In today's episode, we sit down with Zazanya Gaddam. Born and raised from India, "Zan" came to Abilene, Texas to study his Master of Divinity from Hardin Simmons University while serving in local church ministry. Our conversation focuses on the cultural and practical differences of ministry, work, and relationships between India and the United States. Zan shares his unique perspective of what has challenged him and also what has strengthened him in his view of ministry and leadership. The beauty...
May 03, 2022•49 min•Season 1Ep. 36
On today's part 2 episode, I sit down with returning guest, Eddy Smith and also Ashley Kershner to discuss the issue of burnout in our society, our work lives, and our personal lives. It is a much needed topic to discuss, evaluate, and implement steps to prevent burnout so that we can achieve the joy, rest, and productivity that God designed us to have. Resources mentioned in this podcast are: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day by Peter Scazzero. Search it on Amazon or click here . Get ...
Apr 26, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 35
On today's part 1 episode, I sit down with returning guest, Eddy Smith and also Ashley Kershner to discuss the issue of burnout in our society, our work lives, and our personal lives. It is a much needed topic to discuss, evaluate, and implement steps to prevent burnout so that we can achieve the joy, rest, and productivity that God designed us to have. Resources mentioned in this podcast are: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality Day by Day by Peter Scazzero. Search it on Amazon or click here . Get ...
Apr 19, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Today, I sit down with a good friend and co-worker, Nathan Healy. He is an evangelist at heart and takes every opportunity he can to tell someone about the hope and life in Jesus. Nathan shares some of his story and when his heart first truly came alive for Jesus, along with the moments that significantly shaped who he was, what he made his life about, and now how he loves and serves people. In order to see and believe for lives to fully be transformed by the power of Jesus, Nathan encourages us...
Apr 12, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In today's episode, we sit down with Beltway's Missions & Outreach Pastor, Jake Mills. In sharing some of his personal journey in finding and fulfilling his purpose, Jake discusses an important lesson learned concerning the difference between assignments and calling. We often confuse the two which leads to disappointment or defeat. But as we learn to view our past, current, and future assignments through the lens of our calling, we gain clarity regarding the why, then when, and even the how ...
Apr 05, 2022•48 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode, we sit down with Claire Shipley. Claire is a young adult who recently completed a Discipleship Training School with YWAM (Youth with a Mission). Claire discusses the importance of first creating intimacy, friendship, and encounter with the presence of God so that our work, lives, service, and love can flow from that place. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Matthew 28:19-20 (Great Commission) - Matthew 22:36-40 (Great Commandment) - Psalm 27:4 - Galatians 6:9 - John 15 - Mat...
Mar 29, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 31
We're all asking the questions: "Who I am I? What is my purpose? Is this all that I am, or is there more to my life than what I'm doing?" In this episode, we conclude our conversation with Eddy Smith about the process of discovering our purpose, but also living out that purpose every day. If we draw our identify from what we do, the relationships we have, or the possessions we have, what happens if we lose them all? Who are we then? The truth is that God created us for a purpose. We had a purpos...
Mar 22, 2022•38 min•Season 1Ep. 30
We're all asking the questions: "Who I am I? What is my purpose? Is this all that I am, or is there more to my life than what I'm doing?" In this episode, we begin a conversation with Eddy Smith about the process of discovering our purpose, but also living out that purpose every day. If we draw our identify from what we do, the relationships we have, or the possessions we have, what happens if we lose them all? Who are we then? The truth is that God created us for a purpose. We had a purpose bef...
Mar 15, 2022•44 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Hard Questions: Week 7 | Can God Be Love and Send People to Hell? <br> God is both love and justice (Luke 16:19-31). There are countless truths in Scripture that are overwhelmingly good and encouraging to our hearts and minds. But there are also other true, good, and necessary Scriptures that feel more serious than inspiring, more sobering than encouraging. One of these sobering truths – that Jesus specifically teaches – is the existence of hell and eternal separation from God. While justi...
Mar 08, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Hard Questions: Week 6 | Hasn't Science Disproved Christianity? <br> We must listen to the voice of God in creation and in scripture (Ps 19:1-11). There is an assumption that if you embrace modern science, you must reject your Christian faith. But when we dive into scripture, we see that both science and faith intersect and support each other. God makes Himself known both through creation (general revelation) and His word (specific revelation). When we listen to the voice of God in creatio...
