Raising Godly Girls

As Christian parents prepare their high school daughters for college, many wonder how to help their faith endure in a challenging culture. In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Natalie Ambrose speaks with Jeannie Banter, Chaplain and Associate Dean of Student Spiritual Life at Asbury University, about faith formation during the college years. Jeannie shares insights from her experience walking alongside students, including a firsthand look at the Asbury University Outpouring, a revival in 2023 that took the world by storm. Natalie and Jeannie will discuss what it reveals about God's work among today's young adults. Together, they discuss how parents can equip girls with spiritual resilience, Biblical truth, and confidence in Christ before they leave home. This encouraging conversation offers wisdom and hope for families longing to see their daughters' faith not only survive—but thrive—through college and beyond. Scriptures Referenced in this Episode: Acts 2 To learn more about Jeannie's team and their ministry work, visit asbury.edu and explore their Spiritual Life page. Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com. To find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.

In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden talk honestly about what it looks like to launch a daughter from the nest and walk alongside her through those early adult years. Melissa shares about the surprising joys and challenges of sending her daughter off to college—including the simple gift of a FaceTime call that brightens even the hardest days when miles separate your family. For many parents, this stage brings new questions. What happens to your role once your daughter leaves home? How can you continue guiding her while also giving her the freedom to grow? And perhaps most importantly, how can you help her hold firmly to her faith as she encounters new worldviews and experiences for the first time? During this episode, listeners hear a thoughtful Raising Godly Girls Minute from AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay, reflecting on the meaning of "higher education" from a Christian perspective. Whether a girl pursues a university degree, career training, missions, or another calling, the ultimate goal remains the same—seeking the Lord and setting her mind on things above as she follows His plan for her life. Rachael and Melissa also share encouragement for parents navigating this transition. Even as daughters grow into adulthood, they still need the same steady presence of a loving parent. The relationship may shift, but the foundation of trust, wisdom, and faith that has been built over the years continues to guide the journey forward. As girls step into independence, parents have the opportunity to model faith, maintain loving standards, and keep prayer at the center of the relationship—no matter how many miles may separate them. Three Things to Consider: Your relationship may change, but your presence still matters. Love doesn't mean abandoning the standards you've set. Prayer keeps you connected across any distance. Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: Isaiah 55:9 Colossians 3:2 Proverbs 15:1 Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools. Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

What does it take to raise girls whose faith actually lasts? In this special live episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, recorded at the American Heritage Girls 30th Anniversary Convention, Patti Garibay sits down with actress, author, and speaker Alena Pitts Franklin for a powerful conversation about "sticky faith"—the kind of faith that holds steady through high school, college, and beyond. For many parents, the statistics are sobering: a large percentage of students walk away from their faith after graduation. But this episode offers a hopeful reminder that God is still at work in this generation. From moments like the Asbury revival to the quiet, daily choices of young believers, we are seeing evidence that faith doesn't have to fade—it can grow deeper and stronger. Alena shares her personal journey of walking with Christ through the pressures of growing up in the spotlight, navigating doubt, and remaining rooted in truth as she steps into adulthood. Together, Patti and Alena explore how girls can stand firm in their faith even when they feel alone, why Christian community is essential, and how spiritual disciplines help build a lasting relationship with Jesus. This conversation also speaks directly to the challenges girls face today—from social media comparison to cultural confusion—and offers encouragement for both moms and daughters to pursue a faith that is authentic, resilient, and deeply rooted in God's Word. Whether you're raising a daughter, mentoring a young woman, or listening as a girl yourself, this episode will remind you that God is calling this generation to live boldly for Him—and He is faithful to sustain the faith He begins. Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: Matthew 7:24–25 Colossians 2:6–7 Hebrews 10:23–25 Psalm 16:8 1 Timothy 4:12 John 15:4–5 To learn more about Alena Pitts Franklin, visit alenapitts.com, and to get her new book God Is, visit forgirlslikeyou.com/product/god-is Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools. Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden launch a week of conversations focused on helping girls build a faith that lasts beyond high school and into adulthood. As girls grow into their late teen years, parents often begin asking big questions: Have we prepared her well? Will she continue walking with the Lord when she's on her own? Amid those questions, there is also incredible hope. Across the country, many young adults—especially girls in their late teens and early twenties—are leaning into their faith with renewed passion. From prayer movements to evangelism and deeper engagement with Scripture, signs of spiritual renewal are stirring among the next generation. During this episode, listeners hear a powerful Raising Godly Girls Minute from AHG Founder & Executive Director Emeritus Patti Garibay on the topic of revival—what it means to pray for God to breathe life into hearts and how parents can invite their daughters into that kind of faith-filled expectation. Rachael and Melissa also explore two key realities of parenting girls in the final years before adulthood. This season looks different from the earlier stages of parenting. Instead of directing every step, parents begin stepping back—allowing their daughters to think deeply, wrestle with decisions, and learn to take ownership of their faith while still receiving wise guidance along the way. This conversation offers encouragement for parents navigating the beautiful, sometimes bittersweet transition from guiding a child to launching a young woman. When parents model trust in God, ask thoughtful questions, and create space for honest conversations, they help their daughters develop a resilient faith that can carry them into the next season of life. Three Things to Consider: The older parenting season invites your girl into the driver's seat. As she approaches adulthood, allow her the space to practice decision-making while you remain a steady guide beside her. Ask thoughtful questions instead of offering quick answers. The teen years are a powerful time to encourage reflection and help your daughter learn how to think through her faith and worldview. Pray for revival in your daughter's heart. Invite her to understand what it means to ask God to breathe fresh life into His people and to seek Him with an open heart. Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: Isaiah 57:15 Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools. Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

