Road Trip Reflections And Big Ideas

SPEAKER_02 0:07

Welcome to the intersection of Faith and Culture. It's the Wall Builder Show taking on the hot topics of the day from a biblical, historical, and constitutional perspective. Thanks for joining us today. Rick Green here with David Barton and Tim Barton. And yes, it's noisy because we're on the road coming back from, or I'm on the road coming back from D.C. with all the Patriot Institute scholars. Took them out there to see the White House, the Capitol, went to Philly. They got to sign the Declaration of Independence in the room in Independence Hall, 250 years later, after the Founding Fathers themselves did it. So it was just a great, great trip, and we're on our way back. David, Tim, you guys have been on the road as well. It's even better than George Whitfield. He was kind of on his own. Well, I guess the Wesley brothers were doing some of the same. But man, we got us three out there everywhere. We got our friends and all these other organizations. It's almost like we got, you know, hundreds of Whitfields out there, and Lord willing, God will give us another great awakening.

SPEAKER_03 0:58

Well, and Rick, I do want to talk about some of the things that we have coming up. Because all three of us are on the road so much. But I am curious when you say your students signed the Declaration of Independence, did Nicholas Cage help you acquire, like, was this the original one they're signing?

SPEAKER_02 1:15

I wasn't going to say anything, Tim. It was secret. We we did go to the National Archives the day before. And no kidding, we actually did go to the National Archives the day before. And the night before that, I told the kids, I was like, okay, no stealing the Declaration of Independence. We're going to have our own copy. We'll get in lots of trouble. Actually, I was encouraging them to steal it, but they didn't do it. So no, we had our own blown-up copy. But it was it was so cool. You know, you guys know we do this and you know at all the leadership congresses and state capitals around the country, but there's nothing like doing it in the room, man, where the founding fathers did it. And to do it this year in the 250th, it was really emotional, I'll be honest with you guys. It was for these kids, it was the capstone to their year. They've been with us on the campus for nine months. And um, we were disappointed we didn't get to go to Israel. We had planned to go to Israel with them, and so uh this was a really close second, and in some ways, maybe, you know, God's providence even better with it being the 250th for them to get to do that.

Signing The Declaration In Philadelphia

SPEAKER_03 2:09

Well, and and I'm thinking as you guys were in Independence Hall, Dad and I have uh both been up there recently in Philadelphia. I will be up there again in a month or two uh doing some more filming. But uh, you know, uh thinking about the 56 Signers, when they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honors and that commitment, what it meant, we have a book actually uh at the press today that uh is on all 56 signers. Uh, we we did bios on them to reintroduce people to them because frankly, most Americans we don't know their names, much less do we know the stories. And when you're in that room and you start thinking through what happened in that room and the people that were there, all the different walks of life, uh, and so many skills and talents and abilities and even levels of financial means coming together and all saying, Man, we're given everything for this cause of liberty, it was absolutely a bold step of faith going up against the most powerful military in the world at that time, Great Britain, and and willing to put it on the line. And and you mentioned even like the George Whitfield thought with how much we're traveling, and it feels a little bit like a George Whitfield, which also a quick plug. If people have not seen the movie A Great Awakening, again, I will reiterate go see a great awakening. It is so encouraging, it's so good. We we did a little bit of analysis on it. Um, the the nitpicky history nerd in me was like, Man, there's just one part I wish it was different, but I'm telling you, the the overall movie, it's so powerful. I I I absolutely think every every Christian needs to go watch this and be motivated by sharing the gospel, but also recognizing the the influence that George Whitfield, that pastors of the Bible had in the founding of our nation, the founding fathers. And and guys, along those lines, there's a lot of events coming up over the next several months, many of them being led by pastors where pastors are are boldly and courageously stepping out to do do some very uh George Whitfield-like things to engage Christians in faith to get back involved in culture. There's a lot of really cool stuff coming up.

