Steve Conover: Thank you for joining us for the Friends of Israel Today. I'm Steve Conover, executive director of The Friends of Israel. With me is our host and teacher, Chris Katulka.

Chris Katulka: Steve, 10 years! 

Steve Conover: 10 years.

Chris Katulka: We've been doing radio together for 10 years and it's been a joy to serve with you. And so today we're going to talk about what it means for both of us to have been serving in this capacity, you for longer than I have as the host. But we're also going to hear from the man who started the Friends of Israel's radio program and radio ministry, Dr. Elwood McQuaid. He's with the Lord right now, but we have some audio from him. He encouraged us 10 years ago when we started the new format, and so I'm excited to hear from Elwood again and to be a part of this ministry with you, Steve.

Steve Conover: Yeah, Chris, I'm really excited for our listeners to hear Elwood's voice later in the program. But first in the news, Israel National News reports that Esmail Qaani, commander of Iran’s Quds Force, has ordered leaders of Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq and Yemen to avoid reacting to threats from the U.S. and Israel. According to the report, Qaani delivered this directive during a recent visit to Baghdad, urging Tehran’s regional allies to exercise restraint.

Chris Katulka: Yeah, well, here's my take. The Trump administration has threatened that all options are on the table for Iran right now, specifically with reference to its nuclear ambition. So I am sure that Tehran is concerned as the Houthis and other armed Iranian proxies launch rockets into Israel. It sounds like Qaani is telling his fellow bullies in the region to calm down, at least for now. 

Chris Katulka: Welcome to this special anniversary edition of The Friends of Israel Today. I'm joined by my good friend and co-host Steve Conover. Steve, today we are celebrating not one but two milestones: 34 years of broadcasting this program and 10 years since I had the opportunity to step into this role as host.

Steve Conover: It's amazing, Chris, to think back to where we were when the program started in 1991 when Elwood McQuaid launched this program. At that time we were on just six stations and I joined the program about three years after that. Now I've been with the program over 30 years and now we're reaching audiences across the country, around the world, and we'll share some fun stats about that in a moment. But first, Chris, 10 years ago when you stepped into this role, could you ever imagine where we'd be today looking back at such a rich legacy and one which you so greatly contributed to as host and teacher?

Chris Katulka: We were just talking about it before we got started in recording, and honestly, I can't believe that it's already been 10 years. It feels like just yesterday that I stepped behind the mic for the first time and now a decade has passed in a blink of an eye. And over these years we've had the privilege of teaching biblical truth about Israel and the Messiah, Jesus, while bringing both spiritual and physical comfort to the Jewish people. And really that's been one of the greatest honors of my life, to be a part of a program that not only proclaims God's promises but actively blesses his Chosen People. And to think, as you mentioned earlier, this program started 34 years ago on just six stations, and today we're on 500 stations around the United States and on top of that, our podcast is now being heard in 158 countries around the world. So it's really a blessing. It's incredible to see how God has expanded this ministry far beyond what we could have imagined.

Steve Conover: Looking way back when I came on board to engineer and then eventually produced the radio program, I had no idea it would turn into a journey of over 30 years. And looking back, it's almost funny to think about how we used to do things. We would record on quarter inch tape and we'd physically mail these programs out with return envelopes, so they'd come back and we could erase them, reuse the tapes, and we'd duplicate them on this massive duplicator. It was like the size of a boat anchor. Editing was a whole different ballgame too. None of this digital editing that we have today. I would actually use a razor blade to cut tape and we'd cut these pieces and put them together by hand. If you had a bad edit, basically you'd be rooting through the garbage, to this pile of tape to try to find what you had so you could insert it back in.

But even with all those changes, one thing has remained the same, the important things have remained the same. The DNA of this program. From the very beginning, we set out to teach biblical truth about Israel and the Messiah, and that's still our mission today. Over the years, I had the opportunity as the producer to try new things and have the freedom to innovate and add production elements I didn't hear on most teaching programs. Elements and content ideas we hoped would make for both a very listenable, unique program and engage our audience deeply. To this day, we've maintained what feels more like a magazine style program that features teaching, news, interviews, Apples of Gold, and I think that's part of what made the Friends of Israel so unique. But more importantly than our format, our program fills a void on the airwaves and it provides solid biblical teaching about Israel. A message that is so desperately needed today. And I'm grateful that God called you, Chris, to this ministry and can tell everyone listening that Chris's passion for God's Word that you hear each week, it's not manufactured. Chris loves to teach others and to connect with their audience and Chris to see how far we've come from mailing out tape reels to individual stations, to reaching hundreds of stations and thousands of listeners through satellite and podcasting. It's really been amazing to watch.

