The Orchard Podcast

The Orchard Podcast

By Mike and Michelle Tessendorf & Brian LaMewBusinessReligion & SpiritualityChristianityEducationHow ToNon-Profit
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The Orchard Podcast episodes

  • Episode 55: Permission Granted--Living into God's Permissive Will for Your Life

    Hebrews 6:3 opens a doorway into one of the most fascinating questions of faith: What does God permit—and why? In this episode, we talk about the surprising goodness in God’s permission. From growth and maturity to daily choices and opportunities, God is constantly allowing things that shape who we become. This is a hopeful, practical look at how God’s “permission” is often His way of saying, “Go ahead. Grow. Step in. Live.”

    32 min
  • Episode 54: "God, why are you taking so long?"

    When life feels stalled and God seems silent, it’s easy to wonder if He’s forgotten you. Hebrews 10:36 reminds us that “you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” In this episode, we talk about waiting well. Join us as we discuss how to endure when prayers seem unanswered, how to trust that God is at work beneath the surface, and how hidden growth can lead to unexpected fruitfulness.

    34 min
  • Episode 53: Putting your body to work for God's will

    God never meant for our bodies to sit idle or just be driven by passing desires. In 1 Peter 4:2, we’re called to spend the rest of our earthly lives putting our bodies to work for the will of God. In this episode we unpack a practical theology of the body—how to see your muscles, habits, and even that extra pound or two you are trying to lose as part of God’s mission. We will talk about what it means to let Christ be the boss of your body and to use every day and every breath for what truly matters.

    37 min
  • Episode 52: Learning to be hungry for the things of God

    What does it mean to be truly hungry for the things of God? In this episode of The Orchard Podcast, Brian LaMew sits down with Theuno Swart, the South Africa National Director of Orchard: Africa, and Pastor Patrick Mokgosi, Regional Pastor of the Western Cape Impact Center. Together, they unpack Jesus’ striking statement: "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work."

    Join the conversation as we explore how living out God’s will satisfies a deeper hunger than anything this world can offer.

    38 min
  • Episode 51: One of the most loving things you can do

    There’s something you can do today that might be the most loving act you offer all week—and it doesn’t require a platform, a spotlight, or a perfect set of words. In this episode, we explore the quiet power of intercessory prayer. You’ll learn how lifting someone up before God can shape their life, align their heart with God’s will, and bring surprising peace and clarity. Whether you’re praying for a friend, a family member, or even a stranger, this simple act could be the most lasting impact you make today.

    28 min
  • Episode 50: God’s Will Isn’t a Mystery: 3 Simple Commands That Change Everything

    What if God’s will wasn’t something to decode or chase, but something we can practice here and now? In this 50th episode of The Orchard Podcast, we will discuss what may be one of the clearest passages in the scriptures about living out God's will. We will talk about three simple phrases that can have a profound impact in your daily life. Join us as we unpack what it means to live with purpose and peace today.

    30 min
  • Episode 49: Discovering God's plan when yours doesn't work out

    What do you do when your plans fall apart? A job disappears, a door closes, or life just doesn’t go the way you thought it would. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails."

    In this episode, we explore what it looks like to discover and align with God’s plan—especially when our own plans come undone. We talk about the disappointment of detours, the goodness of God’s purposes, and how we can begin to listen for His voice in the middle of the unknown.

    This episode is an invitation to move from striving to surrender, from confusion to trust. Because when we make space for God’s plan, we find a path that leads to peace, purpose, and a life that really matters.

    33 min
  • Episode 48: How to find peace when the future feels unclear

    We all want to know what’s coming next—but what if peace isn’t found in having all the answers? In this episode, we take a closer look at the book of James and explore what it means to trust God when the path ahead is uncertain. Whether you’re making big decisions, facing unexpected changes, or simply navigating a season of unknowns, this conversation offers practical wisdom and spiritual clarity for the year ahead. If uncertainty is your word of the year, you’re not alone—and you just might find that it’s the very place where peace begins.

    33 min
  • Episode 47: How do you know if God is listening?

    Have you ever prayed and wondered if your words were just bouncing off the ceiling? Do you ever question whether God hears you—or if He even wants to? In this episode, we take a closer look at one of Jesus’ closest disciples to discover how we can be confident that God is listening. We'll explore the heart of prayer, what draws God's attention, and how Scripture assures us that we are not alone or ignored.

    Whether you've been following Jesus for years or are simply curious about how prayer works, join us around the table for an honest, hope-filled conversation. Together, we’ll dig deep into the mystery of divine listening—and how knowing that God hears us can reshape the way we pray.

    30 min
  • Episode 46: God's Will-In you and through you

    God’s will isn’t just something we try to figure out—it’s something He’s already working in us and through us. Philippians 2:13 reminds us that God is shaping our hearts and moving through our lives for His good purpose. In this episode, we’ll talk about how to recognize His work in you and how to live it out in the world around you. When we trust that He’s already at work, we can step forward with confidence, knowing we’re part of something bigger than ourselves.

    33 min

About The Orchard Podcast

From the publisher's feed

The Orchard Podcast is a resource of Orchard: Africa that helps you make a positive and sustainable impact in the places of greatest need in our world. This podcast is designed for church leaders,…