Simply Edify

Beth Shields shares her family's journey as missionaries in Panama, including their unexpected path from Mexico, cultural adjustments, and ministry to indigenous communities in remote mountain regions. • Third-generation missionary family serving in Panama for the past nine years • Ministry focuses on discipling indigenous pastors in remote mountain communities • Homeschooling four children (...

Melissa Schworer shares her family's journey from years of ministry in Idaho to pursuing mission work in Papua New Guinea. She discusses the long-awaited call, challenges of deputation life, and preparations for serving in a culture vastly different from American life. • Melissa and Rick have been married 22 years and five children. Melissa has an extensive background in church ministry, bibl...

This episode continues the discussion of Jonah and what his reluctant obedience teaches us about our own attitudes toward evangelism and missions today. • Jonah's need for a second command to "arise and go" after the fish incident reveals our own reluctance to obey God • The bare minimum approach Jonah takes in delivering God's message parallels how we sometimes share the gospe...

Our exploration of the book of Jonah reveals important truths about missions and our often-reluctant hearts toward sharing the gospel. • God calls us out of our comfort zones to reach the lost. • Jonah knew God was merciful but didn't want that mercy extended to Nineveh. • Christians today often retreat into isolation or political arguments rather than gospel sharing. • The gospel remains the...

Have you ever found yourself feeling simultaneously blessed and overwhelmed? The podcast returns after a much-needed break as April welcomes a new baby into her family, now juggling the needs of a four-month-old alongside children entering their teenage years. This  conversation explores the beautiful mess of transitions and how they reveal both our deepest insecurities and God's sufficient g...

Feeling overwhelmed by holiday stress, especially as a mother, is a struggle many of us face. Join us as we unravel ways to realign priorities by discerning truth from lies, and asking God for guidance in our day-to-day duties. This episode is not just about surviving the holiday hustle but thriving amidst it by shifting our focus from the material to the meaningful. Our conversation encourages sa...

Are you a gentle person? Join us as we explore the concept of gentlenss in the believer's life, challenging the notion that gentleness is simply a personality trait and instead uncovering its roots as a fruit of the spirit.  Through the lens of biblical teachings, we look at Christ himself to understand the power of gentleness in action. Discover how acknowledging our imperfections and repent...

Feeling weighed down by guilt and struggling to find the path to true repentance? Join us as we unravel the distinctions between these two experiences from a biblical perspective. Through the lens of King David's story and personal reflections, we explore how guilt can be a particularly heavy burden for women, often exacerbated by self-comparison and unrealistic standards. This episode promis...

In this new series we look at our new devotional "Issues of the Heart." We kick things off by sharing some personal stories and biblical insights that reveal the transformation our hearts undergo through Christ. We also tackle the popular notion of "following your heart" from a Christian viewpoint, emphasizing the importance of discernment and spiritual maturity. Using scriptur...

Yay! A project we have been working for some time is now ready to share with you all! We have been looking forward to this! Our devotional is called Issues of the Heart. As the title suggest it is designed to go a little deeper into root issues and help weed out the bad and replace it with the Word. Listen for further insight into our heart behind the devotional. 

Network Marketing and Multilevel Marketing opportunities have made their way through the Christian wife circles for years. Estie and April share their experiences with you in this episode and ask some questions about these style companies. They discuss the negatives of seeing individuals as mere opportunities for profit and the importance of personal accountability.  As Christians, our interaction...

We often overlook the treasure troves among us—those mothers who have journeyed through adulthood with a steadfast faith, nurturing not just their families but potentially our growth as well. In this heartfelt dialogue, we share the richness that flows from such relationships, emphasizing the transformative power of mentorship. Whether you're a seasoned parent or someone just starting to navi...

Join our guest host, Christina Palma, and host April Fruchey as they navigate the contentious topic of deconstruction in modern Christianity. Unveiling the nuances between mere reflection and an outright rejection of faith in Christ, they urge listeners to approach the term "deconstruction" with caution. They examine how personal grievances can influence one's spiritual growth, the...

Join Cohosts April Fruchey & Estie Woodard as we bring the Biblical perspective to the growing trend of the Homestead Lifestyle. Shining a light on ideals in the movement that are Biblical as well as some cautions for motives that may deter from the Scriptures. We discuss the importance of being 'salt and light' in our communities, as Matthew 5 encourages, and the delicate balance of...

As we conclude our exploration of 'The BE YE's', we dive into the essence of Christianity, discussing how the Holy Spirit gives the fortitude needed to face life's challenges. We connect our trials to the eternal, illustrating how perseverance in the present will bear fruit in future rewards.   Join us as we continue to journey together, seeking to deepen our faith walk, and en...

Ever wondered how to teach your children about the true meaning of Christmas through music?  We discuss the power of hymns in fostering faith in the younger generation. We'll challenge the status quo by examining the richness of older hymns and assessing how they often outshine the flashiness of modern Christmas songs. We'll also delve into the importance of understanding the history and...

As the Christmas season approaches, its helpful to do a heart check and see how thankful we really are! 

Kind or nice...is there a difference? Listen to this episode to see what we think! 

Being merciful is very countercultural in today's society. We are quick to "cancel" people, label them toxic, or write them off without considering the attributes of mercy, compassion, forgiveness and grace.  In this episode Estie and April discuss the calling of God on believers to BE MERCIFUL.  

Join the continuing, conversation on what a believer should BE. In this episode April an Estie talk about the idea of holiness and how it should playout in the everyday life of the believer.  Have any additional ideas or comments on the subject? Feel free to email us simplyedify@gmail.com or send us a voice message on via Instagram or Facebook Messenger we would love to continue the conversation w...

If you have been around regular preaching chances are you have heard a sermon or two on Romans 12:1,2 its a wonderful passage with great truth for the believer in any stage of growth! Be encouraged as the hosts discuss what it means to BE YE TRANSFORMED. 

What does God want us to BE?  Well, in the New Testament there are several verses that give the imperative, BE YE... which often precedes a manner in which we are to conduct ourselves as Saints. We will be looking at several of those BE YE's in the upcoming episodes. Listen as we discuss why we chose this topic in this introductory episode.

How could two momma's surrender their children to situations beyond their control? How can we surrender our children to the Lord?  Listen to our special episode for Mother's Day and be encouraged! 

Two women, two needs, two opportunities for Christ to do what only He could!  Join us as we discuss " The woman with an issue of blood" and "The woman at the well" in our final episode in this series. 

What an amazing testimony to have, once a slave to demons to now a faithful follower of Jesus Christ! Join the conversation about this wonderful representation of being free from sin in Christ!