Pastor Ryan sits down with Pastor Doug Ward of Mundelein Church of the Nazarene in Illinois.  This is a unique interview as Doug is Ryan's senior pastor.    Doug has been pastor of Mundelein for 19 years. He has a Masters Degree from Wheaton College in New Testament, and has completed all the coursework toward a PhD from Marquette University in Biblical Theology. Raised in Ohio, Doug has lived in the Chicago area since 1993. His wife, Michelle, grew up in Wheaton and considers the Chicago area home. Together they have two children, Adam (Dottie) and Sarah (Bryant), and four grandchildren, Mabel and Finn (Adam/Dottie), and Tatiana and Clem (Sarah/Bryant). Doug is also an Adjunct Professor of New Testament at Olivet Nazarene University, where he has taught for 18 years.  In his spare time, Doug loves to write, and has a book entitled, “I Object: Uncommon Answers to Common Objections to Christianity.” He is currently working on an in-depth Bible study for Ephesians. Doug also likes to golf, take walks with Michelle, and might be found refereeing high school basketball games in the winter months. He is also a life-long and frustrated fan of the Cleveland Browns and Indians.  In this conversation, they explore the call to ministry, patience in that call and the importance of fatherhood!

In this episode, Pastor Ryan talks with pastor and author Jay Kim.   Jay is lead pastor at Westgate Church in the Silicon Valley of CA and is the author of Analog Church (which is fantastic) and Analog Christian (coming July 2022).  They cover his faith story, his call to ministry, and the work he has done in helping people follow Jesus in a digital age!

From Richard's Bio on spiritsoulbody.org:

"Richard is a pastor in Seattle who believes that healthy people are the foundation of healthy marriages, family systems, businesses, and faith communities.  His desire to guide people toward wholeness finds expression in teaching, coaching, guiding Ancient Paths experiences, and writing.  Married for 40 years to Donna Dahlstrom, he and Donna have three grown children and three grandchildren."

I have admired Pastor Richard for a number of years, and his works have had a truly transformation impact on my life and ministry.  I also encourage you to read "The Colors of Hope: Becoming People of Mercy, Justice, and Love" and "The Map Is Not the Journey: Faith Renewed While Hiking the Alps".  It was a real joy and honor to sped time with him... Enjoy!

Selena Freeman is lead pastor of The Well Church in Springfield Missouri.  We take some time to discuss her call to ministry, her years as a youth pastor, and her journey so far with The Well.  You’ll love her insights into the process of church planting and creating a contagious Kingdom culture!

Kevin Jack is senior pastor of Highland Park Church, in Lakeland Florida.  Prior to his recent move to Florida, Kevin  served as senior pastor of Be Hope Church in Ohio, and Crosspoint Church in Kentucky.  He has a heart for church planting and leadership development, and  Kevin hosts a weekly podcast called Leading Hope and it is an awesome 20 min dive into helping its listeners become the best leaders they can.  He is also the author of “Reconstructing the Rubble: Rebuilding Your Faith Even When You’re Unsure How It Fell Apart”, a fantastic book.  We spend some time discussing his call, his experience so far in pastoring and transformational preaching!