Conversations

In this episode, author and radio personality Brant Hansen addresses the provocative questions of how to follow God when you don't feel His presence and how to find an identity that isn't wrapped up in your professional success. This conversation explores what it means to be a spiritual misfit and asks what it truly looks like to become a keeper of the garden in your home and ministry. Brant Hanse...

How can someone navigate the "why" questions of personal trauma and rejection to find their true identity and purpose in Christ? Join guest Steventhen Holland as he discusses how to move from brokenness to wholeness by surrendering your story to God for restoration and victory. Steventhen Holland is an author, recording artist, and national pro-life speaker who serves as the founder of Broken Not...

In this podcast episode, Dr. Trent Lambert chats with Nirup Alphonse, Lead Pastor of Lifegate Church in Denver, Colorado. The conversation highlights  the importance of pastoral health, revealing how leaders can avoid burnout through rhythms of rest and having genuine relationships outside their congregation. Nirup details his own preaching style, exploring the transformative power of narrative pr...

This episode features Bob Fetterhoff, an experienced pastor and the Director of Ministry Partnerships for Grace Theological Seminary’s Deploy program. Fetterhoff shares his personal faith journey, highlighting how his family’s spiritual legacy and his lengthy marriage have shaped his four decades of ministry. The conversation then delves into eschatology and the biblical importance of supporting I...

This podcast features a conversation between Dr. Trent Lambert and Virgil Tanner, the Executive Director of One Tree Ministries. The discussion highlights One Tree Ministries' mission to help global religious leaders transition from merely surviving to thriving in high-stress environments. Tanner details his unique personal journey from a martial arts background to international missions, explaini...

In this episode of Conversations, Drew Scholl addresses the importance of workplace ministry and explores the vital question of how leaders can dismantle the cultural divide between the sacred and the secular. The discussion also examines the framework of missional leadership, asking how both the church and the marketplace can better equip leaders to leverage their unique gifts and ensure Jesus re...

In this episode of Conversations, we bring back Lonnie Anderson, pastor for over two decades and a Doctor of Ministry graduate, who offers insights into the lessons he learned in the early years of preaching and discusses the challenges of sustaining a preaching ministry over time. The conversation also explores various preaching styles like expository preaching and the influence of formal trainin...

In this episode of Conversations, join Dr. Cristian Rata, a seasoned Old Testament scholar and pastor, as he offers essential insights on the critical importance of preaching the Old Testament for theological grounding and discipleship, while also sharing practical advice for ministry leaders. Dr. Cristian Rata serves as the current Professor of Old Testament at Southwestern Baptist Theological Se...

In this episode of Conversations, Dr. Trent Lambert sits down with Kent Nighswander, Pastor of Kingdom Collective Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The conversation focuses on Kent Nighswander's journey from a corporate IT career into full-time ministry, detailing his experience navigating significant and difficult ministry transitions and the importance of finishing his business degree for future le...

In this episode of Conversations, Dr. Trent Lambert welcomes Megan Johnson to discuss her personal walk of faith and vocational journey, exploring her roles as a church planter's wife and the Director of Discipleship at Journey Church. The conversation focuses on the distinctive challenges and needs of pastors' wives, the fundamental principles of multiplying discipleship leaders, and the importan...

In this episode of Conversations, Trinidadian-born Indian author and evangelist Rabi Maharaj shares his personal testimony, describing his upbringing as a Hindu Brahmin and his profound search for a creator God and forgiveness beyond the Hindu traditions. He recounts his transformative conversion experience and passionately emphasizes the urgent importance of evangelistic preaching in all aspects...

In this episode of the Conversations podcast, Greg Harden (Adjunct Professor of Theology and Greek at Grace College & Seminary ) discusses his personal journey of seeking truth that led to faith and diverse ministry roles, emphasizing the critical importance of using original languages and exegetical study for ministry leaders to accurately teach Scripture and help people truly know God. Greg Hard...

In this episode of the Conversations podcast, John Hill (Pastor of First Church ) discusses his church's commitment to evangelism, discipleship, and building a lasting spiritual legacy through multi-site and online ministries, driven by his dedication to transformative preaching and empowering church members in making disciples. John Hill has been the Lead Pastor of First Church in Wheatfield, Ind...

