Ignition Podcast

Living with purpose in your single season. Singleness does not have to be a time of preparation, searching, and dread. It was never meant to be a "second-class" season of life. Instead, it's sacred and powerful when fully devoted to Christ.

In this episode, Pastor Josh and Melissa are joined by Jayson Martin & Trevor Ruble...both young men who are in a stage of single/dating. We tackled some tough questions that young singles are facing right now: p**nography, lust, comparison, non-negotiables, and pressures even from the church.

Jayson is a senior at Liberty University majoring in finance. He was introduced to Jesus by Trevor in 2021 and has been attending and volunteering at his church ever since. Trevor plays basketball at Cedarville University and majoring in psychology. His goal is to pursue a career in college coaching. Trevor grew up in a solid Christian home, he's currently involved in the local church, and takes part in multiple men's Bible studies.

Welcome to the summer series "Built to Last: God’s Blueprint for Love, Singleness & Marriage". This series is for singles, couples, and anyone seeking God’s truth in love. Here we'll explore what it really takes to build relationships that endure—through every season, challenge, and calling. Whether you’re waiting, dating, or married, this podcast will equip you with biblical wisdom, real stories, and practical tools to build a life and love that lasts.

Marriage is more than just a contract....it's a covenant before the Lord. God is the one that ordained marriage from the beginning. While society may look to change its importance, foundation, and meaning, God always meant for it to be a picture of Christ's love for His church and the covenant He established.

In this episode, Pastor Josh and Melissa are joined by two Holy-Spirit filled friends Robert and Emily Krause.

Robert and Emily met in China in 2006. After serving together on the mission field, they married and continued in their calling. Their journey together has taken them around the world, including South Africa and Zambia where they worked with orphans and led teams in ministry. Now in Roanoke, Virginia, Robert works as a business analyst in the tech industry, and Emily serves as a reading remediator at a local elementary school.
Married for nearly 18 years, Robert and Emily are raising three very cool kids — Ben (16), Abigail (14), and Mary (10). The ins and outs of life have rooted their marriage in a strong commitment to each other, all the while still learning what it takes. It’s a journey that is worth it! They love sharing what they’ve learned along the way and the purpose marriage brings.

Welcome to the summer series "Built to Last: God’s Blueprint for Love, Singleness & Marriage". This series is for singles, couples, and anyone seeking God’s truth in love. Here we'll explore what it really takes to build relationships that endure—through every season, challenge, and calling. Whether you’re waiting, dating, or married, this podcast will equip you with biblical wisdom, real stories, and practical tools to build a life and love that lasts.

Before meeting "the one" we should examine how well we know The One. In this episode Pastor Josh and Melissa are joined by special guest Dr. Douglas FC Keffer to discuss how to build your foundation in Christ before building a life with someone else. God doesn’t complete you with a spouse—He completes you in Him.

Dr Douglas FC Keffer spent nearly 3 decades in Christian counseling in Roanoke, Virginia as well as 20+ years in pastoral ministry. He now has a weekly podcast, New Beginnings Start Today (link below) as well as a book entitled "New Beginnings Start Today...With God" (link below).

https://www.youtube.com/@newbeginningsstarttodaypodcast

https://drdouglaskeffer.com/

When we face a battle, especially when fear is involved, how do we respond? Do we operate based off of feelings or do we truly surrender the battle to the Lord? In 2 Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat has a multitude coming against him. How he responds is EPIC! His immediate actions give us a great example of what it looks like to die to self, step out of the way, and allow the Lord to fight.

Everyone will suffer at some point. Whether it's a disease, physical ailments, or mental stress like thoughts of unworthiness or suicide, we all experience trials.

Did you know there is purpose in your suffering? In John 12, Jesus knew He was about to be crucified but **He knew the purpose of His suffering** Jesus knew His assignment. His death and suffering was going to bear eternal fruit. Our lives are no different. We can rejoice when we have difficulties because God has promised us eternal life. We have a Heavenly home waiting on us and it's beyond any beauty we can fathom.

Pastor Josh and Melissa discuss what it looks like to suffer well and the ripple effect it has on the world around us.

https://ignitionministries.org/

To the world, Christians might seem weak, timid, and soft. Where does this stereotype come from and is it true? Pastor Josh and Melissa discuss the juxtaposition of strength and weakness within the Christian realm, and what bravery might look like when you follow Jesus.

Warrior Women 2025 Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/ignition-ministries-warrior-women-conference-2025-salem-virginia-03-29-2025/event/01006158A5B24033

Billions of people call themselves a Christian. So, what does a Christian actually look like?

In order to define healthy traits of a Christian, we must

Ultimately, the enemy’s goal is to get us to not as far away from the “image of God” as possible.

There are many traits of a healthy Christian and in this episode Pastor Josh and Melissa narrow it down to a solid 7.

https://ignitionministries.org/

https://www.ticketmaster.com/ignition-ministries-warrior-women-conference-2025-salem-virginia-03-29-2025/event/01006158A5B24033

https://actionroanoke.com/

When surrounded by old friends and family, it can be easy to linger in the "glory days". For some its reminiscing and for others it's due to a desire to avoid seeming lame, uncool, or to prove that we still got it. When we linger in our "unholy days" we could potentially lose an opportunity to share testimony. This is when our "glory days" do not glorify Jesus at all, instead they boast in our old wicked ways.

Everyone will leave a legacy. Whether positive or negative, we all influence our circle, total strangers, and generations to come. Pastor Josh and Melissa Gaona discuss personal testimony about the impacts from their childhood &why understanding our past explains current personality traits and habits. Throughout the Bible we see the negative legacy of sin, as well as the eternal impact of a life devoted to the Lord.

https://ignitionministries.org/

How do you go from working on the railroad to a youth pastor? A diving appointment from the Lord! That's the case for one pastor out of Wirtz, Virginia. Whether it's issues such as mental health, anxiety, depression, sexual desires and pornography...how do reach youth where they are with the love of Christ? Pastor Josh and Melissa sit down with Pastor Chris Hale of Halesford Church to discuss his heart for youth ministry and a huge event coming up on November 16th, 2024 Forge Youth Conference.

https://halesford.com/events