In this episode, Josiah Bancroft delivers a heartfelt devotional from Serge’s Launch Week, the final sendoff before new missionaries set out on their overseas journeys. Drawing on Philippians 4:4-9,  Josiah shares insight on how to navigate anxiety and rejoice in the Lord—even in our hardest times. Through personal stories, he speaks to the importance of anchoring our hearts and minds in Jesus – paving the path to profound inner peace and capacity to extend Christ’s gentleness and love to others. 

In this episode, they discuss… 

• Why the call to rejoice is more than a Christian sentiment (3:37)
• How to avoid a false pathway to peace (8:42)
• Is worry a sin? And why that might be good news (14:00)
• The only heart attitude that will truly combat our anxiety (17:17)
• The key to building up peace in our hearts in a time of stress (30:32)

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Philippians: Finding Joy When Life is Hard by Josiah Bancroft, part of Serge’s Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible series 
• You Are Sent: Finding Your Place in God’s Global Mission by Nathan Sloan
• For a full list of resources to help anchor your heart and mind in Jesus, visit www.serge.org/renewal
• For more about the ministry and work of Josiah Bancroft visit www.josiahbancroft.com
• Bible reference: Philippians 4:4-9

Credits: 

Our guest for this episode was Josiah Bancroft. Josiah served in Serge's executive leadership for decades. Now, he and Barbara mentor and consult with leaders, couples, and pastors in the US and abroad. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L. 

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org.

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Join us in a profound conversation with Hunter Dockery as he shares stories of God's work around the world and how these stories empower a new way to see. This episode explores our inner struggles with doubt and skepticism when encountering narratives that push beyond the boundaries of our belief. From miraculous stories of physical healing to impossible changes occurring in people deemed least likely to change, prepare to be reawakened to see the hand of God working in our most mundane days.

In this episode, they discuss… 

• A miraculous healing and the heart that followed (6:29)
• Recognizing our disenchantment with the work of God (12:57)
• The line between superstitious and being re-enchanted with divine moments of God (19:46)
• How stories open us to a greater bandwidth for beauty and sorrow (23:29)
• Stories of God at work where we least expect it (28:48)
• The catalytic power of stories to impact our lives and relationships (40:53) 

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Visit Serge.org to learn more about our work around the world
• Visit serge.org/news-and-stories to read more stories of God at work 
• Read “What My Dog Emmett Taught Me about a Theology of Scarcity,” a blog post by Hunter Dockery
• C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
• Tish Harrison Warren, Prayers in the Night
• Gerard Manley Hopkins, God’s Grandeur and Other Poems
• Biblical references: Exodus 3:1-17 

Credits: 

Our guest for this episode was Hunter Dockery, who works on Serge's Development team forming ministry partnerships. He's passionate about helping people get a glimpse into the mission's work. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L. 

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org.

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Prepare to be enlightened, challenged, and inspired as you join McKay Caston and Jim on this profound exploration of the grandeur of the gospel. McKay shares his personal journey from self-reliance to the liberating concept of grace, including the timeless truths within the book of Galatians and discovering what repentance truly means. This conversation invites us to look honestly at our need for Jesus and how that uncomfortable honesty paves the pathway to a renewed and fruitful life.

In this episode, they discuss… 

• Our ongoing need for jaw-dropping encounters with God's grace (5:35)
• How a deep experience with the gospel reshaped McKay's understanding of grace and repentance (10:26)
• What it looks like to exchange our rags for the green jacket of righteousness (18:17)
• What inspired McKay to write a book on Galatians (27:22)
• The dynamic intersection of Grace, God’s law, and Human Flourishing (23:27)
• The #1 tip for how to use the Galatians study (48:35)

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Serge’s Mentored Sonship
• McKay Caston links: mckaycaston.com and X profile @mckaycaston
• Serge Webinar by McKay Caston: Grace for the Control Freak Within All of Us
• Galatians: Navigating Life in View of the Cross by McKay Caston, a new release in Serge’s Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible Series 
• Serge’s Leadership Lab Registration 
• Bible references: Galatians 3:3, Galatians 5:6

Credits: 

Our guest for this episode was McKay Caston, pastor, author, and professor of theology and homiletics at Metro Atlanta Seminary. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L.

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org.

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

In this episode, a Serge missionary couple opens up about how leaning into God's favor and grace has not just sustained but enriched their 20+ years of ministry. They candidly discuss the challenges of feeling the pressure to have it all together, their efforts in nurturing a culture of grace within their team, and helping other ministry leaders in Europe find much-needed spiritual renewal. Their story underscores how learning to receive and extend God's favor frees us to step boldly and tenderly into the world with love.

