Episode 39: Father Genard’s Testimony

In the name of the Glorious Trinity.

Father and Son and Holy Spirit forever.

Amen. Glory be to the Everlasting

mercies which sent you to us. Oh, Christ the light of the

world and the life of all give us wisdom by a law and Enlighten

our impulses, by your knowledge, sanctify, ourselves by your

truth, and Grant that we may be obedient to your words and may

fulfill your Commandments at every hour.

Oh, you who enlightens the rationale with the knowledge of

your greatness do in light or my Lord are thoughts that we made?

Meditate upon your holy and divine scriptures at all times

O, Lord of all Father and Son and Holy Spirit forever.

I pray that everyone had a blessed Christmas and New Year.

I would like to just take a minute on behalf of Father,

jonard, Stephen and myself of how grateful we are for all of

our listeners. As we have delivered 30

episodes. Praise God.

I pray that this Christian podcast has encourage someone to

grow in their faith. I would also like to thank you

all. Your feedback comments and

suggestions. In today's episode, we have a

very special guest who has been a very active church, member

from being a youth member to president of Youth.

And now part of the NEC committee, Christian Morelia

will be interviewing father jonard about his journey to

priesthood. Here is Kristin hello, beloved

listeners today. I have the privilege of

interviewing, father, jernard Lazar, father, jernard a someone

I've had the opportunity of Of working alongside toward the

fruition of our local youth ministry.

Here in the Central Valley of California for the past 10

years. We all go through a season or

seasons of difficulties, but we know that the Lord is always

there. Although we may experience

hopelessness. It is through this season, in

which, we experience a purification of our hearts,

whatever unexpected situation, the Lord puts before us is in

our best interest as written and filmed Beings for 6 to 7, do not

be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and

supplication with Thanksgiving, let your requests be made known

to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all

understanding will guard your hearts and Minds in Christ

Jesus. We thought it would be fitting

to capture, fathered Renard's testimony to serve as a

testament of Hope and encouragement for whatever God

places before you in the coming days, here we go.

Go. Slam, Robbie, shama sister.

How are you? Good, how are you?

I'm good. Thank you.

Thank you for having me as your guest on the podcast.

It's nice to be on the side of the microphone.

I love this lovely to be with you.

And thank you for being with us to thank you first thing first,

I think something myself and many of the listeners are

curious about is, what does your name mean?

It's not a common name jernard, and the Syrian community.

So what was the inspiration behind it?

You know, there is a history. Trivia and I'm glad you asked me

that question. My name is supposed to be Shin.

Our Shin are, you'll find, which was a city in Assyria in the Old

Testament. So in the Persian language it

was Jean are. So when I got to Australia

people having so much difficulties like every time I

kid, you not Kristen, every time I would mention my name, it was

always sorry what was that people have called me jummah,

which means Friday in Arabic gif.

After. So one day, he's then Grace

marvelous. Now the Metropolitan when he

arrived in Australia was visiting the family and we had

invited him and he asked me, goes, what's your name?

And I thought to myself, oh my God, here we go.

I said Gina Rodriguez, sorry at that time, I tell people my name

is Tony, I change today some of my old friends, still call me

Tony. So I said, I guess it's, you

know, he goes no no why You so reluctant I said, because I have

an issue with my name. He goes, no, no.

Your name supposed to be generated, so marvelous has

renamed me. So fast forward many, many years

back in 1995. I specifically remember this

day, I was visiting the United States with my family and

Melissa was only born. Then.

I was visiting my friends and I could hear someone call out Shin

are I turned around I but no one was looking at me so I, you

know, didn't pay much Dungeon and then I heard it again.

Is she not? I thought Who you calling you?

They said This Little Child. His name is shin.

Are I thought? Oh my God, this is about 30.

He's down the track. My name was supposed to be Shin

are but she's not his a city as I said, or a region in, in

Ashley, you'll find that in the Old Testament.

I'm not sure which book it is. So yeah, yeah.

And then jernard is marvelous invention.

Beautiful. Thank you, Robbie.

So, in one sentence, who is Father's Day?

Right? Is the person sitting next to

you one sentence? You can.

Yeah. Father jernard is an unworthy

servant of Christ. So let's go into your early

upbringing. So where were you?

Born and raised. I was born in Iran in order Mia

and the village of Syria serum are serious.

So all those syrians or the syrians.

I was born in serum. Our circus in Iran in 1866.

And when did you move to Australia?

I moved to Australia in 1975. I was 9 years old, then and

directly to Sydney and briefly kind of explain.

I know you were very young but explain that transition from

Iran to Australia. And why specifically Australia,

I didn't like him on the plane and my dad was forcing me to eat

it and I, you know, I'm sorry to say but I had to throw it up on

the plank and on and let me take this another story there.

Or as well on that same plane, were the late Martin Quezada,

and the late Marner says, well traveling to Australia.

So yeah, when I, when I arrived in Sydney and I saw the greenery

and, you know, it was it was amazing.

It was, it was like, I was in a Wonderland and then so what's

one of your earliest memories as a child?

Earliest memory is, you know, in Iran, it would snow and we would

make a, we call it. The Seesaw.

Is that what? It's called the season.

Yeah, you know, it was one of those met could do your own

seesaw. And I remember when I was on

there, I had jammed my thumb and my actual nail from the thumb

peeled. That is my earliest memory, not

a great memories. I remember, I had, I think,

Added my cape. And so these are the memories I

have are so touch-up on your upbringing, your childhood in

Australia. Maybe from like the age of like

10 to 17. You know, what were you doing?

Were you involved in the church at all?

Going to Sunday school, the Friday language school.

Well in Iran, we weren't so active in the church simply

because the church was a quite a distance from home.

But we would go every now and then at Shadow gosh Lori at

Margaret's Church and much Miriam.

Such as well. The Catholic church when we did,

when we did arrive in Sydney, I was at the age of 11 and I

basically was involved in the church.

My dad, would he was the Pioneer behind me going to church every

Sunday so at the age of 11, I would be at church and as I was,

we were speaking about this. I won't be sleeping in my

mother's lap on my arm. I would be I had to sit With the

readers in the front and they're all old people too.

I was the youngest and I would be frowned upon sometimes.

Like what's this kid doing here? Simply because if I didn't, I

would, I would be disciplined when I got home.

So there was a lot of discipline physical discipline that times

for my father, but yeah, I've been, I've been involved in the

church at the, since the age of 11.

So now let's fast-forward to your After High School days.

So now, you're about 17, 18 years old, high school, little

bit, High School, That's okay. Now if you want to we can

definitely talk about that to you.

I talk about high school high school.

Yeah. I changed to high schools and

great memories, you know, exploring Exploring Life.

