I spoke to Charlotte-based singer- and platinum selling songwriter John Mark McMillan just after releasing his 6thalbum and coming off a 35 City Tour in the USA to promote it. Many are familiar with his name especially after he wrote the song “How He Loves” and everyone from Kim Walker and Jesus Culture to the David Crowder Band, and Flyleaf covered the song. Years later churches around the globe are still singing that song week after week too. 

I was impacted by John Mark’s incredible depth and tenderness – his vulnerability and profound grasp on the humanity of Jesus. I loved his thoughts on friendship and seeking out relationships with people who aren’t like us… 

There’s a potent segment of this interview on vulnerability too. 

And if you’re a songwriter or a worship leader you will be challenged to hear him speak about his writing processes, honesty in worship music – and the song story behind ‘How He Loves”…

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN

Hosted by Ant McDonald, The Beautiful Pursuit is a podcast for the passionate ones. The ones who feel a fire in their bones, and the ones who wish they did. Originally dreamt up as a worship podcast (for worship leaders and musicians), The Beautiful Pursuit is more like a falling into the deep well of worship and never climbing out. To live encouraged. Inspired. And built up in Love. 

For Ant, The Beautiful Pursuit has been the pursuit of Jesus in it all. Not only Jesus in church or Jesus music, but Jesus in everything. Jesus in family, in friendships, in waking and sleeping, in highs and lows, in disappointments and dreams. He's either in everything or it's religion. 

Ant spent years working for Christian record label Integrity Media Africa, interviewing artists from all over the world - legends like Michael W. Smith, Lenny le Blanc, Martin Smith, Jeremy Riddle, Kari Jobe - to mention a few. She would unpack and understand their processes; explore their unique personalities and listen to the stories that shaped their art and expression. What she found was powerful, beautiful stories from ordinary people behind some extraordinary songs. Songs that often started out as scribbles in journals or awkward voice notes - and evolved into anthems that have touched the furthest corners of the globe and championed people's hearts and lives.

Inspired by those early conversations, Ant has created this podcast to give those stories wings, and bring them into people's homes and hearts.

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Whiteness, privilege, racism, justice and mercy, Jesus and The Church... Are you passionate about the kind of God loving and God following thats not just skin deep - that challenges you to go into the depths where God can search and soften, convict and counsel, recalibrate and release? In this conversation Ant chats to Every Nation Bryanston Pastors Siviwe and Marcia Notshe.

Let's Talk Race - with Siviwe & Marcia Notshe

In this interview Ant speaks to Julian Adams about his new book, Terra Nova: New Earth. Julian is a co-director of Frequentsee and leader of The Table, Boston. He is an author, spiritual advisor, revelatory teacher, and leadership consultant in political, business, and creative spheres. An internationally recognised prophet, Julian has a proven track record in the fulfilment of words released over individuals, communities, and nations. 

Terra Nova: New Earth is an invitation to see the world, and ourselves, through the eyes of our Creator—loved, valued, creative, and called. The story of creation becomes the story of our lives, as we learn to partner with Jesus, walk in deeper prophetic insight, and join in the Eden commission to see the “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21). God’s original plan for humanity is still His plan: that we will co-reign with Him and extend His kingdom across the earth.

The culture of our towns and cities, how our businesses are run, and how we respond to issues of social justice are all meant to be shaped by God’s people. Terra Nova masterfully weaves together our understanding of God’s purposes on the earth with His purpose for our lives: to walk in kingdom revelation, love, and influence in everything we do.

JULIAN ADAMS

Worship leaders you don't want to miss this deep and authentic conversation with one of the most influential voices in worship ministry in our generation. Suzy Yaraei has released numerous albums and trained and mentored many well-known and influential artists and worship leaders around the world. Kim Walker, Josh Baldwin, Misty Edwards, Jonathan and Melissa Helser, John Mark McMillan all trained under Suzy. She co led MorningStars Worship Department with Don Potter for years. Her greatest desire in ministry is to help free people to worship God with abandon and discover who they are in Christ. In this podcast she talks about embracing our uniqueness, how words help us to heal, and shares her love story with her husband Kamran and tells us all about their work into The Middle East via satellite... Friendship with The Holy Spirit and knowing Him feels like a thread that runs through this conversation too. Enjoy!

SUZY YARAEI

With COVID-19 and this global pandemic arriving in our neighborhoods, we are all grappling with a new way of living. A significant number of people all over the world have been thrust into homeschooling. One of the most googled questions at the moment is 'how do I homeschool?'... Wrapped up in a very strange, new world - there may just be gifts for us all. What if one of these is having our children at home, around the table? What if we are forever altered by this space - in beautiful ways we haven't even begun to imagine? May this conversation inspire your anxious heart and give you courage to take back your home, your space, your family and your relationships with your children...

HOMESCHOOLING DURING COVID-19

"Easy answers are easily replaced". American artist Jason Upton speaks to Antoinette McDonald from his hometown Wisconsin. In this interview they speak about spontaneity, mystery, certainty, remembrance and wonder. The importance of listening and waiting... Upton is a singer/songwriter with the heart of a pastor. Whether he is leading people in worship through singing or speaking, Jason does his best to carry the heart of The Father. His songs and his messages reflect a life fully lived in relationship with God, family and friends.

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN

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