Making music and touring for more than two decades, John Mark McMillan has felt God calling him to focus on other ventures and not solely music this year. Many listeners of STG might be familiar with the worship songs "How He Loves" and "King Of My Heart." John Mark wrote those. The latter of which he cowrote with his wife Sarah.

John Mark McMillan is something of an anomaly. A singer-songwriter, bending genres and defying categorization by carving out his own unique and independent path. With an ear for melody and a poet's eye for metaphor, no topic has been off-limits. While each album has continued to explore new territory, it's McMillan's ability to give lyric and language to the human experience that many consider his greatest gift.

He writes music from his sanctified imagination. This is nowhere more evident than in his latest album "Cosmic Supreme." Pleas enjoy the humble and deep reflections of John Mark in this conversation. For friends curious about his music, here are some songs that are great places to start:

Holy Powers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxuYul9O4YM

Juggernaut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=govE9dPp1zc

Enemy, love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvqCKOL2uLw

Wilderlove: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG2_TKNllaM

Future/Past: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGNznfexvUA

Death In His Grave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSTKbmNY1WA

The spiritual sense Anna Grace has for what the Lord is doing now is shifting the church from defense to offense and playing the long game. Anna Grace Legband is the Associate Director of Events for New Room. She is the author of the recently published Advent study, Brought To The Light: Advent For All Who Need It (https://my.seedbed.com/product-category/advent/). Anna Grace has global perspective through her ministry and is wise beyond her years as a soon to be mother. We're grateful for her generosity in sharing with us in this precious time leading up to the birth of her firstborn.

If you don't know anything about New Room, you need to know! seedbed.com/newroom

At New Room Conference, we come together first and foremost to meet with God. We pray—not just for ourselves, but for a great awakening that stirs hearts and changes the world. We connect with each other in deep and meaningful ways, sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness that inspire, challenge, and build us up. In these moments, you’ll see how He’s moving, not just in your life but in the lives of those walking alongside you. We laugh and grow together in breakout sessions that spark joy, ignite creativity, and plant seeds of transformation. These are moments where the Spirit moves in unexpected ways—sometimes through laughter, sometimes through tears, and always through connection. And we worship together. Oh, how we worship! Voices raised, hearts aligned, Spirit flowing. It’s a glimpse of heaven, a powerful reminder that we are a people of the Word and the Spirit, bound together in the love of God. We want to hear about your discipleship band—the small circle of friends who are helping you sow seeds of grace and grow deeper in your walk with Jesus. Your story matters, and we’d love to share it with the community.

Here’s our challenge: step out, meet someone new, and build a connection. These moments of community may just become the foundation for something beautiful and eternal. So come ready to pray. Come ready to share. Come ready to laugh, worship, and connect. Let’s sow together for the great awakening God has in store.

We pray your definitions of what worship is and it's primary aim is challenged and/or deepened in this conversation with Dr. Johnathan Powers. For example, if you always considered evangelism to be the primary aim of worship, this conversation will ask you to reconsider.

Dr. Powers is the Interim Dean of the E. Stanley Jones School of Mission and Ministry as well as Associate Professor of Worship Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He graduated from Asbury University in 2003 with a B.A. in English, from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2009 with a M.A. in Christian Ministries – worship studies emphasis, and holds the Doctor of Worship Studies from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. He received his Ph.D. through The London School of Theology where his dissertation focused on the worship theology of Robert E. Webber.

Dr. Powers has a passion for the intersection of liturgy and spiritual formation in the life of the church. He has authored and co-authored several articles and books, including Echo: A Catechism for Discipleship in the Ancient Christian Tradition, The 12 Days of Christmas Sermons, and Watchnight: John Wesley’s Covenant Renewal Service, all published by Seedbed. In 2009, he was awarded the Hoyt Hickman Award by the Order of St. Luke at Asbury Seminary for excellence in liturgical scholarship and leading public worship. He also serves on the board of the Charles Wesley Society.

The double doctor himself, Mike Voigts, joins STG to share with us all the importance of staying in love with God. Pastor Mike has been in pastoral ministry since 1993, when he served as an Associate Pastor at First Methodist in Waco. After serving churches in both Texas and Kentucky, he joined the faculty at Asbury Theological Seminary in 2017, serving as a Professor of Christian Spirituality and Theology. In May 2025, he left higher education to return home as First Methodist’s Senior Pastor in Waco, TX.

Mike holds a B.A. from Baylor University, an M.Div. and D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Brunel University (through London School of Theology) in England.

Whether in a local church or a seminary classroom, Mike has stressed that the faithfulness of a local church begins with the faithfulness of each person within the local church. In preaching, he strives to show how God’s Word is relevant to our everyday lives. He enjoys introducing people to Christians throughout history, revealing how much we can learn from these giants in our faith.

Mike is the author of Regere Animas: Spiritual Direction in the Letters of Bernard of Clairvaux (2013), and most recently, The Fourth Degree of Prayer (2022), written for laypersons.

