Recently we had the opportunity to sit down with the newly engaged and future Mr. and Mrs. Brown to chat about life lately and the big proposal – here’s what they had to say!
Q: Rachel & Josh, how did you meet?
R: Josh was on a media tour with the founder of Planetshakers, Pastor Russell Evans, for his new book. As Pastor Russell got up to be interviewed on “Marcus & Joni” I sat down on the couch next to him and asked if he was the person I should send photos to from the show.
J: As Pastor walked up to be interviewed, this beautiful girl came and sat down next to me. I thought to myself “this is the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen!” As we talked more I thought “…and she is super smart, funny and talented as well, what are the chances of that?!” I then complimented her on the ring she was wearing on her middle finger. Her response was, “Oh thanks, my boyfriend gave it to me.” In my mind, it was game over and I thought “the guy that marries this girl will be the most blessed man in the world, lucky him.”
R: Clearly our heads were in two different places that day!
Q: When did you first know that this was the person you were going to marry?
R: I didn’t want to date just to date. I wanted to know I could see myself marrying Josh before I committed to an “official” relationship. We were living in two different cities and, between the two of us, traveled to over 10 countries before we became boyfriend and girlfriend. Josh was persistent and always made sure that getting to know me and seeing me was a priority. We spent New Year’s together in Nashville and after we counted down the New Year I posted a photo on Instagram that said, “It’s official!” and told Josh to check social media. You should have seen the grin on his face when he saw it! I knew that was the first day of forever!
J: About a month or two after we started to really communicate and get to know each other I knew deep down I would marry Rachel.
Q: Josh, for those readers who don’t know you, tell us where you’re from and what you do!
J: I’m from a small country town in Australia. My Dad and Mum felt the call to ministry, sold everything and moved 7 hours’ drive north, where we knew no one and planted a church on the Gold Coast. It was there that I spent most of my childhood, serving in church, enjoying the beach & outdoors, and developing my passion for the arts.
R: Josh has the best family with a great legacy. I love that he was raised the same way I was and we share the same values.
Q: When you think about the day that Josh proposed, what do you each remember most?
R: Josh planned the most perfect proposal, thinking through every detail. One of the things that was important to me was that my family was there. When I walked into the venue where he was going to propose, there was a pathway of rose pedals leading to a grand piano with candles and big vases of flowers on each side. Halfway through the walkway I heard a little voice yell “Coco” which is what Israel calls me! I turned around to see my entire family on the balcony watching. It was the sweetest moment and the perfect way for me to find out that all the people I loved were there to share in this special day.
J: I was trying to hold it together! Rachel does everything with such excellence, passion and precision; I wanted this day to be perfect for her. There were so many moving parts… the next day I was due to fly to England to start a two week European tour so work was busy. And because Rachel is a part time detective and knows everything that’s going on, I had to do everything 
by memory, from the speech to the instrumental composition I wrote and performed for her shortly before popping the question, plus all communication with Joni and my new Dallas friends who helped me bring it together. (Joni will be the best “Mother-in-love.” I love her just like I love my Mum in Australia, she has been the biggest secret weapon in planning, advice and support!)
Q: Can you share one thing you do to keep Christ at the center of your relationship?
R: Every night before bed we say the Lord’s Prayer over the phone. It’s something we started as a way to end our day seeking Him and has been a great way to teach us how to pray like Jesus did.
J: We regularly pray together and seek to run all our decisions through the filter of Biblical principles and wisdom.
Q: We know you both are dreamers and visionaries! What is your biggest dream together?
R: My parents taught me from an early age that no dream is out of reach when God has placed it in your heart. If you ask anyone who knows me they will tell you I always have a big idea I’m working on, I think it’s just in my DNA! There’s no telling what Josh and I will do together, but I know our future is bright because God’s plans for us are even better than we could ever imagine. (Jeremiah 29:11)
J: Our heart is that in everything we do we would glorify God, pointing people to Jesus and encouraging them in their faith. Our life verse is Ephesians 3:20 and we apply it to every area of our life, including dreams and goals – “God will do exceedingly, abundantly above and more than what we could imagine according to HIS power at work in us.”
Q: What is something that you have learned from the other?
R: Josh is one of the wisest people I know! He is quick to forgive and slow to speak. He’s taught me how to handle difficult situations by waiting to react until I have a clear head.
J: As Marcus and Joni both say, “Rachel’s work ethic is second to none.” Rachel has showed me it’s possible to work from 8am through till past midnight for weeks on end and still have a healthy relationship!
Q: You both love to travel! What is your favorite place that you’ve visited together?
R: When we were in Israel we got to go sky diving over the Mediterranean Sea where we could see 3 different countries at once from the air. It was my second time to go, but Josh’s first! I could tell he was super nervous, but he conquered his fear! I love all of our adventures, but this was one of my favorites and something I will remember forever!
J: So many fond memories! A few countries that come to mind straight away include Israel, then Australia, Switzerland, Greece and England.
Q: With two busy work schedules, it can be hard to find down time. How do you like to spend yours?
R: When we have time off, which isn’t very often, we love to just chill. We are constantly on the go so when we don’t have to be we take advantage of it! Usually that means hanging out with the family or watching TV at home.
J: As long as we are together, we are happy. We have learnt to enjoy our downtime together, be it on a plane, in a car, greenroom, watching TV 
at home, etc. We take every opportunity to enjoy each other.
Q: And speaking of work… Planetshakers TV is coming to Daystar On Demand! Josh, can you tell us a little bit more about the program and what viewers can expect to see when they tune in?
J: We are so excited! It’s a 28 minute program designed to encourage, uplift and point people to Jesus. We have included a time of praise, worship, preaching and illustrated sermons. The feedback from people around the world has been invigorating, we want viewers to be blessed and love to hear about it!
R: I know this is going to be such a great resource for our Daystar Partners. I love our Planetshakers Family and can’t wait to bring a little of the land down under to Daystar On Demand! I’m also very proud of Josh because Planetshakers TV was a project he spearheaded and made happen. Way to go, baby!