Betty Lou Long is affectionately known as “Grandma Great” in our house. I have so many fond memories of family gatherings and food at her house. Today, she shares about growing up in small town Iowa, how she met her husband in a hardware store, and the profound sense of gratitude she felt witnessing a New England autumn. Grandma also shares why family is so important to her and how she tried to instill faith in hers. This is a special episode that I hope you enjoy!

Listen to Grandma’s story now!

Stories Grandma Great shared:

• Growing up in small town Iowa

Great quotes from Grandma Great:

I realized they needed to be well grounded and we needed to set an example for them as my parents had done for me.

I found sitting down and playing the hymns was very comforting to me.

Family is so important. When I see my family together, I’m so thankful for them.

Related episodes:

• Harriett Miller and a Fierce Faith

The post Betty Lou Long and Raising Family in Faith appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Harriett Miller is a strong woman who just so happens to be my grandmother. She was a little hesitant to come on the show and share her story but I’m so glad she did! Today, Grandma shares about growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, becoming a widow with five small boys, how that event led her to faith in Christ. The Lord has often spoken to her through Scripture and gave her a discernment gift that she had to learn to use well. These are stories I’ve heard bits of my entire life but today, we get to hear all the details. Grandma’s story reminds us that God uses even the hardest moments of our lives to draw us to himself.

Give Grandma’s story a listen!

Stories Grandma shared:

• Growing up in Des Moines, IA in a poor family

Great quotes from Grandma:

I don’t think I would have ever come to know the Lord as my savior if he hadn’t gotten taken out of the way.

I was his from the beginning.

If the Lord’s in it, any program can work. But if he’s not, no program will work.

Related episodes:

• Betty Lou Long

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Jason Elam is the host of the Messy Spirituality podcast. Today, Jason shares the moments he was completely overwhelmed by the love of God. Jason shares his experience of God when he died on the operating table, how professional ministry damaged him, and how the love of God became his mission. Jason’s journey takes us through the rocky ground of legalism and try harder but ultimately lands in the the meadow of God’s love. Whatever your journey has brought you, Jason’s story reminds us that it’s ultimately about sharing the love of God.

Listen to Jason’s story now!

Stories Jason shared:

• Growing up in the Nazarene church

Great quotes from Jason:

I saw the love of God as my mission.

God was in the friends who would still take my call.

The love of God is all there is.

Resource we mentioned:

• Jason’s website and my appearance on his show

Related episodes:

• Michael Woodward and Living a Significant Story

The post Jason Elam and the Devastating Love of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Stories Tom shared:

• Growing up in Nepal as the son of American doctors at a village hospital

Great quotes from Tom:

Sometimes when we say something is spiritually dark, what we’re reflecting is modernity vs. premodernity.

It is possible to come up with a life mission that you can share with anyone.

Resources we mentioned:

• Authentic Lives: Overcoming the Problem of Hidden Identity in Outreach to Restrictive Nations by Thomas Hale III

Related episodes:

• Michael Cooper and the International Call

The post Tom Hale and Living an Authentic Life appeared first on Eric Nevins.

• Living in an RV doing ministry

Great quotes from Gregory:

It’s been a slow and steady discovery of him in my life.

There’s a fine line between loving money and loving having money.

God uses us in ways we can’t understand.

Resources we mentioned:

• Gregory’s website

Related episodes:

• Sarah Geringer and Transforming Your Thought Life

The post Gregory Gillam and The Road of Healing appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Mark Scandrette is an author and globally recognized expert on practical spiritual formation. Today, Mark shares the story of his traditional Evangelical upbringing by sincere parents, his multifaceted and many conversions, and pursuing the way of Jesus. Mark has a very grounded approach to following Jesus that speaks loudly. He opens up about wrestling his life in Christ away from “shame and should” into the freedom that Christ offers. These days, he writes and travels to speak around the world while his obvious love for the Lord spills out everywhere. His story shows us what happens when you stay on the journey. If it’s possible for him, it’s possible for you, too.

Listen to Mark’s story now!

• Growing up as a military kid moving all over

Great quotes from Mark:

Christianity as it’s practiced in America is not that attractive to me but I couldn’t walk away from the vitality I saw in my family.

I might not be a conventional Christian anymore but I really want to follow Jesus.

Shame and should can only get you so far; eventually you have to find a different motivation.

