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Heaven Earth Church Podcast – Melissa Bryant Interview

Episode Title: HEC Conversations: Melissa Bryant

Host: Dr. Brad Miller

Guest: Melissa Bryant

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode of the Heaven Earth Church Podcast, host Dr. Brad Miller sits down for an in-depth conversation with Melissa Bryant, a school counselor and devoted member of the Heaven Earth Church community. The episode is a genuine look at Melissa’s journey—from her deep family roots in Franklin, Indiana, to her evolving faith life and active role in the church. Through stories both personal and professional, Melissa shares how her passion for helping others and her pursuit of authentic spiritual community led her to Heaven Earth Church, where acceptance, vulnerability, and lasting impact are key values.

Key Takeaways

1. The Need for Authentic Community and BelongingMelissa Bryant discusses her experiences “church shopping” after college, searching for a place where she could both question and belong. She highlights how difficult it can be for single women to find meaningful spaces in traditional church settings and emphasizes what makes Heaven Earth Church special: its inclusive, conversational style and respect for diverse voices. Melissa describes how her first impressions—receiving a Christmas card from a fellow member and being invited into dialogue during services—demonstrated an openness and warmth that were missing elsewhere. She underscores that at Heaven Earth Church, “if you don’t think you fit in church, you will fit in here,” noting the church’s ability to welcome those with “church baggage” and offer real connection.

2. Vulnerability and Real Life Struggles are Welcome Here The conversation dives deep into the value of vulnerability in both church and daily life. Melissa Bryant shares how previous church experiences sometimes failed to address real-life struggles and instead pushed “toxic positivity.” At Heaven Earth Church, she found a supportive environment where difficult emotions and honest questions were met with compassion—not judgment. She explains how this realness is not just accepted but encouraged: whether it’s mental health challenges, doubts about faith, or tough seasons of life, the church community meets people where they are. Her own experiences with sharing pain and questioning doctrine were met with empathy and openness, especially in her conversations with Pastor Ross Stackhouse, allowing her to feel truly heard and safe.

3. Making a Lasting Impact—Inside and Out As a school counselor who works directly with students facing housing insecurity and other challenges, Melissa Bryant is passionate about making a difference in her community. She praises Heaven Earth Church for its mission to create lasting impact—highlighting their response to local disasters like tornadoes, their partnerships with recovery ministries, and their commitment to tangible help through food pantries and clothing closets. Beyond the Sunday service, Melissa points out how tiny church groups and small group ministries offer support and friendship, citing the joy and growth she’s found as both participant and leader. For Melissa, being part of Heaven Earth Church means actively living out her values, both professionally and personally, in a space designed to serve and empower others.

Listen to this episode to hear:

• Insights on what makes a church truly welcoming and inclusive.
• Reflections on faith, questioning, and personal growth.
• The importance of vulnerability and real-life support in spiritual communities.
• Practical ways Heaven Earth Church makes an impact locally.
• Why
• Melissa Bryant
• feels at home—and how you can find belonging too.

If you’re searching for an open, conversational, and genuinely supportive faith community, Heaven Earth Church just might be what you’re looking for. Tune in and discover what “home” can mean.

For more information or to connect, visit heavenearthchurch.org.