In this episode of On The Way, I talk about how anime is shaping the hearts and minds of young people and why it is important for parents to understand it. Anime has become a major influence in culture, reaching millions every week and forming the way kids think about love, life, and identity.

I share how anime began, why it connects so deeply with Gen Z, and how it can both reflect and distort spiritual truths. Some stories point to themes of sacrifice, redemption, and purpose, yet others promote ideas that move away from what God says about truth and identity.

This conversation invites parents and leaders to step into their children’s world with understanding and faith. When we approach culture through the lens of Scripture, we can guide the next generation to know God’s truth, love Him deeply, and follow Jesus with confidence.

This week’s episode is a very special one. My wife Daniela and I had the joy of sitting down with our friends Chris and Lucy Mendez, lead pastors of Hillsong Latin America, for an inspiring and honest conversation about parenting and ministry. Whether you’re a parent, a pastor, or someone trying to balance family, calling, and faith, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement.

We talk about what it looks like to raise children who truly love Jesus, how to protect them from the pressures that can come with ministry life, and how to make sure family always comes first. Chris and Lucy share their story of moving from Australia to Argentina with their three children, what they learned about adjusting to new seasons, staying united as a family, and making church something their kids genuinely enjoyed being part of. They also open up about the intentional choices they made to include their children in ministry without overwhelming them or placing unnecessary expectations.

This conversation is full of real-life stories, wisdom, and encouragement for anyone trying to lead with faith at the center. It’s a reminder that family and ministry can grow together in a way that strengthens both.

Welcome to the very first bonus episode of On The Way. In these shorter episodes I’ll be answering questions that parents often wonder about as they raise their kids in faith.

In this episode I’m talking about baby dedication. Many people are unsure what it really means, how it’s different from other practices in the church, and whether it’s something they should do. I share why baby dedication is about more than a moment on stage. It’s an opportunity for parents to commit themselves to raising their children to know Jesus and for the church to come alongside them in that journey.

We’ll also look at how the Bible gives us examples of parents dedicating their children to God and why this practice can be a valuable step for families.

I hope this conversation encourages you and reminds you that you don’t have to walk the road of parenting and faith alone.

On this episode of On The Way, I talk about how to handle anger in parenting and how it can affect our relationship with our children. Anger is a natural emotion, but when it controls our responses, it can create fear, tension, and distance. I explain that the root of anger often comes from unmet desires within us rather than the actions of others, and understanding this helps us respond more wisely.

I share three important “don’ts” for handling anger: don’t suppress it, don’t repress it, and don’t express it negatively. I also introduce tools like the THINK acronym, which helps evaluate whether our words are truthful, helpful, inspiring, necessary, and kind. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in self-control and model healthy ways for children to handle their own emotions.

I explore practical strategies for helping children name their feelings, make response plans, and connect their emotions to God’s grace. Parenting is not about perfection but progress, and leaning on God’s wisdom allows us to create stronger connections, trust, and peace in the home.

In this episode of On the Way, I’m talking about how we can help bring teenagers and young adults back to church when they’ve walked away from their faith. This is something a lot of families are facing, and while there’s no quick fix, there are intentional steps we can take to make a real difference.

I’m sharing seven ways you can create an environment where your kids actually want to come back to church. We talk about the importance of empathy, making church feel safe, getting them involved in serving, teaching the value of church, allowing space for independence, showing grace, and covering everything in prayer.

I also take a look at some of the biggest reasons young people are walking away in the first place, things like feeling judged, unseen, or like they can’t bring their questions. These challenges are real, but they’re not impossible to face. There’s so much we can do to help guide them with love and truth.

On this episode of On the Way, I’m joined by wife Daniela as we talk about the real journey of raising a family while balancing marriage, personal goals, and faith. Parenthood brings unexpected challenges and growth, and we explore how keeping faith at the center helps us navigate those moments with grace and intention.

We reflect on how parenting exposes our own weaknesses and invites growth, and why building a family on a strong foundation is so important. This episode is a reminder that parenting isn’t about being perfect, but about being present, extending grace, and leaning on strength beyond ourselves.

