Chris Grainger: 1:43

Welcome to the question. How do we be the leader of EDB? October Father 2026 we started number spotlight for a fun Friday in that one. According to his funding loving kindness of the headset, if you remember guys off episode. So go back tuning your podcast feed. Listen to those cast yes this week with Patrick Morley, just a wonderful guest and thankful for him for sharing. I mean the book from Broken Boy the Minuteman with many guys that I'll am able to talk with that alignment edit. So thanks again to Patrick for sharing. And again, guys, if you like the SKU episode, we go Monday through Friday every day in the line with edit. Every morning we go live, we share scripture, we have five flag.org, and it's free. We offer that just a way to connect with it. It's called the Daily Scripture kickoff, head over to the line with n.us to get started. So I'm excited for this one. The guy that we're getting ready to talk with is a blessing and me. He drops around in his RB called the Blessing. And uh I just uh so so excited. So Bonkey, how are you doing this morning? Doing great. Expect to get better. I I love it. I love it. Well, Bonkey has has been in the line for for quite a while. Bunky, how did you find the line? I'm trying to remember how did you even find the line within it?

Bunky Griffith: 3:27

You know, I I just don't really remember. I was wondering that myself. I don't know if it was on a Facebook post or what it was, but or YouTube, but I'm so glad I found it. It's been such a big blessing to me.

Chris Grainger: 3:41

Well, you've you've blessed us for sure. And maybe get share a little bit with our listeners out there about you know your your testimony, you know, where how you came to know Christ. Just love just to share with what you like. Okay.