But again being very, very careful because I was raised in

a very very strict environment. My dad God, Rest his soul, very

strict. And if my sisters are listening,

now they know what I mean by. Be very strict.

Some people would come and complain about how how demanding

their parents were outside. And I don't even think, you

know, you gotta, you gotta jump for joy because very strict

environment. So, at high school, I was

exploring things. But, you know, very discreetly

like, you know, smoking cigarettes, never tried alcohol,

or any drugs, or what have you, but yeah, I was, I was a little

bit rebellious at school. I don't have to tell you this,

my parents were called, simply because I had in the science

lab, I did something that put the whole school in danger.

So in John's Park High School, those are paid upon.

So if you're listening in any case, I was I was I was not the

angel. I was the clown of the the

class. I would love to make people

laugh and you know, but yeah, I was the ordinary person and

growing up in high school and keeping in mind that I was very

much involved. Moved in the church during high

school as well. And do you think your

involvement in the church at that time?

Really helped you in a sense? Because, you know, we have a lot

of listeners are in that high school age and they go through

many difficulties living in society, a lot of Temptations.

Like you mentioned a little bit about, you know, being exposed

to a lot of drinking and smoking and that influence from friends

that are living in society. Maybe not of the Christian faith

or of different cultures, maybe not having that strict lifestyle

as far as parent wise. So, you know what could you kind

of Be an encouragement to tell those High School listeners that

are listening, how you overcame, that more of a difficult time

and the influence that you had around you at the time.

It was my conscience. Kristen, yes, I would do things

and and you know again my parents wouldn't know and the

teachers couldn't see. But I remember and I call recall

back very, very clearly my conscience would would steer me

in the right direction like what I would do something wrong.

My conscience would be eating me alive as they say.

You know, I knew it was wrong. I'd go back and I would pray,

Lord, forgive me a lot and I would continue to do the same

thing, you know, as we read in the Proverbs like the like a dog

who returns to his vomit. Oh I used to go back to that

father tomorrow many times. But that conscience was always

and and looking back now I fell I thank God and I know that yes

the the disciplinary environment I was in but at the same time,

From that point God was steering and directing that no.

No my son, this is not right because I have bigger and

greater plans for you. So you know, my my advice always

has been to anyone who comes and opens up with struggles.

I say, you know, examine your conscience, because Christians

have the Holy Spirit, he who is in you is greater than he who is

in the world, which is the Holy Spirit.

And the Holy Spirit, is that, that voice of God, it is God

within us that No reminds us. What is right?

And what is wrong. So my conscience did me a lot of

favors beautiful are. So now we can move a little bit

forward. Now that 1718 you're in

Australia, you've been enrolled in public school and you kind of

touched upon the different struggles and how you overcame

those at that point and you have a lot of friends of different

cultures. Maybe religions, living, a

variety of Lifestyles. You know, what was your life

goal at that time? Did you want to pursue higher

education? Did you want to go get a job?

What we, what did you want to do?

I hated school? I didn't like reading up to

date. I don't like reading books.

I only read the Bible, and let me tell you, I haven't read the

Bible cover-to-cover as some people have.

I haven't read the Bible, you know the holy scriptures, 15 20

times. You know, I had a friend who's

to say, I've so read the Gospel of John that only, I only need

some John to come and tell me what is right?

What is wrong, right? And I'd say well no you haven't

because you have a lot of Pride so you haven't been reading,

discover the gospel So I didn't like school.

And again, my dad would enforce it.

You know, you're going to be a doctor.

I remember. And I've said these, I've

mentioned this. In my sermons, my father would

walk into the room and I had books all over the place on my

table. When he wasn't in the room, I

have my headphones on and listen to Sargon Gabriel and Whitney

Houston and Lionel Richie and mimic their you know pretending

I'm playing the piano and mimicking as soon as you walk

in. I'd be you know in my dad walked

in he said Rooney and I'm going to translate because you know

what if you if you study all these books and you read them

you're gonna be a doctor. I said sure thing that

definitely a doctor, right? But I knew thats not going to

happen because I didn't like I didn't I just I wasn't The

Bookworm if you want to call it that.

I just I'm a i-i-i-i listen and learn but yes, cool wasn't my

what did you want to do then they want to pursue it.

Well I wanted the well I had I had, I wanted to be a physician

but without reading any book X. I wanted to be an insurance

salesman. I remember once God, Rest his

soul, my mum said Rooney, what do you want to do in love?

I said, Mom, I'm going to study and become insurance sales and

you know I wanted to pursue a singing career might give all

give all give all these shoe if you're listening, I remember a

group of friends at listen, we need to get get a band together

and you know, start performing. So, you know, Will be our

vocalist. I was definitely because I have

performed on stage. Charles too much.

Charles Toma. The renowned Australian singer.

He's my cousin, it's my first cousin, but when time T So

twice, I think know, once it was on a New Year's Eve party that I

was his backup singer and I sang hello.

I sang fresh cooling, the gang and I sank suddenly Billy Ocean,

right? And so I love singing.

But again my dad didn't allow me to pursue singing and My friends

went out and bought all their instruments, and the next thing

they saw that, I was being ordained a deacon, and they were

just taking Bank thought away one.

Why this, you know? So, so talk about that.

Now you said you wanted to become a deacon and I know you

were 20 years old. So who or what really inspired

you to want to take on that responsibility?

Wilson at the age of 11, being in the church, in the choir and

Performing and MC and dramas very, very much involved in my

community, the Assyrian Community.

I mean, the people in Sydney I grew with basically would know,

you know what I'm talking about every Sunday at church, then

choir. And I was called to be ordained

a deacon at the age of, I believe.

It was around 14 years old. But again, my father, opposed

simply because he said, no, he's too young to be a deacon

because, you know, you know, in hindsight, I thank God for my

father for a few things but is he He's, you know, he's too

young, you know, you or Damon ordained this person, a deacon

and in what happens when he grows up and he doesn't want to

begin. What have you?

So so it was left off and always going to be ordained.

A deacon with Asha assure. His is the archdeacon in Rob

enormous. Now, and there was shamash

David, a few other shamash, prior to modeled issue being

ordained a deacon. So that didn't happen.

But I was at church and I Audit. I remember I started.

What is it craving to be a deacon?

Now was it just so I can go into the Altar and sing because my

life is being singing and people are you have allies lovely

voice, and whatever your glory to God, the gift of praising

God, that is not singing. I would crave it so fast

forward. Many years, his grace, then

marvelous was appointed at Bishop to the Diocese of

Australia and 1986. It was we got called and and I

was I was elected to be ordained.

A deacon and there's a story behind that but let's look.

Now looking back. I know you mentioned how your

father didn't want you to be a deacon at such a young age and

wanted you to be a little bit more mature and kind of be able

to make that decision also for yourself and take on that

responsibility that comes with it.

