Ministry Wives Podcast

The needs of ministry are real and constant—but what happens when your own family needs you more than the church does right now? In this episode of the Ministry Wives podcast, host Amy Petersen talks with husband-and-wife duo Kasi and Shane Pruitt about navigating the tension between family and ministry demands. Shane serves as NAMB's National Next Gen Director, and Kasi serves with The Bucket Min...

Ever stood in front of your closet and realized you weren’t just picking an outfit—you were trying to protect yourself from criticism? In this episode of the Ministry Wives podcast, host Amy Petersen talks with author and Bible teacher Caroline Saunders and fellow pastor’s wife Catherine Renfro about the pressure many ministry wives feel to look and act a certain way. Drawing from Caroline’s book...

The people around us often see us as strong, put-together, and endlessly available—but what happens when the walls come down, and we admit we're struggling to find real friendship? In this episode, host Amy Petersen talks with Carolyn Fountain, the newly elected president of national WMU, and fellow ministry wife Rivers Partin about a question many ministry wives quietly carry: Can a ministry wife...

The needs around us are real, and they often belong to people we genuinely love. But does recognizing a need mean God is asking us to meet it? In this episode, host Amy Petersen talks with Amanda Hadden and fellow ministry wife Rivers Partin about what to do when everyone seems to need something from you. Drawing from Amanda’s years of ministry among the Oglala Lakota people in South Dakota, they...

If you’ve ever felt the weight of discipling your kids—but struggled to stay consistent—you’re not alone. In this episode of the Ministry Wives podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Melissa Kruger, Vice President of Discipleship Programming at The Gospel Coalition, to talk honestly about a common tension among many ministry families: wanting to lead your children spiritually while feeling over...

If you’ve ever felt the tension between ministry demands and soul-deep exhaustion, this conversation is for you. In this episode of the Ministry Wives podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with worship leader, songwriter, author, and podcast host Christy Nockels for an honest conversation about burnout, calling, and what it means to move from living for God to living from God. Join Christy as she s...

Waiting is one of the hardest parts of following Jesus… especially when you know you’re supposed to trust God, but your heart is struggling to catch up. In this episode of Ministry Wives , Amy sits down with speaker, author, podcast host, and ministry wife Rebecca George to talk about what it really looks like to trust God’s timing in a hurry-up world. Drawing from her book You’re Not Too Late , R...

In this powerful and deeply relatable episode of the Ministry Wives podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with ministry wife, author, and speaker Rachel Lovingood to talk about the tension we so often feel between knowing what God is asking—and actually stepping out in obedience. For many ministry wives, the struggle isn’t whether God is calling—it’s navigating the fear, discomfort, and uncertainty...

What does it look like to stop striving for perfection and start living in the freedom of Christ? In this honest and encouraging episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast , host Amy Petersen sits down with mom, Bible teacher, and pastor’s wife Annie Locke to talk about the tension many women feel: “I know I shouldn’t strive for perfection, but…” Whether in ministry, motherhood, marriage, or leadership...

What does it look like to keep fighting for your marriage when life gets hard? In this powerful episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast , host Amy Petersen sits down with Steven Curtis Chapman and Mary Beth Chapman to talk about the reality of marriage after more than 40 years together. Marriage can feel like a great adventure—beautiful, meaningful, and deeply rewarding—but it can also be far harder...

If you’ve ever thought, I know I should talk about my faith more… but I don’t know how, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Ministry Wives podcast, Amy sits down with speaker, former missionary, and Director of Relational Evangelism Melanie Ratcliffe to talk about the real reasons many followers of Jesus hesitate to share their faith. From fear of saying the wrong thing to feeling unprepared...

What does it really mean to live set apart as a ministry wife? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, Amy Petersen sits down with wife, (grand)mom, author, and women’s minister Tasha Calvert to talk honestly about holiness, sanctification, and the pressure that so many ministry wives feel to “have it all together.” If you’re a pastor’s wife or ministry wife who has ever thought, I know I s...

