THE JOURNEY WINTER 2025

Journey The

Winter 2025

Free

Inspirational Stories from People You Know

Tammie Brettschneider: The Transforming Power of Truth

Neville & Trimella Chaney: Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Sam & Eric: Community Building As A Way Of Life

Ken Isaacs: Helping In Jesus’ Name

sHOP

G IFTs Of

HOpE

Select unique options from the Samaritan’s Purse Christmas Gift Catalog and help people in need in Jesus’ Name.

P

rovide a family with a source of income by giving them a dozen baby chicks. Help build a well for a community to have access to clean water. Choose from a variety of projects that give people around the world hope now and also for eternity as we share the Gospel. Make a donation in honor or memory of loved ones.

Customized cards—printed or electronic—can be sent to the people you designate to let them know about the gift.

SAMARITANSPURSE.ORG/CATALOG25

Samaritan’s Purse®, Franklin Graham, President P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 | 1-800-528-1980 | samaritanspurse.org SamaritansPurse @SamaritansPurse @SamaritansPurse | © 2025 Samaritan’s Purse.

03-31-576

Well Drilling & Pump Repair, Consulting, Water Systems and Filtration Water Pump System Installation, Service & Repair Water Filtration Installation, Service & Repair Pressure Tank Installation, Service & Repair Well Restoration & Abandonment Serving North Carolina and Tennessee

CALL US TODAY • 828-773-1590 Your GO-TO Water Well Company!

828.773.1590 info@blueridgewaterworks.com blueridgewaterworks.com Licensed and Insured.

Owner & Publisher Ben Cox Co-Owner & Distribution Manager Connie Cox

✓ Scan above to view the Journey online.

Graphic Designer Terry Henry Blog Manager Sydney Sheets Accounts Manager Heather Cotten Contributing Writers

Ben Cox | Tammie Brettschneider | Terry Henry

Online flip-through version, distribution locations, and other inspirational content available at: JOURNEYNC.COM 828.263.0095 | info@journeync.com 1651 Highway 194 N. - Unit 4 • Boone, NC 28607 This magazine is intended to present people’s stories about their personal relationships with God from their point of view. We endeavor to have a diversity of perspectives in the testimonies we share from people who identify themselves as followers of Christ. Furthermore,

we carefully and prayerfully consider the content of the stories we tell, as well as the character of those who tell them. People who share their testimonies with us have experienced God’s love in real ways, and our encouragement for you, is that you also can experience His love wherever your journey takes you.

Chick-fil-A now serving the High Country with 2 locations!

Chick-fil-A of Appalachian State University located in Central Dining Hall on the ASU campus

“We love serving our mountain community together. We’re excited about our expansion onto the university campus. And we look forward to serving our guests in both locations for many years to come.”

Scott and Terese Fogleman.

Website: https://www.cfarestaurant.com/boone Chick-fil-A of Boone located at 2082 Blowing Rock Road

04

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

CONTENTS 10 06 Ben with Baby Ada Grandchild #12

06 10 16 24 32

BEN COX:

DEAR READERS

INTRODUCTION TO THE CURRENT ISSUE Written by Ben Cox

16

TAMMIE BRETTSCHNEIDER:

THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF TRUTH Written by Tammie Brettschneider

NEVILLE & TRIMELLA CHANEY GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS Interview by Terry Henry

24 SAM & ERIC’S STORY

COMMUNITY AS A WAY OF LIFE Interview by Terry Henry

HELPING IN JESUS’ NAME:

A PERSONAL TESTIMONY FROM KEN ISAACS Written by Ben Cox with Ken Isaacs

32 THE JOURNEY |Winter 2025

05

DEAR READERS 24 years ago in the month of May 2001, I started working for this company that I now own.

Back then, I would never have envisioned myself as the future owner of a marketing company like mine. I was 46 years old at the time, and was anticipating a return to full time pastoral ministry at some point in the future, in some capacity, according to whatever God’s will was for me.

Then, in 2002, after returning from a 4 month deployment with Samaritan’s Purse in New York City as the prayer coordinator for the Prayer Center that was established there, I became a salaried employee of Main Street Marketing. From then until 2006, I worked there and was ready to tender my resignation, when, to my surprise, the owner offered to sell me the company.

At first I gave him a hard no. The next day, in my prayer and Bible study time, I felt like the Holy Spirit was encouraging me to buy. So I was becoming convinced that perhaps I should buy the company.

However, I was also scared and praying through, when I was reminded of a sermon I heard once about FAITH. The teacher was ministering from the story of Peter’s willingness to try to walk on the water when Jesus beckoned him to step out of the boat. In that context the speaker said, “How do you spell faith?” And then he said, “sometimes it’s spelled R-I-S-K!” From that time, until now, I have still sometimes wondered if I really heard God. But many more times, in many different ways, the Lord has confirmed to me it was His will! I certainly was not wise enough to figure that out for myself.

Now one might ask, do I have regrets for some of the stupid mistakes I have made as being the sole owner of this marketing company? Of course I do. But my gratitude for the things that my faithful Lord and Savior has taught me through all of the trials and tribulations that come with business ownership far outweigh the suffering.

My heavenly Father knew exactly what He was doing when He caused me to fall in love at first sight, when I met my future wife in Greenville, NC! Constance Jean McBride was not as smitten as I was at first, but somehow she agreed to marry me when she was only 20 years old and I was 22 on May 7, 1977. God knew exactly what kind of a person I needed to be my wife. She has been strong when I was weak and vice-versa, but we both had a strong work ethic.

06

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

The first time I saw Connie I did not say to myself, “That girl probably has a strong work ethic so I think I will marry her.” Nor did I think this: “Now there’s a woman who is truly humble, but also strong enough to tell me the truth about my bad self when I need it.” Now, for 48 years, God has given us Grace to do those things which He had prepared for us to do, even though some of the time we didn’t have a clue!

So, I have said all that to say this: Connie has been a great partner with me when I was serving the Lord in full time pastoral ministry. Plus, she has been a wonderful support for me in the new career path I fell into 24 years ago! And, she did all this, while doing the best we could do together to raise 3 daughters, 3 sons in a community where many Jesus followers live.

Currently, Connie assists my daughter Heather in keeping up with my accounts management. She also helps me proof all our projects, mail all our dining passes, and she makes sure our many print products get distributed in a timely manner and get re-stocked until all are in the marketplace.

Our first daughter, Heather Cotten, has been with my company from almost the beginning, when she commuted from Kernersville to be my office manager and bookkeeper. Heather now owns her own accounting firm named “Affinity Accounting” but still works for me as a Quickbooks expert and my personal bookkeeper.

The rest of my family’s assistance, in my first ever Home Show in Ashe County in 2007, proved invaluable!

They not only helped me with a very stressful show, but it bonded us together in a way that helped all 6 of our children understand my new job better. Plus it helped me win the favor of Ashe County clients in a way that was sorely needed at that time.

Another milestone for the company took place on September 1 2007. I remember the date because that’s when Appalachian State beat Michigan in one of the biggest upsets in College football history. Some of my family was helping us do some remodeling to our our house when my daughter Amber Bateman, who didn’t live in Boone at the time, suggested I hire a friend of hers named Becky Zaragoza to take the place of the first graphic designer I hired named Mark Suggs.

Becky was with us for 9 years and she did a great job, working from home with 3 children underfoot. Then she moved with us into our bigger office space when we leased from the Winkler organization on Boone Heights

Drive in Boone, NC. She worked for us there, and then at our new office at Carriage Square, until she moved on to work for Samaritan’s Purse. She now owns her own successful business.

In 2010, our company took a giant step forward when I hired Amber’s husband, Charles Bateman, to work for me full time, after having him work for me on a trial basis in the Summer and Fall of 2009. He and Amber, with their 2 children and pregnant with a third child, moved to Boone from Raleigh.

The Winter of 2009-2010 saw many significant snowstorms, so Charles and Amber’s move- in day was particularly treacherous. But they made it and I am so grateful they did!! Not only was I gaining a great employee, but now Connie and I could enjoy watching Sophia, Julia and Izzy Bateman grow up before our very eyes.

Charles was a great salesman and leader who helped me grow the company. Shortly after moving here, he helped me launch the digital side of the company when I decided to purchase High Country 365 from an old friend of mine named Tyler Brunson. Besides all this, Charles helped me manage the many interns we had, and the office staff as well.

After Charles left the company for bigger and better things, I was blessed to have Amber, my sweet daughter, come work for me. I still call her Hurricane Amber because of the energy and enthusiasm she brought with her to our office. Amber helped me manage the office, from the time Becky left the company, until she helped me find and hire Zachary Hoffman in the Summer of 2018.

Zach did an exceptional job for me as a graphic designer and office manager for 3+ years. In that time frame he and Amber made a great team! They also helped me design 2 great websites called highcountry365.com and journeync.com. In 2020 when the worldwide pandemic, now known as COVID 19 hit us, Zach and Amber were particularly valuable in helping me navigate through that unprecedented time.

During Zach’s time with the company I came to love, appreciate and respect him as a great worker, a devoted family man and a man of God. Though I miss him as an employee I still have the utmost love and respect for him.

When Zach got an offer to work for a company, whose founder I know and respect, called Destinations By Design, he graciously gave me a 3 month notice in which he helped me find and train another graphic designer and office manager to take his place.

All of this brings me to the present.

Though all those transitions have been hard for me, I see the silver lining now! They have enabled me to learn to do many of the things that I could not have done before, because I had people doing those things for me. And now,

in spite of COVID 19 and Hurricane Helene, we are coming out on the other side stronger than we were before.

Now I must hasten to say that none of that would have been possible without the Lord and the help of the wonderful people who came and went through the years.

Nor would it have happened without the business owners and managers trusting me to do the best we knew how to do to promote them and their businesses in the region we call the High Country!

Many of our advertisers have all the clients they can handle, but are proud to sponsor this publication called The Journey because of the good news we bring to anyone who chooses to read our magazine. Plus now anyone can read every edition we have ever done online in our archived copies at journeync.com.

At this point, I need to make particular mention of Terry Henry who has been a friend of mine and my brother in Christ since 1984, when I met him in a home fellowship Connie and I were leading in my home.

Terry came out of retirement from a career at Cheap Joe’s Art stuff, to assist me in hiring and training new employees for the company. He also helped me by stepping up to be the sole designer for The Journey Magazine’s design and content which included writing some stellar articles himself. He did this while also helping me hire and train another graphic designer who I will introduce to you shortly.

Thank you so much Terry, I will be forever grateful!

I’m going to miss working with you but I’m looking forward to continuing fellowship with you from now and into an eternal life that is going to be much better than what we’ve had on earth!

Now I want to introduce you to Sydney Sheets, our other graphic designer who I met in Ashe County where she was working for her dad. I stepped in to chat with her dad who owns Cobblestone Antiques in West Jefferson, NC. In the course of the conversation we were having I told him I needed a new graphic designer. When I said this, he simply pointed at Sydney and told me that she had gotten her degree in graphic design.

Needless to say, it worked out, because Sydney now works for me on all my other design work as well as promos on our online sales portal for our dining passes. She also assists me in posting weekly blogs from the journey online. Sydney is a delight to work with and Connie and I are so grateful to have an employee as smart and laid back as Sydney is.

Sydney will now be working more hours as she steps into Terry’s shoes to do the future design work for The Journey. She now has what it takes to work more hours while also continuing to be one of the primary caregivers for her grandmother at the home where she lives.

