Connections with Rich and Bobbi

We’re visiting with evangelist, popular conference speaker and founder of Justin Peters Ministries - Justin Peters. We caught up with him at the G3 National Conference, in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was speaking. We were there representing FirstLove Radio and conducting interviews for our podcast…

This is Holy, or Passion, Week. With us to talk about the significance of this week and the days leading up to Resurrection Sunday is Pastor Joe Jacowitz. Pastor Joe is the president of First Love Ministries, and the pastor of Christ Bible Church in Pleasanton, CA.

We’re visiting with Adam Albright, who shares how he’s taking the Gospel out into the highways and byways of life. He has an interesting background as a former professional cage fighter! 

In our concluding talk with Hans Shapp, who had come West from behind the wall in Communist East Germany in the ‘70s,  he shares how he feels called to go out onto the highways and by-ways of life to share the Gospel wherever he can - even back to those drugs and alcohol-fueled  discos where he once was a frequent visitor!

We’ve been visiting with Hans Shapp, who’s been sharing with us how he came out of East Germany in the ‘70's, when barriers of barbed wire and concrete walls blocked off the West, to what he thought was a newfound freedom. But not until he was introduced to Jesus as his Lord and Savior did his life really change!

On our last podcast, Hans Shapp told of his life growing up behind the wall in East Germany during the 60's and 70's under Communist rule; and then suddenly being deported to the West. It was like a child having free run in a candy shop. Neon lights glowed in the night skies. Music blared out from the discotheques. Drugs and alcohol were widely available. Did any of this bring Hans happiness, peac...

During the night of August 13, 1961, the East German government closed off the border from the West. Hans Shapp grew up in East Germany during this time; he tells his story of suddenly being cut off from the West and living behind the wall!

We’re visiting with Teddy Feldmann, the Community Outreach Coordinator, at CityTeam in Oakland, CA. Teddy has been telling us about the services and programs they offer to those in need on the streets, and how they change lives, as he was helped, as well!

Join us on our podcast and hear how God is using a place called CityTeam to reach so many. We’re at their location in downtown Oakland, CA, meeting with Teddy Feldmann, their Community Outreach Coordinator, who was once on a journey to go through their program!

We’re at CityTeam’s location in downtown Oakland, California, continuing our visit with Teddy Feldmann. He is their Community Outreach Coordinator, who was a former frequent visitor! A leader now, he talks about the struggle of the journey to get where he is, and the Hand of the Lord guiding him...  

One oasis opening its doors to the people on the streets is called CityTeam. It’s located in the heart of the city. And with us to talk about their work and service is Teddy Feldmann, their Community Outreach Coordinator- and former resident and student!

We’re continuing our visit with artist Deborah Samia. On our concluding visit with her, she talked about how one's gifts, and her gift of art in particular, can be used for the Lord, as well as the battle between self-glory and giving God the glory!  

Join us for our continuing visit with the talented artist and sculpturist Deborah Samia! With a God-given gift for art, she's been creating since she was a child. We’ve been talking with her about her exploring how to combine her art and her faith, "but communicating in a language that is not just for people who know the stories of the Bible!” 

We’d like to introduce you to a very talented artist- Deborah Samia. Her primary form of art is sculpture, and if you drive around town in the San Francisco Bay area, you might pass by one of her pieces of a public figure or an art form on display! She talks  about discovering her gift, and seeking to develop that now as a woman of faith… 

Our guest today comes from one of those countries - Mali, in West Africa. Mali is 90% Muslim, with Christians making up just 2% of the population, and is listed on the Open Doors World Watch List of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith. But, hear how our brother is living with, and spreading, the Good News! 

On our last few podcasts, we’ve been visiting Lillie Knauls. She’s most notably known for her performances on the Gaither Homecoming TV program, videos, and tours. On our concluding talk with her, she shares how she maintains her health and stamina, as well as her spiritual well-being, in this crazy and demanding world; and also, about a singles ministry she’s involved with...

As we enter a new year we’re continuing our visit Lillie Knauls, who’s most notably known for her performances as a member of the Gaither Homecoming friends and a singer with the number 1 hit song “Oh Happy Day,” with the Edwin Hawkins Singers. She’s traveled extensively across our country and has sung in many of the most prestigious venues throughout the world.

This is Christmas week and to help us celebrate, giving thanks and praise to God, is Dove award recipient Lillie Knauls! The effervescent Miss Lillie – smile, hat, and all – shares about what’s truly important at Christmas, in word and song! And what a treat – singing all over the world, she was also a regular singer featured on the Bill & Gloria Gaither Homecoming T.V. series!  

“Oh Happy Day!” was a gospel song by the Edwin Hawkins Singers that made it to the top of the charts during the late ‘60's and early ‘70's worldwide! Lillie Knauls, our guest, was one of those singers, who herself has been used mightily by the Lord. Miss Lillie, as many know her, with her radiant smile and her glorious hats, was also featured on the “Bill & Gloria Gaither Homecoming” TV progra...

Operation Christmas Child is an exciting project that happens this time of year, and perhaps your church is involved. It’s an outreach of Samaritan’s Purse. Operation Christmas Child is actively wanting to collect more gift-filled shoe boxes than ever before, because now more than ever, children need hope! And with us on the phone to talk about “Operation Christmas Child” is Dana Williams, the Med...

We’ve come to our concluding episode of our visit with Pastor Joe Jacowitz and his thrilling story. We left off where Joe and his wife were attending the orthodox Jewish wedding of his niece. Next day at the Rabbi’s dinner, all eyes were on him as several rabbis and other Jewish leaders confronted Joe as a Jew who had become a Christian! - “Why have you left us?!”

To help us to reflect on Thanksgiving, particularly as children of God, we've called upon a dynamic communicator and Bible teacher, Pastor Joe Jacowitz of Christ Bible Church in Pleasanton, CA, to share his thoughts with us. We sat down with him at a local café…

We’re continuing our visit with Joe Jacowitz, who grew up as a Jew and was on his way to becoming a Rabbi. His life took a dramatic turn while he was in the marines and he became a Christian! He instead felt called into the Christian ministry and became a pastor! This is where we’ll pick up his dramatic story...

Well, again we’re continuing to listen-in on the adventure of Pastor Joe Jacowitz’s life-changing story as he shares it as only he can! If you’ve missed any part of it, or would like to listen again, they’re all posted on our website at connectionswithrichandbobbi.com . So, now let’s jump in where we left off!

We’re again continuing to visit with Pastor Joe Jacowitz. He’s been sharing how God changed his life as a Jew growing up in Brooklyn, NY, as he joined the Marines, moved up the ranks to become a sergeant, and then, surprisingly, found his true Messiah, Jesus, and became a totally "new creature in Christ"!