SPEAKER_01 4:17

And Tim, just so everybody knows, you're not being critical of the Great Awakening movies. Two hours and 20 minutes, and probably the line that you dislike the most, which I agree with, is what, 15 seconds or 30 seconds or something in there? So it's like the whole thing is really good, except maybe just a line here or there.

SPEAKER_03 4:32

Yeah, it's it literally was one line. And and and also, by the way, I like I, you know, we interviewed some people for the film and and and uh they were telling the story, and I I understand in Hollywood sometimes you need to have a drama contrast. And so I also recognize that that line could have been for a drama contrast because we talked about how so many of the other lines between Whitfield and Franklin, you actually can find those actual lines in letters they wrote to each other or wrote about those events, and so they were so spot on in so many places, which was amazing they did so well. So I I highly recommend it. It was just one part that I went, man, I wish we could have done it different. But also, I I don't know that they misunderstood that line, other than just maybe it was for contrast for Franklin coming around ultimately when it comes to the Constitutional Convention on June 28th, 1787, when he has this really famous call to prayer, challenging the other delegates to have the recognition that if God doesn't help them, they're not gonna succeed and they need to have dedicated times of prayer, just like they did during the American Revolution. And so, again, the movie is great. I highly recommend it. It reintroduces George Whitfield and shows some of that relationship and connection he has to Benjamin Franklin, which is completely historically correct. So overall, it was so well done.

The 56 Signers And Their Stories

SPEAKER_01 5:57

And and Rick, going back to Independence Hall with all the kids being up there signing the deck, I've got to say that new book that Tim is talking about, when we did all the research for that, I I a lot of places where I speak, I really kind of criticize the education system currently out there because you just don't know the individual founding fathers. And we talked about how that, you know, Tim carries this gift card with him from university to university and says, hey, anybody that can name five signers of declaration off this picture, you get this gift card. And he's had the same gift card nine years essentially. And I find the same thing when I speak in higher education, Duke University Law School, wherever it was, anywhere I went, they they couldn't get more than one or two. But I I don't think I think one time I had one that got three, but never one that got five. And so having said that and having been very critical of that, I know the names of these guys. I I can I can go through the names and tell you. What I was shocked about was I didn't know their story even as well as I thought I knew their story. And you get into here, and there's no question, it was the unanimous declaration. That's what it says. It wasn't on the original title, it became that after they went through some kind of back and forth and some rough debates at places, it became unanimous. But then when you get into the person into these guys, they really have personalities, and some of them just quite didn't like some of the others. I mean, even in a state like Georgia, those signers did not get along well with each other, but they had common purpose, common goals, and it is just so different to see the different personalities of these 56 guys, even though I knew their names, I just hadn't thought about the nuances of how, you know, even with the three of us on this program, there's times we don't agree with each other. Now we haven't got mean with each other, but nonetheless, yeah, it's it's just it's fascinating to me. And one of the signers from one of the signers from Georgia actually was killed by an American general in the revolution because they had such bad curse personality conflicts. And it's like, oh my gosh, I hadn't realized just how distinctive these guys were. So it's gonna be a lot of fun. When people get the book, you're gonna learn a ton and it's gonna shock you and bless you at the same time.