Mar 01, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Hard Questions: Week 5 | Can We Trust the Church? <br> When the global church has forgotten that gospel of Jesus, injustice has abounded (Luke 10:25-37). History shows us that the Christian church has been responsible for atrocities and abuses, which has caused many to question whether the church today can be trusted. Those injustices are the result of Christians losing sight of what it means to love God and to love our neighbor, of losing their grasp of the gospel and all that Jesus did f...
Feb 22, 2022•33 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Hard Questions: Week 4 | Can We Trust the Bible? <br> The Bible can be trusted because it was written by eyewitnesses and many of its prophecies have proven true (2 Peter 1:16-21). Many today are asking the question: can we really trust the Bible? For many followers of Jesus, they have a basic confidence in the Bible because they were either taught that the Bible is God’s Word, feel good about it, have faith in the Bible is God’s Word, or have been changed by it. Unfortunately, these reaso...
Feb 15, 2022•43 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Hard Questions: Week 3 | Isn't Christianity Too Strict? <br> Freedom in Christ is the power to live as God designed (Galatians 5:1). One of the foundational issues or objections people have with the Christian faith is that it is too restrictive and limits their freedom. For many, the idea of freedom means that we should have the ability to define it for ourselves and set our own boundaries. But in truth, the limits and restrictions God calls us to actually lead us to far greater measures o...
Feb 08, 2022•34 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Hard Questions: Week 2 | Why Do People Suffer? <br> God’s love is greater than this fallen world (Romans 8:28). From the beginning of creation, God has demonstrated His love to us by giving us choice. For love to exist, choice is necessary. And because choice exists – the choice to embrace or reject Him – suffering, pain, and injustice exist as well. Sin has marred all of creation, brought physical and spiritual death, and produced every kind of relational strife and hardship. God’s promis...
Feb 01, 2022•41 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Hard Questions: Week 1 | Is Jesus really the only way to God (Mark 4:14-20)? <br> Recent studies reveal that up to 70% of those who claim to be Christians don’t believe Jesus is the only way to God. But Jesus makes it clear, “ I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6).” That truth is reiterated by Peter (and the early church) when he emphasizes that there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given amo...
Jan 25, 2022•37 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Today, we sit down with Jake & Erin Mills to discuss their recent journey of adopting three children into their family. As they discuss this story and calling, Jake and Erin share their conviction of the verse James 1:27. Every believer has a responsibility and an opportunity to be part of the lives of the orphan. For many it is to take them into your home either through foster care or adoption, but for others, it means being part of the lives of the families or individuals who have taken th...
Jan 18, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Today, I sit down with Henry Zelaya at Mission Lazarus located in San Marcos de Colon, Choluteca, Honduras. Henry tells us some of his life and journey with Jesus, while also discussing the purpose and implementation of Mission Lazarus. Through this discussion, I hope you hear the truth that “the kingdom of God expands the most through practically loving people.” May this episode challenge and inspire you in finding ways to go into your community, build relationships, share Jesus, and help chang...
Jan 11, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Today, I sit down with Javier Acuña, the Missions and Outreach Pastor at El Centro Iglesia in San Jose, Costa Rica. Javier shares how the Lord is working through the ministries and mission of El Centro Iglesia, but he also takes us on the journey of how God called him out of darkness and into light. From being a professional racecar driver, to surrendering his life to Jesus, to receiving a prophetic word, and into pastoring and missions, Javier tells us of the ups and downs, but also the provisi...
Jan 04, 2022•31 min•Season 1Ep. 19
In this part 2 episode, I sit down with Tommy Hood in the jungle of Talamanca, Costa Rica. We literally recorded the podcast in the middle of the jungle :) Tommy discusses the ways God has moved in his life, how God called and led him into a life of missions, and the importance of missional living for every believer. The Great Commission is not optional; it’s a command and an expectation. As we walk in obedience to missional living, we unlock a life of joy, power, and opportunities for the Kingd...
Dec 21, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 18
In this part 1 episode, I sit down with Tommy Hood in the jungle of Talamanca, Costa Rica. We literally recorded the podcast in the middle of the jungle :) Tommy discusses the ways God has moved in his life, how God called and led him into a life of missions, and the importance of missional living for every believer. The Great Commission is not optional; it’s a command and an expectation. As we walk in obedience to missional living, we unlock a life of joy, power, and opportunities for the Kingd...
