Our Urban Voices

Are fear and anxiety holding you back from sharing your faith? Does the thought of evangelism make you uneasy or leave you concerned about making others uncomfortable? Dr Mark Teasdale shares insights and tools for sharing Jesus. Dr Mark Teasdale's Website Book: Socially Awkward Evangelism WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: "I want to share Jesus, but I can't." Sharing Jesus is Countercultural in Today's World Mi...

Are fear and anxiety holding you back from sharing your faith? Does the thought of evangelism make you uneasy or leave you concerned about making others uncomfortable? The biggest barrier to evangelism, Mark Teasdale argues, is not lack of training or information—it’s fear. Dr Mark Teasdale's Website Book: Socially Awkward Evangelism WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: How Well Are We Sharing Jesus in a Dark World...

What if you've lost your delight in God? Or you've never really experienced it in the first place? What if a season of suffering has snuffed out your joy, leaving you spiritually discouraged and emotionally numb? Delighting in God changes everything: how you experience your faith, relationships, and circumstances—and even how you see yourself. Stephanie Rousselle is a Bible teacher, speaker, host...

Dr Chris Coppernoll, Director of Spiritual Life at Silver Bay YMCA, has a heart for pastoral ministry and spiritual care. He invites pastors and ministry workers to the Pastoral Respite Program at Silver Bay YMCA in upstate New York. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: How Congregations and Leaders Can Support Their Pastors Early Signs that a Respite Would Be Beneficial Eligibility and Application for the Pastoral...

Dr Chris Coppernoll, Director of Spiritual Life at Silver Bay YMCA, has a heart for pastoral ministry and spiritual care. He invites pastors and ministry workers to the Pastoral Respite Program at Silver Bay YMCA in upstate New York. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Pastoral Ministry & Spiritual Care Importance of Pastoral and Self Care Unique Stresses that Pastors Encounter ABOUT THE GUEST: Dr Chris Copper...

In What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God , veteran youth worker and Gen Z expert Tanita Tualla Maddox presents a thoughtful and powerful guide for ministry practitioners striving to connect with this generation. Dr Maddox' Website Dr Maddox' Bio Book: What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Gen Z Cares and Concerns Major Questions Gen Z-ers Ask About God Traditional Minist...

What does following Jesus looking like when you want to do great things for God but feel like you're falling short? In The Quiet Ambition , pastor and theologian Ryan P. Tinetti unpacks the rich spiritual wisdom of 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, showing how it can help you reimagine what following Jesus looks like: Live Quietly, Tend Your Own Business, Work with Your Hands, and Walk Gracefully. Dr Ryan...

Do you desire to do great things for God but feel like you're falling short? Does your life feel small, filled with endless demands, seemingly insignificant work, mundane responsibilities, or challenging relationships? If your desire to make an impact for God's kingdom collides with the limits and disappointments of everyday life, it's easy to feel restless, resigned, and discouraged. Scripture of...

Christian hospitality is about people and relationships, not just spaces. It goes beyond opening our homes or extending invitations—it’s about cultivating a posture of welcome that reflects God’s presence and generosity wherever we go. Laura Baghdassarian Murray (DMin, Fuller Seminary) is the director of spiritual engagement and innovation at Fuller Seminary's Center for Spiritual Formation. She i...

Does the church still matter in our modern world? After waves of disillusionment, #churchtoo movements, and political divides, it’s easy to question the value of investing in the church. Dr Carmen Joy Imes (PhD, Wheaton) is associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University. She is the author of Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters , Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters , and...

Does the church still matter in our modern world? After waves of disillusionment, #churchtoo movements, and political divides, it’s easy to question the value of investing in the church. Dr Carmen Joy Imes (PhD, Wheaton) is associate professor of Old Testament at Biola University. She is the author of Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters , Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters , and...

When the burdens of life and ministry push you to your physical and mental breaking point, how can you lead yourself, let alone others? Dr Dudley's new book, Leading Through Storms: Successfully Navigating Ministry While Maintaining Your Mental Health, addresses that and more. Dr Geoffrey V. Dudley Sr. (PhD, Regent) is the founding and senior pastor of New Life in Christ Church, one of the fastest...

Jen Chen's book, Dim Sum and Faith , is an invitation to pause, reflect, and rediscover the joy and peace that comes from knowing you are lovingly crafted by God. It’s about seeing how our stories are a part of God’s continuous formation in our lives. Jenn Chen's new book: Dim Sum and Faith Jenn Chen's websites: Summit Clear and Personal Website WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Importance of food, family, and m...

