By Edifi Podcast Network
The podcast currently has 97 episodes available.
It is quite evident that the most successful crowdfunded series of all time, The Chosen has had a tremendous ministry impact through the 770 million episodes to date that have been streamed worldwide.
In what has become a global phenomenon, the multi-episode television drama based on the life of Jesus, is gearing up to release Season 5 early next year.
Through the first four seasons, hearts have been pierced, lives have been saved, and all types of ministry has taken place.
One interesting outcome of the series that does not get discussed much though is what happens behind the scenes to generate and heighten interest in the series.
Derral Eves is the marketing genius behind 'The Chosen'. Known as “the godfather of search engine optimization, a tag given him by Search Engine Journal. He joins us to chat about his thoughts on why this series, which began as a short film for a local church, is now closing in on one billion views and provides a slight snapshot into what Season 5 will bring.
For people from more mature generations such as Generation X or the Baby Boomers, it has become increasingly more difficult to understand what motivates people under the age of 30.
While these older people groups view the workplace with an eye toward rigidity, security, and ever changing objectives, Generation Z and Millennials are more interested in flexibility, fluidity, and clear goals. Their shopping behaviors are quite distinct too, as they are frugal, and looking for immediacy and impact, whereas people over the age of 50 are more content in making a financial splash with the long range benefits in mind.
Thus, it is easy to see that there is a rather significant social disconnect between these younger and older generations. So much so, that today’s young adults are seemingly more prone to float along in life, taking far more time to find their life’s path.
Fortunately, a solid way to bridge the gap, and create better understanding between these people groups is through a strong sense of mentorship and discipleship. What a better way to unite the old and the young than by allowing someone to teach and give help and advice to a less experienced and often a younger person.
A new movie in theaters now called “The Forge”, tells the story of a young man who has no concept of how to be a man. Drifting through life with little direction, he is eventually hired by a Fitness Center. He has no idea how the owner will personally impact his life. With the prayers of his mother and the unexpected guidance from his new mentor, the young man is forced to deal with his past, sacrifice his selfishness and discover how God has a greater purpose for his life.
Aspen Kennedy is a young actor who portrayed this young man in “The Forge.” He truly has a fresh perspective on what it means to be young, lacking guidance, and mistaking motivation for laziness.
Kennedy joins us to talk about the many societal challenges facing Generation Z and Millennials today. Listen as he shares about the value of faith-based mentorship in someone's life and how it can chart the course for an inspired adulthood.
From “Courageous” to “War Room” to their last theatrical release “Overcomer”, Alex and Stephen Kendrick have always found themes that address a critical topic at just the right time.
Their latest movie, “The Forge” coming to theaters nationwide on August 23rd is no different.
The movie tells the story of a young man who has no idea on how to be a man. Drifting through life with little direction, he is eventually hired by a Fitness Center. He has no idea how the owner will personally impact his life. With the prayers of his mother and the unexpected guidance from his new mentor, the young man is forced to deal with his past, sacrifice his selfishness and discover how God has a greater purpose for his life.
With total box office earnings in excess of $190 million dollars to date, the Kendrick Brothers' ninth movie stars Cameron Arnett, Priscilla Shirer, Karen Abercrombie, and also features rising actor Aspen Kennedy.
The Kendrick Brothers join us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about the importance and high value of discipleship. Listen as they share how to instill Godly values in the younger generation, and practical ways to live out your faith in daily life.
Have you ever been personally discipled? Do you desire to walk closer to Jesus but wish someone would show you how? How can your faith become a thriving relationship instead of a religious duty? What are the keys to assurance of salvation, abiding in Christ, praying effectively, overcoming trials, and deeply loving others?
All of these questions have reasonable answers. In fact, each and every one of the aforementioned queries are addressed in a new movie being released in just a few days called ‘The Forge’.
Directed by the Kendrick Brothers, best known for their faith-provoking films “War Room” and “Overcomer”, the movie tells the story of a young man who has no idea how to be a man. Drifting through life with little direction, he is eventually hired by a fitness center. He doesn't realize how the owner will personally impact his life. With the prayers of his mother and the unexpected guidance from his new mentor, the young man is forced to deal with his past, sacrifice his selfishness and discover how God has a greater purpose for his life.
Actors Cameron and BJ Arnett not only star in the movie but both believe wholeheartedly in the power of spiritual accountability and faith-fueled mentorship. And in an interesting twist, they not only portray husband and wife onscreen, but they are also married in real life.
The Arnetts join us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about what compelled them to want to work together on this faith-inspiring movie. Listen as they share why it is so critically important to stand in the gap and provide nurturing guidance to the next generation of young adults.
