The Missional Life Podcast

What if one of America’s largest mission fields is right down the street? Kori Pennypacker explains how Bible2School equips local Christians to offer free, voluntary Bible classes during the public-school day—off campus, with parental permission, and without tax dollars. 🙌 This episode will inspire parents, grandparents, churches, and ministry leaders to move from fear to faithful presence, build trust with educators, and show up consistently so children can hear about Jesus.

Kori Pennypacker is the CEO of Bible2School, a public-school ministry that equips communities to provide free Bible classes to children during their public-school day. She is an author, speaker, podcaster, wife, mother of three grown sons, and longtime children’s-ministry leader with more than 25 years of experience helping children know and live biblical truth. Her book, Backpack Faith: Helping Your Child Live Confidently for Jesus in Public School, equips parents and grandparents to prepare children to carry a respectful, courageous, and Christ-centered faith into everyday life.

1. Discover how voluntary, off-site Bible instruction can legally happen during the public-school day—and how a local community can get involved.
2. Learn practical ways to replace parental fear with biblical preparation and help children develop God confidence.
3. Hear real stories of children asking spiritual questions, meeting Jesus, and carrying their faith into friendships and school life.

1. Public schools are a meaningful mission field, and consistent Christian presence can plant seeds that bear fruit far beyond a weekly class.
2. Released-time Bible education can operate legally when it is off campus, voluntary, privately funded, and authorized by parents.
3. Preparation is protection: children recognize cultural counterfeits by deeply knowing God’s truth.
4. Confident faith listens, asks thoughtful questions, loves people, and speaks truth without becoming combative.
5. Everyday family rhythms—reading Scripture, praying together, attending church, and connecting ordinary moments to God—build lasting faith.

1. Pray a specific 15-second blessing over a child before school each day this week.
2. Visit Bible2School to learn whether a program exists near you—or what it would take to begin one in your community..
3. Have one curious, respectful faith conversation this week: listen first, ask why the person believes what they believe, and respond with truth and love.

00:00 – The Missional Life Podcast intro 00:12 – Welcome and introduction to Kori Pennypacker 00:44 – The fourth-grade seed that shaped Kori’s calling 02:11 – Discovering the public-school mission field 03:05 – How released-time Bible education works 06:45 – Why children need biblical truth throughout the week 07:35 – Building trust with schools and local communities 10:16 – Making Bible instruction engaging and deeply biblical 15:04 – Stories of children encountering Jesus 21:11 – Helping adults answer children’s hard questions 23:33 – Children carrying faith beyond Bible2School 27:08 – Churches, volunteers, and the whole Body of Christ 30:57 – Reaching families with no church home 33:13 – Backpack Faith and the needs of public-school parents 34:43 – “Preparation is protection” 40:16 – Confident faith versus combative faith 45:19 – Moving from self-confidence to God confidence 47:12 – Practical ways parents can form faith at home 50:38 – Where to find Bible2School and Backpack Faith 52:13 – Fun questions with Kori 55:39 – Closing and outro

Kori Pennypacker Website/

Bible2School/

Bible2School on Instagram (@bible_2_school)l

Bible2School on Facebook (@Bible2School)l

Backpack Faith/

#TheMissionalLife #KoriPennypacker #Bible2School #BackpackFaith #ChristianParenting #PublicSchoolMinistry #GodConfidence #FaithInSchool #RaiseDisciples #ChildrensMinistry #BiblicalParenting #LiveTheMission #FaithOverFear #ChristianPodcast

*****************************************************************

We experienced a few audio challenges while recording this episode, but the conversation was simply too valuable not to share—thank you for listening with a little extra grace.

*****************************************************************

It takes more strength to respond with gentleness than to release every angry word that rises in the moment. Christie Thomas shares how abiding in Jesus reshapes our reactions and gives us the courage to use power for someone else’s good. This episode brings biblical gentleness into the places it is tested most: parenting stress, disagreement, online outrage, family conflict, and the need to be right. Listeners will learn practical language for apologizing without excuses, correcting without contempt, and creating small faith habits that actually fit busy homes. Christie’s honesty reminds parents that discipleship is not ruined by imperfect moments when grace and repair follow. Her new book, Everyday Prayers for Gentleness: Embracing the Radical Strength of Tenderness, helps families practice this fruit of the Spirit together.

Christie Thomas is an award-winning Christian author, family discipleship coach, homeschool mother, and the founder of Little Shoots, Deep Roots, a ministry that equips parents to nurture deep faith through simple, sustainable habits. Before launching her online ministry, she served as a children’s ministries director for more than a decade, giving her extensive experience in both church-based children’s ministry and faith formation at home. Christie earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alberta and now creates books, devotionals, Bible studies, videos, and training resources for Christian families. Her books include Everyday Prayers for Gentleness and Little Habits, Big Faith, and her practical teaching helps overwhelmed parents disciple their children without feeling that they must know everything or do everything.