Now looking back, do you agree with him for having you wait?

Yes, it wasn't my father, I mean, I keep mentioning my

father, but it was all the perfect plan and will of God is

the province of God, you know, when I was called to be ordained

a deacon, let me, let me tell you the story behind, and I love

sharing it. I just only as a as an

encouragement to others and glory to God, the night, the day

before, he's his grace modeled, he should then a shoulder issue,

father, or the issue the day. The night before the day before

he called me that night I had a dream I was sitting and

conversing with Robbie Pasha and marmalades just comes out of the

blue and lays his hand on me and then walks away.

And the next day I showed you should calls me and says that,

you know, his grace wants to meet with you and a few other

people. And it's about The diaconate.

So I told my dad I'm going and off the bat.

He said, well, I've told you, you know, Deacon just if you

want to be a reader, that's fine.

So, you know, don't get your hopes up, basically.

So I went to the meeting and he's Grace, spoke to us.

And and I said yes, your grace, I agree.

I accept, I would like to be a deacon so that was one hurdle.

The greatest hurdle is coming back home and having the the

whip ready and the belt ready, right?

So my dad asked me what I thought I said, well, he's

great. That is recommended that we

would become, you know, we, we ordained Deacon and I'm one of

the candidates and I've agreed, I want to be a dick and he said,

well, I told you that, no, you know, you can't be a deacon

because that add up and it was during the time where I had met

Juliet. And I know you're going to ask

about her and we're going to be engaged as well to be married.

So that night, I amazed everyone, like my sisters are my

brother-in-law's eyes were popping out like what are you

doing Jenna. But you can't read, you can't

speak back to your father like that.

So I remember he said, okay, go to sleep now, you know, don't

get carried away. Go to sleep.

I'll talk to you in the morning. Kristen, when I before I went to

bed, I saw always pray by their eyes will always pray and always

read my scriptures. I kneeled and I pray and I said

Lord. And I I always, you know, very

bad time lord if you are calling me, not 1,000, not one Natan.

My dad's name like God's grace is always Nathan, not one

Nathan. But if 1008 ins oppose you you

will it will be, or will I had a vision.

I had a vision that I was being laid and ordained as they

ordained Bishops. And a big light.

I saw this great, huge luminous light and I could feel footsteps

on my back. I was Running out.

You know, I'm not worthy, I'm not worthy.

And I just snapped out of it and from that point onwards, I knew

that I'm going to also enter the priesthood.

So in the morning I got up and dad said, you know, last night

you got carried away. So yeah.

But I still want to be a deacon. It's okay, go to work, go to

work, before I deal with you, the way I deal with you.

Anyway I called gosh and every but listen, this was my dad's

reasoning. You know, sometimes beloved

youth, sometimes parents Parents may seem unreasonable.

Sometimes parents may seem that they don't know what they're

talking about, but you ought to stop and think well maybe God

using them maybe not the method, but God's using them, when went

ashore, they should ask my dad. What's the problem?

He said Robbie. I'll be more than it's a

privilege for me. More than pleased to have.

My son be ordained Deacon, but he's going to get married soon.

Will his wife? Be a deacon Deaconess with him.

Meaning he has to be in church every Sunday to fulfill his role

and, you know, then being at the age of 20, I felt this man knows

what he's talking about. So I called her and everything.

I wasn't what struggles at that time.

You're 20, just became a deacon. What struggles were you in

during your, somebody that is in involved in the church.

But you have friends that are maybe not involved in the church

or mine. Have a position as you did as a

deacon within the church, what kind of struggles were you

enduring? You know, Kristen my friendship,

my circle of friends was also had to be authenticated by my

father, I wasn't permitted to to go out with any person.

So I'm not saying I didn't friends.

I had plenty of friends. I didn't have any struggles,

really good friends. The only thing, the only thing

that was, I'd say a little uncomfortable is what the Saint

Paul writes? In Romans chapter 1 verse sorry.

Romans 1 · chapter mention

6:21 and what fruit do you have then of which today you are

ashamed for its result is death, right?

So, you know when people would see me and say I already can now

but you know, we used to be out. We used to go to the swimming

pool and we used to do whatever. So now you're a deacon Wright,

you know? But but then again, the positive

point of that was many of my friends would say, you know

what, good on you Shh. Masha back then.

Good on you sure? Michelle you know you took the

right path. Yeah we're still in the world

where that and and most of my friends ended up in the church

to so praise God. I remember 11 very close friend,

God Rest, his soul Lecter, Dennis very close and if

re-issues listening to this, he said to me, you know what?

Robbie out of all of us our group, you know, you took the

right path and I envy you but he was an amazing Christian and he

was Was he was a very faithful active Christian, a very

influential Christian in the lives of many as well.

And I think it's beautiful how God works in mysterious ways

that how he could use you through this path, that you're

now taking to also encourage the friends that you have, or your

family, whoever to kind of pursue wanting to get to know

God and work within the church as well and different calibers,

you know, the scriptures say in 1 Corinthians, God uses the

foolish and and truly he did because When my friends would

see me and think, how are you, you know Jacques you're going to

be a singer and Donna Donna and what have you but you know well

you know God comes out and looks for those who are on rubbish

tips, rubbish dumps and he takes them off the rubbish Tom's and

puts them planes them, in the garden of the church, you know,

and that's a testimony, it's of, that's God's gracious.

Love grace, mercy, that he does not really truly does not, he's

not pleased with the death of his sin until Till he returns

and live. So and you were a deacon for 17

years. Looking 16 or 16 years, looking

back. And now what lessons did

Christian organized for my social security number, I really

did. Just that's a disclaimer, I'll

share it on Instagram, I'm sorry.

But what lessons did you learn from joining it from Just lawn

being a deacon and living in society and having all these

friends and so forth, Looking Back Now on that phase of your

life, what's something That you took away from it.

We'll remember, I became a deacon and when I was ordained,

Deacon one week after that, it was my engagement.

I was being engaged to Juliet and then we got married two

years after that. So during my decanate, I was a

married deacon however, You know, and I got it and this is

this is a testimonial interview and we need to be open and true

with respect to everything that I say.

During my time at church there was no you know formation of

Youth as far as, you know, Bible studies and spiritual events.

Like for example we have worship night here, we have Bible.

Eddie's, you know, every week and we're adults Bible studies.

Youth Bible says that wasn't provided back then, actually the

first Bible studies per se where we would sit and discuss.

The holy scriptures began when I was the president of the you

that much money. I'm in st.

Louis Cathedral and we would sit but really without any

background knowledge or training.

Meaning I would lead Bible studies but something that's

that still today boggles my mind and and and I just ascribe

praise and glory to God what I used to speak back then Reading

the church fathers today, I see that.

