Podcast appearances and mentions of wayne shepherd

Who wrote the Declaration? It may feel like a middle school question or a trick question on a pop quiz. Does Google, AI, or even a school textbook give you the real answer? Let's go back to the source, read what the founders wrote and said about this revolutionary document. This conversation is one you can't miss, join us today on The Public Square.  Topic: Rediscovering American History The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Thursday, June 25th, 2026  

General George Washington was a man whose own father passed away when he was age 11, a man who chose to be a stepfather, a General who led young men into battle, and a President who willingly stepped away from power. Let's learn more about this fascinating father figure today on The Public Square®. Topic: Our Mission  The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Thursday, June 18th, 2026  

Dr. Mark Jobe talks with Wayne Shepherd about his tenure as President of Moody Bible Institute and his decision to follow God's call back to the church.  (click for more...) Website:  www.moodybible.org/news/2026/presidential-transition/Also:  www.moodyradio.org/bold-stepsDr. Jobe reflects on his seven years leading Moody, a role he didn't seek (it came as an unexpected call, and his wife encouraged him to pray about it) and accepted out of obedience rather than personal ambition. He describes balancing the full-time presidency with continuing to pastor New Life Community Church, a multi-site congregation with 25 locations and 44 services across Chicago plus 10 international sites, alongside a nonprofit serving at-risk youth. He calls the dual role a "beautiful marriage" that kept him connected to the city while leading the institute.He's now stepping down to return full-time to pastoring, church planting, and evangelism, calling it a deepening of his calling rather than a demotion. Much of the conversation covers his urban, multiethnic ministry in Chicago, the rise of "cultural Christians" and lapsed Catholics seeking faith again, strong recent growth in conversions and baptisms (over 1,100 people in 24 months), and his direct approach encouraging unmarried couples living together to marry. He closes by citing Proverbs 3:5-6, underlined in his father's Bible, as the scripture that has most guided his life and decisions.The interview ends noting Jobe will leave his Moody office at the end of the month, with listeners encouraged to pray for his successor as the institute's 11th president.       NEXT WEEK:  David McCullough on George Washington and 1776Send 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!

There's only been one person in history that has made such a world changing impact to alter all living things and dictate how we mark the passage of time...spoiler alert it's not President Trump. Yet we can't help but put the question out there - "What does America look like when President Trump is out of office?"   Tune in today and share this episode with a friend today on The Public Square®. Topic: Our Mission  The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Wednesday, June 10th, 2026  

Dr. David Zanotti, CEO and Chairman of The American Policy Roundtable and host of The Public Square, joins Wayne Shepherd in conversation about America's 250th.   (click for more...)  The conversation centers on a recently published book, An Oration, which Zanotti co-authored with political philosopher Dr. W.B. Allen. The book revisits an 1837 Fourth of July speech by John Quincy Adams — delivered at age 70, for 90 minutes without a microphone — in which Adams argued that American civil government was founded on biblical principles rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Zanotti describes Adams as the most credible eyewitness to the founding era, having personally known the Founding Fathers, served in every branch of government, and later spent 17 years in Congress advocating for the abolition of slavery.The interview also touches on how the book addresses modern debates around Christian nationalism, theocracy, and separation of church and state — using Adams' own words as the authoritative response. As a practical application, Zanotti encourages listeners to read the Declaration of Independence and engage in civic life as an expression of Christian faith. He concludes by announcing a groundbreaking ceremony for "Declaration Hall" — an education and media center to be built on the campus of the American Mission Center in Ohio — scheduled for July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.                                                  NEXT WEEK:  Mark Jobe 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!

We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Gabe Lyons and learning about the organization THINQ. Our team has the chance to discuss THINQ and what hosting a 4th of July dinner using their resources would look like. Join us today at The Public Square®. Topic: Our Mission  The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Wednesday, June 10th, 2026  

This week we enjoy the thoughts of Gabe Lyons a good friend and the founder of THINQ Media. Gabe and his team have crafted a strategy on how to bring a conversation about the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration to every dining room table. You are invited to join in this encouraging moment today on The Public Square®. Topic: Our Mission  The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, June 5th, 2026  