1. Strength Redefined: Discover why biblical gentleness is not passivity or weakness, but power submitted to the Holy Spirit.

2. Help for Real Homes: Christie shares honest, practical ways parents can pause, pray, repair, and respond differently in tense family moments.

3. A Better Witness: Learn how believers can hold conviction without contempt and show a polarized world the character of Jesus.

1. Gentleness Is Strength: The gentle person is not powerless; they choose to use strength for another person’s good.

2. Abide Before Acting: Gentleness grows from connection with Jesus, not personality alone. Return to Him before trying harder.

3. Conviction Without Contempt: You can speak truth clearly while refusing to treat another person as beneath you.

4. Pause and Ask: A brief prayer for help can interrupt reactivity and make room for wisdom.

5. Small Habits Count: Consistent Scripture, prayer, and honest conversation can disciple a family more deeply than unrealistic spiritual routines.

1. Pause Before Responding: In one tense moment this week, stop and ask, “Holy Spirit, help me be gentle and wise,” before you speak.

2. Repair One Moment: If your tone harms someone, return quickly, apologize without excuses, and model the grace you want your family to learn.

3. Practice Truth With Honor: Have one difficult conversation while deliberately removing contempt, sarcasm, and the need to win.

00:12 — Welcome and Everyday Prayers for Gentleness

03:00 — Why Gentleness Is Not Weakness

05:00 — Power Under Control

09:00 — Abiding in Jesus, the Source of Gentleness

12:00 — Parenting Without Pretending Perfection

15:00 — Truth, Conviction, and Contempt

20:00 — The Church’s Witness in a Polarized World

24:00 — Building Trust Through Patient Love

28:00 — Practical Gentleness During Family Conflict

33:00 — Simple Spiritual Rhythms for Busy Parents

38:00 — Being Present and Setting Healthy Boundaries

40:00 — Fun Questions and Final Encouragement

Guest Website and Social Media

Website: https://littleshootsdeeproots.com/

Book: https://www.whitakerhouse.com/product/everyday-prayers-for-gentleness/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleshootsdeeproots/

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christie.thomas.writer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChristieThomasLittleShoots

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/bedtimedevomama

#themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #Jesus #ChristieThomas #BiblicalParenting #Gentleness #FruitOfTheSpirit #FamilyDiscipleship #ChristianMom #ChristianPodcast

*****************************************************************

We experienced a few audio challenges while recording this episode, but the conversation was simply too valuable not to share—thank you for listening with a little extra grace.

*****************************************************************

Peace can feel impossible when grief, family pressure, illness, and unexpected interruptions arrive all at once. Lindsay Roberts shares why the peace Jesus gives is deeper than calm circumstances and stronger than the chaos surrounding us. Through candid stories and biblical teaching, she reveals how our responses can either intensify a crisis or redirect the atmosphere of a moment. Listeners will learn to recognize the voices and habits that steal peace, pause before reacting, and participate with God through prayer and faithful action. Lindsay also explains how gratitude, forgiveness, and Scripture renew the mind when emotions feel overwhelming. Her new book, Discover Your True Peace: Finding Rest in a Restless World, expands these lessons into a practical path toward rest that does not depend on life going according to plan.

Lindsay Roberts is a minister, Bible teacher, writer, editor, sought-after speaker, and lifelong student of Scripture. She hosts the inspirational television program Make Your Day Count and the Entirely Unconventional podcast, and she cohosts The Place for Miracles, an interactive broadcast reaching households around the world. She also serves as editor and publisher for Oral Roberts Ministries publications, including the Make Your Day Count online magazine. Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree from Rollins College and attended Oral Roberts University School of Law, and she has authored numerous books, including Discover Your True Peace, Discover Your True Strength, and Discover Your True Worth.

1. Peace for Real Life: Lindsay does not offer shallow platitudes; she shares biblical practices tested in grief, illness, family chaos, and unexpected disruption.

2. Honest, Joyful Stories: Laugh, relate, and be encouraged by stories that show how God meets us in ordinary moments when our plans fall apart.

3. A Choice You Can Make: Learn how Scripture, gratitude, prayer, forgiveness, and Spirit-led responses help guard the peace Jesus has already given you.

1. Jesus Is the Foundation: True peace is not the absence of trouble. Anchor your heart in Christ so circumstances do not get the final word.

2. Name Your Peace-Stealers: Pay attention to the interruptions, fears, resentments, and voices that repeatedly unsettle you; awareness creates room for a different response.