Whether you’re a parent, partner, or navigating a busy season, we hope this conversation offers encouragement to keep moving forward, knowing that even small steps matter.

On this episode of the On the Way, we dive into what it really means to raise our children as disciples of Christ, not just well-behaved kids. I share insights from Ephesians 6:1-4 and unpack what Scripture says about parenting with purpose, presence, and gospel-centered intentionality.

We talk about the importance of bringing Jesus into our homes, celebrating our children instead of concealing them, and how what our kids see in us shapes who they become.

Whether you're a parent now, hope to be one day, or are part of a church family helping raise the next generation, this episode is for you. We’ll also go over practical ways to apply the gospel in our homes, set godly examples, and teach our children about honor, obedience, and the beauty of following Jesus.

Show Notes

- https://bit.ly/OTWPOD

Episode Resources

- Legacy Parent Gathering Link: https://calvaryconnect.brushfire.com/legacyparenting/599932

- Watch more episodes here: https://youtube.com/@OnTheWayPodcasts?si=FEK04dSF8qUZpeOM

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- Strengthening Family Website: https://strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/

In this episode of On The Way, I’m joined by Jon Rush for an insightful conversation on the challenges and opportunities of raising children in today’s digital world. We dive into how parents can navigate technology, video games, and social media, offering practical tips on staying connected with our kids in an ever-changing landscape.

Jon, a traveling preacher and Fortnite streamer, shares his experiences as a father and youth leader, discussing how to engage with kids in a way that fosters open communication, boundaries, and trust. We also talk about the role of the church in supporting families and how we can equip the next generation to navigate the digital space while staying true to their faith.

From Fortnite’s impact on kids to the importance of having tough conversations about screen time and online safety, this episode covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to any parent or leader trying to stay present and intentional.

Show Notes

• https://bit.ly/OTWPOD

Episode Resources

• Legacy Parent Gathering Link: https://calvaryconnect.brushfire.com/...
• Watch more episodes here:    / @onthewaypodcasts  

Follow our Socials!

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacyparen...
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Thank you to our Partners!

• Parent Protech Sign up link: https://parentprotech.com/129/legacy-...
• Strengthening Family Website: https://strengtheningfamiliesprogram....

This week on On The Way, I’m unpacking a big question many parents wrestle with: is spanking still okay? And more importantly—what does the Bible say about it? In this episode, we take an honest look at the role of discipline in parenting, exploring both biblical wisdom and practical tools for raising kids with love and intentionality.

I break down where culture stands, what Scripture actually teaches, and share six key principles for healthy, loving discipline. Whether you’re a new parent, a seasoned one, or just curious about what godly discipline looks like. This conversation is all about helping you parent with purpose, clarity, and grace—I hope this episode encourages you and gives you some clarity along the way.

Show Notes

• https://bit.ly/OTWPOD

Episode Resources

• Legacy Parent Gathering Link: https://calvaryconnect.brushfire.com/...
• Watch more episodes here:    / @onthewaypodcasts  

Follow our Socials!

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacyparen...
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Thank you to our Partners!

• Parent Protech Sign up link: https://parentprotech.com/129/legacy-...
• Strengthening Family Website: https://strengtheningfamiliesprogram....

In this episode of On the Way, we talk about how to create a family discipleship culture. We cover three main steps: modeling Jesus, mobilizing families, and making disciples. Using the analogy of building a garden, we break it down into seven simple steps: preparing the soil, planting seeds, watering, pulling weeds, providing light, celebrating growth, and passing on knowledge.

We also discuss some important stats about family discipleship and why it’s so needed today. Plus, we remind you that relying on God and the Holy Spirit is key to building a strong discipleship culture in your home.

Show Notes

• https://bit.ly/OTWPOD

Episode Resources

• Legacy Parent Gathering Link: https://calvaryconnect.brushfire.com/...
• Watch more episodes here:    / @onthewaypodcasts  

Follow our Socials!

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacyparen...
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...

Thank you to our Partners!

• Parent Protech Sign up link: https://parentprotech.com/129/legacy-...
• Strengthening Family Website: https://strengtheningfamiliesprogram....