1 00:00:03,120 --> 00:00:06,560 Speaker 1: It's truly been a blessing, and I'm so grateful. I 2 00:00:06,600 --> 00:00:10,280 Speaker 1: know our lives are so enriched and not be the 3 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:14,600 Speaker 1: same without his experience and the relationships that we've had 4 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:21,560 Speaker 1: with you and so many members on the team. 5 00:00:21,720 --> 00:00:24,279 Speaker 2: When the Lord gives you a dream, he often brings 6 00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:27,120 Speaker 2: just the right people around you to start to see 7 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:31,320 Speaker 2: that dream become reality. What a wonderful thing. And today 8 00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:34,000 Speaker 2: we're going to celebrate two of those people that are 9 00:00:34,159 --> 00:00:44,920 Speaker 2: key to the history of the Joshua Fund. Hi. I'm 10 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 2: Lynn Rosenberg, and welcome to Inside the Epicenter. This is 11 00:00:48,159 --> 00:00:51,920 Speaker 2: the podcast of the Joshua Fund, a ministry that's dedicated 12 00:00:51,920 --> 00:00:55,520 Speaker 2: to blessing Israel and your neighbors in the name of Jesus, 13 00:00:55,800 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 2: and we're so glad that you could join us today. 14 00:00:58,120 --> 00:01:01,960 Speaker 2: This is number three in a series on our twentieth 15 00:01:01,960 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 2: anniversary celebration. Amazing that this summer, this month August of 16 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 2: twenty twenty six, we're celebrating twenty years since the Joshua 17 00:01:10,480 --> 00:01:14,240 Speaker 2: Fund was begun. And so today we have some dear 18 00:01:14,319 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 2: friends who are with us. Joel likes to call them 19 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:19,560 Speaker 2: Genesis one one people. They were with us at the 20 00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 2: very very start of all of this and even before. 21 00:01:22,640 --> 00:01:25,360 Speaker 2: Dear friends Tim and Carolyn Ludbill, who are calling in 22 00:01:25,400 --> 00:01:27,840 Speaker 2: from Virginia. Welcome Tim and Carolyn. 23 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:31,160 Speaker 3: Thank you welcome. It's good to be here. 24 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:33,680 Speaker 2: To be always good to spend some time with you guys. 25 00:01:33,680 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 2: I know, since we have Joel and I have moved 26 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:37,839 Speaker 2: to Israel, we don't get to see you as much. 27 00:01:37,920 --> 00:01:41,880 Speaker 2: But Tim and Carolyn and Joel and I and our boys. 28 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:44,759 Speaker 2: They have two and we have four. Our boys grew 29 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:47,000 Speaker 2: up together. We were all at the same church in 30 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:51,360 Speaker 2: Northern Virginia and on the missions committee and doing missions 31 00:01:51,360 --> 00:01:56,000 Speaker 2: trips together and homeschooling together and all kinds of amazing things. 32 00:01:56,400 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 2: But in the year of two thousand and six, when 33 00:02:00,360 --> 00:02:03,560 Speaker 2: we were sitting around a dining room table trying to 34 00:02:03,640 --> 00:02:06,520 Speaker 2: plan how we were going to start this ministry, you 35 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:09,440 Speaker 2: were sitting there, both of you with us, and so 36 00:02:09,600 --> 00:02:13,080 Speaker 2: grateful for the wisdom that you brought, the heart that 37 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 2: you brought, but also just the love for the Lord. 38 00:02:15,880 --> 00:02:19,320 Speaker 2: That's really what we needed the most, and that's something 39 00:02:19,360 --> 00:02:23,360 Speaker 2: that definitely characterizes you both. So I'm so excited that 40 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:25,160 Speaker 2: today we can sort of tell some of those old 41 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:29,240 Speaker 2: stories and hear from you guys, thanks for taking the time. 42 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,960 Speaker 2: So the first thing I want to ask you, maybe 43 00:02:33,960 --> 00:02:36,480 Speaker 2: I'll start with you Tim. So Tim was the first 44 00:02:36,560 --> 00:02:39,799 Speaker 2: chairman of our board, so that was a good, very 45 00:02:39,800 --> 00:02:44,400 Speaker 2: good role. Carolyn is very gifted in association work and 46 00:02:44,600 --> 00:02:48,200 Speaker 2: organization and leadership, and so she was helping us develop 47 00:02:48,560 --> 00:02:52,120 Speaker 2: bylaws and policies right from the start. And so they 48 00:02:52,200 --> 00:02:54,679 Speaker 2: are just an amazing couple and they brought so much 49 00:02:54,720 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 2: to us. But when we were sitting there together at 50 00:02:57,720 --> 00:03:01,160 Speaker 2: that dining room table, just Tim, were you thinking this 51 00:03:01,240 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 2: might even become you know, what did you think we 52 00:03:04,000 --> 00:03:06,160 Speaker 2: were all doing there? You know, how did you imagine 53 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 2: this was going to go? Or do you think this 54 00:03:07,800 --> 00:03:11,120 Speaker 2: is one more crazy idea of the Rosenbergs. 55 00:03:11,639 --> 00:03:14,400 Speaker 3: Well, I think there was a lot of anticipation, but 56 00:03:14,720 --> 00:03:17,200 Speaker 3: of course there were a lot of unknowns. What did 57 00:03:17,240 --> 00:03:21,200 Speaker 3: God have in store for us? What? We had a 58 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:24,480 Speaker 3: number of people with great hearts and a desire to 59 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:29,280 Speaker 3: see God work, But we were short on building organizations, 60 00:03:29,360 --> 00:03:33,680 Speaker 3: and our knowledge of Israel, apart from you and Joel, 61 00:03:33,960 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 3: was very slim, and so I think there was a 62 00:03:37,760 --> 00:03:41,200 Speaker 3: little bit of apprehension at the same time some excitement 63 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 3: of what God might be doing there. As we got together, 64 00:03:45,160 --> 00:03:48,840 Speaker 3: I remember having the conversation with the attorney on the phone, 65 00:03:48,880 --> 00:03:52,440 Speaker 3: and we spent some time in prayer as things were 66 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 3: being finalized, and the attorney said it had been just 67 00:03:56,080 --> 00:03:58,520 Speaker 3: a few years before that he had been on a 68 00:03:58,560 --> 00:04:04,040 Speaker 3: similar call with an organization that was prison Fellowship, than 69 00:04:04,040 --> 00:04:08,400 Speaker 3: an organization that grew into a huge blessing to people 70 00:04:09,200 --> 00:04:13,920 Speaker 3: in prison prison ministries, And as he mentioned that, it 71 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:16,159 Speaker 3: gave me even more of a vision of what God 72 00:04:16,240 --> 00:04:17,880 Speaker 3: might have in store for us. 73 00:04:18,440 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, it's amazing to think. We started to talk about, 74 00:04:23,640 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 2: you know, this vision statement that we had to bless 75 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:28,400 Speaker 2: Israel and our neighbors in the name of Jesus, but 76 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:31,280 Speaker 2: we had to figure out, well, bless how in what 77 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 2: way were we going to do that. So when you 78 00:04:34,560 --> 00:04:37,960 Speaker 2: think about that vision statement and what the goal was, 79 00:04:38,040 --> 00:04:40,520 Speaker 2: you know, we came at it with a great commission 80 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 2: heart as well, that we wanted to see people come 81 00:04:43,600 --> 00:04:45,440 Speaker 2: to know the Lord and be built up in their faith, 82 00:04:45,480 --> 00:04:49,200 Speaker 2: be discipled. But we use that word bless and so 83 00:04:49,560 --> 00:04:52,320 Speaker 2: we thought, well, what is that going to look like? Specifically, 84 00:04:52,880 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 2: if you were trying to describe how the Joshua Fund 85 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:58,159 Speaker 2: blesses Israel and her neighbors. How what's a story or 86 00:04:58,240 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 2: how would you describe that, Carolyn. 