Igniting Hope Ministries

“The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake” (Genesis 39:5). Joseph was a slave in Potiphar’s house, yet he was the most influential person there. We don’t need the most important title in the room to be the most influential person in the room. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares four keys to increasing our Joseph-like influence, so that our families, workplaces, churches, and citi...

Hope looks for evidence that God is at work. Pessimism looks for evidence that the obstacles are too great. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares that our circumstances are almost never as important as the conclusion we place on them.

Romans 5:3-4 gives us clear steps for breakthrough and maturity. "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." There is something even beyond the greatness of character; it is hope.

In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares his opinion on what the most important truth is to renew our minds with. It is a game-changer, and it was something specific the devil did not want Jesus to remember when he tempted Him in the wilderness.

Our words are not merely containers of information. There is more happening when we speak than simply communicating ideas. In this fun and insightful teaching, Steve Backlund discusses biblical examples of people speaking to "earless" things and what it means for us today. 

Is every strong, confident woman a Jezebel? In this podcast, Steve Backlund explores the difference between healthy strength and the misuse of power through control, manipulation, and intimidation; why we should be careful not to turn immature behavior into someone's identity; and how we can help women be strong, confident, healthy leaders.

Striving can be difficult to recognize because it often looks like responsibility. Yet underneath this "responsible behavior" can be an internal pressure that says, “I have to make this happen.” In this message, Steve Backlund gives insights and strategies to overcome striving and be restful while still being responsible.

Our greatest communication upgrade may not be learning what to say, but it may be changing what we believe about the person we're saying it to. Join Steve Backlund for a message that is guaranteed to increase your positive influence in relationships, ministry, and more.

God seems to have a habit of giving us directions or something to believe that does not make sense to our natural mind. In this fun message, you will be inspired to let go of leaning on your own understanding and live a greater life of faith.

"Now may the God of hope fill you . . . . " (Romans 15:13). How full does God want us to be? Join Steve Backlund as he looks at God's message to the Children of Israel in a season of bondage and disappointment. 

"Enabling people focuses on today's comfort. Empowerment focuses on tomorrow's freedom. Our goal isn't to make life easier for people. Our goal is to make people stronger for life." This is an excerpt from this podcast that looks deeper at what love really is in relationships.

The Pharisees defended truth, valued obedience, and devoted themselves to preserving God's law. Yet most completely missed the Messiah standing before them. In this message, Steve Backlund inspires and equips you to be a modern day son or daughter of Issachar.

Steve Backlund uses an excerpt out of his book, Let's Just Laugh at That, to speak into our beliefs about spiritual warfare and spiritual protection. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to be a spiritual thermostat, not a thermometer. 

Great leaders have skills in integrity, communication, vision-casting, tenacity, relationships, and more. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares a "skill" that truly determines our influence level. 

Many years ago, AAMCO Transmissions had a memorable slogan: "Pay now or pay later." Their message was simple. Spend a little money on maintenance today or spend much more repairing major problems later. In this podcast, Steve Backlund unpacks his leadership pillar of intentionality to inspire and equip us to have an investment mindset, not a debt mindset.

One of the greatest areas where we are tempted to be frustrated in our Christian life is believing for something that hasn't happened yet. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares one of his most important life habits to navigate these situations with victory.

Melinda and Pieter Lagaay join Steve Backlund to share their incredible marriage restoration and to give a key for breakthrough and growth in marriages.

If we always wait for provision before deciding to do something, we will limit what our lives can become. In this message, Steve Backlund extracts from his book, Fully Convinced: The Art of Decision Making to inspire us to think big in our decision making. 

We are all tempted to be "small" on the inside of ourselves (offended, jealous, envious, selfish, entitled, etc) like the Bible characters of Cain, Joseph's brothers, King Saul, and the Pharisees during Jesus' ministry. In this message, Steve Backlund inspires us to go higher in our beliefs when others are experiencing what we want. 

Jesus said, "Do you not say, 'Four months and then the harvest,' but I say to you, 'Look up and see; the fields are white for harvest" (John 4:35). The belief that it is already happening (in our lives, families, cities, job, schools, etc.) will cause us to see what was missed when we were not hope-filled.

Jesus made a startling statement in John 4:35: “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.” Hope people see what is happening that others are missing. Indeed, there is something to partner with that God is already doing in our lives, families, neighborhoods, workpl...

"Then the manna ceased . . . " (Joshua 5:12). The Israelites faced a major shift in their relationship with God (and in how provision was going to be experienced). It was unsettling, but it launched them into greater maturity and influence. Join Steve Backlund as he gives wisdom and inspiration for when the "manna" seems to cease in our own lives.

Our brains are wired to change. Modern neuroscience calls this neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to rewire itself through repeated input, focus, and experience. Declarations are a big part of this. Join Steve Backlund in this inspiring message.

Many believers lack victory, not because they do not fast enough, but because they do not "feast" on hope, truth, testimonies, worship, teachings, biblical meditation, declarations, and the promises of God. Join Steve Backlund as he unpacks this life-launching truth in this podcast.

Managers tend to maintain, while leaders lead into better things. In this podcast, Steve Backlund releases motivation and strategies to take key areas of our lives, ministries, and assignments to the next level.