In this episode we visit early American church history: the Huguenots and their presence in Florida.  Guest Ben Goldsmith shares this little-known chapter, discovering the blood of the martyrs on the First Coast. As persecution increased in France the Huguenots sought safety on the shores of the New World in 1562, landing at the mouth of the St. Johns River.  For a time they enjoyed freedom… but then it all went wrong.  Starting with a bloody pre-dawn raid at Fort Caroline and ending with the martyrdom of Jean Ribault (Ribault High School in Jacksonville is named after this Frenchman), the Huguenots were all but wiped from history.  Fort Caroline, the Arlington area of Jacksonville, Matanzas Bay, Menendez, the Spanish, and the French, all feature in this fascinating story.  Hear all about it with Ben Goldsmith!

Mr. William Sirls, Professor of English at TCJ, shares a behind the scenes look at his life and how he came to Christ while in prison.  Having turned himself in over money laundering, he shares how that time “was the best thing that could have happened” to him and some of the lessons he has learned along the way.  From how he has grown spiritually to his successful career as a writer, he sees God’s hand in each facet of his life. Join us for an unusual conversation that will remind you of God’s providence and desire “to seek and to save that which was lost”.

Dr. Jeremiah Stanley is Pastor of Trinity at Mandarin, previously VP of Student Affairs at TCJ for many years.  In this episode he shares his thoughts on the power of journaling as a spiritual discipline.  A practice he adopted in college and continues to this day, journaling has played an important role in his spiritual growth and personal development.  He shares tips on how to approach the discipline to avoid burnout or disappointment and explains how it can be a valuable personal resource within a short time.

Season 4, Episode 7 is live!   Plenty of marriages outside the Christian faith display life-long loyalty and familial success – markers we often equate with a healthy marriage.  But does God have more in mind for a thriving, healthy marriage?  This week’s guest, Mr. Wyman Winbush (Pastor, Minister, and Life Coach) explains that all too often, divine potential is overlooked in the marriage covenant.  “Good people can have a long marriage, but that does not mean they are living out God’s divine purpose for marriage.”  Listen today to learn what that divine purpose might look like and how vast its potential could prove to be!

Alumnus Gib Wood (who happens to be father of our host, Mr. Keith Wood) has been a missionary to the American military population in Germany for the past 39 years. In this episode we discuss the ups and downs of missionary life and lessons learned on the field.  As he transitions into a different role within missions, Mr. Wood shares insight on some of the pressures missionaries face to “perform well” on paper instead of being free to focus on faithful ministry.

Dr. Tadlock is a history professor at Trinity College of Jacksonville. In this episode, we take a look at what slavery meant in the ancient world, exploring the core definition of slavery as a lack of personal freedom.

Discovering some unexpected truths along the way, we discuss the two main paths to slavery in ancient times, how common it was, and why revolts were an uncommon issue. We wrap up the conversation with a look at how slavery shows up throughout the Bible and how it is often misunderstood when read through a modern lens.

The average adult in the US spends 140K hours in the workplace, compared to approximately 4K hours at church.  Based on time expenditure alone, the potential for Christians to impact their workplace is unbelievable!  But is that impact taking place?  If not, what can be done about it?  Is there a model we can follow? Join us for a conversation with Dr. Tammie McClafferty, CEO of LifeWork Leadership First Coast, as we explore the habits, disciplines, and mentalities that can help us to see our work through the lens of ministry.

Bible translations have been controversial for as long as there has been translation work on the Scriptures!  Did historical Bible translators believe their work was the final authority?  Is there a danger in being faithful to a specific translation in perpetuity?  In this episode, Dr. John Williams takes on the topic of Bible Translations and some common concerns and questions that surround Bible Translation in general and the KJV in specific.

Can a noble cause make a misstep?  In this episode we go back in time with church historian Dr. John Williams to trace the history of the Baptists.  Some may argue that there is a clear line of descent (of theological purity) from the time of Jesus to the Baptist church – a theory commonly referred to as the Trail of Blood.  Does history corroborate this claim?  Can theological purity be passed down removed from a genealogical timeline?  What are the implications?  How should one address historical evidence that contradicts traditional doctrinal beliefs?  Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the TCJPodcast!

We are back with season 4, Episode 1 of the TCJ Podcast, featuring return guest and biblical archaeologist, Mr. Brian Maggard! 

Last time Mr. Maggard was with us we had a fascinating discussion regarding an archaeological dig where he believes is the location of biblical Sodom and Gomorrah.  This time, we discuss some well-known finds that turned out to be hoaxes (whether intentional deceptions or otherwise) as well as how to guard against the type of individuals he calls “False Friends”.