The Monday Christian Podcast

Alan Noble (PhD, Baylor University) is associate professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, cofounder and editor in chief of Christ and Pop Culture, and an advisor for the AND Campaign. He has written for the Atlantic, Vox, BuzzFeed, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, and First Things. He is also the author of Disruptive Witness and You Are Not Your Own. Episode Talking Points Alan's experience during his baptism The "why" behind Alan's book, On Getting Out of Bed Start with worth The hyper-competitiveness of the contemporary world "The weariness of the self" Christian communal rhythms Doing the next right thing Hope from others during dark times "keep crawling forward" Resources On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of LivingWebsite Alan Noble's Website Alan Noble's Twitter

Jon Pyle is a Digital Pastor who serves the people of CityChurch San Antonio and created his own podcast about making the church "Better on the Inside". As a teenager in the late 90's, Jon converted to Christianity from his first religion: Pop Culture. He is a fun sock enthusiast, retired sports blogger, tea drinker, and world-class hugger. Episode Talking Points Jon's journey to Christ as a youth group outcast Processing emotions Working through painful life experiences Care and content in the Church Christianity: is it good? The iceberg metaphor Better on the Inside Podcast and Jon's philosophy of conversation Resources Better on the Inside Podcast

Isaiah Robertson is the Senior Pastor of Hope in Christ Church in Compton, California. In 2020, Pastor Isaiah released his groundbreaking book Black Church Empowered: Examining Our History, Securing Our Longevity. This book quickly reached the top of the charts as an Amazon best seller. It also garnered the Best Book of 2020 award from the Emmaus Collective. Pastor Isaiah has served in multiple ministerial capacities since accepting his call. He has served as a youth pastor, an associate pastor, and a church planter. He has also spearheaded numerous outreach programs aimed at serving underprivileged communities and mentoring young men of color. He has a passion for studying, preaching, and teaching the Word of God. He also has a deep interest in contextual ecclesiology and Black Church studies. Episode Talking Points Isaiah's background and conversion story Grace for the word of faith movement Isaiah's journey into the history of the Black Church The challenges and pitfalls of seminary "Black Church" Learning from the Black Church Black Church and a theology of suffering in practice Community and the imago dei in the Black Church Racial Reconciliation Resources Black Church Empowered Isaiah's Website

Matthew J. Lynch is an associate professor of Old Testament at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada. He is the author of First Isaiah and the Disappearance of the Gods, Portraying Violence in the Hebrew Bible, and Monotheism and Institutions in the Book of Chronicles. He is the co-founder of the OnScript podcast, a podcast focused on providing engaging conversations on Bible and theology. Episode Talking Points Matt Lynch, tuba player Matt's journey to Christ Understanding conversion Violence in the Old Testament The flood narrative Joshua and conquest Static rope/dynamic rope Core doctrines of Christianity The character creed of God in Exodus 34 Thinking through the mysteries of God Resources Flood and Fury Matthew Lynch on Twitter OnScript podcast

David and Elisa are the leaders of Celebrate Recovery at Grace Bible Church in Nampa, Idaho. They have been married for fourteen years and have a powerful story of redemption. As Elisa likes to say, "I used to be a soldier for the world and now I am a soldier for Christ." David and Elisa see their lives as an example of how God can turn a person's "mess" into a "message." They come from two different worlds, but they believe they found each other because God has a plan for their lives. Together, they run a small business and do all they can to offer hope to others.  Episode Talking Points: Growing up in a non-Christian background Going to prison Finding God where they least expected  Leading Celebrate Recovery Why no one is beyond hope 

Alan Fadling is president and founder of Unhurried Living, Inc. in Mission Viejo, California. He speaks and consults internationally with organizations such as Saddleback Church, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Cru, Halftime Institute, Apprentice Institute, and Open Doors International. He is the award-winning author of An Unhurried Leader and An Unhurried Life, and coauthor (with Gem Fadling) of What Does Your Soul Love? Episode Talking Points How Alan came to faith in Christ Alan's connection to Dallas Willard Becoming unhurried is a process, not a daily event Why are we so busy? Why do we link our careers with our personal happiness? Daily unhurried rhythms Do we want to know God? Resources An Unhurried Life A Year of Slowing Down Alan's Website

Janice McWilliams (MDiv, LCPC), author of Restore My Soul: Reimagining Self-Care for a Sustainable Life,has nourished a lifelong curiosity about human nature. This has propelled her to serve in campus ministry, to speak and train groups in churches and organizations, and to work as a therapist, spiritual director, and writer.Her love of the depths and intrigue of the human experience is matched by her desire to find her place in God's work of restoring and revitalizing souls everywhere. Episode Talking Points Janice's journey to faith as a PK (preacher's kid) Tumultuous teen years and pursuing God in college Self-care Barbie One-dimensional self-care Thoughts, emotions, rhythms, fulfillment True and false guilt The path forward for self-care "Better breaks" Resources Restore My Soul: Reimagining Self-Care for a Sustainable Life Janice's 50 Ideas for better breaks Janice McWilliam's Website

Jim Belcher (PhD, Georgetown University) is a political philosopher, researcher, and writer. He previously served as president of Providence Christian College in Pasadena, California, and was the founding lead pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California. He is the author of In Search of Deep Faith and Deep Church, which won a 2010 Christianity Today Book Award in church/pastoral leadership. Episode Talking Points Jim's journey to Christ Church planting in California  The difficulty of a "middle way" The vital center What is the gospel? Technology advances and the response of the church Retrieval of constitutional republicanism Resources Cold Civil War In Search of Deep Faith  Deep Church

David E. Fitch (PhD, Northwestern University) is the B. R. Lindner Chair of Evangelical Theology at Northern Seminary. He is also the founding pastor of Life on the Vine Christian Community, a missional church in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. He is the author of Faithful Presence, The Great Giveaway and The End of Evangelicalism? and is the coauthor of Prodigal Christianity. Fitch coaches a network of church plants in the Christian and Missionary Alliance and he writes, speaks, and lectures on issues the local church must face in mission including cultural engagement, leadership, and theology. He has also written numerous articles in periodicals such as Christianity Today, The Other Journal, Missiology, as well as various academic journals. Episode Talking Points: What is faithful presence? How do you be faithfully present in your community? Differences between rural and urban Christians  How Christians think differently  Resources: Missio Alliance David Fitch on Twitter Faithful Presence

Johnathan Arnold is a husband, father, and Senior Pastor in Central Pennsylvania. He came to faith while reading the Scriptures in public high school, began attending a local church, completed a Bible college program, then served as an assistant and associate pastor for seven years before becoming a senior minister. He is pursuing graduate studies and enjoys writing and podcasting. Johnathan founded holyjoys.org to explore important theological ideas in community with experienced theologians and practitioners, in service of local churches and pastors. Brent Vernon is a singer-songwriter, ventriloquist, and children's author-illustrator from South Florida. As a creator, he continues to balance his tour schedule with developing products, writing new stories, and designing children's books for other authors. Despite the constant motion, Brent insists there is a point to it all: "My ultimate goal is to make a meaningful connection with people and point them to a loving God—a God who can change us from the inside out. What we do in this life matters in the next. And because of God's grace revealed to us through Jesus, we have the hope of eternal life. I feel strongly that my talents must be used to share redemptive messages to promote healing and wholeness in our hearts and homes." Episode Talking Points Brent and Johnathan's journey to faith in Christ The impetus behind their project for children The importance of catechizing children (and adults) "Made to be happy in God" The power of the arts in spiritual formation The Holy Joys Kids Catechism Resources holyjoys.org brentvernon.com

Sarah is a ministry trainer, consultant, and coach based in Providence, RI. With nearly 20 years of ministry experience in the church and parachurch, Sarah is passionate about equipping ministry leaders to flourish in their unique callings and contexts. Before starting her own business, Sarah served as a Campus Staff Member and Area Director with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where she developed local, regional, and national training experiences for both staff and students. After more than a decade on staff with InterVarsity, Sarah was assessed and approved by the Covenant Church as a church planter and served as the Executive Pastor for Sanctuary Church, a family of neighborhood congregations in Providence. Her primary responsibilities at Sanctuary included developing the people and the systems necessary to sustain healthy planting and growth. Episode Talking Points Sarah's journey as a "PK" and coming to faith in Christ The 50% rule Co-opting daily routines for spiritual formation The power of simple habits John Westerhoff and spiritual development Discipleship in four directions "Weirdos forever" Resources Sarah's book "Teach Your Children Well" Sarah's Website

Hannah Nation is a frequent writer and speaker on both contemporary Chinese gospel movements and the history of women in the church, both academically and popularly. Her speaking on both topics ranges from presenting at academic conferences to leading local church retreats. She is a research associate at Gordon-Conwell's Center for the Study of Global Christianity and member of several societies, including the Tyndale Fellowship and the Evangelical Missiological Society (EMS). She has written for The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, Plough, byFaith, and Mere Orthodoxy, among other various platforms. Episode Talking Points Hannah's story of coming to faith in Christ Hannah's first trip to China Government church in China Responding to persecution Sustaining during times of persecution Union with Christ and the Christian call to suffering Chinese church and the spiritual disciplines Wang Yi Testifying to the reality of another world Resources Hannah's Book Faithful Disobedience Hannah's Website Housechurchtheology.com

Trevin Wax (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and a visiting professor of theology at Cedarville University. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin is a regular columnist at The Gospel Coalition and has contributed to The Washington Post, Religion News Service, World, and Christianity Today. He has served as general editor for The Gospel Project and has taught courses on mission and ministry at Wheaton College. He is the author of several books, including The Multi-Directional Leader, Rethink Your Self, This Is Our Time, Eschatological Discipleship, and Gospel Centered Teaching. He lives in middle Tennessee with his wife, Corina, and their three children. Episode Talking Points Trevin's journey to Christ Trevin's cross-cultural work and spiritual formation in Romania The impetus behind The Thrill of Orthodoxy The ways we drift from orthodoxy Pragmatic drift "Doers" and "sayers" and why it's ideal to be both Trevin's new podcast Resources The Thrill of Orthodoxy Reconstructing Faith Podcast

Bishop Claude R. Alexander Jr. is senior pastor of The Park Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He serves on the board of Christianity Today, Council for Christian Colleges and Universities, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and Movement.org. He is the chair of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's board of trustees and a past president of the Hampton University Ministers Conference, and previously served on the board of Mission America Coalition. A leader among both Christian and civic organizations, Bishop Alexander has consistently been listed among the most influential persons in Charlotte, North Carolina, working with government and community officials to address the community's most critical issues. He holds a BA in philosophy from Morehouse College, an MDiv from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, and a DMin from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kimberly, have two daughters. Episode Talking Points Claude's growing up years and his missionary mother Is God talking or is it bad pizza? Seeking a place vs. the person of God God's calculus Blindspots and the body of Christ "To get Jesus is to get the Church" Resources Claude Alexander Becoming the Church

Bonnie is the author of Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community (2022) and A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today (2018).  Her column, "The Lesser Kingdom," appears in print and online at Christianity Today. Her work has also been published at outlets including USA Today, Defense One, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, Politico, Time, Reason, National Interest, New York Times, and The American Conservative. A graduate of Bethel Seminary, she lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and twin sons. Episode Talking Points Bonnie's journey as a writer Discerning truth from error when consuming media The ease and danger of self-platforming Bonnie's apology and humility faithful, factual, fair Resources bonniekristian.substack.com Untrustworthy

David T. Lamb is the Allan A. MacRae Professor of Old Testament and dean of faculty at Missio Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He previously worked in campus ministry with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and has taught extensively in various crosscultural contexts. He is the author of God Behaving Badly, Righteous Jehu and His Evil Heirs, Prostitutes and Polygamists: A Look at Love, Old Testament Style, 1 and 2 Kings. in the Story of God Bible Commentary series, and The Historical Writings: Introducing Israel's Historical Literature (coauthored with Mark Leuchter). Episode Talking Points: David's growing up years and coming to faith in Christ David's journey from an engineer to theology professor David's experience as a person who feels deeply and his faith tradition The "why" behind the book The Emotions of God Divine anger Jesus, the man of sorrows who weeps Stewarding emotions well Emotions in worship Helpful Resources The Emotions of God

