In this episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with the ever-inspiring Annie F. Downs—New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and host of the wildly popular That Sounds Fun podcast. With her signature warmth and authenticity, Annie shares how reading the Gospels doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Together, they explore practical ways to connect with Jesus through Scripture, what it looks like to read the Bible with fresh eyes, and how to find joy in simple spiritual rhythms. Whether you’re a longtime believer or just starting out, Annie’s wisdom and humor will leave you encouraged to dive deeper into God’s Word.

Learn more about Annie at anniefdowns.com and follow her on socials @anniefdowns.

Happy Monday! The June 16th Monday Minute is here! Tune in to hear some encouragement inspired by this week’s sermon at Church360. 

Part Two with John Ortberg is here! In this episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg to explore practical, meaningful ways to connect with God in everyday life. Known for The Life You’ve Always Wanted and Soul Keeping, John shares insights on slowing down, noticing God’s presence, and simplifying your spiritual journey. Tune in to hear them wrap up their conversation!

The June 9th Monday Minute is here! Tune in to hear some thoughts and wisdom that didn't make it into the Sunday sermon.

In this episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg to explore practical, meaningful ways to connect with God in everyday life. Known for The Life You’ve Always Wanted and Soul Keeping, John shares insights on slowing down, noticing God’s presence, and simplifying your spiritual journey. Don’t miss Part 1 of this encouraging conversation.

Tune in to this weeks’ Monday Minute! This week, Bryan Mrazek adds some key points to his message from this Sunday in a simple one minute video! Listen in on your drive home from work or to pickup the kids!

In this powerful episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with Zia Hassan, a former Sunni Muslim born in Pakistan who spent over five decades faithfully practicing Islam. After moving to the United States in the early 1980s and building a successful life as a restaurant executive, husband, and father, Zia experienced a profound transformation in 2004—one that would lead him to explore the Christian faith of his ancestors.

Zia shares his remarkable story of how a life-changing moment sparked a spiritual journey toward Jesus Christ, ultimately leading him to embrace a new faith. Now a devoted follower of Christ and active member of Church360 in Grand Prairie, Zia opens up about the challenges, revelations, and deep peace he's found along the way.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about courage, conviction, and the simple yet profound power of faith.

Sustaining Relational Apologetics: The Long View of Influence

In the grand finale of the five-part journey into Relational Apologetics on the Simple Faith Podcast, host Rusty George looks into how to sustain a relational approach to faith as a way of life. He recaps the series' highlights, emphasizing building genuine human connections, listening with empathy, and creating a loving community. Through personal stories and practical advice, Rusty illustrates that true faith isn't built on winning arguments but on meaningful relationships and long-term perseverance. Join us to learn the art of nurturing relational apologetics effectively in your daily life.

00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith
00:20 Recap of Relational Apologetics Series
00:41 Sustaining Relational Apologetics
01:57 Challenges of Relationships
03:42 The Importance of Patience and Perseverance
04:18 A Personal Testimony
06:48 The Power of Community
07:56 Living Out Relational Apologetics
10:41 The Long View of Influence
12:24 Conclusion and Encouragement
13:35 Closing Remarks

Navigating Objections & Questions

Join Rusty George in episode four of the 'Relational Apologetics' series as he delves into the challenges of objections and difficult questions in relational apologetics. This episode shows the importance of viewing objections as opportunities for deeper engagement rather than signs of rejection. Rusty highlights strategies such as empathetic listening, asking clarifying questions, and building personal connections to foster meaningful conversations about faith. Reflect on practical ways to show respect and empathy while navigating intellectual, emotional, and practical objections, and prepare to explore the long-term approach of relational faith in the upcoming final episode.

00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith
00:20 Recap of Previous Episodes
00:38 Addressing Objections in Faith Conversations
01:31 The Power of Questions and Empathy
07:52 The Role of Personal Stories and Testimonies
09:20 Dealing with Intellectual and Emotional Objections
10:30 Maintaining Relationships Despite Differences
11:20 Reflecting on Our Approach to Objections
12:14 Looking Ahead to the Final Episode
12:46 Conclusion and Resources

Building Bridges: Finding Common Ground in Relational Apologetics

In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George discusses the vital role of finding common ground in a diverse world as part of relational apologetics. Key points include the significance of shared human longings, bridging cultural and political divides, and using pop culture references for meaningful discussions. Rusty emphasizes the importance of listening, understanding other perspectives, and sharing personal faith stories to create connections without compromising core Christian beliefs. The episode also touches on historical examples like St. Patrick’s use of symbols to communicate the gospel and explores the balance needed to address theological differences respectfully.

00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith
00:36 The Importance of Finding Common Ground
01:43 Shared Human Longings as Bridges
05:30 The Role of Cultural References
08:54 The Power of Personal Stories
12:18 Understanding Other Perspectives
14:33 Conclusion and Next Steps