Rough Drafts: How God Writes His Love in Our Stories

History isn’t just dates and dead people—it’s the story of how we got here. 🌍 This week on Rough Drafts, I’m talking to my old friend Zack Martin. We discuss everything from our college antics to the serious theology of why history matters. We cover why "unprecedented" times usually aren't, why we need to read the Bible with the "dead," and yes... why Zack read obituaries for fun in the first grade. If you think history is boring, this episode might just change your mind. Listen now! 🎧

The "Pizza and Relationships" Episode On this episode of Rough Drafts, we welcome Samuel Yocum to the studio (fresh off a heavy breakfast burrito from Janine’s). Samuel shares his journey from being a "theater kid" with big dreams to finding his calling in youth ministry. We dive deep into what it looks like to grow up with "dual citizenship"—raised by parents fully committed to two different churches—and how that experience shaped Samuel’s ability to listen to others rather than just talk about them. In this conversation, we cover: The "Westgate" Rumor: A local story that perfectly illustrates why we need to stop assuming and start having real conversations across denominational lines. The Ministry of Hanging Out: Why relationships are the only currency that matters in youth ministry (and why you can't disciple a kid you don't know). Unity in Grief: Samuel shares a powerful story from his time at Freed-Hardeman about how tragedy stripped away social barriers and brought a campus together. God Doesn't Care About the Honda: A liberating take on "calling"—why we stress too much about finding God’s "secret plan" for our jobs and geography, when He’s actually calling us to holiness. The Only Love You Don’t Have to Compete For: Dealing with people-pleasing and finding peace in the non-competitive love of God. Notable Quote: "If I never have any friends in life... if I never get a wife, if I never have a family... I have the love of God. And that is more than enough." — Samuel Yocum

My favorite daughter joins us for this week's special Kid's Rough Drafts. Katie tells all the cool things about life in WBES and some of her favorite Bible stories, too.

This week's episode is a special episode, honoring a friend who passed away in 2018. Juanita Woodson was a Burns Church staple. In this episode, you'll hear a special interview conducted by Charlie Dauphin where she tells of her life, family, and faith. She talks about making her own toys from clay, some memorable childhood spankings, and love at first sight.

Matthew welcomes special guests Stephen and Julia Pate for a two-for-one conversation that spans the Dateline (literally, they're in Japan!). Stephen, a Navy Chaplain, and Julia, a Navy Pharmacist, share their incredible journey from the Bible Belt to a battleship, experiencing military life in Okinawa, Pearl Harbor, and beyond. They pull back the curtain on the scars and triumphs of local ministry, discussing the challenging process of faith deconstruction and how a crisis led them to a new, unexpected calling. Listen as they discuss the unique environment of a military chaplaincy—a "ministry of presence"—where questions often speak louder than sermons, and the clarity that comes from facing things that truly matter. Julia also shares her own inspiring path from reluctant military spouse to active-duty officer, proving that God establishes the work of our hands, no matter the assignment. Dive into this honest and moving episode about trusting God’s plan, even when it looks nothing like what you imagined. PS> The Pates need me to tell you that their views are their own, not necessarily those of the Department of Defense or its components. They don't represent the Pentagon or anything like that. Any reference to commercial products, services, and stuff, doesn't imply endorsement by the Government.

Get ready for an episode that proves the most ambitious endeavors start with the simplest of questions: "How hard could it be?" Meet Angela Moore, the self-proclaimed "Turkey in Chief" of the Given Gobble 5K, Dickson County's massive Thanksgiving Day race benefiting the local Help Center. What started as the dream of a few runners at church has mushroomed into an annual event that raises nearly $100,000! In this this week's episode, Angela opens up about "God Winks" and Eerie Coincidences: Hear the back-to-back stories of interesting numbers in the race...and a perfectly timed rainbow. Are you training for the race, or just looking for a good God story? Press play now to hear what God is up to in the extraordinary rough draft of Angela Moore! P.S. Need to sign up, volunteer, or sponsor? Find all the details and registration link for the Give n Gobble 5K at gg5k.org!

