Pod Strangely Warmed

In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed, host Rev. Daniel Hawkins welcomes Rev. Rob Spencer and Rev. Tim Bruster from Cultiv8 Community for a conversation about transformation, restoration, and the surprising impact of small beginnings. Together they explore how a single monarch butterfly helped spark a movement that now shapes communities, reconnects people to the land, and invites children, chur...

On this week's episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Dean Bryan P. Stone of SMU Perkins School of Theology to talk about the future of theological education in the United Methodist Church and what formation looks like in a changing world. They explore the role congregations play in shaping disciples, why the classroom still matters, and how theological education can p...

The work of reaching our neighbors isn't about programs or perfect plans — it's about moments of courage, curiosity, and hope. On this week's episode of POD Strangely Warmed , Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Rev. Stacey Piyakhun as she shares stories from the recent Reaching Our Neighbors Masterclasses about how churches across the conference are finding new and creative ways to connect with th...

Can people of faith really enjoy Halloween? In this special episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Rev. Matt Ybanez and producer Dustin Kaps to talk about what happens when good faithful Christians admit they actually love Halloween. From childhood costume mishaps to neighborhood haunted houses, their stories move from funny to meaningful as they reflect on how moments...

What if healing your body is also a way of healing your faith? In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Nicole Melrose of Conventional Wisdom to explore how embodiment, breath, and spiritual awareness help us reconnect with God and one another. Nicole shares how slowing down, tuning in, and understanding our own nervous systems can open the door to peace, presenc...

How can churches and schools work together to make a lasting difference in the lives of kids? In this week's episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Tabitha Branum, District Superintendent of Richardson ISD, and Robert  Grinsfelder , co-leader of the Children First ministry at First UMC Richardson. Together, they share how intentional partnerships between churches and s...

What does it mean to live out your faith in one of the most competitive industries in the world? In this episode of Pod Strangely Warmed, we sit down with Greg Lyons, a film producer and member of First UMC Richardson, to talk about vocation, creativity, and how following Jesus shapes a career in Hollywood. Greg also shares the story behind Light of the World, a new 2D animated feature film based...

Immigration isn't just about policy — it's about people, families, and faith. In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed , Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Rev. Amy Spaur and Rev. Faiana Prescott Funaki to share stories that highlight the lived realities of immigration within the church. Together they reflect on how communities of faith live with courage and resilience, and how the church is called...

A year ago, Rev. Johnny Brower of First UMC Hurst and Rev. Ramiro Rodriguez of City Point UMC joined Rev. Daniel Hawkins to share what they were excited about and how they were stepping into leadership in their first weeks at new churches. Now they're back — 13 months later — to reflect on the wins, the struggles, the surprises, and what they've learned along the way. From building trust and belon...

When a pastor is appointed to a new church, the whole family feels the shift. In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed , Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Dr. Edgar Bazan and Rev. David Lessner as they share how they've stepped into new ministry contexts while keeping their families rooted in familiar communities. They reflect on what it means to show up fully in both church and home life—and h...

This week on Pod Strangely Warmed, host Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Stacey Piyakhun and Rev. Kissa Vaughn of St. Barnabas UMC in Arlington for a conversation about what it means to be deeply intentional with the community around them. From midweek worship and preschool partnerships to third-grade reading mentors and Thursday lunches for 400 high school students, St. Barnabas is building...

This week on POD   Strangely Warmed, we continue our series alongside the Multiplication Masterclasses with Hospitality that Multiplies . Host Rev.   Daniel   Hawkins is joined by Rev.   Stacey Piyakhun and Rev. Dr.   Keith   Somerville , Senior Pastor at The Village in DeSoto, to explore how intentional language, self-kindness, and authentic community create spaces where people feel seen, known,...

This episode kicks off a new series tied to the Horizon Texas Conference's Multiplication Masterclass, From Visit to Belonging. Host Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Stacey Piyakhun and Rev. Armando Alvarado from the conference's Multiplication Team for a conversation about what really helps guests become part of a church community. With real stories and practical ideas, they explore how buil...

