Old Paths New Steps

From battalion chief to world champion disc golfer to international course designer, Paul Wright's journey is anything but ordinary. In this episode, Paul shares how God healed him of cystic fibrosis as a toddler, gave him a dream that launched his firefighting career at 32, and then used his love of disc golf to serve communities across Africa, Central America, and beyond through the Paul McBeth Foundation. We explore what it means to shift from pursuing money to pursuing purpose, how retirement can become the richest season of faith, and why sometimes the most effective ministry happens when you're just teaching kids in Uganda how to throw a Frisbee while dodging monkeys and giraffes.

Paul McBeth Foundation: https://www.paulmcbethfoundation.org/

In this episode, Peter takes us through part of the introduction of a book he's working on. He explores how a simple question—"If our church disappeared, would anyone notice?"—led to a profound discovery about trauma, community, and hope. When their church decided to serve a low-income neighborhood, they thought they understood poverty and struggle. Then they learned about ACEs—Adverse Childhood Experiences—and everything changed. This training didn't just teach us about childhood trauma; it revealed why asking "What happened to you?" instead of "What's wrong with you?" transforms how we love our neighbors. Peter shares the story of Jane, a single mom with MS who needed help moving apartments, and how the church's response demonstrated that small acts of service can prevent catastrophic outcomes. This is the first in a series exploring how trauma shapes us, how resilience rebuilds us, and how the church is uniquely positioned to create the kind of community where real flourishing becomes possible. There's so much more to uncover about brain science, epigenetics, sin, and the power of belonging—but it all starts here, with learning to see our neighbors through new eyes.  We'd love your feedback on this episode. Reach out at info@oldpathsnewsteps or on Facebook or Instagram at Old Paths New Steps.

What happens when good intentions meet hard realities? Brandon Steiver's calling to "run an orphanage in Africa" led to eight transformative years in Tanzania and a shocking discovery: 80% of children in orphanages worldwide have living parents. Brandon shares how this revelation shifted his focus from institutional care to family strengthening, and discusses his current work with Care Portal—a technology platform connecting churches directly with vulnerable families in their communities. We explore the intersection of faith and social action, why orphans need families not institutions, and how the gospel demands both proclamation and demonstration. Whether you're involved in missions or wondering how your faith translates into neighborhood impact, this conversation offers sobering realities and inspiring possibilities for making a real difference.

Dr. Gregory Coles returns to explore how our modern understanding of identity has everything backwards. Discover why the Latin root of "identity" points toward sameness rather than individuality, what it means to find belonging as an outsider, and how God shows up in unexpected ways when we stop trying to predict where the wind will blow. Greg shares insights from his upcoming books on sexuality and purpose, while unpacking the beautiful tension between standing out and fitting in, and why sometimes the gifts we receive are far better than the ones we thought we deserved.

Dr. Luman Wing returns to discuss his groundbreaking book "Genes of Eden," where cutting-edge epigenetics meets ancient theology. Discover how your environment literally rewrites your genetic expression, why trauma and redemption can both echo through generations, and how 4th-century theologian Augustine of Hippo might have been ahead of modern science. From the molecular science behind prayer and meditation to why your spiritual choices are having real conversations with your DNA, this episode reveals the fascinating biological reality behind faith, forgiveness, and transformation.

We're thrilled to bring back this powerful conversation with Dr. Lumen Wing as he prepares to release his groundbreaking book Genes of Eden. In this episode, Dr. Wing—a biochemist, pastor, and chaplain at the San Diego crime lab—reveals the fascinating intersection of faith and science through epigenetics. Discover how trauma literally leaves "black marks" on our genes, why authentic community and simple acts like hugs can reverse genetic damage, and how the body's own molecules like oxytocin provide healing more powerful than pharmaceuticals. From understanding how stress affects our DNA to seeing how prayer, belonging, and bearing one another's burdens create measurable biological changes, this conversation will transform how you view both ministry and human flourishing. Whether you're a pastor, counselor, or someone seeking to create healing spaces in your community, Dr. Wing's insights offer hope-filled, scientifically-backed pathways to restoration that honor both our design as image-bearers and our calling to love well.

Peter shares important updates about Old Paths New Steps, including Josh Lott's decision to step back from regular hosting to focus on family, and our move to bi-monthly episodes. We honor Josh's incredible contributions while looking ahead with excitement to continue meaningful conversations about faith and life. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Pastor and former police officer Lonnie Arnold shares his journey from black church upbringing through interracial marriage and law enforcement to founding the Racial Reconciliation Network. Drawing from personal experiences and scripture, Lonnie explains why racial reconciliation isn't just a social issue but a gospel issue, arguing that while the church excels at vertical reconciliation with God, it struggles with the horizontal reconciliation between people that Ephesians 2 demands. He offers practical wisdom on crossing racial lines, creating safe spaces for difficult conversations, and moving toward the multi-ethnic expression of God's kingdom that reflects heaven's diversity.

In this episode, Peter and Malissa chat with biblical scholar Hakeem Bradley about his journey from the Five Percent Nation to New Testament PhD studies and his recent work at Bible Project. Hakeem shares his passion for reading Genesis through ancient eyes, explaining how biblical authors "sampled" creation stories like hip-hop artists sample classic tracks. He also discusses his leap of faith in launching Sacred Patterns, a new organization creating biblical literacy resources for families and children. The conversation explores the power of community discernment, authentic relationships, and helping the next generation engage Scripture as both sacred text and beautiful literature, offering listeners scholarly insight and practical wisdom for their faith journeys.

In this powerful episode, host Peter Voorhees and co-host Malissa Bertella sit down with Cameron Horner, who shares his remarkable journey of faith following a life-altering spinal cord injury at age 18. With striking honesty and grace, Cameron recounts how God met him underwater during the accident that left him paralyzed, and how this moment of crisis became a catalyst for profound ministry. The conversation explores the beautiful tension between sorrow and joy, the evolution of Cameron's theology of suffering, and the vital role community played in his healing process. Whether you're facing your own struggles or simply seeking wisdom on navigating life's unexpected turns, Cameron's story offers a compelling reminder that our deepest pain can become a pathway to our most meaningful purpose—all viewed through the lens of authentic faith and genuine hope.