3. Choose Your Response: You may not control what arrives at your door, but you can pause, pray, and choose a response rooted in faith instead of panic.

4. Speak God’s Word: Keep life-giving Scriptures close enough to recall under pressure. What fills your heart will shape what comes out in a crisis.

5. Participate in Hope: Expecting God to move is not passive. Take the faithful step in front of you while trusting Him with the outcome.

1. Identify One Thief: Write down one recurring peace-stealer and pair it with a specific promise from Scripture.

2. Practice the Pause: When plans change this week, take one breath and pray before speaking or acting.

3. Build a Peace Rhythm: Choose a repeatable place—your car, a chair, or a morning walk—where you will listen for the Holy Spirit every day.

00:12 — Welcome and Discover Your True Peace

03:30 — Peace Is More Than Calm Circumstances

07:30 — A Real-Life Recording Interruption

10:00 — Planning, Pressure, and Learning Flexibility

15:00 — Four Scriptures for Difficult Moments

20:00 — Parenting, Flat Tires, and Everyday Grace

24:00 — A Family Trip That Went Completely Sideways

28:30 — Grief, Choice, and Participating in the Miracle

34:00 — How Our Responses Change the Trajectory

39:00 — A Medical Crisis and the Power of Faith

44:00 — Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

49:00 — Finding Quiet in Unexpected Places

54:00 — Prayer and Final Encouragement

Guest Website and Social Media

Website: https://makeyourdaycount.com/

Ministry: https://richardroberts.org/

Book: https://richardroberts.org/discover-your-true-peace/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsayrobertsofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lindsayrobertsofficial/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYBr8nnC7FU-V_3LLzhoghA

#themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #Jesus #LindsayRoberts #TruePeace #ChristianLiving #PeaceInChrist #FaithOverFear #Prayer #ChristianPodcast

How can Christians stand with believers who follow Jesus at great cost—and what can their faith teach us? Ryan Brown of Open Doors US joins The Missional Life Podcast to share the story of Brother Andrew, the ministry’s work alongside persecuted Christians, and the prayer requests believers under pressure are actually making. Rather than asking only to escape hardship, many pray for courage to remain faithful witnesses in the middle of it. Ryan explains why the persecuted church is not merely a group to rescue but a gift to the whole body of Christ, modeling an eternal perspective and a faith that shapes culture instead of being shaped by it. The conversation also explores comfort, compassion fatigue, Sabbath, and the danger of believing God’s work depends entirely on our relentless effort. This episode will expand your view of the global church and give you a practical first step: pray with believers in the places where following Jesus is most costly.

Ryan Brown serves with Open Doors US, a global Christian ministry supporting believers who face persecution and discrimination for their faith. His work helps Christians understand the persecuted Church, pray with greater purpose, and stand alongside believers following Jesus at great personal cost.

• Understand why Open Doors prays with the persecuted church, not merely for it.
• Learn what believers under pressure most often request from the global church.
• Receive a challenging perspective on comfort, courage, and consumer Christianity.
• See why persecuted believers are a gift and example to Christians everywhere.
• Discover a sustainable theology of mission that includes prayer, rest, and dependence on the Holy Spirit.

• The most faithful support begins by listening to what local believers say they need.
• Many persecuted Christians ask not simply for hardship to end, but for courage to remain faithful witnesses.
• The global church is one body; persecuted believers offer Western Christians needed examples of eternal perspective and costly obedience.
• Comfort is a gift to receive gratefully and then extend to others.
• Prayer is active participation in spiritual struggle, not a ceremonial final step.
• Relentless overwork can hide the false belief that God’s mission depends entirely on us; Sabbath restores dependence on Him.

Choose one country from the current Open Doors World Watch List. Pray for that nation for seven days using the requests supplied by local believers. Share one story with your family, small group, or church, and ask: “How can we pray with our brothers and sisters rather than only feel sorry for them?” Let prayer lead to one concrete act of generosity, advocacy, or encouragement.

• 00:17 — Meet Ryan Brown and Open Doors US
• 00:58 — From Brother Andrew’s Bible smuggling to global ministry
• 03:50 — Supporting churches where pressure is greatest
• 07:22 — Isolation, North Korea, and prayers that cross borders
• 10:06 — The purpose of the World Watch List
• 12:58 — What persecuted Christians ask us to pray
• 15:47 — The eternal perspective that sustains faith
• 18:49 — Why the persecuted church is a gift to us
• 22:02 — Comfort, cultural discipleship, and spiritual wakefulness
• 26:12 — The church under pressure in sub-Saharan Africa
• 33:57 — Contextual support: discipleship, trauma care, and livelihood
• 41:13 — Compassion fatigue, Sabbath, and dependence on God
• 46:33 — Prayer is the frontline

