Faith > Fear

We have shared a story of suffering over the last year and a half that has challenged us, troubled us, and changed us. Yet, we each have our own stories of tragedy and heartache, several of which were told by our Faith>Fear guests. As we revisit some of those stories, we hope that these stories reach beyond the pain to teach us more about who we are and who God is as well.

Life sometimes puts barriers in our way, and we often build them even higher. For Mercy Odhiambo, barriers were there from the beginning, and she kept them in place until Jesus started tearing them down. Hear her story and lessons learned in this week’s episode.

Since the start of the pandemic, it’s often been said that “we’re all in the same boat.” As Faith>Fear talked to missions pastors and workers during 2020, it became clear that the same could be said of our calling to lead people to Christ. There are different tools to use and strategies to follow, but everyone has a role in bringing Christ to those around us. And no virus gives us an excuse not to play our part. Hear more thoughts from the missions community in this week’s highlights episode.

Proceed with caution—these highlights on the topic of trafficking might just upset you enough to make you want to do something about this assault on human freedom. As Rapha International CEO Stephanie Freed points out, “There are more people trapped in slavery today than there have ever been in history.” Hear these voices advocating for them, exposing this harsh reality while also suggesting how we can come together to be the solution.

The pandemic has taught Rachel Grindle about flexibility in marriage and parenting, gratefulness, and handling lots of little losses. Rachel has two main hopes as she looks toward the future. “I know what it felt like when I spent extended time with family recently, how good it felt to be with them. I hope we don’t lose that. My other hope is that the church at large would reengage lament and learn how to do that well.”

Many of us go about our lives hoping to serve those around us, filling needs, and doing our best to embody Christ. As we influence others and lead them to Jesus, we are adding to his kingdom. This is a beautiful thing. Some in the church, however, have become sold out to the pursuit of multiplication in the form of disciple-making movements (DMM). While these efforts seem to produce stories of challenge and sacrifice, they also bring about obedience and growth. Listen to a few of these stories told by some of our Faith>Fear guests in 2020.

In a world where mobile phone subscriptions outnumber people and Facebook users outpace the population of any one nation, it’s clear that ministry and media must meld. We believe this at GNPI and were excited to hear what God accomplished through media in the historic year of 2020 through our guests on Faith>Fear. Despite the great worry and frustration that media can cause, it proves itself as equally useful for the building of the kingdom.

2020 will always be remembered for the grand entrance of COVID-19 onto the world stage, but other events also had great and rippling effects. In the US, one of these foremost arenas was that of race relations. Several guests on Faith>Fear offered such valuable perspective and reflection on this conversation that it deserved revisiting. Perhaps these thoughts can remind us of the importance of treating even the most uncomfortable topics with the truth and love of Christ.

What new decisions and ways of life has COVID forced you into? How many of them are negative changes? Professor and former missionary Shawn Tyler realized that most were positive. Find out more about the changes that Shawn plans to keep in place during this week’s episode.

Do you join many others in feeling that COVID has actually been a blessing for your family? We can’t deny that some families may have faced more difficulty during this period, however many friends that we talked with on Faith>Fear actually saw their quality time increase and their bonds strengthen. “Busy” can often be an excuse for a lacking investment in family, but the pandemic has revealed that it’s a poor excuse we can’t afford.

While sobering numbers of infections and deaths are being announced from India, ministries like Ajai Lall’s Central India Christian Mission are focused on other figures. Learn how they are adding to our eternal family in heaven despite the dark times in which India finds itself.

We all have stood as witness to the ways that a pandemic affects our world on a grand scale. One of the most pronounced arenas of change has been the economy, a fact to which several Faith Greater than Fear guests have attested. Whether an investor, business owner, or fundraiser, each one speaks to real-world challenges met by the faithfulness of God.

When the pandemic started, you may have heard many saying, “We’re all in this together.” Jon Taylor thinks the truth is a bit different, saying, “We’re all riding out the same storm together, but we’re in different boats.” Learn more about his perspective on the pandemic and how to respond to it in this new episode of Faith>Fear.

It has often been said that the church is not a building, but as a metaphorical structure, it also has God as its metaphorical foundation. And as we learned time and again during our interviews with church leaders in 2020, God wins against all opposition, whether a worldwide pandemic or the gates of hell. Take a moment to revisit some moments with us as these individuals share the lessons they learned about our critical role as Christ’s body in a time of difficulty.

Do you hear people when they’re talking to you, or are you just thinking of your reply? If we don’t hear those in front of us, we also might not be giving God space to speak into our lives either. Hear former chaplain and proponent of Clinical Pastoral Education Doug Lawson talk about the importance of truly listening today.

One of the institutions impacted most by the COVID-19 pandemic has been education. That’s why we made a point of inviting numerous individuals in this field to Faith>Fear over the past year. Listen back to experiences shared by principals, professors, and college administrators as they forged ahead despite great challenges and difficult questions in order to maintain their mission to serve children and students at every level.

Has it become harder or easier to find balance in the midst of this pandemic? Ben Thornley of Southeast Christian Church thinks this has been the key question of the past year for individuals, families, and churches. How have you managed?

In 2020, Faith>Fear interviewed over 70 individuals who spoke from their heart about their experiences in life and ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that we still find ourselves navigating similar waters in early 2021, it seems only right to revisit their wisdom. This month, we explore comments on how to carry on in Christian life as we manage stress, find joy, and remember the sovereignty of God, no matter our circumstances.