In this episode of Conversations, Keith Ogorek (President of the Author Learning Center ) discusses his personal faith journey, his work in the publishing industry helping authors, and his philosophy of leadership centered on the idea of causing everything under one's care to flourish. The discussion also explores building positive internal cultures and the importance of understanding individual n...

In this episode of Conversations, Phil Cooke (Founder of Cooke Media Group ) talks about his experience as a filmmaker in Hollywood and how Christians can use the potent gospel and powerful storytelling to influence and create change in culture. Dr. Phil Cooke has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation". As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his cli...

In this episode of  Conversations , H.B. Charles Jr. (Lead Pastor of  Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church ) touches on key issues regarding mentorship, leadership, and preaching. H.B. Charles Jr. has been the Lead Pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida since 2008. He has written several books devoted to spiritual formation, pastoral development, and church revitalizat...

In this episode of  Conversations , Todd & Robyn Leyden ( Executive Director and Health Services Manager of Fort Wilderness ) share their family story and reveal some of the  trials and tribulations they went through that shaped them in their journey with Christ and led them to an unexpected blessing in Fort Wilderness. Todd & Robyn both reside in Rhinelander, Wisconsin where they lead and manage...

In this episode of  Conversations , Roger Holl (President of VisionAlaska ) shares his unique faith and ministry journey in Alaska, his connection to the Charis Fellowship, and encourages listeners to never give up on sharing the gospel and being a light in darkness. Dr. Roger Holl is pastor of Sterling Grace Community Church and president of VisionAlaska, Inc . Charis Fellowship Ministries, with...

In this episode of  Conversations , Michael Graham (Co-Author of The Great Dechurching ) shares insights on the studies gathered from his book, The Great Dechurching , which dissects the phenomenon of dechurching in America and how to fix it. Michael (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary , Orlando) is program director for  The Keller Center . He is the executive producer and writer of  As in Heaven...

In this episode of  Conversations , Clay Burgess (Executive Director of Spiritual Formation at  Hope Community Church ) shares what attributes are indicative of an effective preaching model and presents ways for pastors to have a more genuine connection with their congregants. Clay is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has earned advanced degrees from both Southeas...

In this episode of  Conversations ,  Trent Lambert & Rock LaGioia call up Darrell Bock & Jonathan Armstrong (Authors of Virtual Reality Church ) to discuss the pitfalls and possibilities of virtual reality church. Darrell Bock (BA, University of Texas; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Aberdeen) has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tubingen University in Germany), and i...

In this episode of  Conversations ,  Trent Lambert chats with Michael Cramer (Lead Pastor of New Life Church ) about Michael's journey to the pulpit at New Life church, what he learned as a Pastor during the pandemic, and what he believes the church's role in culture is. Dr. Michael Cramer is the Lead Pastor of New Life Church in Osceola, Indiana where he has served in various roles for 20 years....

In this episode of  Conversations ,  Trent Lambert talks on the phone with Dr. Kathy Koch (Founder of Celebrate Kids ) about her passion for teaching, the  8 Great Smarts  and how to use that knowledge to advantage yourself and others, and finding margin in life. Dr. Kathy Koch (pronounced “cook”) is the Founder and President of Celebrate Kids, Inc. , based in Fort Worth, TX. She has influenced th...

In this episode of  Conversations ,  Trent Lambert talks on the phone with Justin Keeler (Financial Advisor for Thrivent ) about Justin's faith and ministry journey, his transition into becoming a financial planner, and how ministry leaders can be better stewards of their finances by using simple tactics like budgeting and diversification. Thrivent is a membership-owned holistic financial services...

In this episode of  Conversations ,  Trent Lambert sits down with Bob Vitoux (President and CEO of OrthoWorx ) to talk about the importance of faith, practicing personal reflection, and the qualities that make up a good leader and team. Bob Vitoux joined OrthoWorx as Chief Executive Officer on July 18, 2022. Bob previously served in finance and management positions with Zimmer, Biomet, and DePuy,...