Unashamed with the Robertson Family - Ep 546 | Why Jase Doesn’t Consider Himself a Leader & Why Family Is ALWAYS Greater Than Money

Episode Date: September 12, 2022

Jase and Al discuss the role of a leader, and Jase comes to the conclusion that he is not one. Phil and Al explain the immense pressure of being a preacher and speaking on behalf of the Almighty. Jase shares the story of an epic duck hunt he believes will never happen again. Guest Adam LaRoche, former MLB player, describes why he made the decision to put family over money. Phil and Jase discuss war and how it can bring out the best and worst in humans, while also strengthening their faith. And Adam shares the work he has done in war-stricken countries, most recently Ukraine, in order to help those most in need. Watch the Unashamed overtime show, only on BlazeTV: https://BlazeTV.com/Unashamed - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am unashamed. What about you? So I mentioned in the last overtime, because we were talking about, when we started talking about about pulpit, and we wound up talking about leaders. But we were talking about first that God, the presence of God and the Word of God is where you camp out when it comes to life issues. Then he gets into, you know, Jesus being the same yesterday, today, today, and forever. And people are like, well, what does that mean? Right. Well, that fact is life-changing.

It changes human lives. Who Jesus is and the fact that he is what he was and that he is what he is and that he will be, he doesn't change. Right. So it's not like we get to heaven and all of a sudden they say, oh, wait. So that's a decision-making foundation on who Jesus. Jesus is. So when you have your life and you're trying to make a decision, well, you need to seek the presence of God, you need to seek the Word of God, and you need to realize that Jesus, he fixes everything. And that's not going to change. But the point is, if you only see him, your leaders,

if the only time you ever see him is if he's in what man has called the pulpit, you cannot. You made that point. You cannot tell what a man imitate their faith, consider the outcome of their way of life. You can't tell that if he's only speaking to you at a distance. You would have to see what he does Monday. You'd like to. So would it be safe to say that the three of us are leaders? Do you consider yourself a leader, Dad? I don't consider myself a leader, but if you ask somebody else,

they're going to call you a leader. Now, I do claim to be a leader, you know, my family, but I learn about year two or three that if you have to say you're the leader, you're not. Yeah. So, Jayce, I appreciate your humility, but yes, you're a leader. The three of us leaders, here's how I know why, because we're doing the unashamed podcast,

and literally millions of people are listening to us and following our example of what we're teaching, and they don't follow us around because most of them don't know us, but they're, because of what we teach and preach, they're listening to what we're saying. But my point is, is who we preach and teach, I mean what slash who, that is what makes you a leader. We're giving them an example of people of the pulpit. That's who we are.

Right. And sometimes we'll actually be in front of people. So the pulpit, if you look at it right now, right here. We're off the pulpit. We're down in the middle of the wood. We're on the table. But it might be in a boat. Or it might be in a golf cart.

That's right. Now you're... Now you're beginning to explain our way of life. I read this verse last time in the overtime. I mean, but this verse is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Let me read it. He was 1317 because we're going to get back into the section in between, but he kind of skips ahead and gives you a little more information about leadership.

And this is a little scary because I just established and said we're all leaders. So listen to this. Obey your leaders, submit to their authority. they keep watch over you as men who must give an account. So there has to be accountability for what we're teaching. Well, accountability to God, but... And accountability to each other. And my whole point was when it says submit to their authority,

well, Jesus said Matthew 28, all authority has been given to me. Therefore, go make disciples. Because all we do is point people to Jesus. Correct. So when people come to me, assume I'm a leader, which to your point, yes. But it's because I may not know the answer to the question, but I know who does. So I'm always going to go back to who Jesus is every time.

It's amazing. They're like, oh, well, I get it. I'm like, well, yeah, I just pointed as an ambassador to the king to the king. And people are like, boy, that was wise. but it's actually so simple that a lot of churches miss it because they start arguing about theology and verses and all. There's no application of who Jesus is in their life and him being a reality, it was my point. So a lot of people say, well, I really don't know if I'm a leader or not. You know how you really know if people are wanting to follow you?

Or maybe you're talking to an individual. I mean, that's how you know you're a leader, by the way. I have talked to individuals in the last four years, more than one, and I say, you know, have you met? This is my friend, my girlfriend, whatever. I said, are y'all married? Because word came to me. Look, we got people out there. They're not married.

They're shacking up. So I would challenge the ones who are like that. I said, you need to be married. And I said, if I have to, I'll do the marrying. You need to get that right with God. You don't want to need a marriage license, sign the dotted line. So we baptize them right down here next to the river. And now they're living habitably ever after.

