Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is set for one flaw. Introducing first, from welcome to another episode, Q&A with Kolov, The Devil's Nightmare. Always a joy to have somebody in studio with me. Now, many of you get a personal phone call from The Russian Nightmare and get to ask your questions, but today in studio, Frank Mickens, dear friend, welcome back to Q&A with Kolov.
Yeah, this is great. I can't believe you let me come back for a third time, I think. Well, it's second, third time. I mean, you were so good early. I had to have you back.
So, plus you're doing some things, some new things. So, I had to have you back. So, all of our listeners out there can know what Frank Mickens was up to. And we just had a great lunch together here earlier and some great conversation. So, for those who don't know, let's just give a little quick backstory on the famed, I'll say, you won't say it, but I'll say it, the famed newscaster role that you had for about 20 years. So, fill us in on that. My kids always say, dad, everyone knows you. I'm sure your kids have said that too.
Yeah, they downplay it. I was more regional than Nikita was. But yeah, I was a newscaster, news anchor, main anchor for many years, 20 years in the television news career that I had and wrapped up in Indianapolis as a morning anchor.
And that seems like forever and a day ago because it was four years ago, the last time I was on the air, but it feels like it's been like a decade. Sure. Yeah. Right. Yeah.
Yeah. I loved what I did. I was an investigative reporter for a season and worked my way up to main anchor. You did a lot of these, just Super Bowl, covered Super Bowl. I covered Super Bowl.
Oh yeah. I mean, I've covered three political, national political conventions, witnessed a whole lot of stuff there as well. You know, all the things that you think news people have done, I've pretty much done it. I've covered the severe weather stuff, all that, all that.
So, pretty impressive career there for anyone who goes and researches that. And then there came a point though where the Lord said, okay, Frank, that season, if you will, is over. I'm going to move you out of your comfort zone, shall we say, out of Indianapolis, back to Greensboro, North Carolina, and launch you into more full-time ministry. And we're going to talk about that in a minute, but before we get there, more recently, part of the reason I wanted to have you back on was you've launched into the marketplace, not unlike Paul making tents to pay his bills and make a living. You're now selling real estate in the Triad and Greensboro.
So, take a minute and tell our listeners about that. Yeah, we're building Frank Minken's real estate right now, building a real estate team. And when you say comfort zone, it was initially out of my comfort zone, but it's turned out to be a place that I fit really well. A lot of my natural people skills work well there. And people just are looking for, a lot of times, someone that they can trust. And then, you know, we're supposed to be able to trust ministers of the gospel. So, why wouldn't we want to have some ministers of the gospel in the real estate space?
Yeah, in the marketplace, yeah. Yeah, so that's where God has taken me. And God has really required of me childlike faith through the whole thing.
I mean, I like a little boy trusting him. And I always get confused. So, vocational, bivocational, what's the official term?
Oh, I don't even know what we are. I forget there's a term there, though, right? When a pastor of a church also has a full-time job, I guess it's bivocational or vocational.
That's what they say. Maybe bivocational, right? I guess bivocational means two. So, they got the church and they got their marketplace job that they do or whatever. It's walking by faith is what I think.
Okay, yeah, right. So, Frank Mickens Real Estate, and so you're growing that business, and it's helping to fund what the Lord called you. The reason he called you out of out of newscasting and a predominant role there and a very well-known face in the news industry to Faithfire Worldwide. Faithfire Worldwide Revival Ministries.
I knew there was a word I was missing there. Revival Ministries. So, you launched that a number of years ago.
Of course, the Real Estate is helping to fund that. More recently, I was honored to come to speak at a fundraiser for you to help build that as well. So, take a minute or two and tell our listeners what your vision is or what God showed you for Faithfire. I mean, obviously, Faithfire Worldwide, you have a vision beyond America, certainly for America, but beyond America. Yeah, we've done ministry in Africa. We've done ministry in Central America, and we've had open doors to go into Pakistan that just recently opened in Liberia.
So, we're working through some of those things. But mainly, we are a revival ministry. Our mission is revival in the church and awakening in the world. And you'll hear and see people all the time in church circles talking about how they know God's heart is for revival because what we are looking at seeing right now, many of us can discern there's growth needed. There's purity needed. There is a return to biblical foundations needed. And so, this ministry was birthed in me by the Lord to be a part of that, in our small little corner of it, whatever that looks like. And so, we wanna see people change, transformed, and set free into who they are in Christ.