Bunky Griffith: 3:55

I am 71 years old, and uh I got saved when I was 25 years old. I had never been to a what I call a church, except maybe two or three times. Uh my parents didn't uh raise us in church, but they had very good values and everything. So there was a lady and a gentleman that stopped by our house and asked if my brother and I could go to Sunday school. So we met her at the end of the driveway, and it was a little old Methodist church where they had the wooden pews and the and the pot belly stove there, and the classroom next door was the Sunday school. And everybody had a table. You know, everybody was in one room. So we went two or three times, and it, you know, it's just one of those things that, you know, we didn't do. And then when we were 25 years old, we lived in a mobile home park. And uh they were having a bus ministry. And at that time I was working shift work at DuPont, and uh that was a rotating shift, and I got up from work and my wife said, Well, bus ministry came around, and I'm gonna let the kids go to church. I said, Oh, really? That's good. Where? And she told me, Where? I said, You did what? And she told me where. I said, Do you know this church? I said, This is a church where they run up and down the aisles, they speak in tongues, they fall out on the floor and all this kind of stuff. I said, I got to go check this church out first before they go. So I contacted the pastor and I set up a meeting with him, and I knew just enough about the Lord to get me completely mixed up. And my grandmother was a believer of Billy Graham and Oil Roberts. So she said, Well, Oil Roberts sent me this cloth and said, if you put it anywhere on your body, you're gonna get healed. And I thought I just gave her that look. So I took that all into the pasture with me. Now, I went into his uh office, he was in his suit, and I sat there and he just let me talk, just like I'm doing now. And I went ahead and said, Look, I don't know much about this Billy Graham. This old Roberts has got me upset when he sends this stuff to my grandmother. I said, I know all they want is money. And everything I said, all he did is sit there with his arms crossed and said, Mm-hmm. That's all he did. He never replied or anything. I said, Well, this is not going anywhere fast. So he went ahead, and all of a sudden he got up from around his desk and sat on the floor. Well, that shocked me because he was in a suit and asked me to sit on the floor beside him, and he opened up his Bible, and he got me to read scripture and he asked me what that meant. And through that, he was leading me to the Lord, and that's where I got saved in 1979. And uh, you know, so we went to the first church, I mean, first service that they had, and they had an evangelist there, and we were sitting on the back pew. Now, this is when they had wooden pews, and the lady in front of me, you know, she got the shaking and throwing her hands up, and I grabbed the back of the pew and probably still had my fingerprints in it when I left, and I was afraid she was gonna hit her head, and I told my wife, I said, if we live here, live long enough to get out of here, we'll never coming back again. Wow. And uh we ended up staying there for 12 years, and we absolutely fell in love. There was uh a friend that was well, we didn't know him at the time, but he was the assistant Sunday school superintendent, and he took Renee and I, him and their wife, his wife, and took us under his wing and just mentored us and decipled us. And through that, I held every office in the church that there was, including the treasurer. And so we were there for 12 years and loved it. Then after that, we went to another church and uh we felt the call to the ministry. So I went I retired early from DuPont after 20 years and went to school for the ministry in Virginia Beach. And part of that was um Regent University that I went. And then then after that, um we went uh they sent us to the Ukraine. Well, when I was about five or six years old, I would always see Russia, you know, with the uh the red square on the television and everything. And I said, you know, one day I'd like to go there. He never said anything because that was a communist country at that particular time. Well, it still is. But uh I did not know that the Lord was planting that seed into my heart at that particular time. So I I went over there, and my pastor went over with me, and we flew into Kiev and uh never been on a plane, never been on a train, never been out of the country. I looked like the Beverly Hillbelly's gone to the city. Right? And when we landed in Kiev, they met us out on the tarmac with their Uzies, and I'm thinking, what have I got myself into? So got there, got on the train, which was a 17-hour train ride from Kiev to Havana Frankens. Now, this is the type of train that they had. It was this old World War II, like you would see in the World War II movies, the dark green ones. And to give you an example of what it was, you could only go to the bathroom when the train was moving. So that gave you an idea. And uh so so we had a compartment there, it was uh four beds, and the pastor didn't rent the whole thing, so two other people were in there with us, and it doesn't make any difference if it's male or female. You know, they're just looking for a bed. Well, it was so cold in there that I took the mattress and put on top of me because it was so cold. And when I got to Ivana Frankie's, now this was October the 3rd of 1993. So it was cold there, and I looked at it, and people were outside eating ice cream. I said, These people have lost their ever-living mind. Well, within a month, I was right out there with them eating ice cream. There you go. So we were in a city of 300,000, and we started the church, and then we did not get it registered with the government because uh they wanted money, and all it was was going from uh communism to mafiaism, you know. Everybody wanted to get paid, and uh so we met in homes. And uh then one day there was somebody that came to the house, the leader of the mafia wanted to meet me of the city. Wow. Well that that's really interesting. So we went to his house, and I remember his name was Peter, and we walked in his house and we had our interpreter there, and he walked with a limp, so I asked him why why he walked with a limp, and it's because he got shot. So he really didn't talk to us much, but think of it here it is an American pastor in his house, the leader of the mafia. It was more or less a status thing for him, like I've even got control over them. Yeah. But he went ahead and told me if there was anything that I ever needed to let them know, and they would make sure that we got it. So my wife, when we got over there, she needed some winter boots. So our interpreter, I don't know how he found it, but they took us to a great big warehouse, and in that warehouse they could put everything that you could imagine. And she got a pair of Italian-made boots that went up to her almost to her knee, and they were really, really fancy looking, and they probably would have cost three or four hundred dollars, and I think they called us cost us like ten dollars. Yeah. Because the American money over there, they wanted that. Yeah. So we went, we had an apartment, and we hired a cook that came in to cook for us, and her pay where she worked at was fifteen dollars a month, is what she worked for. Well, we paid her $25 a month, and she came in like three days. And she did the shopping for us because over there nothing is ever in one spot. You'd have to go to the open air market, and meat would be hanging, and flies would be all over it, cats would be all around, and that's where you got your meat. Then you would have to go someplace else to get your egg. Then uh back of a truck, it was like the artesian bread. They sold it right out of the back of the truck, handed it to you, no wrapper on it, no nothing. But we absolut we absolutely loved it. And uh, you know, when I was over there for three months by myself, and in three months I had lost 38 pounds. And uh then when Renee came over, she stayed with me for three months. We came home for a month, and I went back for an additional three months. And what we did is to train them to reach their own people with a gospel. And we told we told them that they were gonna have to learn how to trust God just like we have to, right, and uh that the United States is not God.

Chris Grainger: 15:10

Right.