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

07

So I say to my current staff and former staff once again, thank you for all your hard work and perseverance and prayers that have helped us continue to serve our community in the way God has enabled us to. May God continue to bless and protect you in your future endeavors, to provide for your families and be the blessings God intends for us to be wherever His path shall lead you.

Connie and I are looking forward to our future too, as God will continue to provide the type of help we will need to keep this company successful and prosperous for years to come! In faith, we are making plans for the New Year. We want to be able to slow down and make more

time with our family that now consists of our 6 children with their 6 spouses and their combined efforts to bring 13 beautiful children in the world to continue His will for our lives to be lights in the midst of darkness. We are trusting Him to faithfully guide us into His glorious plan for our continued fruitfulness for His glory alone!

Finally thank you dear readers for your support. May you have a thanks-filled Thanksgiving, a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year no matter what the future holds because Jesus Christ is Lord!!

INTRODUCTION TO CURRENT ISSUE Wow! That’s the first word that popped into my mind as I sat down to write this introduction! We’re one year, and approximately eleven days removed from Hurricane Helene! Its staggering impact on our region and beyond still boggles my mind and brings me to tears if I think about it too long.

But now, through God’s amazing grace, we will be sending our final proof to our publishing company soon! We believe that if we do that, we can make our Thanksgiving week deadline for having these magazines distributed throughout Watauga, Ashe, Avery and Wilkes Counties!

It was hard to decide whose picture we would put on our cover, so we decided to feature pictures from all four stories!!! And here’s some more information you may appreciate, by way of introduction: Tammie’s testimony is a follow up to what she shared in our Magazine from 12 years ago when she lived in Boone and attended Mount Vernon Baptist Church. It was there where she also was a trained counselor, specializing in helping people recover from drug and alcohol addictions. I asked her to share this follow up story because we recently reprinted it on our weekly blogpost at our journeync.com website. Now, 31.5 years removed from her own battles with addiction, she reveals deep truths from The Bible that will enable anyone to overcome any “besetting sin” that we cannot conquer through our own will power.

Neville and Trimella Chaney are well known people who have been living in Boone since 1975 when they 08

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

moved here. They came here from their hometown of Winston Salem, NC where they were high school sweethearts. Both Chaneys are known far and wide for the impact they have made through Neville’s WJ office supply store and Trimella’s teaching career. You are going to love both of their testimonies that they shared with Terry Henry who co-wrote their story with them.

Terry Henry’s great interview with a young couple named Sam and Eric who are raising four children here in Boone will inspire you also as you learn of how God brought them together from similar missionary backgrounds to continue to carry that missional community mindset wherever God leads them to go!

Finally, it was a joy for me to interview and write Ken Isaacs’ testimony. I first got to know Ken 24 years ago when we worked together in New York City after the terrorist bombings in 2001. I hope you enjoy Ken’s testimony in our magazine, but I also want to encourage you to purchase the book he just finished. It’s called “Running to the Fire Helping in Jesus’ Name.”

If you read the book, it will help you appreciate, on a whole new level, what Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association has done and is continuing to do to introduce people to Jesus. Jesus alone can bring us into a personal relationship with the LORD God Almighty who created heaven and earth. You can purchase the book by shopping local at Cornerstone Christian Bookstore in Boone, or order it through Amazon.

art studio,

home decor, and gifts!

-step by step art classes for toddlers, children & adults -community & connection in a Christian atmosphere -handcrafted home decor, apparel, and one of a kind gifts

903 Main St, North Wilkesboro NC www. Bloom Brush Creative Cottage .com

create memories & masterpieces!

-Weekly Art Events for all ages -Kids Afternoon Art Lessons -Homeschool Art Days -Church Fellowship Painting Parties -Private Birthday Parties, Baby & Wedding Showers -Workplace Team Building Events and more!

YOU ARE

GOD’S

check out our Christmas art schedule!

2:10 EPHESIANS

Serving the High Country area for over 50 years!

Family Owned & Operated since 1981 Voted Best Furniture & Mattress Store since 2008 YES...We Deliver!

828-264-0130 492 Corbett McNeil Rd, Boone, NC 28607 www.edmistenhvac.com

160 NW School Rd, Warrensville, NC • 336-384-2929 jimscornerfurniture.com Hours: Mon, Tue, Thurs, Fri 9am-4pm Sat 9am-3pm Closed Wednesday THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

09

THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF TRUTH IS A JOURNEY OF SANCTIFICATION

by Tammie Brettschneider

I continued my explanation of how I had to work on my recovery every day. He abruptly ended the conversation with, “we’ll just have to agree to disagree on that one!”

As a recently retired mental health therapist and a recovering drug and alcohol abuser (31.5 years clean!), I have never forgotten that young man nor have I stopped praying for him. I grieve for him as I believe his ability to stay “clean” in his own might was a temporary state of soYears ago, when briety. John 5:1-15 demaking a purchase at scribes a man who had a second-hand store, I been an invalid of thirengaged with the young ty-eight years. As Jesus man who was operating approaches the man, the cash register. He had he asks him to decide, just shared with the custo accept responsibility, tomer ahead of me that to act, “Do you want to he was clean and sober get well?” How did the boasting that Jesus had man respond to Jesus? saved him. When I apHe made excuses; he was proached the cash regisimmersed in self-pity ter, I asked how long he’d and learned helplessbeen clean and sober. I ness; as if saying, “it’s not honestly don’t remember my fault!” I remember his reply, but I will never early in my recovery, I forget the following conTammie & Bill at Blarney Castle felt the need to disclose versation he and I had. I my abusive and neglecttold him I was 25 years ful family of origin, in effect saying, it’s not my fault!” clean and sober and that Jesus had saved me as well.

In my walk of sanctification (which will last till the I then mentioned how important my recovery was to me because without it, I would not be able to claim my day I stop breathing), God has shown me how in all those years of abusing drugs and alcohol, I had othcurrent victory. He said, “I don’t need recovery. I have er choices. However, those other choices, if healthy, Jesus and that’s all I need”. The store was busy, and he seemed to be ready to end the conversation, however, would have required daily - honesty, humility, submisEditor’s Note: In the following story, Tammie recalls an encounter at a second-hand store with a young man who insisted that Jesus alone—without recovery work—was enough to keep him sober. Drawing from 31.5 years of her own sobriety, Tammie reflects on the necessity of daily responsibility, humility, and action in both faith and recovery. She connects this with Jesus’ command in John 5 to “pick up your mat and walk,” emphasizing that faith requires action and accountability, not avoidance.

10

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

sion, repentance, in a few words– responsibility for my did not believe I could withstand the pain. I thought actions! Jesus doesn’t say, pick up your mat and lay it the pain was going to swallow me and destroy me. I over there. He commands action. He tells us in Luke can only describe the overwhelmingness of it by say9:23, “If anyone desires ing I wanted to run to come after Me, let away, escape, and not “The hallmark of addictions is avoidance of him deny himself, and responsibility. Jesus commands us in Scripture to be. The most recent take up his cross daily, walk, pick up, carry, confess, go, tell, and so on. Our experience of this and follow me.” Can unbearable pain was faith is a gospel of action.” you imagine how heavy March of 2023 when the cross was? Does it sound like an easy thing that Je- we learned that our oldest daughter who had been in sus asks us to do daily? treatment for just about a year for breast cancer was The hallmark of addictions is avoidance of responsi- in the hospital in DC with life threatening organ failbility. Jesus commands ures. Leslie, my daughus in Scripture to walk, ter whom I met at age 6 pick up, carry, confess, and became her mom #2 go, tell, and so on. Our when she was 8 was big faith is a gospel of action. sister to both my biologiIn the counseling room, cal children and our famI would often stand up ily memories were sewn and spread my arms and and woven over a 28-year fingers out as if in a wide history. stretch. I would tell the Leslie had followed client with whom I was (somewhat) in my footworking, “my relapse steps in a mental health is at the end of my fincareer. She was a licensed gertips.” I would then professional in DC and demonstrate what would worked with women, happen if I lost my balchildren and families in ance. Staying clean and her beloved community. sober from anything that She had risen to the ranks has control over us, reof director within her orquires balance, physical ganization and had just a and emotional health, few months of fulfilling in other words, a solid a dream to teach in the foundation. I’ve never University of Maryland forgotten what the leadSocial Work Program. er of a Christian-based After chemo, surgery and 12 step group I attended radiation she was given said, “We have to learn a “cancer free” diagnosis to live life on life’s terms.” and the five of us celeOlivia, Bill, me and Josh (Lahinch, IE 08/25) What are life’s brated Christmas of 2022 terms? Heartache, sadwith great jubilee. On ness, illness, death, destruction, loss, struggle, injustice, March 10th, 2023, she was admitted to George Washmalice, crime, natural disasters, etc. If I am laying by ington Hospital and 5 days later March 15th she passed the pool at Bethesda as in John chapter 5, waiting to get on to be with her Lord and Savior. Leslie’s memorial into the healing waters, what am I going to do when life service welcomed over 250 guests. We had the joy of hits me with its terms? worshiping with current friends, family and communiI’ve had the unfortunate opportunity to experience ty as well as her middle school youth pastors and team this twice in the past 31.5 years where I felt emotional members attended. Leslie lived the abundant life depain so deeply and viciously, I didn’t want to “feel”. I spite carrying many health “crosses” including alopecia THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

11

universalis and other autoimmune disorders, all diagWhen life happens on life’s terms and it nosed before age 6. Yet, she lived free, bald and full of will, you need the strength of character to life, carrying her cross daily. say, “yes” when Jesus says, “Do you want The past 20 months or so have been filled with grief, to get well?” confusion, tears as well as thankfulness for having her in our lives for almost 3 decades.

Every person, including every client, I ever met When life happens on life’s terms and it will, you taught me a lot about faith, Scripture and this journey need the strength of character to say, “yes” when Je- of sanctification; the challenges of blending a famisus says, “Do you want to get well?” You need the ex- ly, raising 3 children, pursuing my NC licensure as perience of success riding the waves of temptations a professional licensed clinical mental health counand urges. “Pick up your selor and supervisor, mat… and walk.” Rewere all experiences that search tells us that the stretched me, turned my urge to “escape” or in perspective inside out more common language, and pushed me to study, to “use” drugs or alcohol grow and mature in my is a 120 second intense faith walk. wave. This phenomenon The further I walk has been termed Urge on this journey the bigSurfing.

Learning to ger God is to me. I don’t successfully ride out the have to fear the things that wave and refrain from threaten my understandgiving into temptation ing of Him or Scripture. I builds new neural pathhave learned to lean into ways, it builds confidence God and trust that He and leads to greater, lonhas allowed me to walk ger periods of health and through something bea history and future that cause His ways are not my begins to reflect a jourways and every time I have ney of sanctification. ever gone through one As Jesus describes it, of life’s terms, for which “…be transformed by the there have been many, He renewal of your mind.” brings someone, just like As I stated in my Winter you, into my life and He Me (West Kerry Sheep Farm, Kerry IE 08/25) 2012 article of the Jourwhispers, “that’s why.” ney, “There is nothing Postscript: new under the sun.” Psychology or mental health isn’t Tammie and her husband Bill will celebrate 30 years offering the antithesis of Scripture, instead it offers a deeper and spiritually mature understanding of Scrip- of marriage in 2025 (a second marriage at that!). Both are retired and reside in Eastern North Carolina with ture. The shame and connotation that mental health counseling is anti-faith, anti-Scripture, anti-God orig- their two miniature dachshunds, Oliver and Maisy. inates in fear. Fear that learning about your emotions Tammie originally shared her journey from addicwill somehow threaten your faith? Fear that you will abandon your faith? Fear that you won’t listen to your tion to sobriety in the winter 2012 issue of the Journey pastor or congregation or family? Fear that you will magazine. This powerful testimony can be found on pages 27 & 28 at: somehow indulge in an evil activity? There are lots of things to be fearful of, but our God designed and creathttps://www.journeync.com/winter-2012 ed emotional well-being is not one of them.

