Don’t forget! Tuesday, August 4 @ 4:30 pm PDT. Zoom in and take a seat for a time of prophetic encouragement and Q&A.

For over forty years, I traveled this incredible globe. I don’t know about you, but a lot of the digital spaces we hang out in feel completely one-dimensional to me. I actually looked up the mathematical definition of one-dimensional recently, and it said:

“Defined by a single coordinate point; lacking both width and depth.”

Lacking width and depth. That perfectly describes how I feel about social media most days.

Yet, here I am, showing up in your feed, hoping to catch your attention. My actual prayer—and yes, I do pray about this—is that these digital notes might somehow open the door to real, thoughtful conversations with some actual depth.

Escaping the “Back in My Day” Trap

Let me be clear: I have zero desire to be “That Guy.” You know the one—the guy who constantly complains that *back in his day*, things were better, or that my generation had it so much harder. I know there is nothing new under the sun, and I am genuinely all for positive progress. I’m certainly not anti-social media, or I wouldn’t be sitting here writing today.

But it does leave me wrestling with a very real question: **How do we actually connect face-to-face anymore?**

The Loss of Built-In Community

I spoke, ministered, and led worship in churches, at conferences, and on countless stages. The beauty of that life was that connection was practically built-in.

After every event, people would naturally drift up to the front to say hello.

“Hi, I’m Bob, thanks for your time...”

“Hey Bob, it’s great to meet you.”

Sometimes it turned into a deep conversation, sometimes it was just a passing handshake. But either way, I was standing in front of a real, breathing human being. We were sharing the same physical space, reading each other’s body language, and communicating in real-time.

Does anyone else miss that organic, three-dimensional interaction? Or is it just me? Am I just feeling the friction of transitioning off the road, or is it fair to admit that a screen is never going to fully satisfy our very human need to connect?

The Introvert/Extrovert Dilemma

When I was traveling, my social outlets were handed to me on a silver platter: the guy sitting next to me on a flight, the attendees at an event, the local leaders hosting me in their city.

Now? I feel like a 71-year-old man trying to relearn how to make friends. And the funny thing is, I’m not even a hardcore introvert. I’m more of an ambivert—I need my quiet time, but I also enjoy engaging with others.

So, I’m turning the floor over to you. **Honestly, how are you meeting people these days?**

Between remote work, busy schedules, and the digital noise, how do you find your people? Help this floundering—but highly willing—older guy discover some new paths to grow in the modern art of connecting.

That was, at least, until Wednesday night when I found myself lying awake in conversation with the Father. I had been feeling like I was lacking a genuine, burning purpose for being on Substack. I originally started this page a couple of months ago out of simple obedience to the Lord—taking it one step at a time, knowing slow growth builds a strong platform. But I definitely didn’t want to just go through the motions or fake a passionless project. I was searching for a clear focus.

Then, Thursday morning happened.

I was meeting with my friend Mark Snider (atthetableworship.com), and out of nowhere he said, “I just had a vision of you in front of your screen. There were hundreds of people online asking you questions about your journey in the prophetic.”

After our call, I was sitting there contemplating Mark’s revelation, wondering what I was supposed to do with it. Suddenly, in my spirit, I heard: So you ask last night and receive an answer today. Is that not soon enough?

When things like this happen, the best thing for me to do is take a walk, clear my head, and seek the Father’s intent.

On that walk, I heard the words clearly: The Equipping Station.

Then a second wave of insight hit that afternoon when talking with another friend (it's cool to have great friends), Cathy Atkins, revealed truth about myself and how this lines up with who I am.

Suddenly, it all clicked. This is exactly what I’ve been wanting to do—create a space where I can share 45 years of global ministry with you. I truly enjoy a Socratic, conversational approach to training: we bring an idea to light, and then we let the questions flow and watch how the Father works.

So, I am thrilled to welcome you to my new and improved Substack page: The Equipping Station!

To kick off this new chapter, we are launching our very first prophetic equipping flight with a brand-new Zoom call, The Equipping Station.

Here are the details for our first gathering:

• What: Prophetic Q & A

• When: Tuesday, August 4th

• Time: 4:30 PM Pacific Time

• Where: Zoom (Exclusive to paid subscribers—you will receive the link the day of the gathering!)

I can’t wait to see you face-to-face, share this story, and let your questions flow.

