Pod Have Mercy

This week on Pod Have Mercy , we’re joined by Colin Bagby, the lead pastor of Branches Church in Houston, Texas. Colin shares the heart behind Branches Church, a place where everyone belongs—no matter who you are or where you're from. With a mission to build a welcoming home and community, Colin discusses the vision of creating a church that reaches beyond just a building and into the hearts o...

In this episode of  Pod Have Mercy , we are honored to welcome  Dr. Stan Copeland , Senior Pastor of Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas since 1998. Dr. Copeland has dedicated his ministry to "loving all people into relationship with Jesus Christ," fostering a vibrant and diverse congregation through various outreach ministries. Under his leadership, Lovers Lane UMC has expande...

This week on Pod Have Mercy, we welcome Pastor Joseph Rios, leader of Generaciones, a thriving Spanish-speaking worship community of Chapelwood! (iglesiageneraciones.org). Join us as we dive into a powerful conversation about the challenges and opportunities of ministry in Houston’s Spanish-speaking communities. We discuss the growing need for faith-based support, how churches can better serve div...

In this episode of  Pod Have Mercy , we dive deep into the recurring themes in Disney movies—why do the parents always die? Is there a hidden formula behind it, or is it simply a storytelling device? We also discuss the latest updates from the church and reflect on how they might be shaping the modern faith landscape. Finally, we explore the parable of the sower and what lessons we can learn from...

We’re honored to welcome Richard Beck to Pod Have Mercy this week! Richard is a psychologist, author, and professor who has spent decades exploring the intersection of mental health, spirituality, and justice. His work is groundbreaking, particularly in the areas of prison ministry and the way our spiritual lives intersect with our emotional well-being. In this episode, Richard shares his profound...

This week on  Pod Have Mercy , we’re getting into the holiday spirit with a twist! Tune in as we read the Christmas story… but not in any ordinary way. Instead, we’re diving into the  ChatGPT Bible  written in full-on Gen Z lingo. It’s a fresh, hilarious take on the birth of Jesus, and trust us, you won’t want to miss it. Plus, we’re keeping it real with some practical tips on how to beat holiday...

This week on  Pod Have Mercy , we’re joined by Abraham Guajardo and Jared Darby, the co-pastors of Eden Church, a new church plant in Houston, Texas. In this episode, we dive into their unique journey of starting Eden Church and how they’ve embraced a co-pastoring model—a refreshing alternative to traditional leadership structures. Abraham and Jared share their personal stories, how they came toge...

This Thanksgiving, join us for a special episode where we dive deep into the transformative power of gratitude. Based on the insightful article "Attitude of Gratitude" from Calm, we explore how cultivating a grateful mindset can change the way we see the world, improve our mental health, and enrich our relationships. In this episode, we’ll discuss practical ways to build gratitude into daily life,...

This week on Pod Have Mercy, we dive deep into the powerful intersection of contemplative worship and music with special guests Michael Sciretti and Peter Johns. Michael and Peter are part of The Center for Contemplative Spirituality. In this episode, we explore how contemplative worship can lead us into deeper communion with the Divine, and how music plays a vital role in creating sacred spaces f...

This week on Pod Have Mercy , we’re joined by James Kelly, a highly skilled pianist, singer, and worship leader from Houston, TX. Known for his exceptional versatility across genres like gospel, jazz, country, and pop, James has spent his life perfecting his craft. With a background in classical training and a natural gift for improvisation, he’s become a sought-after musician, performing for tens...

This week we're joined by Vipin Thekk, an expert in transformation and cultural innovation, to explore how we can reconnect in an increasingly divided world. With the election season in full swing and polarization at an all-time high, we discuss how social media, isolation, and a fractured sense of community are shaping our society—and what we can do about it. Vipin shares insights from his extens...