Jay Y. Kim serves as the lead pastor at WestGate Church in the Silicon Valley and on the leadership team of the ReGeneration Project. His writing has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, and Relevant Magazine. He lives in Silicon Valley with his wife and two children. Episode Talking Points Growing up years, deconstruction, and becoming rooted in Christ The "why" behind Jay's writing of The Analogue Christian Clarity in witness to our culture Jay's coffee shop story Non-neutral setup/design of social media Handling personal attacks online Intentionality with digital devices The fruitful life Resources The Analogue Church/Christian

Jim Domen shares the following bio of his life:  "I never imagined that I would enter the homosexual lifestyle after being raised in a God-fearing home and accepting Christ at age seven. After I graduated from George Fox University, I was so desperate to love and be loved that I didn’t care that my partner was HIV positive. God changed my life forever on June 8, 2002, when I lost all my worldly possessions and distinctly heard God’s voice telling me to come back to Him. I told God, “I’m yours again,” and I began to realize that His strength is made perfect in my weakness – even in someone as broken as me. God began to restore me and I enrolled in seminary at Azusa Pacific University. I learned how to be obedient to God’s voice and how to interpret the Bible. God continued His work of redemption and gave me opportunities to share my story publicly. After I graduated from seminary, I became a pastor at Rose Drive Friends Church. I realized that I could no longer ignore the troublesome news stories about public policy and it discouraged me to hear Christians who did not understand how to articulate their worldview. Around this time, Proposition 8 was being fought in the culture and I found myself on the front lines promoting God’s plan for marriage: the union between a man and woman. At press conferences and rallies, I met the founder of Focus on the Family’s California Family Council, who became my boss and mentor after I was asked to join California Family Council. After six years at CFC, God strategically called me to begin Church United in 2016. Church United’s vision is to transform California for Christ by 1) Disrupting Pastors, 2) Uniting the Church, and 3) Transforming our Communities. Six years after leaving the gay lifestyle and one month before the successful passage of Proposition 8, God continued His work of restoration when I met my wife, Amanda. She is “God’s gift from Heaven.” We were married in 2009 and five years later God blessed us with our daughter, Aliah, whose name in Hebrew means “ascending to God” – just like our praises to Him for giving us the gift of becoming parents. Two years later, Amanda gave birth to our son, Ryker, whose name means 'strong leader,' and in 2018, we had our third child, Asher. Her name means 'Happy and blessed.'” Episode Talking Points: Growing up in a Christian household The day he realized he was attracted to men Life with his gay partner in California  Meeting his wife Amanda and having three kids Redemption  Resources  Jim Domen's Website Church United  Not a Mistake Book

Tommy Newberry is The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The 4:8 Principle. He is the founder and head coach of AchievingOPTIMAL, an organization focused on helping Christian entrepreneurs and their families maximize their full potential. Tommy is also the author of the motivational classic, Success Is Not an Accident, 40 Days to a Joy-Filled Life, I Call Shotgun, Think 4:8, and The Daily Guide to a Joy-Filled Life. He’s appeared as a guest on over 200 radio and television programs, including Fox & Friends, The Lou Dobbs Show, Your World With Neil Cavuto, Janet Parshall’s America, The Fox News Strategy Room, and many others. Tommy’s annual Couples Planning Retreat, held at luxurious destinations such as Blackberry Farm, Palmetto Bluff, and Barnsley Resort, takes world-class planning tools into the family realm allowing husband and wife to design a more intentional, simplified and enriching life together. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his wife, Kristin. They have three boys, two out of college, one married and the youngest still in high school. Episode Talking Points Growing up and learning the 4:8 principle The 4:8 principle Budgeting the things you put into your mind Building sustainable habits Optimal vs. doable "You are a beautiful, wonderful child of God" Defining success Resources The 4:8 Principle

Bekele Shanko joined full-time missionary work with Campus Crusade for Christ International in Ethiopia in 1993. Since then, he has held diverse leadership roles for the organization, including National Director for Ethiopia for five years, Area Director for Southern and Eastern Africa for 11 years, and Global Vice President since 2010. Bekele also serves as President of the Global Alliance for Church Multiplication (GACX), a global network of church-planting organizations, which he helped to launch in 2011; President of the Global Academy for Transformational Leadership (GATL), which he founded in 2008; and leader of the task force “Body of Christ in Every Place,” as part of the Finishing the Task movement. Bekele was involved in designing and leading major national and international evangelistic projects, such as Operation Philip in Ethiopia, Operation Sunrise Africa in Southern and Eastern Africa, and Global Church Movements, which seeks to plant a church for every 1,000 people worldwide through training and church multiplication. Before joining Campus Crusade for Christ, Bekele worked for the Ethiopian government as a head of information management for the National HIV/AIDS Control Program for five years. He holds a B.Sc. degree in Statistics and Mathematics from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University, a doctorate in Global Transformational Leadership from Bakke Graduate University, and certificates in Executive Leadership and Executive Negotiation from Harvard Business School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, respectively. Bekele and his wife Shewa have four children — Nathan, Elim, Philip, and Nesiel and over the course of their ministry, the Shankos have lived in Ethiopia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the United States. Episode Talking Points Growing up years in Ethiopia Bekele's father and the witch doctor Bekele and Bill Bright Barriers to partnership in the body of Christ Kingdom principles of partnership Power in unity, humility in relationships Discipleship crisis The good news Resources Never Alone: From Ethiopian Villager to Global Leader

Episode Talking Points The good in the grind Perspectives on daily discipline Our perceptions of God and how they color relationship Reading the First Testament in light of the New Reading the Scriptures responsibly Light, tradition, and Tradition Christians and sin

Ben Adams is a local representative for the State of Idaho. He was born in Jupiter, Florida and raised on the mission field in Kiev, Ukraine. As a pastor’s son in Emmett, Idaho he was a home school graduate and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at Boise State University. He is a retired Marine Corps sergeant and served two combat tours in Afghanistan and one Marine expeditionary deployment as part of a battalion landing team. He is a Christian and married to his wife Rebecca and they have children, Dylan and Phoebe.  Episode Talking Points: Growing up in Ukraine Life as a missionary kid Seeing God move in incredible ways Joining the Marines Afghanistan  PTS and alcohol abuse Becoming an Idaho State Representative  Links: Ben Adams' Twitter

Marjorie Lindner Gunnoe (PhD, University of Virginia) is professor of psychology at Calvin University. She teaches developmental psychology and conducts research on parent–child relationships. Previously she worked at Child Trends, Inc., in Washington DC, and served as a member of the design team for the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth conducted by the US Department of Labor. Gunnoe lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, Charles. Episode Talking Points: What is psychology?  How should Christians view psychology? How can psychology strengthen our faith? How does Christianity compare to the teachings of popular psychologists? Resources: The Person in Psychology and Christianity 

Kimberly McOwen Yim is co-founder and executive director of the SOCO Institute, and she writes and speaks on issues related to human trafficking. She is also co-author (with Shayne Moore) of Refuse to Do Nothing: Finding Power to Abolish Modern-Day Slavery. Sandra Morgan is director of the Global Center for Women and Justice at Vanguard University. She is recognized globally as a leader in the fight against human trafficking. She hosts the Ending Human Trafficking podcast, and she also served by presidential appointment on the Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking. Episode Talking Points: What is human trafficking? How is it different than sex trafficking? What are all the different ways people are trafficked?  What do Christians do that contributes to human trafficking?  What are some positive ways Christians can put an end to human trafficking?  Resources:  Ending Human Trafficking by Shayne Moore, Sandra Morgan, and Kimberly McOwen Yim (Use promo code EHT30 to receive a special discount) Call the National Human Trafficking Number if you suspect trafficking occurring in your neighborhood: 188-3737-888 The Sweat and Toil App

After being awarded an MA in Systematic Theology from TEDS in 2014, Joel enrolled at the University of Toronto to pursue a PhD in Systematic Theology, studying at Wycliffe College with Ephraim Radner. Having completed the coursework and residency requirements of the program, Joel returned to TEDS in the summer of 2016 to assume the role of Project & Communications manager for the Henry Center. His current research is on the role of scripture in Thomas Aquinas’s doctrine of divine freedom. He is the editor with Geoffrey Fulkerson of Science and the Doctrine of Creation: The Approaches of Ten Modern Theologians (IVP Academic, 2021), and has published in Nova et Vetera and the Journal of Theological Interpretation. Joel and his wife Amber live in Chicago with their two sons, Matthias and Isaac. Episode Talking Points Growing up years and coming to faith in Christ Loving God and others with your mind in academics Help! I'm a science person in a conservative evangelical church Interdisciplinary dialogue Resources Henry Center Joel's Book

Dr. Ury is the National Ambassador of Holiness for the Salvation Army. He is a world-renowned scholar on Wesleyan Holiness and Systematic Theology. Bill completed his M. Phil. and Ph.D in Theological and Religious Studies at Drew University (Madison, New Jersey) in 1991. Prior to that, Dr. Ury earned his M. Div. in 1983 at Asbury Theological Seminary. He was a Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary (Jackson, Mississippi) from 1989-2012; and pastored the Elizabeth City (North Carolina) EMC from 2012-2017. Episode Talking Points What if you associate the term holiness with a denomination?  How is holiness defined? What is holiness all about?  How do we live a holy life?  Resources The Hour of Holiness Podcast Let's Start With Jesus 

In this episode, Dave and Ezra discuss the recent overturn of Roe Vs. Wade, laws on gun control, and what it should look like for a Christian to enjoy life. 

Dr. Michael Bird is an Australian biblical scholar and Anglican priest who writes about the history of early Christianity, theology, and contemporary issues. Mike is Academic Dean and Lecturer in Theology at Ridley College in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of over thirty books including Evangelical Theology, Seven Things I Wish Christians Knew About the Bible, Romans (SGBC), The Gospel of the Lord: How the Early Church Wrote the Story of Jesus, What Christians Ought To Believe, and with N.T. Wright, The New Testament in its World. He enjoys tennis, reading, and red wine. He is married to Naomi and they have four children. Episode Talking Points Michael's growing up years and coming to faith in Christ Michael's stint in the military A global perspective on gun control Why rightly understood secularism is good for religious freedom The dangers of conservative nationalism and progressive authoritarianism A Thessalonian strategy for apologetics Resources Mike's Website Mike's Books

Susan L. Maros (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is an affiliate assistant professor of Christian leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, where she has also served as a doctoral supervisor, and an adjunct professor at the King's University, Southlake, Texas. She is a past president of the Academy of Religious Leadership. Episode Talking Points Defining calling Communal aspects of calling Calling understood in cultural context One-time realization vs. a life of discernment Susan's story about Ariana The unfolding of God's plan "What does obedience look like right now?" Resources Susan's Website Susan's Book

Glenn Packiam (Doctor of Theology and Ministry, Durham University) is associate senior pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs, and lead pastor of one of its eight congregations, New Life Downtown. A Senior Fellow at Barna Group, a visiting fellow at St. John’s College at Durham University, and an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary, Glenn is the author of several books, including The Resilient Pastor, Blessed Broken Given, and Worship and the World to Come. He is also an ordained priest with the Anglican Church of North America, speaks regularly at conferences, and has appeared on numerous podcasts and radio shows. Glenn and his wife, Holly, live in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains with their four children. Episode Talking Points Growing up in Malaysia and Glenn's journey of faith Christian hope Distortions of Christian hope The centrality of the Resurrection Three paradigms for congregational worship Hope and the Holy Spirit Hope and community Resources glennpackiam.com Books and music

Darrell E. Hall is campus pastor of Elizabeth Baptist Church in Conyers, Georgia, where he regularly preaches and teaches across five generations. He is an experienced preacher and public speaker who has given messages in venues from local Bible studies to a packed NBA arena. Hall has a DMin from Beeson Divinity School, where his doctoral research focused on generational intelligence and effective intergenerational communication. He and his wife, Eboni, have three children. Episode Talking Points Growing up in ATL and Darrell's faith journey Darrell's first sermon Generational intelligence Pandering vs. authenticity Generational characteristics of adults in the United States Communicating authentically to a diverse audience Resources  Darrell's Book