Dustin Garrett once found himself in a jail cell considering suicide when a grandmother's witness broke through and he cried out to Jesus. He tells his story to Wayne Shepherd.  (click for more...)         Dustin grew up in the Chicago suburbs in a broken, substance-abusing family, with his only Christian influence being his grandmother. By age 15 he was a full-blown heroin addict, eventually dropping out of school, cycling through theft, drug charges, and jail. At around age 20, while in the suicide ward of a jail going through heroin withdrawals, he cried out to Jesus — a faith rooted in his grandmother's persistent witness. After years of struggling without discipleship or community, his father gave him an ultimatum at age 22, leading Dustin to a two-year gospel-centered recovery program at a rescue mission in Peoria, Illinois. It was there — through men who opened the Bible with him and required him to memorize Scripture — that his life truly transformed. Against all odds, he went on to attend Bible college in Kansas City, and today, at 42, he has been walking with the Lord for about 20 years. He works in Christian healthcare ministry, serves as a worship leader at his church, and is a husband and father of two.                            NEXT WEEK:  Dave Zanotti of The Public SquareSend 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!

“We have to be willing to change,” this is the advice from today's guest, Wayne Belt, who is an experienced businessman and longtime FEBC supporter. While on the road meeting with FEBC friends and family, Ed and our host Wayne Shepherd had the chance to sit down and talk about the innerworkings of FEBC with our guest. Listen in as Mr. Belt shares how important it is to be ahead of the coming generational change by training new leaders and staying current with technology. Throughout the conversation, you'll hear important insights on ministry stewardship, but you'll also hear Wayne's heart for the Gospel and the power that comes when we stay true to the message of Christ…Until All Have Heard.

Do you believe we are living in the last days? If so, how should this affect the way we live? Bible scholar Dr. John Whitcomb answers those questions on today's edition of "Encounter God's Truth." He will explain what the final stages of the church age will look like—also showing us how we can have joy in the midst of the difficult days that may yet lie ahead before the Lord's return. God's Word is true from the beginning to the end, as we trust will be evident during this very special short series on Bible prophecy. Later, Dr. Whitcomb responds to a question from host Wayne Shepherd, who asks if there are any signs that show if the rapture is near. May God bless you as you listen to this important message.

Can we just skip the big hoopla about the 4th of July? Or does remembering the Declaration matter enough to do something about it? Please tune in this week to The Public Square® and find out. Topic: Rediscovering American History The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, May 29th, 2026  

Dr. John Whitcomb brought us a special message for Pentecost Sunday that we replay on this edition of "Encounter God's Truth." This is part two of our study of "The Significance of Pentecost." The Old Testament celebration of Pentecost was the background for the creation of the church in Acts 2—following Jesus' promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit. In Exodus 32, 3,000 men died following the giving of the Law (which was remembered at Pentecost) after they worshiped the golden calf. In Acts 2, however, at the birth of the church, 3,000 people were saved after hearing Peter preach the gospel. Wayne Shepherd, our host, also asked Dr. Whitcomb about the future of the Feast of Pentecost in the millennial kingdom. Our survey of Pentecost has reminded us once again that God's Word is true from the beginning to the end! Thanks for listening, and have a blessed Pentecost Sunday!

How did Benjamin Franklin's perspective on religion and faith change over time? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Rediscovering American History The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Friday, May 22, 2026

Dr. Bill Thrasher joins Wayne Shepherd in conversation remembering those who have given their lives in the service of their country and thanking God for the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf. (click for more...)Website:  www.VictoriousPraying.orgThis week's First Person is a Memorial Day weekend episode featuring host Wayne Shepherd in conversation with Dr. Bill Thrasher, a longtime professor at Moody Bible Institute. The discussion weaves together two themes: honoring military sacrifice on Memorial Day and reflecting on the sacrifice of Christ. Thrasher shares his personal faith journey — from a "cultural Christian" upbringing to his conversion at a 1965 Billy Graham crusade and deeper spiritual growth through a Campus Crusade-connected fraternity brother in college — and expresses gratitude for mentors who shaped him, including pastor Ben Haden, theologian Charles Ryrie, and radio preacher Stephen Olford. The theological heart of the conversation centers on Paul's charge to Timothy to "remember Jesus Christ," with Thrasher drawing on Oswald Chambers to caution against burying faith under busyness, and exploring the doctrines of propitiation and redemption as reasons for gratitude. The episode closes with Thrasher leading a prayer of thanksgiving for religious freedom, spiritual mentors, and the liberating work of Christ on the cross.               NEXT WEEK:  Ben Olsen of the Global Center for CoachingSend 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!

