The Jesus Storybook Bible Podcast

Jordan Rice began his career practicing law, but through a series of divine circumstances, he felt called to ministry—and now pastors the Renaissance Church in Harlem, New York. Along the way, he fell in love and married Danielle, who joined him to build a new life together in New York. Full of hope for the future, an unexpected illness would shatter their dreams and leave Jordan asking the questi...

As a record breaking hurdler and sprinter who won an Olympic Gold medal in her sport, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has been trained to win. But when the losses do come, Sydney tries to use those moments to transform her heart and perspective, strengthening her resolve and trust that God will be there when it's time to cross the finish line.    Quotes "I ran my first race and I was so terrified to do...

Former New York City ballet dancer, Silas Farley, first learned about dance in the context of worship at his church—a perspective that would stick with him through grueling training at the School of American Ballet and through his professional career. Silas shares the nerve-wracking story of taking a leap of faith towards dance over other paths, how he got to see a unique and beautiful dream come...

When Steve Jamison was growing up, he got the adventure of a lifetime out at sea with his dad, a commercial fisherman. The lessons he learned as a member of a halibut fishing crew in Alaska would stick with him throughout his life, and it's that perseverance, dedication, and determination that led Steve to become a pastor.    Quotes "My dad would always take me into his state room where you would...

Colton Dixon, a Christian singer-songwriter, reflects on his time with American Idol and the grueling tour schedule that followed. Facing the challenges of balancing a career, family, and a relationship with God, he shares how he had to prioritize what mattered most and how his faith grew in the process.    Quotes "It was in that moment that I knew that we had a decision to make. It's faith or fea...

Singer/songwriter Aaron Shust has traveled all over the world singing messages of hope and love to his audiences. Time and time again, Aaron's been moved by the gentle peace he's been able to extend to his listeners when they sing his songs, as he's experienced that all-encompassing "capital P" peace that comes from God during the hardest times in his life.    Quotes "We're not just singing about...

Carlos Whittaker's mission is to bring hope to humans all over the world. Growing up, Carlos watched his Panamanian, Afro-Latino father unite the diverse people of his neighborhood under one roof: his church. As an author, podcaster, and global speaker, Carlos' wishes to follow his father's legacy as he creates safe spaces for people—all people—so they may feel seen and understood.     Quotes "I t...

Growing up watching his grandfather's passion for motorsports, Bryce Kenny knew he wanted to one day experience that life for himself. But after making a go of it—unsuccessfully—he realized that his dream was slipping away. But what he never could have imagined was that God would reshape his dream and bring it to life in a way that would exceed anything he would have ever thought possible.    Quot...

Illustrator and activist Danielle Coke Balfour, is dedicated to delving deep into fostering greater empathy, kindness, and compassion for one another. Through her eloquent words and captivating illustrations, she skillfully draws attention to places we can be doing good in the world, even in small ways–because any step towards positive change makes a difference.    Quotes "I view art as a means to...

Pastor and professor Dr. Robert Smith Jr. knows this: that what really matters in life is not the awards or accolades or titles we may have achieved, but it is the fact that our identity rests in Christ—something that will transcend time. He wishes for us to be known by the way we love one another, and shares how we can be a light in the world.  Quotes "It's a joy seeing how God orchestrates, chor...

When we're facing hardships or sorrow, it can be hard to see where God is working in our lives. Creators of Reverend Mamas, Victoria Robb Powers and Cameron Mason Vickrey, encourage us that God is around us whether we feel Him or not: in the wind, in the song of little birds, or in a child's laughter–and they talk about teaching children how to recognize that God is always near. Quotes "As parents...

Abraham Cho is the senior director of global resources for Redeemer City to City in Manhattan—and he has a big, passion-filled vision for what he believes the church should look like in a world where division and hostility are ever-increasing.    Quotes "People need people who didn't grow up with a religious background, people who have maybe since left the church, people who consider themselves se...

