Provoke & Inspire Podcast

Are we in danger of making provocation the goal, and not the gospel? Is it necessary for people today, in order to get them to think twice about God?The guys react to a recent ministry event in Glasgow, Scotland that sparked a viral backlash on instagram.The reaction to the event begs the questions of whether this happened in a "Book Of Acts" fashion of seeing civil unrest follow the preaching of the gospel, or whether we are sometimes guilty of causing trouble for no reason; making it the focus, and deciding factor of whether or not we are being effective in our ministry endeavors.Check out the Instagram video HERE----------------------Interested in the Steiger Missions School? Click HERE to apply for the SMS.Do you ever struggle to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step

Philip Yancey shares how he came to faith in Jesus after a childhood of severe spiritual abuse, and seasons of spiritual deconstruction.Listen to the full episode here: SpotifyApple----------------------Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, Davi

Are we heading into a population collapse of apocalyptic proportions? What is it that's leading younger people into cosmetic surgeries? Did a country singer cross the line with his new song comparing Jesus to a drinking establishment?Luke is absent, David shares his fear of projectile infants on an upcoming vacation, and the guys touch on a number of topics including questions of contextualization surrounding a new song by Adam Doleac called 'Bar Named Jesus'.----------------------Interested in the Steiger Missions School? Click HERE to apply for the SMS.Do you ever struggle to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get y

Why is it that the artistic images of the bible seem to contradict the rules of the protestant church? What does this say about how we interpret the scripture, and how we can better change our culture to move closer to a biblical vision for art?Listen to the full episode here:Spotify Apple----------------------Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instag

Are there really three billion people who have not yet heard the gospel? What barriers stand in the way, and how can we, as the Church, respond? What role do we play in changing that reality? Ben and Aaron Pierce sit down with pastor, speaker, and author David Platt (Founder of Radical) at Austin Texas' SXSW festival to discuss how the church can hope to reach the unreached, as outlined in the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20.----------------------Interested in the Steiger Missions School? Click HERE to apply for the SMS.Do you ever struggle to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it ou

Jon McCray shares his story of getting started in YouTube apologetics, but not before enduring a season of hearing loss which put his faith to the test.Listen to the full episode here:SpotifyApple----------------------Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox

How do we properly address one of the most contentious topics the church faces today? How can we love and engage the LGBT scene with the love of Jesus?   Instagram influencer Rodereck Blassingame sits down with Ben and Aaron Pierce in Austin, TX during the SXSW Festival 2025, and shares his testimony of leaving the LGBT scene for a relationship with Jesus.----------------------Interested in the Steiger Missions School? Click HERE to apply for the SMS.Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?----------------------Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------

The world is in chaos—wars, political turmoil, and the relentless pull of ideologies demanding our allegiance. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to be aware but not consumed, to engage without compromising, and to prioritize His kingdom over any earthly powerIn this episode, we explore what it means to live as exiles in modern culture, resisting the seduction of political loyalty while speaking truth to power with the humility, love, and boldness of Christ. ----------------------Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.

What does it mean for faith, love, and human connection, when AI-driven relationships are becoming increasingly common?Can a chatbot truly replace real intimacy, is it deepening the loneliness crisis, and how should followers of Jesus respond to a world where people turn to AI for companionship? In this episode, the regulars wrestle with the implications of AI romances, exploring the intersection of technology, loneliness, and the gospel. How can we offer real hope in an increasingly artificial world?We need to hear from you! Take our P&I feedback survey HERE----------------------Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get

Why do many relationships seem doomed to fail despite initial love and commitment? Why are more and more people waiting to get married? Gary Thomas unpacks the hidden dynamics behind why relationships sometimes fail and explores the cultural and personal reasons behind why so many people are remaining single. Drawing from his acclaimed book Sacred Marriage, Gary offers practical, spiritually grounded strategies to build a love that endures and transforms. Whether you’re in a relationship or navigating the dating scene, this episode provides actionable advice to help you nurture a deeper, lasting connection and create a marriage that not only survives but thrives.Check out Gary's books HERE.----------------------Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church.