And how does that happen? Some people may say, well, what does that exactly look like? Well, we do prayer meetings. We do revival meetings. We do outdoor crusades. We do community outreach events.
We do them here locally in North Carolina, and we do them around the world. I'm invited to go to Honduras to preach in many churches. So, some of these things are happening in churches, and God will use me to pray with people and see them set free from things they've been stuck in for who knows how long.
We had a meeting this past weekend. I'm being reminded of a particular woman who was just, obviously, she was burdened. And the Lord was able to minister to her and set her free. And so, we're seeing these kind of roadblocks, stumbling blocks, some of these blockages or stones in the heart, even demonic oppression being lifted off of people by the power of the Lord. And then, these people are being set free into being who they are in Christ. And when you see Scripture, what we see, particularly like on the day of Pentecost, when the Lord fell on these people, they changed. They were followers of Jesus before that, but it was at that moment, yeah. Something shifted. They became a force much like Jesus had been. And that's what God's doing in the earth right now. Yeah, more bold, more courageous.
And when the Holy Ghost fell on them and the fire of the Holy Ghost. And so, hey, if you want to learn more about what Frank is doing, if you're in the triad area, certainly in North Carolina or even outside of the triad, but you need someone you can trust, a real estate agent you can trust, Frank Mickens Real Estate. Just go Google that, right? Frank Mickens Real Estate. You'll find Frank. And or to find out more about FaithFire Worldwide Revival, go to faithfireworldwiderevival.com and perhaps you're led to, one, prayerfully partner with Frank and or maybe God impresses upon your heart to contribute financially, whether it's monthly, yearly, annually, one time. But I really want to encourage you to consider that.
This man has, if you can't tell already, such a heart for people and a love for people and just wants to see God's kingdom expanded. And so be sure to check all that out. And it's been, what an honor just to get to build a friendship and get to know you, Frank. And so it's Q&A with Koloff. And so yeah, we always want to give you the opportunity. I have, boy, I have no idea what you're going to ask, but let's segue into whatever questions you may have for me and fire away maybe with your first question.
Well, my first one actually has to do with what we were chatting about just a few minutes ago. You didn't know that this was what I was going to ask you, but is Nikita Koloff your real name? So when people ask me that question that way, I feel I can honestly say, yes, it is. And some are smart enough though to kind of look sideways and go, but you don't sound very Russian.
Right. You don't sound Russian. Nikita Koloff sounds Russian.
At least not now. But you don't sound Russian. And I highly doubt it was good English tutoring that you had along the way. And if they ask, so here's how I'll respond to that. If they are smart enough to say, well, was that your birth name? Then again, I'll be honest and say, no, it was not. Of course, they'll say, well, what was your birth name?
And of course, my little running joke is I can't just, that's not a gimme. You got to work for that. You got to go buy the book. That's right. Which shameless plug here last year, I did an audio version of my life story, Nikita, a tale of the ring of redemption, and now available on all the audio book platforms.
You can't get that one signed, but you get the hard copy signed or you can just go Google it. And it's funny, we were eating with a mutual friend, Robbie Dilmore after I preached at his church recently and the waitress, her husband was a fan, a Nikita Kolov fan. And she's like on the phone with him and he's like, tell him I even know his real name or whatever. Wow. Now that's a real fan.
That's a real fan. So for those of you out there who don't know my birth name, sorry, can't give you that one for free. I'm going to make you earn it. Got to go work for it.
Go Google it or buy the book. You're listening to the Truth Network and truthnetwork.com. If you are a business owner and would like to advertise your company or product on The Man Up Show and or Q&A with Kolov, contact me directly, nikitakolov at kolov.net. The Man Up Show is honored to have Dr. Johnny Gaten as one of our longest running supportive sponsors. Dr. Gaten is regarded as one of the world's leading elite eye surgeons. He is motivated by his faith in doing all things heartily as unto the Lord. His desire to do his best has contributed to success in his eye care practice performing over 70,000 eye surgeries. In addition, he's a world renowned speaker, writer, and author.