Josh has recently authored Remissioning Church, A Field Guide to Bringing a Congregation Back to Life, where he talks about transforming a church from the inside out to bring a new missional presence that brings life and flourishing to the neighborhood. Book: Remissioning Church WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: How and why congregations might be dying Remissioning vs Revitalizing Inside-out transformation ABOUT...

Brandon has extensive experience living and serving among least-reached peoples in the New York City metropolitan area. His time spent in the Middle East cultivated a deep passion for diaspora Muslims residing in gateway cities. Brandon's website WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Christians may be hesitate or fearful about engaging with Muslim neighbors Muslims might not have significant relationship with Christ...

Brandon has extensive experience living and serving among least-reached peoples in the New York City metropolitan area. His time spent in the Middle East cultivated a deep passion for diaspora Muslims residing in gateway cities. Brandon's website WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: The Gap Between the Christian and Muslim Communities Most Effective Ways for Churches and Believers to Serve Muslims Heart for Muslims...

Carl Jamal dedicated his life to serving underserved communities, equipping churches, and empowering individuals through faith-based outreach. Our conversation today will center around effective urban ministry—how churches can serve inner-city communities with dignity, navigate challenges, and build lasting relationships. We’ll also explore Carl’s unique approach to ministry through hip-hop, priso...

Youth ministry veteran Amy Williams ministers to teens involved in gangs and those lost in the criminal justice system with a key strategy of life-on-life mentoring. Amy Williams' Website Worth Seeing: Viewing Others Through God’s Eyes Amy Williams on IVPress WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Seeing People “through the lens of God” in Daily Interactions and Decision-Making Meaningful Inclusion with At-Risk Youth...

Dr Todd Korpi, author of AI Goes to Church, unpacks one of the most significant technological advancements of our time—artificial intelligence—and what it means for the ministry. More than just another tech fad, AI presents both profound challenges and extraordinary opportunities for the church. Dr Todd Korpi's Website Dr Todd Korpi on IVPress Book: AI Goes to Church WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: AI and the...

Dr Todd Korpi, author of AI Goes to Church, unpacks one of the most significant technological advancements of our time—artificial intelligence—and what it means for the ministry. More than just another tech fad, AI presents both profound challenges and extraordinary opportunities for the church. Dr Todd Korpi's Website Dr Todd Korpi on IVPress Book: AI Goes to Church WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: What is AI?...

Denise Daniels and Elaine Howard Ecklund co-authored a book, Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work. It addresses a world where workplaces are becoming increasingly diverse with a timely guide for Christians navigating the modern faith-at-work landscape. Book: Working for Better (IVPress link) Book: Working for Better (amazon.com link) Wheaton College WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Key Tensions o...

Michael Huerter (PhD, Baylor University), a pastor at Holmeswood Church in Kansas City, Missouri, shares on addressing the online and in-person church in a hybrid church model. Book: The Hybrid Congregation: A Practical Theology of Worship for an Online Era Pastor Michael Huerter’s Church WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Exploring the church's relationship with the internet Engaging the in-person and online com...

Tracie Braylock,  a holistic nurse educator and wellness consultant, shares about coping with stress and her new book, Radical Relaxation: Releasing the Stress You Were Never Meant to Carry. Stress is not just a fleeting feeling; it's a silent disruptor, quietly eroding your peace, your health, and your capacity to enjoy life as you know it. Radical Relaxation is your guide to reversing this...

Pastor Naeem Fazal shares about how fear sneaks into our lives as worry, uncertainty, or discouragement, clouding our vision for a brighter future. By following Jesus' example, Fazal paints a vivid picture of a life enriched by hope and perseverance amidst adversity. Ex-Muslim on Amazon Tomorrow Needs You on IVPress Pastor Naeem's Church - Mosaic Church Website Guest is a frequent contributor, fou...

Pastor Naeem Fazal shares his story about how Jesus revealed Himself to a young, brash, Pakistani Muslim. But He didn’t just reveal Himself; He turned Naeem’s world upside down. Ex-Muslim on Amazon Tomorrow Needs You on IVPress Pastor Naeem's Church - Mosaic Church Website Guest is a frequent contributor, founder, co-founder to/of blog post link WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Ex-Muslim - testimony of encounte...