Great Awakening Film And Upcoming Events

SPEAKER_03 7:59

Well, it's safe to say Georgia needed some more George Whitfield uh for leaders. That's right. Um, but but guys, one of the things too, we talked about before we came on air is that there are so many cool events happening. Uh certainly coming up here in just a couple weeks, we're gonna be up uh in DC for the rededication of America to God. And, you know, there's lots of titles surrounding it, but where President Trump is gonna have this national day of prayer. Uh, we've actually been talking to people at the White House where they were asking for some historic examples of times that presidents and founding fathers called the nation to pray and what that looks like. We've been working with some congressmen. They're gonna do some additional events that day. We have friends that are doing special church services up there. There's so many things happening uh coming up. I I guess we could jump forward to June. Uh on June 6th, our our friend uh Seth Gruber is doing a big event up in Denver. Our friends Mom for Liberty, they're doing an event out in California on the USS Midway. Uh, Dad, you're gonna be out there. I'm with Seth Gruber on the 19th is when our friend Josh McPherson is doing his big event. Uh, it's a men's conference, and it's like it's the men men conference. So many incredible leaders, everybody from an Eric Metaxis to a John Lovell and Graham Allen and Nick Friedis, and that Josh Howerton is even gonna be up there. It's gonna be an incredible men's conference. And actually, uh speaking of Josh Howerton, last week I got to do a podcast with Josh Howarton telling the Christian heritage of America, that story. It was on his Live Free podcast. And he's somebody we've talked about several times that I am so impressed with how God is using him and his leadership and courage and boldness in so many areas. But all of this to say, there's so many cool things happening right now. As we look back at like a great awakening and the George Whitfield story, in the middle of George Whitfield's travel, there certainly were times that felt like, man, we're doing it because it's the right thing to do. And I'm saying this like thinking through his eyes and his lens, where he would have he would have had to have thought, I'm doing this because it's the right thing to do. But it it's really hard right now. And then there were times certainly when you can see the response and the reception, and it was different times, different years, different journeys that he was received better than others on some of those occasions. But certainly there's times you're like, man, it's so clear God is on the move and it's incredible right now. Guys, I feel like we're in a little bit of one of those seasons in the midst of the chaos and the craziness of Washington and and and some of the politics happening, it's still so clear God is on the move, and it's really cool to see all this stuff happening.

Museum Stops And A Quick Break

SPEAKER_02 10:31

Well, as we're uh going to break for our interview today, I gotta say one other thing about the movie, A Great Awakening, is made by the folks that do sight and sound. And we also took the students up to Lancaster and saw their new sight and sound production, which is Joshua. And you guys know my favorite Bible verse, Joshua 189. And it was just so cool, guys. I think y'all have seen some of it, maybe Esther or or David or Daniel, some of the other ones they've done. This was the first time I got to see one live, not just a video. And wow, what a production! I just love seeing those kind of things being done with a good biblical perspective and a biblical story in high quality. So it was it was awesome. Anyway, the students had a great time. By the way, they also got to go to the Holocaust Museum, spy museum, Bible museum. Incredible trip. All right, gotta take a quick break. Nick Vuchuk is back with us. We're gonna be talking about a new movie that's gonna be coming out, about his life. Incredible, incredible life story. If you don't know Nick's story, we've had him on the program several times. This guy was born without limbs. He is an absolute force. I'm telling you, God has used him with such a great testimony. Businessman, author, speaker, does all kinds of great stuff. I'm excited about this documentary about his life that's gonna be coming out. Stay with us, folks. We'll be right back. You're listening to the Wall Builders Show.

SPEAKER_03 11:47

This is Tim Barton from Wall Builders with another moment from American history. The Second Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees to every individual the right to keep and bear arms, has been targeted for years now by those who are determined to dismantle the individual right to self-protection. Opponents argue that only the militia, the military, and law enforcement are to have and use firearms. But those who wrote the Second Amendment strenuously disagreed, including founding father Richard Henry Lee, a signer of the Declaration, a president of the Continental Congress, and one of those who actually framed the Second Amendment. He declared, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them. For more information about Richard Henry Lee and the history of the Second Amendment, go to wallbuilders.com.

SPEAKER_02 12:44

Welcome back to the Wall Builder Show. Thanks for staying with us. Great to have Nick Vuichik back with us. Nick, hey man, always good to have you. Thanks for coming on today. Rick, thanks for having me, man. It's awesome. How are you doing? Great, but there's so many things we could talk about. I had no idea this movie was coming out. This is a super exciting. No limbs, no limbs. Going to be out in the fall, and uh folks can actually participate in this. So I'm gonna give out the website real quick, Nickvfilm.com. Did I get that right? You did. All right, nickvfilm.com. Folks, you can participate in it. It's uh it's a cruel crowd uh fundraising opportunity. Nick's story amazing. We've told it before on the on the program, but just to remind people, you have reached so many people with the gospel, and your story's of course amazing. You've done everything from banking, motivational speaking to ministry. And uh man, I can't wait to see the movie. So you guys are starting production now? What's the catch us up on the timeline?

