Benson Gregory Podcast
By Benson Gregory
Benson Gregory PodcastSep 24, 2022
Mission of Hope Scholarship 2023
Today we visit with Mission of Hope Executive Director David Heatherly to learn about their scholarship program. We talk about ways to keep Kentucky's at risk children in school and encourage them from a young age to pledge to graduate. For those going on to college Mission of Hope awards scholarships that come with mentors to help encourage them along their journey. We also catch up on all things Mission of Hope related and share the many opportunities for you to be involved with sharing hope with the children of Appalachia.
You won't want to miss hearing about this exiting work Mission of Hope is doing to break generational poverty and bring hope to children in the Appalachian
region of Kentucky and Tennessee.
Catching up with Laura Baxter Missionary and Founder of Joanna Ministries, Inc
On this program Benson Gregory has a long overdue conversation with Laura Baxter to catch up with all that has been going on in her ministry in Honduras over the past two years. Laura tells us a little about life during the pandemic and how God has led her to be a missionary to missionaries and their children. We talk about some of the unique challenges she's faced, how she's adapted and how you can help her serve those who serve.
Joanna Ministries, Inc. seeks to work with churches and other ministries to reach teens who have been abused and may be at risk for life on the streets as well as being trafficked. We go into one of the local hospitals to talk with teens who are pregnant. We want to be available to them and let them also know that there are safe places they can go. In opening a pregnancy crisis center, we hope to reach teens who have been abused and have become pregnant. Sharing pre and post-natal care along with seeking to help heal their hearts in the process. Because of Laura's own experience in an abusive relationship, God has given her a heart for girls who have been abused; to be able to share that there is hope and healing through a relationship with Christ.
Learn more about Joanna Ministries, Inc here.
Mission of Hope - New Executive Director David Heatherly - Christmas Collection
Today Executive Director Emmette Thompson catches us up on the latest with Mission of Hope, and introduces us to David Heatherly the incoming Executive Director. David tells us about his background and talks about Mission of Hope's efforts to collect items for the Appalachian region of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee.
Since 1996, the Mission of Hope has ministered to the people of various counties in Kentucky and Tennessee from which 80% of the region’s residents no longer have jobs in the coal mining industry.
Many of the people we assist are caught in the pockets of poverty and as a result have lost all hope for their future. With your help and with God’s love we can help bring new hope to many.
Mission of Hope strives to provide Christian ministries during appropriate seasons of the year, including Christmas and Easter, through a system of delivering clothes, food, toys, and school supplies to impoverished families; to assist in repair of existing homes or relocating to other homes when appropriate; to provide scholarships for qualifying children of the area; to assist in developing skills or other expertise for the creation of new or expanded jobs in the area; and to assist in locating jobs for persons who are willing to relocate outside the area.
The Mission of Hope is a year round ministry blessed to assist many of our less fortunate Appalachian neighbors with much needed goods and resources; college scholarships; and help with basic educational, health care and home repair needs.
If you would like to make a financial donation to Mission of Hope for our year round ministry expenses it would be greatly appreciated. The 2010 independent financial audit confirmed that 90 percent of every dollar donated went directly back into programs assisting individuals.
Thank you for caring enough to help those who still have hope.
Cultivating gratitude - and how it can improve your health with Dr Joannie DeBrito
It's that time of year when we start taking about thankfulness and gratitude, but having an attitude of gratitude isn't easy for everyone. Some people face the holiday season with with extra feelings of loss and emptiness. If you have lost a loved-one or your life isn't working out the way you want depression, grief and sadness are factors of daily life and the holiday season can intensify those feelings of loss.
Joannie DeBrito, licensed mental health professional and frequent Focus on the Family contributor, talks about how to be grateful when we aren't feeling grateful, the process of grieving and how gratefulness can be part of the journey.
Did you know researchers have found that expressing gratitude has many health benefits as well?