Go to eyeassociates.com for more information. Nikita Kolov here and I am excited. Did you hear the huge announcement, the big announcement? Well, maybe it's a minor announcement.
Anyway, Facebook, go look up my new fan page, Nikita Kolov Fans, and like it and follow today. Now, so then who do we owe that name to? So where did that name come from?
Okay, so that's a great question. And so the avid fan would know, but so part of the storyline was I was going to be the nephew of Ivan Kolov, who had a very storied career already in wrestling up to that point. And he was known as the Russian bear.
And so the day I showed up and introduced myself, Jim Crockett, the promoter. So we had the last name figured out, Kolov, and he gave me two options on the first name, Frank. And to this day, I don't ever remember, but the minute I heard Nikita, I remember from my history lessons, Nikita Khrushchev, the Russian leader who banged his shoe on the desk or whatever. And in my head, I'm going, Nikita Kolov, Nikita Kolov.
That's got a pretty good ring to it. So I just looked at Mr. Crockett and I go, I like Nikita. And he was, okay, Nikita Kolov was born in the hallways of Charlotte, North Carolina in 1984. Literally going to interviews, they put that name on the chyron. And I'm introduced to the wrestling ring in Dorton Arena, Raleigh, North Carolina the next night as Nikita Kolov. And then not long after that, as I saw the career kind of take a meteoric approach, I went back to Minneapolis and stood before a judge and legally changed my name so that I can honestly say, yes, my real name is Nikita Kolov. Now, some people might think that's crazy.
Like you want to change your name to something that sounds Russian? What was the heart? I know this is probably my last question. I'm going to get in, but give me the heart and soul behind that decision. It's a great question as well, because in my mind, Frank, I thought, okay, if I'm going to do this and anyone who either knows my story or gets to know me well enough, knows that I'm an all in kind of guy, okay?
So whether it was picking up a bodybuilding magazine at age 12 called Ironman and immediately going out and buying 110 pound plastic weight set with my hard earned money or getting involved in football and getting a dream and a vision of playing in the NFL or becoming a pro wrestler and not just content on being a wrestler, but being a world champion. So setting my gaze on that and then becoming one eight different times, different belts, and then coming to the foot of the cross 17 October, 1993. Well, what do you guess I'm going to do as a Christ follower? I'm going to be in, to use an old expression, all in.
I'm an all in kind of guy. So with that thought, so I didn't change the name immediately, but as I saw the career catapult, like you said, take a meteoric rise, I thought, man, I just need to go change my name because eventually I'm going to fly somewhere or get stopped somewhere or have to show an ID somewhere or something. And wait a minute, I want everybody to look at that ID and go, wow, he really is Nikita Kolov.
And I can't tell you how many people have actually said that. Wow, you really are Nikita Kolov. That's exactly right. Yes, I am. Right.
Did you give him the accent though, when you said, yes, I am. Well, back in the day. So, so 12 years, even post retirement, I maintain that persona 24 seven anywhere in public, anywhere public, even up to three years post retirement, I stayed in character to protect the business because, so what Ivan and Don Crenodle and some of the old timers taught me was we protect the business at all costs and, and project it to be real. And so whatever you need to do to convince others, it's real.
Right. And so, so I thought, well, legally changed my name and developing an accent and, and trying to figure out how those words might sound. I spent about six months doing that. I got a Russian cassette tape back in the day.
If for those of you who don't know what a cassette tape is, go Google that. And I got a workbook Frank. I learned to sign my name in Russian. Like every now and then it autographs. With Cyrillic, you sign it in Cyrillic. With Russian lettering, like I signed my Nikita Kolov like with Russian letters. So like every now and then there was a, there was a, a, a, a, a fast like a gap, fast gas, a gas station, whatever you call fast fare or something gas station back in the day, who did these, these cups for the NWA and for WCW every now and then an autograph signing, somebody will bring one of those cups up. Well, my name on that cup is, is, is in Russia.
Like I wrote a signature in Russian on that cup. Right. And so, yeah, I took, so the mindset was, if I'm going to get this character over, I got to legally change my name. And some ask, well, how'd your family respond to that?
Right. I would, they, I just explained it to them. I say, Hey, here's what I'm doing and here's why. And they're like, okay. So like my mom, your mom did not say, no, my sister, why are you doing this?