Dr. Brian Yeich rejoins the podcast to share more about his involvement with the discipleship movement called Inspire. Dr. Yeich's passion is helping people become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ through the church and the academy. He is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church and has pastored 11 years in both large and small congregations as well as a church restart

Including his previous role at Asbury Theological Seminary as Assistant Provost, Brian has over 8 years in positions of leadership for theological education. He currently serves as an adjunct professor for Asbury Theological Seminary and Wesley Biblical Seminary teaching in the areas of Church History, Wesley Studies, and Pastoral Formation. Brian is currently appointed as Missional Discipleship Coordinator with World Methodist Evangelism in partnership with the Inspire Movement. Inspire is a worldwide missional discipleship network.

inspiremovement.org

The Holy Spirit always brings fresh wind and fresh fire through the Spirit & Truth team (spiritandtruth.life). At Spirit & Truth, they long to see the church fully alive! They exist to help equip a global movement of local churches to become empowered by the Spirit, rooted in the truth, and mobilized for the mission. STG is grateful to have the Founder and President of Spirit & Truth, Matt Reynolds, back on the podcast. And we're overjoyed to be joined by Maggie Ulmer and Emma Winchester too. Maggie and Emma both lead with Matt in the Church Equipping areas. Maggie also produces the Spirit & Truth Podcast (spiritandtruth.life/podcast) in addition to leading in Prophetic Ministry. Emma provides Administration for the team as well.

You have the opportunity to experience the more of God He wants you to receive by attending the next Spirit & Truth Conference in Irving, TX. A Spirit & Truth Conference is a gathering for believers to get equipped and seek the powerful presence of the Lord together. It’s a chance to learn from respected leaders about ways to spark a new movement of back-to-the-basics, Spirit-filled, missional Christianity.

Register now at https://www.spiritandtruth.life/midtexas

Whether you're interested in the upcoming Anew Conference (https://midtexasgmc.jotform.com/251336256349965) on November 8 or not, you'll enjoy hearing Kelly Minter's heart for the Lord.

She's been writing Bible studies and teaching the Bible for the past two decades. She spent her first few years in Nashville making records with three different labels. Eventually, she decided to dedicate herself fully to writing and teaching the Bible. God’s Word is meant to permeate every part of our lives, so she loves helping others make the connection between Scripture and everyday life.

Kelly recently finished an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies at Denver Seminary. In addition to her love for Scripture, she has a deep love for missions. She works closely with Justice & Mercy International (https://justiceandmercy.org) in the Amazon jungles of Brazil as well as the Eastern European country of Moldova.

When she's not writing or speaking, she loves to be home cooking for friends and family, spending time with her nieces and nephews, taking walks, serving her local church, or gardening.

Please check out kellyminter.com to find her amazing work for the Lord! Stay tuned to the very end to discover more about Kelly's love for cooking and college football.

Join us this week for an inspiring conversation with ministry power couple, Melanie and Arnold Arreaga. Melanie is the Children's Minister at Friendswood Methodist Church and was also the featured speaker at the Revive Kids camp. Arnold leads worship at The Woodlands Methodist Church and is a member of Bristol House.

In this episode, they open up about their individual faith journeys, sharing how God called them into ministry. They also offer an deeper look into their lives, discussing how they navigate the unique challenges of serving in two different churches while raising their two young daughters.

Tune in to hear their hearts for the Lord and be encouraged by their story of faith, family, and ministry. Stay tuned to the very end if you share their love for Starbucks Pumpkin Spice.

Welcome to a vulnerable episode of STG where addiction, therapy, and recovery are in focus under the mighty sovereignty of God. Ryan and Jason share parts of their stories and what God has done and is doing to heal every part of them. We believe and pray that God uses this episode for breakthrough in someone else's life who is listening and feels hopeless. There is hope in the Lord no matter what you're facing, have done, or feel trapped within. God loves you more than you can comprehend. Reach out to us at [email protected] if you're in need and want prayer. We can also connect you with godly men and women who specialize in healing through therapy.

If you ever needed encouragement to sit down and receive the amazing gifts of God, take this opportunity. If you've never been told to sit back and wait for the Lord to speak before going about and doing the significant things of life, take this opportunity to listen to Dr. Kenneth Collins. This conversation was a means of grace for us. And we pray it'll be a means of grace for you.

Dr. Kenneth J. Collins is professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the 2008 recipient of the Professor of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Dr. Collins is a member of the following professional organizations: The American Academy of Religion, The Oxford Institute, The Wesleyan Theological Society, The Wesley Historical Society, The Historical Society of the United Methodist Church, the Editorial Board of Wesley and Methodist Studies, the Editorial Board of Australasian Centre for Wesleyan Research, the Board of Directors, the Institute on Religion and Democracy (Washington, D.C.), and the Editorial Board of Methodist Review: A Journal of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. He has published a host of books and scores of articles exploring topics ranging from Wesleyan theology to Christian spirituality, including recent publications:

Collins, Kenneth J. Jesus the Stranger: The Man from Galilee and the Light of the World. Franklin, Tennessee: Seedbed, 2021.

Collins, Kenneth J., and Robert W. Wall, eds. Wesley One Volume Commentary. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2020.

Collins, Kenneth J. and Jerry L. Walls. Roman but Not Catholic: What Remains at Stake 500 Years after the Reformation. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017.

Collins, Kenneth J. and Jason E. Vickers. The Sermons of John Wesley: A Collection for the Christian Journey. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013.

To explore Dr. Collins work further: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kenneth-J.-Collins/author/B001HCWO1I?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1755049395&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=0099353e-33e6-4245-85a2-8c00c3b622d5

Thunderstruck by Dr. Peter Bellini: https://www.amazon.com/Thunderstruck-Deliverance-Ministry-Wesley-Today/dp/1666759392

Stay tuned to the very end for a few words of wisdom of what we shouldn't carry over from John Wesley into the 21st century.