Hey, I was, I was on the right path, you know, I wasn't wrong

because again God was leading. So we didn't have all these

formation and, you know, spirituality.

It was just, you're a deacon. You do your servers, your into

youth, you have to do activities and socializing.

A little bit of Bible studies here and there and and what

have, you know, until until 2000 and I I would say 2001 is when

we began this Bible studies, and spiritual nights, and prayer,

meetings, and, and what have you?

So during my dik night, I was a deacon.

I was a white husband and I was a father as well.

So not much formation, not, not much training, you know?

But he's Grace, when his grace marmol has arrived, he

immediately began preaching, and I would be the, I would Called

the sermons and I would make copies of cassette tapes back,

then I had to work. I had a Steve and I had one of

those tears cassette plays where you can I had to and I would

take all my cassettes, their enduring serving my been

serving, the customers, I would be recording because it's and

I've picked up a lot of my knowledge from his grace and

Neeson's as well. So now let's paint the scene

again. You're 37 years old.

You're living in Australia, you've been married.

Now for 15 Years and you have a young daughter, what happened?

That made you want to take on the role of priesthood?

I know you mentioned a little bit of that calling you had.

When you became a deacon, you knew you would be a priest.

But why at that point, you're 37?

Why at that time? Yes, you absolutely when I was

being ordained Deacon and by the time, by the way, when I was

being all died and they can I was injured, my head, chopped my

finger off with a lawnmower so you see my pictures and there is

a picture that really hits me and and touches my heart is, you

know, I spoke a lot about my father but there is a picture

where I had to tie. My shoelaces, my, my shoes I

would wear for the altar. There is a picture of my dad

kneeling down in tying, my shoelaces.

All right. And, and, and I was being

ordained a deacon from that point onwards.

New II started again, craving and wanting to be a priest.

His grace asked me, once he said, shh Marshall, why do you

want to be a priest priest? For I said, I want to serve, I

want to be a servant, he said, but you are a servant, you're a

deacon. That means a servant.

I said, I want to be a servant of the servants and and the

drive behind it was I want to preach.

I want to evangelize, you know, the late Martin had blessed

memory came to Australia once and I was ordained a priest.

And he said, I said, you know what, Jessie, I don't want to be

tied to a parish. I want to go out, I want to

Mission eyes. I own to do missionary work, you

know, established parishes. And because all you want to be

saying Paul, I said, well yeah, I don't know if I can fill those

shoes, but something like that and that's where he he when he

wrote me a blessing, a letter of blessing.

He calls me. Can I even gal?

I updated modern sir, the Evangelical Priests of the

Assyrian Church of the east from that point onwards, I wanted to.

So I wanted to, you know, be entrusted with a flock and to

tend to the flock and and yeah, my roommate has asked me and

that was my answer, but I didn't get an ordination, then I don't

know what I, but maybe wasn't satisfying, answer back then.

So when you did become a priest, but was your family's reaction

when you told them, If you want to take on that path and I think

this is a good gateway to reflect on the life of a wife of

a priest and how much Gillette your wife has helped you through

that Journey. Are you going to be specifically

asking me about Juliet or you? Would you like me to talk about

her new? It's free for you, it's good.

Okay, I don't want to sit here and brag about my wife and put

on a pedestal. And but I do want to say that

when I pray, if I don't enter the Kingdom of Heaven because of

my foolishness, I pray that the Lord will grant her the kingdom

of heaven. you know, in the Lebanese language they say Horry

which means priest and the priest wise is horia This woman.

By the way, we were separated, when we got engaged, we were

separated because her father, her brother was killed in the

war between Iran and Iraq. We were separated for a year.

And then again, my father wanted me to get married and he was, he

was going around shopping around for me and going around asking

for hands in marriage. I say, you know, is they got

back? I don't wonder what have you

when I, when, when we were separated.

I knew it was in my heart that conscience.

God's telling me. No, no, no.

She, it has to be because I'm going to call you to pray.

Priesthood and you need a priest s and from the time I was a

deacon. I was so involved in the church

Juliet truly and this is not just a cliche.

She has been the mother and the father of the two children we

had. I was always with the youth.

I remember. She only complained once.

I joined the youth, soccer team, Kristin, I scored this goal.

From halfway I was trying to pass it but anyway, it went in.

It was a God. Anyway, I love you.

I know it's called fluke actually, from that point on was

the only time she's complained is just once and said, why do

you need to play soccer? Because you need to take care of

the girl, Melissa. I'm at work and, you know, and

she was right. I, she would be ready for her

and I to go out and the priest, the parish priest would call me

and say So we're going to go visit people, I would actually

call her all ready to go and say I can't make it.

I'm going and she never complained, right?

She was in. We met each other in the in the

Kirk, why? I was a choir conductor and she

was the choir singer, right? So I'm not going good going to

go too much into, you know how I asked her to marry me.

All right? All I gave her a kiss.

Good ones that Sunday after church, I gave her my eyes to

work at the Commonwealth Bank. Gave her my car and I said,

listen, give me a call. I want to talk to you.

And she thought it was about a job.

She told her mom, her like, Mom, out of money.

Fleshy said, oh, Jenna Hearts, is called me a give me giving me

his card to call him, so I'll Call Me.

Maybe it's about a job here. So, she called me and I said,

and I'm gonna do, she's gonna hate me for this, but I'll do

this, I called she called me. I said, listen, I'm interested

in you that I die. And I know, I know that you are

not the young. You haven't been brought up to

go out and, you know, go on a holiday with your fiance, with

your boyfriend. What I have you, I know that,

you know, I mean, Marriage. So, think about I'll give you a

week, Chris. And I said, I'll give you a week

to remaining three days and said I accept that.

But anyway so so she and and then that night I called her

about being a deacon. She was so she was over the

moon. She said of course why would I

want to die? Like this is a dream to have a

deacon in the house and then when I, you know, I I have

dropped the ball. Many times being a human being

as a shamash, as well. I've done a few things that and

I don't want to go into those Too much, nothing serious.

Like - I've been very faithful so but when I said to her that I

you know, I've been called to be a priest.

She basically I think her words were.

So what's new? I mean, this was in inevitable,

we could see this coming because I was so involved in that

church. I was The Unofficial secretary

to the bishop. I had the choir I had to church

radio program. I was the chair of the boards of

the school Saint Jerome, assume primary.

School president of youth group Deacon and Here, There and

Everywhere. So when I did, because when I,

when I not, I decided when God said, now is the time I had the

full support of my family, my, auntie Charles and Charles

Thomas mother. I remember I said, I took I'm

going to be a, you know, pretty as yours alabbar, local Bruni

and she was the first one who saw my cloak.

The, my Opera. I remember it was in the in A

car, it was Saturday. I had to go pick up some I said,

I'll talk to come and go because my aunt is very dear to me.