Right. But you run up on them. They're not married. It's kind of difficult to keep the marriage bed pure if you are not even married yet. So what you just described, the main... If that makes you a leader... The main tenet of leadership is to speak the truth in love, correct? I mean, that's what you're doing.

You're saying, they didn't get mad. They just said, you know, we need, we need to do that. And you know why they got married? Because they listened to a leader who showed them the Word of God and they did the right thing. That's what leadership did. That's happened more than once, by the way. Paul said it right. First Corinthians 11.1.

Follow my example. You know, he's a leader. Correct. As I followed the example of Christ. That's right. Yep. That's all I was trying to say. Yeah.

So it's like our guess. And I agree with you before you go there. I agree with you that when you have leaders who don't point people to Jesus, then you've got authoritarian and you're going down the wrong path. And this happens all the time. If you're to keep the marriage bed pure, the person that that's talking to has to be married. Right.

But my point is, Phil, a lot of people say, well, follow me. Because it's not hard to find followers in this life. Because look, there's people in pyramid schemes. and all kind of false religions, and people follow it. And you're like, I mean, there was, what was the story where everybody, you know, they put their spacesuits on and they all took some poison and somewhere in California or whatever, and they all died. It was like, you know, that was a bad thing to follow, in my opinion.

Remember that story back in the 70s? A thousand people followed old Jim Jones down to another country and they all died. What you're saying, Jase, is in Hebrew 13, which we're home, do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. Yeah. Well, but that's one of the reasons why it says their leaders are to give an account. So if you're saying you're speaking on behalf of the Almighty, I'm going to tell you something. We talked about pull-upits. Anytime I get in front of people and I teach this book.

I do it with fear and trepidation. And me, me too. Because I'm speaking on behalf of Almighty God, and I know I have to give an account for that. It's a scary thing. And it should be a scary as me too. Walking as Jesus did is a daily occurrence.

Right. And, you know, he didn't say, follow my example, because God told me some special things that you don't know. He said, follow my examples.

I follow the example of Christ. Well, you got four books that give you the example of Christ in detail. Somebody put them in red letters. I just think that's got to be a part of the equation, especially since he stuck that right in the middle of Hebrews 13, talking about leaders.

So we have a special guest today who's been on here before. And every time, you know, we have somebody that we know that we're good friends with, it always amazes me. and to go back to when we had Rucker on, and, you know, he made a point that you see strange people who come together in the family of God. I mean, people who, and Ryan Lee made the same point when we had him on.

Remember? I mean, he was, he's like, I'm from Orlando, and he went through his heritage, you know, when the guy asked him, you know, he was going to college at Harding, And he's like, what are you? What are you? Because he's like, you know, his dad is Chinese and his, you know, his mom is, you know, whatever the race mix was.

But, I mean, he was like, you know, I'm a child of God. I'm a disciple of Jesus. It was Chinese, but by way of Panama. Yeah. He was telling him, he had different cultures. And so here, you know, you had Rucker, you had a guy who's, you know, was a gangbanger from Houston. And so you look around, well, you know, the fellow that. that we're going to have today, Adam Rorosch.

I mean, I met him. He's a major league baseball player. And, but the last time, well, the last time I saw him, he came down for Willie's birthday. The roast. The roast that I was late to. Which, by the way, he made comment. He was like, he said, Jay's, are you here?

And, of course, it was crickets, you know. And then Willie's like, I said, then I said, I'm up on stage. I said, he's over there asleep at his house. He said, asleep. My daughter told everybody I was asleep, which was true. And you said, well, why were you asleep? Because I was tired. I mean, I knew that party.

I've been into enough parties over at Willys at 9, 10 o'clock. Oh, that's what it just gets going. I'll be over there directly. I was a question, you know. I saw you, you know, you leaned up against a post. And why are you doing that? He's, well, I was tired. I think that was Jimmy Henness one.

No, it's some old guy. It wasn't him. But the time before I saw Adam, I had an event somewhere around where he was living in the Midwest. And I was over at his house. I just dropped in and, you know, just talking about leaders and discussion. We started asking each other biblical questions. And we literally studied the Bible till day. light, which made my event later on that day.

