Thriving in Singleness

Kristen Clark from The Girl Defined Podcast joins us for an episode, and although she is now married and didn't have an extensive season of singleness, there's a lot of things that she would have liked to approach differently with what she knows now. She shares some incredible insight on where we find our purpose, finding true joy, and where we find our identity. The Girl Defined podcast is targeted towards women and they have incredible books as well. Be sure to check them out!

Bethany Beal, from The Girl Defined Podcast, joins us for an episode to talk about her walk through singleness and how God had taught her not to keep marriage as an idol. She walks through standards she held and why it was ok to compromize in certain areas that didn't take away from what God had for her. She shares the boundaries she maintained in her dating relationship and the benefits she experienced in holding true to them.  Lastly she shares about how God taught her to surrender, and she makes some compelling points about how to submit your desires to God when you're having a difficult time doing so.

Ben Bennett, who co-authored the book "Free to Thrive" with Josh McDowell, joins us for an episode to be real about his singleness and what God has been teaching him through it, as well as how building meanful connections with friends has helped him find how God provides in singleness. Ben has been working for the Josh McDowell ministry for 5 year now and he shares about the incredible things God has been doing in the years he has been in the ministry.

Arlene is a fitness instructor specializing in Lagree, as well as formerly being crowned Miss Bakersfield. She shares what God has tought her primarilly with living in California during the pandemic, that although community is very important, it's also important to be alone and learn about yourself and focus on doing the things your love and are passionate about. 

Jaleina is a well known social media personality who has been working closely with The Chosen to bring the story of Jesus to life.  In our episode she shares about how living in purity has been helpful for her to enjoy her singleness and focus on the purpose God has given her for this time. She also shares about how she transitioned to finding joy in her singleness as well as how she gets respect from her friends and community, and why it is so important to be respected. 

Bethany Anderson, creator of The Hope Adventure, shares her journey of singleness in the midst of her faith, as well as her work as a full time missionary. We address important questions like "If God put the desire of marriage in your heart, does that meen it's definitely going to happen?". Certainly an uncomfortable question to address. Bethany refers to herself as a "Seasoned Single" and has so much value to share about what she has learned, and how wonderful her journey has been. 

Brianna Rossi, creator of Single and Standing joins us for an episode as she shares the joys she has found in her singleness. Even though she grew up with a strong desire for marriage, she shares her journey as she learned to trust God with whatever His plan is for her, even if His plan is for her to be single. She discusses some of the joys she has found both in her travels and in her everyday life. It't tough to let go of the idea of getting married and find true joy in where God has you right now. If you can relate, I highly encourage you to listen to the full episode.

We pick this episdoe up rigth where we left it off with our conversation about Missionary Dating and dig in deeper into the conversation around singleness, and what God has been doing in E-man's life. 

E-Man is from Bakersfield California and works for a mission called City Serve,  networking with churches across the country distributing food and goods to families in need. When he's not working with City Serve he is volunteering his time in the mission field with Mission One Eleven. He shares about his incredible experience working in Missions and how God has been moving in incredible ways and providing opportunities to help others and share Christ with the unreached. Work as a missionary is a great way to allow God to use you in singleness as well as any other chapter of life you are in. But don't wait for the right moment. Pray that you know exactly when God is calling you, whether you are ready or not!

David is a missionary in Cambodia and the author of Single for a Season. He shares of the different places God has taken him in life, as well as the challenges he has faced in singleness, being let down, and ultimately trusting God in wherever he takes him in life.