"I prayed every night for 32 weeks for a happy and healthy baby. And I got everything but that." What happens when a prayed-for joy becomes an unexpected trauma? In this deeply honest and vulnerable episode, Jessa Gossett shares the story of her daughter, Addie. An emergency C-section at 32 weeks brought Addie into the world, but the effects of an unknown CMV infection months before meant her life would last for only 25 hours. Jessa holds nothing back as she recounts the hospital chaos, the pain of leaving with empty arms, and the raw anger she felt toward a God she believed had abandoned her. This isn't just a story of loss; it's a powerful guide on how to show up for grieving parents, what not to say, and why the most important thing we can do is continue to speak the names of the children who were here, even for a short time. This is a difficult, but essential, conversation about grief, faith, and the 25 hours that changed everything. (Note: This episode contains frank discussion of infant loss and medical trauma.)

The 5.8 Centimeter Catalyst: From Wild Youth to Spiritual Wisdom Todd Steen was "10 foot tall and bulletproof" as a young man. As an adult, he became a relentless questioner, demanding to know why God allows things to happen. His perspective was shattered by an unexpected medical "cascade": a series of events starting with a sore shoulder that led to open-heart surgery that saved his life from a ticking time bomb. Join us as Todd walks us through the realization that the entire sequence was not a coincidence, but a divine intervention designed to teach him the most important lesson of his life: God's ways are higher than our ways.

Josh’s story began at the dentist's office and progressed through military service, PTSD, opioid addiction, and a DEA drug trafficking indictment. He shares the chilling story of hitting rock bottom, being "rescued, not arrested" through incarceration, and the pivotal moment in a Hope Center bedroom where the Holy Spirit changed everything. His message is clear: recovery is a byproduct of Jesus, and no life is too far gone for restoration. You're going to love his message!

Welcome back to Rough Drafts! In this week's story, Chazz Jackson opens up about how a simple postcard became a catalyst for change. He shares about his deep dive into Christian apologetics, and the challenges he encountered on his way back home.

Welcome to the first Rough Drafts of 2025! Today's guest is a church leadership guru and an all-around great guy. You get to hear from Bob Turner as he shares a few moments that changed his life forever.

**This is the last episode of 2024 - we'll take a two week hiatus and be back on January 7 for the new year!** Do you know Taylor Rhodes? If not, you should! In this week's episode, Taylor shares the twists and turns of his life and how God used them to bring about something really beautiful.

She's not boring! There's a lot in this episode, so you don't want to miss it. Join us as Brianna Ramseur shares from her God stories!

Ever wonder what a preacher does? So did we... This week, Thomas Southerland, Minister at Water Street Church of Christ in Charlotte, TN and Chris McCurley, Minister at Walnut Street Church of Christ in Dickson, TN join us for a conversation about our God stories in ministry. What's up with this weird job?

Guess what! Rough Drafts is coming back with a brand new episode next Tuesday. To get us back in the swing of things, we're re-releasing a favorite, our Thanksgiving 2023 episode where we hear not from 1 or 2 guests...but more than 20 who share moments of gratitude, buth small and large. Thanks for listening! We've got some great stories yet to come!

God likes to teach us lessons in unexpected places... It's amazing how often we end up "doing the work" when we're helping other people do the work...

Life doesn't come with an instruction manual. We make it up as we go! Susan shares her story from life in the FHU Bubble and more!

It's really cool when the story of God's people is part of the story of your whole life. That's the story you'll get today with Anita Fuson - a story that reminds us that God is still very much alive and at work in his world!

He could have been a shoe salesman...or an accountant...but he's ended up in ministry...for a long time! He's nearing retirement, so now is a good time to look back at some of the God stories along the way. Listen to Geoffrey Sikes, minister at the church of Christ at Trenton Crossing in Clarksville, TN as he shares his journey in ministry!

Since I've abused more than 70 guests....I guess turnabout is fair play. Today Monica Gossett and I swap seats...and she bullies me into telling parts of my story!