Open Doors US: https://www.opendoorsus.org/

World Watch List: https://www.opendoorsus.org/en-US/persecution/countries/

#TheMissionalLife #OpenDoors #PersecutedChurch #PrayForThePersecuted #WorldWatchList #GlobalChurch #ChristianMissions #FaithUnderPressure #LiveTheMission #ChristianPodcast

What if the greatest mission field in history isn't a remote jungle or a war-torn country — it's the screen in your pocket? Jamie Radtke, CEO and President of ExploreGod, shares how her organization has gone from sharing the gospel 400,000 times a day to over one million times every 24 hours through digital discipleship. You'll discover how a vision born before smartphones became a movement that reaches into Yemen, Afghanistan, and Syria — places traditional missionaries simply cannot go. This conversation will open your eyes to the breathtaking scope of what God is doing on the internet right now, and why the harvest is far bigger than most Christians realize.

## About the Guest

Jamie Radtke is the CEO and President of ExploreGod (formerly Global Media Outreach), a global digital discipleship ministry that has been harnessing the power of the internet to share the gospel for more than twenty-three years. Under her leadership, ExploreGod now shares the gospel over one million times every single day, with thousands of seekers entering discipleship conversations through a worldwide network of online missionaries. Jamie brings a combination of strategic vision and pastoral heart to a movement that is reaching into some of the world's most spiritually inaccessible places — one digital conversation at a time.

---

## Reasons to Listen

1. **The Mission Field Has Moved.** If you've ever felt the call to reach the world but weren't sure where you fit, Jamie reframes the Great Commission in a way that is both spiritually grounding and practically relevant to where most people actually spend their time today.

2. **Real Stories, Real Faith.** From a man in Mauritius who surrendered his life to Christ after a divorce, to a former Muslim who now shares the gospel with thousands of other Muslims online, this episode is filled with first-hand accounts of God's unmistakable work in the digital harvest.

3. **A Clear On-Ramp to Join the Mission.** Jamie walks through exactly what it looks like to become an online missionary — the training, the time commitment, and the joy of it — so listeners leave with a concrete next step, not just inspiration.

---

## Big Takeaways

1. **The Internet Is a Mission Field.** The most effective missionaries today go where people already are, and billions of people worldwide are spending six to twelve hours a day online — making digital evangelism not an alternative to missions but the frontier of it.

2. **Discipleship, Not Just Decisions.** ExploreGod has learned that moving someone from an online gospel presentation to a thriving local faith community takes far longer than most assume, which is why genuine discipleship — walking with a new believer through prayer, Scripture, baptism, and community — is at the heart of their model.

3. **Anonymity Creates Openness.** The digital screen removes the tribal, racial, and cultural barriers that often slow in-person witness, allowing seekers to share vulnerably and honestly with an online missionary in ways they might never risk face-to-face.

4. **Anyone Can Be a Missionary.** Whether you're a retired grandmother in her living room, a stay-at-home mom between nap times, or a twenty-year-old digital native in Nairobi, ExploreGod has a place for you in the harvest — and the training to get you started.

5. **The Harvest Is Accelerating.** In the last five years alone, the pace of gospel response has more than doubled — contact volume has grown from 2,000–4,000 seekers per day to 8,000–10,000 — and Jamie describes it in unmistakable terms: God is doing something extraordinary right now, and the need for more laborers has never been more urgent.

---

## Missional Challenges

1. **Pray for the Digital Harvest This Week.** Set a daily phone alarm for one minute each morning this week, and use that minute to pray specifically for the people around the world who will scroll across a gospel ad today — ask God to open their hearts, connect them to an online missionary, and bring them into lasting faith.

2. **Explore Becoming an Online Missionary.** Visit exploregod.com/volunteer and prayerfully read through what volunteering looks like; consider whether you can commit five hours a week to walking with a seeker somewhere in the world, and take one step forward in the application process by the end of this week.

3. **Share This Episode With One Person in Your Church.** Think of a friend, a small group leader, or a pastor who has a heart for global mission but doesn't know yet that the frontier has moved online; send them this episode with a personal note about the story that moved you most, and invite them to explore how your church could partner with or pray for ExploreGod.

---

## Chapters

- **0:12** — Introduction

- **1:01** — How the Mission Field Has Changed

- **4:27** — Go Where the Fish Are

- **6:00** — Where the Gospel Is Spreading

- **9:22** — How the Digital Ministry Works

- **14:25** — Removing Barriers

- **16:00** — After a Decision for Christ

- **20:25** — Digital + In-Person

- **22:25** — Discipleship, Not Just Decisions

- **24:25** — Who Can Be an Online Missionary?