Practicing gratitude has been scientifically proven to positively impact your brain. It can make us feel happier and better about ourselves, improve energy levels, help us cope with our problems, and even decrease mental health struggles like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Election Alert! Proposed Amendments to the Constitution on Abortion and Legislative Power
Tuesday November 8, 2022 in Kentucky we will be voting on 2 proposed amendments to the Kentucky Constitution. One of the proposed amendments is very long, maybe a little confusing and is full of lawyer/politician speak. The other is short and direct. The first deals with the Kentucky General Assembly's emergency powers and the ability to call themselves into special session instead of that power residing exclusively with the Kentucky Governor. The second proposed amendment clarifies the Kentucky Constitution's position on abortion and the use of state money to perform abortion. Richard Nelson, Executive Director and Founder of the Commonwealth Policy Center, joins me to break down what each of these amendments means and what your "yes" or "no" vote means. Knowledge is power!
For more information you can visit.
https://commonwealthpolicycenter.org/
To see a sample of your ballot:
http://web.sos.ky.gov/electionballots/
Visit with Rob Harlamert Church Planter and Lead Minister of Elevate Christian Church in Lexington, KY - Elevate's 1 Year Anniversary
Listen in as I chat with Rob Harlamert about the first anniversary of his plant Elevate Christian Church in Lexington, KY. It's been one year since Rob Harlamert, Andrew Dawson and their team officially launched Elevate Christian Church. What challenges did they face? How are things going now? What lessons have they learned? What is Elevate like? What does the future hold for Elevate Christian Church in Lexington, KY? And we even talk about the deconstruction movement, and how that impacts Rob and Elevate.
Elevate Christian Church, Lexington, KY
Are you depressed?
Are you depressed? Is someone you love dealing with depression?
My guest this week, Paul Asay, author of Beauty in the Browns: Walking with Christ in the Darkness of Depression (Focus on the Family, 2021), has first-hand experience with the depths of depression. Not only has he cared for his son who struggles with mental illness, but he’s felt the effects of depression himself throughout his life.
“It’s a dark room that locks the sufferer inside, whispering through the bars that they will never escape — that no one cares, that you deserve to be there, and it’s all there ever will be,” he describes.
With September being the National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, it’s important to not only acknowledge the reality and hardship of depression — but also to discuss how families and friends can support their loved ones that feel trapped.
“As a loved one, you don’t necessarily have the key to the prison,” Paul says. “It’s not a condition that you can hug or reason away, and it can feel incredibly helpless to not know how to help someone.”
So what can you do?
Paul is available to give practical and compassionate advice on how to care for your loved one suffering from depression, and he can speak on what it is like to step into a seemingly hopeless space and find strength through Christ.
- What works and what doesn’t when speaking to and encouraging someone with depression
- What environmental factors can feed into depression — and how can you watch for warning signs that your loved one might be struggling
- How to lean on Christ and seek hope when loving someone with depression
From Pastor David Kibler's sermon:
Lies Satan tells all of us:
- You’re not good enough.
- Everyone is against you.
- There’s no way out. Things will never get better.
Lies are immediate and truths are eventual.
Digital Religion
Does church even matter anymore? I’m not talking about believing in God, “religion” or “being spiritual” but does getting together on Sunday morning in a building matter? Is that still relevant in the 21st century?
In this episode I’m talking with Zachary Mettler. Zach is a staff writer for Focus on the Family’s Daily Citizen. He recently wrote a piece for the Washington Examiner titled 'Digital religion' offers new opportunities — and threats — for believers.
We discuss the relevancy of church in modern life, and some of the impact the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021 had on children, their development and mental health. Mettler is working another article which speaks to the harmful impacts the lockdowns had where he discovered the lockdowns resulted in:
91% increase in self harm in children
300% increase in children seeking medical help for self harm
63% increase in overdoses and a large spike in emergency room visits because of that.
We also talked loneliness in adults.
One recent surveyfound that the number of Americans who say they have no close friends rose to 12% in 2021 from 3% in 1990. Among young men, especially, that number is higher. Fifteen percent of men report having no close friends, according to the poll.
So IF church matters, is on-line church a suitable replacement?
A large number of young adults are turning to “digital religion,” according to a studyfrom the University of Waterloo.
“We’ve found that while digital religion isn’t necessarily attracting a lot of new millennials to participate, it is making the experience of those already involved richer,” Wilkins-Laflamme said.