12

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

FORMERLY PEAK INSURANCE.

SAME LOCATIONS SAME FACES SAME GREAT SERVICE Our legacy continues with the same people you’ve always counted on to help protect what’s important to you, your family, and your business.

✆ 828-264-8777

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

13

We are proud to be a sponsor of the Journey Magazine.

“OLD WORLD” VALUES Over 100 years of cabinet making experience among our staff Celebrating 31 Years Professional Service since 1994

Joel W. Yates Jr. D. D. S. General, Esthetic and Implant Dentistry

At Joel Yates Jr DDS, we are committed to providing exceptional dental care with a focus on patient comfort and satisfaction. Our practice stands for integrity, quality, and personalized treatment plans that cater to the unique needs of each individual.

525 E Main St, Jefferson, NC 28640 • (336) 846-2323

T he Goldsmith

The Miller family wishes you a Merry Christmas!

828-265-0506 199-B Jefferson Rd (Hwy 194) Boone 14

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

288 Calvary St • Newland

(828) 733-3821

We’ve been building the High Country for over 75 years! Put our experience to work for you!

DELIVERING QUALITY IN: • Commercial • Residential • Infrastructure • Institutional • Concrete • Hardscapes • Service & Repair • • 525 George Wilson Road • Boone, NC • •828-264-2611 • www.gci.build •

THE JOURNEY |Winter 2025

15

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS An Interview with Neville and Trimella Chaney

By Terry Henry Terry: You have had a long and successful journey with the Lord in your life which has, in one sense, led us to sit at this table together today. So, with that in mind why don’t you start at the beginning?

Terry: Did the Moravian Church emphasize a personal relationship with God? Neville: Yes. The church had a strong Vacation Bible School program for children. The Moravian Love Feast service is a music ministry that is on Christmas Eve. It is a very moving service that has been a part of the church calendar at First Presbyterian Church for probably 50 years now.

Neville: Growing up we both went to different churches and the Moravian Church that I went to had a very strong early childhood program. If you could recite the Lord’s prayer, they would have a little Pearl of Wisdom that would go up on a ribbon on a wall with Tr i m e l l a : your name on An early church it. Well, I was a experience I can competitive litremember is tle boy, and in having a spiritual no time, I had awakening about my 12 Pearls of the 6th grade. I Wisdom on the can remember wall. Our family exactly where I went to church was when I had every Sunday, this spiritual feeland we were ing. I spoke to my fortunate that mother about it, we lived across and she talked to the woods from the pastor. They the church so in had a confirmagood weather we tion class that could walk to the spring and that is church. I grew A recent photo of Neville and Trimella Chaney when I joined the up in the church church. In junior from an early age and enjoyed many church-centered activities including high school, I started going to a youth group and my mother sang in the choir. That was my early experience. choir, Boy Scouts and youth group.

Both Neville and I have grown up in the church.

“I grew up in the church from an early age and enjoyed many church-centered activities including choir, boy scouts and youth group.” Neville 16

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Terry: So, you’ve got the church in your lives, and there’s the personal relationship with the Lord where you feel like you’re being led or guided by Him. How did you guys meet?

my first choice, and I was fortunate that the coach that was assigned to recruit me was a member of my church.

However, my three years in high school was tough. Our high school was new, “We were a couple all through high school. as we were and we had roughevaluating colleges, Trimella knew that she wanted to be a Trimella: Our ly half of the student mothers met first, teacher. and she knew that she couldn’t get a better education body that the other which was interestto prepare her for teaching than Appalachian State.” Neville schools in our confering, because his eleence had. We lost a lot mentary school and my elementary school consolidat- of games, but I had a good year with some post season ed into a junior high school. Our mothers were in the honors, and I was hoping to get an offer from Wake.

PTA when they met. I love to tell this story because my However, at the end of the season the whole Wake Formother comes home and says, “Honey, have you met est football staff got fired. that little Chaney boy yet? His mother was so nice.” I I was heartbroken because they hired a coach from was a cheerleader, and he was a football player on this Michigan State. He filled his staff with coaches from all newly formed school team. We knew who each other over the country, but none of them knew me or had were but really didn’t know each other. Then his moth- seen me play. er and his sister planned a surprise birthday party for Neville: and that is Terry: So, your where we really had first choice had all a chance to meet. new coaches that The rest is history. had not seen you play. How did you Terry: So, you’ve end up with a footgot Christ in the ball scholarship to church. You’ve got attend Wake Forest?

Christ in your relationship. Then you Neville: This later have Christ as is where I feel that a business partner.

God stepped in beI mean, how does cause there were a that fit together? lot of prayers headAnd how were you ed His way. Cal led to Boone?

Stoll, the new head coach happened Neville: After to ask Mary Garmy party, we beber, a local sportscame closer and writer who covered shortly after the first high school sports Back row: Jacob Chaney, Neville Chaney, Nathan Chaney of the year, we became in Winston-Salem and Middle row: Holli Sink Chaney, Trimella, Sara Gold Chaney a couple. We were in the surrounding area, if Front row: Landon, Hampton, Samuel the eighth grade. there was anybody that We were a couple all through high school. As we she felt that he might want to get film on. She menwere evaluating colleges, Trimella knew that she wanttioned my name. About the same time Coach Stoll ed to be a teacher. And she knew that she couldn’t get got a telephone call from a coach that I had competa better education to prepare her for teaching than Aped against for the past three years. He recommended palachian State. me to Coach Stoll. What are the chances of that! AnyI wasn’t sure what I wanted to do when I got out of way, Tom Moore (the offensive coordinator who would college, but I did want to play football. Wake Forest was eventually become Peyton Manning’s offensive coordiTHE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

17

nator in Indianapolis) came to my high school to meet me and see some film. We apparently showed him the right reel of film because the next day Coach Moore was in my living room with a full scholarship offer to my first choice of schools. This was definitely “God led.”

Trimella:: Neville: was really dedicated to football. During Winter practice, his sophomore year, he was so intense and was totally immersed in learning all the new plays, formations, and things as simple as the snap count. When he came home one night at supper, the family bowed their heads for reciting the Moravian grace together, Neville: said “DOWN SET.” As you can probably guess, Mary Garber found out about it and printed it in the Journal.

Terry: So, Trimella, you were at Appalachian.

Neville: was at Wake Forest. Did you continue being a couple all the way through college? That’s a pretty hard thing to do, right?

Trimella: You’re right, Terry. When I left for college, we decided to “break up” and date other people because we wanted to see if our relationship was the “real thing.”

We didn’t want to go through college, marry, and then at 35 realized that we had never dated anybody else.

Neville: And I was tied up with football. Trimella was a freshman cheerleader and was immersed in new friends and new relationships.

Trimella: But by Christmas break we realized that we wanted to be together again, so our long-distance relationship grew over the next three years.

Neville: Yes, at spring break of our senior year in college we got married so that a lot of our college friends could attend.

Trimella:: We got married in the Moravian Church that Neville: grew up attending.

Terry: It’s interesting the juxtaposition between growing up in the church and then becoming a follower of Christ. I shared with Neville: a story about how I once got a job because I told the guy interviewing me that I believed that God had led me to this place. With that in mind, can you explain to us how you believe that God led you into WJ office and the successful business that it’s been.

18

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Neville: God never promised us that life would be easy. He promised us that he would be with us all the way. Trimella and I have a covenantal relationship in our marriage, and we have a covenantal relationship with God. By covenantal I mean that a binding promise of total, unconditional commitment. It is a promise to love, serve, and remain faithful regardless of circumstances.

For my first job we moved to Fayetteville, NC where I began my career in a management training program in a 2 million square foot tire plant where I trained to become a production supervisor. I worked two months on each shift six days a week. Trimella was loving her job teaching 6th grade at the Pope Air Force Base. I was extremely unhappy in my job, but I knew that she needed to get through her first year of teaching without being interrupted and I needed to realize that it would negatively affect my employment record if I couldn’t make it through my first year in the workforce.

Terry: So how did you get to Boone?

Trimella: By the way of one of my connections and through Winston-Salem first. My roommate’s husband had a brother who worked for Carolina Business Machines. Ned liked his job and had progressed quickly because the company was growing. We found out that they were hiring salespeople and one person was to be based in Winston-Salem.

Neville: Yes, it was Winter, and I had some vacation time, so I got an interview and with Ned’s endorsement, I got the job. I worked out a notice and we moved to Winston-Salem.

Terry: What about you, Trimella? Were you sad about leaving Fayetteville?

Trimella: Although I loved my job at Pope, I never felt safe in Fayetteville. I knew that Neville: was miserable, and I’ve always loved Winston. But when we realized that we were going to move the Winter was almost over. I found out that our former principal at West Forsyth was the assistant superintendent for Forsyth County Schools. I let him know that we were moving back to Winston. Ten days later I had a job!

Neville: I was happy with my new sales role with Carolina Business Machines. They were pleased because they had zero business in the territory that I was covering. It worked out for me because my dad was the

mailman in part of the downtown that I covered, and I had decent name recognition from some of the publicity from my high school sports career.

Terry: So, you’re in Winston-Salem, your hometown. Neville: no longer hates his job …. Trimella is teaching. And somehow you end up in Boone.

Trimella: They told Neville: that he’d probably be in Winston for a year or more and then he might have an opportunity to manage one of their smaller stores (which would mean a move), but something was happening in their Boone store, and they wanted him to replace a person up there.

Trimella: Well, not so much at that moment. I think as you age, your spiritual maturity kicks in because you start to think back in time and realize that God had a plan for me. I’m not speaking for Neville:.

He’s always had a very deep faith, and I do as well. But I’m a worrier.

Terry: So here we are now in Boone. Carolina Business is on the corner, right across from the bagel place.

I have been in that store many times. It was hard just trying to find paper clips.

Neville: They called me a manager, but I really didn’t manage anybody. I was really a commercial outside sales rep. We sold office machines, furniture, and office supplies to local Neville: Yes, and as businesses. They asked me you may know, back then to come to Boone because you moved when the the commercial sales were company wanted you to inadequate. We moved to move if you wanted to Boone in March 1975, and progress and grow with we surprised the owner the company. We found because we exceeded quoa rental house in Foscoe. ta for the last three month of the fiscal year.

Trimella: After the Trimella was happy at move, it took a while for Hardin Park. I was happy me to find a teaching poat my work too. We startsition. But God had this ed getting involved in the laid out for me. I went to community. I joined the all the elementary schools Boone Jaycees. We joined and introduced myself. A Deerfield Methodist former friend was teachChurch. We decided that ing at Green Valley told this is where we wanted to me, “I’ll remember you if settle. Never mind future anything turns up.” I depromotion opportunities.

Neville in his football uniform cided to start grad school We bought a used fourat ASU and in the October/ wheel drive and started November time frame a position opened at Hardin looking at houses. We found one and put a significant Park. My friend called and asked me if I would be in- amount of money down to reserve it. Construction got terested in teaching eighth grade. I was at Hardin Park behind and before the house was finished we had to be for 13 years before moving to Watauga High School. out of our rental. The contractor allowed us to move in even though it wasn’t finished. That day will always Terry: So, in retrospect, you can see that God had a be memorable because the owner of Carolina Business plan for you. Did it feel like that when it was happening? Machines met with me and said “I’m sorry. I’m going to THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

19

“Our faith in God had brought us this far in our lives, through disappointments, tough times, and fortunate times. We felt that we’d land on our feet (with the help of God) and things will get better. We didn’t know what He had in store for us, but we turned it over to Him.” Trimella have to lay you off.” Looking back, that was one of two times in my life that I could hear my heartbeat.