How should we go about celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Rediscovering American History The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Why should anyone care whether the founding fathers were deists as we prepare to celebrate America's 250th anniversary? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Rediscovering American History The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

A recent article from the Associated Press came out debunking the claim that the founders of America were deists... so why is no one talking about it? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Rediscovering American History The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

We at The Public Square® have been given the privilege of friendship with a great scholar, and we brought him in this week to talk about deism and the founding. Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Rediscovering American History The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Monday, May 18, 2026

This week on "Encounter God's Truth," we draw from the classic teaching of Bible scholar Dr. John Whitcomb, as we begin a two-part study on "The Significance of Pentecost." We open by looking at the Old Testament background of this harvest festival, which God gave as a special time for all the men of Israel to gather for worship. Dr. Whitcomb showed how, according to Jewish tradition, Pentecost in the Old Testament was a remembrance of the day when Moses gave the law at Mount Sinai—when God officially formulated the nation of Israel. Later, host Wayne Shepherd asked our teacher about the Holy Spirit's Old Testament work and whether or not Old Testament believers were regenerated. God's Word is true from the beginning to the end! Thanks for listening to it with us today.

We are blessed to have the esteemed historian, author, and friend Dr. W. B. Allen join our discussion on the origins of our country in the light of America's upcoming 250th Anniversary. This is an episode you will want to save and share for years to come. Please join us today on The Public Square®. The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, May 15th, 2026  

After more than 100 years, the myth that America's founders were predominantly deists has been openly refuted in a feature article in the Associated Press. For almost 50 years the American Policy Roundtable™ has studied, debated and published on this issue with scholars across the nation. Please tune in for a true moment in history on this episode of The Public Square®. The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, May 8th, 2026  

Why do we forget to think about the comandments in the New Testament... like praying for those in authority? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Deep Questions The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti, Wayne Shepherd, and Alan C. Duncan thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Friday, May 8, 2026

Jonathan Hallsted of Health Bridge Global talks with Wayne Shepherd about the ministry of healthcare as a bridge to the Gospel in closed countries and cultures. (click for more...)Website:  www.healthbridgeglobal.orgJonathan Hallsted is the founder and executive director of Health Bridge Global, a ministry that uses healthcare as a vehicle for sharing the gospel in closed nations, cultures, and communities. His path to this calling was anything but linear — he spent time in pastoral ministry, served seven years as a missionary in Eastern Europe, and built a 15-year career managing medical practices in California. During COVID, while walking a trail near his home, he felt a strong, undeniable sense that God was calling him to sell his house, leave his job, and commit full-time to a ministry he had been running part-time for a decade. After months of wrestling with fears about failure and finances, he finally said yes. Health Bridge Global now partners with indigenous Christian doctors in countries around the world to build financially self-sustaining, gospel-intentional healthcare clinics and projects — tailoring each one to the specific needs and context of the local community. Five years into his full-time commitment, the organization has completed or launched 13 projects in pursuit of a vision of 20 gospel-centered healthcare projects in 10 countries within 10 years. Jonathan describes the work as the hardest and best thing he has ever done.           NEXT WEEK:  Luke Cheng, Ex. Dir, of Chinese Ministries at FEBCSend 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!

Today we are asking the difficult question of who calls for more political violence - the left or the right? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Deep Questions The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti, Wayne Shepherd, and Alan C. Duncan thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026

Across the political spectrum, do we forget that people read, listen to, and are shaped by words? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Deep Questions The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti, Wayne Shepherd, and Alan C. Duncan thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2026

How can half-truths be just as dangerous as outright lies when rationalizing whether or not to take a drastic action? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Deep Questions The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti, Wayne Shepherd, and Alan C. Duncan thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Why have there have been so many attempts to kill American presidents through the years? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Deep Questions The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti, Wayne Shepherd, and Alan C. Duncan thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Monday, May 4, 2026

Given the recent shootings at the White House Correspondents dinner we are prompted with many questions regarding assassination attempts. Are there any trends? What are the influences and can we stop this?    We also have an interview with Jon Decker, a member of The White House press corps, who attended the correspondents dinner and was an eye witness that evening. This is an episode you don't want to miss today on The Public Square®. The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti.  thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, May 1st, 2026  

