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 commitment and skills (body of Christ with diverse roles).
  • All service explicitly in Jesus’ name—aid is unconditional.
  • Philosophy:
  • Meeting urgent needs (food, water, shelter, medicine) creates a platform for witness.
  • Work must be done with excellence; poor quality undermines witness.
  • Reputation sought: compassionate, loving, present in people’s greatest need
  • Partnerships:
  • Works with local churches and Christian organizations.
  • Example: Mission Eurasia in Ukraine; 1,600 churches partnered there.
  • Seeks partners passionate about proclaiming Christ.
  • Global Needs & Focus:
  • Sudan: Severe civil war, famine, displacement (12 million displaced, 150,000 killed).
  • Gaza: Food distribution, partnerships with local groups despite conflict.
  • Syria: Healthcare, new opportunities with emerging governance.
  • Emphasis: most crises are politically driven, not natural disasters.
  • Funding & Resources:
  • Less than 5% of support from US govt.
  • $530B in US private giving vs. $43B government aid (2023).
  • Independence from government allows freedom and faith-based work.
  • Scriptural Foundation:
  • Luke 10 (Good Samaritan) – “Go and do likewise.”
  • Matthew 24 – signs of the end times: wars, famines, earthquakes; Isaacs sees Samaritan’s Purse as positioned for these times.
  • Encouragement to Listeners:
  • Stay generous; pray for leaders worldwide.
  • Follow updates at samaritanspurse.org.
  • Remember ultimate goal: share Christ’s love through compassionate action.

NEXT WEEK: Winfred Neely

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P.O. Box 6020
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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 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 Point
Alcoholism 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 Free
Abiding in Christ – Developing an experiential, daily walk with Jesus (scripture, journaling, stillness).
Finding true identity – Seeing oneself in Christ, not in addiction or failure.
Radical vulnerability – Going beyond surface-level honesty, sharing deeply with trusted biblical community.
Obedience – Trusting and following God’s direction, even when it feels small or uncomfortable.
Supports & Safeguards
Weekly Christian therapy (counselor Gina) helped uncover root causes.
Biblical community and small group provided accountability and openness.
Close sobriety group (texts/emails) for immediate honesty when tempted.
Practices radical vulnerability—naming struggles before they escalate.
Broader Lessons
Addiction often stems from escapism, not just the substance.
Messy sanctification: the Christian journey involves ongoing struggles, not just “minor sins.”
Scripture shows God working through deeply flawed people (David, Abraham, etc.).
Encouragement: there is room in the church for imperfect stories and God’s redemption.
Aims to help others struggling with addiction, break stigma, and point to biblical hope.

NEXT WEEK: Ken Isaacs, Samaritan's Purse

Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:
FEBC National Processing Center
Far East Broadcasting Company
P.O. Box 6020
Albert Lea, MN 56007

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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.com
• Jenny'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 & Ministry

• Grace Klein = “little gift from God”; community = koinonia (deep fellowship).
• Primary work: food support.
• Broader care: Bible studies, diapers, school supplies, Christmas outreach, community gatherings.
• Operates in 32 of 67 Alabama counties; goal: statewide, replicable model.
• Collaborative approach: businesses, churches, nonprofits, schools, municipalities.

Scale & Growth

• Budget in 2010: $14,000.
• Budget in 2025: $34 million (cash + in-kind).
• 1,013 partner organizations (Jan–July 2025).
• ~40 staff, thousands of volunteers (saving ~$3M in wage dollars annually).
• Facilities: 10 locations, 300+ distribution partners, 7 drive-throughs. Food turns over within 24 hours.

Approach

• Collaboration: everyone brings something to the table.
• Recipients are also contributors, reflecting biblical sharing (Acts, Corinthians).
• Theme 2025: “It’s not about us.” Focus on Jesus, love, forgiveness, unity.
• Works to shift Birmingham’s global reputation from hate (civil rights era) to love.

Global Connection

• Partnering with Beats and Books in South Africa.
• Building unity across races and cultures, learning from each other.
• Exchange of teams between South Africa and Alabama.
• Birmingham’s “Stronger Award” extended internationally.

Replication & Education

• Uses Food Rescue US app: mobilizes volunteers for daily food pickup (6 a.m.–11 p.m.).
• Donors protected under the Emerson Act (Good Samaritan law).
• U.S. food waste (40%) can be redirected to food-insecure (1 in 4 Alabamians).
• Teaches others how to replicate the model in their communities.

Impact Story

• Woman from Colombia, initially angry and facing custody issues.
• Grace Klein invested in her spiritually and practically.
• Over five years, she softened, grew in intimacy with Christ, and now impacts her community.

Jenny’s Perspective

• Wrote book: God Chose the Wrong Person.
• Believes God uses the “wrong” people to fulfill His purposes.
• Emphasizes surrender and reliance on Jesus.

Prayer Requests

• For staff and volunteers to remain focused on Jesus.
• To not “grow weary in doing good.”

NEXT WEEK: Jonathon Seidl, Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic

Send your support for FIRST PERSON to the Far East Broadcasting Company:
FEBC National Processing Center
Far East Broadcasting Company
P.O. Box 6020
Albert Lea, MN 56007

Please mention FIRST PERSON when you give. Thank you!