Trimella: I was teaching my class, and I looked up and see Neville: at my door. I asked him “What are you doing here?” He said, “I need the car keys. I’ve lost my job. I need to get home.” It was very traumatic. We didn’t know what God had in store for us.

Neville: And not only that, but we had committed to buying a house that we would lose a substantial down payment if we didn’t close the loan. We also had prepaid plane fare for a trip to England. My mother was English. My dad had been an American soldier in World War II, and we were leaving in two weeks for a three-week vacation to visit our relatives there.

Trimella: And because I had FINISHED the year teaching and had not been hired at the beginning of the school year, I was told that I would have to interview again for my position at Hardin Park.

Terry: So, at this moment, neither of you had a job, you’re living in a house that you’ve placed a substantial down payment on that you cannot afford to lose, you’re not sure how the fact that neither of you are employed will affect your approval for your loan, and you’re leaving for a three week vacation.

Neville: You got it!

Terry: How could you enjoy your vacation with all those unknowns at that point in your life?

Trimella: Our faith in God had brought us this far in our lives, through disappointments, tough times, and fortunate times. We felt that we’d land on our feet (with the help of God) and things will get better. We didn’t know what He had in store for us, but we turned it over to Him. Neville: When we returned from England, Trimella interviewed for her present position and received word 20

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

that she would be back at Hardin Park. I interviewed in a few places and finally landed a job as a sales rep traveling parts of three states selling promotional products to financial institutions and college bookstores with their logo on them. It was a straight commission job with no reimbursement for expenses. The first week I spent three nights on the road in motels, obviously had meal expenses and gas expenses, and I made $33 in commissions.

Trimella: And traveling in a car without air conditioning in August.

Terry: That must have been frustrating. And brutal. Were you looking for different job during this time?

Neville: Yes, I sure did. One was a position that I really wanted. I was contacted by a large regional company about a role as a community liaison/public relations role. I felt that I had the personality and the skills to do this role. During this time, I took him a resume and as I was listing my references, I put the name of the person who had called me about the sales job that I was currently in. He had been in his role for eleven years, was a friend of mine, and was highly respected in the community. When I returned to Boone from traveling all week, I checked my answering machine and did not have any messages from the person that I interviewed with for the community relations position, so I called him to check on the position. He replied that no, he had not tried to get in touch with me. They had decided to hire my friend (who I listed as a reference).

I was crushed. Not only did I not like traveling and spending the night away from home, but the company that I was working for at that time was not stable. I was paid once a month, and I was dealing with my pay checks bouncing.

Trimella: We didn’t know it then, but God had other plans for us.

Neville: Yes. He sure did. A month or so later, I received a call from a friend of mine (Roby Triplett). Our

wives taught at Hardin Park together, Roby was one of my customers with the specialty products that I was selling, and he asked me if I’d ever heard of West Jefferson Office Equipment. I replied that I hadn’t. He said that the owner and his son would not leave him alone.

They wanted Roby to buy their business. Mr. Lyle (the owner) wanted to retire, and his son Preston wanted to continue to work as the equipment technician. Roby asked me if I would be interested. Being pragmatic, I told Roby that I did not have any money AND I didn’t think that this company could compete with Carolina Business Machines. Roby convinced me to go with him to talk with Mr. Lyle and if I didn’t want to be part of ownership, that Roby might buy it and he might hire me to run it. He indicated that it would be an investment for him, and he had no intention of working in the business or leaving the university.

Terry: So that’s how you got started.

Neville: Roby and I went to West Jefferson to see the store. Mr. and Mrs. Lyle lived in an apartment upstairs. It wasn’t much of a business, but the good news was that the didn’t want very much for it. He wanted someone to “take care of his customers” and operate it in a fashion that was honest and forthright.

Apparently, I passed his “test” and Roby was able to get us a loan for the down payment with a local banking connection that he had. Since I was going to be the partner doing all the work, I took 2/3 of the business and Roby 1/3. Roby was a great resource for me and trusted me far more than I would have trusted anybody – but Trimella.

Terry: How many employees did you have?

Trimella: Just Neville:, a bookkeeper, and Mr. Lyle’s son (the technician). Neville: drove a van and sold the equipment, furniture, and office supplies and delivered them the next time he was in that area.

Terry: What geography did you cover?

Neville: We covered Ashe, Wilkes, and Watauga counties. We operated out of the West Jefferson store for 18 months and then moved the entire business to Boone in June of 1978. We were located where the Black Cat restaurant is now and operated there for 23 years. We shortened the name to WJ Office Equipment.

Terry: Did Carolina Business go out of business at that time?

Neville: No. They were an established competitor and we worked hard to compete with them. However, the first two winters that we were in business was a crucial time for our company. I had a four-wheel drive that I delivered supplies to end users daily. They had a van that (by necessity) stayed parked in their parking lot because of the snow and ice. If customers wanted products at Carolina Business Machines, they had to drive downtown and pick them up.

Terry: So, after 23 years you moved out of the downtown area.

Neville: Yes, we outgrew the Depot Street location well before we could find another home. Brendle’s (on Greenway Road) closed, and the developer created a 12,000 square foot facility for us. It gave us parking that we didn’t have downtown, a much larger retail space, and a dock for the warehouse to receive trucks. But we outgrew that warehouse over the next 8 years and began to look for land to build a building that would fit our current commercial (business to business) non-retail business model. This, along with adding an office furniture sales office in Winston-Salem, adding top copier and printer product lines, developing a tenured team of people who are all on the same page and “rowing in the same direction.” Plus, operationally, we have strategically used outstanding contractors to help with office furniture installation when it made sense to do so.

Trimella: I must put this in here, and I know that Neville: feels the same way as I do. The people in Boone and the surrounding area are the very best. As we look back over the last 49 years, there are so many friends and families that have figured into our success. You have such joy when you feel that you are fulfilling God’s purpose in your life.

Terry: At this point, feel free to share with us any other significant “come to Jesus” moments you’ve had along the way.

Neville: We haven’t mentioned our boys. WJ Office started in December 1976. We moved the business to Boone in June 1978, and Nate was born in November 1978. In the September/October time frame we realTHE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

21

“The people in Boone and the surrounding area are the very best. As we look back over the last 49 years, there are so many friends and families that have figured into our success.” Trimella ized that even though we’d signed up for family health insurance at Trimella’s school, there was a snafu, and we only had health insurance for Trimella! We immediately changed that, but the C-Section that Trimella had was not covered. Fortunately, Nate was covered AFTER the birth, but his birth was not covered. I’ve teased him as he became an adult that he wasn’t paid for until he reached his third birthday!

Trimella: Then, at about six weeks old, he was congested one night. Neville thought he had a cold. I just didn’t feel right about that. We were up with him all night and I called the pediatricians the next morning.

Dr. Bill Horn said to bring him in. After a brief exam, Bill decided that he wanted him tested at the hospital for meningitis. While they were running the test, we were on our knees in the hospital chapel. Bill found us there. Nate tested positive for bacterial meningitis (the worst kind), but Bill caught it extremely quickly. He said that the bacterial kind normally responded well to penicillin. So, for the next 8 days we were in quarantine

22

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

at the hospital caring for our son taking shifts round the clock holding his little hands from reaching up and pulling out the i.v. that was plugged in to the top of his head. He couldn’t eat so they brought us jelly that we would put on to a pacifier so that he thought he was eating. Meningitis can produce all sorts of issues, and we are blessed that we left the hospital with a healthy child who is now a 46-year-old healthy man with no side effects from that early scare. Thanks be to God! Terry: So, it sounds like your faith has been tested in a lot of different ways over the course of your lives. And one of his greatest gifts is that you are still successfully married.

Trimella: Yes. We feel very blessed, but we have been on our knees many times over the years, and we are extremely grateful. We’ve already picked out the tombstone for our grave as we plan to be buried side by side. Engraved on the tombstone is “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

Engineered to Protect

More homes and businesses in the U.S. are protected by a GAF roof than any other products.

Why? GAF is always working on new and better ways to protect homes. We are committed to making our products better, stronger, safer and in more sustainable ways that are faster and easier to install.

Boone Location

Banner Elk Location

3148 Hwy. 105 South Boone, NC 28607

2340 Tynecastle Hwy. Banner Elk, NC 28604

828-264-5650

828-898-5660

www.newriverbuilding.com ,m

Yes, GAF shingles are made in the USA! Ever since GAF was founded as the Standard Print Company in 1886, it has been based in the United States. Now, GAF is considered the leading roofing manufacturer in North America, and plants are located throughout the United States.

COMMUNITY BUILDING AS A WAY OF LIFE An Interview with Sam & Eric

By Terry Henry Terry: I’m sitting around a large dinner table with Sam and Eric.

were certain times where I felt a stronger presence that I think held me. One of the things about being in a charismatic environment is that interesting stuff hapSam and Eric pens, right? And I saw are a couple that I enough movements met two years ago at of God that I never Mountainside Comcame to a place where munity Church in I didn’t believe that Boone, North CarGod was real. Growolina. And I must ing up in church with add, it’s interesting my parents as pastors, to interview couples, it was always hard because we are going for me to know, had to hear two different I made enough of a stories, which will connection with God include the beginon my own for it to be nings of their faith real? And I think when in Christ, hopefully that question first got merge at their maranswered I had a speriage, and then lead cific day where I reus into where they member having a very are today and where intense spiritual exthey are headed toperience that felt like morrow. Ladies first. the closest that I’d ever Sam, I know you’ve experienced to what had an interesting life we call a Born-Again The whole family in Boone. Left to right: Ellie, Cole, Ivy, because of some of the moment. Because I had Mattias, Sam & Eric talks that we’ve had grown up in the church, previously. So, this is your story. Okay?

I didn’t have this come to Christ moment, where now I’m in Christ, and everything has changed. I grew up in Sam: Well, I grew up in the church. My dad was a a family that was very protected and very safe, and so I youth pastor in the Assemblies of God denomination. didn’t have to experience the world like I saw some of As it has been told to me, the first time that I prayed my friends experiencing it, but it also meant that it was the prayer, so to speak, I was two years old, so I have hard for me to be sure of where I stood with God. zero recollection of that, but for my entire memory of my childhood, the church and my faith in Jesus were Terry: So, were there any early prayers you just the water that I was in. I didn’t necessarily have any prayed, that were answered, or were you afraid of strong periods of rebellion or anything like that. There that interaction?

24

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Sam: I don’t know. That’s interesting. I was a fearful child, and so I prayed a lot as a little kid, especially at night, because I did not like nighttime. I never questioned whether my prayers were answered or not.

I had this innate sense that God was listening when I was praying. Occasionally I would wake up from a scary dream, and I would sit and just say the name of Jesus over and over and over again, because I had this thought in my head that if I said the name of Jesus, then, if there’s any anything going on that’s uncomfortable, Jesus’s name was going to make it go away. I’m sure I learned that from like, VeggieTales or something, Terry: So, we are heading up to your YWAM experience that’s probably after marriage, right?