87 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:03,680 Speaker 1: Well. I think one of the most unique ways we 88 00:05:03,760 --> 00:05:06,960 Speaker 1: did that is through the humanitarian outreach. You know, that 89 00:05:07,120 --> 00:05:09,120 Speaker 1: was something that we could do to really. 90 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:10,440 Speaker 4: Be the hands and feet of Jesus. 91 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 1: We were able to get connected to people through I 92 00:05:16,200 --> 00:05:19,160 Speaker 1: think city or council governments who could identify people who 93 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 1: were below the poverty line and really show them the 94 00:05:22,120 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 1: love of Jesus by literally physically and tangibly giving them 95 00:05:25,880 --> 00:05:28,680 Speaker 1: food packs, things that they needed for their home that 96 00:05:28,720 --> 00:05:31,440 Speaker 1: they wouldn't have been able to afford. So I believe 97 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:36,960 Speaker 1: that that God used that initial and continuing today humanitarian 98 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:41,680 Speaker 1: outreach to really be a forum for demonstrating the love 99 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:44,239 Speaker 1: of Jesus. I know that we've heard story after story. 100 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 4: Well, people will come and say, well, why are we 101 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:46,480 Speaker 4: doing this? 102 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:50,200 Speaker 1: You know what is motivating you to deliver these packets 103 00:05:50,680 --> 00:05:52,520 Speaker 1: and be who you are? And so I just think 104 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:56,520 Speaker 1: the Lord really just in his timing and knew exactly 105 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:59,960 Speaker 1: how we needed to start as an organization to reach 106 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:04,520 Speaker 1: people and to bless, to tangibly bless Israelis and Arabs 107 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 1: in that way. 108 00:06:06,720 --> 00:06:08,640 Speaker 2: Tim I was wondering if you could tell us about 109 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 2: your first trip to Israel with Joel with the Joshua Fund. 110 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 2: When was that, what were you going to be up to, 111 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,600 Speaker 2: and what do you remember about your first impressions and 112 00:06:17,640 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 2: the things you learned on that trip. 113 00:06:20,839 --> 00:06:24,480 Speaker 3: Yes, I remember a couple of things. This was in 114 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:27,560 Speaker 3: November of two thousand and six, just shortly after we 115 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:31,839 Speaker 3: formed the organization, and I was asked to join Joel 116 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 3: and the only other staff member of the Joshua Fund 117 00:06:35,680 --> 00:06:39,480 Speaker 3: on a trip to Israel. And I remember two things. 118 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:43,840 Speaker 3: One is we landed in Israel and got into the 119 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:46,240 Speaker 3: airport and the place where we'd pick up our luggage, 120 00:06:46,279 --> 00:06:50,840 Speaker 3: and we saw literally hundreds of suitcases lined up next 121 00:06:50,880 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 3: to each other. And the man explained to us that 122 00:06:55,960 --> 00:06:57,919 Speaker 3: not exactly these words, but it was kind of like, 123 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 3: I have good news and I have bad news. The 124 00:07:00,160 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 3: good news is that your luggage has arrived from the States. 125 00:07:04,160 --> 00:07:07,120 Speaker 3: The bad news is you won't have access to it. 126 00:07:07,400 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 3: There's a baggage handler strike and you won't be able 127 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 3: to take your bags with you. And so we spent 128 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 3: the first two to three days in the same clothes 129 00:07:16,160 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 3: that we traveled in. I felt particularly sorry for Joel 130 00:07:20,520 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 3: who is speaking from pulpits and everything in jeans and 131 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 3: a shirt whatever. But God just use that. It was fine. 132 00:07:28,800 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 3: But it's a memory that we built. It's a memory 133 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:36,480 Speaker 3: we built and can still joke about today. But the 134 00:07:36,520 --> 00:07:41,720 Speaker 3: reason we were there was actually to participate in what's 135 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:46,080 Speaker 3: called a shook kind of a marketplace for the town 136 00:07:46,160 --> 00:07:50,880 Speaker 3: of Kiryatshmuna, a village on the Lebanese border. They had 137 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:55,640 Speaker 3: been attacked. Rockets from Lebanon came and hit them in 138 00:07:56,440 --> 00:07:59,560 Speaker 3: I'm thinking July or August of that year. A lot 139 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,360 Speaker 3: of damn the city and a lot of very poor people, 140 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:06,520 Speaker 3: most of them were Russian speakers. And we were able 141 00:08:06,600 --> 00:08:09,280 Speaker 3: to send money from the Joshua Fund in advance, but 142 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 3: then to really provide household goods and blankets and things 143 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:18,280 Speaker 3: that were really helpful to the people of the town. 144 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 3: And I will never forget handing blankets to elderly women 145 00:08:23,720 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 3: who were in a retirement community. And you know, they 146 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 3: spoke Russian. I spoke English, but we certainly communicated through 147 00:08:31,040 --> 00:08:34,000 Speaker 3: our eyes our faces. And I won't forget the tears 148 00:08:34,000 --> 00:08:36,160 Speaker 3: that they had as they clung to those blankets and 149 00:08:36,160 --> 00:08:39,440 Speaker 3: were so grateful that we could provide that for them. 150 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:43,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, it really has been an amazing thing that even 151 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:47,360 Speaker 2: though we kind of got the jump start to create 152 00:08:47,400 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 2: the Joshua Fund because of these checks. You know, in 153 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:52,880 Speaker 2: the last episodes, we've talked about how these two different 154 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:56,200 Speaker 2: couples wanted to translate Joel's books that were very evangelistic 155 00:08:56,200 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 2: books into Hebrew and Russian, and so we had the 156 00:09:00,400 --> 00:09:03,440 Speaker 2: reason to sit around that table, you know, to create 157 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:05,319 Speaker 2: a nonprofit so we could have a bank account and 158 00:09:05,360 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 2: put those checks somewhere, i mean, transfer them from the 159 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,679 Speaker 2: wonderful ministry that was holding them for us. But