See you there,

Byron

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Prompted by my own frequent use of the phrase in Episode 2, I explore these encounters not as mere coincidences, but as unexpected, God-orchestrated moments that carry a mutual, life-altering impact.

Drawing on the biblical narrative of Philip and the Ethiopian official, I look at how these unplanned moments of connection are the true foundation of discipleship and the Great Commission. Rather than relying on structured programs or massive stadium events, I'm seeing that the next great global spiritual awakening will be fueled by these relational, one-on-one interactions.

My challenge—whether introverts or extroverts—is to cultivate heightened spiritual awareness, remaining open to the everyday moments when they might intersect with someone else’s journey.

Additionally, the episode includes an exciting announcement for paid subscribers: a new interactive monthly Zoom gathering launching on August 4th to deepen community and continue the conversation.

ARE YOU A PAID SUBSCRIBER? Check out new material on the Issachar Report Page! It’s in the navigation bar in the header.

Crystal aims to clarify the true nature and function of prophetic gifts, defining them primarily as tools to reveal God’s heart for the edification, exhortation, and consolation of others.

By examining scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 1…

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Are we standing on the edge of the greatest move of God in history? In this episode, I share a powerful revelation about the new era we’ve entered. Unlike past revivals sparked by a few key individuals or massive tent meetings, today’s outpouring is a grassroots, groundswell movement. God is shifting the focus away from the “big wigs” and pointing directly at you. Tag, you’re it!

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

• The Power of Multiplication: Why true kingdom growth is about multiplication, not addition. Discover how mentoring just five people can ultimately impact millions.

• What is Your “Umbrella” Covering?: A thought-provoking analogy to help you understand the overarching urgency and message you bring to everyday conversations.

• Relational Discipleship: It’s time to move past rigid 10-step programs and return to the lost art of engagement. Learn how to lean into divine appointments at coffee shops, grocery stores, and school.

• Everyone Gets to Play: Fulfilling Ephesians 4 by stepping into the unique works God has prepared for you.

Resources Mentioned: Ready to dive deeper into relational discipleship? Check out my brand-new, 6-part series on Substack called The Art of Walking Alongside: Discipling from the Father’s Heart.

Issachar Report

Introduction to The Art of Walking Alongside

I’ve noticed something in this “New Era” we’re living in. Most of us deeply want to help others, but we often get stuck in the gap between meeting someone and actually discipling them. We convince ourselves that we need to offer a 10-step manual or present a perfectly polished version of ourselves, fearing that without a formula, we have nothing of valu…

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Thank you so much for listening, sharing, and being a part of my life. Have a great day!

Issachar Report Paid Subscribers Zoom Call: Join me Tuesday, August 4th at 4:30 PM Pacific Time for a conversation on the topics from July’s podcasts. Bring your questions and comments, and let’s connect. You will receive a separate email that morning with a link to the Zoom call. See you there!

I learned this most profoundly on Christmas Day in 1984. As my dad lay on his deathbed, he called Crystal and me to his side. He didn’t hand me a heavy list of ministry instructions or a rigid set of rules to live by. He simply asked if we were doing what God had asked us to do. When we said yes, he looked at the rest of the family and declared: “Then leave them alone!” In that single moment, he gave me a true father’s blessing—a declaration of freedom, honor, and favor rather than restriction. That is the true “Father’s Heart.” It’s the profound shift away from the exhaustion of “doing” Christianity and religious laws and toward simply “being” in a branch-and-vine relationship with Jesus. It’s recognizing that God loves us exactly for who we are, not just for what we can become.

This new six-part audio series is all about closing the gap and making that relational shift. Together, we are going to explore how to stop just handing out answers and start asking the kinds of questions that draw out the wisdom God has already placed inside the person you’re guiding. We’re defining mentorship as a commitment to the long haul—prioritizing the relationship itself over any personal agenda. If you’ve ever felt unqualified to mentor because you don’t have it all figured out, you are in the exact right place. We aren’t here to build another formula; we’re here to learn the art of walking together.

I invite you to come join us as a paid subscriber to the Issachar Report to unlock this full audio training series, gain access to exclusive video calls, and much more. Let’s take this journey together.

