Relish pleasing or zestful flavor — a quantity just sufficient to flavor to be pleased or gratified by enjoy. Welcome back to another episode of Relish. Host Rowan Miller is joined by Pastor Don Patterson for a warm, conversational look at spiritual life, memory, and how faith shapes what we do.

We begin with a personal chat about ways of reading the Bible: community reading plans, working through devotionals, and how approaches change over time. Rowan and Don compare starting points (why beginning at Genesis can feel strange for new readers and why starting in John or using a devotional is often helpful) and reflect on how regular Bible reading has grown in their own lives.

The main focus is the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22 — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith (faithfulness), gentleness, and self-control — with a deep dive into faith itself. Don highlights the Greek nuance (the list includes distinct Greek words, and the entry translated as “faithfulness” is the word for faith) and turns to Hebrews 11 to let Scripture define faith: "being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see." The hosts walk through Hebrews 11 examples — Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, Moses — and draw out what each life demonstrates about faith in action.

Key highlights include how faith moves people to act beyond reason: Noah building an ark for a coming flood he’d never seen, Abraham leaving his homeland at God’s call, and believers today stepping into new ministries or life-change despite uncertainty and possible ridicule. The conversation connects these biblical examples to practical hopes — renewal in local communities, fresh works of the Spirit, lives being changed, and the way transformed people can inspire others.

Rowan and Don also reflect on generational dynamics, mentorship, and the joy of sharing faith stories that spark curiosity and renewal. Listeners are invited to share the episode and become part of the ministry’s aim: to help one another grow deeper in knowing God and responding to His call. Stay tuned for the next episode in the Fruits of the Spirit series.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

In this episode of Relish, hosts Rowan Miller and Don Patterson open with a lighthearted conversation about favorite Bible characters — with Joseph and his coat of many colors serving as a springboard to discuss forgiveness and family dynamics. From there they move into a deeper biblical and historical conversation about the differences between the Old and New Testaments, and what those differences mean for understanding God’s character and the person of Jesus.

The hosts explain how the Old Testament sets the stage with numerous messianic prophecies and how the New Testament culminates that story in Christ. They emphasize that God’s character does not change between Testaments, but that Jesus brings the Old Testament teachings into an intimate, first-person relationship (highlighted by passages such as John 13 and John 15).

The episode covers the approximately 400-year period between Malachi and the first Gospel writer, describing it as a time of prophetic silence that prepared Israel for the coming of Christ. Roan and Don discuss extra-biblical writings from that era (including references to the apocryphal Book of Enoch and recommendations for Michael Heiser’s scholarship) and note how Roman infrastructure, language, and reach helped Christianity spread rapidly once it began.

Practical pastoral concerns are also addressed: what it means to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4), the necessity of deep relationships to make corrective truth meaningful, and the role of church leaders in guiding those conversations. The hosts use real-life anecdotes and pastoral illustrations to show how truth-telling requires both courage and care.

They also tackle the harder topic of sin and discipline, using the Old Testament story of Achan to illustrate God’s decisive response to disobedience and to argue for the continuing need to confront sin in the church. Personal stories about parental discipline and pastoral preaching underscore the emotional and spiritual weight of these issues.

The episode wraps up with lighter holiday banter — Black Friday, shopping online, and well-wishes for listeners — and a closing invitation to share the ministry. Overall, listeners can expect a balanced mix of biblical teaching, historical context, pastoral application, and warm conversational moments from Rowan and Don.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

Join hosts Rowan Miller, Don Patterson and Marcus Miller for a wide-ranging, candid episode of Relish that explores how Christians can talk across political and cultural divides with respect. The conversation opens with a personal story about a university professor who appeared on a conservative "watch list," the threats that followed, and the missed opportunity for real dialogue — a springboard into larger concerns about polarization in American public life and the church.

The hosts reflect on practical ways to have better conversations: distinguishing arguments from personal attacks, rekindling biblical literacy, and modeling respectful disagreement. They quote Luke 4 and the Sermon on the Mount as reminders of the church’s call to care for the poor, lift the oppressed, and hold a faith that speaks to social concerns without becoming merely partisan.

Generational change is a major theme. The episode contrasts older patterns of institutional church life with Gen Z’s different expressions of faith — decentralized communities, new worship forms (including music and online platforms), and a surge in Bible interest — while asking how discipleship, mentoring, and tangible care for neighbors can follow. The hosts celebrate young people’s passion while wrestling with how to translate energy into sustainable social action.

Practical parish stories illustrate the point: challenges keeping institutional events and volunteer leadership alive, the end of long-standing fundraisers, and hopeful examples like meat canning and new evening services focused on Scripture, praise, prayer and healing. The dialogue emphasizes that the church can evolve its practices to better serve mission and community needs.

Throughout, Rowan, Don and Marcus offer wisdom about navigating disagreement within congregations, renewing mission focus, and creating intergenerational relationships that foster discipleship. They invite listeners to suggest guests and topics and close with an encouragement to share the podcast and support the ministry’s goal: helping people grow deeper in their understanding of God and his calling in daily life.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

Relish returns with a special edition conversation about faith, culture, and the often-overlooked language of dress. Hosts Don Patterson and Rowan sit down with longtime Hillcrest history teacher and coach Marcus Miller to explore how clothing, customs, and community expectations have signaled belief across generations — and what that looks like today.

The episode opens with warmth and anecdote: Marcus brings his grandfather’s transition coat — a garment that marks the shift between Amish and conservative Mennonite dress — and recounts family and school memories from Iowa Mennonite School (now Hillcrest). The trio traces historical changes in plain dress, school rules about ties and coverings, and surprising student reactions to questions about feeling different as Mennonites across the decades.