very quickly, 160 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:14,400 Speaker 2: like Krolyn, like you were sharing, it became clear that 161 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:17,120 Speaker 2: humanitarian aid was going to be a big part of 162 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,720 Speaker 2: what we were doing. And it just is amazing how 163 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 2: still over the years we have now twenty nine distribution 164 00:09:24,520 --> 00:09:27,680 Speaker 2: centers all over the country, you know, all working through 165 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 2: local churches, from all the way in the north from 166 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:33,200 Speaker 2: where you were Curia Shimona, you know, all the way 167 00:09:33,240 --> 00:09:37,680 Speaker 2: down to the south. And yeah, what would you describe, 168 00:09:37,720 --> 00:09:41,559 Speaker 2: you know, for a ministry that was thinking books, evangelism, discipleship, 169 00:09:41,679 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 2: what do you see as is valuable about humanitarian aid? Tim, Like, 170 00:09:45,240 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 2: how did you see. You know, you just described those 171 00:09:47,400 --> 00:09:50,840 Speaker 2: connections that get made. Why is it significant, do you think? 172 00:09:52,520 --> 00:09:52,720 Speaker 1: Yeah? 173 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:55,000 Speaker 3: I think if I go back to your one question 174 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:57,559 Speaker 3: about being a blessing and what is a blessing, I 175 00:09:57,600 --> 00:09:59,439 Speaker 3: think blessing in some ways is in the eye of 176 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:02,800 Speaker 3: the beholder. What someone might think is a blessing, others 177 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 3: may not. And while we thought originally Joel's books translated 178 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:12,240 Speaker 3: into Hebrew and Russian would be a huge blessing to Israelis, 179 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:15,080 Speaker 3: I'm not sure if someone handed me a book and 180 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 3: said we want to be a blessing to you read 181 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,640 Speaker 3: this book, I'm not sure I'd consider that a blessing necessarily. 182 00:10:21,200 --> 00:10:24,520 Speaker 3: But when you come with open hands and you bring 183 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:28,439 Speaker 3: food to people and say we love you, and people 184 00:10:28,440 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 3: from the United States have given money because they want 185 00:10:31,160 --> 00:10:33,840 Speaker 3: to be a blessing to you, that generally is a 186 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 3: blessing to those people. 187 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 4: Yeah. 188 00:10:36,000 --> 00:10:39,200 Speaker 2: So, Carolyn, you know we all got to go several 189 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 2: times as families. I have wonderful memories of our being 190 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 2: in Israel on ministry trips together, and participating in vacation 191 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:50,480 Speaker 2: Bible schools together, and putting together packets for bomb shelters together. 192 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 2: You know, how do you see your involvement in those 193 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:57,880 Speaker 2: early years as a family, How did the Lord? What 194 00:10:57,960 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 2: kind of things did the Lord show you in those 195 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 2: trips and in that time you know about what he 196 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:04,840 Speaker 2: was doing in the Middle East and how you were 197 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:06,800 Speaker 2: getting to be a part of it, because you had 198 00:11:06,800 --> 00:11:09,839 Speaker 2: a lot of experience and missions, both of you and 199 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:13,440 Speaker 2: cross culturally minded, so it wasn't a new thing to 200 00:11:13,520 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 2: be in a new culture for you, but Israel in 201 00:11:15,679 --> 00:11:17,160 Speaker 2: the Middle East was new. 202 00:11:18,760 --> 00:11:20,360 Speaker 4: That's a great question, you know. 203 00:11:20,400 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 1: I think when I was thinking back, because one of 204 00:11:22,480 --> 00:11:24,720 Speaker 1: your questions had been was our first experience as a 205 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:26,719 Speaker 1: trip and I know it was that spring of two 206 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 1: thousand and seven, and although I had been to Israel 207 00:11:29,760 --> 00:11:33,839 Speaker 1: before in my single years, I had never experienced it 208 00:11:33,880 --> 00:11:37,320 Speaker 1: with our family and our two boys ages eight and 209 00:11:37,400 --> 00:11:40,840 Speaker 1: twelve at the time got to participate. And I remember 210 00:11:41,040 --> 00:11:43,680 Speaker 1: that this trip, it was just one bus load of 211 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:48,320 Speaker 1: a mixture of singles and families and older adults, truly intergenerational, 212 00:11:48,800 --> 00:11:52,520 Speaker 1: but to come together and really see firsthand God's love 213 00:11:52,559 --> 00:11:56,720 Speaker 1: and plan for Israel and her neighbors, but particularly focus 214 00:11:56,800 --> 00:12:00,719 Speaker 1: on seeing where Jesus walked in the ministry that he 215 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:04,320 Speaker 1: had while he was here on earth. It just really 216 00:12:04,440 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 1: makes your quiet times with the Lord, your reading of 217 00:12:07,360 --> 00:12:11,160 Speaker 1: scripture come alive. And for the first time, it really 218 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 1: exposed our boys, you know, to the fact that we're 219 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:18,120 Speaker 1: teaching them, we're training them to love God's word. But 220 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:22,439 Speaker 1: then to actually see the sites where Jesus was baptized 221 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:25,120 Speaker 1: and even our son got baptized. I believe on that 222 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 1: trip it was truly transformative and it really planted those seeds. 223 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:34,040 Speaker 1: And I remember Lynn, particularly you had created a booklet 224 00:12:34,559 --> 00:12:39,480 Speaker 1: for the children to journal along, to write down their 225 00:12:39,480 --> 00:12:43,520 Speaker 1: memories of what they were learning. And as I also 226 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:47,199 Speaker 1: remember that we participated in a passover Satyr, which again 227 00:12:47,400 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 1: was a true first to really be able to experience 228 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:55,120 Speaker 1: that from an Israeli perspective, and so it was truly 229 00:12:55,280 --> 00:12:57,440 Speaker 1: just a gift, and I believe it started us on 230 00:12:57,480 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 1: a journey as a family to grow our walk with 231 00:13:00,600 --> 00:13:03,120 Speaker 1: the Lord and to really see Israel and see Cos's 232 00:13:03,200 --> 00:13:06,160 Speaker 1: love for Israel, see God's love for his neighbors, and 233 00:13:06,200 --> 00:13:08,439 Speaker 1: to see how we could play a part in that 234 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 1: in various ways, whether it was through serving with the 235 00:13:13,160 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 1: Joshua Fund, giving going, participating in prayer and vision tours. 236 00:13:18,160 --> 00:13:21,480 Speaker 1: So that was the beginning of just an amazing journey 237 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:22,320 Speaker 1: that we've been on. 238 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,440 Speaker 2: We've had a lot of adventures together. I very grateful. 