Notes From a Failed Missionary: Mini Episode – 4, “Salvation, Miracles, & Gelato”

In this heartfelt bonus episode of Notes from a Failed Missionary, join host April Amrine of the Called to Be Free Academy, the Christian podcast for women, for a touching story set in the charming gelato shop of Frosinone, Italy. “Salvation, Miracles, & Gelato” captures the warmth of friendship, the power of faith, and an extraordinary moment of divine healing. Listen as a missionary family connects with their dear friend Marguerite, whose life is transformed through a powerful encounter with Jesus—right in the middle of her bustling shop. This mini episode is a beautiful reminder that God meets us where we are, whether over a scoop of gelato or in the quiet of our struggles.

Tune in for an uplifting tale of faith, hope, and miracles, and discover how God’s love can change a life in an instant. Don’t miss the chance to dive deeper—check out the upcoming book Notes from a Failed Missionary.

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Note: To protect and respect our dear friend’s privacy her name has been changed in this story.

Join host, April from the Called to Be Free Academy podcast, as your navigating your walk with the Lord In this moving continuation of last week’s episode, Seek the Promise Maker, Not the Promises Part 2, we dive deeper into trusting God in the wilderness, even when our most basic needs feel unmet. Drawing from Matthew 6:24-34, we explore how seeking God’s kingdom first transcends the demands of the flesh and aligns our hearts with His provision. Through a personal story of financial struggle and loss, we’re reminded that God’s love pursues us even when we’re distracted by circumstances. Learn how to prioritize an intimate relationship with the Promise Maker over temporary promises and discover practical steps to stay grounded in faith during life’s toughest seasons.

Key Takeaways

• Seek God First: Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:33 that prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness ensures all our needs will be met, freeing us from worry about earthly provision.
• God’s Love is Greater: As 1 John 4:19 and Romans 5:8 reveal, God’s love pursues us even in our lowest moments, offering grace and provision beyond our circumstances.
• Choose Faith Over Fear: Like Moses leading the Israelites, one person’s obedience to seek God can unlock His provision, even amidst doubt or despair.
• Practical Steps for the Wilderness:
1. Cultivate gratitude by journaling God’s past faithfulness to shift your focus from problems to His goodness.
2. Pray for a restored passion for God, as encouraged in Revelation 2:4-5, to deepen your love for Him.
3. Dedicate time daily for worship to refocus on God’s presence over your struggles.
4. Build a godly community to encourage your faith while pursuing a personal relationship with God.

Join us as we learn to trust the Promise Maker and walk through the wilderness with courage and faith. Subscribe, follow, rate, and review to share this message, and connect with us at [email protected].

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Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and GoodPods.

Notes From a Failed Missionary: Mini Episode 3 – “Christmas in June”

In this hilarious and heartfelt mini episode of Notes from a Failed Missionary, part of the Called to Be Free Academy, the Christian women's faith podcast, host April “Allergy Apocalypse” Amrine recounts a sweltering summer misadventure in central Italy. Expecting a breeze to cool off 98-degree days with 80% humidity, April wakes up to what looks like a Christmas miracle—snow in June! But the “snow” turns out to be cotton fluff from trees, blanketing the cobblestone streets of Frosinone and triggering an allergy attack for the ages. With no AC, no window screens, and no car, April, her stoic husband, and their whining kids trudge through a cotton blizzard to markets, church, and soccer games with neighborhood kids, all while sneezing and sharing the gospel. From a comical encounter with a sweet Italian lady to divine rescues by friends in Fiats, April finds holiness in the sweaty, sneezy chaos. Tune in for laughs, a triumphant challenge to embrace your own “Christmas in June” moments, and a sneak peek into April’s upcoming book, Notes from a Failed Missionary.

Got a funny mission story? Email [email protected]. Subscribe, rate, and review to spread the word.

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Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and GoodPods.

New episodes every Monday and new bonus episodes every Thursday!

Called to Be Free: Season 3, Episode 40 - Seek the Promise Maker, Not the Promises

In this inspiring faith-based personal growth episode of Called to Be Free Academy, Season 3’s “Walk the Wilderness with Me,” host April Amrine dives into the heart of pursuing God above His promises. Titled Seek the Promise Maker, Not the Promises, Episode 40 explores how chasing dreams or desires can pull us away from the true source of fulfillment—God Himself. Drawing from Psalm 37:4, Ezekiel 44:28, and the stories of Joseph and Abraham, this episode unpacks the dangers of fixating on God’s promises over intimacy with Him. With practical steps for navigating your wilderness season, this episode offers encouragement, conviction, and motivation to trust God’s timing and seek Him first.

April is committed to Christian Women's ministry, sharing faith, hope, encouragement, biblical truths, and what finding freedom as a Christian woman truly means.

Key Takeaways:

• Seek God, not just His promises: True fulfillment comes from delighting in the Lord, not chasing the dreams or callings He gives.
• Trust God’s timing: Like Joseph, wait patiently for God to fulfill His promises in His perfect time.
• Stay teachable: Embrace growth and humility to move from faith to faith in your Christian Walk.
• The wilderness is a journey, not a home: Don’t settle in your wilderness season; be ready to move with God’s guidance.

Perfect for anyone longing to deepen their walk with God and embrace His purpose through faith and patience. Subscribe, rate, and share to join the journey!

Do you have a prayer request, comment, or story to share? Email me at [email protected]. If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe, rate, and review—it helps spread this message to more people.

Thank you for listening, and may God bless you as you walk through your wilderness with faith and courage. See you next week!

Connect with me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Calledtobefreeacademy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april.amrine/

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Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and GoodPods.