The new President of Joni and Friends, Shawn Thornton, joins Wayne Shepherd to discuss bringing Gospel hope to people with disabilities around the world. (click for more)Website:  joniandfriends.orgShawn Thornton shares the deeply personal story behind his memoir All But Normal: Life on Victory Road. His mother suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a car accident at age 14, and without adequate therapy available in 1962, she spent the rest of her life struggling with physical limitations, emotional instability, and periodic institutionalization. Growing up in this environment of "private pain" gave Thornton a lifelong heart for disability ministry — though he kept his story private for many years, believing it didn't matter.The conversation reveals a remarkable full-circle moment: Joni Eareckson Tada had been a source of hope and strength for Thornton's mother throughout her struggles. When Thornton arrived at his new pastoral position in California, he discovered a welcome note on his desk signed by Joni and Ken Tada — completely unaware of his family connection. That encounter moved him to tears, and eventually led him to share his story publicly, first at a Joni and Friends donor event, and later in his book — encouraged by both Joni and author Max Lucado.Now one year into his role leading Joni and Friends, Thornton is energized by the organization's mission to equip and mobilize local churches worldwide to welcome people with disabilities. He notes that only about 10% of U.S. churches are fully accessible, and that embracing disability ministry tends to open a congregation's heart to other marginalized groups as well. He describes the "Wheels for the World" program, which restores used wheelchairs in U.S. prisons and ships them to remote communities in countries like Thailand and Ghana, where recipients also receive Bibles, the gospel message, and a connection to a local church — often breaking longstanding cultural superstitions about disability. The interview closes with Thornton expressing deep enthusiasm for his new calling.                      NEXT WEEK:  Jonathan Hallsted, Healthbridge Global 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!

Why don't we play it safe when it comes to content on The Public Square®? Tune in today to hear more about the mission of this program.  Topic: Our Mission The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026

What happens when Americans go to the moon and how does that change our point of view? Join us around the table for this exciting conversation with special guest David DeFelice a retired NASA engineer and friend of the program.  The Public Square® Long Format Program with host Wayne Shepherd. thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Thursday, April 24th, 2026  

What does the Bible say about why can't wars last forever? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: International News The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Friday, April 24, 2026

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 of an estimated 650–700 churches and roughly 90,000 Christians in Mongolia. Now living back in Mongolia, Batjargal's vision for the future centers on equipping younger generations — particularly Gen Z — to become digital media evangelists, and on partnering media ministry with local churches to strengthen discipleship in an age increasingly shaped by AI and social media.              NEXT WEEK:  Shawn Thornton, President of Joni and FriendsSend 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!

How can you tell who are the "good guys" and the "bad guys" when you're looking at complex international conflicts? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: International News The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026

The conversation around the war with Iran continues. How can one have any hope or peace during such difficult world events that are out of our control? Let's learn, discuss, and pray together on The Public Square®. The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026  

Do we actually know what we're fighting over with Iran? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: International News The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Does God still love the world today, or have we messed it up so much in the modern era that He doesn't care anymore? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: International News The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026

We try to stay away from the headlines on our broadcast, but it's hard to ignore what's going on with Iran these days. Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: International News The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Monday, April 20, 2026

Is all the news, talk hosts, and chatter running your life? Let's push pause and share how we filter the media and constant 24 hour news cycle in order to keep our alignment with the truth. Join us today on the Public Square®. The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, April 17th, 2026  

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 thematically around faith, humor, home life, nature, and Christmas.Belmonte introduces GK Chesterton (1874–1936) as a towering British intellectual — a prolific journalist, poet, apologist, and author of the Father Brown mysteries — whose winsome writing style and Christian wit helped influence CS Lewis's return to faith. Despite holding vastly different worldviews, Chesterton maintained warm, civil friendships with contemporaries like George Bernard Shaw and HG Wells, and was admired by figures such as Teddy Roosevelt, who called him "a supreme genius" after a single dinner conversation.The interview also covers Chesterton's upbringing in a literary London household, his natural gift for language recognized early by teachers, and his rise from writing promotional copy at a publishing firm to becoming one of the most widely read and syndicated columnists of his era.                   NEXT WEEK:  Batjargal Tuvshintsengel of FEBC MongoliaSend 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!