Dec 14, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Today's episode is part 2 of our discussion with Teagie McBeth about the millennial generation in regards to leadership roles with the church and the community. Our millennial generation is often waiting for their turn, but the truth is our turn is now. The church and the community needs the millennial generation to partner in leadership and service as we continue moving forward into all that God has for the seasons ahead. We discuss all angles regarding the young adults of today, what holds man...
Dec 07, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 16
In today’s episode, part 1, we sit down with Teagie McBeth to discuss the millennial generation in regards to leadership roles with the church and the community. Our millennial generation is often waiting for their turn, but the truth is our turn is now. The church and the community needs the millennial generation to partner in leadership and service as we continue moving forward into all that God has for the seasons ahead. We discuss all angles regarding the young adults of today, what holds ma...
Nov 30, 2021•40 min•Season 1Ep. 15
In today’s episode, part 2, we sit down with Paul & Tai Ann McClendon to hear their journey and to discuss generosity, open-handed living, God’s provision, our obedience, and ridding ourselves of the spirit of lack. There is abundance of joy to be found in our generosity. Sometimes joy comes through the very act of being generous; sometimes it comes from walking in obedience and knowing we heard God. As we learn to rid ourselves of the spirit of lack, trust the provision of God, and walk in ...
Nov 16, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 14
In today’s episode, part 1, we sit down with Paul & Tai Ann McClendon to hear their journey and to discuss generosity, open-handed living, God’s provision, our obedience, and ridding ourselves of the spirit of lack. There is abundance of joy to be found in our generosity. Sometimes joy comes through the very act of being generous; sometimes it comes from walking in obedience and knowing we heard God. As we learn to rid ourselves of the spirit of lack, trust the provision of God, we are posit...
Nov 09, 2021•32 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Today, our guests are David McQueen, Lead Pastor of Beltway Park Church, and his daughter Rebecca Haught, Licensed Professional Counselor & Registered Play Therapist. David and Rebecca share from their professional and pastoral perspective on mental health within families, while also drawing from their experiences as a mother and a grandfather. Parenting is hard. Give yourself a lot of grace. And in the journey of parenting, take every moment to allow God to refine you in the journey. <br...
Nov 02, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Our guests today, April Sullivan & Jessie Jo Young, are functional medicine practitioners at Rest Wellness in Abilene, TX. Our conversation today discusses how everything in life and health is connected: the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. You are not what has been handed down to you or what has happened to you. Christ died so that we can achieve victory in every area of life...even our physical health. Our progress starts with a plan, and April & Jessie provide many resource...
Oct 26, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Today, we sit down with Krissie Lain Garland. She’s a licensed professional counselor, speaker, author, and mother of twins. Her journey as a therapist took a dramatic shift after her late husband took his life after battling mental illness and addition. Krissie takes us through the season of her husband’s death and brings us to her mission today: to educate and bring awareness of mental health to those who may not understand it, who feel lost living with it, who hide in it, and who choose silen...
Oct 19, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Our guest today is Pastor and Author, Toby Slough. Toby shares with us his 27 year battle with mental health, the ups and downs of the journey, how he's experienced God in the midst of it, and how he finds the hope and strength to keep fighting the fight each day. Toby provides a number of resources in the podcast that you can find by clicking the links below: <br> - Toby's books: Not Yet (click here ) and Toby the Goby (click here ) <br> - The 40 "I Am" Statements: For adults (click...
Oct 12, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Today, we sit down with Shelli Presley & Nathan Healy to discuss the importance of engaging the spiritual battle that is coming against our teenagers and how to fight for genuine connection with our family. To watch our sermon series, "Flip the Script: Winning the War for Mental Health," click here or find them on our YouTube channel (@beltwayparkchurch). <br> Host: Brett Stewart ( @brett.a.stewart Instagram ) <br> Co-Host: Karson Grigsby ( @karson_grigsby Instagram ) <br> ...
Oct 05, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Today, we sit down with Rod & Beth Pruitt to discuss their journey of navigating the death and suicide of their 16 year old son and their continued journey of mental health. To watch our sermon series, "Flip the Script: Winning the War for Mental Health," click here or find them on our YouTube channel (@beltwayparkchurch). You can watch a testimony video Rod & Beth recorded here or by finding our "Beltway Stories" playlist at YouTube.com/beltwayparkchurch <br> For information on ou...
Sep 28, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 7