Recorded live at the inaugural Annual Conference of the Horizon Texas Conference, this episode features a powerful conversation with keynote speaker Tod Bolsinger. Known for his work on adaptive leadership and church resilience, Tod goes beyond his keynote address to dive deeper into the challenges and opportunities facing today's church leaders. From the tension between nostalgia and mission to t...

In this special episode of POD Strangely Warmed , host Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. and Bishop Delores Williamston, Bishop of the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church. Recorded during the first Annual Conference of the Horizon Texas Conference, this conversation explores what it means to lead with resilience through life's challenges and the ongoing work...

This week marked our very first Annual Conference . In this special episode of POD Strangely Warmed , Rev. Daniel Hawkins brings you conversations from across the connection: youth delegates, newly ordained clergy, and conference leaders—including Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr.—all reflect on the spirit and significance of this historic moment. From stories of transformation at church camp to the deep joy...

Welcome back to POD Strangely Warmed ! In this special episode, we're helping you get ready for the first-ever Annual Conference of the Horizon Texas Conference, hosted at McFarlin Memorial Auditorium on the campus of SMU. We're taking you behind the scenes to meet some of the pastors and churches helping host this year's gathering. Rev. Camille May, Director of Pastoral Care at Highland Park UMC,...

Welcome to Episode 101—truly a masterclass in clergy mental health. In this conversation, Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Dr. April Johnson Bristow and Anna Lee for a deeply insightful and practical discussion about the mental health challenges facing pastors and church leaders today. Drawing from their work with the Clergy Health Initiative and theological education at Perkins School of The...

It's our 100th episode! We're celebrating this milestone with gratitude for the journey and excitement for what's ahead. As we continue our series inspired by Carey Nieuwhof's "5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025", we turn our attention to how the Horizon Texas Conference is embracing change with courage, creativity, and faith. While some see disruption as decline, we see opportunity. H...

In this third episode of our series on Carey Nieuwhof's 5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025, we explore The Rise of the Non-Derivative Church, a movement toward fresh, innovative expressions of faith that break away from traditional models. One powerful example of this shift is Union Coffee, a Dallas-based café that blends faith, social impact, and hospitality into a ministry beyond the...

In the second episode of our series inspired by Carey Nieuwhof's 5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025, we dive into the dynamic and often paradoxical relationship Gen Z has with faith and the church. Are they in revival or retreat? And how can the United Methodist Church respond? Host Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Rev. Chelsea Peddecord and Loni Fancher to explore how Gen Z is resha...

Is evangelism really on life support, or is it evolving into something new? In this episode of POD Strangely Warmed, we kick off a new series inspired by Carey Nieuwhof's 5 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2025. Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by church planters Rev. Joshua Manning and Rev. Billy Echols-Richter to dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of evangelism in today's world....

In this episode of Pod Strangely Warmed, host Rev. Daniel Hawkins sits down with Rev. Dr. Lucretia Facen, Senior Pastor at Saint Paul UMC in downtown Dallas and the newly appointed District Superintendent of the Metro East District (starting in July). Dr. Facen shares powerful stories of Saint Paul's "Body and Soul" ministry to the unhoused, the transformative impact of authentic community partner...

In this special episode of POD Strangely Warmed, Rev. Daniel Hawkins is joined by Rev. Danielle Kim, Rev. John Han, Rev. Levy Laguardia and Rev. Faiana Funaki to reflect on the third annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Celebration worship service. Hosted at Axe Memorial United Methodist Church, this vibrant gathering uplifted the diverse cultures, stories and faith expressions of AAP...

This weekend, Rev. Daniel Hawkins was the guest speaker at Glen Lake Camp's Winter Camp 2. So, we decided to go around and ask some campers and staff what they liked most about being at Glen Lake. From frozen fountains to warm hearts, this episode captures the joy, faith and community that make camp a transformative place. You'll hear from students experiencing camp for the first time, seasoned ca...