Bunky Griffith: 15:10

So we supported them for a while. Now they're doing really well, and through that they started another church over there that's reaching more reaching more people, and they're really ministering to the Russian uh guys that got hurt in the war. But if you stop and look at it, the Ukraine used to be part of the USSR. So it's like our civil war. You got relatives fighting against relatives. Yeah, you know, so that they're really ministering to them, which is a good thing. And one of the girls, when we were she was eight years old, uh, she got saved, and now she lives in the United States. Wow. Well, on December the 3rd, 2024, we felt like we wanted to sell our home and buy an RV and hit the road to see God's beautiful creation in the United States, and also to share our testimony and tell people that God loves them right where they're at. Not where we want them to be, but right where they're at. Yeah. We named our RV, it's called the Blessing. It's uh it's a 39-foot uh class A, which is a motor home, and we have it on the front of it and on the back of it called the blessing. So when we go to the RV parks, you can see people come by and they'll look at it and they'll say, Well, what does the blessing mean? Well, I tell them, you've opened up the door, so now I'm gonna walk to it, and you gotta listen to what I say. I tell I I also tell them that look, I've never met a stranger, we're friends, you just don't know it yet. And and then I tell them that I just want to let you know, and I point to my jaw that the doctor thinks I need another jaw replacement, because this is the third one because I talk so much. So when we took our first trip out to uh Nebraska because that's where our youngest daughter lives, and on the way, the girl that was in the Ukraine that lives in the United States now lives in Illinois. And she is an interpreter, a Russian interpreter and Ukrainian interpreter, and she helps people coming over here to get their paperwork straight and everything. Well, she found out that we were coming there and that we stayed at Hampshire, Illinois at a love truck stop, and she found out about it, and she came, got us, and took her back to her home, and her mother was there. Now, what this is in night uh 2024. We have not seen them since 1994. So that was a great reunion. And I made a short video and told the people, I said, you know, for the people that believed in us and planted seed in us, this is part of your harvest also. Amen. And that the harvest is still going on. So that gives you a little bit of where we're at. We're in Delaware now, uh, taking a little break and getting some healing done, and then probably the mid-January, end of January, we're gonna see where we're going next. Love it. Love it.

Chris Grainger: 18:59

Thank you for that's a short, that's a that's a short version. Well, thank you for sharing that, Bonkey, and and so so blessed by you and your call to ministry and your obedience to it. And damn curious, what what led you to the masterminds? What why do you enjoy them so much?

Bunky Griffith: 19:13

Well, the mastermind, I went ahead and signed up for it and because I needed help with uh time management, you know. So many times we I get so many texts, and I'm a great starter on starting stuff, but I'm really lousy at finishing it, you know. And the mastermind helped me to identify what God was leading me into, and if God was speaking to me about getting involved in that, and if not, I needed to make a consideration. Do I want to do it and do I want to get out of it? So that helped me out a lot to to understand what God wants me to do, not what Bunky wants to do.

Chris Grainger: 20:02

What's been some of the hardest part of it, Bunky?

Bunky Griffith: 20:05

The hardest part of it is giving up or turning stuff over to other people. Uh, as a matter of fact, I've uh been training my wife on how to get the directions on when we're going on the road and all that kind of stuff, you know, and she's gonna be learning how to do um the reservations and turning the finances over to her and stop being the control group, so to speak. You know, that it's like when I used to be a corporate trainer when I was in um the corporate world, and I told him right up front, I said, I'm gonna train you the way that I do it. You may find a better way to do it. That's okay. It's like washing the car. I'm gonna show you how to wash your car. You may wash the car different. I don't care as long as the car is washed. Right. That's right. You know, so we have to look at it that way. And I think I think if if you're in leadership, you always have to train your replacement. Right.

Chris Grainger: 21:21

Okay.

Bunky Griffith: 21:21

And they and be happy if they excel and do both.

Chris Grainger: 21:25

Well, I know these groups have been blessed just by your your wisdom that you bring to the table with and and um but I've also recognized it's probably impacted your walk with Christ as well. So if you think about d your time in the masterminds, maybe what's been the biggest impact for you directly?

Bunky Griffith: 21:43

Biggest impact for me is relationship. I've got to know some people because we do it on a Zoom call and you get to see them. Uh each uh two weeks they bring their thing that they may need help with or struggling with and it's just building that relationship and speaking into their lives but also allowing them to speak into my life and make a change. Because I really believe that they're a good group group of men. The uh one that is doing it is in charge of it the facilitat facilitator is absolutely wonderful and uh can just draw out some good things from you. And I think that comes from his training that he's got from the line within also. Right. So it's a it's a trickle down thing. Leadership always trickles down from the top. It doesn't trickle up.

Chris Grainger: 22:45

That's right. Well Bonkey there's probably guys listening right now who who are not in the line first and haven't checked this out from from our community and and are considering the mastermind but you know sometimes it can taking that first step can be quite difficult you know because it's something new. So if you were to be able to say one word or just something encouraging to those that are thinking about the line or thinking about the mastermind, what would it be to them?

Bunky Griffith: 23:14

Well I would say get into the SKO first. Find out what it's about you'll like it and then from there get into the mastermind and have the faith to do it. Faith to me is like taking the next step knowing that God has already been there. I don't believe God's going to lead you into anything that you should but when you go in there into the mastermind go in there with an open mind and be able to learn and suck up as much knowledge as you can you know because there's a lot of knowledge in there but that's your responsibility to draw from the other people and then apply it to your life.