I was just going on sheer adrenaline at that point because it certainly wasn't. I thought you were going to say you fell asleep and missed your event like you missed Willie's part. No, there was no sleep. We don't have time for sleep. But my point was when you have, everybody has people in their inner circle in the kingdom that hold them accountable. And the way you get those people is you have discussions about tough things and about

life and you study the Bible together. Maybe it might be till daylight, you know, or not. I mean, call it the Holy Spirit, call it what you will. But those are, and it wasn't even on a Sunday, to Phil's point. It's, when you sell out for Jesus and you surrender and you start looking for opportunities, because that's what he's talking about here in Hebrews 13. You're looking for opportunities, whether it's strangers or helping those who are being persecuted. I mean, these are things that are a result of your love for Christ because you realized how much he loves you. I mean, he got all the way to the end up until this point. He's like, wrong system.

You don't have Jesus. You don't have Jesus. You don't have Jesus. Now that you got Jesus, here's what, here's the love that you need to show to other people, to your wife, to your kids, to strangers, to people that you're bumping into. I mean, you get the idea of what he's going to do. You know, there's biblical precedent for what you and Adam did because, you know, Paul got all stirred up, you know, in the book of Acts.

He got to preaching and he went all night. The problem was some young kid named Utica's fell out of the wind and he died. I'm just glad nobody died from y'all's little get together. Nobody died. They thought he died, but he. Paul brought him back to life. Yeah, I need to leave that to tell that part of the rest of the story because that left it in a bad way. Thank you, Dad.

That's good. We're going to take our first break, and when we come back on the other side, we will have our good friend, Adam Laroche, on the Unashamed podcast. So we're back, and we have one of our good buddies joining us, Adam LaRoche, former Major League Baseball player, as Jay said. Although we know him more in the hunting realm than the baseball realm. Well, I love it. He became more famous for becoming a family man during his baseball career.

You're known as the guy who turned down a huge amount of money, and you put family first, which actually is biblical, because we've been in Hebrews 13, 4, and 5. I don't know if you have read that lately, but I'll read it right now. Keep your lives free from the love of money. This is right after he said, you know,

marriage should be honored by all, and be content with what you have because God said, never will I leave you and never will I forsake you. So well done. Adam. Thank you. Thank you, guys. You know, that. Will you remind our audience of that story? Yeah, tell us the short version. But, well, as I can say, I don't know if that, if that situation happened earlier in my career,

I don't know that I handle it the same way. And, Jace, you know what you're just talking about. I think having played long enough and, and chased the money and realized that it was never enough, it never totally fulfilled me. And same way with whether it's our status or drugs or drinking or women or whatever these things we chase, it just really hit me one day that like, man, that's never going to fill that hole, you know, that gap that only Christ can. And I mean that because it hit me really before that situation even came up that it ain't about the money. Like it's never going to be, you're never going to get to the point where you're like, oh, man, I'm good.

So that definitely made it easier, the fact that it was towards the end of my career. But having said that, you're being humble. I mean, that is a, and you were just land. What's that word? Yeah, you taught me. Land-baseded. Land-baseded. Land-basted.

Lambasted for it. Jay says this. I prefer land blasted. But I found out that that's actually not. Not a word, but it should be. And I think it illustrates the point. What teams did you play for up there in the major? You played Atlanta the longest, didn't you?

Atlanta and D.C. were the longest. Yeah, I played in Pittsburgh for a few years, Arizona, Boston, Chicago. Yeah, and Chicago is where it ended. A bunch of them. Right. And anyway, so, yeah, they had not wanted Adam to bring his son into around the clubhouse. And, you know, and he said, well, if he can't come, I'm out of here. I'm retiring.

But, you know, I texted you out when all that was going on because, like Jace, I really, I respected you so much for that because no matter where it was in your life, you put him above what you had been doing for a living. And, you know, I just, I think, I wish more people would think of it in those terms about what you just beautifully described about what is most important life. And, of course, Christ and God are first. but the next is your family, your wife, your children, you know, and now grandchildren. I mean, that's what God put us here to do was to make sure they understand how to get to heaven.

And so, I mean, you live that out in a public way, and which made you unashamed. That's why we like you coming on the Unashamed podcast. Oh, Adam has been a part of some of the most famous memories of my life that I've used several times. and one of them that I was telling Phil about because I didn't I don't I think he forgot you were there but you remember when we did uh I'm not sure what duckman video that was but it was the first time we had been to my buddy Barrett's place

and somehow you could I guess because you live pretty close to Barrett but uh and we also had JD Drew there because I guess was he there with you yeah I forgot why he was there you know what I remember about that I remember posting up on the side of a river. And I was sitting next to, I think, J.D. and Phil were on both sides of me. And I remember first Ducks came in and I started blasting. And then about 10 seconds later, I look over and Phil had slid his chair back about six feet behind me.

