Welcome to Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.

In this episode, Dr. Brent continues the Great Awakenings conversation with Pastor Ada Simpson by addressing one of the most important questions facing the modern church:

How do we discern true revival from artificial spirituality?

Using Jonathan Edwards’ historic work The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, Dr. Brent walks us through eight biblical tests that help separate genuine moves of God from emotional hype, spiritual excess, or personality-driven movements.

Together, we explore why the church is especially vulnerable to strange fire in this generation, and how both cessationism and unchecked revivalism can lead believers away from healthy, Christ-centered spirituality.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Dr. Brent also explains what Jonathan Edwards warned us not to use as proof of revival — including emotional reactions, physical manifestations, visions, or dramatic experiences.

The conversation then shifts to modern revival culture, including:

Finally, Dr. Brent leaves listeners with one powerful question every Christian should ask when encountering any spiritual movement.

This episode is not about criticizing revival — it’s about protecting it.

If you care about awakening, holiness, discernment, and genuine moves of God, this conversation is essential.

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In this powerful and timely conversation, Pastor Pete Kramer sits down with Dr. Brent Simpson for a wide-ranging discussion on awakening, wonder, revival, and what God is stirring in the Church right now.

Using Arise Church’s annual “State of the Church” message as a backdrop, this episode moves beyond numbers and momentum into the deeper question of spiritual awakening—both personal and corporate. Dr. Brent reflects on salvations, baptisms, miracles, missions, and why awakening always begins within before it ever transforms a church, a city, or a nation.

This episode is both pastoral and prophetic, calling listeners to move from form to fire, from routine to wonder, and from spiritual dryness into renewed hunger for God.

🔥 What’s Covered in This Episode

🙌 Key Takeaway

Great awakenings don’t start in crowds—they start in hearts.

🎯 Call to Action

If you feel hunger stirring, don’t silence it.

Join us in prayer, fasting, and expectation—and watch what God does next.

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Welcome to Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson “where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.”

In this episode, Dr. Brent Simpson sits down with Pastor Dan Turpin, a retired pastor with over 50 years of ministry experience and more than five decades of practicing the spiritual discipline of fasting.

This conversation goes beyond theory and into wisdom—what fasting really is, why Jesus practiced it, why He expected His followers to fast, and how to approach fasting in a healthy, biblical, and grace-filled way.

Together, they unpack the heart behind fasting, the different types of fasting found in Scripture, how long a fast should last, and whether fasting is always about food or can include other forms of intentional surrender.

Pastor Dan also shares practical insight on how to handle hunger, headaches, and fatigue during a fast, how to break a fast wisely, and who should not fast due to medical or life-stage concerns. They address common fasting mistakes many Christians make—such as using fasting to try to manipulate God, measuring spirituality by intensity, or simply skipping meals without spending time with God.

This episode is especially helpful for anyone new to fasting, returning to fasting, or wanting to deepen their understanding of why fasting has been such a powerful and formative discipline throughout church history.

Topics covered include:

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Welcome to Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson, Where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.

In this special 2025 Wrap-Up episode, Pastor Josh Jordan, Saturday Pastor at Arise Church, sits down with Dr. Brent Simpson to reflect on a year marked by healing, preparation, and deep personal formation.

This conversation looks back at the books, podcasts, music, and themes that shaped 2025—and looks ahead to what God may be stirring for 2026.

📚 Dr. Brent’s Top Books from 2025 (Must-Reads)

Dr. Brent shares the books that most shaped his thinking this year:

Bonus pick:

🎧 Dr. Brents Top Podcasts Worth Listening To

Podcasts Dr. Brent Listens To:

Top Creating the Future Episodes from 2025:

🎶 Dr. Brent’s Top Songs of 2025

📖 All Books Dr. Brent Read in 2025: 

Here is the complete reading list from last year:

You can shop the majority of these titles here!

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Welcome to Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.

Today I sit down with Pastor Ken McAnulty, Executive Pastor of Arise Church, for one of the most practical and needed conversations in the church today… What Should Modern Christians Think About Tithing?

Tithing is one of the most misunderstood topics in modern Christianity. Some people feel guilty. Some feel confused. Some feel pressured. Others want to honor God but aren’t sure what it really looks like.

This episode cuts through the confusion and gives you clarity, confidence, and a biblical foundation for honoring God with your finances.

We walk through the 10 biggest questions people ask about tithing, including:

Pastor Ken brings pastoral wisdom, biblical truth, and decades of real-life ministry experience to help you understand God’s heart behind generosity. Whether you're new to tithing, wrestling with questions, or wanting to grow in your faith, this episode will help you move forward with peace and purpose.

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In this episode, Dr. Brent sits down with Pastor Joshua Jordan — someone he has personally mentored for several years and who now serves on staff at Arise Church. What started as a simple Q&A on social media turned into a flood of mentorship-related questions, so today we tackle them head-on.

This is a practical, honest conversation about mentoring, calling, spiritual growth, and what it takes to develop into the leader God has created you to be.

What We Cover in This Episode

What to look for, what to avoid, and how to recognize someone who can genuinely help form your character and calling.

We tackle the difference between receiving wisdom from a mentor and receiving identity, covering, and formation from a spiritual father/mother — and why both can matter.

Practical steps for starting the conversation, honoring the relationship, and positioning yourself to grow.

How to tell when a desire is from God, when it’s flesh, and how mentors help you untangle the difference.