Key Concepts

The Origin Story, Byron opens with a personal …

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This episode explores the transition from trying to be a perfect, “superhuman” leader to becoming a genuine, vulnerable mentor. Byron reflects on his early life, noting his constant hustle to gain his father's approval, who was a successful leader. He explains that he later carried this same pressure into his faith, striving to be th…

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The Power of Piercing Questions

To illustrate the impac…

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The Core Philosophy

The central theme of this episode is the “challenge without shame” model, which allows mentors to speak hard truths without wounding a mentee’s identity. Operating with “The Father’s Heart,”…

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The Core Philosophy

• Mentors must honor the autonomy of the person they are guiding and recognize that their role is not…

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The Core Philosophy: Moving to Action

The central theme of this episode is helping m…

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AS A PAID SUBSCRIBER LOOK FOR THE NEW 6 PART SERIES, THE ART OF WALKING ALONGSIDE: A DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING FOR THE NEW ERA. COMING SOON!

It Was The Midnight Shift

I was awake to ring in 2026, though not because I was trying to. I’ve just always been wired for the night shift. Four decades on the road—first chasing concerts, then traveling for speaking gigs—permanently set my internal clock, even now as I run my Substack from the comfort of home.

Right at 11:59:59 on New Year’s Eve, I felt a distinct shift. As the clock struck midnight, I heard a massive, echoing “click” in my spirit—like a heavy vault door locking into place. It was so profound it made me sit up and ask, What was that?

Normally, God speaks to me in whispers—a quiet nudge or a sudden realization. But this was different. The revelation dropped into my spirit all at once, heavy and undeniable, even if it took me a few weeks to fully unpack it.

The End of Limbo

Here is the core of what I heard: The season of transition has ended. We are entering a season of pouring the foundation.

The last few years have been a massive transition for me, starting back in 2023 and culminating on New Year’s Eve. A lot of my friends and the people I mentor have been in the exact same boat. Maybe you’ve felt it, too—that uncomfortable season of flux where nothing feels quite settled.

Look, nobody thrives in permanent limbo. I truly believe God knows our limits, which is why these transitional seasons rarely stretch beyond five years. You simply can’t build a house while the ground is still moving. Transition is for discovery; if you try to build your life before the dust settles, you’ll just end up having to tear it down and start over. It’s always better to wait out the shift.

In 2026: We’re Pouring the Concrete

That spiritual “click” at midnight was our exit sign from transition. Now, in 2026, we are called to lay a solid, unshakable foundation. What that actually looks like is between you and the Lord, but here is what you need to know:

• It is custom-built: You can’t borrow someone else’s blueprint. The Father is pouring concrete tailored specifically for the contours of your actual life.

• It starts internally: This process begins in your quiet moments with Dad, paying attention to the unique desires and passions He’s wired into you.

• It moves externally: As you deepen that inner relationship and act on what you hear, your internal foundation will naturally begin to take shape in your physical reality.

I have to keep reminding myself right now: Don’t rush the build. We have this entire year to do the groundwork, weigh our hearts, and prepare for what’s next. Don’t stress about putting up the walls until 2027. In talking with the people I mentor, a clear prophetic theme keeps coming up: 2027 will launch roughly a decade of intense, focused building. That is exactly why 2026 has to be all about the foundation.

What isThe Bigger Picture? It’s A Tectonic Shift

There’s a deeper timeline at play here. This isn’t just a personal shift; we have crossed into a new frontier in the Kingdom of God. We aren’t just changing seasons; we are stepping into a new epoch—a shift that spans hundreds of years. This is a tectonic movement for the world.

But why now?

You might have heard people talk about the “billion-soul harvest.” Back in 1913, William Seymour prophesied that in 100 years, we would begin to see an unprecedented move of God. We are living in that window. The Father is on the move. If we are going to help steward a wave of a billion people encountering Jesus, our personal foundations have to be the strongest they have ever been. We are the infrastructure God will use to build His purposes on the earth.

That’s Why Everyone Gets to Play

This isn’t about packing mega-churches or stadiums. It’s about you. It’s about the people in your day to day life—your coworkers, your family, your neighbors—who don’t know Jesus yet but are suddenly discovering a hunger for something real.

All over the world, millions are sharing stories of meeting Jesus in dreams and visions. The Lord is setting us up to be the boots on the ground for the people in our circles when they experience these things and start asking questions. As the late John Wimber used to say, “Everyone gets to play!” You are God’s chosen revelation to someone in your sphere of influence.

Don’t let the thought of “billions” overwhelm you. Just focus on those right in front of you. If we focus on laying the groundwork the Father is instructing us to lay today, we will be perfectly on time and anchored in His plan.

Many blessings to you as you step into all the Father has for you this year.