Chris Katulka: Steve, when I first stepped into this role a decade ago, I knew I had some big shoes to fill. So for my very first episodes, we thought as a team, what better way to start than by sitting down with the man who launched this program, Dr. Elwood McQuaid. I wanted to hear directly from him why he created the Friends of Israel Today more than three decades ago. Elwood had a vision. He saw a need to bring clear biblical teaching about Israel and the Messiah, Jesus, to airwaves. Remember back in 1991, there weren't many Christian radio programs addressing Israel's significance in God's redemptive plan, let alone doing so with theological depth and clarity. He believed this program could fill that gap, and by God's grace, that's exactly what it has done for 34 years. Looking back now, I am so grateful that I have had the chance to capture his insights in those first two episodes. Elwood is now with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, but when you hear his voice, you're going to hear his passion and conviction, and even after all of these years, his words still ring true.

So I want to go back with you. Let's go back and listen to a clip from 10 years ago. That's my very first interview where Elwood shares why he started the Friends of Israel Today. Take a listen. 

Chris Katulka: We, last week, talked about how you came to have an appreciation for Israel and for the Jewish people. This week I want to ask you a question though. In 1991, I understand you started the first radio program for The Friends of Israel and it was just on six stations. What was going on in the world around you? Why did you feel as though the Friends of Israel’s voice needed to be heard on the airwaves?

Elwood McQuaid: Well, in the first place, I felt that very deeply that the message of The Friends of Israel and God's love for the Jewish people and how Christians fit into that was absolutely necessary and that radio gave us the opportunity. I preached for years as a pastor, 24 years as a pastor. You talk to people one-on-one, you talk to people in a limited congregational kind of context, but radio opened a door, actually. At that time we had many of the mainline churches turning away from dispensational theology, from Israel's uniqueness and Israel's place in God's program. And the one thing that it gave us in radio was that within these churches, there were thousands upon thousands of people who loved Israel, loved the Jewish, people didn't understand what was going on in the liberal progressive area of the mainline bodies, and we had access to them. Radio, Chris gives you access not only to one person, to a hundred people, but hundreds of thousands, millions potentially. And so it's the natural niche that every unique ministry should hold. I felt that very deeply for the Friends of Israel and the wheels were beginning to come off morally, spiritually, and so we felt it necessary, and we've been proven right in what's happened over the years and what's happening now with this new approach to Christian Radio from the Friends of Israel.

Chris Katulka: I heard you say that when you started the program, you wanted it to be really a beacon to share about the message of Israel's uniqueness because the churches around you that you were seeing were turning away, and I once heard an evangelical pastor talk about the modern state of Israel and he said this, “How can I blindly support a secular state?” I feel like this could potentially be the sentiment of many evangelical pastors today. What would you say, sir, to that pastor?

Elwood McQuaid: Well, I would counter with this. First of all, how can I blindly support the secular United States of America? To me, what we have in our relationship to Israel is responsibility and obligation to communicate and to express friendship to the Jewish people. God has never decided that Israel was to be disinherited, and the core of the difficulty is this, that in so many churches today, where there is an anti-Israel feeling, like this pastor would express, there's a great void, a deprivation of seeing the whole program of God, Israel included. God made promises to Israel that were irrevocable. Promises that would never be rescinded. And I think it's so important and in our education courses that we give with IJS, the Bible is taught in a cultural, historical context that unless you have an understanding of that and Israel's place in God's program, because Israel is really the focus of the central facts of prophetic end-time teaching. God has a program—goes from the Old Testament to the New Testament. So a person who would say, how can I blindly support a secular state? I support the right of the state to exist certainly, but I support what the Word of God says. It's a biblical obligation to me as a Christian to see we're not just talking about a secular instrument, we're talking about a people. We're talking about a program and we can say above everything else because God told us to support Israel.