SPEAKER_00 13:40

Yeah, look, really, really appreciate it. It's an investment opportunity uh on a finished produced film, and uh the reason why we have to cover some of the production is um there was just some um preferences that I had with the finished product, and uh we had to um kind of raise um, if you will, interest control of the finished product. And so we uh needed to raise a certain amount of money, and we raised a certain amount of money, and so um of the five million, it sounds like a lot of money, uh, but three million goes to marketing and two million seals the deal where we can launch this. Um, and we're so, so excited um about so many people seeing never seen before home footage of me that my mom, my dear mom, recorded home footage stuff. She's actually on the documentary, my brother and my sister, and and uh my wife, and and even the janitor that inspired me to be a speaker as a as a teenager. And so we're so excited that the the product is finished, it's coming out on the 25th of September 2026, and uh we're working uh with Fathom Entertainment, so it's gonna be they say between 1200 and 1500 screens. Nice, and uh we're we're so excited about it.

SPEAKER_02 15:01

Love it, love it. Well, and when you say public speaking, like 78 countries, 3,500 times, met with 25 presidents around the world. I mean, Nick, what an amazing life, and and I I'm just curious for you. I mean, it's cool to have a movie, but I know you, uh, you've got a purpose behind this, and you want people to be inspired for a particular purpose in their own lives. Talk a little bit about that.

SPEAKER_00 15:25

Yeah, look, you know, normally people, Rick, uh, you only get a documentary when you're dead. Um, I'm 43, had the privilege of meeting Billy Graham for 45 minutes. He talked to me and my wife while we were engaged, and we were just blessed with that. And look, it is an extension of ministry tool. I have done three million miles around the world and seen one and a half million people in person give their life to Jesus. And so our ministry, nick v ministries.org, we're so excited we just celebrated 20 years here in America when I moved from Australia to America. But now this is um, you know, especially the the the next generation, the now generation, whatever you want to call generation, depression, anxiety, uh uh uh looking for meaning, looking for purpose, um, trying to find out like if does God really have a plan for me too? And so look, uh, on one hand, we know that this is an extension of the ministry, Nick V ministries, as an added tool. There's gonna be people crying in their cinemas. We've shown this already to 1,400 people in private VIP screenings, and um, everyone's just moved and everyone gets something out of it. And the number one thing, as well, Rick, that people are saying is they they just love how real and raw it really is. Nice. Like, we don't hold back the punches on really how difficult it was. Look, people know that I attempted suicide at age 10. People know some parts of my story here and there, but this really goes much, much deeper, um, not just with how I felt, how my siblings felt, but especially how my mum felt. Um, my dad's deceased here on earth, he's graduated to heaven, but but you know, we we talk about all of this and and to really not shy away from, you know, there are some Christian films out there is like everything was okay and this is the hard part, and then you know, turn it around. But we really, really help people understand it's not about a limbless boy, it's about our broken hearts and hopelessness, but God has a plan and he can take our broken pieces, do something beautiful, even to the point, Rick, when you don't get a miracle, you can still be one.

SPEAKER_02 17:36

Oh, that's an important one for sure, man. You said uh, you know, it's five million sounds like a lot. Hey man, you're not doing a billion-dollar avatar movie. So five million's great. This is uh this is a great budget, and and and these things take fuel in the tank to just get them in front of enough people, the lives that can be changed. It's uh it's incredible. So, you know, it and it's easy. You don't have to you don't have to do big bucks if you don't have it. You can make a small investment in the in the movie and actually be a participant uh in the and not only not only getting the movie in front of people, uh, but potentially return on investment as well. So, Nick, this is a great opportunity. Thrilled to see this being done. I noticed in the in the in the bio your goal, um, you and your and your wife have a goal of reaching it's something like a billion people. You've already reached almost a billion people. You want to reach another billion people by 2029. Talk about that. I mean, those numbers are staggering.