Chris Grainger: 24:09

Right. Amen Monkey well you definitely bless us with your wisdom discernment I I hear all the time about how the guys enjoy your perspectives and your it's all biblical everything from a mastermind that's what we lead with we lead with the Bible. So I'm just thankful for you and thank you for for you for sharing your testimony today.

Bunky Griffith: 24:27

It's been a lot of funky well I love being in the mastermind they're such a blessing to me I watch the SKO almost every day and then I go back and watch the replay to make sure that I can learn even more and just focus on God. And uh I would also encourage them to get into the U version the Bible app because you've got so many classes and courses in there that they can take and it doesn't cost anything.

Chris Grainger: 24:58

Just I wish I could get a tele a TV I mean a t-shirt made just do it that's right that's right that's right well Bungy this has been great so guys thank you for listening look before we go remember the book of the week this week is from Broken Boy to Mended Man Mended Man sorry from Patrick Morley. He wrote uh Man of the Mirror some of you guys may have heard of that book but this one right here for you guys that are dealing with uh childhood trauma it could be from a father who wasn't there he maybe he abandoned you maybe he it was abuse whatever it may be this is a great resource I've I've shared Bunky I've shared this with several guys in the lion already and it's just been a uh the feedback has been phenomenal so get guys get a copy of your book you can just go check out Amazon and check that out right now so Bunky we always do dad jokes on our fun Friday episodes I'm gonna run two dad jokes by you okay let's see let's see which one you like so the first dad joke is what do you call a deer with no eyes do you know what that's called no that's a no idea you know so so that's number one now to add on to that what do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs do you know what that's called no idea what's a steal no idea right what's a what steal a steal no idea yeah not going anywhere there you go guys so I don't know which one you like best monkey but hey they're supposed to the dad joke I like the first one there you go there you go so guys there's there's your two jokes the number one and number two the first one's what do you call a deer with no eyes that's no idea and then number two what do you call a deer with no eyes and no legs that's a steal no idea so let us know which one you like best we one of our our dad joke uh I guess the dad joke king of the lion is is Doug. So he always is sharing some dad jokes with us but uh if you got a dad joke you want to send us guys just send that over to support at the lionwithin.us and the question of the week this week has been what lies from the enemy do you need to rebuke today? We all got lines that the enemy's trying to steal kill and destroy and take and take out of our joy of our day so whatever that lie is fellas bring it to the foot of the cross and just guarantee you that that that that if you do that and surrender that that that lie does not have power anymore. So Monkey you have anything else you'd like to share today sir I'd like to say thank you for the opportunity Chris I mean I am so thankful that we met and don't be surprised one day if I just show up at your place. Brother you're you're more than welcome anytime monkey this has been an honor. Thank you so much for sharing and guys all the stuff he's talked about Monkey and I have talked about from a daily spiritual kickoff to the community that he's a big part of to the leadership masterminds that's found at the Lion Within that's thhelionwithin.us so go check that out there you can do slash mastermind to check it out monkey already mentioned the Bible app love writing for those folks that they've just been a blessing to me. So if you go to the Bible app search for the lion within us you follow our page there I think right now it's over 50 plans we have on the Bible app and uh it's been incredible just to see how guys have been reaching out I get emails daily now from guys that are just reading our plans and they're finding encouragement whether it's temptation or pornography or their marriage or whatever they're struggling with and just know that there's people that care about them it's been incredible. So all that fam fellows at the lionwithin.us so give us a rating and review if you don't mind if you want to support you can go to lionwithin.us slash donate you can connect with us there and other than that fellas have a great day great weekend bunky this has been a lot of fun and uh guys just keep unleashing the lion within if there's one habit that can change your home it's this when a husband prays with his wife not because it's a magic formula but because it recenters your marriage under God's authority and care. And let's be honest a lot of guys want to do it but most don't know how to start without it feeling awkward. Maybe you tried it before and it felt forced or maybe you've never tried it because you don't even know what to say. Or maybe you're thinking man I'm not a pastor I'm just a guy and that's why we created this guide. It's our how to pray with your wife simple guide. It's biblical it's practical and it's designed to help you start praying with your wife in a way that actually feels natural. So it's a five section guide and it gives you a simple framework to get started. Okay. It makes sure everything is grounded in scripture and it also has a powerful PDF that you can pull up whenever you need especially when things get off because they're gonna get off that's normal. So this is all about reclaiming your marriage and reclaiming the spiritual leadership reigns of your home because praying with your wife is one of the strongest ways to fight for unity to build trust and to write the ship when life starts to pull you off a course. So if you're ready get access today at thelinewithin.us slash guides that's thelionwithin dot us slash guides and start unleashing the line within at home by leading your marriage through prayer