Steve Conover: Chris, it's so good to hear Elwood's voice and as we look back on 34 years of the Friends of Israel Today, it's hard for me not to reflect on what Elwood McQuaid has meant to me personally. He wasn't just the visionary behind this program. He was a mentor, a leader, and a dear friend. His passion for Israel and the Jewish people was infectious. His commitment to biblical truth was really a constant through his ministry. I had the privilege of working alongside him for many years, watching firsthand how he poured his heart into every broadcast, every article, everything he shared, and though eventually Elwood stepped away from the microphone, the mission he started didn't end with him. That's what makes today so special. We're still carrying the baton he handed us all those years ago. Every time we sit behind these mics, every time we open God's Word to teach about Israel the Messiah, we're building on the foundation that Elwood laid and I think he'd be proud to see how far this program has come. Knowing as he said to us 10 years ago, that the best is still ahead.

Chris Katulka: When we come back, I want to share where that passion for God's Word leads us here at the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry that have compassion for God's Chosen People. Stick around.

Steve Conover: Chris, we've been blessed to add some new radio stations recently and I'm sure we have some who don't know much about The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Chris Katulka: Yeah, Steve. For years The Friends of Israel has been a trusted source for those seeking to understand God's heart for the Jewish people. We're excited to invite new listeners into our growing community. We're offering a free digital download of our popular booklet, Whose Land is it Anyway? This booklet explores the historical, legal, and biblical claims to the land of Israel, providing clarity on a complex and often misunderstood topic.

Steve Conover: It's a great resource. If you've ever wondered about the ongoing struggle in the Middle East and want to be able to understand and defend why God has given the Holy Land to the Jewish people, this is the resource for you. We want to equip you to understand and support the Jewish people, not based on mere opinion, but based on God's trustworthy and unchanging Word. To get your free digital copy of Whose Land is it Anyway?, visit foiradio.org. That's foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: At the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, everything we do is rooted in a passion for God's Word and that passion isn't just an intellectual pursuit. It's a deep conviction that leads us to action. And one of the greatest ways it compels us to act is by having compassion for God's Chosen People, the Jewish people. This compassion isn't something that we've manufactured on our own. It's actually woven throughout Scripture, starting with God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. Listen to this. It says in Genesis 12, starting in verse one, “Go out from your country, Abram, your relatives and your father's household to a land that I will show you. Then I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you and I will make your name great so that you will exemplify divine blessing. I will bless those who bless you, but the one who treats you lightly I must curse, so that all the families of the earth may receive blessing through you.” 

This passage is foundational to our mission. God's covenant with Abraham set the course for history and it reveals his heart for the Jewish people. He chose them, he promised to bless them, and through them he would bring the ultimate blessing to the world, the Messiah, Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we recognize that our faith is directly connected to God's promise to Israel. We worship the Jewish Messiah, we read the Jewish Scriptures, and we serve a God who remains faithful to his covenant with Israel. Because of this, The Friends of Israel has always stood in solidarity with the Jewish people. Our love for God naturally overflows into love for his people. For decades, we have worked to bring both spiritual and physical comfort to the Jewish community. Whether it's through biblical teaching, humanitarian aid, standing against antisemitism, or simply showing love and support to Jewish individuals and communities.

Our mission remains the same. We bless the Jewish people because God calls us to. As we look to the years ahead, our commitment remains unwavering. We will continue to preach and teach this truth because of our love for God and his Son, Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. In a world that is often hostile toward Israel and indifferent to the Jewish people, we will be a voice that declares God's enduring faithfulness to them. We will open the Scriptures and remind believers that God is not finished with Israel. His promises still stand, and his love for his people is unshakeable. The legacy of the Friends of Israel is not just about what we have done in the past. It's about what we are called to do in the future. As long as God gives us breath, we will proclaim his truth, love his people, and share the good news of the Messiah with both Jewish people and Gentiles. Because of our passion for God's Word, it will always lead us to compassion for God's Chosen People.