I said not to come and look at my and she started kissing a

product of want to learn and and the night then that night

Kristin that night I had another dream that I was being elevated

in front of st. Homeless Cathedral I said up to

I had this training as well. There it is.

You're going to be elevate, your rankings going to be elevated.

I had the full support of all of my family.

And they were, they were like, you know, we were, we were

waiting for this, it was, you know, it was going to happen

sooner or later. So Rob you mentioned a lot about

the Ministries are involved in an Australia and talk about the

prison ministry. It something you didn't mention.

Oh thank you. Where'd you get your information

for? We have our sources.

Yes. The prison ministry, a very

significant Ministry of the many Ministries that I was involved

in. We began that I can't pinpoint

the date or the ebit. I remember visiting Brother who

was in jail for, you know, nothing very serious but and the

parents approached me and said, you know what, I'll be.

Would you be willing to go to a prison?

I said, oh, of course. I mean Jesus, Jesus mentions

that I was in prison and you did not visit me.

So when I, when we, when we went and actually I went by myself

and visited the person and you know what you do, you got to be

careful what you say because everything is recorded.

So we only, you know, we only I concentrated on, you know,

giving hope and and talking about grace and mercy, talking

about the law. According to the law, you should

be not out of here but there's Grace and there is Mercy.

And after that I thought, you know, this is a great ministry.

So I wrote to a lot of the prison chaplains and basically

they said listen, father it's not easy to become a chaplain,

just don't go through all that you know trouble, anytime you

Come and visit someone, you just call me and I will arrange it

with the head guard, whatever the name is and, and your, you

know, feel free to come and visit your people.

So it was effective and you know, something amazing Kristin

many times. The first question was so, so

you're telling me God's going to forgive me for what I've done,

you know, and you're talking about murder, you're talking

about drugs and you know extortions and what have you so

you tell me that God Is going to forgive me for what I've done.

I said, that's exactly what I'm here to tell you, you know,

Society may never forgive you. But so what do I need to do?

Well, you know, reach out to the Lord cry out to the Lord.

Be prepared to repent. And and what have you know II?

Think I still have a brother who's who I knew from a very,

very young age. He still serving time and that

was a question. As I said his son, you're going

to be here for a long time. You know that very well but use

that time and don't forget 1000, he's is one day.

I remember He's saying that in 1000 years is like one day to

God. So, you know, use your time to

to reconcile with God. It was a very good Ministry.

Is, there's an interaction that still remember to this day with

somebody, you spoke with, and something.

Maybe they told you and how much their life changed through this

ministry? It was this person.

This, this inmate that I went visit in the first thing, he

said, he actually looked at me because I knew him from her and

I said, you know, how are you? It was good.

I said well, You know, here we are like and he was like his, I

know you're here to tell me that.

God's gonna forgive me. Do you think he will forgive me?

That's what he asked me are. You know, I had to hold it

because I was going to crumble myself, you know.

And I said, that's exactly what I'm here to tell you.

I'm not here to tell you. It's okay.

You know, I'm going to help to get, you know, I'm not here to

do that. It's not okay.

You're here. Now, this is reality face

reality, but There is always hope with Jesus Christ, you

know. And and I hear around that some

of these inmates that I did. Visit some of them have have,

you know, been released and some are in the church, they're

active in the church has won't. And with that being said, people

think the life of a priest is much easier than that of a

parishioner you that, um, since you're bulletproof, you don't

have struggles, you don't fall into Temptations or so forth.

What struggles, specifically, maybe in your first five years

of your now vocation of A priest were you in during that

transition? Now from, in a sense, you're

more of a parishioner. You were just a deacon, still,

having a position of authority, you're not leading A Flock.

What were you trying to overcome the struggles?

You're trying to overcome at that time.

I have I have not overcome anything yet Kristen.

I still struggle and more than one of the greatest

characteristics of Christ is humility.

Jesus, didn't find a place. To be born.

He was born in a stable full of dung and that's humility.

We spoke about that last program.

I think humility and perseverance.

You know, I always say faith, entails Faith.

Obviously trusts And patience and perseverance.

These are the, the four attributes that I could be

speaking on behalf of very other priests.

I don't know. But that we all go through, it's

not easy. Kristen because we have some

difficult people in the flock and Christ encountered

difficulties opponents. We're just so difficult.

They didn't budge it was on the cross.

He was he just said, give me some water in there.

Even guile to drink, right? And then you have demanding

people and there were demanding people when Jesus was, you know,

Lord, tell my brother to, to, you know, split half the entire

inheritance and Jesus who who told you that I've been put to

be, you know, I'm the arbitrator and then you have those people

that are so down in life that are so helpless.

So you have to be everything to everyone.

One. And then you have your own

struggles, personal struggles, family struggles, health issues,

you know, just before we begin this program, Audrina said

something and I said, I said something about my having a

little bit of pain here and then she goes I said yeah, so when

you want to cry you come to me and cry.

Who do I cry? Just because I he's my he's my

shoulder. You can create you know who do

we cry too. And we have when we have issues,

obviously we cry to them. What, you know, but the

struggles are always going to be there.

And as far as I'm concerned for me to overcome, I'm, I've put

this in Motion in practice the past three weeks now.

See, we're not perfect, you know, I didn't I didn't become

bulletproof as, as soon as I was ordained priest.

What I try to now as personally, and maybe this is a help as is

always remember what st. Paul says.

Always think yourselves as being less than others.

So, if you and I have an argument and I know I'm, right?

I must say to myself, will know, maybe it was my fault.

It gives you so much peace and comfort as well.

You know, so, struggles are always there.

And temptations. Many ways, not as a faithful and

a parishioner, but the pride factor is always there.

The, you know being right at all times.

So we go through that. So now kind of moving to 2010.

You moved from Australia to America, we do so briefly

explain that transition from Australia, to America,

specifically, the Central Valley of California.

And why 2009? He's Grace.

Now he's holding his mother was ordained.

A bishop, his first, the first Eucharistic service.

He's Grace then murabba celebrated was the English,

abaza in Sydney and Saint John's park hall.

It was a school hall. I was his first service

apparently. I wasn't at that meeting

apparently, his grace maragua. He's beatitude marvelous because

his grace accompanied the late modern era for the consecration

of Martinez to the ranking of Archbishop and the light.

Marner say where Chilling out as I say, and marinara, say,

through this idea, you know, you should take passage in art and

take him to the Central Valley because we had that issue with

the church's back in 2006. I don't want to go into that

and, you know, he's, he'll help you, you know, establish Youth

and, you know, you can be an assistant to you.

And, and so, madhava entertained, the idea and

actually refer, you know, ask Mommy said ìyou.

It is made this man's your right hand.

