Advancing the Cause

Send us Fan Mail Suffering doesn't disqualify joy — it reveals where your joy was rooted all along. In this episode we open Philippians 1 and sit with Paul in his prison cell long enough to learn what kept him from bitterness, despair, and self-pity. The prayers of God's people matter more than you think. The Spirit's provision goes deeper than you realize. And the courage to face a...

Send us Fan Mail Skeptics have long questioned whether the Bible is historically trustworthy — but what does the evidence actually say? Richard Bargas welcomes Dr. Paul Weaver, Associate Professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological Seminary and author of Faith-Affirming Findings , to Advancing the Cause for a compelling conversation at the intersection of faith, history, and archaeology. To...

Send us Fan Mail  In a world saturated with anxiety, is Jesus's command to "be anxious for nothing" realistic? Dr. Richard Bargas explores what worry really reveals about our hearts and offers a biblical perspective on overcoming anxiety. Discover why worry is fundamentally a trust issue—and what God's Word says about moving from faithlessness to faith. This episode is essentia...

Send us Fan Mail In a world where ministry trends come and go, and cultural pressures shape the church, how can pastors and believers cultivate a faith that endures? In this episode of Advancing the Cause , Richard Bargas sits down with author Dr. Cory Marsh to discuss his book Recovering a Vintage Faith . Together, they explore what it means to recover a faith that is rooted, tested, and unwaveri...

Send us Fan Mail In this timely episode of Advancing the Cause , Richard Bargas is joined by Pastor Bobby Scott (Pastor of Discipleship at Community of Faith Bible Church, South Gate, CA) and Peter Goeman (Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages, Shepherds Theological Seminary; host of The Bible Sojourner ) to address one of the most pervasive challenges facing the church today: pornogra...

Send us Fan Mail In recent years, a sobering pattern has emerged across the evangelical landscape: highly gifted, influential leaders whose ministries appeared successful—until character failures brought devastating consequences. In this solo episode of Advancing the Cause, Richard Bargas reflects on why character must always outpace competence in ministry leadership. Drawing from Scripture, pasto...

Send us Fan Mail In a ministry climate that constantly pressures pastors to adapt, innovate, and keep pace, how can church leaders discern when change is necessary—and when it’s a mistake? In this episode, Richard Bargas sits down with seasoned pastor Steve Wong for an honest, pastoral conversation about leading the church through change with wisdom and conviction. Drawing from decades of ministry...

Send us Fan Mail Ministry is often entered with zeal, vision, and a deep sense of calling—but longevity in ministry is shaped just as much by wisdom, patience, and humility as it is by passion. Many of the lessons that sustain a pastor over decades are rarely learned early, and often only through experience. In this episode of Advancing the Cause , Richard Bargas is joined by long-time pastor Bob...

Send us Fan Mail The modern church world is more fragmented than ever. Independent churches value autonomy and conviction—but many pastors quietly carry the weight of ministry alone, without trusted relationships or shared counsel. In this episode of Advancing the Cause , Richard Bargas reflects on why ministry was never meant to be a solo endeavor and why associations like IFCA continue to matter...

Send us Fan Mail Many pastors and ministry leaders labor faithfully week after week with little visible fruit to show for it. Attendance fluctuates, progress feels slow, and encouragement can be scarce. In those seasons, it’s easy to wonder whether the work is making any real difference. In this episode of Advancing the Cause , Richard Bargas speaks directly to those quiet moments of discouragemen...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Advancing the Cause , we explore the history and ongoing mission of IFCA International. From its beginnings to its present work, IFCA has existed to serve the local church by proclaiming the authority of Scripture, equipping pastors and congregations for faithful ministry, and defending biblical truth in an increasingly confused cultural moment. We discuss why d...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Advancing the Cause , Executive Director Richard Bargas takes a practical and pastoral look at one of the ongoing challenges of ministry life—balancing people, projects, paperwork, and the pulpit. Using Scripture, real-life ministry experience, and even a chili cook-off gone wrong, Richard talks candidly about knowing your strengths and weaknesses, working hard...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Advancing the Cause , we explore one of the most urgent issues facing Bible-centered churches today: the shrinking pipeline of men preparing for pastoral ministry. How can faithful churches and trusted seminaries work together to identify, train, and launch the next generation of shepherds? Joining host Richard Bargas are two leaders deeply invested in this miss...

