Fr. Joseph Trollinger became General Manager of Breakthrough in 1985. After a short time away, his wife Regina and he returned to both serve as board members from 1988-2009. They were also both involved in the editorial work of this magazine. With their recent retirement and in honor of their many years of service, "The Intercessor" asked the Trollingers to share some of their memories of Breakthrough.
Q. How did you first hear about BT?
A. We heard about BT before it even existed because Regina offered to volunteer for Chosen Books Publishing Co., and Len LeSourd told her about a ministry he and Catherine were starting. By the time BT came about, Regina was working at Chosen Books and soon BT moved its offices to the same building.
Q. Why did you become involved?
A. We wanted to work in a Christian ministry; and, of course, we were asked to join by Leonard LeSourd.
Q. What has it meant to you personally being involved at BT?
A. Working in BT has given us great personal satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment. We believe God designed and intended for us to serve others, and a ministry in intercessory prayer was dear to our hearts.
Q. How have you seen BT develop and change over the years?
A. Over the years BT has gone from a small, antiquated box file system to a systematized computer system that is efficient and effective. BT has kept up with the changing technology mainly due to Larry Bohlayer and his implementations and innovation.
Q. What has been your favorite thing about being involved in BT?
A. Our most favorite memories and treasures are the many prayers that have been answered over the years and the many lives that have been touched and changed. Prayer is powerful and God intended for us all to daily lift our fellow persons to the throne room of God.
Q. What has been the most difficult thing?
A. The most difficult experiences over the years have been the coming and going of Christian personnel who have worked within the ministry. Most of them bonded with one another and became prayer partners and true brothers/sisters in Christ Jesus. When God chose to move them on to other pursuits and ministries it was hard to say "goodbye." Naturally, we loved them but bade them Godspeed. Saying goodbyes were often very difficult.
Q. What do you think has been BT's biggest impact?
A. Marshalling people to pray for others. There are many people who want to do something worthwhile to help others but either don't know how or for one reason or another are unable. However, BT has shown shut-ins, prisoners, the elderly, and others that they can pray effectively and bring about glorious results. We have seen marriages restored, sick people healed, jobs become available for those not working, deliverances, and people coming to accept Christ as their personal savior.
Q. Looking back, what is one of your favorite stories about BT?
A. We have marvelled over and over again at the caliber and talents and abilities of those who have come to BT to work for a season. As mentioned before, God chooses after a season to move them on to other pursuits and ministries. But while they are at BT, it is wonderful to watch them exercise their God-given talents, gifts and abilities to His great glory. As the scriptures tell us in John 15:16: "You did not choose me...."
Another one of the amazing things about BT was the provision of God and His timing (which was always perfect). As a faith-based ministry, BT is solely dependent upon the gifts of those supporting the ministry through donations. There were many times when employees of the ministry had to wait for their paychecks until funding came in to pay them--sometimes two weeks or more. But God always came through as checks came in to cover operating expenses and the payroll. Such experiences teach Christians serving in ministries to increase their faith and to stay humble.
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