In this episode, they discuss… 

• Longevity in ministry—the biggest threats to endurance (9:15)
• Cultivating an atmosphere of grace on ministry teams (20:03)
• What’s the difference between God’s grace and God’s favor? (22:20)
• Why we should never discount our “showing up” in ministry (32:00)
• How thinking transactionally toward God limits our ability to love others well (37:02)
• The key to pointing ministry leaders (and ourselves) back to the gospel (45:37)

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Serge’s Mentored Sonship program
• Sonship Week, October 22-27, 2023 in Hollywood, FL
• Biblical references: Zephaniah 3:17, Psalm 62

Credits: 

Our guests for this episode have chosen to keep their identities anonymous to protect their safety and the safety of those they serve. At Serge, we have many workers serving in closed-access countries around the world, and we prioritize security, which is essential for the success of their work. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L.

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org.

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Join Jim as he sits down with Denine Blevins, Executive Director at Parakaleo, to explore the essence of gospel-rooted leadership. Denine shares her journey through multicultural leadership, recognizing burnout, and navigating the nuances of humble yet influential leadership within God’s kingdom work. Her story is a powerful testament to how cultivating an ongoing trust in Jesus can free us from the distractions of people-pleasing, ambition, and workaholism to become the Christ-like leaders we aspire to be.

In this episode, they discuss… 

• How the gospel liberates us from the need for approval from others  [8:17]
• Understanding the unique difficulties of being a pastor’s wife in 2023 [20:01]
• What happens when the church forgets to include women in ministry [24:29]
• The top warning signs that you’re approaching burnout [28:43]
• What it looks like to lead through weakness [36:47]
• What happens when we try to lead from our own abilities  [43:43]
• How ministry exposes who we want to be and who we really are [48:24] 
• How to avoid the “new law” of getting gospel-centered Christian leadership “right” [56:06]

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Parakaleo Ministries for Women in Church Planting 
• Serge’s Leadership Lab
• Biblical references: Philippians 3:7 

Credits: 

Our guest for this episode was Denine Blevins, the Executive Director of Parakaleo, a ministry for women involved with church planting and church revitalization. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L. 

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Is there something you lack that, if you were to gain it, would secure your happiness?  In this episode, Jim Lovelady talks with Josiah Bancroft, diving into his latest book centered around the teachings of Philippians. Josiah opens up about his ongoing journey of re-learning to find joy and contentment in Christ, especially in the face of unforeseen suffering and hardship. Together, they explore the paradox of chasing happiness and how living in pursuit of Jesus is the path to the lasting joy we seek.

In this episode, they discuss… 

• What it looks like to re-learn core truths in each season of life [9:14]
• Why it’s difficult to find joy when life is hard  [15:53]
• Why Philippians is not telling us to to simply “Be Happy!” [23:00]
• Why our struggle to believe actually presents an opportunity [35:37]
• The real meaning of “I can do all things through Christ…” [40:09]
• What made Paul invincible, and how can that empower us as well [51:53]

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Philippians: Finding Joy When Life is Hard by Josiah Bancroft
• Sonship Week: October 22-27 in Hollywood, FL 
• Bible references: Psalm 1:1-3, John 11, and various passages throughout the book of Philippians

Credits: 

Our guest for this episode was Josiah Bancroft. Josiah served in Serge's executive leadership for decades. Now he and Barbara mentor and consult with leaders, couples, and pastors here and abroad. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L. 

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org.

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

In this episode, Jim engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Debbie Harrell, a seasoned expert on child development and education, to explore the intricate dynamics of parenting and children’s ministry. Debbie sheds light on the challenges we face as imperfect caregivers and the unique experiences of children, including third-culture kids. Their discussion encourages us all to see children's ministry not merely as childcare but as a profound kingdom-building opportunity that actively nurtures and shapes the identities of the next generation.

In this episode, they discuss… 

• How childcare teaches us about who we are [0:23]
• Strategies for reaching a child's heart and trusting God's transformative power [12:07]
• Teaching children about actions and consequences without shame [22:56]
• Insight into what it means to be a Third-Culture Kid [31:54]
• Practical tools for helping kids process their unique experiences [33:15]
• The impact of “The Great Aunt Rosie Effect” for shaping a child’s faith journey [38:48]
• Why God calls us to participate in children’s ministry [51:34]

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Debbie Harrell co-authored What’s Up: Discovering the Gospel, Jesus, and Who You Really Are and The Gospel-Centered Parent
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Final Battle, by C.S. Lewis
• Serge Free Webinar: Parenting with Hope in a Broken World by Debbie Harrell
• Sonship Week: October 22-27 in Hollywood, FL
• Biblical references: Matthew 19:14

Credits: 

Our guest for this episode was Debbie Harrell, author, speaker, and the TCK Resource Team Leader at Serge. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L. 

