In this episode of Conversations, we sit down with Martha Valecillos, a seasoned missionary from Venezuela whose life and ministry span more than four decades.Martha shares her powerful journey—from a dramatic encounter with Christ sparked by a miraculous healing in her family, to stepping out in faith as a single mother into global missions. Her story is a compelling testimony of God’s faithfulness through obedience, sacrifice, and trust.Inspired by missionary biographies—especially the lives of Gladys Aylward and William Carey—Martha developed a deep hunger to serve beyond the four walls of the church. Despite rejection, uncertainty, and the challenges of raising a son alone, she followed God’s call and found her place in missions through Youth With A Mission (YWAM).Since then, Martha has served faithfully in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Venezuela, witnessing God’s work across cultures and continents.In this conversation, we explore: • Life on the mission field today • Serving in Venezuela amid political and economic instability • Daily dependence on God for provision • Stories of miracles and perseverance • The resilience of the church under pressure • Spiritual disciplines and leadership shaped by sonship • The importance of deep communion with GodThis episode is both sobering and hope-filled—a reminder that the gospel continues to bear fruit, even (and often especially) in the most difficult places.

In this opening episode of 2026, Blessen Mathew sits down with Pastor Henry Ita to explore the church’s theme for the year: Kingdom People, alongside the spiritual discipline of fasting. Building on previous themes of Kingdom Advance, Kingdom Enlargement, and Unshakeable Kingdom, this conversation moves from concept to lifestyle—what it truly means to live as people of God’s Kingdom every day.

Pastor Henry reminds us that Jesus did not merely come to save individuals but to restore a Kingdom that humanity lost through the fall. Salvation is the doorway, but the Kingdom is the home we are meant to live in. Too often believers settle for a minimal faith—attending church, remaining spiritually passive, and never enjoying the full benefits God intends for His people.

Fasting is presented not as a religious ritual, but as an ancient and essential discipline that brings the flesh into submission and sharpens spiritual awareness. In a culture driven by comfort and convenience, fasting calls Kingdom people back to hunger for God. This episode challenges listeners—individuals, families, and young people alike—to embrace discipline, intentionality, and spiritual depth, not just for a season, but as a way of life.

This episode of Conversations features Pastor Blessen with Pastor Lawrence Neisent, who shares his testimony of dramatic conversion and the rhythms that shape a flourishing life.  Lawrence describes how intentional morning time with God keeps him spiritually fresh and how hearing God's voice is meant to be a natural, ongoing conversation for every believer.  He emphasises building strong family patterns.  The discussion also explores biblical stewardship, with Lawrence teaching that Christians are managers, not owners, of their resources.

Key Lessons:

• Patterns Reveal Priorities

• Conversational Relationship with God Shapes Our Decisions

• Stewardship is a Kingdom Responsibility

In this new episode of The Conversation podcast, Blessen Mathew and Josh Raybould explore the journey of faith, youth ministry, and the importance of discipleship and mentorship. Josh shares his personal experiences, including his turning point in faith, his call to youth ministry, and the impact of mission trips on his spiritual growth. They discuss the significance of doing life together in discipleship, the role of cultural sensitivity in ministry, and the value of associating with mentors. Josh emphasises the need for young leaders to be light in their communities and to seek guidance from those ahead of them in their spiritual journey.Four Takeaways1. Mentorship is crucial for spiritual growth.2. Mission trips can awaken a passion for sharing the gospel.3. Investing in young people leads to long-term impact.4. The importance of doing life together in discipleship.

#inspiringjourney #faithinaction #missiondriven #deepimpact #theconversation #podcast

In this uplifting episode of Conversations, Blessen Mathew sits down with Pastor Steve Uppal, Senior Leader of All Nations Church, to explore a holistic vision for Christian life—where faith, fitness, and family come together as one. Known for his passionate preaching and global influence, Pastor Steve shares openly about his personal journey of faith, his transformation through discipline, and how God taught him to align spiritual and physical health. Through stories from his life and ministry, he reminds us that spiritual vitality cannot be separated from emotional and physical well-being. He also gives a transparent look into family life—how to stay rooted in love, balance leadership and parenthood, and make sure that ministry never replaces intimacy with God or with loved ones.

Three Key Lessons1. Wholeness Is God’s Design - Faith and health are not separate worlds. God desires for His people to thrive in body,mind, and spirit. Pastor Steve reminds us that neglecting one area eventually affects the others.2. Family Is Your First Ministry - Pastor Steve emphasises that leadership begins at home. He speaks about intentional family rhythms—creating time to connect, pray, and rest together. True success isn’t measured by ministry size, but by faithfulness in loving your family well. “If it doesn’t work at home, it doesn’t work anywhere else.”3. Discipline Creates Freedom - Spiritual and physical fitness both require consistency. Prayer, Scripture, exercise, and rest are not restrictions—they’re rhythms that sustain freedom and clarity. “Discipline is not a prison—it’s a pathway to purpose.”

In this episode of The Conversation, Blessen Mathew and Henry Ita explore the concept of spiritual leadership, discussing its definition, qualities, and the importance of self-awareness and joy in leadership. They delve into the challenges of spiritual abuse, the authority and responsibility of leaders, and the need for boundaries. The discussion emphasises the importance of healing from spiritual abuse and encourages emerging leaders to serve humbly and faithfully. 4 Key Lessons Spiritual leadership encourages others to grow in their faith.

