Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!

Pastor Todd Stevens and his wife, Erin, both grew up in the Nashville area. They originally met during their years at Tennessee Technological University. They moved back to Nashville in March of 2000 after living in Greenville, South Carolina for six years. They now have three boys. As you can imagine, there is never a dull moment at their home.

Todd worked for thirteen years as an information technology project manager. He served in bi-vocational positions in several churches in the Nashville area as associate pastor and interim pastor prior to the launch of Friendship Community Church. He has received post-graduate degrees from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Tennessee Technological University.

How to Pick Up a Stripper and Other Acts Of Kindness spotlights the ministry at Todd Stevens’ church in Nashville, TN, Friendship Community Church, where he serves as the lead pastor. The congregation is known for bringing creative ways to show God’s love to the community, which can be as simple as buying lunch for the person in line behind you or even starting Nashville Strip Church. During a twenty-one-day fast, Erin prayed for God’s guidance and He told her, “feed the strippers.” She heeded the godly call and began serving food to strippers and other employees at a Nashville strip club. She didn’t take a Bible and she didn’t preach; she just showered the love of Jesus on everyone. Before long, questions were being asked about Erin’s faith that led to one of the strippers turning her life over to Christ, going to college, and pursuing a degree in law enforcement. This woman now helps Erin with the Nashville Strip Church ministry. Visit this unique ministry at www.stripchurch.com.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when Scott shares an interview from a LIVE concert with The Lasting Hope.

The Lasting Hope, a Christian rock band out of Southern Indiana, has a high-energy pop-rock sound that gets audiences on their feet and singing along. The band is uniquely formed by five young and very talented men who have a heart completely sold out to worship. Formed in 2010, the band has gone through some directional as well as member adjustments, but the final result has been a hard-core worship experience that audiences of all ages are positively reacting to.

The Lasting Hope truly has a heart for ministry and has lead worship and excited young crowds at many local churches, camps, and youth rallies.  “We are more than just a band, we are a ministry. Our goal isn’t to change the world, but to be THE change in the world.” Visit their ministry at http://www.thelastinghopemusic.com.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when Scott shares an interview from a LIVE concert with Infinite Kings.

Infinite Kings is a worship band from Lexington, TN where music is their outlet to share faith in Jesus Christ. Although teenagers, they’ve been blessed beyond measure and are excited to see what God has in store. In October 2013, they recorded their first album, Break My Will, which featured five original songs and one cover song. Lead singer Josh Middleton says, “Our hope is the music God has blessed us to write and play will impact others in mighty ways.” Discover more about them at www.facebook.com/InfiniteKings1228.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when Scott shares an interview from a LIVE concert with two young bands, Infinite Kings and The Lasting Hope.

Infinite Kings is a worship band from Lexington, TN where music is their outlet to share faith in Jesus Christ. Although teenagers, they’ve been blessed beyond measure and are excited to see what God has in store. In October 2013, they recorded their first album, Break My Will, which featured five original songs and one cover song. Lead singer Josh Middleton says, “Our hope is the music God has blessed us to write and play will impact others in mighty ways.” Discover more about them at www.facebook.com/InfiniteKings1228.

The Lasting Hope, a Christian rock band out of Southern Indiana, has a high-energy pop-rock sound that gets audiences on their feet and singing along. The band is uniquely formed by five young and very talented men who have a heart completely sold out to worship. Formed in 2010, the band has gone through some directional as well as member adjustments, but the final result has been a hard-core worship experience that audiences of all ages are positively reacting to.

The Lasting Hope truly has a heart for ministry and has lead worship and excited young crowds at many local churches, camps, and youth rallies.  “We are more than just a band, we are a ministry. Our goal isn’t to change the world, but to be THE change in the world.” Visit their ministry at http://www.thelastinghopemusic.com.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when Scott McCausey chats with Corwin Anthony.

Corwin Anthony is the National Director for Pro Ministry for Athletes in Action (AIA) and has been serving as the Team Chaplain for the Miami Dolphins since 2000. He also oversees the chaplaincy program of over twenty-five professional sports organizations including seventeen NFL teams, NBA, and MLB. In his NFL career, Corwin played with the Rams, Jets, and Packers. After his retirement, he served in the Promise Keepers' Field Ministry Division for four years with the topic, "How to Share Your Faith with Anybody."

Corwin is married to a former guest of our program, Kim Anthony. You can read more about his ministry at http://www.athletesinaction.org/blogs/corwin-anthony.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP!when former UCLA standout football player and NFL retiree and Chaplain Corwin Anthony blesses the show.

