First Person with Wayne Shepherd

• Anita Deyneka

  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 Ministries (now Mission Eurasia) and development of programs for emerging Christian leaders. Her deepest long-term focus, however, has been orphan care. Inspired by Ukrainian believers after the Soviet collapse, she helped encourage national movements such as Ukraine Without Orphans, Russia Without Orphans, and eventually the global coalition World Without Orphans, now active in over 90 countries.Today, Anita’s central concern is the plight of Ukrainian children affected by Russia’s 2022 invasion, including the forcible abduction of more than 20,000 children into Russia and Russian-controlled territories, where they are separated from families, indoctrinated, or even forced into military service. She urges prayer, awareness, and support for bipartisan U.S. legislation aimed at ensuring the safe return of these children and upholding family unity.This conversation reflects Anita’s lifelong commitment to bringing the hope of Christ to vulnerable communities and championing the well-being and protection of children in crisis.                                          NEXT WEEK:  Douglas ShawSend 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!

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• Bill Thrasher

  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 circumstances, trusting God’s sovereignty, and allowing thanksgiving to deepen relationships and invite God’s presence.                                       NEXT WEEK:  Anita DeynekaSend 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!

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• David Nelms

  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 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 ThrasherSend 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!

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• Thomas Westall

  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. 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 InitiativeSend 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!

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• Bob Bakke

  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, 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 BlessingsSend 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!

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