SPEAKER_00 18:25

It is staggering, and we don't lie. We're ECFA, financial accountability above the IRS, and every number is very accurately estimated. We hit 750 million people at 2023, and that was when we wanted and we felt God want us to go around the world. It's it's been hard, Rick, to even just get five churches to do an event with us here in America. I just don't know what's going on. But there are massive, massive invitations international where we can actually broadcast on secular television to 20% of the country, and that's how we get the digital reach. So between um 2024 and 2025, we actually did reach another 200 million people across Latin America. We're going to Africa, May and June. Um, El Salvadorian president said, Come back, we'll stop the whole school across the country. And I want every single school student in public schools to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ from you. So when you have invitations like that, like that's that's very, very unique. And so it is massive. We are on our way to a total of 1.75 billion people here in the gospel. And we actually believe that this film, I don't know how we actually, we're not gonna even count, you can't quantify what this film's gonna do. Um, but without even this film, uh, we are gonna go for another three-quarters of a billion, which would make it then 1.75 billion. So it it really is mind-boggling. If I had fingers, I'd pinch myself. Um, but it's it's just true, you know. If anyone ever doubted that God can use them, if God can use a man without arms and lengths to be his hands and feet, Rick, then God can use any willing heart.

SPEAKER_02 20:06

Amen. Amen. Oh, so good. Nick, God bless you, man. We're excited. Nickvfilm.com. Nickvfilm.com, folks, go check it out today. September is when it'll actually air, but now is the time to participate. We appreciate you, brother. Look forward to getting you back soon. I love you, man. Thank you so much. Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 20:24

God bless.

SPEAKER_02 20:24

God bless. Stay with us, folks. We'll be right back with David and Tim Barton.

SPEAKER_03 20:35

This is Tim Barton from Wall Builders with another moment from American history. Alexei de Togeville, a political official from France, traveled to the United States in 1831 and penned his observations in the now famous book Democracy in America. Being from France, what he found in America was completely unexpected to him. He reported, upon my arrival in the United States, the religious aspect of the country was the first thing that struck my attention. And the longer I stayed there, the more I perceived the great political consequences resulting from this. In France, I'd almost always seen the spirit of religion and the spirit of freedom marching in opposite directions. But in America, I found that they were intimately united and that they reigned in common over the same country. De Tocqueville recognized that it was biblical Christianity and the morals it produced that made America great. For more information about Alexe de Tocqueville and the positive influence of Christianity in early America, go to wallbuilders.com.

SPEAKER_02 21:34

Welcome back to the Wall Builder Show. Thanks to Nick for joining us today and back with David and Tim Barton. Oh man, guys, incredible. Every time I talk to Nick, I go, okay, I'm not going to complain about anything in my life ever again. Um, I want just about, you know, 10% of his optimism and joy, uh, even after all the stuff he's had to overcome. But looking forward to the movie coming out.

SPEAKER_03 21:53

Well, uh, Dad, I know you took a lot of notes on this, and so I want to say something real quick and then hand it over to you. Uh, even though for certainly as weeks. Talk about how often we want to vote with our dollars. This would be a really good place to try to help support a really great cause, even if it is only for a couple dollars. Uh, if everybody throws in a couple dollars, we really can make a difference. But I do want to say, I thought it was one of the greatest lines when he says, Hey, when you're a guy with no arms and legs and you're being the hands and feet in Jesus, and when he said that, I was just like, okay, right. My mind blown just a little bit, that in the midst, Rick, you kind of alluded to it, in the midst of our life, sometimes we can complain and be frustrated, and we so lose perspective that God's calling on our life to be his hands and feet in so many ways. And when there's a guy with no arms and legs that is finding the way to be the hands and feet of Jesus, that is an example that we should be a little humbled by and challenged by. And I certainly was when he said that line.