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NEW FOCUS

This year marks the beginning of a foundational year for me. For over forty years, I traveled the globe, and it was wonderful. Then last year, Dad offered me the chance to stay home. His comment was, “I can’t fulfill all I have for you if you’re always traveling. I want to expand your reach!”

We are now past 2025, the year of transition, and have entered 2026, the year of Foundation. With this, you will notice the name change to Issachar Report, and each Sunday afternoon (PST), there will be video and written articles on topics based on the revelation the Father has poured into my spirit.

ARE YOU A PAID SUBSCRIBER?

As a paid subscriber to my Substack account, I want you to know that, whether you are a Monthly or a Founding member, you will be entering a new season. Your benefits have gained some new ground.

1. As a Monthly Member, you already have access to weekly articles/videos, but now you can also join quarterly Zoom calls and receive an invitation to our Fall Gathering. This Fall is our 4th Annual Fall Gathering here in Vacaville. You might consider joining us. We’ll have more information coming soon.

2. As a Founding Member, you receive all of the Monthly Member benefits, plus you receive all trainings in video or written format. Only Founding Members have access to these.

Thanks again for being a paid subscriber to the Issachar Report and for loving Crystal and me.

Byron

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Introduction: The Western Disease of "Next"
In our Western culture, we are conditioned to be problem-solvers. If a room is too cold, we turn up the heat. If we don’t like our job, we browse LinkedIn. If we are unhappy in a season of life, we assume something is "broken" and needs to be "fixed."
We have developed a theology of entitlement—the belief that if we are uncomfortable, we are entitled to change our circumstances immediately. But as we look at Scripture, we have to ask a difficult question: Is our primary calling to change our situation, or to be changed by it?

The Scriptural Standard of Enough
The Bible speaks a language that feels foreign to our consumer-driven hearts.

• Luke 12:15 warns us: "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." (NIV)

• 1 Timothy 6:6-8 takes it further, stripping life down to its barest essentials: "But godliness with contentment is great gain... if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." (NIV)

Paul, writing from a prison cell, gives us the famous words of Philippians 4:11-13. He says he has "learned the secret" to being content in any situation, whether well-fed or hungry. We often quote verse 13—"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (NKJV)—as a slogan for achieving our goals. But in context, Paul is saying Christ gives him the strength to endure his current circumstances, not necessarily to escape them.

Before we can be abandoned for our callings and purposes, it is wise that we first be abandoned to God Himself. To be abandoned to Him signifies a total surrender and union. It is the realization that we are not our own.

In the Western church, when we feel discontented, our immediate reaction is to fix it. But our first call is always the act of abandoning ourselves to His sovereignty. We cannot be abandoned for Him without first being abandoned to Him.

Is it Time to Change, or Time to Stay?
How do we know if a difficult situation is a "closed door" we should walk away from, or a "blessing" in disguise intended to refine us?

• Hebrews 13:5 gives us the anchor: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" (NIV)

The indicator isn't our comfort level; it’s our proximity to Him. If our desire to change our circumstances is born out of an entitled heart that says, "I deserve better," we are likely running from a lesson God wants to teach us. If we haven't first sought His will, we are merely practicing self-preservation, not discipleship.

Conclusion: The Call to Surrender
The blessing isn't always found in the exit strategy. Sometimes, the blessing is the furnace itself.

Before you try to change your circumstances, ask yourself: "Am I abandoned to God in this moment?" If you are truly surrendered to His will, you may find that the "change" you were looking for wasn’t a change of scenery, but a change of heart.

My mom had it right some of the time. Her only goal was to help me learn to be bold and brave. But always going out to change my circumstances led me to believe I should change them whenever I want. I had to stop trying to manage my life for God and start surrendering it to Him. This, in turn, leads me to contentment that the world can neither give nor take away.

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Bys Books

"How joyous are those who love the Lord and bow low before God, ready to obey Him."

There is a distinct theme running through all that the Lord has been downloading into my spirit for this New Era: humility and unity. This verse speaks directly to it—bowing low before the Lord and being ready to obey His voice. It is an incredibly powerful time to be part of the body of Christ, provided we can walk in this humility and unity, genuinely serving one another as we discussed previously.

I was deep in reflection on this dynamic when I clearly heard the Holy Spirit ask, "Who has the power to move a mountain?"

