Ken Isaacs on Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Loving God” - S1E43

Mark is delighted that the man he believes is ‘the world’s most foremost humanitarian’ is his guest on the podcast today. Ken Isaacs has worked with Samaritan’s Purse, has more than 30 years of experience working in the relief and development communities, and this work has taken him to 150 countries in response to global emergencies resulting from wars, complex crises, famines and natural disasters. Among his many other achievements, he has worked in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide, coordinated relief efforts in Liberia during the Ebola crisis, and established an emergency field hospital on the outskirts of Mosul as Iraqi Security Forces fought to regain control of the city. His effectiveness in each of his many assignments has earned him the nickname, ‘The Indiana Jones of the Christian Relief Movement’. The passages he has chosen to discuss today are Leviticus 19:18, and Deuteronomy 6:5. Their conversation starts with Ken summarizing the passages, sharing his reasons for selecting them, explaining why he risks himself in accordance with them, and exploring with Mark the notion of loving others and yourself. Drawing upon his vast humanitarian experiences, Ken offers some examples of helping both those who commit horrible things and their victims in the same way, how people respond when feeling God’s love through him and his team members, those who are evil and how he has negotiated with such individuals, and the impact of what he terms ‘speed prayers’. The episode concludes with some news regarding Ken’s memoir, the lessons that he has learned about mankind, and Mark’s recommendation of the film ‘Facing Darkness’. It’s not everyday that one is introduced to a person who consistently sacrifices their safety and security to bring God’s love to those who have suffered the most in this world, and that’s precisely why Ken’s story of living out these passages is one that so sorely needs to be heard and spread throughout the world today. Quotes: “You have lived it in the most intense possible way.” “I feel called to th