Real America’s Voice: Joni Table Talk – October 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Joni Table Talk delivers an engaging double-feature:
Segment 1 is a roundtable conversation on the power, accessibility, and relevance of the Bible in daily life, featuring guest Zach Windall, author of The Bible Simplified.
Segment 2 features Martin and Millicent Cedra, who share their story of growing up under religious persecution in Egypt, their dramatic escape, and their bold, current-day ministry in Australia focused on sharing the gospel with Muslims and others.
Both segments are unified by messages of faith, courage, and the transformative power of scripture.

Segment 1: “Making the Bible Accessible” with Zach Windall

(Starts ~[02:31]; Guest Zach Windall joins at [07:11])

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Bible: Approaching an Intimidating Book

• Panelists (Dorothy Newton, Anna Kendall, Rachel Ann Brown, Rebecca Lamb Weiss, Cindy Murdoch) share personal experiences on overcoming the intimidation many feel approaching the Bible.
  • Emphasis on “just start” and trusting the Holy Spirit for comprehension ([03:25]).
  • Reading with their children; using audio Bibles and various versions to enrich understanding ([03:50]).

Verses That Resonate

• The panel shares “life verses” and recent scriptures that have impacted them.
  • Proverbs 3:5-6 & Jeremiah 17:7–8 featured for their life guidance and comfort ([05:01]).
  • “He whose mind is stayed on me… kept in perfect peace.” ([06:30], Cindy Murdoch)

Introducing Zach Windall and His Story

• Zach recounts a childhood witnessing repeated miraculous healings of his mother ([08:07]).
  • “My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer… she ended up being healed… miracle, praise God.” ([08:07], Zach)
• Despite seeing miracles, he admits to drifting away from faith during his late teens to mid-20s, influenced by cultural trends and doubts ([09:44]).

Recommitting to Faith: The “Two Year Challenge”

• At his spiritual low, Zach prayed:
  • “God, I’m going to give you two years, prove that you’re real. Otherwise, I’m stepping away from it.” ([11:16])
• Embarked on reading the entire Bible in 90 days (“B90X” inspired by P90X workouts) and then deeply studied each book over a year in Australia ([11:33]).
  • “You would study for 12 hours a day, six days a week… write your own commentary on the text.” ([12:19])

From Study Notes to Publishing Success

• Zach's notes evolved into The Bible Study—a guide that has sold over half a million copies ([13:11]).
  • “It became the number four fastest growing consumer product in America… only God.” ([14:18])
• On what makes his approach unique:
  • “I wrote it for me… for what I wish I would have had when I was starting out.” ([14:31])

Tackling Hard Questions

• Common questions addressed: Why did Jesus have to die? What is the Kingdom of God? Why do bad things happen? How was Scripture written? ([15:00–15:11])
• The importance of context:
  • “If you read the paragraph before the verse and the paragraph after, you’re gonna know so much more…” ([19:41])

Big Picture Advice

• For newcomers:
  • “Zoom out and understand the big picture storyline… God created a good place, humans messed up, now redemption is unfolding.” ([17:59], [18:09])
• Key revelation: realizing much of the New Testament is letters to specific audiences, not isolated quotes ([18:41]).

Making Scripture Personal

• Practical tip: try rewriting chapters in your own words for true understanding and retention ([17:04]).
• Encouragement: the Bible is meant to connect the reader directly to God and bring peace ([17:49]).

About "The Bible Simplified"

• Walks readers from Genesis to Revelation, emphasizing backstory and main themes before diving into specifics ([20:19]).
• “I never want it to replace the Bible. I want it to be that foundational understanding… so you fall in love with Scripture.” ([20:40])

Notable Quotes

• “The Bible is the only book in the universe that is living and breathing. Absolutely. It is alive.”
  – Anna Kendall ([03:24])
• “Treat every day like the gift that it is and try to find God in the midst. And that really shaped my entire mindset growing up.” – Zach ([08:07])
• “It was written to a specific people group in a specific time, but the Holy Spirit inspired the text that was written.” – Zach ([16:40])
• “Context is so key. But there’s not even a lot of people teaching the context in churches…” – Host ([19:36])

Prayer of Salvation

• Led by Rebecca Lamb Weiss for viewers who wish to accept Christ ([23:24]).

Who is this book for?

• “The new believer for sure. …Also somebody that has read the Bible a dozen times before. …My nephew is 10 and my mother-in-law has read the Bible a handful of times and they’re both getting a ton of it.” – Zach ([25:53])

Closing Thoughts

• The Bible is not meant to be complicated; it's meant to reveal God's desire for a personal relationship ([29:31]).
• “When you get into the word of God and begin to read, I believe you will experience it in a way you never have.” – Host ([29:43])

Segment 2: “From Persecuted to Bold: The Cedra Family Testimony”

(Begins ~[34:03]; Cedras introduced at [36:31])

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Growing Up Christian in Muslim Egypt

• Martin describes life as a minority Christian in a majority-Muslim country, facing threat and violence:
  • “If you’re a Christian, if you’re a pastor, if you preach Christ, they will come after you. …Many Christians get killed, beheaded, slaughtered.” ([37:20])

The Cost of Conversion and Ministry

• Martin’s father, a convert from Orthodoxy, began evangelical ministry—prompting hostility, especially after converting the wife of a local Islamic leader ([39:22], [41:01])

Miraculous Protection

• Multiple failed assassination attempts on Martin’s siblings by Muslim Brotherhood members:
  • “They feel frozen in the van… can’t get out… supernatural hand tie their hands behind their back…” ([41:47–42:39])
• The would-be assassin confesses to Martin's father and converts to Christianity after witnessing the inability to harm the children ([42:54]).