Join us this week as we dive into the pressing issues surrounding the upcoming election and explore how Christians can navigate this pivotal season with grace and purpose. We’ll discuss practical steps for engaging with the political landscape while staying true to our faith. Plus, we’ll unpack an insightful article titled "5 Lessons Christians Can Learn from the Barmen Declaration," drawing paral...

Today we sit down with Moses Njobvu, a pastor, missional entrepreneur, and community advocate from Malawi. As the founder and team leader of the Abundant Life Center in Mitundu, Moses has dedicated his life to uplifting vulnerable communities through a holistic approach to ministry. Moses’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. Having faced extreme poverty, domestic violence, and family...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Leroy Barber, a dedicated leader with over 20 years of experience in combating poverty, homelessness, and racism while fostering what Dr. King called "the beloved community." We discuss Leroy's innovative projects, including the founding of Atlanta Youth Academies and Community Grounds Coffee shop, and his vision for a more inclusive, loving community. He...

In this episode, we sit down with Trevor Barnett from The Restoration Team, a dedicated organization focused on disaster recovery and community rebuilding. With a wealth of experience in hurricane recovery efforts, Trevor shares his insights on the profound impact of Hurricane Milton and the challenges communities face in its aftermath. We delve into the critical role of organizations like The Res...

This week we are joined by Rev. Dr. Jonathan Smith and Dr. Scott Hagan to discuss the relief efforts happening in Georgia after Hurricane Helene. Join us as we explore the stories of resilience and hope from those affected, highlighting the amazing work being done through BullochStrong.com. Whether you’re directly affected by the hurricane or simply looking to help, tune in and discover how we can...

In this episode of Pod Have Mercy , we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Warren Kinghorn, a renowned expert at the intersection of theology, medicine, and mental health. Dr. Kinghorn is the Associate Research Professor of Psychiatry and Pastoral and Moral Theology at Duke University. He also co-directs the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative at Duke Divinity School. His work focuses on reshaping...

Content Warning: In this episode, we discuss topics related to mental health, including depression and suicide. These discussions may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, we encourage you to seek support from a mental health professional or contact a crisis helpline. Listener discretion is advised. In t...

This week we're joined by Matt Miofsky, Lead Pastor of The Gathering in St. Louis and an accomplished author. We'll dive deep into his new book, exploring themes of faith, failure, and resilience. As a ministry innovator, Matt offers unique insights into the intersection of spirituality and everyday life. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that challenges us to think deeply abou...

On this episode, we sit down with Eddie Rester and Chris McAlilly, the hosts of The Weight podcast. Known for diving into life's most challenging questions, they explore faith, mental health, leadership, and personal growth with depth and authenticity. In The Weight, they invite guests from all walks of life—pastors, artists, athletes, and thinkers—to discuss the moments that shape us and how...

This week we are back from summer break! We have a new studio design and lots of guests lined up for the fall season. Today we check in on what John and Matt have been up to over the summer and what they are excited about for the fall at Chapelwood.

This week we are joined by Reverend Cesar Martinez! Rev. Martinez has been a Pastor in the UMC for the last 12 years. He leads a multicultural, multilingual, and multigenerational church in Houston Texas called CrossRoads UMC. Today we talk about how the United Methodist Church can better serve those in the community of Houston and how we can create more opportunities for discipleship in the neigh...

This week we are joined by Rev. Gregg Taylor and Rev. Melissa Maher at the Texas Annual Conference! We get an update from Rev. Taylor on his church in Minneapolis and we hear about how Rev. Maher has transitioned into a new and exciting role within the United Methodist Church.

Today we get a quick update from John's travels to Scotland. We talk about how many of the churches in Scotland have been converted to pubs, restaurants and art galleries. We discuss how Chapelwood's digital media reach makes uncommon connections near and far and much more!

This week we drop in on a group therapy session that is hosted by Logos, a group therapy resource started by Robert Hilliker. We discuss how Robert Hilliker first began his group therapy practice and some of the concepts that he finds foundational. For more information visit: https://logosgroups.com