Resources we mentioned:

• Ninefold Path

Related episodes:

• Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation

The post Mark A. Scandrette and Unconventional Christianity appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Curtis Sergeant is a disciple making movement catalyst and author of The Only One. Today, Curtis shares the story when he experienced a call to unreached people groups, how his work there led millions to Christ, and how suffering multiplied his effectiveness. Curtis has trained people in every country in the world to bring the Gospel to their people. It’s a unique gifting that God is using for his glory around the globe.

Listen to his story now!

Stories Curtis shared:

• Running a missions and disciple making training center in Alabama

Great quotes from Curtis:

The big idea in movements is that every disciple is called to be a disciple maker.

God used those horrible circumstances to achieve something in me…and, for his glory, in that people group something that never would have happened.

It has been a remarkable privilege to know people in so many places that are laying down their lives for the Kingdom.

Resources we mentioned:

• The Only One: Living Fully In, By, and For God by Curtis Sergeant

Related episodes:

• Michael T. Cooper and the International Call

The post Curtis Sergeant and the Catalyst of Movements appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Jay Holland is a pastor, author, and podcaster. His podcast is called Let’s Parent on Purpose. As a youth pastor, he realized that more spiritual formation happens in the home than during time at church gatherings. So he started his podcast to empower families to make better disciples. Today, Jay shares the story of stepping out in faith when the Lord asked him to, questioning God when his wife died, and struggling through his cancer with his son. Through it all, Jay points to the goodness of God’s grace in his life. He’s learned to trust as he traveled through the darkest parts of the journey.

Listen to Jay’s story now!

Stories Jay shared:

• Starting his podcast, Let’s Parent on Purpose to help families

Great quotes from Jay:

When you’ve got a good father, it’s natural that you’ll want to go to God.

I always had a tenderness toward Jesus.

I know where God is in the darkness.

At bottom, Jesus was the rock.

When the bomb goes off, it’s too late too find the people you need in your life.

In the midst of darkness and sadness, Jesus is doing a work.

Resources we mentioned:

• Jay’s website and podcast, Let’s Parent on Purpose

Related episodes:

• Tricia Lott Williford and How God Works in the Waiting

The post Jay Holland and the Goodness of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

April Diaz is the founder and lead warrior of Ezer + Co. She is also a wife, mom, advocate, and disruptor all of which we get a small glimpse of in this conversation. Today, April shares her story of starting full time ministry early in life, learning to take care of herself so she can lead better, and the clarity brought by a difficult season. Her ministry, Ezer + Co, is helping women “lead with wholeness” and bringing out the best in them to create a better world. April’s heart for the oppressed shines through in this conversation and reminds us of God’s heart for them, too.

Listen to April’s story now!

Stories April shared:

• Starting Ezer + Co., speaking, and telling her story

Great quotes from April:

I love challenging things. I’m all about burning down all the stuff that hurts people. And I want to rebuild things that are for all of us not just those with the power.

God is powerful and desires for there to be justice for us all.

Self-leadership is what makes or breaks our ability to stay leading.

Resources we shared:

• The Global Fringe Podcast

Related episodes:

• Meg Calvin and Permission for Ambition

The post April Diaz and Power and Justice in the Kingdom appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Terry Wardle is a pastor, speaker, and author or Some Kind of Crazy:An Unforgettable Story of Profound Brokenness and Breathtaking Grace. Today, Terry shares his story of growing up in a rough family, surrendering to Christ after a wild night, and eventually breaking down under the weight of expectations. Terry eventually found healing in a psychiatric hospital and learned the process of healing prayer. Terry is still a miner but now, he mines gold in people’s souls not coal. I know his story will encourage you.

Listen to Terry’s story now!

Stories Terry shared:

• Leading a healing ministry

Great quotes from Terry:

I grew up in a world that communicated that “as you are you’re not enough.”

Christ doesn’t want just part of our story. He wants our whole story.

Jesus does some of his best work in the ditch.

The Church has to become an unconditionally loving, confidential, non-condemning, non-judgemental community where we all admit that we’re wounded, where we’re meeting Christ in the wounded, where we welcome the wounded.

Resources we mentioned:

• Terry’s website

Related episodes:

• Marc Schelske and Wisdom of Your Heart

The post Terry Wardle and the Healing Journey appeared first on Eric Nevins.