Ministry Minute with Justin Trapp

In today’s Ministry Minute, Justin Trapp shares the incredible story of Project Give — a church-led initiative in Oregon, Ohio, that erased every bit of school lunch debt in their district. With over 75% of schools in America carrying unpaid lunch debt, families face real financial strain, and students face shame, hunger, and embarrassment. Churches across the country are stepping in: • One Texas...

What happens when the sermon is a song? ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resources to help churches accelerate their growth and pastors achieve a healthy balance between ministry and personal life. Check us out: https://qmrk.link/upvqvt ATTEND PREACH26: https://qmrk.link/c3c70i   CHECK OUT THE POD Spotify: https://qmrk.link/4pv8n2 Apple: https:/...

This week on Ministry Minute , Justin Trapp shares the inspiring story of Grace Church in Noblesville, Indiana, and their remarkable Choice Christmas Store . Every December, Grace Church transforms its campus into a Christmas store where every price tag says “free.” Parents don’t wait in a line for handouts—they shop for their kids, wrap gifts, and leave knowing they provided Christmas for their f...

In this week’s Ministry Minute, Justin Trapp shares the incredible story of Tony Buzbee — one of the nation’s most well-known attorneys — and the promise he made that changed an entire community. Years before the headlines, Tony was a small-town Texas kid who made a simple promise to help rebuild his family’s church. Decades later, he returned — not to sue, but to serve. What followed was a powerf...

Today's episode is about Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church and the nonprofit Together at Mikey's Place in Houston, Texas. No one church can do everything, but every church can do something. And together, we can change the world. You don't need a massive ministry plan or a giant budget. Sometimes all it takes is your church opening a door. Your space could be the answer to someone&a...

Today's story isn't about numbers or platforms. It's about a pair of worn-out shoes and the kind of kindness that never wears out.  99.9% of the pastors I've met are the opposite of what goes viral.  They're underpaid, overworked, kind, and generous. Faithful. They're showing up week in, week out to serve people like Pastor John did that day. Sometimes ministry isn&ap...

The seeds of compassion you plant today may grow into unexpected blessings tomorrow. Because the church isn't built on buildings. It's built on love, on shared burdens, on showing up.  One pastor, one storm, one act of kindness returned two years later.  That's the body of Christ in motion.  ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resour...

Your calling might not put you in a brick kiln in Pakistan, but Brandon's story reminds us that God still sets the captives free. And he does it through ordinary people who dare to say yes.  ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resources to help churches accelerate their growth and pastors achieve a healthy balance between ministry and personal...

ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resources to help churches accelerate their growth and pastors achieve a healthy balance between ministry and personal life. Check us out: https://qmrk.link/upvqvt ATTEND PREACH26: https://qmrk.link/c3c70i   CHECK OUT THE POD Spotify: https://qmrk.link/4pv8n2 Apple: https://qmrk.link/sudvol   FOLLOW US YouTube: h...

What do you do when evil shows up at the front door of your church?  In Wayne, Michigan, one deacon didn't freeze; he floored it. Churches, don't ignore this. Have a safety plan. Train your team. Talk about what to do if things go wrong.  Because ministry isn't just about preaching; it's about shepherding, protecting, and being ready when it matters most. You never know whose l...

In moments of tragedy, ministry often looks less like a sermon and more like a hot meal, a gentle prayer, and a willingness to be near those who are hurting.  Photo Credit: The Texas Tribune ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resources to help churches accelerate their growth and pastors achieve a healthy balance between ministry and personal life...

Today's story is about a small-town pastor, a bit of free time, and how a side hustle will turn into a blessing for both his family and the startup world.  ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resources to help churches accelerate their growth and pastors achieve a healthy balance between ministry and personal life. Check us out: https://qmrk.l...

"Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."  Same eternal mission. David Jeremiah behind the mic, C.J. Stroud under center. Neither one is chasing a platform. They're stewarding it. And their lives echo the words of Jesus.  When people notice something different about you, they begin to look for the source. Your platform...

What happens when grace comes into focus? At Lifequest Community Church, one Sunday sermon became an unforgettable moment. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. And it all started with a pair of glasses hidden in a bag. ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resources to help churches accelerate their growth and pastors achieve a healthy balance be...

Imagine pulling over at a neighborhood garage sale, a quick stop on a Saturday morning. But instead of finding old tools and furniture, you find an ex-pastor selling his Bibles, his commentaries, and his entire calling boxed up and marked for sale. Today's story is about burnout, legacy, and the moment I knew Ministry Pass mattered. ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premiu...

Today's episode is about a local church that decided to make a movie with a borrowed camera and no Hollywood connections. That film not only reaches millions, but it has also helped spark a revival in Christian filmmaking. Sherwood didn't wait for the perfect resources or credentials. They started with what they had, and God did the rest. Your church may never shoot a movie, but perhaps...

Today's story is about the longest sermon in history: 53 hours straight. Yes, really. In November 2014, Pastor Zach of Cross Church in Mount Dora, Florida, set out to preach from Genesis to Revelation without stopping. He covered 45 of his own sermons, moved through over 600 PowerPoint slides, and stayed on his feet for 53 hours and 18 minutes. ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a libra...

Picture this: You planted a church. You meet in an elementary school every single week. Your volunteers are worn out. Momentum comes and goes. Every Sunday starts with a trailer and a prayer. Then one day, another struggling church down the street hands you the keys to their multi-million-dollar property.  ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resour...

Before stepping onto a platform, Ryan Binkley co-founded Generational Equity Group. This consulting firm helps businesses with mergers and acquisitions. Then came the call to ministry. Ryan didn't leave the business behind, though. He started Create Church in Richardson, Texas. He also led in the marketplace. He preaches on Sundays and runs a company during the week. And just to keep things i...

What happens when one small church decides every child deserves a family? In a tiny Texas town, 22 families stepped forward and adopted 77 foster children.  Today's story comes from Possum Trot, Texas, and it's a story of radical obedience. Bishop Martin and his wife, Donna, were leading a small church in Possum Trot. Population: just a few hundred. But what they saw happening in their s...

In this episode of Ministry Minute , host Justin Trapp reflects on the life and legacy of Pastor John MacArthur, who passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 86. With over five decades of faithful ministry at Grace Community Church and global impact through his teaching and writing, MacArthur leaves behind a legacy marked by conviction, consistency, and an unwavering commitment to Scripture. Wh...

What if your life's legacy went beyond your life? In today's episode, Justin talks about the life and legacy of Pastor Emmerson. A man who influenced the lives of so many with the love of Christ, including Justin's. ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resources to help churches accelerate their growth and pastors achieve a healthy ba...

Imagine you buy a building for your church, a massive donor commits to funding the construction, everything is going to plan, until it isn't. This is the story of how Pastor Josh from Wake Church stayed resilient amid no open doors. ABOUT MINISTRY PASS Ministry Pass offers a library of premium sermon guides and media resources to help churches accelerate their growth and pastors achieve a hea...

Short, powerful stories from the front lines of ministry. Ministry Minute is where I, Justin Trapp, share real stories with timeless ministry insights—stories of faith, perseverance, unexpected provision, and practical wisdom from pastors and church leaders across the country. Whether it’s a miracle in the making or a hard lesson learned, each short episode is designed to encourage, equip, and ins...