In this episode, John reflects on the discipleship lessons of the manger and the cross. He explains that it was by way of a dirty wooden manger that Jesus came  as a baby to create relationships with all who would receive and believe Him. As a man, He taught and coached His disciples on the importance of relationships, using the metaphor of the Vine and the Branches. On a dirty, wooden, splintery Cross, Jesus, our Friend, laid down His life for us. 

How can we practice more intentional, transformative discipleship? In this episode, John challenges us to be a "hands-on, life-on-life" example of how to love and walk with Christ. He exhorts us to consider, as Jesus did, that the whole world is our "scrub sink." In other words, every place and time is an opportunity to be intentional in discipling and influencing others for Jesus.

In this episode, John explains that training and coaching - whether it be of surgeons, wrestlers, or disciples - need more than book and classroom knowledge. Episode 

In this episode, John tells how God's grace helped him and his friends through a bad car crash. He reminds us that accidents and suffering are part of this life - the apostle Paul certainly knew that! John encourages us to continue to Train, Go, Serve, and Change and comforts us with these words:

With over 46 years of training missionary and local church leaders behind him, John and his wife Penny still really enjoy this role! Imagine if you could catch that passion and learn how to do the same! The exciting news that John shares in this episode is that this life-changing training is now available online in several convenient formats. 

Compass2819 training principles have been used for 39 years to disciple church groups, college teams, and individuals. John tells us how the ministry was born with the crazy decision to invite 12 college kids to cross the ocean and stay in their home for 3 weeks....  Be inspired to hear that hundreds of lives have been changed because of this catalytic ministry and the faithful partners who have made it possible.

In this episode, John makes the case for excellent discipleship training. Soldiers and athletes would never think of not training; neither should the disciples of Jesus, who have a much higher, nobler calling.

In this episode, John takes us fishing with the grandkids to learn important lessons about the need to overcome our natural resistance to get off the couch and just get going!

In this episode, John asks, “How do you teach people to serve? How do you cultivate a heart and lifestyle of servanthood?”

In this episode, John makes the case for change: when you become more like Christ (by changing), you become a better leader, a better follower, a better team member, a better server, a better testimony of His grace. He points out that the tool, “Short-term mission trips,” can be a powerful change agent for disciples of Jesus.