callaway sharing how God used humor and life experiences to shape his ministry. Callaway recounts how his faith was deeply influenced by his parents’ authentic Christianity and by teachers who encouraged his communication gifts. Beginning in 1990 by writing humorous articles about family life, he was soon invited to write books—eventually authoring more than two dozen—and later expanded into speaking, radio, and conference ministry. Despite early fears of public speaking, he sensed God calling him to use humor to inspire hope, both in Christian settings and in secular audiences such as teachers and medical professionals. Callaway also reflects on personal trials in his family, including the threat of Huntington’s disease, which reinforced the importance of offering hope

Greg Wheatley, host of the online music platform Sound of Majesty, joins Wayne Shepherd and gives a brief biographical sketch of two great composers. (click for more...)    Website:  www.soundofmajesty.orgIn this edition of First Person, Wayne Shepherd interviews Greg Wheatley, host of SoundofMajesty.org, about the life, faith, and musical legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach, with additional insights into Felix Mendelssohn. Wheatley explains that Bach, a devout Lutheran, viewed all his work as done for the glory of God, often signing his compositions “Soli Deo Gloria.” They discuss Bach’s monumental St. Matthew Passion, highlighting its theological depth and intricate craftsmanship, originally written for Good Friday worship. The conversation also explores how Mendelssohn revived Bach’s music nearly a century after his death, sparking renewed appreciation for his genius. Throughout the discussion, Wheatley emphasizes that classical sacred music, though sometimes perceived as complex, remains spiritually accessibl

Pastor Josh Moody of College Church in Wheaton, IL talks with Wayne Shepherd about his love of Scripture and how to make it a regular part of life.    (click for more...)Website:  www.GodCenteredLife.orgIn this First Person conversation, Pastor Josh Moody, senior pastor of College Church in Wheaton, Illinois, reflects on his journey from England to pastoral ministry in the U.S., his deep appreciation for Jonathan Edwards, and his passion for helping believers engage Scripture as the living Word of God. Moody recounts formative influences from his parents’ example, a transformative mission trip that awakened his love for the Bible, and his conviction that daily dependence on God’s Word is essential for spiritual life and perseverance. He discusses his book Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know as an accessible, interactive guide meant to draw readers into Scripture without guilt or pressure, emphasizing that faith, growth, and evangelism ultimately flow from hearing and responding to God’s Word.           

Kim Tschirret, Founder of Hope Reins, decribes how caring for horses helps children of abuse and trauma find hope, healing, and the love of Jesus.  (click for more...)                   Website:  www.HopeReins.orgKim Tschirret, founder and CEO of Hope Rains in Raleigh, North Carolina, shares how her own childhood trauma and healing journey in Christ led to the creation of a unique faith-based ministry that pairs abused and traumatized children with rescued horses. Founded in 2010, Hope Rains provides free, weekly mentoring sessions where children build trust, communication, boundaries, and leadership skills through guided interactions with horses, which serve as a bridge to healing through Jesus. With 38 acres, 17 rescued horses, dozens of staff and volunteers, and a three-year discipleship-oriented pathway, the ministry has served more than 2,100 children, offering safety, restoration, and hope while demonstrating how God redeems both broken lives and broken stories.                                         

Dan Hawkins is interviewed by Wayne Shepherd about being led of God to leave his successful family construction business to lead Village Ministries International. (click for more...)   Website:  www.VillageMinistries.orgDan Hawkins, CEO of Village Ministries, shares his journey from leading a successful family construction business to answering God’s call into full-time ministry after a life-changing short-term mission trip to a former Soviet state. Village Ministries, founded in 1990 and based in Yukon, Oklahoma, focuses on equipping rural and often persecuted pastors through Bible distribution, theological training, and spiritual care, particularly in areas where many pastors lack even a single Bible. The ministry’s core training resource, Foundations Building into Faith, now translated into 35 languages, teaches pastors how to accurately study Scripture and encourages multiplication through discipleship. Serving in more than 20 countries, Village Ministries relies on volunteer teachers, missionaries, and l