What to do when God speaks identity over you that doesn’t match how you currently see yourself — and how mentors guide you into confidence, maturity, and Christlike character.

Can you grow without a person directly discipling you? Yes. Is there a healthier way? Absolutely. We talk through both.

How to develop gifts responsibly, biblically, and in community — and what healthy vs. unhealthy guidance looks like.

Why This Conversation Matters

We’re living in a generation hungry for guidance, identity, clarity, and discipleship.

This conversation gives you tools to:

Whether you’re just beginning your journey or you’re already guiding others, this episode will help you grow with wisdom, humility, and confidence.

Connect with Pastor Joshua Jordan

@joshuajjordan

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In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Dr. Brent is joined by his wife, Pastor Ada Simpson — who leads all prayer and inner healing ministries at Arise Church. Together, they unpack how forgiveness brings freedom, restores peace, and breaks the spiritual cycles that keep people stuck.

Ada shares from years of praying with people, leading freedom sessions, and seeing firsthand how the Holy Spirit heals hearts that choose the hard but holy path of forgiveness. This episode is practical, honest, biblical, and full of hope.

We walk through five essential steps to living in forgiveness:

Forgiveness starts at the foot of the cross. If Jesus has forgiven us of so much, how can we withhold forgiveness from others? Remembering God’s mercy softens the hardest places of our hearts. (Matthew 18:32–35; Ephesians 4:32)

Forgiveness is first a choice, not a feeling. We “let go” of the debt and entrust justice to God. Freedom begins when you stop holding the person hostage in your heart. (Colossians 3:13; Romans 12:19)

Jesus told us to pray for our enemies. Prayer may not instantly change emotions, but it opens the door for God to change your heart posture and bring healing. (Matthew 5:44)

Blessing someone doesn’t excuse their sin — it simply prevents you from becoming like them. Responding with goodness breaks the cycle of darkness and aligns you with the Kingdom. (Romans 12:20–21; 1 Peter 3:9)

Forgiveness is often a journey. When old memories resurface, release them again. Jesus’ “seventy times seven” teaches us that forgiveness is a lifestyle of refusing bitterness and allowing the Holy Spirit to restore peace. (Matthew 18:21–22)

If you’ve been struggling with anger, offense, or hurt — this episode will help you breathe again. Freedom is possible, and forgiveness is the doorway.

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In this gripping and eye-opening episode, Dr. Brent is joined by Nigerian pastor and leader Dr. Henry Oloruntobo to talk about the growing wave of persecution facing Christians across Nigeria. Few places on earth are more dangerous for believers — and few stories are more important for the global church to hear.

Dr. Henry shares firsthand experiences, the spiritual climate on the ground, and the incredible resilience of believers who continue to gather, worship, and preach the gospel despite extreme violence and daily threats.

Why Nigeria Matters

Nigeria is currently considered the most lethal place in the world to be a Christian.

This episode confronts the heartbreaking reality — and the incredible hope — of Nigeria’s suffering but steadfast church.

What We Discuss in This Episode

What life looks like for pastors, families, and churches in areas targeted by extremists.

How radical groups, political dynamics, and spiritual forces are contributing to escalating violence.

Dr. Henry shares powerful real-life moments where God’s presence met believers in their darkest hours.

We talk about prayer, advocacy, support, and standing with our brothers and sisters as Hebrews 13:3 commands:

“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison.” (NIV)

Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 12:26 (“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it”) remind us that their suffering is our suffering — because the church is one body.

A Call to Pray and Stand With the Persecuted Church

This episode ends with a challenge:

As the church in Acts showed us, the global body of Christ is called to respond with:

Their faith under fire should awaken ours.

You can connect with Dr. Henry at The Redeemed Christian Church of God – Good Seed Assembly.

Giving to help the persecuted church can be done through Arise Church’s “Legacy” fund.

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Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson — where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.

4 Steps to Not Being Triggered This Thanksgiving & Holiday Season

This conversation is a life-giving, wise, and hope-filled guide to navigating the holidays with peace. Dr. Kimberly Boone joins Dr. Brent to help you prepare your heart, manage emotional triggers, and enter the holidays from a place of freedom instead of frustration.

Dr. Kimberly Boone is a Doctor of Christian Counseling in Clinical Psychology, a Certified Life Coach, and a woman known for her contagious joy, her prophetic encouragement, and her passion to see God’s people walk in freedom. She helps people break the lies that keep them bound and step confidently into their Christ-given identity.

In this episode, we talk about four powerful steps that can transform your Thanksgiving and your entire holiday season:

Understanding your emotional boundaries, capacity, and limits brings peace. Kimberly explains why self-awareness is a spiritual discipline — and how honoring your needs is not selfish, but wise.

Holidays can surface old wounds. Kimberly walks us through the importance of naming pain, validating your story, and letting God heal what has previously been ignored or minimized.

Before the turkey hits the table, identify the patterns, people, environments, or conversations that tend to activate you — and learn how to disarm them with wisdom and grace.

This season, tenderness is not weakness. Kimberly shares how to partner with the Holy Spirit to walk in compassion toward yourself, slow down your internal reactions, and remain grounded in God’s love.

If you want to walk into Thanksgiving whole, grounded, and ready to respond instead of react — this episode is for you.

🌐 Website: MyLifeRestoredCounseling.com and myarisecoach.com

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