- **27:05** — Churches and Digital Mission

- **30:55** — Transformation Stories

- **35:11** — Transcending Borders

- **38:07** — ROI of Digital Missions

- **40:00** — Becoming an Online Missionary

- **42:40** — What Draws People to the Gospel

- **46:00** — What Gives Jamie Hope

- **47:23** — Fun Questions

- **49:55** — Connect and Partner

---

## Guest Website & Social Media

**ExploreGod**

- ExploreGod Website:

- Volunteer with ExploreGod:

- ExploreGod Instagram:

- ExploreGod Facebook:

#themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #exploregod #digitalevangelism #onlinemissions #greatcommission #digitaldiscipleship #missionfield #JamieRadtke #christianpodcast

*****************************************************************

We experienced a few audio challenges while recording this episode, but the conversation was simply too valuable not to share—thank you for listening with a little extra grace.

*****************************************************************

The Way of the Ox: Endurance That Thrives in the Storm

Hard seasons can make us question our calling, our strength, and even God’s nearness. Dr. David Stine offers a different response: face the storm with honest faith, receive God’s grace, and keep moving one step at a time. Through the vivid metaphor at the heart of his new book, "The Way of the Ox: Endurance to Thrive in the Storms of Life", David shows how pressure can develop spiritual strength rather than simply deplete it. His testimony of navigating cancer reveals what these principles look like when suffering becomes deeply personal. You’ll gain practical insight for discerning whether to persevere, slow down, finish well, or let go of an assignment. This hope-filled conversation will equip you to walk through adversity without denying the pain or abandoning the purpose God is forming in you.

Dr. David Stine is an author, leadership coach, strategist, consultant, and the president and founder of Advance Partners, where he helps churches and nonprofit organizations strengthen donor development, leadership, fundraising, and storytelling. He previously served as chief executive officer of Bethel Media, the media and business arm of Bethel Church in Redding, California, and was the founding pastor of Metro Church in Washington, D.C., which grew to approximately 6,000 people across three campuses during his leadership. Dr. Stine holds both master’s and doctoral degrees in Practical Theology and Leadership. He is the author of The Way of the Ox, Hearing from God, and The Whole Life, bringing together pastoral experience, organizational strategy, and hard-won lessons about resilient faith.

1. Strength for Hard Seasons: David offers a memorable biblical picture for facing winter instead of spending your life running from it.

2. Grit and Grace: Learn how steady obedience and God’s sustaining grace work together one step at a time.

3. Wisdom for Leaders: Discover how to discern whether God is asking you to persevere, simplify, finish, or release something that once mattered.

1. Face the Winter: Difficulty is not always a detour. Ask what God may be forming in you as you move faithfully through it.

2. Take the Next Step: You do not need the entire path today. Put one foot forward and trust God to restore your balance.

3. Remember His Faithfulness: Build a record of what God has already done; yesterday’s faithfulness strengthens tomorrow’s courage.

4. Grit Needs Grace: Endurance is not self-powered striving. Receive God’s strength as you practice faithful obedience.

5. Release the Old: Starting something new may require finishing or laying down an old assignment. Prayerfully simplify before adding more.

1. Name Your Winter: Identify the difficult season you have been avoiding and ask God what faithful movement looks like within it.

2. Take One Step: Choose the smallest clear act of obedience available to you and complete it within 48 hours.

3. Finish Before Starting: Review your commitments and prayerfully close, delegate, or release one thing before beginning another.

00:12 — Welcome and The Way of the Ox

03:00 — Why We Want Instant Deliverance

07:00 — What the Musk Ox Teaches About Adversity

10:00 — Qiviut: What Grows in the Cold

14:00 — Faith Refined Like Gold

17:00 — A Cancer Story and Faith Through Suffering

23:00 — Finding God’s Next Step

27:00 — Remembering What God Has Done

31:00 — Grit, Grace, and Moving Forward

35:00 — The Trap of Endless Striving

39:00 — When God Is Doing a New Thing

44:00 — Finishing Well Before Starting Again

49:00 — Slow Down, Scripture, and Final Questions

Guest Website and Social Media

Advance Partners: https://www.advancepartners.org/

Author website: https://davidstine.com/

The Way of the Ox: https://www.whitakerhouse.com/product/way-of-the-ox

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidistine/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidistine

#themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #Jesus #DavidStine #TheWayOfTheOx #ChristianLeadership #ResilientFaith #Purpose #FaithInHardTimes #ChristianPodcast

What if Gen Z could become one of the most influential generations for the gospel? Abby Ralph of 1630 shares why she sees tremendous spiritual potential in young adults and how Christians can help turn that passion into lifelong discipleship and leadership. You’ll hear why Scripture, community, mentorship, civic engagement, and courageous faith matter in a culture filled with competing voices. Abby also shares encouraging stories from 1630 gatherings and young adults discovering that God can use them right where they are. This episode will inspire you to stop sitting on the sidelines and start investing in the next generation.