As families prepare to celebrate Easter, many parents wonder how to help their daughters truly understand and rejoice in the Gospel story—not just on Resurrection Sunday, but throughout Holy Week. In this special Raising Godly Girls episode, host Natalie Ambrose is joined by theologian, author, podcaster, and founder of Every Woman a Theologian, Phylicia Masonheimer, for a rich conversation on walking families toward the joy of Easter with intention and faith. Airing on the Saturday before Easter, this episode meets families in the space between the cross and the empty tomb. Phylicia shares why Holy Week matters for girls of all ages and offers practical, age-appropriate ways families can observe Palm Sunday through Resurrection Sunday together. From Scripture reading and prayer to simple worship practices and Gospel-centered conversations, parents will gain tools to make Easter more than a one-day celebration. Together, Natalie and Phylicia explore how theology can be accessible for children, how parents can guide meaningful conversations about Jesus' death and resurrection, and how the hope of Easter can shape a girl's faith long after the holiday ends. This episode encourages families to prepare their hearts so that Easter joy overflows from a deep understanding of the Gospel. Whether you have young children or teenagers, this conversation will help you anchor your family's Easter celebration in Christ's victory and raise girls who live in the hope of the resurrection all year long. Scriptures Referenced in this Episode: Matthew 21-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 22-24, John 13-20 1 Corinthians 15 To learn more about Phylicia's work and explore her resources, visit phyliciamasonheimer.com Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com. To find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.

On this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose invite families to prepare their hearts for the joy of Easter by reflecting on the powerful story at the center of the Christian faith. Together, they discuss the journey of Holy Week—from Jesus' suffering and sacrifice to the glorious victory of His resurrection—and the deep reason Christians call Good Friday "good." Because through Christ's finished work on the Cross, the chasm between humanity and God has been bridged and the promise of eternal life has been secured. Listeners will also hear a meaningful Raising Godly Girls Minute from Patti Garibay that challenges families to live in "Easter joy" all year long. Rather than letting the celebration end with the holiday weekend, Patti encourages parents to intentionally revisit the joy of Christ's resurrection throughout the year—perhaps even letting your daughter plan a surprise Easter celebration when the family least expects it. Rachael and Natalie also share several creative, faith-filled ideas for celebrating Easter with your daughter. From a playful "Jesus search" that points to the empty tomb, to beginning your family meal with a hymn of praise, to writing a gratitude poem to God together, these simple traditions can help anchor your celebration in the true meaning of the season. As families gather this Easter, this episode reminds listeners that the resurrection is not only a moment in history—it is the living hope that shapes how we worship, celebrate, and raise our daughters in faith every day of the year. Three Things to Consider: Turn the Easter egg hunt into a "Jesus search." Celebrate in song. Express gratitude to God together. Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: Matthew 4:1–2 Matthew 9:15–17 Luke 23:44–46 John 19:30 Hebrews 12:2 Matthew 28:5–6 Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools. Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Holy Week is one of the most sacred moments in the Christian calendar—the final days of Lent when believers around the world pause to remember Jesus' journey to the Cross and celebrate the victory of the Resurrection. Yet for many families, the week can easily pass by like any other busy stretch of spring. School schedules, activities, and daily responsibilities crowd in, and the deeper meaning of the season can slip quietly past. On this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose reflect on the profound beauty and gravity of Holy Week and what it looks like to help our daughters understand both the ache of Christ's sacrifice and the joy of Easter morning. Together, Rachael and Natalie share personal moments when the reality of Jesus' suffering and love became deeply personal in their own faith journeys. They also explore the powerful thread of Messianic prophecy woven throughout Scripture—Old Testament promises that pointed directly to Jesus as the long-awaited Savior. From the Psalms to the prophets, God's redemptive plan unfolds across the pages of the Bible and reaches its fulfillment in the Cross. Listeners will also hear a meaningful Raising Godly Girls Minute from Patti Garibay that challenges parents to model Christ-like humility in their relationships with their daughters. Drawing from the moment in John 13 when Jesus washed His disciples' feet—even the feet of Judas—Patti reminds us that servant leadership and grace can restore connection in even the most strained relationships. As Holy Week unfolds, this conversation encourages parents to slow down, reflect deeply, and invite their daughters into the sacred rhythms of Scripture, testimony, prayer, and praise. Because when families intentionally walk through the story of Jesus together, the hope of Easter becomes even more powerful. Three Things to Consider: Make Scripture central during Holy Week. Walk through the events of the week—from Palm Sunday to the Resurrection—so your daughter can see the full picture of Jesus' journey to the Cross. Share your personal faith story. Holy Week is a meaningful opportunity to talk about how God is still shaping your own heart and faith journey today. Practice prayer and praise together. Simple rhythms of prayer, worship, and reflection help your family respond to the weight of the Cross and the joy of the Resurrection. Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: John 13:1–17 Psalm 22 Isaiah 53 Luke 23:33–46 Matthew 28:1–6 Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools. Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.