Podcast listeners may recognize the voice of this episode’s guest—Jim Schneider, executive director of VCY America and host of Crosstalk, a nationwide live call-in program examining issues of concern for Christians. After a brief glimpse at the global scope of his organization, he and host Dr. Matt Davis share common experiences and the challenges of call-in programs.

They examine how VCY’s mission statement guides program choices, and Jim quotes a principle he once heard: What we won them with, we have won them to. Thus, the desired goal directs decisions. He candidly states that VCY is not entertainment, though it has elements of it, which naturally leads them to discuss VCY’s music standards. Jim explains their parameters: music that is theologically correct with “no contradiction between words and rhythm; “music that moves the heart;” traditional, sacred music. Nonetheless, both men acknowledge that change is inevitable, that there must be a balance with change, and that it helps ministries “hold the line” when others do the same.

Guest Ian Ferguson returns for his second visit to the podcast, accompanied this time by business partner Glenn Aldridge of CoSurge CPAs, a firm that provides audit leadership for other CPA businesses nationwide. Host Dr. Matt Davis steers their discussion through narration of their firm’s merger and determination of core values (succinctly stated in an acronym for Surge), posing such questions as what could undermine the ethics of leadership, how they ethically balance client interests, and what makes their work worthwhile.

Both men affirm that “stewardship is about more than resources.” They explain their superior model of work-life balance which sets them apart and how collaboration is possible despite 100% remote interaction through a virtual central office. Most importantly, they stress that they aren’t focused on being the biggest CPA firm, but on taking care of their families. “We want to equip our people to do what God has called them to do whether it’s accounting or something else,” says Mr. Aldridge, a perspective which Dr. Davis asserts is “exactly what Maranatha is all about.”

“It’s not who’s right, but what’s right,” asserts podcast guest Alex Rodriguez. The son of hardworking Cuban parents, Alex attended college on a baseball scholarship, hoping eventually to support his family. A torn rotator cuff abruptly cancelled the scholarship, forcing him to enroll in community college and get the job that began a 41-year relationship with Chick-fil-A.

Regarding Chick-fil-A, Alex explains to host Dr. Matt Davis, “we don’t just serve a chicken sandwich; we serve people,” a motto that identifies why the restaurant is different, and a philosophy closely linked to his mission. Alex recounts working with founder Truett Cathy, the struggles and amazing blessings as an owner-operator, and the joy of serving in a non-profit organization rescuing vulnerable souls from human trafficking and homelessness. Asked what makes him different, he quickly responds, “I know Who I serve.”

This episode’s guest, Mr. Randy Tanis, is closely linked with Maranatha and Watertown, having graduated from MBU and having served as youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church for 21 years. Originally, Randy came to college to play football, but then “surrendered to stay.” Working with Neighborhood Bible Time for three summers, he was drawn into youth ministry. He and host Dr. Matt Davis reminisce about how that decision remains the platform for his life’s mission despite transitions in positions. Randy explains his determination as a youth pastor to center all youth activities on service, to recruit college students as helpers whom he could also mentor, and now as a camp director, to devote primary attention to preparing his college-aged staff to serve.

Jamison Coppola, Government Relations Director for American Association of Christian Schools, and host Dr. Matt Davis unite in this informative episode of OnMission to probe a topic of obvious mutual concern—religious liberty, especially as it relates to Christian education and traditionally-held Christian principles. They explain the implausibility of legislators and staff predicting all ramifications of proposed bills, especially with unknown modifications in the amendment process, and why this necessitates vigilant advocates. Using the proposed school choice bill, they illustrate how advocates can assure explicit language in a bill to protect interests. They discuss public policy, fluctuations in administrations, the vanishing of “common ground,” and the unfettered rapid rise of animosity across the “ideological spectrum” that collides with age-old Christian values and labels them “radical.” They conclude with an encouraging look at the “massive shift” toward homeschooling and growing options for private education.

Recent Artist Series soloist, master class instructor, and chapel speaker Dr. David Parker adds this episode of OnMission to the roster. Contrary to stereotypical expectations, Dr. Parker’s exuberant laugh and unpretentious demeanor convey genuine warmth and belie his professional expertise that has afforded him invitations to perform and teach nationally and abroad, including opportunity to sing in a backup ensemble for renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Marveling, Dr. Parker recalls the Lord’s innumerable blessings, which engender gratitude and awe that drive his mission. He and host Dr. Matt Davis note how sacred music as worship should incorporate the same awe, coupled with reverence and fear of God, reflecting His glory, righteousness, and holiness with intentional, joyful worship. Having been a music educator for 41 years, Dr. Parker agrees that properly-motivated pursuit of success is not wrong, and he justifies encouraging excellence in students.

Evangelist Glen Shank, whom former classmate and host Dr. Matt Davis knows as Shorty, served as a Maranatha representative for several years and as an assistant pastor for twelve. The Lord used both positions to gradually direct him into his present ministry. When asked his mission, he dedicated a week of intentional reflection, examining his life verse and “encapsulating” it into a comprehensive statement which he shares on the podcast. In reverse order, he and Dr. Davis look ahead at the projected trajectory of churches, revival meetings, and the “leaking away” of evangelists as a profession, and then look back at the early days of Shank Family Ministries. They discuss common struggles of evangelists, the necessity of courage and faith, the needs of smaller churches and becoming bi-vocational to assist those churches, and the importance of family and balanced priorities.

In this podcast interview, host Dr. Matt Davis and Dr. Charles Plummer, Maranatha’s Human Resources director, discover they share common experiences of bagging groceries and playing trombone, albeit their trombone explorations ended differently. Trombone performance and music were Dr. Plummer’s profession and passion. With a doctorate in musical arts in pedagogy and literature, he taught, played professionally, composed, and arranged music. Likewise, music was the reason he joined the U.S. Army as an older-than-average recruit—so much older, in fact, that he was called “Private Grandpa.” Drs. Davis and Plummer discuss music’s message and how it moves us; how the Lord opens and closes “doors,” which He did for Dr. Plummer through an injury that ultimately landed him in human resources and then at MBU; and how he now applies his “Great Commandment” mission in his new position.

Advancing as a manager with Martin Marietta Corporation after college, Dr. Carl Herbster became convicted of the need to invest his life in something of greater eternal merit. His mission became “to serve God and to help other people serve God.” Dr. Herbster and host Dr. Matt Davis review the varied ministries Dr. Herbster’s mission has included—from early days leading a fledgling Christian school, to the multi-faceted ministry of a pastor. Dr. Herbster explains the influential relationship he forged with former Attorney General John Ashcroft which ultimately led to establishment of his current ministry on Capitol Hill, AdvanceUSA. In conclusion, they examine present political developments related to Christian education and the need for a new generation to champion the cause, to say, as Dr. Davis quoted, “Here am I; send me”—a stance integral to Maranatha’s goals.

Having defined his mission in an earlier podcast, Mr. Sam Brock, Executive director of Ironwood Christian Camp, returns with host Dr. Matt Davis to analyze parachurch ministries and their partnership with independent local churches. They clearly acknowledge the primacy of the church in God’s plan and the role of parachurch organizations to serve the church, but note the challenges that can threaten affiliations. Dr. Davis outlines levels of relationships, and Mr. Brock asserts the importance of maintaining “a constituency of One.” They examine the nuances of context, the reality of “communication lag,” the merits of traditions or lack thereof, and the inherent need for and inevitability of change and its effects. Dr. Davis encapsulates the podcast’s purpose saying that others need to see how ministry leaders “grapple” with these complexities and the intense accountability they feel to make right decisions.