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org.

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

As Season 2 of Grace at the Fray begins, Jim Lovelady talks with Pastor Scotty Smith exploring his roles as mentor in Nashville's vibrant artistic community and mentee of Jack Miller, shedding light on how these experiences have deepened his understanding of grace. Their heartfelt conversation beautifully navigates the crossroads of art, faith, and personal growth and reveals the power of mentorship to guide us beyond self-concern and into the wild gospel freedom of God's boundless love.

In this episode, they discuss…

• What It's Like to Mentor Artists and Musicians in Nashville [03:37]
• How Mentoring Others Expands Our Understanding of Jesus [10:17]
• Why Art Reflects Who We Are and Who We're Becoming [16:03]
• How Mentorship Challenges Our Perception of Grace [31:14]
• Loss, Grief, and the Enduring Influence of a Mentor [44:58]

Thank you for listening! If you found this episode helpful, please share it and leave a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Scotty Smith authored 1 John: Relying on the Love of God, Revelation: Hope in the Darkness, and Ephesians: The Love We Long For, all part of The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible Series
• Jerram Barrs at Covenant Theological Seminary
• When the King Comes Marching In by Richard Mouw 
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Final Battle by C.S. Lewis
• Serge's Mentored Sonship & Discipleship Lab
• Bible: Proverbs 1:1-4, Ephesians 1, Revelation 21:1-22:6

Credits: 

Our guest was Scotty Smith, author/speaker and founding pastor of Christ Community Church, Franklin, TN. Hosted by Jim Lovelady. Produced by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L. 

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get inv

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Ever found yourself lacking the motivation to pray? You're not alone; many of us experience this struggle. In this bonus episode of Grace at the Fray, Jim Lovelady shares a powerful teaching session by Patric Knaak, where he candidly opens up about his own struggles with prayer and explores how Jesus invites us into profound spiritual nourishment through the Lord's Prayer. If prayer ever feels like a mere obligation, don’t miss this chance to reconnect with your true identity in Christ, experience a renewed sense of God's power, and bring back the joy and purpose in your prayer life.

In this episode, they discuss…

• How Jesus uses the Lord’s Prayer as an invitation to purposeful prayer [06:44]
• How the Lord's Prayer radically re-calibrates our identity and prayer posture  [13:04]
• What Kingdom-centered prayer reveals  about our abilities and need for God [16:04]
• Why we can ask for outrageous outcomes and trust in God’s provision [17:40]
• Practical applications for practicing deep, dependent kingdom-centered prayer [22:34] 

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• The Lord’s Prayer can be found in Luke 11:1-13.

Credits: 

Our guest for this episode was Patric Knaak, Serge’s Area Director for Renewal and Deputy Director of Mission. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L. 

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org.

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Join Jim and Marc Davis in this thought-provoking episode as they challenge the common belief that God is disappointed in us. Through personal narratives, they explore how both life's big and little moments shape our self-perception and idea of God's opinion. Discover how God's unwavering love enables us to embrace our weaknesses and strengths, repent, find freedom from shame, and regain confidence to walk in His love.

In this episode, they discuss...

• The desire to please the Lord and its connection to love [12:05]
• Exploring the belief in God's disappointment  [19:29]
• Jesus' kindness amid our desperation [29:45] 
• How God’s grace invites us to repent and believe [41:14]
• Finding joy in living in God’s pleasure  [54:19]

Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode. Or leave us a review—it really helps!

Referenced in this episode:

• Saving Grace 
• The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe 
• Webinar: "Is God Disappointed with Me?"
• Bible references: Isaiah 6:5, Numbers 6:22-27, 2 Corinthians 5:9, 2 Samuel 11:27, Ephesians 5:10, 1 John 3:20
• Serge’s Discipleship Lab
• Sonship Week retreat in October 2023 in Hollywood, FL

Credits: 

Our guest is Marc Davis, a program leader on Serge’s Renewal team. Our host is Jim Lovelady. Produced by Anna Madsen, Aaron Gray, and Sunny Chi. Music by Tommy L. 

𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involve

Connect with us!

• Instagram: @graceatthefray
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobal
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFray
• Tik Tok: @graceatthefray
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/

Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe

Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].