The Pastor's Table

Faith, Family, and Calling: Ryan & Danny Quanstrom on Pastoral Ministry (Part 1) | PT 113


Listen Later

What’s it like growing up in a pastor’s home—and then becoming a pastor yourself?

In this special family edition of The Pastor’s Table, Rev. Tara Beth Leach takes the lead, sitting down with Ryan & Danny Quanstrom, both senior pastors in Michigan and the sons of co-host Dr. Mark Quanstrom.

This conversation explores how faith is formed in the home, the unexpected twists in their calls to ministry, and what shaped their theological vision for pastoring today. It’s an inside look at the joys, struggles, and surprises of answering the call—especially when you grew up in the church.


🎙️ In This Episode:

  • What it was like growing up in a pastor’s home—the good, the bad, and the unexpected.
  • How Ryan & Danny’s call to ministry unfolded (and why it wasn’t always a straight path).
  • The tension of pastoral identity, academic ambition, and finding where you truly belong.
  • A glimpse into their ministry contexts—from suburban Grand Rapids to a rural county seat.

  • 📌 Highlights:

    • [00:05:00] A 5-year-old Ryan leads his friend to Jesus—right before jumping off a garage.
    • [00:12:00] Danny planned to be a history teacher—but God had other ideas.
    • [00:21:00] Wrestling with pastoral calling vs. academic ambition—and how they reconciled both.
    • [00:28:00] The unique challenges of pastoring in Grand Rapids vs. small-town Michigan.


      💡 Takeaway:

      Ministry isn’t always a straight path, and pastors don’t all come from the same mold—even in the same family. Whether you grew up in the church or came to ministry later in life, God’s call often weaves through unexpected places.


      📖 Next Week:

      What theological convictions shape Ryan & Danny’s pastoral leadership today? Join us for Part 2, where we dig into the theological frameworks that guide their ministry.

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      The Pastor's TableBy Dr. Mark Quanstrom & Rev. Tara Beth Leach

      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9
      • 4.9

      4.9

      53 ratings


      More shows like The Pastor's Table

      View all
      The Holy Post by Phil Vischer

      The Holy Post

      4,295 Listeners

      The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast by Art of Leadership Network

      The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast

      2,230 Listeners

      Theology in the Raw by Theology in the Raw

      Theology in the Raw

      1,413 Listeners

      Voxology by Mike Erre and Tim Stafford

      Voxology

      1,078 Listeners

      BibleProject by BibleProject Podcast

      BibleProject

      18,670 Listeners

      The Russell Moore Show by Christianity Today, Russell Moore

      The Russell Moore Show

      1,002 Listeners

      Kingdom Roots by Kingdom Roots

      Kingdom Roots

      287 Listeners

      Ask NT Wright Anything by Premier Unbelievable

      Ask NT Wright Anything

      1,965 Listeners

      Trinity Forum Conversations by The Trinity Forum

      Trinity Forum Conversations

      170 Listeners

      Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times by A.J. Swoboda & Nijay K.Gupta

      Slow Theology: Simple Faith for Chaotic Times

      257 Listeners

      Truth Over Tribe: Christian Takes on Culture, News & Politics by Culture, News & Politics from Christians, not Partisans

      Truth Over Tribe: Christian Takes on Culture, News & Politics

      869 Listeners

      John Mark Comer Teachings by Practicing the Way

      John Mark Comer Teachings

      1,674 Listeners

      Good Faith by Good Faith

      Good Faith

      1,889 Listeners

      The Bulletin by Christianity Today

      The Bulletin

      445 Listeners

      Curiously Kaitlyn by Kaitlyn Schiess

      Curiously Kaitlyn

      802 Listeners