Koben Puckett brings PBR (Professional Bull Riding) to Amarillo for the 7th year in 2022! The event is impressive—it continues to grow and draw top bull riders to compete. But it’s Koben’s personal story that is the most compelling. He was doing the hard work and advancing as a competitive bull rider when he had an accident that changed the trajectory of his life. Listen in on the conversation with Koben about his passion for bull riding, his accident, and how he kept moving forward.

You can be part of the story too. When you purchase a ticket to the Koben Puckett PBR, you are supporting the Press On Foundation, giving Koben and others with spinal cord injuries the opportunity for long-term therapy. Learn more about the Press On Foundation at https://www.pressonfoundation.org. Full details of the Koben Puckett PBR are at https://kobenpuckettpbr.com. Be sure to reserve your ticket and listen to the end of the episode to hear some insider info about the event on July 9!

Speakers: Greg Dowell, Koben Puckett

Student Minister Mesa Allison hosts today’s conversation with a handful of our HS students. They just returned from wilderness trek, and they have stories to tell! The week was a challenge—hiking outside, carrying their own gear, sleeping in tents—but the time was so beneficial. They learned to encourage one another and practiced being selfless and putting the needs of others first. Listen to our students telling you in their own words what the week meant to them and how they grew closer to each other and to God.

Featured on Today’s Episode: Mesa Allison, Taylor Edmundson, Bayli Nash, Kelsey Nash, Faith Dowell, Ethan Schaffer, Gracie Robertson, Jordan Womble, and Tucker Latham

Mic Biesboer joins Hannah McNeill and Greg Dowell for a conversation about God in our culture: where God is showing up, how we partner with him, and the challenges and opportunities for the church going forward. The Holy Spirit has been moving and working with the church from the beginning, and paying attention to the Spirit helps us see what God is up to. Listen in as they discuss how we see God at work in the world, how God works in our service to others, and how we can learn from other traditions.
Speakers: Greg Dowell, Mic Biesboer, Hannah McNeill

What does the book of Hebrews have to say to today’s church? Here’s the short answer: if you're tired and weary, Hebrews has something for you. It is full of thick theology, provides a rich understanding of Jesus, and offers a strong call to hold on to your faith. It’s a strategy for survival. The author speaks to us about suffering. And the message we hear in Hebrews combats the increasing loneliness found in our culture. Listen in on the conversation!

Speakers: Hannah McNeill, Mic Biesboer, Mike Cope

Hear more about Hebrews from Mike Cope in our recent Bible Intensive: https://centralchurchofchrist.subspla.sh/yxwtx6z

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From aspiring to drive an ice cream truck to leading the next phase of Children’s Ministry here at Central, meet Gabby Brandner! We discuss the things we love about kids—their openness, their ability to live in the moment, their imagination, and the way they think and ask questions. Children are a vital part of the kingdom of God. God is already working in children and is using them to show restoration and hope to the world. For us at Central, that means that our kids are included in our community and that they reflect God’s character. A good question for us is—how is this community together reflective of God? And that includes our kids. Listen in on the conversation!

Speakers: Hannah McNeill, Mic Biesboer, Chelsea Smith, Gabby Brandner

They are fans of glamping and nicknames, but what you’ll notice most about the McCarrells is the intentionality with which they live and how they serve the church. When they came here in 2005, they met God in a way that they’d never met him before, and their lives are different for it today. Jamie appreciates the creative ministries happening at Central, such as reaching the marginalized community by meeting their needs and showing them Christ. And he also loves seeing how God has led Central to explore new and innovative ways to include young people and women in ways that highlight their giftedness. His main hope for Central? That all who walk through these doors can grow, learn, and seek God more fully. Listen to the conversation here.

Speakers: Hannah McNeill; Jamie, Kristin, Lincoln, & Ivy McCarrell

They’ve been here almost 10 years, and as soon as they walked in the door that first Wednesday night, they had some instant connections to mission work and college friends. The Nash family quickly came to love the community involvement here, and they found in Central a place to serve and for their girls to grow in their faith. Michael is known for his compassion, and he brings to this leadership a gift for listening to and connecting with people. He is excited about the present and what God is already doing through Central. And as we look to the future of this community, we look not to create new things but to align ourselves better with what God is already doing. May we have the eyes to see where God is already working and join him in that work.

Speakers: Hannah McNeill; Michael, Anita, Kelsey, and Jenna Nash

If you have a soft spot in your heart for skating, this is the episode for you! We learn some great things about Doug (“Alexa, play Pitbull.”) while also getting a look into what Central means to the Richardsons. By growing up here and watching faithful leadership of the past, this church is deeply embedded in this family and has formed them in the way of humble servanthood. As we look toward the future, Doug is excited for both the history and people here but also the future opportunities with people that aren’t just like him and how we as a church can continue in this direction of making everyone feel welcome.

Speakers: Hannah McNeill; Mic Biesboer; Doug, Mandi, Sloan, & Sy Richardson 

It’s both really exciting and a little scary for our senior class as the end of the school year draws to a close. Today’s episode features 3 Hannahs, 3 lefties, and 3 seniors entirely born and raised here at Central. The joy coming from these seniors is evident, and they each have a unique heart for service. From dreaming of being a teacher, a vet, and one other profession (listen to find out), the experiences that they’ve had with their faith community are shaping their way forward and what they intend to pursue after high school. It is obvious how God has been at work in each of these young women! Listen to the conversation at www.amarillocentral.org/media.

Speakers: Hannah McNeill, Hannah Green, Gracie Robertson Hannah Shepherd

It was a personal invitation that helped bring them to Central, and you’ll quickly pick up on Mark’s excitement for God’s people and his hopes for Central. From a passion for the local church to ice cream every night,

there’s a lot to love about Mark and Carrie. If you haven’t met them yet, allow us to introduce you! Throughout our conversation, we’re reminded that we lead out of our stories—out of our flaws and weaknesses—and that there is a real tension between planning and leading versus surrendering to God’s plan and his guidance.

Speakers: Hannah McNeill, Mark Tidwell, Carrie Tidwell, Mic Biesboer