Sam: No, it was before we were married. That’s how we met when I was 18. For me, going through that program was a big deal. I didn’t grow up with a lot of theology, so there were a lot of feelings and experiences that I didn’t understand, like who God is, or what the church has historically thought about who God is, and how we understand that, and how it affects our faith. I lived in a Christian kind of bubble which, looking back, I would describe as low-key fundamentalist, because we did have that us versus them kind of thinking. However, because it’s an Assemblies of God church, women are allowed to be in ministry, and there wasn’t the fundamentalist thinking of you must dress this way or do this thing. We had our own legalism, but it was a very, emotive, very feelings-based environment.

Terry: So YWAM happened at 18 years of age.

Sam: It was right after high school. I was deciding between Switzerland and Puerto Rico for my YWAM program. However, my grandparents said, if you go to Puerto Rico, we’ll pay for your ticket. So I went to Puerto Rico, and Eric was there because his dad had wanted him to do YWAM there.

Eric: My dad knew one of the teachers at that base In Puerto Rico.

Sam: So that’s how we met.

Terry: That’s a good transition. Which leads us to Eric’s story.

Eric: My story is somewhat like Sam’s since I grew up in a Christian home. My dad wasn’t a minister like Sam’s was, but yeah, I first accepted Jesus as maybe an

Sam, Cole and Ellie (in the carrier) while living in California. eight-year-old. My dad led me to the Lord. I remember as a young kid thinking that some of my extended family might not be believers, and so I went around asking them if they believed in God. And they all said, yes. I was like, okay, great. Like, we’re good here, you know. So that was kind of my first foray into evangelism, I guess.

And then I went to high school and college, YWAM and the Marine Corps, kind of in one big season. I was a believer, but I was largely an immature believer. I had a lot of my own ideas and things that I wanted to do with my life. And there were lots of idols: they were kind of weeds that were growing up in my life.

When I was 11, I decided I wanted to be a Navy SEAL. It was a driving factor in my decision making from then until I was 18, which is when I found out, shortly before going to YWAM, that my vision would basically never allow me to be a SEAL. So, I was in a bit of a turmoil at that time, but ended up joining the Marine Corps instead, to make a long story short. I kind of had this idolatry of adventure and travel and being a cool guy, and what I wanted my life to look like.

And like I said, it didn’t stop me from being a believer. I think I would say I paid lip service so to speak to, like, “Jesus comes first”, right? And I believed that, but I didn’t always examine myself as I should have to see if I was really living that out. Shortly after I got out of the Marine Corps, we moved to Colombia with Samaritans Purse. During that time was probably one of the most intense times of spiritual growth for me in my THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

25

life, where God was showing me that I had these areas of idolatry, and even as I was kind of getting what I thought I wanted, like the travel and the adventure, I was beginning to see this as being empty and that it really wasn’t what I wanted.

Terry: So, the picture I’m getting is that you were both Christians, but you were inactive, in a sense in a bubble. Did YWAM activate you guys after which you push ahead and overcome the obstacles or whatever.

meaningful with our lives, but not really living it in our daily lives, not going beyond “we don’t, drink, smoke, chew, or go with girls who do.”

Terry: Let’s get back to the military timeline.

Sam: I went through a period of intense spiritual growth while Eric was in the military.

I had two young kids and I was experiencing very intense postpartum anxiety that was undiagnosed and undealt with, and I was Sam: I really strugwouldn’t say I gling. Eric was was inactive. I working all the was leading the time and then Eric, Ellie, Cole and Sam in California children’s minwas gone for istry at our small seven months church when I was 16, because nobody was there to do because he got deployed. I was solo parenting all the it, and so I took it over. I started going on mission trips time with no family around, and I was really struggling when I was 12. The first time I went on a mission trip with anxiety. We went to a big mega church because it was to Mexico to help build a school at an orphanage. was right down the street. I really struggled to go on It was very formative for me. We were helping other Sunday mornings, because you had to put the kids in people. For me, my faith was a huge part of my teen one building and then walk across a quad and be in years, and it did govern a lot of things I did, although another building. I didn’t know anybody, and I felt unas a teenager, it was obviously still somewhat imma- comfortable leaving the kids with people I didn’t know. ture. I had these standards, but the standards were, now I had started going to a women’s Bible study that met looking back, probably more cultural things within my at a smaller campus. It was kind of like a small group. church than particularly based on the way of Jesus. I I’d never really been in a setting that had that level of still am trying to understand the way of Jesus. But that intimate community and that changed things for me in is probably where the YWAM thing shifted my faith a big way, which sparked an intense period of spirituand when I began to see that Christianity is not just a al growth for me. This led to me starting to reach out series of things we don’t do. to the neighborhood that we were in, in California. I would put a picnic blanket in our front yard and sit out Eric: As you were talking, it made me think about there with the kids, and I would text a few people whose the way my faith affected my life as a high school and numbers I had in the neighborhood, and I would say, I’m college student. I was avoiding sins of commission but going to be in the front yard for the next couple hours. committing sins of omission. I think that was true of If you want to bring your kids by, we’ll be outside. And both of us, that both of us grew up really wanting to be some days it was just us, but it grew over time, where it people of faith, like especially wanting to do something became almost every afternoon. It was all other military 26

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

families, most of them had kids around our kids’ age.

Over time we started to make dinner together and build community and relationships. I started to cook meals for people, whether they lived in the neighborhood or went to church or not.

Terry: So, your spiritual growth was finding outlets to serve other people and build a community?

that. We had often pursued a life of adventure, but after we had kids, I didn’t want quite so much adventure. I was longing for community. And after leaving the military Eric went through almost a year of unemployment.

Terry: So, you’re now out of the military and unemployed.

Eric: I got out of the military in October 2017, and we traveled around the American Sam: Yeah, I think lookWest for a couple of months, ing back, I can say that that’s and that was fun. Then I kind likely what was happening. of buckled down and startDuring that time, I started ed looking for work. I really praying about the possibility wanted to work in disaster of one day moving to Swerelief. So, with the CIA out of den which is where Eric’s the picture, I was like let’s infamily is from. I was praying vestigate some disaster relief that our life would change. I jobs that would allow me to didn’t want to be in the miltravel. I really wanted to live itary anymore and Eric was in Colorado, where I could considering a career with the rock climb and do all that CIA which I also wasn’t exkind of stuff, but I was coming cited about. Eric could not up against a brick wall. be present in our life in the When I left the military, way we wanted. I wanted to my dad was like, hey, Eric, get out of the military, and you could come work for I wanted to have our family me selling candy. And so, 10 be able to build community months of looking for work This is Eric and Ivy in Colombia together and actually have go by and I’m like I need a job. roots. And then I forgot that My dad called me again and I’d written down those prayers for years after I had said, I’m hiring. I said, alright, give me a week, because journaled them.

I still have a couple of applications out. If I don’t hear anything within that week, I’ll come work for you. I had Terry: And then two of them were answered. come to this place of humbling myself and realizing I was not going to get the cool guy job that I wanted.

Sam: That’s true. I don’t even remember making the connection at the time, but while on deployment, God was bringing me there on purpose. I had applied to Samaritan’s Purse during that year and didn’t get that Eric resigned from the military. job. When I said to my dad if I don’t hear something Eric: While I was getting out of the military, I ap- within a week, I’ll come be a candy salesman, I think God wanted me to let go of my pride. Then during that plied to the CIA and went partway through the process. week, Samaritan’s Purse reached back out to me about I got an interview and after the interview, I realized the a different job and said we think you should apply for CIA wasn’t for me. And then a couple months later, they this job in Colombia in South America. This was the said, we don’t think we want you. So, it was mutual. week our second daughter was born. Things were moving very fast. I was like, they’re going to offer me this Sam: I really wasn’t thrilled about you pursuing the CIA, but I had this vision for our family and for our life job, and I said to Sam, this is happening, is this somethat was different from what we had experienced before thing we want? And she flat out said, No. THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

27

Sam: My no was tied heavily to my postpartum anxiety. I was afraid that one of the kids was going to get kidnapped if we went to Colombia.

world events for a certain pandemic. We had about two months of freedom in 2020 where we did whatever we did, just normal life, and then we were logged into our apartment for three months. I got to go out Eric: So at the part-time job I was working at, I had only for work and Sam could go out once or twice a a day where I spent a lot of time by myself, which was week to get groceries. That was kind of like the legal unusual. And I spent a lot of limits of our freedom at the that day praying about the time. It was an exciting time, situation. I was like, God, if work wise, because the whole this is what you have for us, situation changed in ColomI need Sam to be on board. bia and we were doing new I don’t know what I expectstuff, and that was cool. I also ed. I certainly didn’t expect had a lot more downtime and what happened when I got I spent a lot of that time just home from work. Sam goes, reading the Bible, memorizhey, I think we can go to Coing scripture, praying, and lombia. And within a few God was really working in my days, I received the job offer. heart at that time. I also began reading Bonhoeffer’s “Cost Sam: There were a lot of Discipleship” where the of things that helped me to first half of the book is a disknow that God was with course on the sermon on the us in that. When Eric came mount. I look back on that as home that night and said a pivotal moment in my walk I’ve been praying all day for with the Lord. Backing up a you, I felt even greater peace bit, right before covid hit, my about going to Colombia. boss came to Colombia. And Other things happened as before he came, we had been well, for example we applied talking about how after our for expedited passports for two years were up, we really This is Eric, Ivy and Mattias in Sweden three children on a Wedneswanted to go somewhere and day, and the next Wednesday, build community for the sake we had them in our hands. Which is like a miracle of the gospel. right? Then everything started falling into place.

Sam: Yeah. The community that happened in Terry: So, your story could almost start there. California was influential on Eric and his spiritual That’s where the rubber meets the road. growth, although maybe not to the same extent as it was for me. We had started saying let’s find a place Sam: I feel like Colombia was a time when we where we can be Kingdom emissaries. Let’s live like took this leap of faith together and spiritually grew as a Jesus someplace. At the point his boss arrived from couple rather than individually.

Boone, Eric was starting to look for jobs in Minnesota.

The week his boss came to visit…

Terry: What did you learn from a Christian perEric: He offered me a job in Boone. I said, let me spective while you were in Colombia? think about that and I went home and told Sam about the job offer. She’s like, yeah, let’s do it. And I was like, Sam: We finally found ourselves on the same page, I agree. which is a miracle for sure, and a blessing as well.

Eric: We had made a two-year commitment for Colombia. And the second year was 2020, notable in 28

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Terry: So, now you’re in Boone after leaving Colombia and looking for a house and a church.

Sam: We had a long list of churches to visit and one of those was Mountainside. We showed up, and it was love at first sight and we both felt that this is the place the Lord has for us. One of the most significant things about coming to Boone has been us being together to do ministry and it’s been a time of rich ministry for both of us here. We started having people over all the time and we would walk around to every neighbor that we knew and bring jam, baked goods or produce from our garden. It was a good way to show people that we cared about them and to help build a sense of community for ourselves and others. Eric put a little library out front of the house and he would share produce and seeds from the garden. And our community kind of grew and grew and grew.

Eric: We made it our mission to be intentionally connected with our neighbors here, which is something that really began with us in California. We had a strong desire for community in Colombia, but it was difficult there.

Terry: That really fits with one of those questions I gave you before we met and that is, what role do you think Christianity plays for you in our community?

Sam: We had these moments where we were sitting down and planning how we could bring more people into our little house. How can we invite more people in to community who don’t know Christ? After about a year of living in Boone Eric came to me and said, what do you think about moving to Sweden someday?

