Get Your Spirit In Shape

Bryce Hillhouse knows the value of education. He worked hard and made his own path. Today, he serves as Development Coordinator at the Lydia Patterson Institute a United Methodist-related and church-supported middle and high school in El Paso, Texas. Through their robust scholarship program, Lydia Patterson provides a quality education to impoverished children in Texas … Continue reading "Education & spiritual formation with Bryce Hillhouse"

Energy is one of those things many of us can take for granted. We flip a switch and bring light to a darkened room. Outlets are plentiful where we charge our phones or power a tool. We have refrigerators that keep our food fresh and water heaters to make our showers comfortable. In some places … Continue reading "Technology and missions with Jenny Phillips"

“The length and width of our table determines the depth and breadth of our compassion,” teaches the Rev. Mark Feldmeir. “If we can get folks to the table and stay there, even in the difficult conversations, that compassion grows deeper and wider and allows us to be agents of compassion.” As the U.S. presidential election … Continue reading "Politics of compassion with Mark Feldmeir"

“Maybe the big things in your eyes are actually really small things,” the Rev. Adam Weber wonders aloud, “and the small things in your eyes are actually huge.” Instead of searching for the big things we want to do for God, Adam encourages us instead to look for the places where we can love our … Continue reading "Daily adventures in love with Adam Weber"

Dr. Leah Gunning Francis describes herself as a seminary dean, mother and author. As a seminary dean and scholar, she shares a theology of anti-racism and racial justice that begins with the imago dei, the recognition that all human beings are created in the image of God. As an author, Dr. Gunning Francis wrote Ferguson and Faith after … Continue reading "Faith & Racial Justice with Dr. Leah Gunning Francis"

In her new book The Way Up is Down, author Marlena Graves shares the example of Jesus, who, “Though he was in the form of God… emptied himself” (Philippians 2:6-7). In this conversation, Marlena and Joe talk about how all too often we do the opposite—trying to fill ourselves with power, money, comfort and more. Often, … Continue reading "Power, emptiness & satisfaction with Marlena Graves"

“Issues don’t move people,” shares United Methodist missionary Eric Soard. “People move people. And we need to be better at getting close to the people that are affected by the issues we are supposedly passionate about.” Soard learned about the importance of ‘proximity’—what John Wesley called “watching over one another in love”—while serving as an … Continue reading "Proximity: From issues to people with Eric Soard"

Todd Seifert, Great Plains Conference Communicator, describes himself as a media mutt. He’s worked for print publications, digital media companies, produced videos and recently won the United Methodist Association of Communicators’ 2020 Best in Class award for his podcast In Layman’s Terms. Todd’s been a Sunday School teacher for years and loves sharing about scripture. He … Continue reading "Podcasts, media & spirituality with Todd Seifert"

On Friday, June 5, 2020, we spoke with 2 bishops about racism, the killing of George Floyd at the hands of the police, and the protests happening across the United States. They express their anger, how they approach the world and are treated differently because of race and gender, and some steps United Methodists can … Continue reading "Bishops United Against Racism with Bishops LaTrelle Easterling and Robert Farr"

Meet Bishop Thomas Bickerton of the New York Episcopal Area. He was raised in West Virginia where his family worked in the glass industry and raised him in the church from day one. At West Virginia Wesleyan College, he developed an appreciation for the stories each person has to tell, which later deepened as he … Continue reading "Meet Bishop Thomas Bickerton"

While serving as a hospice chaplain, United Methodist pastor the Rev. Gary Shockley, noticed parents, grandparents and other caretakers struggling to help children in times of grief. Because he is also a children’s author and illustrator, Gary created My Heart Sings a Sad Song, a wonderful new resource to help kids and their families as they experience … Continue reading "Singing a sad song: Children and Grief with Gary Shockley"

In the stillness of the night during a youth retreat, his pastor asked a simple question. “Bruce,” Bishop Ough recalls him saying, “have you ever thought about ministry?” Several years later, in another quiet moment at night, this time looking up at the stars, he was struck with a sense of his place in the … Continue reading "Meet Bishop Bruce Ough"

Bishop John Yambasu of the Sierra Leone Episcopal Area and Megan Klingler, a registered nurse who serves as the Primary Health Care Specialist of the Global Health Unit of United Methodist Global Ministries, share some great information about coronavirus and COVID-19, things we can do to help keep one another safe, and how the church … Continue reading "Coronavirus facts & inspiration with Bishop Yambasu & Megan Klingler"

Using clips from previous conversations, host Joe Iovino shares some thoughts and encouragement during this difficult time of social distancing to help “flatten the curve” and stem the spread of COVID-19 and coronavirus. Hear the words of Adam Hamilton, Jessica Lagrone, Matt Miofsky, a public health physician and more.

“When we put on our identity in Christ,” the Rev. Rachel Billups teaches, “when we lean into the fact that God has called us beloved children, we’re unstoppable. We become these super people. Not because there’s an extra chromosome of faith.., but [because] we actually trust what God says about us.” Billups, lead pastor of … Continue reading "Be bold: Living into our true identity with Rachel Billups"

“Christ’s thumbprint is everywhere if we’re willing to see it,” teaches the Rev. Matt Rawle. That includes our books, movies, and music. Rawle, who serves as lead pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, Louisiana, is the author of a series of books exploring the intersection between faith and pop culture. His latest, … Continue reading "Faith and pop culture with Matt Rawle"

Clara Mridula Biswas serves as the director of a the Street Children Ministry and Community Outreach in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. As you might imagine, her work with children connects her to families who may be struggling with overwhelming poverty, domestic violence, and people with HIV/AIDS – among other things. One of the beautiful aspects of … Continue reading "Growing in faith, learning to serve with Clara Biswas"

How would your life be different if you focused on all God has already given you, rather than the things you lack? Katelin Hansen serves the United Methodist Church for All People in Columbus, Ohio as their Minister of Music & Strategic Initiatives Director. Her ministry has given her the opportunity to see what God … Continue reading "God’s divine economy of abundance with Katelin Hansen"

As you prepare for Christmas, what are you listening for? The Rev. Jean Claude Masuka Maleka and Francine Ilunga Mbanga Mufuk, a married couple from the Democratic Republic of Congo who serve as United Methodist missionaries to Côte d’Ivoire, do great ministries to strengthen women, children and families. Their story is an inspiration.

As you prepare for Christmas, what are you listening for? David Makobo N’Shikala knows the peace of the farm. After studying agriculture at United Methodist Africa University, he moved from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to Dakar, Senegal where he leads Senegal United Methodist Mission. David teaches farmers how to grow food in poor … Continue reading "Listen for Peace with missionary David Makobo"