SPEAKER_01 22:45

You know, Nick, I remember meeting Nick, and he and I have been at a lot of conferences together and speak together at the conferences. And I was, when I met Nick, I was super uncomfortable, super uncomfortable. Because here's a guy who's sitting upright in a wheelchair, a motorized wheelchair, able to drive his wheelchair with no arms and no legs. No, yeah, I mean, it's just like and and suddenly I put myself in the position of, man, what would I do if I were in that position? If I had no arms, no legs, and you know, that's all he's ever known. He's never experienced what all of us take for granted with being able to do so much stuff. And he's had to learn to do all of that, and what a phenomenal speaker. I mean, he uh obviously completely optimistic in so many areas because he's had to overcome so much. And I was just thinking about him, and it just made me uncomfortable to be around him because I didn't quite know how to connect. And it wasn't because of him, it's because I was thinking, well, what would I do if I were in that situation? And it's just such an inspiration to be around him. And I was reminded of some verses that he did. If he had compared himself to everybody who had arms, legs, and you know, all the limbs, I but he didn't. And he took right where he was and said, Okay, here's where I am, what can I do for with this situation for God? And I was reminded of 2 Corinthians 10 12, where the Bible, Paul says, Hey, do not compare yourselves with each other. If you are, you're not wise, you're without understanding. And then down in Galatians 4 6 or Galatians 6 4, I mean, it says, pay careful attention to your own work, for then you'll get the satisfaction of a job well done. You won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. And there's no question, what Nick has done is a great work, he has a great ministry. Uh, what he does with young people, encouraging people to go beyond, you know, as he said, no limbs and no limits. He's got no limbs, but there are no limits on that guy. And it is absolutely phenomenal to see him and be around him. And getting his movie out, getting the getting that story out, man, it'll take the self-pity out of you in a heartbeat. Uh, you you worry about how bad things are for you. You need to be inspired by this movie. And it is so Tim, you're right. Everybody that can contribute to this is it's gonna be out, but help make it a success.

SPEAKER_03 24:58

Well, I thought too guys, it was interesting. He said he was having some trouble uh being able to do some of this in American churches, but internationally, uh, that there's an incredible reception. Uh and and I do wonder too, again, like thinking about the George Whitfield thing. I do wonder too, if we might see some of that tide turning early on. Whitfield was not embraced by a lot of the church, but as he persevered, he eventually was. Uh, I think God is on the move, certainly in America, but also we've talked about how one of the the fastest growing underground churches in the world is in Iran. In the midst of the craziness going on, God is on the move all over the place. And so this is a movie that that hopefully can impact America, but not just America. This is something that might be able to reach people around the world. So definitely encourage people, if you can support this, and then when it comes out in September, support it again by going to see it in the theaters.

SPEAKER_02 25:49

Yeah, it's almost like his individual story because of all the challenges that he faced. God used that to make him even a better, you know, influencer in the world and have that optimism and be able to bring the biblical perspective. And the same way, in a lot of these nations where they faced persecution, the church has been able to grow even stronger as a result of that. So it's a pretty good parallel there. Uh well, appreciate Nick joining us today. Don't forget all those dates and events coming up that Tim was talking about earlier. Be sure and visit our website today if you want to learn more about those events coming up this summer, wallbuilders.com. Wallbuilders.com at our main website, and then wallbuilders.show for the radio program. And then, of course, you can catch us on all the different podcasts out there from uh Spotify to Castbox to you name it. Go check it out and download and share with your friends and family. Make sure you're sharing those links with your friends and family because that's going to help you be a force multiplier. You get to be a part of this, but it helps our program grow and reach more people with the truth. Thanks so much for listening to the Wobbler Show.