And I came to find out that I might have shot a little close to him in the excitement of that first group of birds. saying it's head of my mind is you've got to watch these baseball players they'll put that gun right over your head that's so funny i forgot about that i was going to go to the end you know we hunted three four days and we finally get to this hole and we had something incredible happen how many ducks were in that bunch uh one 150 200 would you say adam that came in when we were out in that field Do you remember that? Oh, yeah, yeah. And they came in and we said kill them and we raised up.

And it was just, I mean, it was epic. I mean, they were just rain and malice. Well, the guy who owned the place, his brother was with us. And because we were all just kind of in shock and we were filming. And his brother just started hollering. Like, because that's what you would normally do when you just, you see something that you only see. you know, a handful of times of your life in the duck world. And my dad said, now remember, Joe Paterno, when the guy scored the touchdown,

you got to act like you've been there before. And I was like, what is Phil talking about? And then it hit me that the people on the land feel is chastising him. Because he's excited. Because he was hollered. He's like, you've got to act like you've been there before. You got to act like you've been there before. Do you remember that out?

Yeah, I remember that quote. Oh, what a... I sure do. What a memory, though. I mean, that was one of the most epic duck hunts that I had ever been on, and I was glad you were a part of it. And your man that owns the land said that's never been duplicated before. No, I know.

I mean, we just happened to be at the right place at the right time. But what were you going to say, Adam? No, I was going to say, I just felt bad. for spook and fill. I just thought that was a kill at all cost type hunt and shoot everything. It's just swinging all over the place and last. Well, duck hunting is there's a, it's, well, it's so different. And of course, you know, Adam is one of the owners of a buck commander.

And so, and they've been filming deer hunting videos, you know, they're epic as well, both on DVD in the old days and now just download stuff. And, of course, on the outdoor channel. but deer hunting is such a you know it's just you and and even if you had a camera guy I was with you but it's just you and the animal you know whereas duck hunting is so much camarader but it is and so much action that goes on but then there's like we've done it so long there's like these etiquette things you have to do but it's when you just insert yourself right in the middle of it you don't know all the little unspoken rules you know i followed followed all up but within 10 days

I had a pair of $5,000 earplugs that keeps your hearing when you're close to gunfire I said I need a pair of ear plugs there, baby some woman, she figured it all that you know, it gave me the earplug I invested about $5,000 over that.

It makes a lot, Adam. You just, you got dad right into those you go around saying, what do you say? No, I know it's frustrating that you can't hear without them now. But too much gunfire. So Adam, tell us, because I don't know that we've, I don't think we've ever talked about it with you on the podcast,

but how did you, you first met Willie, right? That was your entrance into our world. Tell us how y'all met and kind of how the whole thing kind of led to you being and Buckingamander and all that. Yeah, I actually met Jace first. I met Jace, man, Jace probably, maybe a year before I met your brother. Really? I didn't know that.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I had a duck commander. This is back when I was just, I was just a fan of you guys back in the DVD days. I had a Duck Commander hat, lost it, was just breaking spring training my first year in the major leagues with the break. So I'd been in Atlanta maybe two weeks. We just started the season. I was a rookie.

Lost this hat. Google Duck Commander. The phone number came out, and I'm pretty sure back then it was just a number right to Phil's house where they were taking orders. Probably so. And I called that number, and Jace answers. Jace goes through the closet, finds this hat because you guys had quit making it. And he gets back on the phone. And he's like, man, it's a little beat up.

And probably some blood on it. I don't know. We've worn it for it. But I can send it to you. So we started talking. And I said, he said, what do you do? I said, I play baseball. He's like, oh, what?

Like, semi-pro ball. So no, I play with the Braves. And he said, the Atlanta Braves? I said, yeah. And he said, well, we're. We're all big Braves fans. Hang on a second. And I hear him, he puts the phone down and he announces to the family.

Has anybody ever heard of an Adam Lerroach that claims he paid the Atlanta Braille? He gets back on the phone and says, man, we're all Braves fans and we've never heard of you. So what do I say? I mean, I just said, well, yeah. I said, you wouldn't have. I'm a rookie. I just got up here. I didn't believe you.

I think it was a month later. I basically said I don't believe you. Oh, you didn't. You didn't. I'd never heard. But about a month later, Jason's family drive to Atlanta and end up staying with us for a few days. And we just connected then. And then I got introduced to Willie, I think maybe the following year.

So that would have been 04. Yeah. And you said you were more of a deer hunter than a duck hunter, which was the gravitation towards Willie. Right. Because Willie has always been more of a deer hunt. I've never been into deer. That's why everybody invites me to go to their deer. deer hunting places because they know they're safe.

