The Age of Lions

What does it look like to keep growing, changing, and pursuing God as you get older?

In this episode of The Age of Lions, Mark sits down with pastor Vince Turner from Axminster, England, for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, aging, family, purpose, and what it means to stay spiritually alive in the second half of life.

Vince shares why getting older doesn’t automatically make us wiser, why unresolved wounds can follow us for decades, and why it’s never too late to deal with the things that have kept us stuck. He also talks about moving from parenting children to building relationships with adult kids, the freedom that can come with age, and his own growing desire to experience more of the presence and power of God.

His challenge to those in their 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond is simple: don’t settle into cruising altitude. Go higher.

There is still more of God to know, more life to experience, more fruit to bear, and more of yourself to give away.

Because getting older isn’t the end of the story.

Dr. Marnie Crumpler is the Senior Pastor of Grace Church Bethlehem and a seasoned leader who believes getting older should mean growing deeper, leading wiser, and remaining open to whatever God calls you to next.

In this episode of The Age of Lions, Mark and Marnie talk about the shift that happens when you realize you’re no longer the young leader in the room. Marnie shares what she’s learned about stewarding her physical, mental, spiritual, and relational health, investing in the next generation, and continuing to intentionally grow at every stage of life.

She also shares the remarkable story of leaving a comfortable life and ministry in Atlanta at age 48 to follow God’s call to Pennsylvania. The move made little sense on paper and eventually included denominational conflict, losing their church building, becoming a portable church, and watching God faithfully build something they could never have anticipated.

Along the way, Mark and Marnie discuss taking risks later in life, learning to say no, managing energy instead of simply managing time, mentoring younger leaders, and becoming more comfortable with the mystery of God.

It’s a conversation about continuing to listen, continuing to grow, and having the courage to say yes when God calls you into something new.

Because until God calls us home, we’re still on assignment. It’s not over.

SHOW NOTES

https://www.gracecb.org/

https://www.facebook.com/marniecrumpler

https://www.instagram.com/marncrump/

What if the most valuable thing you have to offer in the second half of life isn’t what you can build—but what you can give away?

In this episode of The Age of Lions, Mark sits down with entrepreneur, author, and Kingdom Builders founder Lee Domingue for a wide-ranging conversation about purpose, legacy, leadership, health, and making your later years count.

Lee shares the pivotal moment at age 50 when he uprooted his family, moved to Birmingham, and stepped into a completely new season of life. What followed was a realization that has shaped everything since: if you’re still alive, God isn’t finished with you. Your experiences, successes, failures, wisdom, and even your scars can become something powerful when you begin giving them away to others.

Mark and Lee talk about the difference between being driven and being led, why your best days don’t have to be behind you, and the danger of becoming a “sidelines commentator” as you age. Lee challenges older generations to stop simply criticizing younger people and instead step forward to mentor, encourage, and invest in them.

They also discuss staying physically, mentally, and spiritually engaged, the importance of continuing to learn, and why legacy becomes less about what you build and more about what you leave behind.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you still have something significant to contribute, this conversation is a reminder that your journey has value—and it was never meant to end with you.

SHOW NOTES

Connect with Lee Domingue & Kingdom Builders:
KingdomBuilders.us

What happens when the life you thought you’d live suddenly takes a completely different turn?

At 50, Andy Robertson stepped away from nearly four decades of ministry with no clear picture of what came next. He started a service business from scratch, endured financial hardship, nearly lost his marriage, faced major heart surgery, and eventually found himself spiritually disconnected from the God he had spent most of his life serving.

Now, at 69, Andy says his passion for Jesus and his sense of purpose are stronger than ever.

In this episode of The Age of Lions, Andy shares candidly about rebuilding his career, marriage, health, and faith—and the simple steps that helped him find his way back to God. He also talks about why getting older doesn’t have to mean slowing down spiritually. Instead of seeing himself in the fourth quarter of life, Andy is asking God for “overtime” and looking for every opportunity to invest what he’s learned into the next generation.

It’s a powerful conversation about second chances, starting over, finishing well, and discovering that God may still have some of His best work for you ahead.

What happens when you reach a season of life where the roles that have defined you begin to change?

In this episode of The Age of Lions, Mark sits down with Lara Allen, entrepreneur, nonprofit consultant, and host of the Delight in Every Step podcast, for a conversation about purpose, transition, and discovering what God may have for you next.