Jake Meador is the editor in chief of Mere Orthodoxy, an online magazine covering the Christian faith in the public sphere, and a contributing editor with Plough. His first book was In Search of the Common Good: Christian Fidelity in a Fractured World. Jake's work has been published in First Things, National Review, Books & Culture, Commonweal, Christianity Today, Front Porch Republic, and the University Bookman. He lives with his wife and children in his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. Episode Talking Points Journey to faith in a fundamentalist congregation Deconstruction and the importance of his family Church in proximity Courage to be a whole Christian Jake's plane story Justice and Piety Telling the Christian metanarrative Resources Jake's books Jake's website

Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church, a non-denominational Christian congregation in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Brian and his wife, Peri, founded the church in 1981. Brian is also the author of several books, including, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, and Unconditional?: The Call of Jesus to Radical Forgiveness. Episode Talking Points Brian’s testimony from “Zepellin freak to Jesus freak” Deconstruction and renovation Patriotism vs. Nationalism God’s problem with empires Reading the Scriptures through the lens of Christ Resources Brian’s books Brian’s website

James Bryan Smith is the author of the Good and Beautiful Series which includes The Good and Beautiful God, The Good and Beautiful You, The Good and Beautiful Life, and The Good and Beautiful Community. He earned his MDiv at Yale and his DMin at Fuller and is a theology professor at Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, where he also serves as the director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation. A founding member of Richard J. Foster's spiritual renewal ministry, Renovaré, Smith is an ordained United Methodist Church minister and has served in various capacities in local churches. He is the editor of A Spiritual Formation Workbook and Devotional Classics (with Richard Foster), and the author of Embracing the Love of God, Rich Mullins: An Arrow Pointing to Heaven, Room of Marvels, The Magnificent Story, and The Magnificent Journey. Episode Talking Points Connection to Dallas Willard and Richard Foster Toxic self-narratives Christian definition of "soul" Ten universal longings of the soul Soul care Soul speed Getting to heaven vs. Christ formed in us now The dangers of dualism Resources James Bryan Smith's Books books James Bryan Smith's podcast

W. Mark Lanier (JD, Texas Tech University) is an attorney, author, teacher, pastor, and expert story teller. He founded the Lanier Law Firm, which has offices in Houston, New York, and Los Angeles, and is a recipient of the American Association of Justice's Lifetime Achievement Award. Furthermore, he was named as one of U.S. New and World Report's Best Lawyers in America for nine consecutive years and as the 2013 Top Class Action Attorney in America, as well as being inducted to the national Trial Lawyers' Hall of Fame. He was also named as the National Trial Lawyers Association's Trial Lawyer of the Year twice. Holding three honorary doctorates, Mark was bestowed the Ambassador of Peace award by the Guatemalan government. Mark’s courtroom work has resulted in feature articles in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The American Lawyer. He is also a frequent guest on news shows on CNBC, Fox Business News, ABC, and other networks, and a frequent lecturer at law institutions including Harvard, Stanford, Pepperdine, Baylor, and Texas Tech. He is the author of Christianity on Trial and Atheism on Trial. Mark is the founder of the Lanier Theological Library, one of the nation’s largest private theological collections. He also teaches a weekly, 750-plus-member Sunday school class focusing on biblical literacy at Champion Forest Baptist Church. Mark is the founder of the Christian Trial Lawyers Association, a non-profit organization whose goal is to create a network of principled attorneys to minister to others through civic-minded endeavors. He and his wife, Becky, have five children and live in Houston. Episode Talking Points Mark's personal journey to faith in Christ Apologetics Questions a worldview must answer Bart Ehrman Confirmation Bias Speaking truth in love Mark's experiences as a trial lawyer Stated belief versus actual belief Resources books website

Daniel Yang is the Director of the Send Institute, leading and overseeing all of its initiatives. Prior to directing the institute, he planted a church in Toronto where he also helped recruit, assess, and train church planters through the Send Network and the Release Initiative. Daniel has served on various church staffs including Northwood Church, led by Bob Roberts Jr., where he was trained as a church planter and involved in global and multi-faith engagement. Prior to church planting, Daniel was an engineer for eight years. He earned an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Michigan, and is currently a Ph.D. Intercultural Studies student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He is also the co-author of Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church (InterVarsity, May 2022). Episode Talking Points: Deconstruction Diversity Vs. Belonging Marginalized Christians Minority and Majority Culture Toronto, Detroit, Chicago American Christianity  N.T. Wright Resources: Send Institute  Inalienable: How Marginalized Kingdom Voices Can Help Save the American Church

Nicholas G. Piotrowski (PhD, Wheaton College) is the president and academic dean at Indianapolis Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he also teaches hermeneutics and New Testament studies. Piotrowski is the author of Matthew's New David at the End of Exile. Episode Talking Points Nicholas' journey to faith in rural Maryland Biblical hermeneutics The art and science of ethical and legitimate interpretation The three contexts of hermeneutics Hermeneutics and everyday Christians Responsible reading of the biblical text Resources In All the Scriptures: The Three Contexts of Biblical Hermeneutics indysem.org

Felicia Song is a cultural sociologist who studies the place of digital technologies in contemporary life. Having trained in History, Communication Studies and Sociology from Yale, Northwestern, and University of Virginia, and taught at Louisiana State University’s Manship School for Mass Communication, her research is oriented around the rapidly evolving digital technology industry and how the adoption of social media and digital devices fundamentally alters the landscapes of family, community, and organizational life. Her latest book Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age (Intervarsity Press Academic, published in 2021) explores how our contemporary digital habits fundamentally form us in ways that shape loves and imaginations of what it means to be human. This book binds sociology and theology together, arguing that both are needed for understanding how to live wisely in a digitally saturated society. Early research projects included studies of expectant women’s online information-seeking habits and the evolution of “mommy bloggers” as social media professionals. Her first book, Virtual Communities: Bowling Alone, Online Together (Peter Lang 2009),  examined the impact of online communities on democratic skills and dispositions. When she is not working, she enjoys tending the garden, learning to bake bread, and daydreaming about becoming proficient with the bass guitar. Episode Talking Points Felicia's faith journey in a monoethnic church Huxley and Orwell: How private companies and the state curate what we see Curating information in a digital age Technology and personhood Fasting and cultivating awareness Identifying sacred spaces Resources Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age https://feliciawusong.com/

Greg is the author of Single, Gay, Christian: A Personal Journey of Faith and Sexual Identity (IVP, 2017) and No Longer Strangers: Finding Belonging in a World of Alienation (IVP, 2021). He holds a PhD in English from Penn State and works as a writer, speaker, and worship leader. His fiction and expository writing have been published by Penguin Random House and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; his academic research on rhetorical theory (how language works in society) has appeared in College English and Rhetorica and in an edited collection from Cambridge University Press. You can find most of his creative activities curated at gregorycoles.com. Episode Talking Points: What does "gay" mean? Does gay and same-sex attraction mean the same thing?  How do you find a Christian community when you feel like you don't fit? What does it mean to no longer be a stranger?   Why are words so important?  Resources:  Single, Gay, Christian No Longer Strangers

Joshua J. Knabb (PsyD, Azusa Pacific University; ABPP, Clinical Psychology) is a board-certified clinical psychologist as well as associate professor of psychology and director of the Psychology Department program at California Baptist University. His publications include Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Christian Clients, Contemplative Prayer for Christians with Chronic Worry, and Christian Psychotherapy in Context, as well as numerous journal articles. Episode Talking Points: The history of meditation Why counseling is important The balance between spiritual and emotional  What it means to take thoughts captive Meditation on Scripture  Resources: Christian Meditation in Clinical Practice Faith-Based Act for Christian Clients

Dr. Josh Mulvihill earned his PhD from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Family Ministry with a focus on the biblical role of grandparents.  For 20 years, he served as the Pastor to Children and Families at Grace Church of Eden Prairie in Minnesota. More recently, he has been serving as Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry for Renewanation, a ministry whose mission is to provide every child in America with a Biblical Worldview. Josh is the author of several books including Biblical Grandparenting (Bethany House), Preparing Children for Marriage, and Rooted Kids Curriculum and Worship. Josh and his wife Jen live in Victoria, Minnesota and have five children. Josh blogs at GospelShapedFamily.com. Episode Talking Points: A breakfast to remember The importance of parenting intentionally in this cultural moment The art between freedom/limiting in parenting Teaching children to interact with culture from a position of strength Single parents and broken homes Resources: https://shop.renewanation.org/products/50-things

Daniel Sharp has served as Minister of Music and Worship in Lexington, MA; Newport Beach, CA; Seattle, WA; San Diego, CA; and most recently in Orlando, FL. He is semi-retired after forty-two years in church ministry. He continues to sing with the Bach Festival Choir in Orlando. He holds the B.M.E. from Wheaton College, the M.M.E. from Drake University and a D.M.A. from the University of Southern California. He has done graduate studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and has served as an adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Seminary. He is the composer of the children’s Christmas musical, “Three Wee Kings”, as well as various articles for Worship and Creator magazines. He has contributed to The Complete Library of Christian Worship, The NIV Worship Bible, the Worship Leader’s Edition of The Worshiping Church, and Transforming Power. He also writes the popular Daily Devotionals (Advent to Epiphany and Lent to Pentecost, online at sharpdevotional.com) including selected music and prayers of past and current saints. He is a past president of the National Association of Church Musicians. He has been a founding faculty member teaching The Christian Year with Dr. Jack VanMarion. Episode Talking Points Dan's background in the Mennonite Church Footwashing story The Christian Year God ordering time Christ over time Ash Wednesday Resources https://sharpdevotional.com/

In this episode, Dave and Ezra share some practical ways Christians can make good decisions. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to email ezra@themondaychristian.com or dave@themondaychristian.com to share your input. 

In this episode, Ezra and Janan sit down and share why they decided to create a daily devotional podcast and why they think this might be helpful for everyday Christians. You can subscribe to The Story of God Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, or wherever you consume your podcast. 

In this episode, Dave and Ezra share their thoughts on 2021, some of their key takeaways, and thoughts moving forward. Ezra also shares the launch of a new podcast called "The Story of God," hosted by himself and his wife Janan. It is available on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In addition to being an author, Tim is a professor of communication at Biola University in La Mirada, California where he teaches classes in family communication, interpersonal communication, apologetics, gender, and conflict resolution.  He completed a Ph.D. in communication theory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2003) where his dissertation focused on helping couples move past marital gridlock—difficult issues in marriage that won’t go away despite time and effort—by working through an original four-phase communication model.  For over 30 years he served with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) in the campus ministry, short-term missions (Kenya, Russia, Lithuania), and with Keynote as a trainer for The Comm Lab—a center that trains Cru staff, pastors, and lay people in evangelistic speaking and apologetics.   For the past 20 years Tim and his wife, Noreen, have been frequent speakers at FamilyLife Marriage Conferences.  Currently, Tim is on staff with Biola’s Center for Marriage and Relationships (cmr.biola.edu) where he is an author, speaker, and co-host of The Art of Relationship podcast.  Tim and Noreen live in Brea, California with their three sons, Michael, Jason, and Jeremy. Episode Talking Points 'Karate for Christ" and Tim Muehlhoff's journey to Jesus "The God Conversation" Common grace Tim's Africa story The problem of evil "Thank God for this" Hope of the second advent Bringing hope and common grace to others Resources Eyes to See

Bobby Gross is Vice-President of Graduate and Faculty Ministries for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF). Bobby serves on the national board of Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA) and lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Previously, Bobby was a national field director for IVCF, served as an InterVarsity chaplain at the University of Florida, launched campus ministry in South Florida, and was the regional director for New York/New Jersey. Bobby is the author of Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God. He has also contributed chapters to three other books, including Faith on the Edge (InterVarsity Press) and Signs of Hope in the City (Judson). Episode Talking Points: Advent themes Bobby's background as a Baptist and his journey towards the Christian Year Inhabiting the whole story of God Epiphany - signs of the Kingdom The Christian Year - cycles of light and life Longing and lament in Advent Where to start in celebrating Advent Resources:  Living the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God Blog Posts On Advent: Week 1: : Lament: How Long, O Lord? Week 2: Longing: Come Lord Jesus. Week 3: Laughter: Bring Us Home, with Joy! 