With more than400M streams and a combined social media following of almost two million, Kim Walker-Smith was on top of the highly instrumental praise and worship music movement here in America and across the world.
Having spent more than 20 years in worship leadership, Walker-Smith is known for her spirit-led worship anthems that have touched the hearts of so many near and far.
But then in 2020, as COVID-19 began to rage, Walker-Smith, her husband, and two children made the bold decision to leave California for the more simple vibes of Montana. She put her music career on hold as she and her family adapted to this new paradigm.
Now, more than three years later, Walker-Smith has released an original new album. Titled “Trample”, the project includes 12 tracks including the already released songs, “Boxes”, “Let Revival In”, and “Mama".
While many of Walker-Smith’s previous offerings came from a place of dryness and difficulty in her life, “Trample” is a compilation of songs written from a place of victory. Victory is not expressed purely and only with joy, but is also expressed with humility and understanding of what is needed to continue moving forward.
Walker-Smith joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about why she decided to take a break from music several years ago and how God inspired her to return. Listen as she shares why it is so vitally important to introduce worship to children at a young age and the foundational roots of what became “Trample”.
As people of faith, we have all been there. You find yourself in a situation that begs for you to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but for whatever reason you stop short. The timing isn’t right, the logistics are bad, or you just feel awkward and out of place doing it.
The problem is that it just doesn’t feel natural. Perhaps you fear the other person won’t be receptive or they will become hostile about hearing the Good News. Or, you just don’t know where to start.
Whatever the reason might be, sharing your story of faith and what it means to you is one of the hardest activities a Christian will ever face. But sharing your faith is not complicated. In fact, the more you share Jesus with others the easier it gets.
Duck Dynasty's Willie Robertson found salvation in Christ in large part because a stranger went outside his comfort zone to have a spiritual conversation with his father. Phil Robertson accepted Christ and then shared the Gospel with his own family. If that conversation never took place, Willie may never have found his salvation. Thus, his life would have taken a completely different path, one that may have been filled with misery and doubt.
In his latest book, “The Gospeler: Turning Darkness into Light One Conversation at a Time”, Willie tells readers how they can talk comfortably about Jesus with their family, friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers they meet in everyday life. In the book’s 224 pages, he stresses that sharing the Gospel is not preaching but simply having a conversation. The key is to focus on what’s truly important (Jesus) instead of what’s not (religion).
Willie joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about why well-meaning Christians often shy away from sharing the Gospel with people. Listen as he shares why it is so important to understand that sharing the Gospel is not preaching but simply having a conversation.
Have you ever been so frustrated with life that you just wanted to throw everything away and start fresh? It sounds great until you start considering all the ramifications involved.
Things like:
- Quitting your job
- Selling the house and moving to a new location
- Saying goodbye to friends and family (at least for a little while)
- Dropping out of church, school, and various other civic organizations
- Saying no to routine and saying yes to radical change
The list could go and on but you get the idea. Starting fresh is far from an easy process. One can get nauseous just thinking about all of the ramifications and consequences.
Not to say that change can’t be good in our lives, but sometimes it just seems easier to keep the status quo by leaving our fantasy of a life change for another day.
Angie Orth made the life-changing decision to follow through on a life-change. With her thirtieth birthday looming, Orth decided to escape her everyday life and embark on a journey of a lifetime. So, she quit her job, launched a travel blog, and booked a one-way ticket to the South Pacific and a few other exotic ports of call.
Along the way, Orth found herself dodging tsunamis, earthquakes, political revolutions, and the relentless pursuit of her family trying to contact her. But most importantly, despite her global misadventures, Orth strengthened her relationship with God and found a new resolve to chart the course for the rest of her life.
In her new book, “Flirting with Disaster: True Tales of Fear, Failure, and Faith”, Orth shares a few pages from living life unscripted yet still on a mission. But most importantly, she demonstrates that God’s vision for our lives is far better than anything we could ever come up with.
Orth joins us on the Crossmap Podcast talk about how she made a complete 180 degree turn that changed everything about her life in a positive way. Listen how living life unscripted yet still on mission led her directly into a much stronger relationship with God.
The allure of pornography can be quite intoxicating. And why not? It’s always available and easy to hide. Nobody else has to know about it.
Pornography is one of the few places in life where you are in complete control of your sexuality. Quite frankly, pornography never says no. You can be vulnerable, take emotional risks, and explore whatever you want to with no fear of judgment.
What you have just read is what the world has to say. But what about the Bible? Based on the various precepts set forth in Scripture, it is quite clear that the enemy has taken one of the most amazing gifts that God has given us, the gift of sex, and twisted it.
