“From Estill County to the Middle East.” How does the son of a high school basketball coach in eastern Kentucky end up traveling the world talking and equipping people with the gospel of Christ? On this week’s show former University of Louisville men’s basketball player Brian K, (last name abbreviated for protection in foreign countries) talks about his amazing journey that God has taken him on. It can be traced back to an ankle injury that he thought was the end of his basketball career, but it was actually the beginning. A beginning that would lead to playing at a Division 1 powerhouse school with Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum, and then working with young people in the Louisville area for almost a decade with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Brian married his college sweetheart and they have 8 children. Now they travel around the world where God leads - sharing the gospel - it’s a full life. The story of a life that is surrendered to God. A story that is still being written.

How many friends do you have? I’m not talking about social media numbers, I’m talking about friends you can call when your world is falling apart and you need someone there for you. When life seems to be squeezing you and you need a hand or word that breathes life into your sails. A person who knows all your junk, and still is willing to meet with you. Got them in mind? Ok, now, when was the last time you sat down with that person to talk about life? A week ago? A month? How about regularly for the last 24 years? On this week’s show, Kurt and Chad welcome Brad DeVries and Glenn Bednarczyk to talk about doing life with a group of men - a band of brothers for over 20 years. Guys who meet every week for a couple hours to hear from one another, encourage one another, and sometimes, lovingly, put a finger in there chest when need be. This is not just accountability, but life-giving friendship. Paul had Barnabas. Who do you have?

A father leaves when his son is 1 month old. Then that boy attends 40 schools in 4 years - running from his stepfather’s decisions. Later, as an adult, after 12 years of a “perfect” marriage and a newborn son, his wife says she wants a divorce. He saw no hope in living, and was thinking of ending it all. And then he receives a phone call... On this week’s show, Brian Goul joins Kurt and Chad to discuss his journey. It starts off in a way that most couldn’t recover from, without an intervention - an invasion of love that transforms and sets him on a new trajectory. One that is not possible without Jesus. Brian’s story is one that is real and transformational, and available to anyone who looks in the direction of God. From a fateful and timely phone call, to a chance meeting in a unfamiliar church, God’s fingerprints are all over Brian’s story.

“In his name the nations will put their hope.” Matthew 12:21 NIV “Who is ministering to who?” That is a question you hear, in some form or another, if you have ever taken an international mission trip. Spending time with other brothers and sisters in Christ of a different race and nationality is an eye-opening, humbling, and enriching experience for everyone involved. Find out what American Christians and Malawi Christians can teach one another.

Living a "Sunday morning" lifestyle seven days a week. On this week’s show Kurt and Chad talk with John Stewart, owner and President of Encompass Inc. John says, “At Encompass, we don’t just build structures from steel and stone. We build partnerships with heart and soul.” John encourages an atmosphere of generosity with his employees, customers, and more - from Indian tribes in Oklahoma to the homeless in Lagrange, KY. This is a repeat broadcast from March, 2018 - enjoy!

“High profile leaders are often set up to experience high-impact burnout or flatline in their growth, unwilling or unable to scale the wall ahead of them.” (From the website www.leadershipreality.org ) If that's true for high profile leaders, what about for those of us that aren't in the spotlight? On this week’s show, Chad and Kurt talk with Daniel Montgomery - CEO of Leadership Reality and author of the book Leadership Mosiac ( www.leadershipmosaic.org). Daniel points out that one size does not fit all - there are 5 different leadership styles and a piece of each of them is more effective than just the one that comes naturally. (This is a repeat of an episode from April 2018 - enjoy!)

So how do you make a difference in the 10th most impoverished area in the United States? Pop tarts and hugs. On this weekend's show, Kurt and Chad talk with LoveCity's ( LoveCityInc.org ) co-founder Shawn Arvin and Portland resident Austin Lopesilvero about how the Portland area of Louisville is being transformed by the two greatest commandments from Jesus - love God and love others. From open gym basketball - to fish fry’s - to block parties, loving your neighbor can be as effective and simple as, well, pop tarts and hugs.

Anger - a topic that many men don’t (or won’t) discuss. When you hear the word anger, probably someone specific comes to mind. Are your loved ones sitting on pins and needles when you enter the room? Is anger something that you’ve always lived with? Who taught you about anger? On this weeks show, counselor Tony Gore (Freedom Counseling Services) talks about anger and men. Tony says men tend to err on the anger spectrum in two extremes - too much or too little. Could it be that the anger you see in men is an emotion covering up a bigger problem? Tony Gore can be reached at (502-523-2970) or www.freedomcounselingservices.org

Two strangers entered into a family’s home and things will never be the same, for generations to come. A “revolution of grace” occurred, beginning with one man at a kitchen table. On this weeks show, Kurt and Chad talk with Pastor and former President of Ozark Christian college, Ken Idleman. Ken tells about the legacy and testimony of his father, Ken Sr. and how it changed the Idleman family for all time.

#191 A Father Gives His Life to Jesus and The Generations That Follow Are Forever Changed 7/6/19 by Solid Steps Radio Kurt Sauder Chad Russell