Rooted in Scripture, the discussion centers on Romans 12:1–2 (nonconformity and transformation) and spills into Matthew 5–7 and the fruits of the Spirit. The guests wrestle with legalism versus heartfelt worship, asking whether outward dress still matters, when it rightly communicates faith, and how external signals compare to the ongoing, often fuzzy work of spiritual action and character.

Through stories — from boys in IMS letter jackets to choir tie rules, to the practical question of whether ministers should wear collars in places like prisons — the episode balances history, theology, and practical counsel. Listeners will hear perspectives on modesty, generational shifts (including modern trends in clergy attire and Gen Z expectations), and concrete spiritual practices that make a witness beyond clothing: living the Sermon on the Mount, cultivating the fruits of the Spirit, and allowing transformed actions to speak as loudly as any uniform.

Expect a reflective, anecdote-rich conversation that connects family memory and church policy to broader questions about identity, witness, and cultural adaptation. Whether you’re curious about Mennonite history, pastoral practice, or how to live out nonconformity in a messy world, this episode offers stories, scripture, and practical prompts to help add a little spice to your spiritual life.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

In this episode of Relish, hosts Roe Miller and Don Patterson tackle practical questions about prayer, money, and Scripture that many believers face. A young questioner, Rowan, prompts a wide-ranging discussion about prayer’s role in major life decisions like choosing a college and seeking God’s calling, and how prayer brings peace and clarity during uncertain seasons.

The conversation moves into ethics and stewardship: should Mennonites and advocates of nonviolence invest in defense companies? Don urges listeners to “put your money where your mouth is,” reflecting on how investments reveal the priorities of our hearts. They then unpack tithe and giving—what 10% means, the difference between tithes, gifts, and offerings, and the danger of turning generosity into legalism. Scripture (including Malachi 3 and Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6) is used to highlight generosity as a joyful, heart-driven response rather than a checkbox.

Don also addresses theological questions about what we’ve truly earned versus what God has given, emphasizing that all good gifts come from God and we remain indebted to grace. The hosts consider whether it’s possible to out-give God and reject keeping a ledger mentality in favor of relationship-based giving.

Finally, the episode raises concerns about Bible literacy and access to Scripture: they warn against letting the Bible sit on a shelf or only relying on apps, and encourage embedding Scripture into daily life so it can serve as a lamp in dark or difficult times. Practical references include traditional Sunday school resources and the reality that digital access can fail, underscoring the value of internalized Scripture.

Throughout, Roe and Don offer pastoral, down-to-earth guidance—balancing doctrine, personal experience, and Scripture—and invite listeners to send questions, share the podcast, and join the conversation as they seek to grow deeper in faith and faithful living.

Join hosts Don Patterson and Roan Miller for a warm, candid episode of Relish that blends humor, personal stories, and practical theology. They kick off with morning devotion habits and a lighthearted quiz game, reflect on a 50th high school reunion, and answer the simple but profound question: Who is Jesus? Expect laughter, memory lapses, and heartfelt testimony about faith lived out.

The conversation moves into deeper territory on how Christians should speak into one another’s lives. Don explores biblical foundations for confronting sin and calling friends to growth, referencing Ephesians and Paul’s counsel in 2 Corinthians about godly sorrow that leads to repentance. They discuss the balance of speaking truth in love, the responsibilities of close fellowship, and the importance of sharpening one another as the body of Christ.

Listeners will also hear a thoughtful comparison of Amish and Mennonite practice and belief — from the Schleitheim Confession and the use of the ban (excommunication) to differences in emphasis on outward customs versus inward spirituality. Don explains why some Amish are adopting English Bibles to better understand Scripture, and why both communities prize the Word of God.

Throughout the episode you’ll get down-to-earth pastoral insight, practical takeaways for friendship and church life, and an open invitation: the hosts offer to come speak and take questions at local churches. Expect a blend of story, Scripture, and hospitality — the kind of conversation that aims to add a little spice to your life and deepen your walk with God.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

Today, we chat about relationship with God, repentance, and trusting the path He's set for you. Expect honest stories, laughter, and a few surprises (yes, there was jello).

Listen in like you're sitting in the front pew — it's casual, encouraging, and might just add a little spice to your week.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

Relish — a little pleasing, zestful flavor for your day. We hope what we bring today adds a spicy, meaningful bite to your life.

We chat about gentleness (or kindness) not as something mushy but as something "fit for use" — manageable and marketable in God's work. Think custom hay bales and a summer crew: being ready, teachable, and able to step in wherever you9re needed is how faith gets shared.

So friend, wake up the old codgers, walk alongside the next generation, and get ready — things feel ripe for a fresh move of God. Share this with someone who needs a little hope today.

Hey friend — welcome back to Relish with Rowan and Don, where we tackle the big, messy questions about faith in a simple, down-to-earth way. In this short episode they answer listener questions about hearing God’s call, praying with confidence (and not always getting a yes), what Exodus really meant by “eye for an eye,” and how Jesus raises the bar on justice and forgiveness.

If you’re wrestling with a job change, holy discontent, spiritual warfare, or whether retaliation ever makes sense, this chat gives practical stories, gentle wisdom, and a reminder that you don’t have to carry it alone — God’s got this. Stick around, share it with someone who needs a little spice today, and thanks for listening.

Do you have questions for Pastor Don?  send them to [email protected]

Hey friend — I wanted to share a short, personal reflection on Charlie Kirk and why I think Christians need to stop being quiet about public life. He combined sharp knowledge of current events with a deep biblical grounding, and that kind of clear, respectful engagement is exactly what our Gen Z kids are asking for.

Growing up Anabaptist taught me the tension between church and state, but now I think we should lovingly step into the conversation, do Matthew 25 in our communities, and model calm, informed debate. I hope this sparks you to join the conversation and helps "relish" the chance to make faith matter in public life.