Businessman and investor Doug Cobb joins Wayne Shepherd in conversation about his goal of assisting in the completion of the Great Commission.   (click for more...)          Website:  https://finishingfund.org, https://www.douglasfcobb.comIn this First Person interview, Wayne Shepherd speaks with Doug Cobb, founder of the Finishing Fund and author of The Sprint to the Finish, about the accelerating global effort to fulfill the Great Commission. Cobb explains how his background in business and venture investing uniquely prepared him to help fund and launch first-time gospel engagement among unreached people groups, noting that fewer than 100 such groups remain worldwide. He describes three biblical “finish lines” of the Great Commission—believers in every people group, Scripture in every language, and a gospel presence in every place—and highlights remarkable progress through collaboration, technology, media, and prayer. Throughout the conversation, Cobb shares powerful stories of first believers, emphasizes p

Michele Altman gave her life to Christ after childhood abuse, drug addiction, and prostitution. Now the Founder of Cornerstone of Grace for women, she tells her story.  (click for more...)  Website:  www.Cornerstoneofgrace.orgMichele Altman shares a powerful testimony of redemption, describing a childhood marked by loss and abuse that led her into years of drug addiction, prostitution, and repeated brushes with death. Though raised with an early knowledge of God, Michelle spent years believing the lies spoken over her—until a decisive moment when she cried out to Jesus and experienced dramatic deliverance and freedom. Grounded in her restored identity in Christ, she now lives a life of daily surrender and obedience to God’s will. That transformation gave birth to Cornerstone of Grace, a Wisconsin-based residential ministry she founded to provide a safe, faith-centered environment for abused, homeless, and trafficked women and their children, equipping them through counseling, discipleship, and practical suppo

Joining Wayne Shepherd, Abdu Murray recounts his conversion from Shia Islam to Christianity and discusses his book, Fake ID, about AI and gender ideology.   (click for more...) Website:  https://embracethetruth.orgYouTube:  www.youtube.com/@AbduMurrayOfficialIn this First Person interview, Abdu Murray recounts his nine-year journey from devout Shiite Islam to Christian faith, describing how rigorous study, thoughtful dialogue with Christians, and a deep search for truth led him to conclude that Christianity uniquely answers both intellectual and existential questions, particularly through the self-sacrificial love of Christ demonstrated on the cross. He explains the personal cost of conversion, including challenges to identity and family relationships, while emphasizing the spiritual closeness to God that often comes through suffering. Murray also discusses his book Fake ID, arguing that the combined forces of “AI mania” and gender identity ideology are contributing to a cultural “reality collapse” by eroding

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 discipled despite growing up in a Christian environment. Raised in Chicago with strong faith influences from his mother and grandmother, Johnson drifted spiritually during college and early military years, but recommitted his faith after marriage and fatherhood, developing a hunger for Scripture and Christian thought. His transformative experience came through the C.S. Lewis Institute, where structured, relational discipleship—focused on heart and mind—provided mentoring, community, and theological depth that reshaped his life and calling. N

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.comPhil Reaser shares a powerful testimony tracing his journey from growing up as a pastor’s son with an early love for Christ, through years of rebellion marked by a shock-jock radio career, substance abuse, and spiritual emptiness, to a dramatic return to faith. After achieving professional success in secular radio, Phil became deeply convicted through a Billy Graham broadcast and later experienced a profound personal encounter with Jesus that led him to fully surrender his life to Christ at age 37. This turning point redirected his career into Christian radio, Bible training, teaching, and ultimately a life of mentoring others in faith. Now retired, Phil emphasi

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-biblesDr. 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 contemporary records, Quiggle explains that Moody not only preached the gospel but also addressed poverty through job placement, education, aid to the poor, Civil War relief work, and ministries for children, orphans, and the urban disadvantaged. While acknowledging Moody’s moral failures—particularly his compromises on racial segregation and silence on lynching—Quiggle presents a balanced portrait of a deeply influential yet imperfect Christian leader whose life challenges today’s polarized debates by demonstrating that faith-driven evangelism and s

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.comThe 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 anecdotes, and direct quotations, Belmonte presents Moody as a warm, humorous, deeply relational figure whose faith made spiritual truths accessible and vivid. The discussion highlights Moody’s love of family, home life in Northfield, simple pleasures like games and carriage rides with his grandchildren, and his ability to connect Christmas with themes of hope, heaven, and reunion. Moody’s descriptions of Christmas as a “lamp of promise” and heaven as a “great Christmas” reveal his gift for expressing profound theology through everyday imagery, culminating in a heartfelt prayer fro