239 00:13:25,679 --> 00:13:29,000 Speaker 2: You guys are great teammates, are very flexible and with 240 00:13:29,160 --> 00:13:31,880 Speaker 2: faith and willingness to just see what the Lord has 241 00:13:31,920 --> 00:13:34,680 Speaker 2: in mind. It's been such a blessing to be on 242 00:13:34,720 --> 00:13:37,319 Speaker 2: those trips together and serve with you guys. And you're right, 243 00:13:37,360 --> 00:13:39,640 Speaker 2: it's one thing to know in your mind that God 244 00:13:39,679 --> 00:13:42,640 Speaker 2: has a love and plan for Israel, that the scripture's 245 00:13:42,720 --> 00:13:46,160 Speaker 2: clear about what he says and his promises. But to 246 00:13:46,200 --> 00:13:48,320 Speaker 2: stand there and to be there and to walk in 247 00:13:48,360 --> 00:13:51,440 Speaker 2: the story really brings that to life, and it helps 248 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:56,119 Speaker 2: make it a stronger understanding, I think, especially in the others. 249 00:13:56,200 --> 00:13:58,840 Speaker 2: And so that's why we just love having tours and 250 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:01,160 Speaker 2: bringing as many people over as possible, because I think 251 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:04,200 Speaker 2: if you can see it for yourself, you'll understand there's 252 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 2: a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding that gets cleared up 253 00:14:08,679 --> 00:14:12,240 Speaker 2: when you're just walking there yourself. So awesome. Well, we're 254 00:14:12,240 --> 00:14:14,560 Speaker 2: going to take a quick break and then we will 255 00:14:14,559 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 2: come back with some more questions for you, for Tim 256 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:21,680 Speaker 2: and Carolyn, as we continue to celebrate our twenty year anniversary, 257 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 2: of the Joshua Friend. Our verse for today is Zechariah 258 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 2: chapter four, verse ten. Do not despise these small beginnings, 259 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:38,160 Speaker 2: for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin. Will 260 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:40,880 Speaker 2: you join us in praying and thanking God for his 261 00:14:40,960 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 2: faithfulness to us as a team, for the way that 262 00:14:44,040 --> 00:14:47,640 Speaker 2: He's brought people together, both our board, our staff, our partners, 263 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 2: And would you pray that the Lord would take us 264 00:14:49,880 --> 00:14:52,680 Speaker 2: further into the next twenty years, that he would keep 265 00:14:52,720 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 2: showing us his will, that we would keep walking in faithfulness, 266 00:14:56,440 --> 00:14:59,680 Speaker 2: and that he would use us to build and equip. 267 00:14:59,720 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 2: That you're to the epicenter to reach their people with 268 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:10,200 Speaker 2: the gospel. Welcome back to inside the Epicenter. We are 269 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:13,200 Speaker 2: so excited today to be talking to Tim and Carolyn Lugbill, 270 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,560 Speaker 2: a couple who were with us at the very beginning 271 00:15:15,560 --> 00:15:17,600 Speaker 2: of the Joshua Fund and served with us for many 272 00:15:17,600 --> 00:15:21,320 Speaker 2: many years and are still dear friends and prayer supporters. 273 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,480 Speaker 2: And so we're gonna just keep on talking about just 274 00:15:24,520 --> 00:15:26,760 Speaker 2: what the Lord has showed us over these years and 275 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:30,080 Speaker 2: the ways that he used you guys to help us 276 00:15:30,160 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 2: really start the Joshua Fund. So Carolyn, I asked this 277 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:36,080 Speaker 2: question of Tim, but let me ask you, Carolyn. You 278 00:15:36,120 --> 00:15:39,520 Speaker 2: know if someone asked you to describe a story, something 279 00:15:39,520 --> 00:15:43,040 Speaker 2: that you did, a person maybe whose life you saw change, 280 00:15:43,200 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 2: or a project that we did that really moved you. 281 00:15:46,520 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 2: How would you like if someone said, well, what kind 282 00:15:48,720 --> 00:15:49,960 Speaker 2: of things does the Joshua Fund? 283 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:50,120 Speaker 1: Do? 284 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:50,720 Speaker 3: You know? 285 00:15:50,800 --> 00:15:53,440 Speaker 2: Tim described, of course the shook and the wonderful the 286 00:15:53,520 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 2: humanitarian work we do. What other kinds of things what 287 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 2: would come to your mind? 288 00:15:58,760 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 4: I think one of them is the Preach the Word. 289 00:16:01,280 --> 00:16:04,880 Speaker 1: And although I never personally have been to it, I 290 00:16:05,080 --> 00:16:09,320 Speaker 1: was involved in just you know, seeing that vision come 291 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:13,680 Speaker 1: to reality and knowing that it is equipping the pastors 292 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:18,920 Speaker 1: and ministry leaders in the land for Israeli and Arab believers, 293 00:16:19,440 --> 00:16:23,240 Speaker 1: and I think it is so wonderful and one of 294 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:26,680 Speaker 1: the unique distinctives about the Joshua Fund. It's a both 295 00:16:26,720 --> 00:16:29,720 Speaker 1: and it's not just focused on Israel, but also on 296 00:16:30,120 --> 00:16:34,160 Speaker 1: her neighbors and the Arab believers and Arabs within Israel. 297 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 4: And so the Lord using Preach the Word to. 298 00:16:38,760 --> 00:16:44,520 Speaker 1: Help train equip fellowship a while times of coming together 299 00:16:44,800 --> 00:16:48,520 Speaker 1: and fellowshiping together and breaking bread together, I think has 300 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:51,720 Speaker 1: been a tremendous way to bring about reconciliation, to bring 301 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 1: about greater understanding, to bring true discipleship and fostering of 302 00:16:58,680 --> 00:17:03,120 Speaker 1: brotherly sisterly love among Israelis and Arabs. And I just 303 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:06,920 Speaker 1: feel like that is one distinctive about the Joshua Fund 304 00:17:06,960 --> 00:17:08,760 Speaker 1: that is so unique and so encouraging. 305 00:17:10,560 --> 00:17:13,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's really a highlight of the year. Every fall, 306 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:17,280 Speaker 2: we do that conference on both sides of the border, 307 00:17:17,359 --> 00:17:20,359 Speaker 2: you know, we do that on the Israeli side with 308 00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:23,919 Speaker 2: all the Israeli Arabs and Messianic believers, and then we 309 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:27,239 Speaker 2: do that again on the West Bank side. And it 310 00:17:27,320 --> 00:17:30,280 Speaker 2: has been such a blessing to see just a sense 311 00:17:30,320 --> 00:17:33,000 Speaker 2: of unity around God's word. Really, you know, it's a 312 00:17:33,080 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 2: very simple conference. We just teach God's Word in an 313 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:42,000 Speaker 2: expository fashion, verse by verse, and then have time of 314 00:17:42,040 --> 00:17:45,760 Speaker 2: worship and fellowship together. And so yeah, I think that 315 00:17:45,920 --> 00:17:48,880 Speaker 2: is one of our highlights of the year for sure. Tim, 316 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 2: you were the chairman of our board and then you 317 00:17:52,160 --> 00:17:55,439 Speaker 2: became the executive director as the Joshua Fund grew. So 318 00:17:55,600 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 2: we started off we had one employee, one staff person, 319 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:04,560 Speaker 2: and Joel was you know, directing it or whatever, but 320 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:08,159 Speaker 2: he was not a paid staff person. He was a volunteer. 