Are you okay with that? Not a meal is thought about in

the role, until you know what? Yeah, I'll manage one year or

maybe one and a half years. I'll manage.

So that's when it started brand. I remember specifically he's

holding us the light. Martha was sitting down and we

entered the room and we greeted him and receive blessings and

Mara went first and then I was behind him out of Mark.

Martin has said element, if Li TT Le cashew they're already

cooked and it was all ready to go.

Is just had to be tasted So yeah, and you know, I remember

marvelous said o, Mara was it, you need to ask Julia said, she

let's find out. Why you let he's fine, he's been

nothing. But it was, it was, it was, it

was meant to be for 12 to come and help the diocese, which was

a little wounded back in 2010. So you're now in the beautiful

Central Valley of California, what Ministry were you involved

in? Well, the first thing obviously,

my main concern was the youth. I was I was called to work and

to start, you know, assisting the youth.

So the first first move was to establish some committees.

The first one was the diocese in your youth.

Core Group in tailed youth members of All the parishes in

the diocese including modern RC + Mario Super as well.

I remember, I called all the youth presidents.

Holla, Shasha ammo and schemata. Antoine was the eighth president

here at Mater Dei just gathering information?

Like what are you lacking? What would you like to see

what's your issues? And what have you?

So I went back to his grace and I remember his grace had a

little retreat in His bedroom and had white board.

I said Cassy to listen and I started writing, you know, I

always like to write and I said I think we should organize this

dada dada and his grace was very positive and we as he actually

not myself, he approved the establishment of the diocese and

youth cool. Cool Group, D, CR, G, really

said, they always a master of the acronyms and Thank you.

But a few years down the track few years down the track.

You know, it was seen that it's difficult for the Bay Area to be

involved and they would like to do their own thing.

I think my brother Joshua Lawrence had requested that he

would like to take care of the youth because you know you know

it's the travel distance what have you and then we established

the Central Valley youth Cole group, he's Group C, V YG but at

that time, also, if you all recall the debt reduction and

development campaign that idea I bought from Sydney because when

I was when I did come to Australia to the United States,

we had already kicked that off. We had done the same campaign

there as well. And again when he's Grace saw

the figures and my brother priests and said, you know, we

need we need to push this and so but but focusing mainly on the

on the youth and established in the Central Valley youth called

group, it's funny that you mentioned the Whiteboard because

you still do that today you I'm literally looking at the

Whiteboard behind me. You love to do that but talk a

little bit about the center of all youth group.

You have been a huge advocate helper pain, father of pain.

No, but you're someone very important to the center of all

youth group. So talk about that a little bit.

You know, my Ministry sings, you know, being involved in the

youth in Sydney at the age of 19 you know, when I tell people I'm

56. Oh ma sha Allah?

Yeah, exactly. You're knocking on wood, right?

What are you do? I said nothing, I just work with

the youth as as problematic as. I don't know how I got to be

careful with the choice of my words added.

As they are, I love the youth. II really?

You know? And I'm glad, I'm still the old

fashioned shamash again art. And when I see youth get

involved in a few things, you know, my terminology is old.

Now sometimes when I first came here, I was to use the Straight

terminology and I want it. It's a cool dude.

Yea now he's the same. Terms are going, what's that?

All right. I love the youth because I don't

believe they are the future. I believe they are The past the

present and the future of the nation a church.

And what have you? So, when I met the youth here

and I saw that, unfortunately, due to many circumstances, they

were deprived of so many things that we had in Sydney.

And I spoke I was constantly Consulting with his graciousness

that you would need to do this. And I'd like to establish this,

you know, worship night, we established 12.

No, I borrow ten years ago, his grace actually presented on the

first one. If you remember, we did that in

Sydney, we called it Friday evening preaching.

And we had the Wednesday Bible studies evening where we would

sit and discuss the Bible obviously, study the scriptures.

So and I saw a lot of things that we would do in Sydney that

the youth won't getting you know, involved in here.

So, it was a it was a mission, but it was God's work.

And today when I see people like yourself and not because you're

interviewing me and people like Katrina my sister Katrina and

many others who are now leading Bible studies.

I mean quietly under the table I got yes that's what that's what

it was all about. Praise Your Name Lord God you

know, and we're we're not there, we have a long way to go but You

know, Chris. And I believe that, you know,

the, the, the events of the world today and the path that

the world is taken. We need a church needs to

exhaust, time, effort and finances.

Not only for the Youth, but to begin from The Young, at the, at

the young age, the the children. Exactly.

Yeah. Just specific.

I guess, with your role within the youth, you touched on a lot

of things. But out of all those, what do

you love? Most Just about helping with the

youth group. If you had one thing, you the

fun, we have the fun. Oh yeah.

We have a lot of that, the multi shit in there is a going Ram,

right? Yes.

And and what else do we have? What's number are you?

By the way? What's number I you?

Kristen 25. Okay, she got it, it's seeing

them grow. You know.

Again when I 2010 how old were you Kristen 15:15, you're a

young girl, right? But now here you are.

Interviewing that unworthy servant of God, who arrived in,

he back in 2010 seeing those that are now married with

Children like Maggie and and many others.

It gives me so much joy in the spirit and to praise the Lord

and say, Lord your work. So true.

Truly amazing, truly amazing, you know, and the youth have

played a very big role in my life, in many ways, the youth

have disciplined me. Do you have taught me to see it

in many ways? And not just my way.

And I truly say this, the youth have taught me to be long

bearing and to be patient and to just go along and continue to

rely on God and not my own understanding.

And today this is still happening.

So thank you youth. So what are you two are as a

Ramen but side would say you to mutti It is still say that

today. What are your expectations and

Visions for the Youth of the 21st Century?

Oh, you know. I'd like to see the youth.

Engage in more spirituality than what the world has to offer.

I'd like to see the youth truly commit their lives to Jesus

Christ. And I'd like to see the youth,

give everything they have that have been blessed with from God,

give it back to Christ. I'd like to see the youth.

Take over the church with all respects.

Now if it wasn't for our parents, we would not be here.

You know, when I see old priests and people say oh the old

priest, they never preached that you know, if it wasn't for them,

I wouldn't be here. I actually kissed there and I

thank them. I say thank you because it

wasn't for you. I may not have been here today,

but I'd like to see the youth getting involved in the church

to run the church not only administrative and financials.

Not only that, I'd like to see the youth in, you know, the the

the young man 2222 cray for rankings to to take, you know, a

different Church orders and and offices and and the my sister's

to be involved in the church where they're teaching.

The young, he's and becoming, you know, mentors and, and

Sunday school. And, you know, the youth itself.

It just it's got It's a chain reaction, you know, you're not

you need to. Now Kristin you need to now

people like yourself. Maggie your rosy Gabby Katrina.