Richard Stearns is president emeritus of World Vision US, where he served as president for twenty years, traveling more than three million miles as an advocate for the world's poor. Before leading the Christian relief and development organization, he was a corporate CEO at both Parker Brothers and Lenox. His bestselling book The Hole in Our Gospel was named the 2010 Christian Book of the Year. He also wrote Unfinished, as well as two books with his wife, Reneé—a children's Bible storybook, God's Love For You, and a 90-day devotional, He Walks Among Us. Through his work with World Vision and beyond, Stearns has served as a prophetic voice, calling on the American church to respond to the AIDS pandemic in the early 2000s and later raising awareness of the global refugee crisis and global poverty. As a thought leader, he has appeared regularly in media outlets such as Christianity Today, FOX News, CNN, NPR, Charisma News, and Relevant magazine. Among the honors Stearns received for his humanitarian service are five honorary doctoral degrees, the Julia Vadala Taft Outstanding Leadership Award from InterAction, and the Christian Leadership Alliance's highest honor. Stearns holds a BA in neurobiology from Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife, Reneé, have five adult children and six grandchildren, and live in Bellevue, Washington. Episode Talking Points Becoming the CEO of Parker Brothers at age 33 Early success Getting fired from multiple positions How God uses our pasts to prepare us for the future Being the President of World Vision for twenty years What real leadership looks like Resources: Lead Like it Matters to God The Hole in Our Gospel

Lamar Hardwick (DMin, Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary), also known as "the autism pastor," is the lead pastor at Tri-Cities Church in East Point, Georgia. He is the author of Epic Church and the best-selling I Am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor. In 2014, after years of silently struggling with social anxiety and sensory processing disorder, and a host of other significant issues, Hardwick was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of thirty-six. He now provides workshops, seminars, and consults with local churches and faith-based organizations on creating environments for people with autism. He also provides mentoring services for teens and young adults on the autism spectrum. His writing has been published by various autism and disability websites such as The Mighty, The Huffington Post, Key Ministry, and The Autistic Self Advocacy Network. He lives in Newnan, Georgia, with his wife, Isabella, and their three children. Episode Talking Points: Lamar's upbringing  Disability statistics  How churches respond to those with disabilities Recognizing the blessing those with disabilities bring to the table Resources: https://autismpastor.com/ Disability and the Church

Suzanne Stabile is a highly sought-after speaker, teacher, and internationally recognized Enneagram master teacher who has taught thousands of people over the last thirty years. She is the author of The Path Between Us, and coauthor, with Ian Morgan Cron, of The Road Back to You. She is also the creator and host of The Enneagram Journey podcast. Along with her husband, Rev. Joseph Stabile, she is co-founder of Life in the Trinity Ministry, a nonprofit, nondenominational ministry committed to the spiritual growth and formation of adults. Their ministry home, the Micah Center, is located in Dallas, Texas. They have many audio resources available, including The Enneagram Journey curriculum. Suzanne has spoken at hundreds of colleges, churches, and conferences across America, and also teaches in the Baylor Health Care System. She has taught at Richard Rohr's Center for Action and Contemplation and has taught with Father Rohr to an international audience in Assisi, Italy. Episode Talking Points: Enneagram "tests" "Trendy Enneagram" Enneagram as a good tool, not the only tool Number embodies how you see People who think, feel, or do Enneagram and its connection to corporate worship Learning to invite thinkers, feelers, and doers into corporate worship Increasing opportunity for belonging in the local church Resources: The Journey Toward Wholeness The Road Back to You https://suzannestabile.com/

Dr. Heather Thompson Day is an interdenominational speaker and has been a contributor for Religion News Service, Christianity Today, Newsweek and the Barna Group. She is also the host of Viral Jesus, a podcast with Christianity Today. Heather is an Associate Professor of Communication at Andrews University. She is passionate about supporting women, and runs an online community called I’m That Wife which has over 200k followers. Heather’s writing has been featured on outlets like the Today Show, and the National Communication Association. She has been interviewed by BBC Radio Live and has been featured in Forbes. She believes her calling is to stand in the gaps of our churches for young people. She is the author of 7 books; including It’s Not Your Turn, and Confessions of a Christian Wife. She resides in Michigan, with her husband, Seth Day, and their three children, London, Hudson, and Sawyer Day. Episode Talking Points: Homeschooling and long van rides Diversity and inclusion Life as a teacher What to do when it's not your turn Resources  It's Not Your Turn

Jeffrey Bilbro (PhD, Baylor University) is the editor-in-chief of Front Porch Republic and associate professor of English at Grove City College. He is also the author of Loving God's Wildness: The Christian Roots of Ecological Ethics in American Literature and Virtues of Renewal: Wendell Berry's Sustainable Forms, and coauthor (with Jack Baker) of Wendell Berry and Higher Education: Cultivating Virtues of Place. Episode Talking Points: Homeschooling The history of news The role social media plays today Should we be an activist? Technology in the household Resources  Reading the Times

John H. Walton (PhD, Hebrew Union College) is professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College and Graduate School. Previously he was professor of Old Testament at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for twenty years. Some of Walton's books include The Lost World of Adam and Eve, The Lost World of Scripture, The Lost World of Genesis One, Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament, The Essential Bible Companion, The NIV Application Commentary: Genesis, and The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament (with Victor Matthews and Mark Chavalas). Walton's ministry experience includes church classes for all age groups, high school Bible studies, and adult Sunday school classes, as well as serving as a teacher for "The Bible in 90 Days." John and his wife, Kim, live in Wheaton, Illinois, and have three adult children. Episode Talking Points: Genesis One: Why is proper interpretation so important to John? The Bible and Science The Bible and History Biblical Authority Anti-supernatural presuppositions Pastoral concerns: How to speak about Genesis one to young children and new Christ-followers. Resources:  The Bible Story Handbook The Lost World of Genesis One

Ashley Hales (PhD, University of Edinburgh) is a writer, speaker, and host of the Finding Holy podcast. She is the author of Finding Holy in the Suburbs and her writing has been featured in Christianity Today, Books & Culture, and The Gospel Coalition. Ashley is married to a pastor and the mother to four children. Episode Talking Points: Resources: "The American Dream" and success External measures of success to measure worth Slaves to production Living within God's good limits Paying attention to God, others, myself Helpful Links: A Spacious Life Finding Holy in the Suburbs https://aahales.com/

Os Guinness (DPhil, Oxford) is the author or editor of more than thirty books, including The Dust of Death, The Call, Fool's Talk, Carpe Diem Redeemed, The Magna Carta of Humanity, Last Call for Liberty, Impossible People, Unspeakable, and Time for Truth. A frequent speaker and prominent social critic, he has addressed audiences worldwide from the British House of Commons to the U.S. Congress to the St. Petersburg Parliament. He is a senior fellow at the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics and was the founder of the Trinity Forum. Born in China to missionary parents, he is the great-great-great-grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer. After witnessing the climax of the Chinese revolution in 1949, he was expelled with many other foreigners in 1951 and returned to England where he was educated and served as a freelance reporter with the BBC. Since coming to the U.S. in 1984, he has been a guest scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Studies and a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution. He was the lead drafter of the Williamsburg Charter, celebrating the First Amendment, and has also been senior fellow at the EastWest Institute in New York, where he drafted the Charter for Religious Freedom. He also co-authored the public school curriculum Living With Our Deepest Differences. Guinness has had a lifelong passion to make sense of our extraordinary modern world and to stand between the worlds of scholarship and ordinary life, helping each to understand the other—particularly when advanced modern life touches on the profound issues of faith. He lives with his wife, Jenny, in McLean, Virginia, near Washington, D.C. Episode talking points Background growing up in communist China the 5 revolutions Sinai vs. Paris Anti-religious secularism Hermeneutics of suspicion "Authenticity without truth is meaningless" Ordered freedom Resources The Magna Carta of Humanity http://www.osguinness.com/

Growing up in Christ Importance of growing up together Becoming mature is a team sport Characteristics of baby Christians vs. mature Christians Heb. 5:11-14 The dangers of reductionistic or binary thinking Becoming Berean

Seven Ways to Invest: 1. God – Jesus spent major amounts of his life separated from the crowds and alone with his Father. He would go off into the wilderness without food for forty days at a time just to talk to him. Before he gave the greatest sacrifice for all humankind on the cross, he took time to pray and invest in himself through one-on-one communication with his Father. 2. Family – We tend to focus on the last three years of Jesus’ life and ignore the thirty spent in obscurity. During that time, he spent much of it with his mother Mary. He performed his first miracle at her bidding and includes in his dying words instructions for her care. 3. Inner Circle – Everyone needs running buddies. Peter, James, and John were his three. Three times in the gospels Jesus singles them out. a. Mark 5 – Jesus heals Jairus’ daughter. Jesus enters the house, tells everyone else to leave except for Peter, James and John. b. Matthew 17 – The Mount of Transfiguration was the second. c. Matthew 26 – The Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus asks them to pray for him. 4. Disciples – The word disciple occurs 269 times in the NT. In addition to his select group of twelve apostles, Jesus chose seventy of his followers to go into neighboring towns and villages in his surrounding area. Jesus made certain to raise up a boatload of committed followers who would carry on his message after he was gone. His twelve disciples were at the forefront of this plan. a. As Eugene Peterson said, “Jesus invested 90 percent of his time with twelve Jewish men so that he could reach all Americans.” 5. Doubters – Dr. Mark Bird often says, “Plant seeds of hope or seeds of doubt.” To those who were arrogant and unbelieving, Jesus used strong language to speak to them. But to those who were equally lost, but searching, Jesus offered hope. 6. Outcasts – These are people outside the box and one’s pop culture has ruled second-class citizens. For Jesus, these were the lepers, tax collectors, and sinners. No one wanted to touch them because they were unclean. But Jesus did. 7. The Body – 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” To Jesus, life was meant to be spent in communion with others. This is the very essence of who God is.

In November 2015 Davey’s wife of 7 years, Amanda Grace, was tragically murdered in a home invasion. Davey was left to pastor their church as a single dad of their 15-month-old son, Weston. 2 years later Davey remarried and God’s redemption story began to unfold. Davey and his new wife, Kristi, have devoted their lives to helping people through their valleys in life and teach them that when following Jesus, Nothing is Wasted. Davey and Kristi live in Indianapolis, IN with their three kids, Natalia, Weston, and Cohen. They founded Nothing is Wasted Ministries to help people partner with God to take back their story. Episode Talking Points Davey's backstory about the murder of his pregnant wife, Amanda Grace Origins of "nothing is wasted" phrase Reconciling the goodness of God with suffering The ministry of presence Warring for forgiveness Submitting emotions to Christ God as an experiential teacher #metoo now let's #movethrough Resources https://www.daveyblackburn.com/ https://www.nothingiswasted.com/ https://www.nothingiswasted.com/blog Nothing is Wasted: A True Story of Hope, Forgiveness, and Finding Purpose in Pain Text NIW to 66866 for a 21 day devotional to start a healing process from trauma

Nik and Ruth, with 3 children, served for over 32 years obeying Christ’s command to share Jesus across the globe. After 7 years in Malawi & South Africa, they moved to Nairobi, Kenya to begin work among the Somali people (1991-1997). Since that time (1998-2013) they have journeyed globally among people whom, when they gave their lives to Jesus, faced increasing persecution for their faith. The Ripkens and their teams served throughout the Horn of Africa within famine and war zones; resettling refugees, providing famine relief, and operating mobile medical clinics. Formerly Muslims, many Somali believers, suffered for their faith. Most were martyred. Near the end of the Ripken’s tenure among the Somalis, their 16-year-old son died of an asthma attack on Easter Sunday morning. He’s buried at the school from which the other Ripken children graduated. One year later, the Holy Spirit led the Ripkens to begin a global pilgrimage to learn from believers in persecution how to recapture a biblical missiology of witness and house-church planting in the midst of persecution and martyrdom. Most of all, believers in persecution modeled for the Ripkens how to trust Jesus completely. Many of these lessons have been lost or forgotten by the church in the West. Currently, the Ripkens have interviewed over 600 believers in persecution, exceeding 72 countries. Sitting at their feet, the Ripkens learned from the suffering church how to thrive amidst suffering, not merely survive. The Ripkens, using everything they’ve learned from believers in persecution are creating resources as gifts from the church to the church. To date, they have created articles, books, a music CD, a documentary, workshops, and other tools that allow the church in persecution to teach the church in the West about its biblical heritage of both crucifixion and resurrection. A teaching DVD is included in future plans. All these tools are designed to challenge believers to boldly follow Jesus, sharing their faith with others-no matter the cost. Episode Talking Points Nik's background story from Kentucky to the Kraft Cheese factory Nik: from seminary to Kenya Stories of ministry and life in Somalia Death of his 16-year-old son and how their local church sang over them "God is best known on the edge of lostness" Worship in difficulty and persecution Adjusting to the lack of intimacy in Western churches Joy in suffering Resources The Insanity of God https://www.nikripken.com/