As Lara approached the empty-nest years, she began asking some important questions: Do I want to lead my business for the rest of my life? What do I want to do with the years ahead? And most importantly, what is God asking me to do next?

Those questions launched a journey of listening, prayer, and eventually stepping into an entirely new season of ministry and work.

Mark and Lara talk about the importance of quieting the constant noise in our lives, staying physically and spiritually healthy as we age, navigating the empty nest, and recognizing the tremendous opportunity older generations have to invest in those coming behind them.

Lara also shares a powerful truth that captures the heart of this conversation:

“Our purpose does not expire, but our assignment can change.”

They also discuss why women in their 50s and beyond often find themselves rediscovering creativity, calling, and dreams that may have been set aside during the busy years of raising families and building careers—and why starting something new later in life isn’t just possible, but may be exactly what God is inviting you to do.

In this episode:

• Why empty nesting can become a catalyst for discovering what’s next
 • The importance of shutting out the noise so you can hear God
 • Why your purpose doesn’t expire even when your assignment changes
 • The need for older generations to intentionally mentor younger people
 • Why younger adults are hungry for relationships with people who have gone before them
 • How Lara traced the story of her life to recognize patterns of God’s faithfulness
 • Why it’s never too late to start something new
 • How to keep moving forward when health challenges and discouragement try to slow you down

Lara is the founder of Flourish with Lara and host of Delight in Every Step, a podcast highlighting women who have stepped into something new in their 50s and beyond. She also works with individuals and teams through coaching and Working Genius workshops.

The message is simple: You aren’t finished. Your assignment may change, but your purpose doesn’t expire. There is still more ahead.

Where to find Lara:
https://www.flourishwithlara.com/

In this episode of The Age of Lions, Mark sits down with entrepreneur, CEO, former Army officer, coach, and mentor Mike Plaia for a conversation about what it means to grow older with greater purpose, discipline, and faith.

Mike shares how his perspective has shifted as he’s aged—from pushing harder and accomplishing more to becoming increasingly intentional about where he spends his time, who he surrounds himself with, and what he’s ultimately pursuing. He talks about creating a “to-don’t list,” the importance of choosing the right people for your inner circle, and why successful leaders have to resist pride and remember that everything they’ve been given is ultimately something they steward for God.

Mike also opens up about coming to a deeper walk with Christ later in life and how that changed his priorities as a husband, father, businessman, and leader. The conversation explores the lessons found in adversity, our responsibility to pour into younger generations, overcoming fear and self-doubt, and why getting outside your comfort zone is essential for continued growth.

And Mike offers a challenge perfectly suited for every Lion: “When in doubt, let the lion out.”

It’s a conversation about making the years you have left count—and a reminder that whether you’re 50, 60, 70, or beyond, it’s never too late to lean into the purpose God still has for your life.

What if your best years aren’t behind you—but you’re actually being prepared for your greatest season of impact?

In this episode of The Age of Lions, Mark sits down with entrepreneur, pastor, coach and author Ken Joslin for a powerful conversation about purpose, discipline, relationships and continuing to grow as we get older.

Ken shares how his journey through ministry, business, personal loss, health transformation and entrepreneurship has shaped the work he is doing today—and why he believes everything we walk through can prepare us for what God has next.

They talk about Ken’s philosophy of “incremental, not monumental,” the power of small daily disciplined decisions, why proximity to the right people can change the trajectory of your life, and the importance of intentionally investing in your faith, health, relationships and purpose.

Ken also shares the thinking behind his new book, The 14 Frequencies of Proximity, and why authenticity, community and the relationships we build may be some of the greatest “cheat codes” for growth.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your window of impact is closing, this conversation is a reminder: God isn’t finished with you. Your experiences, relationships, wisdom and even the difficult seasons of your life may be preparing you for what comes next.

In this episode:

• Why getting 1% better every day matters
• “Incremental, not monumental” and the power of consistency
• Finding purpose in the second half of life
• Why obedience matters more than controlling outcomes
• Fighting isolation as we get older
• Ken’s Community, Circle and Corner approach to relationships
• Why proximity can accelerate growth
• Building discipline into your everyday life
• Becoming the best version of yourself so you can make your greatest Kingdom impact

FOLLOW KEN

https://growstackdrive.com/

Welcome to Season 2 of The Age of Lions podcast! Join host Mark Clement for some updates from the summer, the latest updates on our community, and a look into the next 8 weeks of incredible guests. We'll end with a spiritual challenge around the incredible power of true discipleship! 