We have received a tremendous response from our recent episodes on gambling. These responses, questions, and comments have opened up even more levels to the topic of gambling that we wanted to turn the microphones back on. Thank you for being a listener of the Public Square® and we hope you share this episode with a friend.  The Public Square® Long Format Program with hosts Wayne Shepherd and Dave Zanotti thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, April 10th, 2026  

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 success alone. A notable segment covers his friendship with neighbor Sergei Rakhuba, President of Mission Eurasia, which led to a cross-cultural connection with Jan, a man from Moldova who runs a ministry teaching orphaned youth to restore old Soviet-era Ural motorcycles. Through his YouTube channel, Sean helped raise $80,000 to build Jan a proper workshop and is now working to send professional tools to equip it. The interview closes with Sean reflecting that while he feels he's in the right place, he's still seeking a clear, God-given "big goal" for the next chapter of his life.NEXT WEEK:  Biographer Kevin Belmonte discusses GK ChestertonSend 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!

What is the topic that finally has us agreeing with The Atlantic magazine? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Gambling The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Friday, April 3, 2026

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 because it echoed the very argument he had been making to Christians, and it forced him to ask himself the same question: why did he believe what he believed?Nine Years of SearchingThat encounter launched a years-long intellectual and spiritual journey. It took Abdu two years of studying the historical, philosophical, and theological foundations of various worldviews to reach the intellectual conclusion that Christianity was true. However, he wrestled with actually accepting that conclusion for seven more years, held back by the personal, cultural, and familial cost of leaving Islam — as well as the deep identity he had wrapped up in being Muslim.The Resurrection as the Pivotal IssueThe bodily resurrection of Jesus became the crux of his investigation. The Quran explicitly denies the crucifixion and resurrection, making it a direct point of collision between Islam and Christianity. Abdu researched the historical evidence extensively — including the accounts of eyewitnesses, early church figures like Polycarp and Clement of Rome, and the conversion of the skeptic Paul — and found the case increasingly compelling and uncomfortable to deny.Legal Training and Coming to FaithHis legal education proved formative in evaluating the evidence, teaching him to assess argumentation and distinguish credible evidence from superficially convincing claims. He became a Christian shortly after finishing law school, concluding that the eyewitness testimony in the New Testament would stand up to scrutiny in a court of law.Advice on Apologetics and FaithAbdu now runs a ministry called Embrace the Truth and encourages Christians to ask themselves daily why they believe. He argues that apologetics isn't just academic debate, but a tool for deepening one's own discipleship — likening it to a trained musician who experiences a symphony far more richly than a casual listener. He closes with the conviction that because of what Christ has done in history, believers can trust what God will do in their lives.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!

What does a recent story in The Atlantic tell us about the world of gambling and how people on both sides of the aisle are beginning to see it for the issue that it is? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Gambling The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Thursday, April 2, 2026

The Atlantic recently published a story where a reporter studied the effects of online gambling for a year. Addiction is now at our fingertips and are there any solutions? Join us as we discuss this and more on The Public Square®. The Public Square® Express Format with hosts Wayne Shepherd and David Zanotti. thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Wednesday, April 1st, 2026

How do you go about building a contrarian communications company in the digital era? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Our Mission The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

Have you ever wondered where to listen to more of the wonderful music you hear on our broadcast? Tune in to The Public Square® today to hear more. Topic: Our Mission The Public Square® with hosts Dave Zanotti and Wayne Shepherd thepublicsquare.com Air Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Addiction, loss, debt and turmoil under the ruse of "Winning Big" are at your fingertips with sports gambling. Why is our culture, our sports leagues, and our government opening more doors for sports wagering? Thankfully we have an expert on our team, Rob Walgate the President of the APR™, who gives his personal testimony of overcoming gambling addictions and gives us insights on these questions and more. Please tune in today on The Public Square®. The Public Square® Long Format with hosts Wayne Shepherd and David Zanotti. thepublicsquare.com Release Date: Friday, March 27th, 2026

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-parentContact website:  www.cindiferrini.comDr. 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 bitterness. They also speak to the broader landscape of special needs families, noting the rising prevalence of diagnoses and the importance of churches stepping up to support not just the children but the parents as well. Grounded in scripture — including Psalm 139 and Philippians 4:19 — their story is one of hard-won peace, purpose, and the conviction that their son was no accident but a calling.                                 Next Week:  Abdu Murray, Easter testimonySend 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!