Now, the little ones I like to eat, but everybody's like, oh, you can't say that in the deer hunting world. But, I mean, they, I'm just being honest. I go after the ones that are best to eat. I'm not into the, you know, the big racks. But I enjoy watching it from a distance, you know. Yeah. Hang on.

Let's take a break. But, Alan, you're right. It's totally different. And with ducks, what I love about that type of. hunting is just being able to hang with the guys and rap and fellowship and not having to just be mute, you know. Well, and I think that's been a lot of the success of Buck Commander because obviously all you guys are well known for different reasons. You know, some country singers, baseball players, and Willie, you know, from the whole duck thing. But, you know, it's interesting because you're right, even though the hunting part is individual, you guys sort of really show the camaraderie of what happens with people.

which is kind of what we were talking about before you came on, that you need people in your life to have that sort of accountability and, you know, relationship and even fun stuff, you know, like that, like hunting. And y'all are always big in the hijinks, you know, the show's famous for people doing, you know, pranks of one another and stuff like that. But you build something with people over time. And when Christ is at the center, which is what we were talking about, then it really leads to important moments where you're really helping your,

your brother grow, you're helping somebody else in their family or maybe through a tragedy or some kind of difficulty. So it's kind of how I feel about our relationship, you know, with you guys and your whole family. I mean, when you said that your son was married now? I was like, in your grandpa, I was like, what? When did that happen? That, I mean, things go by. Welcome to the club. I'm a grandpa. We're getting old at him. We are, buddy. I notice now, now you got the, you got nothing on top And you just full Duck Dynasty on bottom, which is interesting. Yeah, and this is getting a lot of the tops falling out, and this is turning a different color on me. Yeah, but I'm there with you.

Well, tell us about what you're doing now, Adam. Look, one of the reasons I ask you to be on here is I bumped into two or three Buck Commander people, and they're like telling me Adam or Roe stories and what they're doing. and what you're doing. And they said, well, you need to have him on the podcast. So tell us the variety of ministries that you got going on. Man, right now, which ironically, deer season's coming up. Typically, I'm out getting ready for that, checking cameras, getting stands tightened up.

And I still love hunting. It's just, it's been a, it's been really cool that since I quit baseball, it's taken a backseat to a lot of these other things where it used to be front and center of everything. You know, for most of my career, as soon as the season was over, it was just hunting. And again, still love it and can't wait to get out there.

And I actually appreciate it more when I do get to get out and hunt, whether it's traveling somewhere going on a trip or hunting right here at the ranch. But, you know, when I was done, we started up, hosting veterans out here to the ranch as part of the work we do with the foundation. So we have combat veterans come out and just as a way to serve those guys. So it's not a you're messed up. We're here to fix you.

It's more of a thank you for what you've done and what they need to do. And just come out and let us serve you for a few days. And 90% of time, that's revolving around some type of hunt, whether it's a turkey hunt in the spring, deer hunt. and then we do some waterfowl stuff late season. So through that, over the years I've got to meet a ton of guys in that space. And then Afghanistan kicks off, which was about a year ago. Yep. Yeah, right out a year ago.

And a lot of the guys we'd had that we continue to follow up with and keep the communication line open and just love on those guys, had had interpreters that they had worked with for a decade, or more in Afghanistan that were like family to them, that they couldn't get out. And so they asked, there's anything we could do through the foundation and another couple phone calls.

And there we are, you know, neck deep in the Afghanistan crisis, which we're still in today. We still have, we've got them all out. So our list of 200 and something that we originally had, we've got them all out of the country.

Wow. And still waiting on some pieces and paperwork to get them on to final. resettlement. So that's still a daily thing. Very good. Very good deeds you're doing. When you say getting them out, I mean, how did that work? I mean, did you all literally? Oh, man, every

some of, I mean, every way imaginable. It was it was the fastest changing environment over there with different routes and ways to get people out that were more than likely on the Taliban hit list. So they weren't able to just go to the local embassy or passport shop, you know,

and have their documents printed and visas made. So we had to get creative on some of that. But it worked. And man, through it, we got introduced to a lot of good organizations that that's the type of work they do. Yeah. And I say that because then, fast forward, eight months, whatever it was, Ukraine kicks off. A lot of those same teams that we worked with in and around Afghanistan asked us if we could join in. Actually asked me if I could jump in.