Mark Vroegop has been the Lead Pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis since 2008. He previously served as Senior Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Holland, Michigan, from 1996-2008. Mark and his wife, Sarah, are parents of four living children and a stillborn daughter.  They have three adult sons, a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and a Bernedoodle named Stella. He’s the author of Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament.  He was awarded the 2020 ECPA Christian Book of the Year and New Author Awards.  His next book, Weep with Me: How Lament Opens a Door for Racial Reconciliation released in August 2020. Mark blogs at markvroegop.com. Follow on social media: Twitter @markvroegop    Facebook: Mark Vroegop Instagram: vroegopmark Episode Talking Points Definition of biblical lament- prayer of pain that leads to trust in God Story of Mark's stillborn daughter Sylvia Turn-complain-ask-trust The decision of praise How lament shapes us for eternity The two ditches of denial and despair Resources Dark Clouds Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament Weep with Me: How Lament Opens a Door for Racial Reconciliation

Rev. Herman Mendoza currently serves as an Associate Pastor and the Director of PowerHouse Kids Ministry, at Promise Ministries International in New York City. He is also one of the speakers for The 4/14 Window Movement, a global initiative to raise a new generation of children, ages 4 to 14, to be the leaders of tomorrow through Christ. He speaks at conferences, schools, and churches around the world spreading the message of hope, faith, grace, and redemption. Pastor Mendoza is a community leader and collaborates with the New York Police Academy through his youth program to educate young people about the police culture. Pastor Mendoza’s memoir, Shifting Shadows: How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected, has been published with Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group. It details the story of his life, as a lost young man who after experiencing the lowest point in his life—convicted for drug trafficking and sentenced to prison—found forgiveness and a new life in Jesus Christ. These are truly milestone markings of a life transformed by the relentless love of God. Episode Talking Points Family Background- parents came to NYC from the Dominican Republic Gang and drug activity beginning at age 13- ended up in juvenile detention center Marriage at age 19- wife relatively unaware of drug dealing Blinded by the present age- money and a party lifestyle Arrested with 3.8 million dollars of cocaine Federal prison Ends up in same prison with his newly-converted brother. Herman goes to an inmate-run church and becomes a Christian. Begins co-pastoring a church in his cell block with his brother. Meets Christopher Yuan in prison Wife becomes a Christian, now assists him in ministry Resources Shifting Shadows; How a New York Drug Lord Found Freedom in the Last Place He Expected hermanmendoza.com

Darryl Dash is author of How to Grow: Applying the Gospel to ALL of Life. He serves as pastor of Liberty Grace Church in Toronto. He is also cofounder of Gospel for Life, and director of Advance Church Planting Institute. He has a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and has over 25 years of ministry experience. Darryl is married to Charlene, and has two adult children, Christy and Josiah. You can find Darryl online at DashHouse.com. Episode Talking Points Gospel-for-Life Increasing Apathy in Secular Culture. How do we minister in this context? Hard Soil vs. the Power of the Gospel Why Small Habits Are Important As embodied creatures, what we do with our bodies is vital Resources  8 Habits: A Simple Guide to Becoming More Like Christ How to Grow: Applying the Gospel to All of Your Life

Philip Brown serves as the Graduate Program Director and teaches NT Greek and Biblical Hebrew as well as English Bible, Theology, and Homiletics classes at God's Bible School and College in Cincinnati, OH (www.gbs.edu). Philip completed a BA in Ministerial Studies from Hobe Sound Bible College (1993), an MA in Bible (1995) and a PhD in Old Testament Interpretation (2002) from Bob Jones University. He is happily married to Marianne Slagenweit and has three sons Allan (b. 2004), Daniel, (b. 2006), and Stephen (b. 2008). He is an ordained elder in the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches and is passionate about rearing God-loving, Kingdom-building, world-changing children, and about virtually anything to do with the Bible. His recreational interests include camping, racquetball, biking, snorkeling, and computers (www.apbrown2.net). Talking Points Proverbs reminds us continually to remember and not forget In the Old Testament, most examples of sinning happen between 40-60 Success can lead to susceptibility to sin Proverbs in two sections (1-9, 10:31) section one: Father to son section two: one sentence sayings Anybody who loves truth loves questions Making decisions in light of God's wisdom "Wisdom takes the long view" "What's going to matter to me in 10 years?"

Dr. Christopher Yuan taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for over ten years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. He has co-authored with his mother their memoir, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope (over 100,000 copies sold and now in seven languages). He is also the author of Giving a Voice to the Voiceless. Christopher graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and received a master’s in biblical exegesis in 2007 and a doctorate of ministry in 2014. Dr. Yuan’s newest book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story, was named 2020 book of the year for social issues by Outreach Magazine. Topics we discussed:  Story, background, and how parents came to faith in Christ Mushy Theology and distinguishing from true and almost true Matthew Vines discussion  Can't understand sexuality without understanding theological ontology Pathways forward in the mushy, confused church culture Why sexual identity is not a category of personhood Unhealthy view of suffering Practical advice to parents of gay children What to do with feelings of SSA

Gary is the author of 20 books that together have sold over two million copies, have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and won numerous awards. His writings have established him as a thought-leader in the areas of marriage, parenting, and spiritual formation. His speaking ministry has led him to speak in 49 states and nine different countries, and on numerous national television and radio programs, including multiple appearances on Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. Gary’s interviews on Focus on the Family have been chosen among the “Best of 2013,” “Best of 2014” and “Best of 2017.” Gary is a lifelong advocate of using the Christian classics to bring people closer to Christ. Gary enjoys running in his spare time and has completed 14 marathons, including the Boston Marathon three times. He and his wife Lisa have been married for 35 years and they have three adult children and the smartest, cutest, most adorable granddaughter on the planet. On this podcast, we discuss Gary's book Cherish and cover the following topics: The process of writing and staying fresh. Why so many marriages fail and flounder rather than flourish Differences between infatuation and cherishing Concept behind Cherish Catching bids Contempt Marriage as ballet

On this podcast, Dave and Ezra talk about the following points: Being married for 9 and 15 years Vacation Rest Spiritual Growth

Terry Looper is CEO and Founder of Texon LP, a Houston-based energy company that views its core values and employees as the keys to its mission of being the best service provider in its industry. Terry’s passion is to serve as a mentor to fellow business and nonprofit leaders. He has authored a book titled Sacred Pace which describes his faith journey and offers a biblical framework for making large and small decisions in all phases of life. Terry and his wife, Doris, have been married for 50 years. The couple has two married daughters and five grandchildren. In this episode, we cover the following topics: Burnout Divorce Building a multibillion dollar company Establishing healthy practices with your kids Four step to seeking God's will 

What does it look like to be be the church and why is this important? On this episode, Dave and Ezra share some thoughts on what the church is all about and why being engaged in the church is so important. They bring on Ezra's pastor (Brian Taylor) for ten minutes to share his perspective and then they interview Emily Jones who recently returned from the Sinjar district of Iraq where she served as a Mental Health Program Development Consultant and was engaged with helping the Yazidi people.  Topics we cover include: What it means to be a healthy church Church planting in the midst of Covid Engaging communities Helping women in Iraq 

Things We Talked About: Playoff Hockey Covid Cicadas Reflections on Christian Community “Ghosting” people Reconciling and confrontation in the body of Christ Growing in Christ as part of his body Things learned over the past 17 podcast episodes

John Arroyo is a retired Green Beret and US Army Captain (2018.) After serving as a Green Beret in the middle east, based out of Ft. Bragg, NC for fifteen years, he was transferred to Ft. Hood, Texas where he thought he would spend the remainder of his career in safety. But this was not to be and on April 2, 2014 John was shot in the throat at Fort Hood military base near Killeen, Texas by a deranged gun-man. In total, four people were killed that day with an additional fourteen being injured. Miraculously, John survived to tell how God spared his life and gave him a message to share with other!  He is the author of Author of, Attacked at Home!: A Green Beret’s Survival Story of the Fort Hood Shooting Links: attackedathome.com getupwithjohn.com

Jami and her husband Brian served several years in Kenya, where God opened their hearts and minds to the Muslim world.  In addition to immersing herself in the local Somali community, Jami also supported those working in closed countries globally and authored stories of God’s redemptive love for Muslims. After returning to the United States, Jami connected with organizations on the forefront of reaching Muslims and was mentored by Fouad Masri of Crescent Project, who encouraged Jami to educate and inspire the American Church to reach Muslims domestically.  She joined the staff of Crescent Project in January of 2015 as the Director of Women’s Training, where she and her team helped train thousands of Christian women to share the gospel with Muslims. Through this training ministry, Jami discovered a large segment of the Western Church still resist the idea of sharing Christ with Muslims.  Jami founded The Truth Collective as a means to call more Believers into a Biblical response to the Muslim world. Jami graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN with a degree in Communications and a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies.  Jami, Brian, and their two sons currently in live in South Carolina.

Dane was called to be the Senior Pastor at Naperville Presbyterian Church (southwest side) in 2020 after being part of the church for 13 years along with his family: his college sweetheart, Stacey, and their five kids, Zach, Nate, Jeremiah, Chloe, and Ben.  Dane is a graduate of Wheaton College (BA), Covenant Theological Seminary (MDiv, ThM), and Wheaton College Graduate School (PhD in New Testament).  Prior to coming on staff he worked for ten years in Christian publishing at Crossway in Wheaton. He is the author of several books such as Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers (2020), Edwards on the Christian Life: Alive to the Beauty of God (2014), and Defiant Grace: The Surprising Message and Mission of Jesus (2011).  Dane’s life purpose is to glory in the endless grace of God and to call others to join him there. It’s all about Jesus—and his unspeakable heart for sinners.  You can follow him on Twitter (@daneortlund). You can pick up Gentle and Lowly HERE!

Dr. HB Charles is the Pastor-Teacher at the Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church of Jacksonville and Orange Park, Florida, where he has served since the fall of 2008. He is primarily responsible for preaching-teaching, vision casting, and leadership development – along with all the other tasks that go along with pastoral ministry. Prior to joining the Shiloh Church, he led the Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church of Los Angeles for almost eighteen years. Succeeding his late father, he began his pastorate at Mt. Sinai at the age of seventeen – a senior in high school. Outside of his ministry to and with his congregation, he regularly speaks at churches, conferences, and conventions around the country. He is the author (or contributing author) of several books that include: It Happens After Prayer On Preaching On Pastoring The Difference Jesus Makes Power in the Pulpit Secret Sex Wars Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook 2016 He also writes at this blog site about life, preaching, church, books, and other stuff. He publishes new posts 2-3 times a week. He is also the host of The On Preaching Podcast – the podcast dedicated to helping you preach faithfully, clearly, and better. He has had the joy of writing and leading several songs on the Shiloh Choir CD: Joe Pace Presents: H.B. Charles Jr. and the Shiloh Church Choir.

Jeff Christopherson is the Executive Director of Church Planting Canada, Co-Founder and Missiologist for Send Institute, a Multiplying Church Catalyst for CNBC, a weekly columnist at Christianity Today's Missio Mondays, a Co-Vocational Pastor for The Sanctuary, and author of his most recent book Venal Dogmata: A Parable of the Future Church. In this episode, Jeff shares some of his church planting journey and how he stumbled across the term "co-vocational." He goes on to state why he believes this term can help ministry leaders gain a fresh vision for the best ways to reach their communities for Christ. During this conversation, we cover such a topics as:  Should most Christian youth attend a Christian Bible School/University? What will the church look like post-Covid? What would happen if church leaders scaled back from full-time ministry and became co-vocational laborers? How can everyday Christians put their faith into action in the workplace? 

