This episode with Matthew Lilley delves into the biblical story of Mary and Martha, examining the themes of hosting Jesus, the distractions of serving, and the importance of prioritizing a relationship with God. It emphasizes the need to create an environment that welcomes Jesus, the significance of being a people of "one thing", and the balance between loving God and loving others without falling into distractions.

• Martha was distracted with much serving, while Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet.
• Serving is good, but it can become a distraction from the most important relationship with Jesus.
• Jesus invites us to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else.
• Mary's posture of sitting at Jesus' feet represents true discipleship.
• We must create an environment that welcomes the presence of God.
• The one thing needed is intimacy with Jesus, which affects all areas of life.
• Even good things can distract us from our relationship with God.
• We need to listen to Jesus in prayer and create space for His voice.
• Our connection with Jesus is foundational to everything else in our lives.
• We must balance our love for God with our love for others, avoiding distractions.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

This Bible teaching explores the vital connection between prayer and missions, emphasizing the biblical call to reach every tribe, tongue, and nation with the gospel. It discusses the significance of prayer in mobilizing laborers for the harvest, the urgency of the Great Commission, and the need for clarity in our assignments as believers. The episode outlines four key ways that prayer fuels missions and the importance of cultivating an atmosphere conducive to fruitful ministry. This teaching was recorded live at The Greenhouse School of Prayer in Greenville, North Carolina.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

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Part two of this episode, The Challenges and Joy of Pioneering From Your Passion, will be available exclusively to paid Substack subscribers at http://presencepioneers.media

• The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
• Prayer is essential for effective missions work.
• Every tribe, tongue, and nation must be reached with the gospel.
• Jesus calls us to pray earnestly for laborers.
• Prayer calibrates our hearts to God's mission.
• We need to clarify our assignments through prayer.
• The Great Commission is a global and local mandate.
• Prayer cultivates an atmosphere of fruitfulness for ministry.
• We must support missionaries financially and through prayer.
• Both prayer and action are necessary in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

This teaching from Matthew Lilley explores the profound relationship between Jesus, the Bridegroom, and believers, His bride. It explores the significance of prayer, intimacy, and the covenantal relationship that believers have with Christ. This Bible study emphasizes God's love, His desire for partnership, and the importance of understanding our identity as the beloved in the context of spiritual growth and intercession. This teaching was recorded live at The Greenhouse School of Prayer in Greenville, North Carolina.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

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• Now is the time to fast and pray.
• Jesus introduces Himself as the Bridegroom.
• Understanding Jesus as the Bridegroom is crucial for prayer.
• God's love for us is unconditional and transformative.
• God rejoices over us and celebrates our existence.
• His jealousy for us is rooted in His love and desire for our hearts.
• We are invited to delight in God's presence and love.
• Partnership with Jesus is essential in our spiritual journey.
• The Holy Spirit is the engagement ring of our covenant with Christ.
• Jesus is committed to us and will fulfill His promises.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this episode of the Presence Pioneers podcast, Matthew Lilley discusses the future of the podcast and the importance of hosting God's presence in communities. He shares insights on building presence-centered communities, the significance of a biblical foundation for prayer, and the upcoming teachings aimed at encouraging and equipping listeners in their spiritual journeys.

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The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

📚 FREE E-BOOK ON FASTING & PRAYER 📚

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this episode, Matthew Lilley, Jonathan Friz, and Weslea Pierson discuss the often-overlooked topic of grief within the church. They explore how grief is a gift from God, the importance of learning to grieve well, and how to support those who are mourning.

Weslea shares her personal journey through pain, healing, and the tension between experiencing miracles and mourning. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy, understanding, and creating space for those in grief, highlighting that true comfort comes from experiencing God's presence in our pain.

The conversation explores the complexities of grief, faith, and the importance of lament in worship. They discuss personal experiences with waiting and how it tests faith, the significance of community support during grief, and practical approaches to comforting those who are grieving.

These important topics are expounded on in Weslea’s brand new book, To Weep With Those Who Weep, which is available now!

• Grief is a gift from God.
• The church often struggles with how to respond to grief.
• Experiencing pain can deepen our understanding of God's comfort.
• We need to learn how to grieve well and help others do the same.
• Miracles and mourning can coexist in our faith journey.
• Jesus wept over Lazarus, showing us the importance of empathy in grief.
• It's essential to create space for those who are grieving to express their feelings.
• Less is more when comforting someone in pain; listening is key. We often rush to fill silence with words instead of allowing space for grief.
• God welcomes our raw emotions, including anger and frustration.
• Lament is a significant aspect of worship and prayer.
• Communities often lack rituals for grieving, leading to isolation.
• The journey of grief is unique and requires personal reflection.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

In this new podcast episode, Matthew Lilley interviews worship leader Justin Rizzo, exploring his journey in worship, creativity, and the challenges faced in church leadership. Justin shares humorous anecdotes from his early worship leading days, reflects on his time at IHOP-KC, and discusses the importance of creativity in worship.

He emphasizes the need for greater expression in church music and the role of art and entertainment in ministry. The conversation also touches on Justin's production company and future projects, encouraging listeners to embrace their creative callings.