I continued pondering that thought and, naturally, my first response was, "Lord, You do. You have the power to move a mountain." But then, a sudden realization hit me: "Wait a minute! I have the power to move a mountain through my faith!" In Matthew 17:20, the disciples came to Jesus in private after failing to heal a boy. They asked, "Why couldn’t we drive that demon out?"

"Jesus replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you!’"

So, my ultimate response is: "You, Lord. You have all the power." There is no limit or end to His power. It is eternal in its fullness, and it is always growing. The profound paradox of God is that He is simultaneously entirely complete and ever-increasing.

Yet, we also possess that power because of our faith in Him. Have you ever looked at the tip of a ballpoint pen? It is about 1 to 2 millimeters wide. That is roughly the size of a mustard seed. It is incredibly small! And according to Jesus, that is all the faith it takes. It is our faith in Him—understanding His power, knowing exactly who He is, and activating that truth in our daily lives—that releases the ability to tell a mountain to move from here to there.

How fun would that be?

This is an excerpt from The Issachar Report coming soon! To learn more about my books: BysBooks.com

It was in that same local community that he met his wife and started a family. Now thirty-six, he wanted nothing more than to raise his children, perform his job well, and observe his daily prayers. A quiet man, he relished the solitude of his work. Hour after hour, while repairing everything from busted light fixtures to those squat, four-wheeled tugs that push planes around the tarmac, the thought seemed to take root: What if God touched the earth today?

The true catalyst, however, arrived one evening when a friend asked Ameen to cover his shift, inadvertently placing him in the airport chapel with a small group of college students.

Deciding to help his friend was easy. It was during this shift switch that he was driven deeper into the unknown.

God still speaks today, as strongly as he did to Paul on the road to Damascus. Many who are receiving revelation of truth are stepping out, trusting that God will work on their behalf. Leaving family, friends, and in fear for their lives, they are now living in many nations, able to worship a living God. A savior of hope that never leaves us.

PURCHASE TODAY!

This excerpt from Falling Through the Stars focuses on a young Muslem family man discovering a path he never would have considered if it hadn't been for that one evening at prayers.

He stood beneath the canopy of the night sky, watching his smoke drift upward to mingle with the city lights and the darkness beyond. The stars were elusive here, washed out by bright streetlamps and neon shop signs. Seeking a moment of solitude, he turned, walked to the far end of the mosque, and leaned his back against the cool outer wall.

He inhaled deeply. Squinting past the urban glare, he longed for the crisp, diamond-hard starlight of his childhood homeland. As a boy, he would often sneak out to the hills near his house, letting the absolute darkness envelop him until the stars felt close enough to touch. Those were the golden memories of his life before the move.

Leaning against the mosque wall, a question suddenly rushed into his mind. It was so clear and vivid that he felt the stars had reached down through the darkness, past the smog and neon, to pierce his very being: What if God touched the earth today?

Purchase Today: https://a.co/d/00fQgwDO

I’ve been on a journey of discovery lately, observing individuals and organizations that seem to command influence simply by being exactly who they are. I wanted to drill down into the "why." What exactly are they doing that sparks such deep, undeniable engagement?

The common thread was unmistakable: a profound love for what they do.

They weren't manufacturing a persona. They were expressing what they loved with honesty, authenticity, and zero pretense. There was no slick sales pitch—just pure heart. Those are the people who truly inspired me.

It made me pause and ask a vital question: "Shouldn’t this be the ultimate goal for every believer?" Shouldn't our goal be to present the truest version of ourselves to the world? To live in such a way that people are drawn into the Kingdom not by our "pitch," but by our absolute lack of hypocrisy?

Love Without Pretense

Romans 12:9 gives us the exact blueprint for this kind of influence: "Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." (NASB)

Paul is inviting us to a higher way of living. Healthy love naturally lacks hypocrisy; it carries the weight of true authenticity. When we offer our honest, unmasked selves to the world, we are expressing a true, God-centered love.

At first, I asked myself, "What do I do honestly and with joy?" That was the question that started my initial research. But as I uncovered this concept of "love without pretense," I realized my first question was still entirely too self-focused. The influential people I was studying were not focused inward; they were focused on projecting that authentic love outward.

So, my question had to shift. It became: "Where in my life am I operating from love without hypocrisy?"

This isn't about a functional outcome; it's about the deep posture of the heart. I am far less concerned now with "finding myself," and far more engaged in the pursuit of expressing unhypocritical love. This shift successfully removes the focus on "who I am" and replaces it with, "How do I love others?"

~From…