Aging well doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentional decisions about our health, our faith, our relationships, and the legacy we want to leave behind.

In this episode of The Age of Lions, Mark sits down with pastor, author, and leader Dr. Van Moody for a powerful conversation about embracing the second half of life with purpose, wisdom, and expectation.

Van shares how turning 45, losing his mother and sister, and facing the realities of aging caused him to rethink how he approached his health, priorities, and future. From becoming more intentional with nutrition and fitness to developing daily rhythms of spiritual growth, Van explains why taking care of yourself is about more than longevity — it’s about being prepared for the calling God still has ahead.

The conversation also explores the transition into the empty nest season, the importance of investing in your children without losing your own purpose, and why this stage of life can actually become one of the most exciting and fruitful seasons.

Mark and Van also discuss:

• Why it’s never too late to make changes and start building a different future
• How God can redeem time and use every season of your story
• The difference between collecting knowledge and actually applying wisdom
• How to stay relevant as culture changes without chasing every trend
• Why legacy is about both preparing the next generation and continuing to live your own calling

Van reminds us that wisdom, experience, and perspective are gifts — and they are meant to be used. The second half of life isn’t a time to coast. It’s a time to dream again, serve deeper, and step into everything God still has for you.

SHOW NOTES

https://vanmoody.org/

https://theworshipcentercc.org/

There comes a point in life when the focus shifts from building a career and raising a family to considering the legacy you’re leaving behind. For many people, that transition brings a new sense of urgency—not because time is running out, but because purpose still remains.

In this episode, Mark sits down with pastor, author, and disciple-making leader Craig Etheredge to discuss what it means to age with intention and faithfulness. Craig reflects on the mindset shift that came with turning 50, the daily and monthly rhythms that keep him spiritually grounded, and why investing in others has become one of the central priorities of this season of life.  

The conversation explores marriage after the kids leave home, maintaining physical and spiritual health as we age, and the growing need for older generations to mentor and disciple those coming behind them. Craig also shares insights from decades of ministry leadership and explains why he believes the Church’s greatest need is not bigger crowds, but more mature disciples.  

One of the most powerful moments comes as Craig describes a perspective-changing conversation about turning 60. Instead of viewing the years ahead as a season of decline, he was challenged by a good friend to see them as harvest years—the season when decades of faithfulness begin to bear fruit.  

This episode is a compelling reminder that there is no expiration date on calling, no retirement from purpose, and no substitute for a life intentionally invested in the Kingdom of God.  

SHOW NOTES

https://disciplefirst.com/

https://www.crosscreekchurch.com/

CRAIG’S TEN QUESTIONS

#1 WHAT IS THE CONDITION OF MY HEART TODAY?

#2 WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO ME?

#3 WHAT CAN I PRAISE THE LORD FOR?

#4 WHAT ARE MY STRENGTHS/STRUGGLES?

#5 WHAT ARE MY GOALS/KRAS 

#6 WHAT HAS BEEN DONE/IN PROCESS/ NOT STARTED?

#7 WHAT NEEDS ATTENTION?

#8 WHAT WILL I PRIORITIZE NEXT MONTH?

#9 WHERE DO I NEED ACCOUNTABILITY?

 #10 WHO DO I NEED TO PRAY FOR?

YOUR LIFE BY THE HOUR

Nine stages of a man’s life

FOUNDATION STAGE

6:00am - birth- 4 yrs old

7:00am - 5ys - 9ys elementary 

GROWING STAGE

8:00am- 10yrs-14 middle school

9:00am - 15-18yrs, high school

TRAINING STAGE

10:00am - 19-23yrs college

11:00am - 24-28 yrs marriage/career

BUILDING STAGE

12:00 noon - 29-33yr, building family

1:00pm - 34-38 yrs, building experience 

LEADERSHIP STAGE

2:00pm - 39-43yrs, leading family

3:00pm- 43-47yrs, leading others

INFLUENCING STAGE

4:00pm- 47-51yrs, influence by position 

5:00pm- 51-55yrs, influence by results

EMPOWERING STAGE

6:00pm - 56-60yrs, investing in leaders 

7:00pm - 60-64yrs, empowering leaders (succession plans)

8:00pm- 65-69, releasing leaders

SAGE STAGE

9:00pm - 70-74yrs, sharing wisdom learned

10:00pm - 75-79, casting a compelling vision

LEGACY STAGE

11:00pm - 80-84yrs, remembering and communicating the legacy

12:00am - 85-89yrs, blessing those behind you.