In this episode, Justin shares his journey of entering the Navy Seals, his struggle with PTSD, and the ways he is helping others. If you or a friend of yours is struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, this conversation will offer you hope.  ***** Justin Kyle Sheffield was Born on October 30, 1979, in San Angelo, Texas. After high school, Justin followed his dream to become a Navy SEAL and enlisted in the Navy on February 8, 2000. In 2014 Justin was medically retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer and Warfare Operator of the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, or Seal Team Six. Senior Chief Sheffield has completed hundreds of combat operations and enemy engagements in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Somalia. He is a recipient of the Silver Star, 6 Bronze Stars with valor for actions in combat, a purple heart, and a host of other medals and commendations. Most of the missions that he has conducted are still classified and clandestine. The most notable mission that has been declassified and published was the raid in Somalia that led to the hostage rescue of a female American citizen, and a Danish citizen. Senior Chief Sheffield was the team leader who planned the raid and led the jump, which has turned out to be the most difficult operation conducted by Seal Team Six to this day. He was the member of the unit who, after killing several of the hostage-takers, jumped on, protected with his body, and then picked up and carried to safety the American Hostage. Senior Chief Sheffield’s history and certifications include: Assaulter, Sniper Team Leader, Seal Team Six, March 2005 – October 2014. Deployments: Afghanistan x 7, Iraq, Somalia x 2, HOA Assaulter, Sniper SEAL Team 8, September 2001-February 2005. Deployments: Colombia, Mexico, Germany, and Afghanistan BUD/S class 233, September 2000 – March 2001 Joined Navy February 8, 2000 Justin is now serving as President and CEO of All Eagles Oscar Foundation and lives in Texas with his wife Leslie and two boys Landon and Colton.

Tom Doyle fell in love with the Middle East on his first Bible tour of the Holy Land. In 1995 he became an official tour guide for the state of Israel and developed a passion for ministering to the Israeli people, Arabs and Jews alike. Tom and his wife, JoAnn, felt a call from God to full-time ministry there in 2001. In 2017 the Doyles launched Uncharted Ministries, which seeks to Inspire the Body of Christ to rise up join the new great awakening among Jews and Muslims in the Middle East and in uncharted territories around the world. Tom and JoAnn began working in the heart of the Islamic world shortly after the terrorist attacks of September 11. Tom and JoAnn serve in places like Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Palestinian territories of Israel. The Doyles lead groups to the Middle East through their Lands of the Bible tours. Tom is a master storyteller with several books highlighting God’s miraculous work among the Muslim people. His best-known books include Dreams and Visions, Killing Christians, and Standing in the Fire, which was a Finalist for the 2018 Book of the Year by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. Helpful links: Women Who Risk: Secret Agents for Jesus in the Muslim World Dreams and Visions Uncharted Ministries  I Found the Truth

Dr. Jim Denison is a cultural apologist who helps people respond biblically and redemptively to the vital issues of our day. He is also the co-founder and Chief Vision Officer of the Denison Forum, a Dallas-based nonprofit that comments on current issues through a biblical lens. Every weekday morning, his Daily Article email newsletter reaches more than 240,000 readers, and The Daily Article podcast is downloaded more than 80,000 times each month. Dr. Denison’s social media following has a reach of 2.1 million, with over 400,000 Facebook followers. He is a widely sought speaker, podcaster, and subject-matter expert on radio about cultural issues from a biblical perspective. Dr. Denison has been a frequent guest on Equipped with Chris Brooks (Moody Radio) and the nationally syndicated Point of View with Kerby Anderson (360+ radio stations). He is the author of multiple books, including: Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Jesus’ Parables Illuminate Our Darkest Days Respectfully, I Disagree: How to Be a Civil Person in an Uncivil Time and the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series Dr. Denison has taught on the philosophy of religion and apologetics at several seminaries. His residencies and fellowships include: Resident Scholar for Ethics with Baylor Scott & White Health Senior Fellow with the 21st Century Wilberforce Initiative. Senior Fellow for Cultural Studies at Dallas Baptist University’s Institute for Global Engagement. He is also a cultural consultant for various organizations that seek a Christian worldview on current events. Prior to launching Denison Forum in 2009, he pastored churches in Texas and Georgia. He holds a Ph.D. and a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Jim and his wife, Janet, live in Dallas, Texas. They have two sons and four grandchildren.

Jen Pollock Michel is the award-winning author of Teach Us to Want, Keeping Place, and Surprised by Paradox. She holds a BA in French from Wheaton College and an MA in literature from Northwestern University. An American living in Toronto, Jen is a wife and mother of five. She is the lead editor for Imprint magazine, published by Grace Centre for the Arts, and host of the Englewood Review of Books podcast. In this episode, Jen shares some practical advice from her latest book, A Habit Called Faith, as to how we can cultivate faith through spending time in God's Word, even if we feel as though our belief in God is paper-thin. If you are feeling discouraged or sense that God is distant, this is an episode you will not want to miss! Helpful Links: Jen's Website A Habit Called Faith 

Do you ever struggle to promote your business or brand? Maybe you find it hard to strike a balance between featuring your content or products while keeping your life anchored in God. Terry Whalin is certainly no stranger to marketing. As someone who has over 195k followers on Twitter and the author and editor of over sixty books, Terry understands the importance of promoting material. But in doing so, he strikes a balance between humility and content promotion that many find it hard to maintain. If you are a small business owner, this podcast is a MUST LISTEN! W. Terry Whalin understands both sides of the editorial desk–as an editor and a writer. He worked as a magazine editor and his magazine work has appeared in more than 50 publications. A former literary agent, Terry is an Acquisitions Editor at Morgan James Publishing. He has written more than 60 books through traditional publishers in a wide range of topics from children’s books to biographies to co-authored books. Several of Terry’s books have sold over 100,000 copies.  Terry’s newest book, JUMPSTART YOUR PUBLISHING DREAMS, INSIDER SECRETS TO SKYROCKET YOUR SUCCESS is packed with insight. Also Terry has an innovative online training course to help authors effectively connect with literary agents and editors called Write A Book Proposal. Terry is a popular speaker and teacher at numerous writers’ conferences and an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. Links: Terry's Personal Website Terry's Book on Billy Graham

When Sheila Wray Gregoire, her daughter Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, and epidemiologist Joanna Sawatsky surveyed more than 20,000 Christian women about their sex lives, marriages, and beliefs about sex and marriage, the To Love, Honor, and Vacuum bloggers never imagined what they’d uncover: that the most popular Christian resources and teachings on bettering sex and marriages were doing more harm than good. In their new research-based book, The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You’ve Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended, Gregoire, Lindenbach and Sawatsky dig into the data—existing research on evangelicalism and sexuality, their extensive survey and focus groups, and the 15 most popular Christian resources on sex and marriage—to help women discover what beliefs are holding their sex lives hostage, and provide them with the roadmap to experiencing amazing, mind-blowing, great sex. The Great Sex Rescue calls Christians back to principled sex, the way God intended: that sex should be personal, be pleasurable, be pure, be prioritized, be pressure-free, put the other first, and be passionate. Links: https://tolovehonorandvacuum.com/ https://sheilawraygregoire.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Great-Sex-Rescue-Recover-Intended/dp/1540900827/ref=sr_1_1?crid=DJXB1EFVSJNX&dchild=1&keywords=the+great+sex+rescue&qid=1616511995&sprefix=the+great+sex+res%2Caps%2C221&sr=8-1

Do you ever struggle with personal discouragement? What do you do during these seasons? How do you respond? In this episode, Dave and Ezra have a real conversation about this issue and Ezra shares a personal season of depression he went through and how he was able to discover the faithfulness of God in the midst of that time.  If you or someone you know is stuck in a valley of discouragement, this is something that will provide hope! Check out Ezra's latest book on this topic HERE. 

Craig Denison is the CEO and author of First15 (https://www.first15.org/about-first15/), a daily devotional guiding over a million believers into a fresh experience with God’s presence every day. He writes, speaks, and he and his wife Rachel lead worship to help believers establish a more tangible, meaningful connection with God. You can check out his work by signing up to receive First15 every morning for free, and by engaging with First15 on social media. In this podcast, Craig shares some practical wisdom from his latest book, "Living Intentionally." 

Author of the Worship Leader Handbook, worship leader Rod Ellis joins the podcast this week to share some of the key insights he has learned from his dozens of years in pastoral ministry. What makes this conversation so powerful is that it is so practical. Rod shares basic ways that everyday Christians can worship God in their homes, places of work, and church.  For more info on Rod, you can check out his personal website or purchase his book on Amazon. 

Rev. Dr. Tina Pitamber is the Senior Pastor of Solid Rock Community Church of the Nazarene. She feels called to encourage all people to have a deep and passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. Pastor Tina studied at the University of Toronto and obtained her Bachelors of Science Degree. She continued her studies further at Tyndale University College and Seminary and received her Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Studies in May 2007. She currently has completed her Doctor of Ministry Degree at Tyndale University College and Seminary. She graduated in November 2015. Since her graduation from her Masters of Divinity in 2007, she was given the opportunity to start Solid Rock Community Church in the Richmond Hill community on September 21, 2008 by the financial, prayer, and people support of the Rosewood Church of the Nazarene. Rosewood Church of the Nazarene is the mother church of Solid Rock Community Church of the Nazarene. She recently authored "God is that You?" and in this episode Ezra shares a story of a time God used Tina to speak directly into his life. Miraculous? Perhaps. But we will leave that for you to decide. 

It's easy to follow the latest Christian singers, preachers, or apologists and accept what they have to say as gospel truth. But what do we do when people like Ravi Zacharias fall into sin and act in ways that are so harmful to others? On this episode, Dave and Ezra get into how they respond to situations like this.  Helpful links: https://www.rzim.org/read/rzim-updates/board-statement https://frenchpress.thedispatch.com/p/you-are-one-step-away-from-complete

Bekah Bowman is the author of Can't Steel My Joy: The Journey to Another Kind of Brave and an avid blogger on bekahbowman.com. In this episode, Bekah shares the journey her and Danny (her husband) took together after discovering their oldest child was diagnosed with batten - "The common name for a broad class of rare, fatal, inherited disorders of the nervous system also known as neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses, or NCLs. In these diseases, a defect in a specific gene triggers a cascade of problems that interferes with a cell's ability to recycle certain molecules." Bekah shares the hope she has found in Christ and the joy he has brought into their lives in the midst of some incredible hardship. If you are in a position where your marriages is on the ropes, this is a must listen! 

Helpful Links Mentioned in this Show:  methodistprayer.org Psalm for all Seasons (https://www.amazon.com/Psalms-All-Seasons-Complete-Psalter/dp/1587433168) Robert Alter's translation of the Hebrew OT (https://www.amazon.com/Hebrew-Bible-Translation-Commentary-Three/dp/0393292495/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1612243017&sr=8-1) The One Year Bible: https://www.amazon.com/The-One-Year-Bible-NLT-audiobook/dp/B01NALX6LH/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=new+living+bible+in+a+year&qid=1612243096&sr=8-3

In this episode, Dave and Ezra discuss the importance of personal accountability and discipleship. From personal experience, they share the different ways they have grown in their relationship with Christ and helped others along their journey. If you find yourself in a season of life that sees you "walking alone," this podcast is a must-listen! 

When should you speak up and when should you be silent? This is a tough topic to grapple with and it was the subject of a recent blog post on The Monday Christian (https://themondaychristian.com/2021/when-should-i-speak-up-thoughts-on-using-your-voice-in-a-world-where-every-word-is-judged/) In this exchange, Ezra welcomes new co-host, David Hartkopf, to the show and together they discuss how they use their voice in the midst of a world that loves to judge every word. 

Nate is the host of the Grace Story Podcast has been a registered nurse for eight years and currently works in a float pool in Kentucky. For the past several months, he has been working on Covid floors and deals with Covid patients on a daily basis.  To check out Nate's podcast, visit gracestoryministries.com or check it out on iTunes, Google Play, or where you receive your podcasts. 