Ben is joined by author, speaker, pastor, and former frontman of the Christian metalcore band "For Today", Mattie Montgomery!How do we live for what really matters - being faithful in the roles God has called us into, be that a pastor, parent, friend, and above all, follower of Jesus? Mattie also answers the question, "How does the vocalist of a metal-core band become the pastor of a church?"Learn more about Mattie Montgomery HERE.Click HERE to learn more about The Altar Fellowship Church.Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go

Do you ever struggle with how to share the love of Jesus with your friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers? Does it feel like an impossible task in today’s culture?You're not alone - but there’s hope!Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today! Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------ Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceCh

What does the Bible really say about heaven? How has the hope and promise of eternity ignited faith, sparked movements, and reshaped history?  Atheists often accuse Christians of wasting their lives in anticipation of the afterlife, but the guys dive in to how, on the contrary, it has fueled faith, inspired movements, and shaped the course of history.After the podcast's release two weeks ago, there was much more to discuss, so the guys discuss heaven in part two of this faith-stretching conversation!Listen to the first part of this conversation by clicking here.------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Los Angeles influencer and speaker Elijah Lamb joins Ben on the podcast to discuss Gen Z's greatest obstacles to accepting the gospel, as well as the greatest opportunities that exist for it. Elijah shares his story of encountering God at an early age, along with his journey of having Jesus lead him to teaching, evangelizing, and better understanding the people God is calling him to reach.------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Instagrammer Kareem Rahma of "SubwayTakes" recently posted a reel of him talking with a guy who expresses that going to heaven would suck.Is there some truth in this misconception? Is heaven really going to be an eternal church service? If it's simply the best version of everything here on earth, wouldn't that eventually become a prison?The regulars weigh in on this contentious, complicated subject, recognizing that to grasp ideas of heaven is often like two-dimensional beings trying to grasp third-dimensional realities. ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Send us a textMark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook/Meta, recently went on the popular podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, to discuss his company's policy changes concerning freedom of speech and expression on their social media platforms.Amid Zuckerberg's admissions of deliberate pressure and interference from the Biden administration, especially regarding COVID-19, the regulars weigh in on the value of freedom of speech. What are its origins? Is it a biblical right? What do we make of our ability to speak in the first place? ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

Send us a textProverbs 22:6 instructs us to, "Train up a child in the way he should go..."and goes on to say that, "even when he is old he will not depart from it."What about when those closest to us walk away from God? Was it our responsibility to prevent it?  How does this apply, when all around us we see the kids of pastors, missionaries, and Christians in general, departing from the faith they were raised in? Is there a Biblical formula that we all seem to be missing? The four regulars share their experience of raising kids, and the delicate balance one might aim to strike of not forcing religious views upon them, but also not letting them simply roam free without spiritual direction. ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click be

Send us a textBack in October, Theologian Wes Huff and ancient civilizations researcher Billy Carson recently had a debate on the Mark Minard podcast.Billy argues that biblical texts are inaccurate and that even the crucifixion did not happen, while Wes, a biblical scholar with expertise in ancient manuscripts, counters this position with evidence of the Bible’s historical reliability and unique origins.The aftermath of the viral debate then landed Wes on The Joe Rogan Experience, where Wes was able to share in detail on one of the world's most influential podcasts, why the bible can be trusted.The regulars react to the debate, the episode on Rogan, and how we should rightly celebrate the public dismantling of lies. ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and

Send us a textNew year, new resolutions! But how do we avoid making resolutions that are the desires of a spiritualized hustle culture?"I want this, this, and this (for myself)."Instead, how do we reorient our hearts toward seeking God's will and his dreams for our lives? ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Join the Provoke & Inspire Discord Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood

Send us a textBen and David come to you from a hotel in Pereira, Colombia, on the final No Longer Music tour of 2024.Ben shares how nearly every single concert has been a fight: obtaining permissions, facing corruption, problems with city officials, and more. Yet in light of that, how every show has resulted in people becoming radically transformed by the message of the Cross and surrendering their lives to Jesus.------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Join the Provoke & Inspire Discord Community!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke Greenwood