They were a man short to go over there and help evacuate 19 orphans that had really severe medical needs and disabilities. From the 19 orphans were sprinkled out. Yeah, they were sprinkled out all throughout Ukraine in different regions. And so I flew over there, and that was the initial. It was supposed to be about a five to seven day in and out and ended up getting in country and was in there for a month. We just kept running into more needs that we were seeing. And we would see these needs and be like, man, we can actually do something about that. So we would commit there and dive in.

And one thing led to another. And then I just came back off my, I guess my fourth trip over. there. So usually we're over there for three weeks or so and then come back for a couple weeks and then just kind of rotate back and forth with our small team. And it's been, it's been unbelievable. So to answer your question, that's why we got involved here was really from years ago just serving these soldiers and getting to know them and their families. Well, did you feel like, I mean, when you're over there, was there, I mean, bombs going off? or how are y'all avoiding the actual war that's going on?

I think they're part of it. Man, yeah, do you hear it's constant bombs. You know, and it's a strange, which I haven't had a ton of war experience. So that wasn't my background. So when I got over there and saw one, just the realness of it, you know, Ukraine's, I think they're losing about 150, 200 guys a year, or a day, sorry. But they're also holding their own. It's been impressive what their capabilities have been.

But it's a strange, it reminds me of like a World War II. I mean, there is literally a line drawn. One side is occupied by Russia, one side Ukraine, and they're just bombing each other back and forth. It's just a, we don't need to dive into that. would take up all our time. But very strange environment. What's awesome about it is the fact that the friendly neighboring countries, especially that first trip in, I watched them. We help them unload and offload some trucks where they are emptying out their houses and sending them in to the Ukrainian people and then opening up their houses to the millions of displaced people that

were coming out and fleeing that country to just total strangers. I mean giving up vehicles, giving up their warm clothes in, you know, all these different supplies, hospitals emptying out, you know, their medications and sending them in. And the support and love from the neighbors has been crazy to see and be a part of that. Let's take a break. Well, you know, they always say that war brings out the worst and best in people. And I think that's probably true. I mean, you know, you're going to, the same atrocities you hear about, and those get a lot of play and things that happen to people. But rarely do people tell the stories you just talked about, about what the good things that people do to help their fellow man in a neighboring country, which is fair.

And even what you're doing. I mean, it's so amazing because I love that you're being led, you know, ministry to ministry place to place, because it sounds like every time you get into something and then there's another door that opens it. And then you're just doing it. I mean, you're just being led by it, you know, and going. Yeah, thank you, man. I remember, I remember praying a long time ago about faith and wondering, like, why, I feel like my faith is just, I feel like all these other guys I'm surrounded with, their faith is so much stronger.

And is it? And so through praying, praying about that. And then obviously being around guys that do a lot of this work and just kind of seeing them live it, kind of came to the realization that you, can pray for it all you want. And obviously, God could grant it like that. He could snap his fingers, and you could just have that rock solid faith. But then I think I kind of came to realize that, especially being involved, it was some of the counter-trafficking work we do and doing some stuff overseas of realizing that maybe the best way to grow my faith is to put myself in situations

where I have to actually rely on my faith and not be just here at my ranch where, You know, everything's pretty safe and comfortable. And you don't get in too many situations where I really got to lean on the Lord. So that was a big part of it. And then also all the doors that he has opened through all these different crisis that we've been involved with. With Afghanistan and Ukraine in particular, it's just confirmation that every time I'm over there and just doors open almost immediately when there's a need. Yeah. has made it like crystal clear that it's that that he's behind it and that this is exactly

where we we need to be right now and and honestly we're there's some there's some huge organizations over there so we've kind of been a gap filler for these kind of one-off special needs or evacuations need to happen or you know somebody because there's bombs every day hundreds of bombs every day and so there's tons of casual A lot of them need to go long distances, so we're able to take our vehicles in and, you know, give them medevacs to wherever they need to go and continue support that way. So it's been pretty random. Adam, it makes this text that I'll read, our quote here. It brings it to front and center.

Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another. for he who loves his fellow man, and you all are living proof of it, has fulfilled the law. The commandments don't commit adultery, don't murder, don't steal, don't covet, whatever other commandment there may be are summed up in this one rule.

Love your neighbor as yourself. And then listen to this, Adam, love does no harm to its neighbor. therefore love is a fulfillment of the law so what you're doing is front and center you live like you're doing and you live out what you're participating in it is fulfillment of all the commandments you're doing it at the ground level so you ought to be commended you and your fellow brothers who are participating in that particular endeavor because that's a dangerous road you're on there.