321 00:18:08,200 --> 00:18:09,760 Speaker 2: I was a volunteer. We were all the rest of 322 00:18:09,840 --> 00:18:12,000 Speaker 2: us were volunteers. We had one person we were paying. 323 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:15,320 Speaker 2: But over the years we saw the Josha Vun grow 324 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:18,720 Speaker 2: and grow. So at what year did you begin to 325 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:19,960 Speaker 2: be the executive director? 326 00:18:21,640 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 3: I started in December of twenty thirteen. 327 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:28,399 Speaker 2: Okay, so we were at that point. How many staff 328 00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:28,760 Speaker 2: do we have? 329 00:18:30,800 --> 00:18:32,280 Speaker 4: I'm testing your great question. 330 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:35,440 Speaker 3: I think maybe seven or eight in the US and 331 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:37,320 Speaker 3: maybe three in Israel. 332 00:18:38,840 --> 00:18:42,400 Speaker 2: So you had some people to manage. 333 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:45,840 Speaker 3: Right, you know. If I look back and think about 334 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:49,000 Speaker 3: how God has led us, yeah, I think so much 335 00:18:49,000 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 3: of ministry is about people. And I think when Joel 336 00:18:52,240 --> 00:18:55,440 Speaker 3: went to Israel before the organization was started, he met 337 00:18:55,480 --> 00:18:59,760 Speaker 3: a number of great people who have served the ministry 338 00:19:00,800 --> 00:19:04,119 Speaker 3: so well by advising us and helping us from making 339 00:19:04,200 --> 00:19:08,560 Speaker 3: really crazing mistakes or financial blunders or anything that could 340 00:19:08,600 --> 00:19:12,720 Speaker 3: hurt the reputation of the Joshua Fund. And he planted 341 00:19:12,760 --> 00:19:17,680 Speaker 3: those people there to be really solid for us. And 342 00:19:17,720 --> 00:19:20,040 Speaker 3: then on the state side, I think about the very 343 00:19:20,080 --> 00:19:23,960 Speaker 3: first executive director we had, who was great at building 344 00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:27,399 Speaker 3: organizations from the ground up, and he and his wife 345 00:19:27,480 --> 00:19:31,399 Speaker 3: devoted so much of their retirement years to setting up 346 00:19:31,600 --> 00:19:35,120 Speaker 3: firm foundation for the organization, both here in the States 347 00:19:35,160 --> 00:19:39,639 Speaker 3: and getting to know various federal laws, state laws that 348 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:43,080 Speaker 3: we needed to abide by, but also doing the research 349 00:19:43,200 --> 00:19:48,200 Speaker 3: for Israel and helping to recruit the Israelis that we'd 350 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:51,160 Speaker 3: be working for us, and helping to rent a warehouse 351 00:19:51,200 --> 00:19:53,400 Speaker 3: where we could store the food and all of that. 352 00:19:53,760 --> 00:19:56,280 Speaker 3: And then I think about the rest of the employees that, 353 00:19:56,480 --> 00:19:59,959 Speaker 3: one by one who sents God's call to bless Israel, 354 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:03,960 Speaker 3: they really saw working for the Joshua Funds what God 355 00:20:04,000 --> 00:20:07,639 Speaker 3: had called them to a mission, and every one of 356 00:20:07,680 --> 00:20:10,680 Speaker 3: them serving so faithfully. And I think about the commitment 357 00:20:10,720 --> 00:20:14,000 Speaker 3: to prayer that had already been established when I joined 358 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:18,159 Speaker 3: the as executive director. When I joined the organization in 359 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:23,400 Speaker 3: that way, I saw how they gathered together every day. 360 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,960 Speaker 3: They prayed for small things for they would get requests 361 00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:33,359 Speaker 3: from pastors in Israel, Arab pastors, Hebrew pastors, and we 362 00:20:33,400 --> 00:20:37,040 Speaker 3: would pray for them. We would pray when each member 363 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:39,639 Speaker 3: of the team would be making a trip over the ocean, whatever, 364 00:20:39,720 --> 00:20:43,879 Speaker 3: but just a commitment to pray. And I think the 365 00:20:43,920 --> 00:20:47,560 Speaker 3: people that God put both physically on our team but 366 00:20:47,680 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 3: also in the land, and then of course over the 367 00:20:51,440 --> 00:20:54,680 Speaker 3: years the pastors here in the States that had been 368 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:58,639 Speaker 3: so supportive of us and their congregations. It's been incredible. 369 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:02,840 Speaker 2: I love that you brought up prayer because prayer has 370 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:05,879 Speaker 2: been such a foundational part of the Joshua Frond from 371 00:21:05,920 --> 00:21:08,639 Speaker 2: the beginning. We knew early on we didn't know what 372 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:11,600 Speaker 2: we were doing. This is way over our head, this 373 00:21:11,680 --> 00:21:14,240 Speaker 2: is way over our pay grade, as they would say, 374 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:16,560 Speaker 2: and that we were going to be fully dependent on 375 00:21:16,640 --> 00:21:19,639 Speaker 2: the Lord, especially going into Israel and the amount of 376 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:23,199 Speaker 2: spiritual warfare that's involved with a place that is so 377 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,280 Speaker 2: dear to the Lord that he calls the apple of 378 00:21:25,320 --> 00:21:28,440 Speaker 2: his eye. We know, if it's that dear to the Lord, 379 00:21:28,560 --> 00:21:31,440 Speaker 2: it's also a target of the enemy. He does not 380 00:21:31,880 --> 00:21:36,399 Speaker 2: like anybody blessing Israel and her neighbors. The enemy does 381 00:21:36,440 --> 00:21:38,480 Speaker 2: not want there to be peace there, does not want 382 00:21:38,520 --> 00:21:41,000 Speaker 2: there to be unity. And so we knew from the 383 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:44,680 Speaker 2: beginning that if we weren't praying and asking the Lord 384 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:48,359 Speaker 2: for his wisdom and his provision and his protection, we'd 385 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:50,960 Speaker 2: be in big trouble. And you know that really continues 386 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:54,600 Speaker 2: to this day, every weekday morning for one hour, well 387 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:58,480 Speaker 2: for us in Israel. It's weekday evenings, but for one 388 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:02,080 Speaker 2: hour the staff meets for reading God's Word and then 389 00:22:02,240 --> 00:22:05,919 Speaker 2: just praying together over our partners, over our donors. We 390 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,359 Speaker 2: have such amazing faithful donors that call in and we 391 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:12,120 Speaker 2: love to hear their prayer requests and you really lift 392 00:22:12,160 --> 00:22:15,760 Speaker 2: those up as well. And so yeah, it's really a 393 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:20,119 Speaker 2: heritage that is something we've continued on. Carolyn. When you 394 00:22:20,160 --> 00:22:22,240 Speaker 2: think about you know, you you helped you were the 395 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:25,520 Speaker 2: board liaison for a while as well. You've had many hats, 396 00:22:25,760 --> 00:22:27,600 Speaker 2: you know, not just for you a board member, but 397 00:22:27,840 --> 00:22:31,840 Speaker 2: you really helped us think through a board policy manual, 398 