Believe it or not, pornography is a big deal that destroys families and relationships. Yet, most Americans don’t think pornography is a problem. But it is. Just ask our guest, Joshua Broome.
In 2013, Broome was not only into pornography but he had made it a career. He had appeared in over 1,000 adult films and had even won awards for this work, the adult film industry’s top honor, “Performer of the Year”. Broome was making more money than he thought he would ever earn, and living large had become a reality not some far fetched dream.
But within his soul, Broome was empty. He had done all the things that he thought would satisfy him completely yet they didn’t work. Instead, they actually amplified his anxiety and deepened his depression to the point where he was planning to end his life.
But God intervened. Intending to commit suicide, a chance encounter with a bank teller changed Broome’s life. In that moment, he made the impulsive decision to leave the adult film industry for good.
That decision changed my Broome’s life forever. While his departure from the porn industry was not easy, he still struggled with his identity and purpose. But he purposefully sought to make better choices.
Interestingly enough, today, more than a decade later, Broome is married and the father of three. He has gone from touring the world with porn-star fame to touring the world spreading God’s redemption and freedom. He has a new book out called “The 7 Lies That Ruin Your Life”, designed to give practical advice for those struggling with false approval and purpose.
Broome joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about why so many people struggle to find their identity and purpose and how pornography tries to fill that void. Listen as he urges parents to overcome their fears and engage in honest dialogue about sex with their kids and highlights that it is a beautiful aspect of life that God intended for marriage.
Links to Crossmap
Prayer, otherwise known as communication with God, is a way for anyone to ask for help, plead for forgiveness, or even offer praises to the Almighty. It can be a time to confess our sins and enter into a more intimate relationship with our creator.
Prayer can also have a profound physiological effect on us, such as lowering blood pressure and heart rate and even assist in regulating our breathing. It can also help us to focus on the blessings and good in our lives, while calming our spirits.
Simply put, prayer can be seen as a good thing, centering our hearts on the one who gives life and provides us with optimism in a world of negativity and pain.
For more than 40 years, my guest today has entertained audiences as an internationally acclaimed media personality and musician who has won 6 Emmys, and earned two Grammy nominations. With such widespread success, it seemed only natural that he would continue to garner accolades for his diverse range of talent. But it wasn’t until 2015, when he was given 18 months to live due to a cancer diagnosis that he discovered the single greatest thing in his life: how to unleash the power of prayer.
With his future looking grim, my guest began to practice what he calls the “power of healing prayer”. Today, nine years later, my guest remains cancer free.
Because he is such a believer in the foundational power of prayer, my guest has launched a new online course, “The Secrets to Answered Prayers.” In it, he shares what he has learned about healing prayer in hopes of helping others to develop a more powerful and effective prayer life.
John joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about how prayer sustained him through his own terminal cancer diagnosis. Listen as he explains how healing prayer differs from regular prayer, and shares a few tips on how to pray with more authority against sickness and disease.
Links to Crossmap
There have been so many stories over the years about someone defying the odds to achieve some level of greatness in their lifetime. So many that experts have dug quite deeply in a pursuit to find the common threads that define why someone is driven to seek high-performance and uncommon results.
While the research is sometimes conflicting, all can agree that a person who defies the odds has developed a range of coping skills, personality traits and supports, in home, school, and community that help them overcome adversity.
Dr. Ming Wang is one such person. A poor Chinese immigrant who grew up in 1970s rural China, Dr. Wang faced persecution and despair at every turn. But with the support of his family and his own unwavering determination, somehow, some way, he found his way to America to attend Harvard and MIT. And through his research, Dr. Wang developed an innovative technology that subsequently restored sight to millions of people.
Dr. Wang is the subject of a new movie from Angel Studios called ‘Sight’. Starring Oscar-nominated actor Greg Kinnear and Terry Chin, the film explores Dr. Wang’s traumatic past and celebrates his ability to not only defy the odds but to go beyond his natural abilities to find solutions that would make the world a better place.
Andrew Hyatt not only directed this movie but also co-wrote the script. His award-winning resume also includes films like “The Blind”, “Paul, Apostle of Christ”, and “Full of Grace”. It is Andrew’s desire to inspire others to persevere and to follow their dreams.
Andrew joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about Dr. Wang’s relentless pursuit of excellence when everything seemed to be working against him. Listen as he explains why, in our desperate need for heroes, we should look no further than to those who have dedicated their lives to helping others in humble, non-attention seeking ways.
Links to Crossmap
The podcast currently has 97 episodes available.