Flight to Australia

• Bounty placed on the family; their address published in papers.
• Family flees overnight to Australia, sacrificing home, business, and family connections for safety ([44:42–45:46]).

The Cross Tattoo

• Martin explains the tradition of tattooing Christian babies with a cross in Egypt to mark their faith for identification and protection from abduction ([45:52]).

Rebuilding in Australia

• The Cedras arrive in Australia as refugees, start over, and ultimately launch evangelistic ministries ([47:42]).

Comparing Religions and Sharpening Mission Focus

• Emphasis on candid comparison between Christianity and Islam:
  • “Not all Muslims are violent, but all Islam is violent. …Islam is a religion of violence and terrorism.” – Martin ([38:13])
• Clarifies: passionate about loving Muslims, but unafraid to point out the problems with Islamic doctrine, especially regarding women's rights ([50:00], [50:44]).

Reaching Muslims with the Gospel

• Studies ways Jesus is represented in the Quran, uses those as bridges for evangelism ([43:39]).
• “Our job is to prove to the Muslims that Jesus is not a prophet, he is the son of God.” – Martin ([44:00])

Sacrifice and Obedience

• The pain and cost to Martin’s parents and the commitment to “go wherever God calls you, even if it costs you everything” ([47:38]).

Love Story & Ministry

• Martin and Millicent share their courtship, bonded by a shared passion for bold ministry ([51:34–54:46]).

Echo Church: Bold Evangelism Today

• Echo Church in Australia described as multicultural, fearless in biblical truth, and open to all, including former Muslims and LGBTQ individuals ([55:50]).
  • “The most loving thing you can do is preach the truth… A guy came in our church in a dress… two months later, dressed like a man… was at the front of our altar call on his knees, weeping, and now serving in the house of God.”
    – Martin ([56:17])

Notable Quotes

• “Jesus loved women. He blessed women. The adulterous woman. …Muslim Brotherhood came after my brothers, wanting to… behead them.” – Martin ([41:20])
• “From refugee to revival, that’s what God did with our story. God does not lose. God is always victorious.” – Martin ([47:42])
• “The real victim here is not the men. It’s the women and children.” – Martin ([51:30])
• “We love you. This is the problem. When you preach the truth, people think it’s hateful. The most loving thing you can do is preach the truth.” – Martin ([56:17])

Sinner’s Prayer

• Martin leads the audience in a prayer to accept Jesus ([58:54]).
  • “Dear Lord Jesus, I repent of my sin…I make you king of my life. Wash me by your precious blood in Jesus name.”
  • Host: “It’s really that simple. The most important prayer that you will ever pray.” ([59:22])

Final Encouragement

• “God handpicked you… to be light in darkness. …You were born for such a time as this. His power, working through you, can make such a difference—all he needs is your Yes.” – Host ([59:50])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Highlight | |-----------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 07:11 | Zach Windall joins | Story of miracles and faith journey begins | | 11:16 | “Two Year Challenge” prayer | Turning point for Zach | | 12:41 | Deep Bible Study in Australia | Background of “The Bible Study” and publishing story | | 17:59 | Advice for newcomers to Bible | Importance of big-picture and narrative | | 19:41 | Power of Context | Urging full context over favorite-verse approach | | 25:53 | “Who needs this book?” | Target audience for “The Bible Simplified” | | 36:31 | Cedra family joins | Start of persecution testimony | | 41:47 | Miraculous protection | Details of Muslim Brotherhood attempt and divine intervention | | 44:42 | Fleeing Egypt | Dramatic overnight escape to Australia | | 50:00 | Women in Islam | Martin’s critique of Islamic law and oppression of women | | 55:50 | Echo Church ministry | Modern evangelism and testimonies in Australia | | 58:54 | Martin’s Sinner’s Prayer | Invitation for viewers to accept Christ |

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “God is big enough to prove who He is. He will reveal Himself to you.” – Host ([59:22])
• “They feel a supernatural hand tie their hands behind their back…” – Martin Cedra ([42:39])
• “God doesn’t lose… that’s what the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt will now be hearing our story, and they’ll be furious. We wanted to destroy them—exactly what Joseph said: ‘You planned to destroy me, but God turned it for good.’” – Martin ([47:42])
• “When you get into the Word of God and begin to read, I believe you will experience it in a way you never have.” – Host ([29:43])

Closing Summary

In this compelling episode of Joni Table Talk, both halves combine to show faith’s active, transformative power and the importance of sharing one’s story boldly and truthfully.

• Zach Windall’s segment inspires listeners to demystify and truly engage the Bible—no matter their starting point—while Martin and Millicent Cedra show what living faith and courage look like under pressure.
• Both guests invite viewers to step into a deeper relationship with God, whether by reading the Bible afresh or by courageously sharing their faith, even in the face of persecution.

Resource Links:

• Zach Windall’s books: zachwindall.com
• Cedra ministry: Echo Church Global

Calls to Action:

• Contact the show’s prayer line for support or free Gospel of John
• Consider reading The Bible Simplified for a clearer understanding of God’s story
• Stand bold in your own faith journey and story