1. The qualities of a spiritual leader are rooted in the fruit of the Spirit.

2. Leaders have a responsibility to guide and protect their followers.

3. Setting boundaries is essential for spiritual leaders.

4. Joy is a deep state that should be reflected in a leader's life

In this episode of Conversations, Blessen Mathew talks with Bill Sayer, a retired engineer, elder, and servant-hearted leader, about the purposeful stewardship of money, faith, and retirement.

Although his background as an engineer ingrained in him the importance of structure and diligence, it was his faith in God that guided his choices, such as declining international promotions to support his local church and choosing early retirement to engage in prayer ministry.

He and his wife not only tithed; they established a dedicated fund called All Saints’ Gifts to generously and joyfully meet various needs. His experiences demonstrate that faith and finances can harmoniously coexist, creating a life that serves others while honouring God.

From his upbringing in a Christian household to making significant career decisions in service of the Gospel, Bill imparts valuable insights on prioritising Jesus, fostering a healthy financial partnership with one’s spouse, and embodying a spirit of generosity.

Bill explains how he and his wife, Mary, started their budgeting journey with a simple notebook, consistently prioritising tithing and progressively increasing their contributions over the years. Their intentional commitment to a simple lifestyle and generous giving stems from a profound belief that everything they possess is ultimately God’s.

3 Key Lessons

1. Generosity Grows with Gratitude
   A thankful heart fuels a generous spirit. As you recognise God’s provision, giving becomes a joyful, natural response.

2. Retirement Isn’t a Finish Line—It’s a New Beginning
   Retirement can be an opportunity to serve in new ways, invest in prayer and ministry, and live out your purpose more fully.

3. A Financial Legacy Is Rooted in Simplicity and Stewardship
   A life of impact doesn’t require extravagance. Simple, intentional stewardship leaves a lasting legacy that honours God and blesses others.

In this conversation, Rebekah Ford shares her journey of faith, leadership, and the challenges of mental health. She emphasises that struggling with mental health does not equate to weakness in leadership. Rebekah discusses her experiences with burnout, the importance of self-care, and how faith has been a cornerstone in her recovery. The conversation also touches on the stigma surrounding mental health in Christian communities and the necessity of seeking both spiritual and professional help. In this conversation, Rebekah shares her journey of faith, healing, and entrepreneurship, emphasising the importance of support systems, balance in life, and leading worship with authenticity. She discusses the challenges of running a business, the significance of family and community support, and the need for personal growth and integrity in leadership roles. Rebekah encourages young worship leaders to focus on their relationship with God and to lead from a place of depth and authenticity, while also being open to change and growth in their personal and professional lives.

Three Key Lessons from the Episode1. Mental health challenges can happen to anyone—even strong leaders.2. Balance isn’t accidental—it requires boundaries and planning.3. We must serve from the depth of our private devotion, not the height of our public platform.

mental health, leadership, faith, vulnerability, personal growth, community support, mental illness, self-care, professional help, spiritual guidance, faith, healing, entrepreneurship, business challenges, support systems, balance, worship, authenticity, young leaders, personal growth

In this episode of Conversations, I sit down with my good friend Dwayne Squires, a finance expert and entrepreneur, to discuss his inspiring journey from working at Rolls-Royce to running his own real estate business. Dwayne shares how his faith in God, disciplined approach to business, and strategic mindset helped him transition from a stable corporate job into the uncertain yet rewarding world of entrepreneurship.

Dwayne’s story is one of vision, resilience, and faith. He grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, which planted the seed for his business mindset early on. While working at Rolls-Royce, he knew he wanted to start his own venture, but he didn’ttake a blind leap—instead, he spent six to seven years building his business on the side, learning valuable lessons from his corporate job before making the full transition.

In this episode, Dwayne unpacks:

• How he became a Christian and the role faith played in his journey• The lessons he learned from Rolls-Royce that shaped his business mindset• How he transitioned strategically from a corporate job to full-time entrepreneurship
• How biblical principles of finance and giving have shaped his approach to business
• Why he chose real estate as his business focus
• Practical advice for those wanting to start a business or invest in real estate

Dwayne also shares insights on time management, productivity, and work-life balance, including how he structures his day for maximum efficiency while making time for his family, church, and personal growth. If you’re thinking about making a career shift, starting a business, or investing in property, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable insights to help you take the next step.

Three Key Lessons from the Episode

1. Transitioning from Employment to Business Requires Strategy2. Investing in Real Estate is a Long-Term Strategy3. Biblical Principles of Finance and Generosity Bring Growth

Dwayne emphasizes that biblical financial principles—such as giving, stewardship, and wise investing—are key to lasting financial success. He has seen firsthand how generosity and trusting God with finances have led to business growth and opportunities.

Takeaway: Give generously, steward resources wisely, and operate from a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity.

📢 Welcome to The Conversation by New Life Church Derby!

In this first episode, we sit down with Pastor Henry Ita, Senior Leader of New Life Church Derby, to hear about his incredible journey from being a businessman in Nigeria to stepping into full-time ministry in the UK. 🚀

Pastor Henry shares how he originally planned to build a business for God’s kingdom but was led into church leadership instead. He opens up about the challenges of transitioning from the corporate world to ministry, the importance of vision, leadership, and community, and why setting boundaries in ministry is crucial.

🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to recognise God’s calling in your life

✅ The difference between business leadership and church leadership

✅ Why every believer is called to serve, not just pastors

✅ The power of vision and how to develop one for your life

✅ How the home church model is transforming the Christian community

If you’re passionate about faith, leadership, and living out your calling, this episode is for you!