Abby Ralph serves as the Young Adult Director for 1630, the young-adult initiative of Christians Engaged, focused on equipping ages 16–30 in discipleship, leadership, biblical worldview, and civic engagement. Abby earned degrees in Political Science and History from the University of Arkansas and previously worked for the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Her passion is helping the next generation follow Jesus, understand their calling, and become leaders who influence their communities for the Kingdom of God.

1. Disciple Gen Z — Discover practical ways parents, pastors, mentors, and everyday Christians can build authentic relationships with young adults instead of assuming discipleship requires a complicated program.
2. Stand on Truth — Learn why Scripture, biblical literacy, Christian community, and discernment are essential for navigating social media, AI, cultural pressure, and competing worldviews.
3. Turn Faith Into Action — Abby challenges believers to move beyond passive Christianity and recognize that God can use ordinary acts of courage, leadership, mentorship, and civic involvement for Kingdom impact.

1. Return to Scripture — The loudest voice in your life shouldn’t be an algorithm. Regularly read Scripture so you can recognize biblical truth and evaluate the messages competing for your attention.
2. Discipleship Can Be Simple — Mentoring someone doesn’t always require a curriculum. Invite a younger believer to coffee, dinner, a game night, or simply into your everyday life and allow genuine relationships to create opportunities for spiritual growth.
3. Choose Community — Digital connection cannot completely replace Christian fellowship. Intentionally build relationships with believers who will encourage you, challenge you, pray with you, and keep pointing you toward Christ.
4. Courage Needs Christ — Boldness alone isn’t enough. Christian courage should be directed by the Lord so believers know not only what truth to speak, but when and how to speak it with both conviction and grace.
5. Get Off the Sidelines — Apathy convinces us that one person cannot make a difference. Instead, prayerfully identify the sphere God has given you—your family, church, workplace, school, community, or government—and faithfully begin serving there.

1. Invite Someone In — Identify one younger Christian you can intentionally encourage this week. Invite them to coffee, a meal, or an activity and focus first on listening, building relationship, and learning where they need encouragement.
2. Turn Down the Noise — Set aside intentional time this week to replace social-media consumption with Scripture. Ask God to reveal which cultural voices are shaping you more than His Word.
3. Step Into the Arena — Choose one practical way to engage your community rather than simply commenting about its problems. Pray, serve, mentor someone, learn about a local issue, participate in your church, or find another concrete opportunity to bring biblical faithfulness into your sphere of influence.

00:00 – Meet Abby Ralph and the 1630 Movement

00:57 – How 1630 Began and Its Mission for Young Adults

03:38 – Redeeming Social Media and Technology for the Gospel

06:35 – The Discipleship Gap in Today’s Church

08:30 – Why Church History Matters

10:20 – Bringing Christian Faith Into Every Sphere

11:45 – Why Young Adults Disengage From Civics

14:40 – Staying Grounded in a Noisy Digital Culture

16:45 – Inside 1630’s Washington, D.C. Trips and Leadership Programs

19:35 – Return and America Reads the Bible

24:25 – What Gen Z Christians Are Wrestling With

27:45 – Courageous Christian Leadership in Cancel Culture

30:15 – Be Courageous—and Led by the Lord

31:30 – Letting Scripture Define Love

32:30 – Why Abby Has Hope for Gen Z

34:00 – AI, Technology, and the Future of Discipleship

35:40 – How Parents, Pastors, and Leaders Can Disciple Gen Z

38:10 – Why Meals and Relationships Matter in Ministry

40:05 – Abby’s Prayer for the Next Generation

41:45 – Fun Round: Explaining Gen Z to Moses

44:15 – What Gives Abby Hope About Gen Z

45:00 – Final Encouragement and Closing

Current official sources identify Abby Ralph with Christians Engaged and 1630, and the 1630 Show is currently listed under her name.

1630 Website:

Christians Engaged:

The 1630 Show:

1630 Instagram:

#themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #GenZForJesus #ChristianLeadership #Discipleship #BiblicalWorldview #KingdomImpact #ChristianPodcast #FaithInAction #NextGeneration

Technology can disciple people toward Jesus—or quietly pull them away from Him. John Stewart explains why Christians cannot abandon digital spaces and how FaithChannel is working to create a safer, faith-centered streaming environment for families, churches, filmmakers, and creators. You’ll hear practical insight about Christian entertainment, cultural influence, algorithms, innovation, and the future of faith-based media. Most importantly, you’ll be encouraged to consider how your own skills, choices, and influence can help redeem culture for the Kingdom of God.