I was like, that’s weird because I wrote that down in a prayer journal during our time in California. I was really scared at that point, because we were finally in a place right where we were going to stay, build community, and put down roots. We continued to pray about the idea and ended up going to Sweden in 2022, as something of a vision trip. We visited a YWAM base there and we spent a good amount of time praying and talking to friends while we were there. That trip changed my heart about going and was what led to Eric taking a year sabbatical to go work on this local farm and do an apprenticeship which would come in handy if we moved to Sweden and were able to start an agricultural business there. That was also a leap of faith, because we were living off savings for the most part, since the apprenticeship only paid a small stipend, which barely covered our mortgage.

Eric: Mainly my mindset at the time was, I’m going to learn farming and I’m also now going to work with non-believers, so there are some evangelistic opportunities there. That second part wasn’t at the front of my mind, necessarily, but it seems that, that was in the front of what God had for me and so within the first month of becoming a farm apprentice, I was frequently having conversations with people who had rejected the church, or had been hurt in the church, or had very strong, negative opinions about Christians. I was having opportunities to talk to them about it. I was able to have these conversations with people, where I was able to treat them with love and address their questions, without being aggressive.

Sam: It has been really great to build relationships with people outside of our christian bubble and walk alongside them as friends. I really value being able to show the love of Christ to others in organic and practical ways.

Terry: So bottom line: you were successful in following what you believed God was showing you?

Sam: Yes, but there was a major pause on my desire to go to Sweden after one of my best friends’ husband passed unexpectedly, leaving behind two young boys and I couldn’t think about anything else besides taking care of them. So, the conversation about Sweden got put on the back burner. Eric also took on an eldership role at Mountainside Community Church at about that time.

Terry: So technically, these were a couple of obstacles to keep you from moving to Sweden.

Eric: You could look at it that way. Or perhaps it was just not time yet. We had responsibilities here that God had given us and we needed to see through.

Terry: Which slowed down your plans.

Eric: That’s true. There have been some challenges in the last couple years.

Terry: So, let’s transition to the next phase, Sam: Our dream, so to speak, is to continue and deepen what we have been doing here for the last five THE JOURNEY |Winter 2025

29

Eric and Sam in front of their home in Boone, NC. Rainbow is extra! years, which is opening our home and using our gifts of hospitality for the gospel and developing community with those who are outside of community, whether that’s those fully on the margins of society or just people who are not in the community of the church. And whether that happens here or in Sweden, I think that our long-term dream is to continue what we are doing and deepen our faith while interacting with people from all walks of life.

Eric: So, every January, or late December, Sam and I try to have a little meeting and ask what’s this year going to look like. This year we said Samaritan’s Purse has been great, but that time needs to end. That was one of the things that working on the farm taught me: as long as I’m working in an office surrounded by believers, I’m not living out my spiritual gifts.

Sam: 30

Once you went back to Samaritan’s Purse,

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

because of your schedule, our ability to do ministry in the way that we were doing it really diminished, right?

We have kept up as many connections as we can, but there have been basically no new connections, except with Christian homeschoolers, Christians at church, Christians at work and so on.

Eric: So, we went into 2025 saying by the end of this year we need to decide what is next for our family.

It became clear right away, within weeks, that both our hearts are in alignment and we want to move to Sweden next year, 2026.

Terry: Sweden, which is not known as a Christian country.

Eric: As a country, it’s an extremely secular society.

We think of this term missionary as people who go abroad. And I guess going to Sweden would fit into

“I think that I spent so much of my youth waiting around for the big thing that I was supposed to do. All the while I had all these small things in front of me that I was sometimes doing, sometimes neglecting to do because they didn’t seem worthwhile enough.” Sam planting in Sweden. And they’re helping to provide us with training. There’s been a lot of different things coming together for us as we prepare to go.

Another great family picture with younger kids. that category. But I don’t think going to Sweden is what makes us missionaries. I think being believers is what makes us missionaries. And you know, if that’s the case, if every believer has a responsibility to live as a missionary, I feel like, why don’t we go? Let’s go where the church needs some reinforcements, right? This is kind of where I’m at. We do have a unique ability because I’m a Swedish citizen.

Sam: I randomly found out that OM (Operation Mobilization) has a whole program now for marketplace missionaries. They’ve been helping us make connections in Sweden with people who are already doing marketplace missions, or more traditional church

Terry: So, as we wind down with you most likely going to Sweden next year, what advice or encouragement would you like to share with others who may be struggling with their faith or in recognizing what their journey in Jesus might be. Not in 10 words or less, but what’s the bottom line here?

Eric: What I often say is you believe what you do.

If you believe the way of Jesus you are going to follow it. When we sin we’re showing that in some way we believe our way is going to be better for us than God’s way. When we obey Jesus’ commandments, even if we don’t feel like it’s going to work, we’re showing real belief. We have these teachings of Jesus that show us how we should live in the world; to be generous, to love our enemies, to be peacemakers, etc. So we don’t need to wait around forever asking God what we should do, he has told us how to live. Start living that way and more opportunities will open up for you to do the good works that he has prepared ahead of time for you to do.

If you are faithful with the small things I think God will bring you bigger things to be faithful with.

Terry: He does the big things.

Sam: I think that I spent so much of my youth waiting around for the big thing that I was supposed to do. All the while I had all these small things in front of me that I was sometimes doing, sometimes neglecting to do because they didn’t seem worthwhile enough.

But all those tiny things matter. Daily life with my kids, interactions with neighbors, and things I often see as inconveniences are all valuable. Something simple like getting over needing to have the house perfect so that if someone stops by and needs a safe place to share difficult things, makes a big difference because it means I can let them inside. It’s the tiny things and they add up to a life of following Jesus.

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

31

HELPING IN JESUS’ NAME

A Personal Testimony from Ken Isaacs, Vice President of Programs and Government Relations at Samaritan’s Purse

By Ben Cox with Ken Isaacs Introduction: Once upon a time there was a man named Jesus who had the power to heal people. He had the power to raise people from the dead. He also could predict the immediate future with 100% accuracy. Many in Israel thought He must be the long awaited Messiah that their prophets and wise men from ancient times had foretold.

Over the span of his 3 year public ministry, He drew multitudes of people to hear Him teach truth and explain Old Testament Scripture in a way that was simple yet deeply profound.

The people would even remark about how superior and powerful His speaking ability was as compared to their finest rabbis and teachers of the law.

asked Him this question: “what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

Now’s the time we should all lean in to hear Jesus’ answer, even if you have read His answer 100s of times:

“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be

hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then Ken Isaacs, June 1988. many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to For example, among the 12 there were 3 who He invited the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will into the most holy of intimate moments between Him be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and and His Heavenly Father. And then there were the 70, the then the end will come.

He also made disciples by choosing 12 men to have close personal access to Him during His 3 year ministry. But, He also masterfully demonstrated the effectiveness of intentionally communicating Truth, in concentric circles of influence.

120 and the crowd of 500 He appeared to after His bodily resurrection from the dead! Plus, there were thousands who traveled great distances to be healed by Him, behold His miracles and to hear Him speak the very Words of God that moved them deeply in their hearts.

One time, after He finished one of His most challenging sermons in the outer courts of their massive, beautiful, sacred temple, in the heart of Jerusalem, His disciples 32

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

I chose to begin our Kenney Isaacs’ story with a Jesus’ story from Matthew 24:3b-14, because for over 37 years Kenney has been one of the many who have made great personal sacrifices to bring the good news of the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ to the nations! And He’s done most of that through his affiliation with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Samaritan’s Purse, with its headquarters in Watauga and Wilkes counties and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s headquarters in Charlotte and Asheville, NC travels the world to communicate God’s love and compassion to a world where millions have not experienced the kind of peace, mercy and hope that only Jesus can impart!!

It was through Samaritan’s Purse disaster relief program where I first met Ken Isaacs as a volunteer where Ken had been deployed. We were in New York City in September of 2001, after the horrific terrorist bombings that shook that city and our nation.

Ken was the disaster relief responder who Franklin Graham called in to help establish a kind of disaster relief that Samaritan’s Purse had never done before. Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association were going to partner together to establish an outreach office in the city. The office would be called the Billy Graham New York Prayer Center, where people could call and receive Biblical encouragement and prayer from trained professionals.

volunteer stint would turn into a “job” for the next 4 months. That happened because Ken asked me if I would agree to be the prayer coordinator for the BGEA prayer center and I said yes. Ken and I got to know each other better in the context of his work to spearhead Samaritan’s Purses efforts to get the prayer center up and running at 133 West 25th Street, Suite 4E New York City.

In the course of our time there, thousands of humble servants of Jesus came to volunteer from all over the United States of America to demonstrate our Savior’s love in practical, tangible ways.

After receiving instruction at Calvary Church on the do’s and don’ts of sharing Jesus’ love on the streets, they would reach out to Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island to show Jesus’ love with simply ears to listen and prayers.

God’s love could even come through sharing comfort over a cup of coffee in a local diner, or offering bottled water on the streets.

The events of 9/11 have changed our world.

Do you need to talk? We’re here to listen.

In conjunction with this, SP & the BGEA were going to join with a Calvary Church in Manhattan that would assist the Center with helping train, coordinate and deploy thousands of Christians from all over the nation to go to Ground Zero to minister the love and compassion of Jesus to the many who were suffering unbearable grief and sorrow.

I was there as one of the first “boots on the ground” volunteer grief counselors to arrive in NYC. Allen Blume, a friend of mine, and a former pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church here in Boone, asked me if I would be willing to go and I said yes.

Soon after getting off that van with the other volunteers, I met Ken Isaacs, little knowing that my one week

Meanwhile, at the call center, which Ken helped establish, we would pray with the many people who responded to the simple posters we plastered the city with and the other ways we got the message out about the help we could offer in Jesus’ name.

Through those efforts and our vast network of local churches, we partnered with, we got the word out, even joining with the spiritual leaders of local churches in the 5 boroughs to join them in praying onsite at cross-denominational prayer gatherings. In other words, we prayed, prayed and prayed some more.

One thing that the teams that came to NYC to help for a week or so were required to do was to join us at the prayer center to pray over the prayer needs we were discovering through the call center and the street ministry. As a direct result of these passionate prayers that we offered to our Father through the precious Name of THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

33

Jesus, miracles happened and many received the comfort that came down from heaven. I am humbled and grateful to have been a part of that.

I accepted Christ that day. I was baptized maybe two weeks later. That is sort of my introduction into the faith.

As you know, all of us have different journeys in the faith. After that, there was a friend of my parents who took an interest in me, and for two years he mentored me in the Bible. That seems very unusual in today’s thinking, but he was a very special guy, and I really appreciate the time that he invested in me, his mentorship, instruction, and sharing scriptures with me. It has stuck with me all through my life, even though I went astray from the Lord when I was around 19 or 20. And by the time I was 24, I was probably an agnostic and had gotten married and wasn’t thinking anything spiritual or anything about God.

BEN: It’s sad, but there are far too many Christians, myself included, who go Ken, Coy, Coy Issacs, Jamey, Louise, Carolyn through a time of backsliding When I returned to Boone in December of 2001 Ken or fall away from faith in Christ. It’s amazing Grace went his way and I went mine, but we would run into that brings us back to Him in different ways for each other from time to time at church and other plac- different people. es. Now, 24 years later, I get to do one of my favorite things, which is finding out about how people like Ken So, let’s go back to how you got from being saved in Jackbecame Christians and how their faith in Christ has sonsville, Fla. to being an agnostic married man at 24. changed the trajectory of their lives.