“I’m not in control of my surroundings,” says College Heights Christian Church’s lead minister Sy Huffer, “but I’m ridiculously in charge of submitting myself to the hands of the potter.” Have you embraced both the choices you can make and the ones you can’t now that we’re in 2021? Hear Sy’s perspective on how we can thrive during this time, making sure we don’t miss the turn as individuals and the church.

Merging business and belief is an act of trust, but coach Tim Snell is certain that it’s the best way forward professionally and personally. In this episode, Tim discusses what’s at stake for the church today and how small business owners in particular can make a difference.

“I don’t want to go back to normal,” says Sergio Rizo. “...I want to take not just every thought captive but every moment captive.” The irony that Sergio has realized is that being present requires releasing control. In this episode, learn about how that perspective has formed in multiple ways through this year.

Many have had a tough year, but Dave’s story is likely to offer most of us some perspective. In this episode, hear about the experience and insights he has received through the grief and desperation of 2020.

Clinical psychologist Karissa Christian has a word for you—BOLD. It’s not only an adjective to achieve but also stands for a process. Learn how you can practice it in your own life in this highly practical interview.

How have you suffered during the course of this year? Whether the examples seem small or substantial, Kirk Hayes shares that any form of suffering is to be embraced. Learn more about his powerful perspective in this episode.

When there are 8.5 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide, how can the church not use the Internet as a mission field? Clyde Taber, director of Visual Story Network, poses this and other great questions in this week’s episode.

When you sit in a counselor, professor, and actor’s chair like Karl Wendt, you have ample opportunity to observe what people are learning from a time like this. Hear what lessons he has to share in today’s episode.

As its name implies, Team Expansion seeks the growth of the church in the most effective ways. But how was this goal affected by our global predicament? Learn the answer to that question from founder and President Doug Lucas.

As a professor, administrator of Ozark’s Academic Resource Center, and mother of a college Freshman, Jessica Scheuermann is well-positioned to help students through a difficult time. Watch this episode to hear about the support she offers them and how it might benefit you as well.

Following God through the stress of the current times takes intentional thought but also the bravery of trust. Andrey and Anya Goryainov of Ukraine share multiple ways God has shaped their lives through both in this episode.

When Frank Preston decided to study the media strategies of extremists for missions application, he came to conclusions with big implications. In this episode, hear his story and how it informs the way we think about church today.

Too often, North Americans gather to study the Bible, intent on learning but not on obeying. In this episode, David Young at North Boulevard Church of Christ wants to remind us of the beauty in stepping out and following the king.

If you turn on Trinity Broadcasting Network to watch “Huckabee,” it is producer Andy Freeman’s job to ensure that you receive three valuable things–information, entertainment, and inspiration. In this episode, learn how Andy embraces and interacts with each of those things in his own life.

If you turn on Trinity Broadcasting Network to watch “Huckabee,” it is producer Andy Freeman’s job to ensure that you receive three valuable things–information, entertainment, and inspiration. In this episode, learn how Andy embraces and interacts with each of those things in his own life.

What happened after Chris Galanos led his church in praying a dangerous prayer? Giving and attendance went down, but so much else was gained. Hear Chris’ story in this episode.

In the shadow of COVID-19, another outbreak is hiding and growing. Stephanie Freed, CEO of Rapha International, shares about the epidemic of human trafficking and how we can react.

For ONE&ALL Church outside Los Angeles, COVID-19 could have been extremely damaging. Lead pastor Jeff Vines shares how it has actually helped them foster community in revolutionary ways.

Much has been said about the medical and economic effects of COVID-19, but Jay St. Clair believes it has also caused a damaging social desert that only a relationship with Jesus will fix. Learn more about his community-oriented ministry at God’s Resort in this episode.

Find your home on a map and draw your Circle of Accountability—an area where you claim responsibility for the lost. That’s just one way to move past the knowledge of Christ and on to truly obeying him. Consider a few more suggestions from today’s guest, pastor Roy Moran.

A pandemic year doesn’t seem like the easiest time to lead a conference of thousands, but the International Conference on Missions’ president Jeff Vines thinks it’s more fitting than we realize. Learn more about his perspective in this episode.

The 50¢ T-shirt on a thrift store rack read, “Know Your Worth.” Lydia Florence unpacks the bargain buy that she believes offers a priceless reminder in this episode.

Opening your social media feed can be a treacherous decision these days–sensitive topics, opinions, and vitriol abound. Johnson University’s Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Johnson is asking the question: what do we do when it all becomes too much? Hear her thoughts in this episode.

Of those ministering outside their countries, about 75% are women. Velvet Ashes is a ministry that encourages these individuals by connecting them online in different ways. Learn about their impact during COVID-19 from executive director Denise Beck.

We all remember the awkward years of middle school, but principal Jason Cravens lives in it every day. He calls it “pure joy,” even with all of today’s challenges. Watch our interview with him to learn why.

An often overlooked field of ministry is the ministry field itself—as pastors care for their sheep, who will care for the shepherds? Don Wilson retired from church ministry and right into such a role. Learn from his perspective on the state of pastors and the church today.

Have you ever wished you owned a COVID-19 manual during the past few months? It turns out that author Frank Viola has you covered at no cost with his book “A Survival Guide to the Current Virus Crisis.” Learn more from Frank in our interview.