In this laugh-out-loud mini episode, our hapless missionary duo dives into the chaos of their early days in Italy, where Ben, the king of overconfidence, learns that four cups of Italian espresso before a church visit is a terrible idea. From shaky hands and rapid-fire sermons to the concerned side-eye of their beloved Italian pastor, Abel, this episode is a caffeinated rollercoaster of humor and sarcasm. Tune in for a quick, lighthearted tale of missionary missteps and the perils of underestimating Italy’s tiniest cups!

Do you have a prayer request, comment, or story to share? Email me at [email protected]. If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe, rate, and review—it helps get this message to more people. To support this podcast, check the link in the episode description.Thank you for listening, and may God bless you as you walk through your wilderness with faith and courage. See you next week!

Connect with me on:

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Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and GoodPods.

New episodes every Monday and new bonus episodes every Thursday!

Called to Be Free Academy: Season 3, Episode 39 - "Doubt and Unbelief Can Cost You Years"

In this deeply personal episode of the Called to Be Free Academy podcast, host April Amrine shares her transformative journey through a decade-long wilderness season marked by doubt, heartbreak, and spiritual struggle. Reflecting on a pivotal moment in 2015, April recounts the pain of returning from the mission field—broken, empty, and questioning God’s plan. What followed was ten years of relentless challenges: job losses, failed ventures, marital strain, and a fading connection to faith. Drawing parallels to the Israelites’ 40-year wilderness journey, April unpacks how doubt and unbelief can delay God’s promises, turning an 11-day journey into decades of wandering.

Through raw vulnerability and hard-earned wisdom, April offers hope and practical steps for navigating your own wilderness seasons. Learn how to discern God’s purpose, guard against doubt, and find strength in community. This episode is a powerful reminder that the wilderness is not a dead end but a pathway to growth and God’s faithfulness. Join April for an inspiring message of courage, trust, and the promise of a brighter future.

Key Takeaways:

·       Understand how doubt and unbelief can prolong your wilderness season.

·       Discover three practical steps to move forward with faith.

·       Be encouraged by God’s promise to complete the good work He began in you (Philippians 1:6).

Connect with Us:

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april.amrine/

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Tune in next week for Episode 41, where we’ll continue exploring how to navigate the wilderness with courage and hope. Walk this journey with us and step into God’s promises with renewed faith!

New episodes every Monday and new bonus episodes every Thursday!

In this hilarious and heartfelt debut mini episode of Notes From a Failed Missionary, host April, your self-proclaimed "failed missionary," kicks off with a wild tale from her upcoming book of the same name. With upbeat, quirky acoustic guitar vibes setting the tone, April takes us back to 2015, when she, her husband Ben, and their three kids embarked on a mission fueled by caffeine and boundless optimism. Their grand plan? To spread the love of Christ by offering free labor to farms, businesses, and neighbors—think tiny humans hauling hay bales and scrubbing floors in the name of faith. Spoiler: it didn’t go as planned. From suspicious homeowners to awkward encounters, April shares the cringe-worthy yet heartwarming misadventure of their "slave labor with divine love" scheme. Packed with sound effects like record scratches and sad trombones, this episode is a delightful teaser for the chaotic, well-meaning stories in her book. Subscribe for more mini episodes and stay tuned for the release of Notes From a Failed Missionary!

Do you have a prayer request, comment, or story to share? Email me at [email protected]. If this episode spoke to you, please subscribe, rate, and review—it helps get this message to more people.

Connect with me on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Calledtobefreeacademy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april.amrine/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalledtoBeFreeAcademy

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button!

Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and GoodPods.

Thank you for listening, and may God bless you as you walk through your wilderness with faith and courage. See you next week!

New episodes every Monday and new bonus episodes every Thursday!

Called to be Free Academy: Season 3 Trailer - Walk the Wilderness with Me

Join host April Amrine in the transformative journey of the Called to be Free Academy Season 3, where we boldly step into the wilderness to uncover God’s strength and promises. This season, Walk the Wilderness with Me, dives deep into the refining, soul-stirring seasons of life, equipping you with biblical insights, practical tools, and powerful conversations to navigate with courage and faith.

Whether you're a seasoned believer or just beginning, April, your passionate guide and spiritual arms dealer, will empower you to wield the unmatched authority of God’s Word.

Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your preferred podcast player and embark on this wilderness journey to the Promised Land. Don’t miss the premiere of Season 3—let’s walk the wilderness together!

Look for new episodes every Monday's and keep an eye out for bonus episodes on Thursdays.

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• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Calledtobefreeacademy

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april.amrine/

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalledtoBeFreeAcademy

Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and GoodPods.

Jesus paid it all once and for all. But what does "all" mean? Join host, April from the Called to Be Free Academy podcast to discover the finished work Jesus's sacrifice provided for your freedom. Dive into biblically based scriptural truths and faith-based life lessons as she uncovers the finished work.

Do you have questions or comments? Would you like to share your testimony? Email me at [email protected].

Let’s connect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Calledtobefreeacademy

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Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and GoodPods.

Part 3 of "A Finished Work," join your host, April Amrine for this encouraging Christian podcast episode diving into the finished work of Jesus and what that means for you. Jesus paid it all once and for all. Let's understand what righteousness means as a child of God. Let your faith grow while you're finding freedom as a Christian woman in this modern world. God wants you free and He wants you to step into the fullness of the cross.

Do you have a question, prayer request, or comment? Email me at [email protected].

Let’s connect:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Calledtobefreeacademy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/april.amrine/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CalledtoBeFreeAcademy

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and give it a like!

Also available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, and GoodPods.