Today I unpack the gritty, grace-filled realities of planting churches with three faithful men—Ronnie, Travis, and Spencer—who are living it right now. We talk about the surprising slowness of fruit, the wounds of unmet expectations, and the refining power of suffering. We also celebrate the deep friendships, family sacrifices, and the sacred calling of building from scratch. Whether you’re dreaming of planting, deep in the trenches, or a church member wondering how to help—this one will stir yo...
Jun 17, 2025•52 min
This episode is special to me. I sit down with two of my heroes in the faith—Ray Ortlund and Crawford Loritts. These men have been anchors for me in moments of doubt and discouragement, and I wanted to ask them the questions that most pastors eventually ask themselves: How do you stay faithful for the long haul? How do you finish well when so many don't? We talk about the rhythms that sustained them over decades, the call of ministry that’s far more than a career, and what it looks like to fight...
Jun 03, 2025•40 min
In this episode, I sat down with three close friends—Zack Brown, Kasey Brown, and PJ Kratohvil—all veterans who served overseas in the Army and Marines. We unpack what life in the military gave them, what it took, and how faith became the thread that started to stitch them back together. From life growing up to the trauma of combat, and from isolation to post-traumatic growth, this conversation is raw, redemptive, and real. If you’ve ever wondered how to care well for the veterans in your life—o...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 12 min
In this episode, I sat down with Mason King and Nick Crawford—two of my fellow elders at The Village—to talk about plurality. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s biblical, and because it has been a safeguard in my ministry. Early on, I had all the power, all the control—and I knew it. It was efficient, it was fast, and it was dangerous. So we talk about why one-man leadership is a bad idea, what true elder plurality actually looks like, and how it’s protected us, humbled us, and served the...
May 06, 2025•53 min
Man, today’s episode is rich. I’m sitting down with Dr. Michelle Bowman—an educator, leader, and sister in Christ who has walked through the fire and come out on the other side with her joy still. Her story? It’s not the cleaned-up version. It’s real. Ten years of struggle, a marriage that ended in heartbreak, and a journey back into the family of faith, not with shame but with strength. What you’ll hear in Michelle is the kind of resilience that only comes from walking with Jesus through deep p...
Apr 22, 2025•43 min
In this episode of The Overcomers, I sit down with Colleen Searcy and Ryan Wester for a really honest, meaningful conversation about calling, faith, and what it looks like to lead in the local church as a woman. Colleen grew up in a home shaped by deep faith. Her grandfather didn’t just teach her the Apostles' Creed—he lived it. From early on, she was being discipled, not just taught. Her story is one of steady formation in the gospel. Ryan’s journey, on the other hand, is very different. She ca...
Apr 08, 2025•44 min
In this episode of The Overcomers, I sit down with Danny Spencer, a long-time member of The Village Church, as he shares his powerful story of healing and hope. Raised in a home marked by addiction and loss, Danny carried deep wounds into adulthood—even as he built a successful banking career. Behind the scenes, alcohol was quietly undoing everything. At his lowest point, Danny found his way into a 12-step meeting and soon after, into the community at Highland Village First Baptist Church. It wa...
Mar 25, 2025•33 min
Leadership under pressure is no joke. Pastors Leonce Crump and Joby Martin open up about the weight of responsibility—when betrayal, exhaustion, and doubt threaten to take you out. Leonce shares about seasons of heartbreak that nearly broke him, and Joby talks about burnout, even in a thriving ministry. This isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about leaning into Jesus when you’re running on empty. What keeps you in the fight? Joby almost walked away from ministry, ready to sell caskets instead...
Mar 11, 2025•57 min
Family life is messy—loud, exhausting, and often overwhelming. But the everyday moments—car rides, meals, bedtime—can be sacred opportunities to point our kids to Jesus. This week on the Overcomers Podcast , I sit down with Adam Griffin , author and host of the Family Discipleship Podcast, to talk about leading our families in grace, not perfection. Adam shares his struggles with impatience and how embracing our weaknesses can deepen our parenting. We unpack simple but powerful practices—like th...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Thanks for tuning in to another episode of The Overcomers. In this episode, I’m joined by Kim Zember, whose journey with Jesus shows the messy, beautiful reality of sanctification. Growing up in a Christian home in Southern California, Kim had some transformative encounters with Jesus, but her path hasn’t always been straightforward. We dive into the challenges Kim faced growing up—especially her early view of God as this authoritative figure, which led to a legalistic way of thinking. There’s a...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 1 min
What if the key to true success is embracing your vulnerabilities? In today’s episode of the Overcomers Podcast , the tables turn—Lauren Chandler interviews me about a season of deep transformation. We’ll unpack my journey from external success in ministry to confronting the internal struggles I couldn’t ignore anymore. I was emotionally stuck, overwhelmed, and hiding behind humor and problem-solving. That’s when I decided to get help and began working with a counselor who challenged my approach...