You know, it's what I was going to say, Adam, I don't know if you knew this, that, you know, I've always been a, I guess, a domestic disciple or, you know, sharing Jesus here in the States. But one of the few mission trips I took in the early 90s was I went to the Ukraine. I spent a month there. And that was right after, yeah, that was right after the Cold War ended and they allowed people to come in. This would have been around early 90s probably.

Yeah, the early 90s. And it's the only time in my life I've ever been hungry, really, because we were there, you know, helping. There was a humanitarian side going on. And then there was three of us who were there, you know, for Jesus. And so we went, we were in the Gorlofka-Danesk region in there. And they had a university that they were using a couple of the missionaries. there because they, it was an English where you learn to speak English.

And so what they would do is they'd have an American come over and people would gather up because they're learning English and they, you know, they wanted to hear an American speak English. So they had this idea. They were like, well, let's get people who love Jesus over and they'll just share Jesus in English. The people will come to learn English and learn about Jesus. I thought it was a genius idea.

No, I didn't know that. Well, they nominated me to teach the class, you know, because of my accent. Because, you know, the first five minutes, every time I said something, they all laughed. I was like, Jace, we're still doing it. This is not a joke. And they laughed, you know, because the way I said before. But, and I've told this story on the podcast somewhere before, but we put a sign up at this college, and we had the arrow coming down, the, uh, the arrow coming down, the,

cross the tomb, the arrow coming up, and the arrow coming down. We learned this language from, you know, Americans. And they had a classroom. And I was like, well, there's nobody going to show up. Get about three people. Yeah. When I walked in. Jay, let's take our last break.

When I walked in, all the seats were full and all the floor was full from people standing. And it was really more about people needed hope. I mean, the country was so poor. It was, you know, basically so regulated by the government. You know, when I was over there, they turned, if you wanted heat, they would turn the heat on. If you want hot water, they had to turn it on. I mean, I paid different people to just sit there and let me know when the pipe got hot so I could take a shower, which was basically just a sink, you know.

I mean, they were glad to do it. They offered. They were like, we'll let you know for a nominal. fee. But, and so we would hand out food during the day I'd teach the class. Well, then at night, we had, we met in groups and, you know, I shared Jesus with hundreds, because they came by the hundreds. And it was more just hope.

So, you know, I was visibly upset when this, the skirmish of the war, you know, broke out in the, on the same street that I was on where the university was. When was that? Four or five years ago. You know, it's all started. four or five years ago, it was a skirmish in that area. And, you know, I just saw that. I was so upset because I got to know these hundreds of people and the ones that gave

their life to Jesus. I mean, it's different when you see something on the news and when you've been there for a month and struggled with them while they were struggling and built all those relationships. And then all of a sudden this happened. So when I heard you were doing that, you know, it moved me. I was so glad because I thought, you know, we've come a long ways from you calling on the phone about a superstitious baseball hat and I just believe you know when God's directing

something because now I realize well we didn't know all this was going to happen but he did I mean and if you ever asked me to go over there now I mean I'd be like I'll think I'm going to there there was a time in my life where I needed that same faith that you're talking about and I needed to be in a harm's way and it was I mean it was it was very difficult well think about though the irony now that Adam is helping grandchildren and children of people that you knew. I mean, you know, there's without knowing who they are. I mean, that's happening. You know, and again, that idea about being surrounded by people who have a heart to love like dad just read about, you never know where that's going to, as long as you stay led to the Holy

Spirit at different parts in your life, I mean, that's where you, you are now. But 10 years from now, you may have you doing something totally different, which would be amazing. That's right. Yeah, and what I learned, people are people, you know, and those people that put their faith and trust in Jesus, look, they became just like any other person, you know. I mean, I'd have given my life for them very quickly. It's just so fascinating, you know, how that works.

Well, hey, be proud to know that, and I'm sure there was a lot of you over there doing that during that time, But now we're really tied in with the Baptist Church Network throughout Ukraine. And when I first heard that, I thought, okay, I thought it was pretty much like Ukrainian Orthodox, even Russian Orthodox and Catholic. The Baptist network there, I had no idea, is all over that country in every region. And so we've been able to play a small part in just connecting a lot of those with their distribution and supplies. and some of the, these guys are warriors, these pastors. It's unbelievable. They're staying in areas that are getting hit every day,

just bombarded with artillery and holding strong. We were a part of one where a church got blasted really bad. Van took most of the blow. Church got blasted. They had that thing boarded up that night and up and running later that night to continue. That's incredible. just serving people. So what God's doing over there, and I, you know, I'm not saying it just came from you.