KEN: My parents moved all the time. In 12 years of BEN: Tell me about how you became a follower of school, I went to 13 schools in four states and seven Christ, and then how you came to Samaritans Purse. cities until we ended up in Boone, NC. I was always the new kid in class every year, except for my last two years KEN: My mom and dad were Christians. We lived in in high school which was Watauga High School.

Jacksonville, Florida, and attended Arlington Baptist Church. The pastor there was Grady Snowden, and he It was there that I met Carolyn Wright in the beginning gave an altar call one Sunday. I was 12 years old and I of my senior year and it was love at first sight. We got felt moved and convicted by my sin and raised my hand. married two years later when neither of us was walking with the Lord.

The following day, he came over to the house and sat with me in the living room, and we talked through the EDITOR’S NOTE: After my in-office interview with plan of salvation, what it meant, the theology of it, and Ken, I received permission from the book publishers 34

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

to share this portion of Kenney’s testimony that Kenney wrote in his own words from pages 18-19 and it fits nicely here: “When I was just two years old, my biological father abandoned my mother and me. For the next 4 years, she raised me as a single mom. When I was six, she married a man named Coy Isaacs. At ten years old, Coy adopted me, and my last name was legally changed from Warren to Isaacs. That Father’s Day in 1962, as a gift to him, I began calling Coy “Daddy.”

From that year on, I considered him my father.

I soon came to the conclusion that my parents liked to move. In my twelve years of education, I went to 13 schools in seven cities in four states throughout the Southeast. So I was always “the new kid.” One day when I was in third grade, I looked outside to see our 1956 Chevrolet loaded with my bed strapped to the top. We drove all day into the night to the new town my parents had chosen.

Around the time I might be able to start settling in, we’d leave for the next stop. The longest time I spent in one place was my last two years in high school in Boone, North Carolina, where I graduated.

Kenny, southern Ethiopia, 1990

Solomon & Ken at well pump, southern Ethiopia, 1990

Sadly, my daddy, Coy, died in 1979 of a massive heart attack when I was twenty-seven. In 2002, after deciding to try to find my biological father, I was able to locate him. After just one visit, I was grateful that he left Mom and me all those years ago. We were clearly better off and so blessed that Coy had come into our lives.

NOW LET’S RETURN TO KENNY’S TESTIMONY OF HOW HE CAME BACK TO CHRIST AND ENDED UP WORKING AT SAMARITAN’S PURSE:

KEN: By the time my wife and I were probably in our late 20s, early 30s, things of a spiritual nature started coming back up. And then at 34 we rededicated our lives to Christ. As a result of that and going to church, I got involved with the North Carolina Baptist men and went with them as a volunteer to West Africa for a month.

When I came back from that trip, I felt God was calling me to the world. And I couldn’t even explain that. I THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

35

mean, I’m from this area. My wife was born and raised here, and when I came home and told Carolyn, I feel called the world, she looked at me and said, “have you lost your mind?”

That discussion went on for a while. I prayed about it. “You know, God, if you’ve got something for me, if you open the door, I’ll go through it.”

And I prayed that prayer for 16 or 17 months, and nothing happened. I stopped praying that prayer because I thought no answer meant NO.

Our younger son was eight, and it was an adventure for him to go see the elephants or whatever. I could go on about him too, but the point is it changed the nature of our family totally and strengthened us in the Lord.

Being in Ethiopia expanded our worldview, and it put our lives on a much different course.

BEN: So, you transition from digging wells to living in Ethiopia for three years to directing major relief operations around the world since 1990?

KEN: That’s right, and I would return to Ethiopia in 1991 when the communist government was overthrown.

Therefore, my own experience as a missionary to Ethiopia came in handy when war

Then in 1986 Dewey Wright Well and Pump Company drilled a well at Franklin Graham’s house and I took the opportunity to leave Ken, Carolyn, Jamey & Coy at departure from Boone, August 1988 him my business card and said, “if something comes up about water in Africa, and I could broke out. Here’s what happened: help you, let me know.”

As a result of the war that overthrew the ruling ComIt wasn’t long until around August of 1987 he had munist government, there were about 60 or 70,000 dissomeone reach out to me and asked me to come and placed refugees that came into Addis Ababa trying to talk to him. After that talk my family and I moved to escape the conflict. About 60,000 of them moved into Ethiopia. We lived there for three years and set up a an open roof football stadium and within that populaclean water well drilling program in Ethiopia. There tion were quite a few pregnant women, ready to give were two wars going on there. It was a very rich learn- birth. So, we decided to take them to a greenhouse ing environment. we had been to where we put some mattresses down, got some medical staff and birth attendants in, and we BEN: I knew you went to Africa with SP, but didn’t know brought the pregnant women in where they could have you lived in Ethiopia. So, you took the whole family? a clean, dignified place to have birth.

KEN: Yeah, the whole family. Our oldest son was 16 and getting ready to go into senior year of high school.

He wasn’t happy about moving to Ethiopia at first, but it ended up working out well for him because he went to the international community school there in Addis, Ababa. It was there he found out that he was gifted in linguistics, so today he speaks four languages. From there, he spent 17 and a half years in the Marines and went to Naval Postgraduate School. Now he’s in Texas and working for Amazon.

36

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Our mission at SP is to go to the ditches of life and look for people and help them in Jesus’ name. And we want people to know that God loves them. We want to show them love and introduce them to Jesus. The mission is always the same: These women are going to have babies. We’re gonna do something. And so, we brought those ladies out of the stadium, and we probably ran that program for two months.

During that same year, the first Gulf war was launched in May of 1991. Saddam Hussein attacked the Kurds who primarily live in a mountainous region called Kurdistan.

Editor’s note: (Kurdistan spans across parts of Eastern Turkey, Northern Syria, Northern Iraq and Western Iran. It also has smaller communities in Armenia and Azerbaijan.)

About that time, I came back to Boone and Franklin Graham asked me to go to Turkey. I went there with a couple other guys, and we worked our way down to Iraq. It was there that the US Ambassador to Iraq gave us a helicopter to use. I was flying in and out of Iraq, seeing the Kurds and sitting down in the refugee camps and figuring out what was going on and what we could do to help.

regain control of the city. That must have been incredibly intense.

KEN: Well, it was intense. And I think God gave us great favor. ISIS was moving all through northern Iraq and up in Syria. There was so much violence, and I went over there on a trip to meet with staff and with the doctors as well.

They were doing mobile medical clinics, and they were telling us that more needed to be done.

When I got there, I had coffee with a lady and her assistant and our country director over there.

I hadn’t seen her in some years. She People fleeing Mosul area during time of conflict, 2017. worked with the UN and asked me, “So what’s going on in the world of Samaritans Purse?” I said, oh, you know, working and developing After that I was on mobile field hospito Afghanistan and tals. So, she wrote Somalia, then workdown a guy’s name ing around hurriin the World Health cane disasters, other Organization and wars, in Rwanda and said, you need to call Bosnia. Rwanda was him. So, I called and a genocide. It was went and visited him horrible. There were the next day, and the probably about a World Health Orgamillion people killed nization was looking in just a few days. for a hospital, but a Medical staff treating patients in emergency room outside of Mosul, 2017 hospital is not a box BEN: When I read of stuff, it’s a team of your biography from your new book, I found people, and you gotta have the doctors, anesthesioloit interesting that you were awarded a Lifetime gists and nurses and all those things. And we had that.

Achievement Award from Health Outreach to the Middle East (H.O.M.E). The award was for So anyway, we ended up putting a hospital down about his efforts to gain access that allowed for the 10 kilometers east of Mosul. We had a fantastic group deployment of the Emergency Field Hospital of people staffing that hospital, and we stayed there for to Mosul, Iraq as Iraq security forces fought to nine months. We performed 1,700 life saving surgeries THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

37

line in the song, “To Dream the Impossible Dream” that talks about being willing to march into hell for a heavenly cause.

Now let’s switch gears to talk about the chapter in your book that you titled: “My Seventeen Month Detour Through Washington, DC.” In that capacity, you served as Director of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance with the US Agency for Starting the day with team-prayer, near Mosul, 2017 International Developand had over 4,000 patients, and some of those patients ment, USAID. And under your direction, you served were ISIS fighters. As long as I live in this world, I will as the lead agency for US government relief responses always wonder how those patients got to us alive. Because there was so much killing and the survival rate and to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. was about zero.

BEN: It’s amazing that ISIS itself didn’t try to destroy the field hospital.

KEN: Well, you know, we had a Lebanese interpreter that didn’t look Arabic, who spoke fluent Arabic, and he was doing some attendant stuff in the men’s ward.

And one of the chief fighters, you could tell he was by the way he dressed, the length of his pants, his beard and everything. He asked why are these people being so kind to us? We’re trying to kill them.

And, you know, and I think that was an encouragement to all of us to continue to show the love of Christ, even to somebody that you know is antagonistic towards you and your enemy. God blessed us and gave us great favor there, and he used us in a mighty way.

KEN: Yes, I left Samaritan’s Purse during George W Bush’s first administration. I was the Director of the Office for Disaster Assistance called OFDA. And yeah, that tsunami in Indonesia happened on December the 26th of 2004 and killed about 230,000 people. It was a huge emergency response.

The United States government sent ships there and the Department of Defense was heavily involved. There were probably 15,000 Americans involved in the response.

BEN: Wow! In one of our previous Journey Magazine articles we shared Kayleen Lundstrom’s testimony which included serving at that hospital as a nurse and it blew me away.

I didn’t have any illusions that I was going to tell the military what to do, but I did go meet with the head generals and offered to provide senior humanitarian advisors in every appropriate rank of their strategic decision making and they quickly and warmly accepted the offer. I had people sitting next to every general, next to all the admirals that were involved. We had them on aircraft carriers. We had them in airplanes and military bases. And it worked out well, It was a big deal, but I learned a lot. You know, you learn a lot through experiences,

When I think of the risks that so many of you take to help in the midst of great crises it reminds me of that

BEN: That’s so true and we could help people learn a lot from our failures and mistakes as well.

38

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

That segues nicely to make some final comments about your new book that is filled with the lessons you’ve learned from your many adventures in some of the most dangerous situations around the world.

KEN: The book is titled “Running to the Fire: Helping in Jesus’ Name.” It is a memoir of sorts, not that I think I’m finished, but it’s a memoir of things that I’ve seen in my over 37 years with Samaritan’s Purse. It’s a collection of some of the stories that you asked me about and how I got involved. From a well driller to the rest of the world. In the book I talk about my wife who died in 2017. She passed away from cancer. We were married 46 and a half years.

Yazidi holy site in Lalish, Kurdistan region, northeast Iraq, 2016

BEN: And you were probably the primary caregiver.

KEN: Yeh I was able to stay home and take care of her and work at the same time using the telephone, and people would come up to the house. I will be forever grateful for that latitude I had.

Carolyn and Ken underneath the Lalish holy site.

BEN: She was a great woman in her own right because of the sacrifices she made with you in Ethiopia, moving to Washington DC when you worked there and being alone for long periods of time when you were traveling to places where you could easily have died.

KEN: That’s true. Sometimes I’d be gone for three months, six months, nine months. I would come home and then deal with whatever I had seen and been exposed to which she was not aware of. She never pushed me, except to say, hey, get up, let’s go for a run. Let’s go for a walk. She was a great exercise person.

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

39

BEN: I think the fact that she deployed with you at the very beginning of your marriage was probably the thing that helped her. She knew the intensity of it all.

KEN: That’s good. She was always there for me. And sometimes I couldn’t talk about things for weeks or months. There was a period of my life where all the things that I was seeing you know, Bosnia and the genocides and all of this, they take a toll on you.