Jan 28, 2025•58 min
On this episode, I sit down with two of my closest friends, Josh and Trevor, to reflect on insights from a 90-year Harvard study on adult development, highlighting the essential role of deep, reliable friendships—what we refer to as a "King's Table" or "3 am friends." Throughout our discussion, we underscore the significance of vulnerability in building lasting male friendships. Intentionality and proximity are key to forming connections that stand the test of time, from everyday commitments to ...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 11 min
As I wrap up this season, I want to neatly summarize what this season was about. Whether it was walking through the four Horseman of the apocalypse, interviews, question and answers, the whole point was to highlight how true overcoming is not tied to mere personal effort or any treasure of this world, but arises from deep, heartfelt worship, rooted in the confidence of Jesus' reign and rule. This worship brings strength, courage, and gratitude, that can transform our responses to adversity, infu...
Jun 11, 2024•9 min
On this episode of The Overcomers I tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about suffering and God's love. Questions like why bad things happen to good people, why doesn't God answer prayer, and others. All with the aim of confronting the lies that will lead people to dark spaces with the truths of scripture. My prayer is that through this series you will discover and be reminded of the hope and courage available to overcome life's challenges through the finished work of Christ. FOLL...
Jun 04, 2024•16 min
It's possible to have everything this world has to offer and be starving — maybe not physically, but spiritually. In this episode of The Overcomers, I want to help you gain a deeper understanding of the profound symbolism of the black horse from Revelation 6 and its connection to spiritual famine. Gary and Sandi Stevenson's marriage was built on shaky grounds from the start, marred by infidelity and addiction, which led to a perfect facade hiding internal turmoil. Through their candid sharing, w...
May 28, 2024•57 min
This episode is a slight departure from my usual episode, but I had the profound opportunity to sit with Max Lucado, a man I have admired for many years, to discuss the layers of growth and grace that have marked his journey from a young man battling alcohol to the seasoned pastor he is today. In our candid conversation, you will get to see the heart of a spiritual leader who has walked through the fire of personal trials and emerged with an faith in Jesus worthy of imitation. Max's vulnerabilit...
May 24, 2024•43 min
I've personally felt the heavy hand of illness and seen its shadow loom over those I care for. In this episode, we will examine what the Pale Horse represents and how we are to combat it. We will also take a look at what Revelation has to say about how illness and sickness affects the saints today. This conversation isn't just theological—it's personal. I share some of my own journey through sickness, and how I had to wrestle with the diverse Christian beliefs regarding faith and healing. If you...
May 21, 2024•14 min
In this episode, I want to orient our thinking around how we're going to experience the Black Horse and its Rider. Because if we're going to overcome the Black Horse, then we need to understand how the rider and the horse affect us and those around us. This conversation isn't meant to be an intellectual exercise; it's a realistic look at the black rider's impact on our faith and walk with Christ.This episode is an invitation to understand the deeper spiritual dynamics at play and to rekindle a f...
May 14, 2024•16 min
My new book, The Overcomers: God's Vision for You to Thrive in an Age of Anxiety and Outrage , is out now and for the first time ever, I decided to be the one that read the book for audio. So this bonus episode is the reading of Chapter 1 - More Powerful Than You Believe. You can get the audio book from Audible or you can buy the book really wherever books are sold. Hope this blesses and encourages you. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter If you’ve enjoyed this episo...
May 10, 2024•44 min
Could the book of Revelation be more comforting than confounding, more hopeful than horrifying? On this episode, I’m tackling some of the most common questions asked about the book of Revelation. From overcoming anxiety around the book, to the rapture, to the end times — I walk through what the book says and doesn’t say. I hope to dispel some of the mystery and offer a hopeful vision for the believer. This is not just about end times; it's a heartening portrayal of the eternal fulfillment that b...