Steve Conover: Israel on the verge of becoming a state, a teenaged Holocaust survivor arrives on her shores alone. His name is Zvi Kalisher. Little did he know his search for a new life in the Holy Land would lead him to the Messiah. Zvi, enthusiastic to share his faith, engaged others in spiritual conversations, many of which can be found in our magazine, Israel My Glory. While Zvi is now in the presence of His Savior, his collected writings from well over 50 years of ministry continue to encourage believers worldwide. Now, Apples of Gold, a dramatic reading from the life of Zvi.

Mike Kellogg: Deuteronomy 20:1 says, “Do not be afraid, for the LORD your God is with you.” Here in Israel, we live in the light of this promise day by day, as we face Scud missile attacks from Iraq. We are sure of God’s protection; therefore, we can sing confidently the words of our national anthem, “Hatikva.”

Even with missiles being dropped on us nightly, people continue their daily routines with high morale because they know God has said, “I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night” (Isa. 62:6). Although most of our people do not believe in the Messiah, they do trust in the promises of God to His Chosen People. There are, however, many new immigrants in Israel, especially from the Soviet Union, who do not know the promises of God since they have lived all their lives under Communism. As soon as they arrive, the ultra-Orthodox try to convert them into their fold of Judaism. They tell the émigrés not to have any contact with Christians. But truth ultimately conquers. I consider it an obligation to comfort such people with the Word of God, and I am thankful the Lord has enabled me to speak their language. When I first talk with a new immigrant, it is not with warnings but in the spirit of friendship. Then, we can be open with each other, and I can share my faith.

Initially, the émigrés are surprised to find a Jewish person who believes in Christ, especially in Israel. One émigré told me, “It is impossible for a Jew to praise the name of this One whom Jews have hated through the centuries.” I replied, “I have heard many say this. You have been brainwashed against believers from the moment you stepped off the plane. But if you read the Jewish Scriptures for yourself, you will understand how to have true faith in God. I do not have with me any of the old commentary books—no stories, no traditions. But if you want it, I will give you a Bible in the Russian language. Then you can make your own decision about God.”

Even though the immigrants have been instructed to stay away from believers, they are independent and want to make their own decisions in their new land. Of course, some are skeptical. Some have asked me if believers in the Lord are against the Jewish religion.

I responded, “I am not against any religion if it is in accordance with the Bible. But, I am sorry to say, most of the people of Israel are far from being the ‘holy people to the LORD your God’ that He has instructed them to be in Deuteronomy 7:6. I only want to help you find the Lord, your Savior. Then you will truly be His Chosen People.”

These immigrants were very moved by our conversation. They said they had learned more in one hour than they did during several days of instruction from their assigned “guides.” I pray the Lord alone will be their Guide and lead them into His truth, which alone will make them free (Jn. 8:32). Finally, during these difficult days, I “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: may they prosper who love you” (Ps. 122:6).

Steve Conover: Thanks for joining us for today's episode of The Friends of Israel Today. We're grateful that you could celebrate our radio anniversary with us, and we know we rely on your prayers and support to continue, God willing, many years into the future. Don't forget to get your free digital download of our popular booklet, Whose Land is it Anyway? That's on our website, foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org. Chris, where are we headed next week?

Chris Katulka: Not only is the radio program a great outlet for teaching biblical truth about Israel and the Messiah, but our magazine, Israel My Glory, is another great resource for our listeners. And next week, we're going to be highlighting our most recent issue by having Tom Simcox in the studio, and he's going to be talking about his article, The God-Man Symphony. He's going to talk about how Jesus himself orchestrated all of the events like a composer that would lead to his death, burial, and resurrection. So you want to come back to hear all about why Tom wrote this and what it means to him as he talks about The God-Man Symphony.

Steve Conover: I'll mention our web address once more as we close, is foiradio.org. Our mailing address is FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Again, that's FOI Radio PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Our listener line is 888-343-6940. Again, that's 888-343-6940. Today's program was engineered by Bob Beebe. Edited by Jeremy Strong, who also composed and performs our theme music. Lisa Small is our executive producer. Sarah Fern is our associate producer. Mike Kellogg read Apples of Gold. And I'm Steve Conover, executive director of The Friends of Israel. The Friends of Israel Today is a production of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People.