Preacher Handshake

This week on Preacher Handshake, we talk with Rev. Cean R James!

He is the Senior Pastor of Salt & Light, an interdenominational, intergenerational congregation in Southwest Philadelphia and Mt. Airy. He has a BS in Biology from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, an MDiv from the Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia, and has done doctoral work at Lancaster Theological Seminary. Rev. James is the Associate Conference Minister of Congregational Development for the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, UCC. In 2023, he helped develop Kingsessing Heals Community Resiliency Center, a federally funded, trauma informed resource center that helps local residents cope and thrive in the face of gun violence. In 2025, Rev. James received the President’s Volunteer Service Award for Dedication to Community Service from President Joseph Biden. He is married to Kesha, and they share three sons, Clarence Milton, Jesse Joseph, and Cean Benjamin.

You can view Cean’s full sermon here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JVveH7LwDk

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Have comments, questions, feedback, or suggestions for guests? Email us at [email protected]

Music by Falling Forever: https://ffm.bio/fallingforever

This week on Preacher Handshake, we talk with Rev. Aurelia Dávila Pratt!

Aurelia is the lead pastor of Peace of Christ Church, a radically loving community in Round Rock, Texas. Named by Sojourners as one of “Ten Christian Women Shaping the Church in 2022”, Aurelia is also the author of A Brown Girl’s Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power. Her writings have been featured in Progressing Spirit, Good Faith Media, Sojourners, the Alliance of Baptists, Baptist Women in Ministry, and the Austin American Statesman.

You can view Aurelia’s full sermon here: Link to "Wasted Time" Sermon

Follow Aurelia on Instagram: @revaureliajoy

Visit Aurelia’s website: www.revaureliajoy.com

Are you a fan of Preacher Handshake? Like, comment, and share with your friends on whatever platform you listen to!

Have comments, questions, feedback, or suggestions for guests? Email us at [email protected]

Music by Falling Forever: https://ffm.bio/fallingforever

This week on Preacher Handshake, we talk with Rev. James Williams!

Rev. James Williams Bio:

James serves as Senior Pastor of the historic First Baptist Church of Philadelphia—a 325+ year ministry in the heart of the City of Brotherly Love. Prior to accepting his call, Rev. Williams attended Palmer Theological Seminary where he earned his Master of Divinity degree, serving as a Presidential Scholar, a Sider Scholar, a Campolo Scholar, and as a Church Mutual Religion Scholar. Before seminary, James earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University, where he graduated as valedictorian of his class (Brandywine Campus).​ Rev. Williams is passionate about his work with marginalized groups within society--particularly Philadelphia's unhoused population and the LGBT+ community. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Theology and Homiletics at Eastern University as the Kerygma Initiative Campolo Research Fellow, serves as a Special Assistant to Short-Term Mission for American Baptist International Ministries, and enjoys his role as an adjunct professor in Biblical Literature. In his personal life, James loves reading, drumming, and spending time with his family, including his wife ("Michele"), dog ("Eleanor Rigby"), and many cats..

You can view James’s full sermon here: Link to Full Sermon

Are you a fan of Preacher Handshake? Like, comment, and share with your friends on whatever platform you listen to!

Have comments, questions, feedback, or suggestions for guests? Email us at [email protected]

Music by Falling Forever: https://ffm.bio/fallingforever

This week on “Preacher Handshake” we talk with Zach W. Lambert the lead pastor of Restore, in Austin, Texas.

We talk all things preaching with Zach and specifically look at a sermon he delivered on Jan 12, 2025. The sermon is based on Jesus’ sermon on the Mount in the Gospel of Mattew.

You can view Zach’s full sermon here: “You’ve heard it said, but I say to you…” | Sermon on the Mount

To keep up with Zach's life and work, you can follow his Substack, Instagram, Bluesky, and X.

Learn more about his upcoming book, Better Ways to Read the Bible, here.

be, and Share with your friends on whatever platform you listen to!

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Music by falling forever https://ffm.bio/fallingforever

This week on “Preacher Handshake” we talk with Andie Pellicer, the pastor of University Baptist Church (UBC) in Waco, TX.

We talk all things preaching with Andie and specifically look at a sermon she delivered at UBC on July 14, 2024. The sermon is based on Jonah 2 and was part of a larger sermon series on the book of Jonah.

You can view Andie’s full sermon here: Andie Pellicer Jonah 2 Sermon (Preaching runs from 33:12 - 55:00)

To keep up with Andie’s life and work, you can follow her on Instagram @pastorandie or email her at [email protected].

Andie’s Recommended Commentaries:

• ABND
• Interpretations Series
• Feminist Approach to Modern Day Commentary
• Queer Theology and Feminist Interpretations
• Reformation Commentary on Scripture

Are you a fan of Preacher Handshake? Like, Comment, Subscribe, and Share with your friends on whatever platform you listen to!

Have comments, questions, feedback, suggestions for podcast guests, etc.? Email us at [email protected]

Music by falling forever https://ffm.bio/fallingforever

Hosts Hannah Brown and Evan Duncan preview their new podcast, Preacher Handshake. It's a podcast all about preaching where they talk with some of our favorite preachers and break down one of their sermons.

Starting March 6, new episodes will release every two weeks.

Hannah has worked as a preacher, college minister, writer, and researcher. She has an MDiv from Baylor's Truett Seminary and is pursuing a Master of Theology degree at the University of Edinburgh. You can follow her on instagram and substack.

Evan serves as pastor of the Baptist Church of West Chester in West Chester, PA. He has an MDiv from Baylor's Truett Seminary and is pursuing his PhD at Eastern University. You can follow him in instagram and bluesky

If you have questions or preacher/sermon recommendations email us [email protected]

Episode music by falling forever https://ffm.bio/fallingforever