Another recent surveyconducted by the American Enterprise Institute found that younger people are experiencing a “loneliness epidemic.” They are “lonelier in general than older people because most of them are not as rooted in particular relationships and communities,” the research found.
One of the activities associated with a reduced feeling of loneliness was frequent church attendance. “Americans who are members of religious congregations are less likely to feel lonely,” the survey found.
Links:
dailycitizen.focusonthefamily.com
www.washingtonexaminer.com/restoring-america/community-family/digital-religion-offers-new-opportunities-and-threats-for-believers
www.bensongregory.com
Selfie Culture - Is social media damaging your (and your child's) mental health?
My guest today is Paul Asay Sr Associate Editor of PluggedIn.com an author and dad. We're talking about selfie culture and how comparison can harm your (and your child's) mental health. We discuss some steps to take to help mitigate the harmful effects of social media, ways to make sure you are staying in the moment and not trapped behind a screen, and we even discuss some photography tips and tricks. (Save some money by shooting your engagement photos at Olive Garden instead of Italy!)
According to a 2018 survey, 82 percent of U.S. adults under 34 had taken and posted a selfie on social media. It’s safe to say that number has since increased. Instagram has over 53 million photos tagged with the hashtag #selfie. There’s even an entire industry dedicated to selfie events.
But have today’s youth and young adults become so preoccupied with being seen on social media that they no longer enjoy real-life experiences? And is the obsession with posting that allusive “perfect photo” leading to an increase in low self-esteem and depression?
Sadly, self-image on social media has had a devastating impact on many young adults’ confidence — even leading to an increase in demand for plastic surgery the past two years.
Feel free to follow Paul Asay on Twitter @AsayPaul.
Sharing Christmas with Appalachia - Mission of Hope
Listen in as Benson chats with Mission of Hope Executive Director Emmette Thompson about this year's Christmas school delivery of toys, clothes and hygiene items. You can even find a link to help directly.
Since 1996, the Mission of Hope has ministered to the people of various counties in Kentucky and Tennessee from which 80% of the region’s residents no longer have jobs in the coal mining industry.
Many of the people we assist are caught in the pockets of poverty and as a result have lost all hope for their future. With your help and with God’s love we can help bring new hope to many.
Mission of Hope strives to provide Christian ministries during appropriate seasons of the year, including Christmas and Easter, through a system of delivering clothes, food, toys, and school supplies to impoverished families; to assist in repair of existing homes or relocating to other homes when appropriate; to provide scholarships for qualifying children of the area; to assist in developing skills or other expertise for the creation of new or expanded jobs in the area; and to assist in locating jobs for persons who are willing to relocate outside the area.
The Mission of Hope is a year round ministry blessed to assist many of our less fortunate Appalachian neighbors with much needed goods and resources; college scholarships; and help with basic educational, health care and home repair needs.
If you would like to make a financial donation to Mission of Hope for our year round ministry expenses it would be greatly appreciated. The 2010 independent financial audit confirmed that 90 percent of every dollar donated went directly back into programs assisting individuals.
Thank you for caring enough to help those who still have hope.
Church Plant: Elevate Christian Church - Rob Harlamert Lead Pastor and Church Planter in Lexington, KY
Visit with Lead Pastor and Church Planter Rob Harlamert - Rob talks about what led him to planting a church on the south side of Lexington, KY and those who influenced and guided him along his journey.
When Rob graduated from Johnson University and joined the staff of Catalyst Christian Church in Nicholasville, KY he didn't know he would be called to plant a new church just a few miles from the church where he was hired to be youth pastor.
Rough Road to Celebrating 15 Years
Listen in as I talk about how God took a bad situation and worked it together for good in my life. No guest this time, just me talking about a dark period in my life where I had lost my job, and thought my career had ended. I was discouraged and confused. I wasn't sure where to go next. Nothing made sense. But once that final piece came together I could look back and see that God was leading me the whole time. I was getting an education to prepare me for the next chapter of my life. I'm so thankful I didn't give up when the going got tough. Now I'm celebrating 15 years in a great job doing something that makes a difference. At the heart of it this isn't a unique story, but it's something I wanted to share with you. Hopefully you'll find it encouraging or at least entertaining. Thanks for listening!