Send us Fan Mail What does it look like for the local church to truly care for marriages—not just in crisis, but in everyday life and discipleship?   In this episode of Advancing the Cause, Richard Bargas sits down with Pastor Jesse and Jenna Randolph of Indian Hills Community Church in Lincoln, Nebraska , to discuss how strong marriages contribute to a strong and healthy church.   Together, they...

Send us Fan Mail Pastoral transitions are never simple—but what happens when the outgoing pastor is a father, and the incoming pastor is his son? In this episode of Advancing the Cause , host Dr. Richard Bargas sits down with Dr. Gary Gilley and Brian Gilley of Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois, to discuss their ongoing journey through this uncommon and deeply personal transition of le...

Send us Fan Mail In a world obsessed with influence, image, and control, how can God’s servants wield authority without becoming authoritarian? Drawing from 2 Corinthians 10:1–6, Dr. Richard Bargas explores how Paul’s example teaches church leaders to exercise divine authority with humility, dependence, confidence, biblical conviction, and an eternal perspective. This episode challenges pastors an...

Send us Fan Mail Chaplains and military families often serve quietly on the frontlines—whether in the military, healthcare, or other high-pressure settings. But who ministers to them? In this episode, we share 5 practical and impactful ways your church can come alongside chaplains and military families with encouragement, support, and gospel-centered care. Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader,...

Send us Fan Mail False teachers aren’t always easy to spot. They may smile, quote the Bible, and fill stadiums—but Jesus warned they’re “ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7:15). In this episode, we uncover how to recognize spiritual deception, test every teaching against God’s Word, and protect the church from dangerous influences—whether they come from outside or within. You’ll learn: T...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Advancing the Cause, we uncover the true powerhouse behind gospel ministry—not programs, not strategies, but prayer. Drawing from the powerful example of Charles Spurgeon’s “boiler room” and the weighty testimony of Scripture, we explore eight critical ways every church, ministry, and pastor needs prayer to fulfill the mission of Christ. From preparation and pre...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Advancing the Cause , we explore the vital role of clarity in preaching, specifically through the use of propositional statements. Clarity in a sermon isn't just helpful—it's essential. Without it, even the most passionate message can leave listeners confused or unmoved. A clear, concise propositional statement helps anchor the sermon’s main idea, givi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Advancing the Cause , host Richard Bargas shines a light on the unsettling trend of “steeplejacking”—when struggling churches are targeted and taken over by more aggressive ministries. Richard unpacks how this strategy works, why it’s often harmful, and what churches can do to safeguard their health, doctrine, and identity. This episode acts as a call for discer...

Send us Fan Mail Join John-Michael Wong, an elder at Evangel Bible Church in Berkeley, CA, and an engineer, as he and Richard Bargas explore integrating faith with work. This discussion delves into the importance of aligning Christian beliefs with professional careers, offering guidance for Christian professionals, young and old,  on how to live out their faith without feeling overwhelmed. It addr...

Send us Fan Mail  In this part 2 of a thought-provoking episode, "The Bible Is Still Sufficient, Part 2," we continue to delve deep into the enduring relevance and authority of Scripture in the modern Christian life. Based on Richard Bargas' lecture, this discussion continues to explore the critical connection between the doctrine of inerrancy and the sufficiency of Scripture, under...

Send us Fan Mail  In this thought-provoking episode, "The Bible Is Still Sufficient, Part 1," we delve deep into the enduring relevance and authority of Scripture in the modern Christian life. Based on Richard Bargas' lecture, this discussion explores the critical connection between the doctrine of inerrancy and the sufficiency of Scripture, underlining how the Bible remains the ult...

Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode, we welcome Pastor Rick Gregory and his son, Pastor Rich Gregory, for an inspiring conversation on continuing a lasting legacy of faith through multiple generations. As leaders in their respective ministries and part of a family rooted deeply in Christian values, Rick and Rich share their personal stories, the blessings and challenges of generational faith...