Adrena Steven Joey, you know I'm sorry I can't mention everyone

would be if till tomorrow to now come back and give back to the

church but the church has Them to be mentors, you know and you

guys do that a lot and that's what I like to see.

And I and II do witness that every now and then which is

great. And we honestly have you are

blessed to have you someone that helps us because it's something

definitely difficult for us and we're trying to give back just

as much as the church has given back to us but we can't do

without you know your support but how much do I owe you guys?

Come on. Yeah you know it's I think very

very well. Adrene is calling a lot okay.

See ya. Next time, you come and knock on

my door. So now we're kind of to present

day at this point. You've been a priest for almost

20 years, you're a parish priest.

You hold an executive position in the National Youth

Association. You're the coordinator of the

local youth ministry. You have a podcast Ministry,

your husband, a father, and the best of all your grandfather.

So you click. So you wear a lot of hats.

What struggles do you endure today?

And when I say that again, it's for It was prisoners were living

in this Society. We go through many challenges,

we feel that a lot of times, we're the only ones in during

these difficulties Temptations loss of hope faith, really

fighting to stay afloat. So what do you somebody had that

has all those hats struggle with sometimes it's staying focused.

And again and the greatest struggle is wanting things to go

where I think is right. Right?

How I think is correct. And the time that I think is,

you know, appropriate and I get so many eggs on my faces because

I come back. And I say, you know, I can hear

it through my, again, the conscience and the scriptures,

and my, even my sermons when it sometimes I'm preaching.

And I always give this disclaimer, you know, when I

preach, I'm preaching to myself first.

It's like God saying, relax. Listen, this is not your church.

You are an unworthy servant. Remember you used to smoke and I

wanted to become a singer and he would go out and and, you know,

with your friends to the public swimming pools and you would do

the budget battle in the in the water.

And all that's going back. That's going back stock.

Remember remember you? You stole a textbook once and

you almost got caught but you're so clever.

You took it out of your bag. Show the bag.

Put the bag down and put the book back again.

So you were a thief, right? Remember used to cuss so much.

So you are a blasphemer, right? Remember you used to hate?

So you become a murderer because he who hates his brother is a

murderer. Hey remember you are on that

rubbish dump which you are so worthy of being there.

Remember, I took you from there and I put you at the altar where

you open your arms and you invoke the Holy Spirit to come

down. It's not you so relax you know

just as God said to Elijah get up.

Stop whinging. You got more work to do relax.

Its my church, it's Timing. It's my way.

And it's the way I won because Jesus is the way the truth and

the life. You know, that's my struggle.

So and that's that's a prayer point for I asked for everyone

to pray for me and I think that's evidence in long because

we go through many of the similar struggles that you

mentioned and just alone, you know, we always want our way our

time, you know, when we pray for something and it might not

happen, it can obviously be discouraging and you have that

loss of Hope and Faith. I mean start questioning a lot

so just to know No, just like you said, Relax and know that

everybody is going through that and just to trust the process

and trust. And what God has put before you

is the best thing for you. Let me tell you Crystal, I'm

sorry to cut you short. When I posted this post of Saint

John, chrysostom, I was going through that struggle back, then

this is only a few A few weeks ago Saint John chrysostom

rights. When your prayers I'm trying to

find a post. I can read it verbatim but along

lines when your prayers are not answered and or something along

those lines when you're present. Not answered.

Do not think that you are more wise than God.

Just wait. All right, that day I posted

that that was for me, but I want to share it with everyone

because I was struggling with something.

Why isn't it happening on? And then I pick up the church

fathers and I, I truly recommend strongly recommend for you, for

everyone, to read the writings of the church fathers are

amazing. And when I read that, I thought,

okay, that's another slap in the face or relax.

Hey, you know what? I'm going to post this for

myself so I can always Refer back to it and for others as

well. So when someone is feeling

similar to a lot of the examples that you mentioned, you know,

feeling down, whatever it may be.

What is your advice for them you touched on a little bit about it

to pick up, let me go back in life example, we were married We

are living in apartments. We had Melissa, we had 50 cents

in our bank account. And Juliet was crying and like,

what are we gonna do? And why am I why we like this.

Look at this person, look at that person, and we always say

that, I guess you could this person do that person, I

specifically remember she can recall, I said, hey, hey God,

doesn't love that person. More than he loves you and I

God, will provide and a few weeks down the track, all the

bills were paid. And Had more money in the bank

account, more than 50 Cent's. Anyway, trust the process.

Always God does not show partiality.

He has a perfect plan, perfect timing.

And it always happens. Kristen when it happens, we

always say, oh, thank God. Oh, look at when it happened or

it perfect timing. But a few months before that, we

whinging, almost wanted to throw in the town, right?

Wait for the Lord be still and know that I am.

Your God. You know, God came down to

conflation God incarnates. So that he could be born in a

stable of dung and it could be spared for you.

And I, how much more evidence do we want that?

God loves us. Just be patient and wait for the

Lord, even if we're struggling. You know, I always said, I take

a lot of hard from job job didn't denounce God, but he

cursed the day. He was born was like, why am I

doing? What am I doing here?

But he never denounced his Lord. He never rejected his Is God,

and I think it's verse 38. I was a 28 God says, okay, let's

talk now and he said two words and Joe basically zipped it and

said, no, no that's it. I you're done.

You know, I'm done and he said no, no no, let's keep talking.

Where were you when I created heavens and earth, you know, so

with all that being said, what is the best part of your

vocation best part is when I stand at the altar, And I extend

my most puny and weak arms unworthy and invoke the Holy

Spirit to ascend on the Bread and Wine and spiritually

mysteriously, they become the body and blood of blood of

Christ. When I announce that such a

person is baptized in the name of the father and of the son of

the Holy Spirit when I'm emerging them in the more water,

I'm putting them. Death to death with Christ in

baptism and I'm being in and giving them new life.

Not me through me, but only through Jesus Christ by Jesus

Christ. When I lay my hand on a person

and beseech the Lord to send his Holy Spirit and it happens when

I pray on people and I ask the Lord to heal and to forgive when

I give Absolution and please I know we're going to get these

men when I say I it's not the I factor, I'm not glorifying

myself. This is my personal Joy.

Is when I by the power vested in me through Jesus, Through The

Grace of Jesus Christ. Announced that a person is

Forgiven through Christ. I always step back and say my

God through me that child just received new life through me,

that couple is now one body through me and then I come back

and say, well Lord, I truly am not worthy, you know, the psalm

says to You glory only to you. Not to me to you, only Lord be

glory with all that you see happening in today's society.

What is the most difficult part of your vocation?

Let me be a politician and answer your question with a

question. What is the most difficult

struggle? Or you know, Temptation,

whatever you go through of being a faithful.

Christian. In this world, Always trusting.