May 07, 2024•15 min
We've been walking through the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and if you'll remember, the first horse is a white horse and its rider has a white robe and a crown. It looks like Jesus, but it's not Jesus. And so I said in Episode 1 that this rider is like an antichrist. It comes presenting itself as a gospel but it's no gospel at all. And one of the ways this plays itself out is outside the church is false gospels — this will save you or this will make your life complete, But inside the church ...
Apr 29, 2024•45 min
On this episode, we will examine the red horse and its rider from Revelation 6 — an emblem of war and rage. It seems like everywhere we look there is war happening. But it's not just global conflicts that I want to examine; I want to turn the lens inward. I want to draw your attention to the reality that these bloody conflicts and war is never far from our souls. There is a violence that that can bubble up in us at any moment if we're not careful. The enemy of the end-times want to divide and so...
Apr 23, 2024•10 min
This season I’ll be talking through some of the topics from my latest book, The Overcomers. In this episode I’m addressing what the White Rider represents in the book of Revelation. I’ll unpack the subtle dangers of false gospels infiltrating Christian thought—be it the illusive pursuit of self-actualization or the distorted focus on health and wellness over spiritual depth. And how these deceptions can lead us astray from true worship and understanding of Jesus. My prayer is that through this s...
Apr 16, 2024•25 min
On this special bonus episode of The Overcomers, I get to sit down with Pastor Richmond Wandera. Growing up in the slums of Naguru, Uganda, Richmond experienced a life that few could imagine. After the murder of his father, his family was plunged into poverty; a life where survival became the primary focus. Richmond shares about his transformative journey from hopeless adversity to passionate advocacy for children's rights and the local church. His life took an unexpected turn when his mother so...
Dec 14, 2023•39 min
This episode we will revisit Becca's and Tyler's episodes with the hope of shedding some light on the wounds and lies they believed that led to patterns of self-destruction and idols that gave them illusions of control. Whether you find yourself identifying with Becca or Tyler, or you're simply in need of a reminder of God's patience and grace, this episode will provide perspective on God’s heart toward you and how a right understanding of Him brings freedom and healing. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE: In...
Dec 12, 2023•17 min
Tyler’s story may be one of the crazier stories I’ve gotten to be a part of, but what I love about our God is that despite all the evil the enemy intended for Tyler, his life is marked by God’s pursuit of him. Tyler, opens up about the tragedies that have marked his life, his spiral into addiction, and his experiences with spiritual warfare. From childhood abuse to the loss of his mother, Tyler learned to find escape in substances. If you find yourself facing similar struggles, remember that vic...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 13 min
Beneath the veneer of a successful college athlete, Becca grappled with anxiety and eating disorders, resorting to harmful coping mechanisms that included purging, overexercising, and substance abuse. The institutional and societal pressures around body image coupled with her desire to achieve pushed Becca to her breaking point. One encouragement I hope you hear is there is no spiritual bypass—the only way through is through, but God is right there in the the middle with you. FOLLOW and SUBSCRIB...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 1 min
In the previous episode, you heard the story of the Drake family as they faced their son's illness and ultimate passing, as well as the questions that stirred up within them. In this episode I want to help lift your face and turn your gaze from your immediate situation and toward the unseen realities — where you can find endurance even in the most difficult times. Jesus, in His infinite empathy, is present even in our most painful moments. You are never alone. He is always with us and for us. FO...
Nov 21, 2023•12 min
The Drakes, longtime members of The Village Church and active figures in our Recovery ministry, share the journey of their son Abram’s battle with neuroblastoma — a rare, aggressive form of childhood cancer. From the initial symptoms to the unthinkable loss of their young child, they find themselves asking some really tough questions of God. I have been so encouraged by the courage and belief in the promises of God, even when their faith was feeble. I pray our conversation encourages you in the ...
Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 38 min
I'm joined by my lovely wife Lauren on this episode as we talk a bit more about the episodes with the Youngs and the Derdens. If you haven't listened to those episodes yet, I'd encourage you to go listen to them for context. Lauren and I discuss some of the lessons with think can be drawn out of their stories as well as evidences of the Lord's grace and movement throughout their stories. I pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you for the first time or remind you again of who you really are, ...
Nov 07, 2023•18 min