I'm sure there was a group of you, but whatever happened back then in the 90s, because a pastor was explaining to me kind of the transition of allowing Jesus into that country and really the movement of the church throughout that country. And right in that time frame that you're talking about is when he said there was a massive, kind of movement throughout there that God was doing some wild things. Oh, I love, Adam, yeah. I saw, and I was a part of it, and it all makes sense now. Because, look, we would, you know, it was dangerous what we were doing because most of the

country at that time would kill you for promoting Jesus. It was just taboo. And so that's why we met in a different flat every night all throughout the town, just from a security standpoint. But it's like you say, you see these people step up. And we've been reading these verses about, you know, be courageous, which is really where I learned to be courageous. Because there's something about when you're sharing Jesus,

when you know there's a risk there of someone taking your life because of that, and it's not just something you're saying. It's actual, you're in the Ukraine. Faith in the resurrection becomes very real. That very thought came to my mind. but I just, you know what I kept thinking? Because we were thinking of ideas to get people to come, but everything we did, they came by the hundreds.

You know, they had a gym there at that university. And I said, look, let's just have a basketball night, you know, and we'll play the Ukrainians. And I think it was three or four of us, Americans there, and there were hundreds of them. And so then none of them were any good. And so we just played them all, you know, the whole court, because you couldn't do anything on the people.

And then we just got up on the bleachers and we're like, we had an interpreter and we just said, this is, this is why we're here, you know, and it would be a five-minute sermon. And we said, let's do it again, you know, tomorrow night. And then we would invite them to all the different groups. And that's when we left, that was kind of what was going. But I thought, man, this is a firestorm. of people. But it comes back to that, the hope that was offered in Jews was so appealing to that, and freedom for the first time. They felt free. And they were like, hey, well, let's consider

what they're talking about. You know the truth. The truth that sets you free. Yeah. Well, and I think that's one of the contrast. I mean, what Adam is describing, because we've been talking to Adam, we've been in Hebrews for a while, and it's been a contrast in kingdoms. We've talked about earthly kingdoms and what they do versus heavenly kingdoms and what, what we're trying to do working on the earth. And I think what you're describing is such a perfect contrast is governments that get into these things that hurt people. But the kingdom of God steps in to help people in what the earthly kingdoms get themselves

into. And then even the U.S. stuff, you know, you mentioned Afghanistan. I mean, we see the limitations of earthly kingdom. They think they're all powerful. But the real power is the ones who are doing what you guys are doing day in, day out. That's correct. And talking about eternal life. So it's really a great, it's a great picture, an illustration of what we've been talking about in the book of Hebrews.

In our last bit of time here, if folks want to help or contribute or, you know, be able to do that, where would they go to support what you guys are doing? Is there a place they can go to a website or something like that? Yeah, you can go to our E3 Ranch. It's E3Ranch.com, our website, and navigate, you know, to the foundation that way. Okay. And I appreciate that. You know, one of the, it's, it's been really neat how every time we've had a specific need that was going to, it was going to be pretty expensive.

Again, confirmation that we're in the right spot and right where we need to be is, as those just continue to get filled. So, you know, when we started over there, there were snow on the ground. And I can't believe the months go by so quick. But now we're coming up on winter again. So, you know, one of the big needs will just be. clothing and warm weather stuff for a lot of people over there that are going to be in a bad spot.

As you can imagine, with hundreds of bombs coming over daily, you know, they're losing houses and apartment complexes and all that pretty rapidly. Oh, and look, I was there almost 30 days and it was never above freezing in 30 days. Oh, yeah. Wintertime. We're a long way from the louis and a little. Louisiana. Winter time makes it tough. Well, Adam, look, we, you know, we were, we were brothers because of, because of sports and because of hunting and our love for those sort of things. But our eternal relationship with you and your family, brothers in Christ is the most important. So that way we get to do all this stuff together. And the good news is we'll be in heaven forever, you know. So that'll be the ultimate. Can't wait, buddy. We appreciate what you're doing. And thanks for being on the podcast. I love what you're doing. Love you, brother.

Keep the faith, man. You guys, man, so good to see y'all. I'll have to sneak down there here sooner and later. Absolutely. We'll welcome you. Just don't shoot over Dad's Head. I'm sitting on the other side of the blind from now on. All right, Adam.

I'll see you. I want to get that staring. All right, fellas. Take care. Thanks for listening to the Unashamed podcast. Help us out by rating us on iTunes. And don't miss an episode by subscribe. on YouTube and be sure to click that little bell to get notified about new episodes.

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