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:34,320 Speaker 2: all the things that aren't necessarily so glamorous, you know, 399 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:37,439 Speaker 2: or so you know that you tell stories about, but 400 00:22:38,040 --> 00:22:41,040 Speaker 2: it's the things that you need to work well so 401 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:43,639 Speaker 2: that we're all on the same page. And you really 402 00:22:43,640 --> 00:22:46,520 Speaker 2: were key in helping us navigate that as we grew, 403 00:22:46,640 --> 00:22:49,040 Speaker 2: so that we could all speak the same language and 404 00:22:49,400 --> 00:22:52,639 Speaker 2: know what's driving us, what are our principles, what are 405 00:22:52,640 --> 00:22:55,919 Speaker 2: our values? And so so grateful for that leadership that 406 00:22:55,960 --> 00:22:59,040 Speaker 2: you brought. What are some things you remember? Lessons We 407 00:22:59,160 --> 00:23:01,280 Speaker 2: learned things the word Lord showed us, or ways he 408 00:23:01,320 --> 00:23:04,760 Speaker 2: provided for us during during those building years that stick 409 00:23:04,760 --> 00:23:05,440 Speaker 2: out in your mind. 410 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:08,960 Speaker 1: Well, one of the things is I can remember even 411 00:23:08,960 --> 00:23:12,960 Speaker 1: when the organization got started, at that August in two 412 00:23:13,000 --> 00:23:15,400 Speaker 1: thousand and six meeting, we were trying to figure out, okay, 413 00:23:15,440 --> 00:23:18,199 Speaker 1: what could maybe the Lord be providing or how much 414 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 1: should we really budget for this first year? And I 415 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 1: remember maybe the number of twenty five thousand or fifty 416 00:23:23,640 --> 00:23:26,080 Speaker 1: thousand got thrown out and I said, I think I 417 00:23:26,080 --> 00:23:26,880 Speaker 1: said to Joel, what. 418 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:27,520 Speaker 3: About a million? 419 00:23:28,119 --> 00:23:30,119 Speaker 4: And I know if you thought I lost my mind, 420 00:23:30,600 --> 00:23:31,240 Speaker 4: but he said, you. 421 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 2: Know, I William Carolyn. He wondered if you had a 422 00:23:33,680 --> 00:23:36,960 Speaker 2: bank account. Maybe no, It's just. 423 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:39,399 Speaker 1: You know, I felt like the Lord had given you 424 00:23:39,440 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 1: all this vision to start this organization. 425 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:44,400 Speaker 4: This is not a vision that you you had just. 426 00:23:44,400 --> 00:23:47,480 Speaker 1: Landed upon, but something that had been really brewing in 427 00:23:47,520 --> 00:23:49,840 Speaker 1: your lives and as a couple for many years, and 428 00:23:49,880 --> 00:23:52,399 Speaker 1: that if the Lord was truly in it, he was 429 00:23:52,440 --> 00:23:55,840 Speaker 1: going to provide. And I think for me just really 430 00:23:55,880 --> 00:23:59,679 Speaker 1: watching you all be an example of being trusting the 431 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:02,679 Speaker 1: Lord and taking that leap of faith, I mean, I 432 00:24:02,680 --> 00:24:06,480 Speaker 1: think that's always been where the Lord has blessed you 433 00:24:06,560 --> 00:24:10,200 Speaker 1: all and being good stewards you know, you've talked about 434 00:24:10,200 --> 00:24:13,440 Speaker 1: the commitment to prayer, and I would say another aspect 435 00:24:13,960 --> 00:24:17,560 Speaker 1: that lessons learned of just you know, praying over decisions 436 00:24:17,600 --> 00:24:21,040 Speaker 1: whatever they were, vetting partners, putting on events, investing in 437 00:24:21,080 --> 00:24:24,680 Speaker 1: new strategies, but being a good steward and really committing 438 00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 1: to prayer how the Lord wants. 439 00:24:26,640 --> 00:24:27,720 Speaker 4: To use those funds. 440 00:24:28,160 --> 00:24:31,119 Speaker 1: And so that has been a huge blessing in my 441 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:33,880 Speaker 1: life just to watch how those funds have been used 442 00:24:33,880 --> 00:24:37,399 Speaker 1: and how the Lord has grown the organization over so 443 00:24:37,520 --> 00:24:40,840 Speaker 1: many years, and just playing a small part in making 444 00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:45,240 Speaker 1: sure that the board was aligned with with what its 445 00:24:45,480 --> 00:24:49,640 Speaker 1: purposes were and staying within those guardrails. And I think 446 00:24:49,720 --> 00:24:54,000 Speaker 1: having policies, you know, really helps to provide the foundation 447 00:24:54,160 --> 00:24:57,680 Speaker 1: that an organization needs so that it can be sustainable. 448 00:24:57,280 --> 00:25:00,399 Speaker 4: And it can be honoring to the Lord. People will look. 449 00:25:00,359 --> 00:25:03,480 Speaker 1: To see, you know, the e CFA label and the 450 00:25:03,560 --> 00:25:07,560 Speaker 1: charity navigator to see are they abiding, are they aligning. 451 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:10,120 Speaker 4: With biblical principles, And so that's one thing. 452 00:25:10,680 --> 00:25:15,000 Speaker 1: Just helping the organization move and actually solidify in that 453 00:25:15,600 --> 00:25:17,879 Speaker 1: direction was was a huge blessing for me. 454 00:25:18,720 --> 00:25:22,640 Speaker 2: So yeah, well thank you, thank you for all the 455 00:25:22,720 --> 00:25:25,960 Speaker 2: investment that you both put into those things, and you know, Tim, 456 00:25:26,000 --> 00:25:28,560 Speaker 2: I think of you as you were helping build the team. 457 00:25:28,920 --> 00:25:32,359 Speaker 2: One of the important hires that happened during your tenure 458 00:25:32,359 --> 00:25:35,480 Speaker 2: as executive director was somebody who's still with us, Chris Free, 459 00:25:35,520 --> 00:25:40,119 Speaker 2: who's our director of Education Communications and really helps us 460 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:42,480 Speaker 2: to tell the stories. But you know, of course we 461 00:25:42,560 --> 00:25:44,480 Speaker 2: knew you have to be careful how you tell the 462 00:25:44,520 --> 00:25:47,920 Speaker 2: stories when you're you know, you don't want to blow 463 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:50,240 Speaker 2: your own horn. You know, it's you don't want the 464 00:25:50,320 --> 00:25:52,240 Speaker 2: right hand to let the left hand know what you're doing. 465 00:25:52,280 --> 00:25:54,560 Speaker 2: So that whole balance of well, how do we tell 466 00:25:54,600 --> 00:25:57,239 Speaker 2: the stories in a way that honors the Lord and 467 00:25:57,320 --> 00:26:01,879 Speaker 2: it's humble, and that's you know, security conscious because people 468 00:26:01,920 --> 00:26:05,840 Speaker 2: operating in the Middle East don't need anybody's extra eyes, 469 00:26:05,880 --> 00:26:09,960 Speaker 2: you know, in their direction. Necessarily there's a lot of persecution, 470 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:12,360 Speaker 2: as we know, because we don't just work in Israel, right, 471 00:26:12,400 --> 00:26:16,199 Speaker 2: we work in these other five countries, neighboring countries, and 472 00:26:16,320 --> 00:26:20,240 Speaker 2: especially in those Muslim majority nations. It's not an easy 473 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:25,800 Speaker 2: place to be a Christian, certainly to be a church. So, yeah, 474 00:26:25,960 --> 00:26:29,399 Speaker 2: do you remember hiring Chris and thinking about, you know, 475 00:26:29,480 --> 00:26:31,480 Speaker 2: how are we going to keep building this team, and 476 00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:33,679 Speaker 2: what you saw is some of the important values that 477 00:26:34,080 --> 00:26:37,160 Speaker 2: as you were building the team. 478 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:42,560 Speaker 3: Yes, I remember the process, and I was thinking how 479 00:26:42,600 --> 00:26:44,880 Speaker 3: difficult it could be for a person to come on 480 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:48,000 Speaker 3: board when you work for a best selling New York 481 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:52,480 Speaker 3: Times best selling author, someone who's used to writing with 482 00:26:52,560 --> 00:26:56,159 Speaker 3: a new head of communications. How would that work? But 483 00:26:56,240 --> 00:26:59,159 Speaker 3: it's worked beautifully, and part of that is both on 484 00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 3: Joel and Chris is to their credit. And Chris brought 485 00:27:04,840 --> 00:27:09,960 Speaker 3: a great perspective and really a hurt for learning when 486 00:27:09,960 --> 00:27:12,239 Speaker 3: he came on board, because he learned a different kind 487 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:14,760 Speaker 3: of writing and he worked for a different kind of organization. 