First Person With Wayne Shepherd

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

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