I sat down with Todd Johnson this week to continue the conversation about racism in the church and in our nation. He had some very thought provoking perspectives. We pray that this discussion helps us move forward in unity and shows us how we can work through these issues and continue to advance the kingdom of God together in a very divided time. Through it all we know that Jesus reigns, and as we keep Him at the center of all conversations, He is the variable that draws all men into unity.

Anne sat down with her husband Ron for a conversation about living with social anxiety and discovering that you can still give God your YES! Ron has learned over the years that Aspergers is not a limitation but an opportunity and shares with us his success in both business as well as serving in the local church.

Pastor Alonzo is the Campus Pastor at Victory Christian Center's New Castle Campus. We had a frank, rich discussion about what's happening in our nation. Pastor Alonzo shares from his personal experience his perspective on so much that we're walking through right now. I was shocked and saddened as I listened to the stories, but there's much to be hopeful about. What do we as the church need to know? What do we as the church need to do? Where do we go from here? Get your paper and pen ready to glean from my friend, Pastor Alonzo Waters. 

I'm so excited about this one! I was meeting with Pastor Mark Cuprik, Pastor Doug Reed, and Pastor Nathan Bacorn about our annual men's retreat and we got on the topic of fathers and sons. So many rich nuggets in this podcast. You can't really learn to be a father until you know how to be a son. It requires humility, integrity, honor and self-control. And we're thrilled to announce Bishop David Thomas will be our speaker at the retreat this year on this very topic. Make plans to join us October 9-10. 

We've got some quick updates for you. Retreats. Fireside chats. What's next. Take a listen as Mikel and Toni give us all the updates about all the things.

We invite you in to take a peek at our life through the lens of our anniversary musings. It's been 24 glorious years. Well, not all of them were glorious, but here we are, still married and in love all these years later. We talk all things marriage, life, the importance of laughing, the dangers of predictable, and the secret to a marriage that lasts. Oh, and get ready to laugh. There's lots of laughter. #bettertogether 

Join Pastors Mikel & Toni as they talk with Evangelist Richard and Carol Meredith, missionaries to Uganda. If you've ever wanted to know what it takes to see miracles, signs and wonders, stop right here. We talk about that and so much more. This one is packed full of faith-filled nuggets and it will challenge you to give God your all. If you give Him your full yes, there's no limit to what He will do in you, through you and for you.

You can check out their website here: http://evangelistrichardmeredith.com/

Evangelist Richard K. Meredith has preached the good news of Jesus on multiple trips to Russia, Ukraine, Columbia South America, Chile, Uruguay, Panama, Costa Rica, Congo, Kenya and Uganda. The Lord has confirmed his calling as an Evangelist by signs, wonders and miracles. In the daytime before the crusade Richard holds pastor seminars. He planted seven new churches through our crusade’s ministry. Five in Uganda partnering with Jubilee Christian Life Churches. One in the Ukraine partnering with Good Samaritan Mission, and one in the Ural Mountains of Russia working with Mission Possible. He is the author of Placing My Life In His hands. He has worked with the First Lady’s office of Uganda, Mrs. Museveni, the House of Parliament, General Elly Tum-wine and the Presidential Protection Unit. For three years he handled the logistics for 70 medical personnel that treated thousands of Ugandans free of charge. Held meetings with Ambassador Jimmy Kolker of the United States to Uganda. Was part of Operation Sunrise a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ addressing Uganda’s military. At present time he is holding crusades in smaller towns in Uganda and seeing a rich harvest of souls.

The Meredith’s reside in New Springfield, Ohio they have three adult children and five grandchildren. 

Everything's opening back up all around us, at least in Ohio. The mall has opened. Hair salons and barbers have opened. Church is opening soon. Can everyone say praise the Lord? Restaurants and gyms and more public places are soon to follow. With all of this opening, we've seen some concern and confusion going on all around us, so we took a few minutes to talk about it. To mask or not to mask? If I wear one, am I In fear? If I don't wear one, do I hate people? What If I'm not ready to head back out? So many hot topics In this episode. Let us know what you think!

Can you take a minute to help us out? If you could rate this podcast and leave a quick review, it would really help get the word out and help more people find us. Thanks!  #wearebettertogether

We got to sit down with Pastor Lock P. Beachum Jr. from the VCC Liberty Campus, and my goodness it was rich! He talked about his journey, about the place sports held in preparing him to pastor, and about balancing business and ministry and family. The crux of the entire conversation can be wrapped up in this - the need to trust God in the mystery. I think we can all relate to that right now. Get ready to glean some incredible truths from our conversation with Pastor Lock.

Bio:
Lock Patterson Beachum Jr. is the Pastor of Victory Christian Center Liberty Campus, a significant and strategic multi-cultural and multi-generational ministry impacting culture locally and globally. He also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Victory Christian Center, Incorporated under the leadership of his Pastor Bishop David L. Thomas, founder and CEO. 

A deep compassion for people from all walks of life is exemplified in his ministry. Lock's transparency, vision, tenacious spirit, love, sense of humor and most of all, his spirit of humility serve as an inspiration to many. 

Known for his character and integrity, he is a trailblazer and trendsetter who focuses on relevance and innovation. His God-given vision “Operation Impact” has helped to lift and transform the city of Youngstown and surrounding areas by pioneering and partnering in various Acts of Kindness. Although he envisioned his life traveling down a different path that included a professional football career in the NFL, it is evident God had another plan. 

Lock holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Miami (Ohio) University. He is honored to be married to First Lady Gloria Beachum & they are the proud parents of three children. 

From Brother Andre's journey of living by faith and not by sight to a global awakening and revival, we packed a lot into this episode. He dropped so many nuggets on what the faith life looks like for the believer in this season as well as speaking prophetically about what God is doing in and through the church now and what He is preparing us for as we move forward after quarantine. Get your pen and journal ready. Trust me. You'll want to take notes. Here's just one quote to whet your appetite: "When you have a salary, you have a guarantee. When you walk by faith, there are no guarantees but there are also no limitations." 

You can check out Brother Andre van Zyl's ministry at http://www.gnni.org/

Andre van Zyl, a native of South Africa, has been active in ministry since July 1980. Based in Atlanta, Georgia Andre actively ministers across the United States as the Lord leads him.

As a father of the faith to many, he has traveled to many parts of the world. Andre leads, and is involved with several leadership networks in the United States and abroad. Andre strongly believes in an Alliance of Kingdom Leaders to bring in the End Time Harvest. A major emphasis of this ministry is Church Planting and the training of Pastors in Africa and beyond. This includes a Bible School where approximately 700 leaders attend weekly for further training and equipping.

God spoke to Andre in 2009 that His church needed to return to the Upper Room. Out of that encounter was birthed an international prayer movement called Global Prayer Alliance. http://globalprayeralliance.com/

The GNN ministry also embraces a daily rescue center, called New Beginnings, taking care of approximately 1,000 people. Many different aspects of ministry are launched from this center including a ministry to orphan children.
 
Unless it touches the Heart of God, it is not a priority. His heart is people, and our focus must be people. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the Cross for people. People need the Lord, and the Lord loves people.