Encouragement Cafe

July 20, 2018 - Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen What would you like to do that you wish you’d started a few years ago? What did you start a few years ago that you never finished? Rachel talks about what it’s like as she starts a new endeavor. Join Rachel and Luann as they discuss what keeps us from starting (or finishing) and how to approach being a newbie.

July 13, 2018 - Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen The world according to Mister Rogers. We’d all like to live in his neighborhood. In his neighborhood you were seen, accepted, loved and empowered. Listen in as Luann and Rachel reflect on some of the truths they learned from Mr. Fred Rogers, who was an excellent model of Christ. Cardigan and sneakers optional.

July 6, 2018 - Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Do you desire to connect with others on a deeper level, maybe as a mentor or mentee? Luann and Rachel discuss how they approach mentoring and coaching. Rachel offers some key questions to ask (others and ourselves) to uncover the thoughts, desires and motives that are driving us or keeping us stuck.

June 22, 2018 - Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Luann posted a quote on Facebook that got a ton of shares and became the topic of today’s discussion in the Café. Listen in as Rachel and Luann talk about how to handle it when people think wrongly, or think ill of you.

June 1, 2018 - Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen If we’re honest we all have a list of people that we deem “not good” in some way. Maybe they have hurt us. Maybe they don’t believe correctly, or act politely. But Jesus never let anyone’s faults stand in the way of His love and grace.

May 25, 2018 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Ever read something in the Bible you don’t understand? Ever feel like you need a secret decoder ring? Us too! Jesus tells us why He so often spoke in parables and why some don’t understand – but how they could. Tune in and learn the secret of a story.

May 4, 2018 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Americans spend 53.5 billion minutes on Facebook in a given month! Many of us spend more time browsing, liking and commenting on social media than we do being “social” face-to-face with friends. Facebook is fun – you’ll find us there – but Luann and Rachel notice there’s something about being physically present in one another’s lives in real time.

April 27, 2018 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Have you ever wondered what your calling is? We believe everyone is called to ministry in some capacity! But maybe you don’t know what your gifts are. Listen as Luann and Rachel talk about their callings and how you can prepare for your call.

March 30, 2018 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Have you literally tried to wear another person's shoes? It's not easy, is it? They often don't fit, and we find it hard to walk normally. This weekend, come to the table as Luann and Rachel discuss the often difficult task of walking in someone else's shoes. What can we as Christians do to better understand the difficulties facing many of our fr...

March 23, 2018 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Let's face it, friends. We let our foolish pride get in the way sometimes. Honestly, the hardest thing to do is admit when we're wrong. Think about this for a moment. Can our pride stand in the way of our dear friends and family? How will our actions impact their lives? Join Luann and Rachel at the Cafe as we learn to ditch our ego and come toget...

February 2, 2018 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen We often have a kind word to say to our friend, neighbor, or co-worker. We do our very best to take care of others, but how well do we take care of ourselves? Join Luann and Rachel at the Cafe as they share their thoughts on how we ought to speak positively to ourselves. Learn this week how to "Speak to Yourself Like a Friend."

December 29, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater No one person can manage an organization by themselves. It takes a team of people coming together with a unified mission. During this week's broadcast, Luann and the team at Encouragement Cafe share the stories of how God has moved in their lives during this past year and years prior. Join us at the table as we celebrate this New Year together.

December 22, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen For many of us, we grew up with annual traditions each Christmas season. Whether it was going to the tree farm or the Christmas Eve service, we all have stories to share about this special time of year. Join Luann and Rachel at the Cafe as they share their own Christmas traditions - past and present.

December 8, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Bill Mangum Christian painter and special guest Bill Mangum joins Luann once again this week at the Encouragement Cafe. As discussed during last week's broadcast, Bill has worked with a number of organizations that serve the homeless and less fortunate in the Greensboro, NC, region. This week, he shares how he is able to minister through art... the art of p...

December 1, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Bill Mangum It is always encouraging to hear stories of those special people making a positive difference in our communities. This week, join Luann Prater and special guest Bill Mangum as he talks about his work with "The Honor Card" - a special program giving a helping hand to those throughout our region.

September 15, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Have you ever noticed the stones that lay by the sea shore? How many bumps have those stones encountered? How rough were they in the past? Join Luann and Rachel at the Cafe as we talk about how our own lives can be likened to those stones - rough in the beginning and made smooth through the storms of life.

August 11, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Tracey Eyster God wants your cow. Yes, you read that correctly...God wants your cow. Luann Prater and Tracey Eyster are talking about something today that most shy away from...Money.

August 4, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen It's the bottom of the ninth. Two strikes and bases loaded. It all depends on the batter at the mound. Here's the wind-up and the pitch. The pitcher throws a curve ball, but will the batter make the connection? Join Luann and Rachel at the Cafe as we talk about the changes in life. Sometimes they come at us like a curve ball. It's time for us to...

June 9, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Tracey Eyster "Grinders" are the people in our life that God uses to polish and perfect our rough edges. Some of those Grinders are friends, coworkers, even our family or spouse. So, how do we love these, seemingly, unlovable people? Well, pull up a chair and strap in, this one might hurt a little.

May 5, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Luann and Rachel talk about some of the experiences that they and other women have shared at Encouragement Cafe events. From heartfelt worship to guest speakers and stage artists, these events continue to make a difference in the lives of women throughout the country. Luann and Rachel also share how your church can become a part of this exciting mov...

April 21, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen & Noelle Okolowicz Have you ever been lost? Has your GPS taken you to the wrong place? Rachel Olsen takes some unexpected turns on her way to meet Luann Prater and Noelle Okolowicz. We can go so far off the path God has planned for us. We are only one turn away from surrendering to Him, no matter how far away we have gone.

April 14, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen & Noelle Okolowicz Do we have idols in our lives that we have allowed to take the place of God? Luann Prater and Rachel Olsen are joined by special guest Noelle Okolowicz to discuss how so many other things (even circumstances) can become our focus. Many times, we don’t realize our focus is even off.

April 7, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you..." (Ex. 16:4) We don't know how He does it. But God knows our every need and showers it down from heaven. But just like the Israelites, it's easy to take those gifts for granted. Let's grasp His miraculous provision - even for the simplest things and show our gratitude!

March 31, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Rachel Olsen It isn’t for the weak. It isn’t for the fearful. It isn’t for the timid. Getting old is tough, but it can be awesome! Live every day to the fullest, because it is another day God gave you.

March 24, 2017 Speaker: Luann Prater & Liz Curtis Higgs Our sweet friend Liz Curtis Higgs is in the cafe with us talking about her new book "The Women of Easter" and sharing life with us. Grab a cup of your favorite drink and join us around the table.