In a culture that's often divisive and argumentative, Professor of Law and Religion John Inazu helps people find a way through disagreements: by truly listening. He shares his insights on how we can hold healthy conversations on complex topics using careful intention, empathy, and the examples from Jesus found in scripture.    Quotes "One of the key pieces about being a lawyer is that you're not g...

Gordon Mote, a piano player and musician who was blind from birth, shares with us the discovery of his astounding musical abilities at the age of three to being one of the first in the U.S. to enter the public school system as a blind student and overcoming all the unique challenges that would ultimately shape him into the musical legend he is today. With two Grammy Award nominations, twenty-one A...

Actress and producer Roma Downey, best known for her role in Touched By An Angel, has experienced a lot of loss and grief in her life, but thanks to a touching tradition with her father that began when she was just a young girl, she trained herself to see reminders of God's love all around her, a legacy that she's continued with her own family.    Quotes "[My dad] said, 'Look, Roma, look at that m...

A common struggle among people from all walks of life is believing untruths about ourselves, due to things spoken into us and over our lives that influence and shape us into who we are. Author, speaker, and spoken word artist Hosanna Wong experienced this firsthand, and found herself feeling like she couldn't measure up. But what she discovered by learning stories of other people on the streets of...

Did you know that you can train your mind to look for good in the world, and to notice little signs and wonders that God sends to show us that we are loved? SQuire Rushnell and Louise DuArt, authors of the Godwinks books, share how they've begun the habit of noticing little moments that are so personal to their lives, they can only attribute them to being divinely orchestrated.    Quotes "Godwinks...

When Nazareth came to the United States from the Holy Land, he worked several jobs to provide for his family and make ends meet. While running a marathon he didn't want to run, Nazareth had a moment of clarity, realizing that what he loved in life was making people laugh. That's when he decided to pursue a comedy career. When he came across a clean comedian who led him to church, Nazareth found th...

Minister and author Daphne K. Johnson's life took an unexpected turn when her seemingly idyllic marriage ended in divorce, leaving her a single mother. As she reckoned with this new season of life, Daphne realized the strength she would gain from walking through difficult times would be the same strength she would call upon to help someone else.    Quotes "Connecting with God regularly helped me t...

As we celebrate Easter, Sally Lloyd-Jones will be reading from The Jesus Storybook Bible to illuminate the story of Jesus' death and resurrection for little ears. It was for our very own rescue story that Jesus was born into the world—and even though He faced great pain and suffering and humiliation, Jesus endured, because He knew it would save each and every one of us, no matter how small.  If yo...

Every one of us has something of value to offer to the world, no matter how ordinary or small it may seem. Perhaps you're a painter, a gardener, or the meal provider for your family. Perhaps you are good at raising money or providing for your family, or maybe your job is to simply show up for other people. No matter what gifts God has given you, what you do matters in the world, and has the potent...

Content Warning: This episode contains content that may be triggering for some listeners.   When Rosie Rivera was just a little girl, she faced abuse that would scar her and make her question everything she knew about love. But at her lowest point, marked by anger and insecurity and despair, God reached out, and Rosie learned that no matter what she'd done, or what she'd suffered through, God woul...

Andy Gosler is Professor of Ethno-ornithology at Oxford university who studies the relationships between birds and people. As a scientist and a man of faith, Andy sees the hand of the Creator in the nature he studies. By looking at the science of things, Andy believes that our faith in God can only be amplified by understanding the workings and complexity of life—and ultimately seeing love at the...

Christian singer/songwriter Evan Craft had an important mission laid on his heart: to love his neighbor as himself by singing in the language of the vast majority of the population around him. At only 15, Evan decided to learn Spanish to connect with his neighbors and share uplifting messages of love, hope, and most importantly, community with one another through his words and his music.    Quotes...

One amazing thing about God is that He doesn't just save His goodness for the beautiful and exceptional times in our lives— He's there in the suffering, too. Criminal justice reform advocate Alice Marie Johnson spent a long and grueling twenty-one years in prison after receiving an extraordinarily harsh sentence for a past mistake made during a desperate time. What Alice never expected was to enco...