Laura Baxter Founder of Joanna Ministries, Inc and Missionary to Honduras
Laura Baxter tells us how God prepared her to answer a big call to leave a successful, happy life in Central Kentucky and move to Honduras to minister to women escaping the sex industry. She had very little financial support, knew very few people and barely spoke the language, but she knew this is what God wanted her to do. She left home for a life far outside the comfort zone for most of us. But helping rescue women from sex trafficking was only the beginning. When COVID-19 and then not one but two hurricanes hit, Laura stepped up her mission work to the next level by serving those who serve. Talking to Laura you get the impression God is just getting started with her. I can't imagine the amazing things she will accomplish in the coming decades.
Joanna Ministries, Inc. seeks to work with churches and other ministries to reach teens who have been abused and may be at risk for life on the streets as well as being trafficked. We go into one of the local hospitals to talk with teens who are pregnant. We want to be available to them and let them also know that there are safe places they can go. In opening a pregnancy crisis center, we hope to reach teens who have been abused and have become pregnant. Sharing pre and post-natal care along with seeking to help heal their hearts in the process. Because of Laura's own experience in an abusive relationship, God has given her a heart for girls who have been abused; to be able to share that there is hope and healing through a relationship with Christ.
Learn more about Joanna Ministries, Inc here.
Visit with Congressman Andy Barr from Kentucky's 6th Congressional District
Congressman Barr also discusses his work with, and on behalf of, US Military Veterans. He talks about how he was instrumental in getting Jessamine County's Camp Nelson designated as a National Monument with the National Parks Service, and the benefits to Central Kentucky.
Congressman Barr shares his opinion of our voting process in the shadow of the COID 19 pandemic, and whether or not he believes your vote will be counted.
What is the Benson Gregory Podcast about?
Refuge for Women - Ked Frank, President and Founder
Host Benson Gregory talks with Ked Frank, President and Founder of Refuge for Women about human trafficking, the sex industry and the work Refuge for Women is doing to help rescue women and give them a better life.
Refuge for Women, Incorporate, a 501(c)3 organization, formed in January, 2009 in Lexington, KY, and was founded by Ked and Michelle Frank. Ked currently serves as the President of the national Refuge for Women organization. During the time prior to starting Refuge, Ked had a series of pivotal conversations with the leader of a group doing outreach to women in local strip clubs. Although the outreach had been ongoing for three years, the women who wanted help with escaping had no long-term places to go. In response to this need, Refuge for Women opened its first location in Kentucky in 2009. It is a non-profit, faith-based organization that provides long-term care for women who are survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation, offering them a new beginning. Since that time, Refuge for Women has served more than 100 women.
Human Trafficking is a dark industry that abuses and exploits women of all ages. When a woman is rescued from a trafficker, she is left with many years of past trauma and oftentimes, substance abuse issues.
Refuge for Women is a non-profit, faith based organization providing specialized long-term care for women who have escaped human trafficking or sexual exploitation. With multiple locations across the U.S., Refuge for Women offers up to twelve months of safe housing, at no charge to the resident, with around the clock care as clients progress through evidence-based, trauma-informed programming. The compassionate staff is trained to help residents work through the program to reclaim their identities and reach their goals to overcome addictions, heal from trauma and develop life skills leading to healthy, balanced living and financial independence. Refuge for Women strives to help each woman complete the program with a vision for her future, equipped to succeed and sustain a life marked with dignity and hope.
Visit with Lexington Rescue Mission - Lexington, KY
In this episode Benson Gregory sits down with Laura Carr Executive Director of Lexington Rescue Mission and her father Jim Connell the former Executive Director and founder who just retired. We talk about the call God put on Jim's life, and the path he took to come to Lexington, Kentucky from Indiana, and found the Lexington Rescue Mission. Laura tells us what it's like to work with family, and how she never saw herself filling her dad's shoes. We also discuss how they were able to continue doing their ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic, and where she sees it growing.