About the Guest

John Stewart is the founder and CEO of FaithChannel and founder of FaithNetwork. A U.S. Air Force veteran and internet-technology pioneer, he has spent decades helping churches and ministries use digital tools while building a free, curated home for faith-centered entertainment.

Reasons to Listen

1. **Media With a Mission:** Hear how a web-development calling grew into a global vision for free Christian streaming and original storytelling.

2. **A Safer Choice:** Learn why curation, not merely parental controls or algorithms, matters for families seeking meaningful entertainment.

3. **Technology With Discernment:** Explore how Christians can use AI and digital platforms as tools without replacing human creativity or the Holy Spirit.

Big Takeaways

1. **Technology Can Serve Mission:** Digital tools become missional when they carry truth, beauty, and the gospel to people who might never enter a church.

2. **Access Expands Reach:** Removing cost barriers can open faith-filled content to families and nations that subscription models overlook.

3. **Curation Builds Trust:** A safe platform requires intentional human judgment, not blind dependence on recommendation algorithms.

4. **Support What You Value:** Watching, sharing, reviewing, praying, and financially backing Christian creators helps more meaningful work get made.

5. **AI Is Not the Spirit:** Use technology with wisdom, but never confuse efficient generation with prayerful, Spirit-led creativity.

Missional Challenges

1. **Audit Your Attention:** Review what your household watched this week and ask whether it strengthened faith, relationships, or purpose.

2. **Support One Creator:** Watch, share, review, or purchase one project from a Christian filmmaker, musician, or storyteller.

3. **Create With Prayer:** Before using any creative technology this week, ask the Holy Spirit to guide both your message and your method.

Chapters

00:12 — Welcome and John’s Calling in Technology

03:00 — From Web Development to FaithChannel

07:00 — Building a Platform for Christian Content

10:00 — Why FaithChannel Became Free

13:00 — Safe, Curated Entertainment for Families

18:00 — Creating Original Faith-Based Content

22:00 — A Five-Part Vision for the Future

26:00 — Spiritually Impactful and Culturally Engaging Stories

30:00 — Why Ministries Need Technology Independence

35:00 — How Believers Can Support Christian Media

39:00 — AI, Creativity, and the Holy Spirit

44:00 — Where to Watch and Final Encouragement

Guest Website and Social Media

FaithChannel:

FaithNetwork:

Instagram:

#themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #Jesus #JohnStewart #FaithChannel #ChristianMedia #FaithBasedFilms #ChristianEntertainment #KingdomCreatives #ChristianPodcast

Description: What if God is speaking far more often than you realize? In this conversation, Mike Blackaby shares how believers can recognize God's presence in the ordinary routines of life—not just during miraculous moments or spiritual highs. Learn practical rhythms that help cultivate intimacy with God through everyday faithfulness. If you've ever felt spiritually dry or wondered why God seems distant, this episode offers hope and practical encouragement.

About the Guest

Mike Blackaby is a pastor, author, and speaker who co-authored Experiencing God in Everyday Life alongside members of the Blackaby family. Building upon the legacy of Experiencing God, Mike encourages believers to recognize God's presence in ordinary routines and develop sustainable spiritual habits that deepen intimacy with Christ. He holds a PhD in Worldview and Apologetics from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is passionate about helping believers think deeply and live missionally.

Reasons to Listen

1. Practical Faith Learn simple rhythms that help you experience God during ordinary moments instead of waiting for extraordinary ones.
2. Lasting Transformation Discover why consistency—not spiritual highs—is the key to long-term discipleship.
3. Actionable Wisdom Walk away with practical ideas you can implement immediately, including gratitude practices, silence, Sabbath, and habit-building.

Big Takeaways

1. God Is Already Present You don't have to manufacture God's presence; you simply need to become more aware of where He is already working.
2. Small Rhythms Matter Daily habits shape who you become far more than occasional spiritual experiences.
3. Valleys Build Character Spiritual maturity is formed through everyday faithfulness, not just mountaintop moments.
4. Silence Creates Space Intentional silence and solitude help us hear God's voice amid life's constant noise.
5. Start Small Lasting transformation begins with manageable habits that fit naturally into your current season of life.

Missional Challenges

1. Practice Two Minutes of Silence Spend two uninterrupted minutes each day simply acknowledging God's presence.
2. Attach a Spiritual Habit Connect one new spiritual practice—such as gratitude or prayer—to an existing daily routine like showering, driving, or making coffee.
3. Look for God Today Before ending your day, identify one ordinary moment where you saw evidence of God's presence.