Mark grew up in Toronto and moved to Vancouver in 2004 to attend Regent College, where he received a Master of New Testament Studies. Following over ten years of ministry, Mark, along with his wife Erin and an amazing team of people, planted Village Church in January 2010, which has now grown to a vibrant multi-site church in the Greater Vancouver Area and Calgary. He is passionate about contextualizing the gospel, teaching the Bible, seeing people transformed by Jesus, planting churches, and seeing the gospel advance across Canada. Mark resides in South Surrey with his wife and their three daughters. He is honoured and excited to lead Village Church wherever God calls it to go. Statistics on Pornography (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEHJLc0ZgTk&t=4s&ab_channel=VillageChurch) The Problem of Jesus (https://www.amazon.com/Problem-Jesus-Answering-Skeptics-Challenges-ebook/dp/B085XNL3Z7/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=mark+clark&qid=1610862365&sr=8-2)

Charnika Elliott is an educator, entrepreneur and pillar of her local community. She was born and raised in Roanoke, Virginia and is married to Byron Elliott also of Roanoke. She is the proud mother of two children, Promyss and Joshua and became a legal guardian and mother to a former student, Devante. She is a licensed and ordained Elder of New Life Christian Fellowship where she actively serves and holds leadership positions as the church administrator, a member of the praise and worship team, director of the youth choir and praise dance team as well as co-teaches Sunday school. Charnika has two Associate of Arts degrees from Virginia Western Community College in General Studies and Education. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Roanoke College in Psychology with a minor in Education and has a Master of Education degree from Regent University specializing in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Christian School. She is also a certified Christian Life Coach, HIScoach and an International Author. After enduring the significant loss of burying two baby boys a year apart, Charnika became more engulfed in her mission to encourage, motivate and empower youth. Since March 2005, Charnika has worked diligently to build the foundation of the Noah-Christian Community Center Inc., in memory of her two deceased children. The non-profit organization has offered free educational services to the youth of the Roanoke Valley and beyond such as: Youth and Parent Workshops, Tutorials, Outdoors Experiences (camps), College Tours, Career Expos, a Mentoring Program and more. She also founded the H.E.A.L. (Heartache Endured after Loss) Support Group where she serves as a Life Coach to women and their families who’ve suffered a loss due to fetal and infant deaths. In the fall of 2011, Charnika celebrated the start of her childhood dream, Noah-Christian Academy, a Christian School designed to Build Hope, Build Dreams and Build Community.

Russell Moore is president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. The ERLC is the moral and public policy entity of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. The Wall Street Journal has called Moore “vigorous, cheerful, and fiercely articulate.” He was named in 2017 to Politico Magazine’s list of top fifty influence-makers in Washington, and has been profiled by such publications as the Washington Post and the New Yorker. His latest book is The Courage to Stand: Facing Your Fear Without Losing Your Soul. His book, The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home, was named Christianity Today’s 2019 Book of the Year. This prestigious award was also conferred upon Moore’s previous book, Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel, by Christianity Today in 2016. In addition to these titles, he has also written Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families and Churches and Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ. Prior to his election in 2013, Moore served as provost and dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he also taught theology and ethics. A native Mississippian, Moore and his wife Maria are the parents of five sons.

Having been in ministry for over thirty years, Mark Cravens is more passionate than ever about the ministry opportunities available in today's ever-changing world. By God's grace, he intends to make the rest of his life the best of his life! God has given him the heart of a shepherd, and he finds the greatest fulfillment in life by using his pastoral gifts and leadership skills in loving, serving, and mentoring others. In addition to pastoral ministry, Mark is on the faculty of God's Bible School and College and has a part in helping to form a biblical worldview in the hearts and minds of students. "Hope Along the Journey" is a podcast ministry that he felt led of the Lord to begin. Birthed out of a chapter in his own life when he struggled to find hope, he wanted to begin a ministry that offered hope to others who were struggling along life's challenging journey. It is a ministry of encouragement, motivation, and inspiration to others who truly hunger for hope.

Support our podcast on a monthly basis by visiting this link! https://anchor.fm/the-monday-christian Brandi Swindell is the Founder and CEO of Stanton Healthcare. She is a powerful and well-known advocate for human rights, equality, and justice in America and across the globe.  Whether traveling to Tiananmen Square during the Beijing Olympics to lead public demonstrations for students killed during the 1989 Massacre (and speaking out for religious freedom and calling for an end to forced abortion) or organizing events to secure the freedom of kidnapped Nigerian girls, Brandi has been a passionate voice for building a worldwide Culture of Life. As a woman from the post-Roe generation, she carries a particularly important and relevant message. She represents the new face of the pro-life movement as a fearless, articulate, revolutionary, and passionate female leader. In 1999, Brandi co-founded Generation Life to mobilize the post-Roe generation. Generation Life is a grassroots movement of activists, students, artists, musicians, young adults, and professionals committed to ending abortion and spreading the message of sexual integrity. In 2006, Brandi launched the first Stanton Healthcare clinic in Meridian, Idaho. From a small room in a doctor’s office to an international presence, Brandi has led Stanton to the forefront of life-affirming women’s healthcare in less than 10 years. Brandi is an internationally known speaker and is frequently requested for media interviews. The work and public ministry of Brandi has been featured on: The BBC, The O’Reilly Factor, The New York Times, CNN, C-SPAN, The Washington Post, Boston Globe, Newsweek, Los Angeles Times, TIME Magazine, MSNBC, Scarborough Country, Fox and Friends, The Associated Press, and NPR. Brandi was also featured in “Portraits of Idaho,” an annual publication of the Idaho Press-Tribune, selected as one of “Idaho’s Top Ten Movers and Shakers” in THRIVE Magazine and named “A Rising Star in the Pro-Life Movement” by the Idaho Statesman. https://stantoninternational.org/brandi-swindell

Barnabas grew up as a pastor's kid in Minneapolis, MN and professed faith in Jesus as a young child. He grew up having a love/hate relationship with the church and struggling to find his own identity in Christ. After high school he moved to Illinois to attend Wheaton College. In his mid-20s God did a significant work in Barnabas's life to humble him, show him what repentance and grace truly look like, and teach him what it means to genuinely know and serve Jesus. Barnabas worked in Christian publishing for nearly fifteen years before joining church staff at Immanuel Nashville in 2019. He is a writer, the author of multiple books, and has co-hosted several podcasts. He has two amazing daughters, one dog, and zero cats. Really the only major crisis in Barnabas's life is a life-long loyalty to Minnesota sports teams. https://www.immanuelnashville.com/Barnabas-Piper

David serves as Founder & President of TTI. He casts vision and gives direction to TTI as we impact the world for Christ. David is a former senior pastor and had success in growing three different churches in Maryland, Iowa and Florida. He has been a trustee on the board of Luther Rice Seminary and has taught all over the world. David received a Master of Arts degree from Moody Bible Institute, a Master of Divinity from Luther Rice University and his Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice University. David is married to his lovely wife Loretta. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Rev. Bill Roscoe is the President and CEO of the Boise Rescue Mission. Rev. Bill has been at the BRM for 18 years (30 years of Rescue Ministry), and overseas a great army of staff and volunteers who are seeking to restore faith, hope, and family across the greater Boise region known to locals as The Treasure Valley. Rev Bill seeks To be a man of God; A man of integrity, courage and honor. To be the best husband, father, grandpa, friend to the folks God has brought into my life. To love and help people as much as is possible. To never forget that "but for the grace of God, go I."

David Espeut didn't follow the path of most writers. For much of his life, he focused his creative energy on music. As a graduate of UofT's Jazz Program, he's written three musical productions and over a hundred songs. But the entire time, notions of novel writing lingered in the back of his mind. One day, while teaching music to a group of chatty Kindergarten students, the idea for the Humanity Series was born. Having published Lunation (Book One) in January 2020, David looks forward to completing the series over the next several years.

Ryan is a licensed professional counselor in Cincinnati, Ohio and works with patients of all different backgrounds but especially those who are struggling with some form of sex addiction. He currently works with Counseling Alliance Cincinnati and has dealt with numbers of patients who have struggled with subject of our conversation!  On this podcast Ryan: Shares why he got into counseling. Offers some advice to those who are currently struggling with anxiety. Gives hope to those who are helping a loved one who is struggling with anxiety.

Gord has a passion for evangelism, equipping and church-planting. His experiences include: Missions in Ecuador and Colombia, evangelism pastoring and planting in the Kitchener-Waterloo area, the formation of an inter-denominational mission to reach the disadvantaged of the K-W community and he is the founder of Vision Ministries Canada which began in 1992. He and his wife Heather, live in Waterloo and attend Lincoln Road Chapel. They have three married sons and 5 grandchildren. On this podcast, we discuss Pastor Gord's: Mission's experiences Perspective on ministering in Canada Reaction to the passing of his son

Racial tensions are high in the United States and Canada right now. Darrell Stetler is someone who has spoken out on these topics in recent months and has posted a number of articles and videos to his blog and YouTube channel about this topic. As a white pastor, Darrell shares his journey of better understanding racial reconciliation and some of the changes he has made in his life over the years of being a pastor in Oklahoma City.   For more info on Darrell visit darrellstetler2.com

Keith Waggoner is the Lead Pastor of Grace Bible Church in Nampa, Idaho. He first took over the church around ten years ago and since that time has seen the congregation at Grace grow from a couple of hundred people to nearly 1,500 people meeting on a weekly basis. During this Covid-19 season, there have been many fresh challenges that Keith and the leadership at Grace have had to navigate. He gets into some of this but our real focus in the conversation is how everyday Christians should live their lives when times are difficult. To illustrate this Keith shares from the life of Daniel and some of the lessons we can live/experience by "Defying Babylon."  For more info on Keith visit keithwaggoner.com. 

Vance responded to God’s call to Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2000, as a church plant from First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Georgia. With a passion for God’s kingdom, he had a vision to launch a church focused on joining in God’s activity locally and globally. Thus was Hope Church born in the fall of 2001 in Las Vegas, NV. From a small group of eighteen adults in a living room, Hope’s fellowship has grown to over 4000 members desiring to connect people to live the life of a Jesus follower. Vance has led Hope to understand that what God is doing is bigger than one church. Since its launch in 2001, Hope Church has sent hundreds out of its fellowship on mission, invested millions of dollars in God’s global activity, and has commissioned more than 50 churches in the western United States. As a seasoned church planter in the West, Vance speaks across the country and all over the world from the passion of his apostolic heart to inspire people to join in God’s eternal, redemptive mission of making disciples and multiplying the church among every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Vance holds a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in History and a minor in Business Management from the University of North Alabama, and a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He resides in Henderson, Nevada, with his wife Kristie. He and Kristie are the proud parents of four children, and have a granddaughter and a grandson. You can find his book Unburdened on Amazon and vancepitman.com. 

Jen is the author of three books: Surprised by Paradox (2019), Keeping Place (2017), and Teach Us to Want, Christianity Today’s 2015 Book of the Year. You can find Jen on Twitter and Facebook, and you can also sign up to receive a monthly letter she sends to her readers. She currently lives in Toronto, Ontario with her husband and five kids. She loves coffee and enjoys life in the big city. For more info, you can find out more about her at jenpollockmichel.com.  On this episode, we cover a number of different topics such as what to do with doubts and inconsistencies that can seem to be in Scripture. We discuss her evolution as a writer and some of the spiritual disciplines she has put into place in her life to keep her on track. We also chat about how she has handled personal tragedy through grieving the loss of her brother and father. 

David is the Dean of Undergraduate Studies at God's Bible School and College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has a Master's of Music from Miami University and currently pastors at Pine Grove United Methodist Church in Falmouth, Kentucky. He works with a variety of students from many different backgrounds on a daily basis and for the last ten years has been Ezra's personal accountability partner. On this podcast, Ezra and David discuss how this relationship has been helpful in their spiritual growth journeys. 

Katie Leigh is a multi-faceted voiceover veteran. She is beloved as Connie Kendall in the world’s longest running international radio drama, Adventures in Odyssey. Other roles she's played include Baby Rowlf in the Emmy Award-Winning Jim Henson's Muppet Babies cartoon series, Honker Muddlefoot in Darkwing Duck, Sheila the Thief in Dungeons and Dragons, Richie in Richie Rich, Sunni Gummi of Disney’s Adventures of the Gummi Bears, Alex in Totally Spies and young Han Solo for Lego Star Wars: Padawan Menace, and many others. She also has decades of experience in every form of Voiceover from toys, to games to radio, to e learning, specializing in boys and girls voices and many foreign accents. With a state-of-the-art studio, she is ready to connect via every form of patching to yours usually with as little as 12 hours notice.