No, no, none of them made any kind of a, really a big deal out of it. And to this day, like my sister calls me Nikita. Hey, Nikita, right. You ready to eat dinner? You know, whatever.
Like if I'm visiting her or something or my nephews, my nephews, you know, Uncle Nikita. Oh yeah. Well, all of this came to you because you answered a phone call really. Yup. Right.
Yup. A five minute phone call. How, over the years, how have you made sense of that phone call? Like obviously opportunities come to those who prepared for them, but like from a God perspective, that's a major moment in time for your life. So, you know, you threw an interesting word out there, the word prepared, you know, cause you know, if people follow me on social media, you know, I do my best every day to just post a little something positive or encouraging for people and get a lot of feedback. You know, if people follow me on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook and all that, and, and, and, and, and, and, or follow this radio show and stuff.
And you know, the, the, the goal, the objective is really to, to in some way, hopefully make my small contribution as you're doing with faith fire and, you know, with real estate and whatnot is, is to make a small contribution back to society but ultimately be salt and light and, and, and help to build the kingdom. Right. And so, you know, to, to, and I didn't, there was a term, I didn't know this until much later. Cause I didn't go to acting class or I didn't, I didn't do any of that. I mean, in high school, it was probably one of the quietest kids in, in the classroom, but one, Oh yeah, believe it or not.
Yes. But one of the most violent out on the football field, you know, that's where I released, let, let it all go was out on the football field and, or in the weight room. But so yeah, to see my TV personality is, is, is quite a polar opposite of, of where I first life first began. And then from a God perspective, for him to take a career that by all stretch of the imagination, I really honestly never should have had. I mean, a five minute phone call with no resting experience, no professional training and no amateur background. And to debut in a, in front of a sold out crowd on television was just for many people, pretty mind blowing.
And then to have success with it and then to walk away from it at age 33, which was incredibly unusual for that business only to find myself at an altar 11 months later. And now God over the last 30 plus years, utilize that wrestling platform to reach people for his kingdom is, is humbling to say the least very humbling. So, well, always great to have you in the studio and, and, and certainly to see you. And I just want to encourage all of you out there in listening land. Once again, Frank Mickens, if you're in the triad area, North Carolina, or know somebody who's needing a home in the triad area, please go look up Frank Mickens real estate.
Just go Google that. You'll find this, this good looking young man sitting here in front of me, you'll find his mug all over the internet and, and, or if you'd like to support what he's doing in the world of ministry, whether it's financially or, or, or prayer support, Hey, listen, you know, it's great to have financial donors. It is obviously, you know, money makes the world go round, but at very least consider praying for this man of God and his family as, as the Lord leads and guides and directs them to reach the world worldwide revival, faith, fire, world wide revival.com. Frank, thank you for being in the studio. It's been a privilege. Thank you, brother. And thank all of you every week.
You're so faithful. And, and, and by the way, one last note, you know, you have a worldwide ministry so far, this show has been downloaded last count anyway, over 93 countries. So maybe there's a minister or a ministry out there. Hey, if you'd love to bring Frank to your country, you're hungry for revival.
Can I just encourage you to look him up, go to faith, fire, worldwide revival.com, look him up and, and, and perhaps you'll, God will just put it upon your heart to invite Frank to your country and, and, and spark set a fire of revival in your nation. So thank you have a wonderful day. Go out today and make it a God filled God blessed day. This podcast is made possible by the grace of God and your faithful prayers, support, and generous gifts. May God bless you for your continual contributions. Go to koloff.net and donate today.
Hi, Nikita Koloff. Be sure to check out The Man Up Show, now available on television, broadcast, and podcast. Go to morningstartv.com or the Truth Radio Network. Check out your local listings or better yet, download the Truth Network app today. If you are enjoying Q and A with Koloff, would you help us spread the word? Tell your family, tell your friends, tell your neighbors to download, subscribe, and leave a comment. Nikita Koloff here.
If you're needing to buy a car and have marginal credit and considering using buy here, pay here, that's worse than taking the Russian sickle. Winston-Salem motor cars will put you behind the wheel of a car you can rely on while helping rebuild, repair, or establish your credit score. Conveniently located on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston-Salem, be sure to check them out today at wsmc1.com because you are number one. This is the Truth Network.
