First Person With Wayne Shepherd

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

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, culture, and prophecy clarifies long-held misunderstandings, such as the translation of the Greek word kataluma, which likely refers not to a commercial inn but to a guest room in a first-century home, suggesting Jesus was born in a family setting rather than a detached stable. He also highlights that many supposed parallels between Christianity and ancient myths collapse under scrutiny, reinforcing the uniqueness of the virgin birth and the reliability of biblical accounts. Strobel examines the legitimacy of Isaiah’s prophecy about a virgin birth, noting its p

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.comDoug 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 opposite of a toxic workplace—an environment grounded in hope, opportunity, trust, and recognition of each person's humanity, influenced by his Christian faith and the belief that people are created in the image of God. Shaw emphasizes servant leadership, the legitimate use of power, and the responsibility of leaders to desire the success of their coworkers and support them through personal and professional challenges. Drawing from personal stories, including the loss of his father and past unhealthy work experiences, he advocates

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.orgAnita 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 Washington State and called to Christ at age 11, Anita later married missionary Peter Deyneka Jr., joining the influential Slavic Gospel Association founded by his father. Together they supported Christian radio broadcasts, distributed Bibles, and worked closely with persecuted believers across Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union—efforts that sometimes resulted in denied visas due to their advocacy writings.After communism fell, Anita played a major role in expanding ministry opportunities, including leadership of Peter Deyneka Russian Ministr

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 transformation, citing examples such as Nebuchadnezzar, the psalmists, and New Testament figures. Thrasher acknowledges the pain many people face but stresses that everything apart from judgment is God’s grace, and that thanksgiving—empowered by the Holy Spirit—helps believers behold God, replace bitterness, experience unity, and receive guidance. Through personal stories, scriptural insights, and practical suggestions for families during the holiday season, he encourages cultivating gratitude daily, including thanking God even for difficult circumsta

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

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.orgRetired 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. W

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.orgDr. 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, w

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.comThe Verdict Radio Program:  https://theverdict.orgOriginally 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 thos

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 Christm

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

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 co

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 AlcoholicKey ThemesGod 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 PointAlcoholism 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 FreeAbiding in Christ – Developing an experiential, daily walk with Jesus (scripture, journaling, stillness).Finding true identity

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 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 & MinistryGrace Klein = “little gift from God”; community = koinonia (deep fellowship).Primary work: food support.Broader care: Bible stud

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