Dr. Ed Smither earned a PhD in Historical Theology from the University of Wales (UK) and a PhD in Intercultural Studies from the University of Pretoria (South Africa). In addition to a number of scholarly and practical articles, Ed has written, edited, or translated numerous books that include: Augustine as Mentor: A Model for Preparing Spiritual Leaders (2008), Early Christianity in North Africa (2009), Brazilian Evangelical Missions in the Arab World (2012), Mission in the Early Church (2014), Rethinking Constantine (2014), Controversies in Mission (2016), and Missionary Monks (2016), and Christian Mission: A Concise Global History (2019).  As a teacher, Ed loves coming alongside students and helping them discover their place in the mission of God. While he believes that the classroom is a passionate environment for mentoring for mission, he also enjoys meeting students for coffee and meals and serving together in ministry projects and short-term mission trips. Since 1999, Ed has been married to Shawn and together they parent Brennan, Emma, and Eve whom they refer to as “three amazing, hilarious, wild kids.” As a family, they enjoy hiking, watching movies, and discovering new lighthouses at the North Carolina Outer Banks. Ed is an ordained Southern Baptist minister and the Smithers currently worship at Gateway Baptist Church in Irmo. In terms of hobbies, Ed enjoys road biking, coaching youth soccer, drinking bold coffee, and listening to bands in the genre of Switchfoot and U2.

For three decades Daniel Henderson has been guiding individuals, leaders, and churches to embrace experiences of powerful spiritual renewal. Today he speaks across the nation at leadership conferences and local churches while coaching pastors and business leaders in the principles of a strategic and spiritually significant life. He is a husband, father, grandfather, and author of ten books. For more information about his ministry, visit www.strategicrenewal.com and www.64fellowship.com.

Daniel Im is the Senior Associate Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church, a multiplying multisite church focused on reaching 1% of Edmonton for Christ. His latest book is You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love. He is also the author of No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts that will Transform Your Ministry, and co-author of Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply (2nd ed) with Ed Stetzer. Daniel is a speaker and leader who has traveled to cities like New York, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Seoul to teach, consult, and coach. He co-hosts the New Churches Q&A Podcast as well as the IMbetween Podcast, and his podcasts have been downloaded over 3 million times. He has pastored in five major cities around the world in churches ranging from 100 people to 50,000 people. Daniel has an M.A. in Global Leadership and is a Gallup Strengths Performance Coach. He has led over 500 people through the StrengthsFinder assessment in multiple countries. He is a Maximizer, Learner, Intellection, Developer, and Strategic. Because of their love for the local church, after pioneering and leading the church multiplication initiative for LifeWay, Daniel and his wife, Christina, moved back to Canada with their three children. For more information, visit danielim.com and follow him on social media @danielsangi.

Stan Key is the President of the Francis Asbury Society. Stan’s education includes an M.Div. degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Th.M. degree in Missions from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He has completed additional graduate work at the Faculté Libre de Théologie Evangélique in Vaux-sur-Seine, France. After serving churches in Virginia, Kentucky, and Illinois, Stan and his family served for ten years as church-planting missionaries in the suburbs of Paris, France with One Mission Society.  From 1994–2012, Stan was the senior pastor of Loudonville Community Church in Albany, NY. Stan joined the staff of the Francis Asbury Society in 2013 and was named president a year later. He serves as editor of The High Calling newsletter and authored The Last Word (Warner Press, 2015), a study on the book of Revelation, Marriage Matters (Francis Asbury Press, 2017), Jeremiah: Fire in His Bones (Warner Press, 2017), and Journey to Spiritual Wholeness (Francis Asbury Press, 2019). Stan is a member of the boards of One Mission Society and Sammy Tippit Ministries and has also served as the spiritual dean for the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS). Raised in Georgia, the son of a Methodist preacher, Stan came into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ while he was a student at Asbury College. It was there he met Katy, to whom he has been married since 1977. They have three children and seven grandchildren.

Mathieu Yuill is the founder of leadingwithnice.com and serves as a mentor to numbers of business owners and non-profit organizations. He specializes in helping people find the why for what they do and passionately believes that leading from a heart of empathy is the only way to do business well - especially during times of crisis. If you are a business owner or find yourself in a position of leadership, this episode is for you! 

Dr. Michael Avery was the President of God's Bible School and College for 22 years before transitioning into a full-time teaching role, speaking at churches all across the United States. His particular point of emphasis is living the deeper life and this passion led to the creation of his online site, livethedeeperlife.org. On this episode, Dr. Avery shares how this Covid-19 season can be a time of tremendous spiritual growth, so long as we allow the Holy Spirit to operate fully in our lives.   Feeling alone and discouraged? This might be just what you need to hear! 

Brian Taylor is the Lead Pastor of E3 Church, a new church-plant launching in Kuna, Idaho in the fall of 2020. In this episode, Brian shares how he transitioned from being an executive pastor at a larger church to stepping out in this new venture. During this discussion, he shares the importance of not allowing what you DO define who you ARE. If you are going through a time of transition or job uncertainty, this might be just what you need! 

Matt Harshbarger is the technical producer for the Sunday Morning experience at Grace Bible Church in Nampa, Idaho. He has a wealth of knowledge in all things tech and on this podcast he shares some practical way beginners can improve their live streaming experience for under $500 and how those in the intermediate category can improve for under $2,500. 

Justin Jones is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church just outside Buffalo, New York. On this episode Justin shares some fascinating gospel principles from a new book he recently released entitled Seed Life which you can find on Amazon.

To find Darryl Dash online simply visit his website, dashhouse.com. On it you’re going to find not only copies of his new book but dozens and dozens of helpful blog posts that are incredibly practical.

Jermaine Wall is a website and graphic designer who lives just outside of Toronto, Ontario. He is the founder of cabinetcreative.com and works to assist speakers, authors, music groups and all types of different small business owners. On this podcast, Jermaine shares some of his journey including some tips for knowing whether or not we actually have the entrepreneurial edge to survive in the midst of a competitive marketplace.

There are a number of misconceptions concerning the differences and similarities between Catholicism and Protestantism. What is right and what is wrong? On this podcast, Pastor Greg Banik shares his personal journey from growing up in the Roman Catholic tradition and switching to Protestantism in his later years. Why did he make this change? Listen to this podcast to find out!

On this episode, Sonja shares “Nine Guidelines for Healthy Social Media Interaction.” Try to communicate with people like you would if you were sitting across a table from them. If you wouldn’t say it looking them in the eye, you likely don’t need to type into the comments bar. :) Always treat others as image-bearers of God with inherent dignity – that includes the way we speak to them. Not everything needs to be addressed publicly. Sometimes a discussion will go better in a private forum where people don’t have to feel like they’re being called down in front of the class. Give people the benefit of the doubt. All of us have said things we didn’t totally think through. And most of us have beliefs that we are still working through and sussing out. Most people have good intentions even if they’re not good at expressing them. Don’t assume people are stupid just because they don’t agree with you. Memes or posts that characterize the other “side” as stupid or short-sighted, etc. will never lead to helpful dialogue. Do not use insulting nicknames. Just don’t. (See #2.) When scripture says “a soft answer turns away wrath,” it means it. I’ve seen it happen. Your tone MATTERS. You can encourage healthy dialogue or completely shut it down simply by the tone you take and the words you use. Always use a tone of respect – even if you disagree. Kindness often can disarm a tense disagreement. Think about your motive for commenting. Is it simply so you can appear right and make your point? Or is it so that you can engage in respectful dialogue and get closer to the truth together. Humility matters. It is dangerous to assume that we are always right. Often we are not. Take a large dose of humility into every interaction.

When it comes to evangelism, every Christian has their ideas. Some say we should be very vocal. Others say it is all about our actions. We should “live like Jesus” and then expect people to ask what we have that they do not. While each of these aspects contain some degree of truth, Louis Posthauer shares a more effective strategy that we can use. You can find out more about what Louis and his team do at huntersoftheharvest.org. *Our apologies but we had some challenges with the audio in this recording!

Transitioning from the corporate world to a non-profit position is certainly not for everyone. But for those who feel God has called them to make this change, Dave Addison shares his incredible journey of how God took him from a life of depression, overeating, and alcoholism to being the director of Toronto’s oldest mission – Toronto City Mission. You can also click HERE to listen to an interview Dave did with Carey Nieuwhof on 100 Huntley Street.

Jamie Taylor is the author of a soon to be released book entitled, “Finding Brave.” In this podcast, she shares her decade-long journey through agoraphobia, a panic disorder, and the hope that she has found. You can find out more about Jamie by visiting her blog jamiehowardtaylor.blogspot.com.

Marianne Brown received her Master’s Degree from Bob Jones University and currently lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, Dr. Philip Brown, and three children. Helpful Resources: “When God Weeps” by Joni Eareckson Tada / “How Should I Read the Book of Job” by John Piper / Sermons on Joseph by Jim Berg

In addition to other volunteer activities, Cherub Langstaff teaches English once a week at two separate refugee reception centers in Croatia. During her time in these camps, Cherub works to build relationships by drinking lots of coffee and tea, playing soccer, hanging out with kids on the playground…oh and learning Arabic! She also visits refugees who’ve received asylum. 

Missionaries to the Ukraine, Melvin and Sandy Adams share how Melvin almost lost his life when he was robbed at gunpoint by a gang of thieves. This story, combined with their heart and passion for service, is incredibly challenging for those who are going through difficult seasons in their lives and feel God is distant. Has God called you to a location, but the challenges seem insurmountable? Then this story is exactly what you need!

What are ways Christians can work together to help eliminate poverty in their local communities? Yonge Street Mission’s Director of Reconciliation, Bill Ryan, offers some great advice! You can find more about Yonge Street Mission by visiting https://www.ysm.ca/.

How do I share my faith with my coworker who seems like they have no interest in knowing God for themselves? There isn’t a quick fix solution but Ed Ah, the founder of paul/timothy.net, shares some ways he teaches every day Monday Christians how to share their faith with others around them. Helpful Resources Include: peopleofyes.com and paul/timothy.net. Also, check out the Seven Commands of Jesus for his followers: 1. Repent, Believe the Good News, Receive the Holy Spirit 2. Baptize 3. Lord’s Supper 4. Love God, Love Neighbor, Love Enemies, Love Believers 5. Pray in the Name of Jesus 6. Give Generously 7. Make Disciples

When Sean and Becky English experienced the death of their daughter, it felt like more than they could possibly bear. In this episode, Sean shares how God was present, even in the midst of this horrific time in their lives. Do you know someone who has recently lost a son or daughter? If so, Sean shares some very helpful ways we can be a comfort to those who are experiencing the pain of difficult loss. Helpful Resources: “The Pursuit of God” and “God’s Pursuit of Man” by A.W. Tozer

The pain of losing a spouse is almost more than many of us could ever imagine. How is recovery even possible? In this episode of The Monday Christian Podcast, Nancy Stouffer shares how God provided grace in the midst of the darkest moment of her life. Out of her suffering, God not only brought healing for herself but he used her testimony to impact the lives of thousands of people.

Have you ever wondered who holds the Genus world record for the longer air hockey game of all time? Well, meet this person on today’s podcast! Jesse is passionate about serving God and living out his faith in a secular university environment. If you are in a college or university and you are struggling to live out your Christian faith, this is for you. Helpful Resource: creation.com

Have you ever wondered who holds the Genus world record for the longer air hockey game of all time? Well, meet this person on today's podcast! Jesse is passionate about serving God and living out his faith in a secular university environment. If you are in a college or university and you are struggling to live out your Christian faith, this is for you. Check out the polarisproject.org or you can also contact Emily directly at jonesintern1@gmail.com.

Obeying God in every situation can sometimes be difficult. It is especially hard when this decision is surrounded by a cloud of uncertainty. Listen as missionaries Tim and Becky Keep share some of their life lessons in obedience to God from over a decade of missions work in the Philippines. Helpful Resources: Eyes to See, It’s All About Obedience, shepherdsglobalclassroom.org

Helpful Resources: Tim Keller, Ray Bakke at urbanministry.org, Bob Lupton, Amy Sherman’s book Kingdom Calling.

Troy Keaton is the senior pastor of Eastlake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia. 

In this preliminary episode, Ezra shares what The Monday Christian Podcast is all about and the types of shows we can be looking forward to in the future.