I think that's one of the biggest struggles that I have is

always trusting in the process and trusting I have faith in God

and know that whatever he puts before me, as always for the

benefit of my life and those around me.

But sometimes in the moment, I think it becomes easier said

than done. And you kind of touched upon

earlier and you said, you know, we want things our way our time

and we feel like, you know, sometimes we know what's best

for us, which is not the case. So, When something does end up

going in a different way than we hope and pray for, we just need

to relax like you even said that earlier just to relax and trust

in the Lord and have faith that whatever way he takes us that he

will equipped us to be able to persevere and become stronger.

Even though we might not think in our human limited mindset

that that's what's going to come from it, you've just answered

your question on my Aha. That is the difficult part of

the vocation to emphasize and to bring people to that true

understanding and firm standing that everything will pass away.

Only Jesus Christ is the input most important factor.

Jesus Christ is of yesterday is of today, an eternity, praise be

to his name. You know, he says in Luke

Luke 21 · chapter mention

chapter 21 verse verse 33, Heaven and Earth will pass away,

but my words shall not pass away.

So when we read Jesus words, I mean, yes, we have the

comforting words, we have the alarming words but those final

alarming words that De Kristen you and I and every person that

is on this Earth, the trillions. And gazillions of people that

have worked walked this Earth will stand before this,

righteous judgment and be judged.

According to their deeds, faith and deeds whether good or evil.

That is the most difficult part of the vocation to, you know,

stress to people. And emphasize that this is where

this world. Ed is heading.

So where are we? What are we doing?

You know, I'm not one of those if Jesus was to come tomorrow.

What would you say? Where would you go?

Where would you be? You know, I'm you know Jesus

says worry about today, tomorrow has its own problems, I'm one of

those who would say, where are we today?

Let's fix today and God willing tomorrow.

God will take care of and to add on to what you're saying about

wanting to fix today. I do worry for the new

generation we have A lot going on in society, a lot of things

that are against our Christian faith.

So trying to, you know, be somebody that is part of the

society. But as well continue to pursue

this Christian faith can be difficult and it can lead to a

lot of confusion. A lot of challenges, a lot of

difficulties, but when we are close to the church, it just

makes it a little bit easier in a sense that we have the support

of others that, you know, our life.

Like minded and pursuing that same path that we are so they

can support us God. So graciously granted us the

Free Will Kristin but it's what do we do with that free will

correct? You know I can I can place a

knife in a murderous hand and he will murder but I can place a

knife in a physician's hand and he will heal people.

Let's be the Physicians. Let's use our Free Will for the

glory of God, first and foremost for ourselves for the Salvation

of Of Souls. And for our Salvation, you know,

we I think we tend to use this Free Will weave weave so taken

it out of context and so liquefied it, you know, I'm free

to do what I want. Well, well, yes, you are, but

there are consequences. You know, I remember asking my

brother-in-law, once we were driving, I said, John I can

kill, but I can murder people because know I was a Shadow.

Magic is no. No, you can't.

I said why? You know, it's like he's to go,

huh? I see how I can I can go out

there and and buy a weapon. Obtain, a weapon and just many

people I can do that. I said, but should I because no,

you shouldn't. I said why?

Because, well, that's murder. I said, but you see I have the

free will. I can do that.

But I will choose not to do that.

I will choose to do to heal people, rather than you no harm.

People heal people, not harm people.

There's a lack Excellent, let's all Hill people and not harm

people. How's that Audrina?

There you go. All right race and and I'll be,

we have reached the tail end of our episode and I only have like

15 more questions. Now, I'm just kidding.

Just a few more comedy and I know, right?

So Johnson know. So one of my questions for you

for the clothes off is who has been the most influential person

in your life. Who has been first and foremost

praise and glory be to his name out loud now Savior.

Jesus Christ on this Earth, I mean it you know it goes without

saying but I'd really like to make mention of one beloved

brother who was the cause of the turning point of my

understanding of being a deacon being in the church, he's name

is Annie knows her Runa. I remember when we began the

English Ministries in Australia, the first meeting, we had Nino's

Haroon was a brother, who would I'd seen the church?

He's dead. The late.

Gosh, I give it has a hard-on. He would be in church every

Sunday but I wouldn't see him at all.

They would attend other churches for Bible studies because there

was no Bible studies. Effective Bible studies back

then and I was one of the cause of that, not Affected Bible

studies. I remember that first meeting we

had when he when he entered the hall and a few other people with

him, I thought he knows his back and when I was a shamash oven

and when he left he shook, my hand goes from Asia.

We're gonna make this work. And today eight, this beloved,

brother of mine has been an amazing support.

I yearn for his love for his church and his name.

Ian, he's biblical. Knowledge is scriptural

knowledge. His capability.

He is gift of the gab sometimes it took so much.

He won't let you talk, but we love him.

And, you know, the six of his ear, he knows what I'm talking

about. He has been very, very info

influential from the beginning of my Priestly Ministry in

Sydney for the Saints Peter and Paul Parish.

Well, that's amazing to have somebody that has such a has had

such Influence on you and really helped you continue this

endeavor through helping in the church.

My other question is what? Hobbies do you love?

I know you always mention soccer.

But other than that Sokka fishing, I'm done that for 20

years and every time, yeah, I meet people like give 0 and my

cousin Hormuz and Robbie just name the date.

Yeah, yeah, we'll go out and, you know, seven months later

Robbie, we're still waiting for you.

I love fishing and I love. I love to play soccer.

Ow, ping-pong. Hell yeah and that's about it.

I think and then luring life left.

My last question is what is your favorite Church him?

My favorite Church him. Now do we want the liturgical or

any church hymn that to you whatever you like to do?

There's no rules favorite Church Amy's.

Father of righteousness our to push data simply because there

is a verse that says because I have sinned Your son received.

His motto. It's probably Lee was motto.

Don't have a global are happy with because I have sinned, your

beloved meaning. Jesus Christ received the spear

and the nails on my behalf. Now as for those that love to

hear it, I'll be singing. And I also like this is a, this

is a this one's for cash. You got to use the restroom in

the morning. When I rise in the morning, when

I rise in the morning, when I Rise, Give Me Jesus, Jesus,

that's going to be flight for my funeral and I was telling you

guys about that's going to be the new intro for the podcast.

But okay, we can do that too. So father, thank you for sharing

your testimony. You Select on how God's path for

your life. Thus far, has had many

unexpected or unplanned. Turns each turn has brought with

it. Challenges, happiness, sadness,

confusion growth. And many Lessons Learned.

I'd like to close off by asking you one.

Last question, what is one thing from your testimony?

You hope the listeners take away with them?

Be still and know that God is in control.

Wait on the Lord. Beautiful.

Thank you Robbie. Thank you.

Beautiful. Thank you Robbie.

Thank you.