There is a great deal of emphasis on helping young men and women start strong in their careers or ministry, but we must not forget the importance of calling and equipping them to finish strong. Leaders can also struggle with finding their identity in their ministry, leading them to stay too long instead of passing on the baton. Join Pastor D.J. Horton for a conversation on this topic with Dr. Danny Akin, President of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Dr. Akin is set to retire from his presidency this year, a position he has held since 2004, and D.J. is quick to share that Danny is a man who began well, stayed faithful, and is finishing strong. In a world where we see people starting out with incredible gifts and abilities that lead to fruitful ministries, only to have their lives and ministries marred by scandal at the very end, this is a discussion every leader needs to hear.

The world’s greatest problem is lostness, and we as believers have the answer—the gospel. But how do we encourage more believers not only to go on short-term mission trips, but to dedicate seasons of their lives to living in places where the gospel has not yet penetrated the culture? Join Pastor D.J. Horton and Dr. Paul Chitwood, President of the International Mission Board, for a conversation about all that the IMB does to support missionaries, as well as how to stir people’s hearts for the nations. No follower of Jesus is excluded from the Great Commission, and we all have a part to play—from young men and women training to go on daring expeditions, to everyday people mobilizing trips through funding, to retirees leveraging seasons of their lives. 

Children are influenced by a wide range of people in their lives, such as pastors, teachers, coaches, camp counselors, and church ministry volunteers. But the most influential people in most children’s lives are their parents, and one of the greatest stewardships of a parent’s life is shaping the children God blesses them with. Join Pastor D.J. Horton and his wife, Laurel, as they talk about the joys and challenges of parenthood. With seven children of their own and 22 years of parenting experience, you don’t want to miss the wisdom they have to share or their honesty about their struggles. 

When it comes to helping people, one of the groups that can struggle the most is actually pastors. The burnout rate in pastoral ministry is extraordinarily high, and with the average age of pastors in North America being their late fifties, not only do we need more men entering pastoral ministry, but we need more pastors staying, thriving, and enjoying leading a local church. One of the keys to longevity is found in the power of pastoral friendships. Listen in as D.J. talks to four of his best friends in local ministry, Pastors Wayne Bray, Mike Harder, Cory Horton, and Josh Powell, all of whom lead churches in the upstate of South Carolina. Every pastor needs the camaraderie of brothers who understand the joys and struggles of being in the trenches of ministry, and that takes intentionality.

Spring is upon us, and that means it is almost one of Pastor D.J. Horton’s favorite times of the year—turkey hunting season! In this week’s episode of the podcast, D.J. is talking with Mark Prudhomme, a true legend in the field of calling turkeys, ducks, and even owl hooting. Mark is a 17-time Grand National Calling Champion and a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation Hall of Fame. If you love turkey hunting or just hunting in general, you won’t want to miss their discussion. Mark shares about his start in turkey calling, the great opportunities he has had over the years, the relationships he has formed, and his thoughts on the future of hunting in America. When it comes to hunting turkey, D.J. will tell you there’s nothing else like it. 

The Great Commission isn’t only for pastors and missionaries; it is a call for every follower of Jesus. But how does that play out in the life of an average Christian? Join Pastor D.J. Horton as he talks with Vance Pitman, Founder and President of Vance Pitman Ministries and Former President of Send Network. Vance shares how God transformed him into a man whose heart beats to see lost people come into the kingdom after reading about Jesus’ heart for reaching entire cities. From his days of church planting in Las Vegas to how we can all live on mission right where we are, this episode is for every believer who wants to recognize that every moment of our lives is pregnant with possibility to join in God’s supernatural activity.

In 2018, the Southern Baptist Convention came out with a statement declaring that the special needs population is an unreached people group. This is because fewer than 2% of these families attend church. Most churches are woefully unprepared to minister to families who have children with special needs—a statement that isn’t a criticism, but the heart of why this episode matters so greatly. Dr. D.J. Horton is talking with Laura Dyar, All-Access Director at Church at The Mill and mother to a son with special needs. This ministry seeks to disciple children with special needs and disabilities in accessible and meaningful ways—helping them grow in their knowledge and love for God, while allowing their parents to serve and worship without worry. Listen in as D.J. and Laura share why this ministry is so vital and how your church can start building one, as well. From first steps to challenges you may face, this episode will equip you to begin to better encourage and help this community.

There is no shortage of discussion among Christians about the need for the next generation of leaders inside the local church. Not only do we need more pastors, but we also need more men and women answering the call to vocational ministry at every level of church leadership. And while some hear the call to church leadership early in life and attend college for training, that is only one of the paths into ministry. Join Dr. D.J. Horton for a conversation with two pastors on his staff at Church at The Mill - Kyle Benefield, a former director of operations for Chick-fil-A, who is now an Associate Kids’ Pastor, and Will Shuler, a former football coach, who is now a Worship Pastor. Though they experienced success and enjoyment in their chosen secular fields, they could not ignore the Lord’s call to serve the church vocationally, and they are so glad they chose obedience to Him. From having honest conversations with their wives about making huge life changes to trusting that the Lord could use them and would provide for them, this episode will be an encouragement to anyone considering leaving a secular profession to enter into full-time service in the Kingdom.

In her early 20’s, Catherine Renfro received a phone call that she will never forget. In broken hopelessness, her brother, Barrett, called out with despair before taking his own life. She and her father rushed to his home only to find out that he was no longer with them. While suicide is an incredibly difficult and painful topic, Christians must not neglect to speak into subjects like this in tender, honest, and Jesus-centered ways. We invite you to join Pastor D.J. Horton as he talks with Catherine about her book, “Hope, Hurt, and Healing: Experiencing Jesus in the Wake of Suicide,” and the season of grief she and her family went through–a season that, sadly, hundreds of thousands of people endure every year in America. Even in the midst of anger, suffering, and guilt, Catherine shares that Christ never left her, and she is so grateful to be able to offer others the comfort He has offered her. Scars may last a lifetime, but Catherine’s life is a testimony of how God takes our hurt, heals our wounds, and offers us hope that we can go and share with others.

Are you frustrated in a place of singleness? Do you need godly wisdom when it comes to dating and marriage in this day and age? What should you even look for in a spouse? Don’t miss this encouraging and candid conversation between D.J. Horton and Ben Stuart, pastor of Passion City Church in Washington, DC, and author of “Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age.” In a world that can feel so disconnected, Ben shares how to navigate the four stages of a relational life and embrace the intentions and truths God has established for each one. Whatever season you are in, whether you’ve never dated or you are already married and want to know how to be a blessing to singles and young married couples, this episode has practical wisdom for you.