BEN: You probably had some trauma, like PTSD, right?

KEN: Yeah, it’s traumatic, but my wife was the perfect shoe on this old foot to make me feel comfortable and get me talking about it.

And you know, when we were up in New York City after 9/11, we went through stress management training down by the harbor to get our credentials. If you remember, to get to Ground Zero, you had to go there.

You had to take that eight-hour training, and we were one hour into that training, and I looked over at Mickey Stoner and Skip Heitzig and I said, guys, I’ve got Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. I realized I’d been suffering with this for years, and I didn’t know what it was until that woman running the clinic, I think her name was Teresa, identified it in me.

I’ll never forget it. She explained to us what it was and what the symptoms were, and I’m listening to her, and I realized she’s describing me. I had been wrestling with those things for years, but the Lord carried me through all of that.

BEN: Here’s the million dollar question I didn’t ask at the beginning. And I know you shouldn’t do this, but it’s okay for men to do it. How old are you?

KEN: I will be 73 tomorrow.

BEN: Well, happy birthday. And tomorrow, you’re going to Israel? Is that right?

KEN: I’m going to Israel. I’m going to Gaza on my birthday.

BEN: I’m sure that’s a very intense situation to walk into.

KEN: It is, I’ve spent about four months in Israel, and 40

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Carolyn and Ken in Iraq. it’s intense. Also I spent about a year in Ukraine.

The world is a dicey place with a lot of things going on, and Samaritan’s Purse wants to be there. It’s not that we’re chasing adrenaline.

We don’t do it because it’s fun. We know because we’re called to do it, but we literally run to the fire, and that’s what my book is about, running to the fire, helping in Jesus’ name.

BEN: And it seems like ever since you and I were together in New York City after 9/11, the world is getting darker.

KEN: You know, I look at the world today with the electronic communications, artificial intelligence, the wars, the famines, the storms, the floods, and I think of Matthew 24. I think it’s going to get worse. The speed seems to be picking up on the fulfillment of those verses. I’m not a theologian or a student of prophecy, but I read my Bible, and I can’t help but notice those things.

BEN: Yeah, I think the sad thing about many Christians in our American culture today is that they depend on others to tell them what the Bible says instead of devoting time to immerse themselves in the reading of God’s Word for themselves.

KEN: I would advise everybody to read the Bible.

God’s word is straightforward, and there’s no denying things that are going on in the world today and that those things are written about in the Bible.

BEN: Well, thanks so much for taking the time with us today. We’ll be praying for you.

From left to right: Jane Graham, Franklin Graham, Ken Isaacs, President George H. W. Bush, Barbara Bush, Carolyn Isaacs, President Jimmy Carter.

Ken with “Running To The Fire”

Ben Cox and Ken after interview in Ken’s office.

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

41

www.appautoglass.com CORNERSTONE BOOKSTORE JOIN US! Serving the High Country for over 40 years.

Monday-Saturday, 10-6 Follow us @CornerstoneBoone www.cornerstoneboone.com 1894 Blowing Rock Rd. Boone, NC 28607 828-262-1226

SHOP DINING PASSES

The High Country Package

OVER 175 BOGO DEALS

A portion of all dining pass sales will be donated to disaster relief.

A Great Gift For You, Friends, Family & Christmas or Birthday.

CALL OR ORDER ONLINE highcountry365.com • 828-263-0095 42

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Featuring Restaurants Such As: Restaurant & Wine Bar

ONE BOGO

ONE BOGO

ONE BOGO

ONE BOGO

ONE BOGO

Bocca ONE BOGO

ONE BOGO

ONE BOGO

Bistro

ONE BOGO

FOUR BOGOS

BARE’S TIRE AUTO REPAIR

Owners - Benny & Janet Bare 970 US Hwy 221 N. Jefferson 336-846-3992 We Insta l l

3 Ye ar s / 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 Mi l e s Par t s & L ab or Nati onw i d e War rant y !

“As for me and my house we will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

Serving Family Style For Over 60 Years! www.DanlBooneInn.com

421-321 Intersection Boone • 828-264-8657 THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

43

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS “air • i • tey ” excellence, vir tue

www.areteengineers.com | 828-434-0587 | info@areteengineers.com

Feliz Navidad 828.264.7770

168 Boone Heights Dr • Boone

3470 US Hwy 221 North Crumpler, NC 28617

email@ashelawn.com www.Ashelawn.com Phone: 336-982-2121 Recorded Obituary: 336-982-2120

300 Main St.

West Jefferson, NC 28694

email@badgerfuneralhome.com www.BadgerFuneralHome.com Phone: 336-246-7114 Recorded Obituary: 336-246-5526

Locally Owned and Operated by the Roten Family

44

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

BOONE, NC

Dance Education in the High Country for over 30 years!

Scan for registration information (Above the Oil Exchange) 1474 NC Hwy 105 828-262-3262

Voted Best Heating & Cooling Company In Ashe County For The Twelfth Year In A Row!

Proudly Serving the High Country for over 30 years!

Blue Ridge Insurance Service, Inc.

WWW.BLUERIDGEINSURANCESERVICE.COM THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

45

rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fade-less under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. Love never fails [never fade out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].

1 Corinthians 13:13 and so faith, hope, love abide... of these three; but the greatest of these is love.* *Agape - Unconditional Love Scripture taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1987 The Lockerman Foundation. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Pastor Morris Hatton Teaching Ministry Daily Devotions

Live-stream Every Morning at 7am (EST)

Visit Us

Facebook @morrishatton1

Wall to Wall Construction Katahdin Cedar Log Homes® Dealer dine with us

LA KES IDE & F IRESIDE at Timberlake’s Restaurant R E SE RV E AT C H E TO L A. CO M

46

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Aaron Shaw - Owner

Licensed General Contractor #61897

366 Windy Acres Ridge • Fleetwood, NC • 828-964-1289

HighCountryLogHouses.com• info@highcountryloghouses.com

OPENING IN 2025!

more quality more compassion more support YOUR GIFT OF LOVE WILL HELP BRING

TO THE HIGH COUNTRY

In 2021, the state granted AMOREM’s request to build a hospice patient care unit for residents of the High Country. Donate today or learn more at 828.754.0101, www.amoremsupport.org or scan here!

828.754.0101 l 1.844.4AMOREM

WWW.AMOREMSUPPORT.ORG

YO U R LO C A L , N O N - P R O F I T H O S P I C E A N D PA L L I AT I V E M E D I C I N E P R O V I D E R

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

47

Making Connections for a Lifetime Retail Garden Center April-December

Internet Speeds up to 2 Gig!*

Wholesale Nursery and Christmas Trees

Located at 160 Hewed Log Gap Road in Fleetwood, NC 336-877-4237 • ClineChurchNursery.com

Contact us for all your connections.

Paul Davis

Internet | Security

Toyota Pros Salesman • Cell: 336-977-6032

Business Systems www.skybest.com | 1-800-759-2226

225 Modern Drive / Boone, NC 28607 Phone (828) 264-1494

*Restrictions may apply. Not available in all areas.

www.moderntoyotaofboone.com

WWW.CHANDLERCONCRETE.COM | 828-264-8694 48

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

Next Visit To Bella’s us Italian at Restaurant! our new

location.

CUSTOM FINISHES FOR FINE HOMES

BENEFITS Siding & Trim Custom Patterns Ceiling Boards Shiplap

• Instant UV and Moisture Protection

James Hardie . Allura LP SmartSide . Cedar Cypress . Cedar Valley Shingles

• Factory Controlled Quality

• Available Year Round • No Overspray, Drips, or Streaking

Home & Business Computer Services Full Service Technology Consulting Call us today!

• No Weather Delays • Instant Curb Appeal

CALL US 704.528.7136 WWW.LEGACYPREFINISHING.COM / 450 S. EASTWAY DR. TROUTMAN, NC 28166

We've Moved!

202 Southgate Dr. - Heights Boone, NC 196 Boone Dr.

(828) 264-0959

www.dougnetconsulting.com

BACONATE ALL.DAY. BREAKFAST BACONATOR® AVAILABLE UNTIL 10:30 AM. BACONATOR® AVAILABLE AFTER 10:30 AM.

©2024 Quality Is Our Recipe, LLC

THE JOURNEY |Winter 2025

49

T H A N K & S U P P O RT OUR SPONSORS 43 | Alliance Insurance Group

13 | High Street Insurance

42 | Appalachian Auto Glass

14 | Joel Yates Jr. DDS

47 | AMOREM

52 | Appalachian District Health Care 15 | Appalachian Furniture

44 | Appalachian Legacy Funeral Services 44| Arete Engineers

15 | Austin & Barnes Funeral Home 43 | Bare’s Tire and Auto Repair

09 | Bloom And Brush Creative Cottage 45 | Blue Ridge Insurance Service 03 | Blue Ridge Waterworks 48 | Bojangles

48 | Chandler Concrete

09 | Jim’s Corner Furniture 44 | Kingdon Marketing

49 | Legacy Pre-Finishing

44 | Los Arcoiris Mexican Restaurant 42 | McCoy Minerals

46 | Morris Hatton Ministries

13 | Mount Vernon Baptist Church 23 | New River Building Supply 44 | Northwest Dance

48 | Paul Davis - Modern Toyota 14 | Precision Cabinets 02 | Samaritan’s Purse

46 | Chetola

45 | Scott Brothers

04 | Chick fil A

48 | Skyline/Skybest

15 | Church of Jesus Christ

14 | Stick Boy Bread Company

48 | Cline Church Nursery

14 | The Goldsmith

42 | Cornerstone Bookstore

14 | Dacchille Construction Company 43 | Dan’l Boone Inn

15 | Dom Bakeries - Wilkesboro 49 | Dougnet

09 | Edmisten Heating & Cooling 15 | Greene Construction Inc.

22 | High Country Caregivers 51 | High Country Pain Relief

46 | The Hope Center 09 | The Wafflery

13 | Three Forks Baptist Association 15 | Town of Boone Public Works 46 | Village Jewelers

46 | Wall To Wall Construction 49 | Wendy’s

47 | WJ Office Supply

42 | High Country 365 / Dining Passes

For more inspirational content & distribution locations visit: JOURNEYNC.COM 50

THE JOURNEY | Winter 2025

✓Scan above to view the Journey online.

We’ve Helped Your Neighbors, Now Let Us Help You!

Hi, I’m Dr. Derrick Denman, DC., PA. Let me personally invite you to our office. We’re conveniently located at the Shops @ Shadowline near Harris Teeter. Feel free to stop in, allowing me to shake your hand and take a few minutes for a quick office tour! We enjoy introducing folks to our patients, who’ve benefitted from our services. Their testimonials offer hope and encouragement to others!

Don’t suffer another day. There is a better way, and… We’re Here to Help!

We offer an Initial,

$49 Introductory Special.

Disclaimer: G.S. 90-154.1 “If you decide to purchase additional treatment you have the legal right to change your mind within three days and receive a refund.” Insurance does not cover any of our alternative therapies. [Treatment plans are individualized based on initial consultation. Recovery can be 8-12 weeks of consecutive therapies.]

WOMEN’S HEALTH SERVICES Compassionate healthcare for women of all ages

Accepting New Patients Carrington Pertalion Certified Nurse Midwife

Comprehensive services including primary care, gynecological care, birth control options, STD screening and treatment Accepts private insurance and Medicaid, as well as patients with no insurance

(828) 795-1970 www.AppHealthCare.com