Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we're dipping into the archives to revisit our Faith and Finances series. This episode, we explore debt, a word that evokes fear for some, paralysis for others and PTSD for many. No matter what your relationship to debt is or has been, let's look to the Bible for wisdom.

Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we're dipping into the archives to revisit our Faith and Finances series. This episode, we explore contentment, an important yet often elusive Biblical principle.

Between tariffs, trade wars, wild fluctuations in the stock market and uncertainty about everything from the cost of cars to a carton of eggs, many of us have had money on the mind lately. And that’s OK. Money has a tremendous impact on the way we see the world and the way we live our lives. That’s why so much of the Bible is devoted to discussing finances.

And so — with plenty of present food for thought — we figured this might be good time for us to dust off one of the most popular series we’ve ever done on the pod. Originally titled Faith and Finances, this eight-part series features financial coach and speaker Travis Shelton, who sits down with Ridge Discipleship Director Will Herron to discuss important topics such as debt, saving, spending, generosity and how to view money from God’sperspective.

Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. 

Closing out series 3 is Ridge Director of Outreach, Mary Kohlsdorf. Listen in as Mary shares some of her key learnings from three decades in ministry. 

Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. 

Closing out series 3 is Ridge Director of Outreach, Mary Kohlsdorf. Listen in as Mary shares some of her key learnings from three decades in ministry. 

Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. 

Joining series host Joni Pine this time is Ridge Youth Director, Todd Stiles.

Encountering God is a series committed to sharing the stories of God’s work in people’s lives at The Ridge. 

Joining series host Joni Pine this time is Paige Lawrence. Paige serves on our women’s strategic team and is an active member of our young adults community. 

Each year, The Ridge supports missions work all around the world. In this series, we'll take you behind the scenes with some of our partners so you can catch a glimpse of the amazing, life-changing things God is doing in the mission field.

Our third episode brings us into a mission field that hits close to home for many of us as we talk with two of the women behind Des Moines-based nonprofit Can Do Cancer. Jump in with us as we learn about how this organization helps women struggling with breast cancer diagnoses and how its formation has redeemed one of the darkest moments in the life of founder Molly Zaver.

Each year, The Ridge supports missions work all around the world. In this series, we'll take you behind the scenes with some of our partners so you can catch a glimpse of the amazing, life-changing things God is doing in the mission field.

Our second episode continues the conversation with Tracy Blackmer from Zambia Iowa Agriculture Partners (ZIAP). Tracy shares some exciting news about how he left things in Zambia in February and fills us in on the challenges and opportunities that remain for him and his team.

Each year, The Ridge supports missions work all around the world. In this series, we'll take you behind the scenes with some of our partners so you can catch a glimpse of the amazing, life-changing things God is doing in the mission field.

Our first episode features Tracy Blackmer, who recently spent four months living and working in Zambia. There, he teamed up with local pastors, and together, they endeavored to combat hunger, malnourishment and a general spirit of helplessness by teaching rural growers practical ways to improve their yields.