Justin Rizzo is a worship leader, songwriter, and filmmaker based in the Midwest, USA, who coaches worship leaders and creatives. In addition, he owns Firelight Creative, a production company that has produced multiple award-winning musicals and films, and hosts gatherings for creatives. Justin spent over 10,000 hours leading worship in the prayer room at IHOP-KC before launching his current endeavors.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

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Part two of this conversation with Justin Rizzo, “Songwriting, Collaboration and the Dignity of Smallness”, will be released in one week and is available exclusively to paid subscribers. Become a paid subscriber today!

Presence Pioneers Media is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our ministry, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

• Everyone has a unique testimony, regardless of background.
• Prayer and worship can empower the Great Commission.
• Creativity in worship can take many forms.
• It's important to have support when pursuing creative ideas.
• Church music should not be limited to popular songs.
• Engaging with the arts can enhance worship experiences.
• Faith without works is dead; action is necessary for creativity.
• Illogical ideas may be God's calling for your life.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this engaging conversation, Matthew Lilley and Chris Burns explore the transformative power of worship, community, and the presence of God. They discuss the importance of cultivating worship leaders, the role of freedom in worship settings, and the significance of community in nurturing spiritual growth.

Chris shares humorous anecdotes from his worship experiences and reflects on his evolving perspectives on worship and leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for a supportive environment for the next generation of worshippers, encouraging them to embrace their unique expressions of worship.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

• When building a house of prayer, don't focus on the amount of time; focus on pastoring people.
• Building a culture for the Lord’s presence is essential.
• Community is imperative to mothering and fathering.
• Freedom in worship allows for creativity and spontaneity.
• The ministry of presence is powerful in leadership.
• Everything is sacred if God is involved.
• We must not have the spirit of Saul towards younger generations.
• The next generation is poised to take worship to the next level. We need to be faithful messengers to the youth.
• Worship can happen in various musical styles without a sacred-secular divide.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this engaging podcast episode, host Matthew Lilley and guest Kelanie Webb explore the intersection of worship, creativity, and leadership. Kelanie shares her journey over the past four years, including her role as worship director at Morningstar Ministries and her passion for teaching and mentoring young worship leaders.

The conversation delves into the importance of songwriting, the evolution of worship music, and the unique characteristics of the next generation of worshipers. Kelanie emphasizes the value of community, creativity, and the need for churches to cultivate environments that foster authentic worship experiences.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

Part two of this episode, What Is True Prophetic Worship?, will be available exclusively to paid Substack subscribers at http://presencepioneers.media

• God's presence is transformative and essential in worship.
• Humor and creativity are vital in worship leading.
• The Harp & Bowl model is a key teaching method in the school of worship.
• Songwriting is a powerful way to express what God is saying to a community.
• The next generation seeks authenticity in worship experiences.
• Worship teams should prioritize time together to foster creativity.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this engaging conversation, Matthew Lilley and David Vallier explore the profound themes of worship and creativity. David shares his personal journey from Louisiana to becoming a worship leader, emphasizing the importance of unique expressions of worship and the role of spontaneity. They discuss the significance of creating safe environments for worship, the value of diverse musical styles, and the necessity of discipleship in worship leadership. The conversation highlights the importance of being genuine in worship, embracing emotions, and living a life directed towards God.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

Part two of this episode, The Challenges and Joy of Pioneering From Your Passion, will be available exclusively to paid Substack subscribers at http://presencepioneers.media

➡️ Worship is about experiencing and hosting the presence of God.

➡️ David Vallier's journey reflects the transformative power of worship.

➡️ Spontaneity in worship can lead to deeper connections with God.

➡️ Unique expressions of worship are essential for personal and communal growth.

➡️ Creating safe spaces for worship allows for creativity and exploration.

➡️ Diverse musical styles enrich the worship experience.

➡️ Worship should be rooted in both spirit and truth.

➡️ Emotions play a significant role in authentic worship.

➡️ Discipleship is crucial for developing worship leaders.

➡️ Worship is a personal journey that reflects one's relationship with God.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.

In this podcast episode, host Matthew Lilley interviews Caleb Culver, co-author of the song 'Reckless Love' and worship leader at Radiant Church. They discuss the origins of the song, Caleb's journey in worship ministry, and the significance of prayer in local churches. Caleb shares insights on the importance of being a praying church and how Radiant Church embodies this through its worship and prayer initiatives.

The Presence Pioneers Podcast exists to help you experience and host God’s presence through worship and prayer - because God’s presence changes everything.

Follow The Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS

Part two of this episode, "Processing IHOPKC and Healthy Leadership Culture", will be available exclusively to paid subscribers at http://presencepioneers.media

• A prayer room can exist without being a praying church.
• Leaders must model prayer for their congregations.
• Prayer meetings should foster personal prayer growth among attendees.
• Faith is essential for effective prayer; it's not just about attendance.

Click here for a free book - The Dance and The Dirge: The Pain and Pleasure of Prayer and Fasting by Jonathan Friz and Matthew Lilley.