488 00:27:15,760 --> 00:27:20,720 Speaker 3: And you're exactly right. We are very careful about the 489 00:27:20,760 --> 00:27:23,680 Speaker 3: pictures we take. We want to respect the dignity of people. 490 00:27:23,720 --> 00:27:27,080 Speaker 3: So it's very challenging when you're providing food to people 491 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:29,600 Speaker 3: who are very poor, and you want to be able 492 00:27:29,640 --> 00:27:33,639 Speaker 3: to communicate accurately and well to our donors, but we 493 00:27:33,680 --> 00:27:36,160 Speaker 3: don't want to do that at the expense of someone's dignity. 494 00:27:36,680 --> 00:27:40,520 Speaker 3: And Chris understood that, and it was a real pleasure 495 00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:42,760 Speaker 3: to get to know Chris. We didn't overlap a whole 496 00:27:42,840 --> 00:27:46,920 Speaker 3: lot together while we While I served there, but I'm 497 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:48,440 Speaker 3: very grateful he's still with the team. 498 00:27:48,760 --> 00:27:51,080 Speaker 2: Yes, he's a wonderful member of the team. I think 499 00:27:51,080 --> 00:27:53,560 Speaker 2: that's one of the highlights for me of one of 500 00:27:53,560 --> 00:27:55,480 Speaker 2: the great things that you brought to the you know, 501 00:27:55,520 --> 00:27:58,879 Speaker 2: brought to us during your tenure as executive director. Also 502 00:27:58,960 --> 00:28:01,640 Speaker 2: just helping us keep this show stable. There's lots of 503 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:05,760 Speaker 2: rocky you know, waves and storms that have come over 504 00:28:05,800 --> 00:28:11,280 Speaker 2: the years, external, internal, like any organization like life and 505 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:14,080 Speaker 2: you and Carolyn, but you in particular, I would say, 506 00:28:14,080 --> 00:28:16,480 Speaker 2: when you were serving in that role, just kept the 507 00:28:16,520 --> 00:28:19,760 Speaker 2: ship steady and calm and with a sense of just 508 00:28:19,840 --> 00:28:23,399 Speaker 2: loving faith. And so we're very grateful for that from you. 509 00:28:23,880 --> 00:28:27,159 Speaker 2: Would you say, you know, when you think about about 510 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:29,879 Speaker 2: stormy times or difficult times, you know, were there a 511 00:28:30,040 --> 00:28:34,440 Speaker 2: verse or a scripture or a principle that you kind 512 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,280 Speaker 2: of kept in mind to keep going, to keep staying 513 00:28:37,280 --> 00:28:39,240 Speaker 2: faithful in those difficult times. 514 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:41,959 Speaker 1: I don't know if it's so much something to keep going, 515 00:28:42,040 --> 00:28:43,880 Speaker 1: but as I've just looked over, I mean, I just 516 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:46,920 Speaker 1: stand in awe that the Lord has given the Joshua 517 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:49,080 Speaker 1: Fund twenty years and I know if the Lord Terry 518 00:28:49,120 --> 00:28:51,480 Speaker 1: is He's going to give the Joshua fund another twenty years. 519 00:28:51,760 --> 00:28:54,040 Speaker 1: But the verse that keeps coming to my mind is 520 00:28:54,080 --> 00:28:58,280 Speaker 1: Ephesians three twenty that says that He's able to do exceedingly, 521 00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:02,560 Speaker 1: abundantly beyond all them we could ask or think. And 522 00:29:02,720 --> 00:29:05,680 Speaker 1: I just think that if all of us had said, 523 00:29:05,920 --> 00:29:07,600 Speaker 1: you know, when you see twenty years, this is the 524 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:10,320 Speaker 1: way the organization is going to be and thriving and 525 00:29:10,360 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 1: flourishing and opening up so many new doors. I don't 526 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:15,280 Speaker 1: know for me personally if I would have believed it, 527 00:29:15,320 --> 00:29:19,400 Speaker 1: but I've just seen how the Lord. It's been truly 528 00:29:19,440 --> 00:29:23,840 Speaker 1: an honor and a privilege, and just to come alongside 529 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:28,040 Speaker 1: you and Joel and partner and just provide the little, 530 00:29:28,640 --> 00:29:31,080 Speaker 1: you know, bits of crumbs that we could offer to 531 00:29:31,200 --> 00:29:34,120 Speaker 1: help the organization grow and be what it is today. 532 00:29:34,320 --> 00:29:38,520 Speaker 4: So it's truly been a blessing, and I am so grateful. 533 00:29:38,840 --> 00:29:42,480 Speaker 1: I know our lives are so enriched and not be 534 00:29:42,600 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 1: the same without this experience and the relationships that we've 535 00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:49,280 Speaker 1: had with you and so many members on the team. 536 00:29:50,360 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 2: Well, they were way more than crumbs. You're very humble 537 00:29:53,000 --> 00:29:57,040 Speaker 2: to say that they were important building blocks. I would say, 538 00:29:57,440 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 2: key things that needed to be put into the into 539 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:04,560 Speaker 2: the phone. But yes, the Lord has done much, much more, abundantly, 540 00:30:05,280 --> 00:30:07,800 Speaker 2: more than we could have imagined, even us, and we 541 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:10,560 Speaker 2: love to dream in Joel and I are dreamers, but 542 00:30:10,880 --> 00:30:14,640 Speaker 2: even us, it's way beyond what we could have imagined. Well, 543 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:16,959 Speaker 2: as we as we start to wrap up and finish 544 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:19,480 Speaker 2: this episode, which I'm so grateful just to see you 545 00:30:19,520 --> 00:30:21,200 Speaker 2: guys and to sit with you, I wish we were 546 00:30:21,200 --> 00:30:24,360 Speaker 2: sitting with actual coffee and at the same table, but 547 00:30:25,000 --> 00:30:27,320 Speaker 2: this will have to do for now. If someone asked, 548 00:30:27,360 --> 00:30:29,600 Speaker 2: you know, why should I get involved? Why should I? 549 00:30:29,960 --> 00:30:32,920 Speaker 2: You know, we ask people to learn about, learn about 550 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:36,160 Speaker 2: the Middle East, learn about the epicenter, to pray, to give, 551 00:30:36,400 --> 00:30:39,720 Speaker 2: to go? Why why do you think people should get 552 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:41,920 Speaker 2: involved in the Joshua Fund and come on this journey 553 00:30:41,920 --> 00:30:45,120 Speaker 2: for the next twenty years. As you mentioned, they're one 554 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:46,840 Speaker 2: of you. I'm happy to hear your answers. 