If you’re a ministry wife, pastor’s wife, or woman in church leadership, you may feel like doubt is something you’re supposed to outgrow or at least keep quiet. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with author and Bible teacher Courtney Reissig for an honest conversation about faith and doubt in ministry. Together, they address the quiet tension many Christian...

We know we’re called to love our neighbors… but what happens when it feels awkward, inconvenient, or intimidating? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Amy-Jo Girardier—mom, women’s minister, author, and ministry wife—for an honest conversation about the tension behind the words, “I know I should engage my neighbors, but…” Together, they talk about the re...

For many ministry wives, time in the Word can quietly shift from a life-giving invitation into a heavy obligation. In the first episode of season eight, host Amy Petersen welcomes Kelly Needham—Bible teacher, author, and fellow ministry wife—for an honest conversation about Bible study, identity, and the pressure of our spiritual “shoulds.” Kelly shares from her own faith journey and introduces he...

Ministry life often pulls us in many directions—serving others, leading faithfully, and juggling family responsibilities. But what about our own walk with Jesus? How do we keep our devotional life fresh and alive when ministry itself can leave us weary? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast , host Amy Petersen sits down with Gayle Rogers Foster—daughter of the late Adrian Rogers and author...

Joy doesn’t always feel easy—it often feels vulnerable, even risky. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast , Amy Petersen sits down with author and therapist Nicole Zasowski to talk about her new Bible study Daring Joy: What Six Women in the Bible Teach Us About the Power of Celebration When It Feels Risky, Complicated, and Even Impossible . Nicole shares how her own seasons of loss, transi...

Suffering is something every believer will face—but what do we do when it feels relentless, unfair, or overwhelming? In this powerful episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast , host Amy Petersen sits down with author and speaker Vaneetha Risner to talk about walking with Jesus through seasons of deep pain. Vaneetha’s story is marked by challenges: childhood polio, the heartbreaking loss of her infant...

When you put your “yes” on the table, you never know where God might lead. For Lynette Ezell, that yes has looked like navigating miscarriage, parenting biological children, adopting internationally, fostering locally, and supporting her grown daughters as they walk the same road. Through every season, God has proven faithful in both the joys and the struggles of ministry and motherhood. In this e...

Life in ministry brings both joy and heartache. But what do you do when the grief feels overwhelming? Can you still hold on to hope? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast , host Amy Petersen sits down with Julie Busler—author, speaker, and Bible teacher—for an honest conversation about grief, mental health, and the sustaining hope we have in Christ. Julie shares her powerful story of walki...

Life in ministry often means carrying the weight of people’s stories, navigating unexpected challenges, and learning to love well even when it’s costly. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to lead with both strength and tenderness, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with DeenDeen Vedoya—church planter’s wife, mom of three, and women’s m...

Life in ministry can feel like constant chaos—balancing church responsibilities, family needs, and the everyday mess of raising kids. If you’ve ever felt the tension between ministry demands and motherhood, you’re not alone. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast , host Amy Petersen sits down with Heather Oldham—ministry wife, mom of five, and church planter’s wife—to talk honestly about pa...

Welcome back to Season 7 of the Ministry Wives Podcast! In this episode, host Amy Petersen sits down with Casey Kilgore, a ministry wife of more than 20 years and part of the Send Network team. Casey opens up about the realities of navigating unexpected ministry shifts, from major transitions in her family’s calling to their bold step into full-time RV living. With honesty and wisdom, she shares w...

Welcome back to Season 7 of the Ministry Wives Podcast! In this episode, host Amy Petersen sits down with Bible teacher, actress, spoken-word artist, and ministry wife Blair Linne for an honest conversation on anxiety, mental health in ministry, and trusting God when self-effort falls short. Blair shares her journey through crippling panic attacks—a struggle that inspired her book Made to Tremble...

Welcome back to Season 7 of the Ministry Wives Podcast! We’re launching this new season with bestselling author and Bible teacher Jen Wilkin, who joins host Amy Petersen for a powerful conversation on godly wisdom, biblical discernment, and the ministry wife life. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about the Book of Proverbs, explore the differences between God’s promises and principles,...