Corwin was a preseason, All Pac-10 tight end for UCLA in the late 1980's and graduated with an economics degree in 1991. He had a brief stint in the NFL with the LA Rams, NY Jets and Green Bay Packers.  In 1996 Corwin joined the staff of Promise Keepers in Denver, CO.  While there he served in the Field Ministry Division for 4 years, helping churches build and strengthen their men’s ministries.  In 2000 Corwin and his wife, Kim, joined the staff of Athletes in Action to serve as chaplain for the Miami Dolphins.  Six years ago, Corwin was invited to serve full time as the National Director of Pro Ministries for Athletes in Action.  He now oversees the AIA chaplaincy positions within the NFL and serves on the AIA executive leadership team.  He and his wife Kim currently reside in Centerville, OH with their two sons, Khari and Caleb.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when special guest Jonny Diaz drops by to talk about his new CD, Let It Fly.

Jonny Diaz began his music career as worship leader for a youth group in Lakeland, FL. He released three independent projects before signing with INO Records in 2008. His label debut, “More Beautiful You” (2009), produced Diaz’s first hit single, the album’s title track, which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s AC Indicator chart and No. 2 on its Hot Christian Songs chart. The record’s momentum, combined with a self-titled follow-up album in 2011, paved the way for Diaz to perform alongside such notable Christian acts as Building 429, Matthew West, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mercy Me and Bebo Norman. Diaz signed with Centricity Music in October 2013 and released his first project with the label, Let It Fly, April 8, 2014.

Let It Fly marks Diaz’s first collaboration with famed producers Jeff Pardo (Mandisa and Salvador) and Brent Milligan (Steven Curtis Chapman and David Crowder Band), showcasing an increased artistic confidence, as evidenced by new sounds and insights from the talented artist.

Such growth is readily apparent to early critical consumers of Let It Fly, with CCM Magazine giving it a four-star review, calling the record “a work of art,” Hallels.com touting it as “a gripping affair,” and Soul-Audio.com exclaiming, “Diaz embarks on a path that sees him living out his gifts.”

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! when special guest Jonny Diaz drops by to talk about his new CD, Let It Fly.

Jonny Diaz began his music career as worship leader for a youth group in Lakeland, FL. He released three independent projects before signing with INO Records in 2008. His label debut, “More Beautiful You” (2009), produced Diaz’s first hit single, the album’s title track, which reached No. 1 on Billboard’s AC Indicator chart and No. 2 on its Hot Christian Songs chart. The record’s momentum, combined with a self-titled follow-up album in 2011, paved the way for Diaz to perform alongside such notable Christian acts as Building 429, Matthew West, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mercy Me and Bebo Norman. Diaz signed with Centricity Music in October 2013 and released his first project with the label, Let It Fly, April 8, 2014.

Let It Fly marks Diaz’s first collaboration with famed producers Jeff Pardo (Mandisa and Salvador) and Brent Milligan (Steven Curtis Chapman and David Crowder Band), showcasing an increased artistic confidence, as evidenced by new sounds and insights from the talented artist.

Such growth is readily apparent to early critical consumers of Let It Fly, with CCM Magazine giving it a four-star review, calling the record “a work of art,” Hallels.com touting it as “a gripping affair,” and Soul-Audio.com exclaiming, “Diaz embarks on a path that sees him living out his gifts.”

Susan Lyttek, an award winning writer, has always loved to write, but didn’t arrive at the profession in the typical manner. Graduating with a B.A. in International Economics and an M.A. in Management and Supervision, she plunged into government consulting. In this environment, she discovered a knack for writing tests, interviews and other measurements. Soon, that became the focus of her career—reigniting her love for the written word. She began to spend her nights freelancing with “fun” writing including short stories, poems, articles and cards. In 1995, she quit the 9-5 work world to stay home, write and raise her young son. Not long after, homeschooling intrigued her. Since preschool she homeschooled both sons and continued to freelance. She has also developed and taught writing classes to her local homeschool groups. Since their inception, she has been a writing coach for WriteAtHome.com.  Married to her childhood sweetheart, Gary, Mrs. Lyttek loves to share her commitment to homeschoolers and her fascination with the written word. Her newest book is evidence to this, Guzzy Goofball and the Homeschool Play from Outer Space.

Join us this week on Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! with author Nancy Parker Brummett.

Nancy Parker Brummett first led a Bible study in an assisted living facility in 1999 and she and the Lord developed The Hope of Glory in the years that followed. She also journeyed with her mother and mother-in-law through their adventures in aging, and her academic interest in aging led her to receive a Professional Advancement Certificate in Gerontology. The author of four other books, she now focuses her writing and speaking ministries on her passion for older adults and those who care for them. Nancy and her husband, Jim, live in Colorado Springs, CO. They have four adult children, 12 grandchildren and two cats in their blended family. Her new book is called, The Hope of Glory: A Devotional Guide for Older Adults.