555 00:30:47,800 --> 00:30:52,440 Speaker 3: Well, I don't want to go against the learn, pray, give, go, 556 00:30:52,600 --> 00:30:57,840 Speaker 3: but I would start with go because I believe. To 557 00:30:58,160 --> 00:31:02,200 Speaker 3: go to Israel, to see the sites, to walk where 558 00:31:02,280 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 3: Jesus walked, to read scriptures in light of where you 559 00:31:06,320 --> 00:31:09,520 Speaker 3: were sitting or standing at the time, you get such 560 00:31:09,520 --> 00:31:12,960 Speaker 3: a great understanding that it's like opening a new dimension 561 00:31:13,040 --> 00:31:15,160 Speaker 3: of scripture that I'm not sure you can get any 562 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:18,680 Speaker 3: other way. And I think it was a joy for 563 00:31:18,840 --> 00:31:22,960 Speaker 3: us to be with you all and to help lead 564 00:31:23,240 --> 00:31:26,640 Speaker 3: and watch so many people see the sites for the 565 00:31:26,680 --> 00:31:30,240 Speaker 3: first time, and you could almost see the scales coming 566 00:31:30,280 --> 00:31:33,440 Speaker 3: off their eyes in some ways of a new level 567 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:37,480 Speaker 3: of understanding. And so when you go, you also get 568 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:41,680 Speaker 3: kind of a quick introductory course to God's love and 569 00:31:41,760 --> 00:31:45,240 Speaker 3: plan for Israel. So you're getting instruction, You're getting the 570 00:31:45,640 --> 00:31:49,720 Speaker 3: education all the while you are walking in the land. 571 00:31:49,800 --> 00:31:52,640 Speaker 3: And so I think that that is just a unique 572 00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:56,200 Speaker 3: part of the Joshua Fund. It's not just hearing about 573 00:31:56,200 --> 00:31:58,600 Speaker 3: it on one side, it's not just going, but it's 574 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:03,440 Speaker 3: getting the combination as well as getting to meet Israeli pastors, 575 00:32:03,560 --> 00:32:07,280 Speaker 3: Arab pastors, hear from them, people that live there, the 576 00:32:07,400 --> 00:32:11,120 Speaker 3: kind of the living stones, we might say, that is 577 00:32:11,320 --> 00:32:13,960 Speaker 3: I think a truly unique part of the Joshua Fund. 578 00:32:14,360 --> 00:32:18,320 Speaker 3: That it's hard to replicate that anywhere else. And we're 579 00:32:18,440 --> 00:32:22,720 Speaker 3: just you know, we're very biased. We can't think of 580 00:32:22,760 --> 00:32:26,760 Speaker 3: a better organization for people to get connected to and 581 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:27,440 Speaker 3: to be a part of. 582 00:32:28,880 --> 00:32:30,120 Speaker 4: I remember a few years ago. 583 00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:32,240 Speaker 1: I was talking about, you know, what makes the Joshua 584 00:32:32,360 --> 00:32:35,560 Speaker 1: Fund unique and distinctive, And I remember we coin that 585 00:32:35,720 --> 00:32:40,560 Speaker 1: term trusted source because on the learning aspect, all of 586 00:32:40,600 --> 00:32:45,960 Speaker 1: the education, you know, the stories, knowing that the information 587 00:32:46,000 --> 00:32:49,920 Speaker 1: that you're provided you can trust, but it's accurate, it's real, 588 00:32:50,040 --> 00:32:53,960 Speaker 1: these stories have happened. You're telling the truth. And the 589 00:32:54,000 --> 00:32:57,200 Speaker 1: ministry is built on integrity. So I think that's so 590 00:32:57,280 --> 00:33:00,720 Speaker 1: important in this day and age. You know, you mentioned 591 00:33:00,760 --> 00:33:03,680 Speaker 1: earlier about the core value of commitment to prayer, and 592 00:33:03,880 --> 00:33:05,880 Speaker 1: that is a core value that's actually lived out. So 593 00:33:05,880 --> 00:33:10,800 Speaker 1: many organizations have core values, but they're not really emphasized. 594 00:33:11,240 --> 00:33:13,160 Speaker 1: And then I already mentioned earlier about just. 595 00:33:13,080 --> 00:33:14,240 Speaker 4: Being a good steward. 596 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:17,480 Speaker 1: I believe Joshua Fund is an excellent steward of its 597 00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:21,320 Speaker 1: funds and wants to use those funds wisely and again 598 00:33:22,200 --> 00:33:22,760 Speaker 1: through prayer. 599 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:26,200 Speaker 2: Well, thank you, it's been a joy just to remember 600 00:33:26,240 --> 00:33:29,280 Speaker 2: some of these beginnings with you guys. And as a reminder, 601 00:33:29,320 --> 00:33:33,160 Speaker 2: we have a Joshua Fund tour coming up in April 602 00:33:33,200 --> 00:33:37,200 Speaker 2: of twenty twenty seven. We have room still about half 603 00:33:37,200 --> 00:33:39,920 Speaker 2: of our seats are left on the buses, but about 604 00:33:39,960 --> 00:33:41,840 Speaker 2: half are a little more than half are filled up, 605 00:33:42,240 --> 00:33:44,880 Speaker 2: so it would be wonderful. Like Tim and Carolyn said, 606 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:47,880 Speaker 2: it's a life changing opportunity to come. And when you 607 00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:50,760 Speaker 2: come on a Joshua Fund tour, you do get to 608 00:33:50,800 --> 00:33:52,880 Speaker 2: see the land and we take you to all the 609 00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:55,840 Speaker 2: highlights and the best places in the scripture to see 610 00:33:55,840 --> 00:33:57,680 Speaker 2: it for real. But you also do get to meet 611 00:33:57,720 --> 00:34:01,480 Speaker 2: those living stones, pastors, industry leaders who are living in 612 00:34:01,520 --> 00:34:03,800 Speaker 2: the land, who are who are the church that God 613 00:34:03,840 --> 00:34:06,480 Speaker 2: is building now, and you get a chance to serve. 614 00:34:06,560 --> 00:34:09,640 Speaker 2: We always have a day, a special day of humanitarian 615 00:34:09,680 --> 00:34:12,440 Speaker 2: aid outreach, which is a wonderful opportunity to sort of 616 00:34:12,520 --> 00:34:15,440 Speaker 2: roll up your sleeves and to meet the local people. 617 00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:18,920 Speaker 2: We partner each bus with a different location or a 618 00:34:18,960 --> 00:34:22,320 Speaker 2: different congregation to serve with, and so people have often 619 00:34:22,360 --> 00:34:24,960 Speaker 2: said that's the highlight of their whole trip is that 620 00:34:25,080 --> 00:34:28,200 Speaker 2: day of serving, getting to do like you described him, 621 00:34:28,239 --> 00:34:31,640 Speaker 2: you know, hugging those ladies, giving them their the blankets 622 00:34:31,680 --> 00:34:35,000 Speaker 2: and or food or whatever the Lord has us to 623 00:34:35,000 --> 00:34:38,520 Speaker 2: give that day. It's just a wonderful time to communicate, 624 00:34:38,600 --> 00:34:41,879 Speaker 2: really just love, almost without language, although we do try 625 00:34:41,880 --> 00:34:44,200 Speaker 2: to teach you a few phrases in Russian or Hebrew 626 00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:48,040 Speaker 2: or Arabic, so that's a fun educational opportunity. But you 627 00:34:48,080 --> 00:34:50,399 Speaker 2: can go to Joshua fund dot com and find out 628 00:34:50,400 --> 00:34:54,520 Speaker 2: all the information. This is going to be especially wonderful 629 00:34:54,560 --> 00:34:57,719 Speaker 2: tour because it's also combined with a one day Epicenter 630 00:34:57,880 --> 00:35:01,560 Speaker 2: Summit that we're having that is something that you can come. 631 00:35:02,040 --> 00:35:04,440 Speaker 2: It's part of our tour, but if you come on 632 00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:07,319 Speaker 2: your own tour, you can also buy tickets and come 633 00:35:07,360 --> 00:35:10,040 Speaker 2: to the Epicenter summit. The President of Israel is going 634 00:35:10,080 --> 00:35:12,640 Speaker 2: to be speaking, Ambassador Huckabee is going to be speaking, 635 00:35:12,680 --> 00:35:16,560 Speaker 2: and Graham Lotts, Greg Lori and many others. Joel will 636 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:19,239 Speaker 2: be speaking of course too, and that'll be a day 637 00:35:19,400 --> 00:35:22,000 Speaker 2: just to hear sort of the big picture of what 638 00:35:22,080 --> 00:35:24,839 Speaker 2: God is doing in the Epicenter. So we hope you'll 639 00:35:24,840 --> 00:35:27,440 Speaker 2: go to Joshua fund dot com and get all that 640 00:35:27,520 --> 00:35:30,520 Speaker 2: information and bring your small group or your family and 641 00:35:30,600 --> 00:35:33,719 Speaker 2: come with us. But for now we want to say 642 00:35:33,760 --> 00:35:36,560 Speaker 2: thank you, thank you for listening. We hope that you'll 643 00:35:36,600 --> 00:35:40,560 Speaker 2: consider joining this team of faithful givers. We're always so 644 00:35:40,640 --> 00:35:44,160 Speaker 2: grateful for Epicenter allies that's monthly givers, so that we 645 00:35:44,200 --> 00:35:46,600 Speaker 2: can sort of count on you to know how to 646 00:35:46,680 --> 00:35:49,279 Speaker 2: plan for the future and how to keep giving to 647 00:35:49,360 --> 00:35:53,200 Speaker 2: these wonderful believers on the ground in a consistent manner. 648 00:35:53,280 --> 00:35:55,719 Speaker 2: So we would love for you to pray about your 649 00:35:55,760 --> 00:35:59,080 Speaker 2: part that God might have in joining us. But for now, 650 00:35:59,080 --> 00:36:00,680 Speaker 2: we just want to say thank you, thank you for listening, 651 00:36:00,719 --> 00:36:03,840 Speaker 2: thank you Tim and Carolyn for sharing you and we 652 00:36:03,880 --> 00:36:07,160 Speaker 2: hope that you'll join us next time on inside the Epicenter. 653 00:36:07,400 --> 00:36:08,040 Speaker 2: Bye for now.