Suggested Chapters

00:00 Welcome & Introducing Mike Blackaby

01:00 Why Experiencing God in Everyday Life Was Written

06:30 Why We Miss God in Ordinary Moments

15:00 Spiritual Rhythms That Build Lasting Faith

18:00 The Power of Silence and Solitude

26:00 Building Habits That Actually Stick

32:00 Why Valleys Matter More Than Mountaintops

40:00 Consistency Over Spiritual Highs

44:00 Mike's Personal Spiritual Rhythms

50:30 Where to Find the Book

51:30 Fun Questions & Family Traditions

56:00 Gardening, Rest, and Healthy Rhythms

59:00 Final Encouragement & Closing

10 Hashtags

#themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #ExperiencingGod #MikeBlackaby #ChristianLiving #Discipleship #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #DailyFaith #Jesus

Links

Blackaby Ministries on Facebook

Blackaby Ministries on YouTube

Buy The Book on Amazon

Buy the book from Blackaby store

____________________________________________________

________________________________________

>>>CLICK HERE to get your FREE 31 DAY MISSIONAL DEVOTIONAL

and to learn more about 'The Missional Life' ministry<<<

_______________________________________

Have you ever felt like God was silent, distant, or absent? In this powerful conversation, Kyle Strobel shares how seasons of spiritual dryness can become some of the most transformative moments in a believer's life. Discover why faith isn't built on emotional highs and how God often does His deepest work in the desert. If you're struggling with doubt, discouragement, or spiritual fatigue, this episode offers biblical hope and practical encouragement.

About the Guest

Kyle Strobel is the Director of the Institute for Spiritual Formation and Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology at Talbot School of Theology. He is a theologian, author, speaker, and co-author of When God Seems Distant and Where Prayer Becomes Real. His work focuses on spiritual formation, prayer, and helping Christians experience genuine transformation in Christ.

Reasons to Listen

1. Hope for Dry Seasons Discover why spiritual dryness is not necessarily a sign that something is wrong, but may actually be evidence that God is deepening your faith and transforming your heart.
2. Practical Spiritual Formation Learn practical ways to continue praying, reading Scripture, and walking with Jesus when emotions and motivation disappear.
3. Biblical Perspective Gain a deeper understanding of the Psalms, suffering, weakness, and God's surprising work in seasons that feel spiritually barren.

Big Takeaways

1. God Works in Deserts Seasons of spiritual dryness are often places where God exposes deeper issues of the heart and teaches us to trust Him by faith rather than feelings.
2. Feelings Aren't Faith God's presence is not measured by emotional experiences. Mature faith learns to trust God's promises even when He feels distant.
3. Weakness Reveals Need Spiritual growth happens when we recognize how much we need God's forgiveness, grace, and transforming work.
4. The Psalms Give Language Honest prayers found in the Psalms help believers bring their confusion, disappointment, and struggles directly to God.
5. Transformation Over Information Knowledge alone cannot produce Christlike character. Spiritual formation requires surrender, humility, and dependence on Jesus.

Missional Challenges

1. Pray the Psalms Daily Spend the next seven days praying one Psalm each day, allowing Scripture to shape your honest conversations with God.
2. Practice Honest Prayer Bring one area of discouragement, doubt, or weakness directly to God instead of hiding it behind religious performance.
3. Encourage a Struggling Believer Reach out to someone who may be experiencing spiritual dryness and remind them that God remains faithful even when He feels distant.

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to Kyle Strobel

01:00 – Kyle's Personal Journey Through Spiritual Darkness

05:00 – Discovering the "Dark Night of the Soul"

10:00 – Why Information Doesn't Equal Transformation

13:00 – Understanding Spiritual Dryness in the Christian Life

16:00 – The Lifeline of Honest Community

17:00 – Learning to Pray the Psalms

19:00 – Why Churches Rarely Discuss Spiritual Dryness

25:00 – Passion vs. Deep Affection for Jesus

26:00 – Moving from Zeal to Steadfast Faithfulness

34:00 – What Churches Need to Understand About the Desert

37:00 – Practical Ways to Walk with God in Dry Seasons

43:00 – Finding God in Weakness

44:00 – Final Encouragement for Struggling Believers

45:00 – Fun Questions & Favorite Psalms

49:00 – Where to Connect with Kyle Strobel

Guest Website & Social Media

Buy 'When God Seems Distant' Book

Website

Kyle Strobel Substack

#themissionallife #themissionallifepodcast #Jesus #KyleStrobel #SpiritualFormation #PrayerLife #ChristianGrowth #FaithJourney #WhenGodSeemsDistant #ChristianPodcast