The Ferment Podcast - Conversations About Worship And Transformation

Tim Holt is the founding pastor of Seacoast Vineyard Church in Myrtle Beach, SC and a competitive surfer. He is passionate about evangelism and introducing people to the Jesus he met at a surf competition in 1971. Tim has been married to his wife Karen for 50 years and together they are parents and grandparents. In this episode of The Ferment, Tim and Adam talk about some big themes, starting with the organic way Tim began doing ministry in the ocean with fellow surfers to becoming a pastor and then returning to ocean ministry, the value of having a life with Jesus outside the church, and the joy and pain involved in retiring from formal ministry and transitioning your church to a new leader. This is a very fluid episode that is full of sweet moments and showcases a life of faithfulness marked by the Holy Spirit. Show notes: Vineyard Worship's Song of the Month: Roll Like a River https://slinky.to/VW-RollLikeARiver

Geoffrey Holsclaw is a pastor at Vineyard North in Grand Rapids, MI, an affiliate professor of theology at Northern Seminary, host of the Being With podcast, and author of "Does God Really Like Me?" He holds a Ph.D in Religious Studies from Marquette University and an M.Div from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Geoff is passionate about theology and philosophy, politics and culture. He has been married to his wife Cyd for over 20 years and they have two teenage sons. In this episode of The Ferment, Geoff and Adam talk deconstruction: why it's such a hot topic in the culture right now, how to do it well if you're a pastor, worship leader or someone who is in a place of spiritual influence, and some common misunderstandings about the process. This is an incredibly timely and relevant conversation that is encouraging for those experiencing deconstruction and a guidebook for those walking alongside someone experiencing deconstruction. Show notes: Vineyard Worship's Song of the Month: Roll Like a River https://slinky.to/VW-RollLikeARiver Geoff's website: http://geoffreyholsclaw.net Being With podcast: https://bit.ly/3lGVuYI After Doubt by A.J. Swoboda https://amzn.to/2Vr2Rcd The Great Partnership: Science, Religion and the Search for Meaning by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks https://amzn.to/3s29JIX

Shyla Powell has a Master's degree in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care from Fordham University, and is a worship leader at the Syracuse Vineyard in Syracuse, NY. Shyla is also the founder of a soul care ministry called 3Love Ministries, and a favorite educator for the Vineyard School of Worship. She and her husband Leon have been married for 7 years and have a daughter. In this live recording of The Ferment, Shyla shares about the commonalities between holding space while leading worship and facilitating a therapy session, and why healing is a communal act. She also drops some truth about the role of therapy in the life of a Christian, the need for continual growth and healing as pastors and worship leaders, and how to know if it's time to find a counselor. This episode is dripping with practical wisdom and is an accessible first step in the process to becoming healthier humans and leaders. Show Notes: Vineyard Worship song of the month – You Are God https://slinky.to/VW-YouAreGod Shyla's email [email protected]

Michael Hansen is the lead pastor at Vineyard Church of Delaware County. He grew up in western Canada and is passionate about having a healthy and active church. He loves to encourage and equip people to know God and to discover who He has made them to be. In his spare time Michael enjoys playing guitar, reading books, and watching hockey. Michael is married to his wife, Helen and has two adult sons, Jeremy and Daniel. In this live episode of The Ferment, Michael shares stories of experiencing the presence of the Lord, the transition from worship pastor to lead pastor, and reengaging socially and pastorally after the disruption of COVID. Just like Michael, this conversation is both hilarious and full of wisdom. Show Notes: Vineyard Worship song of the month – You Are God https://slinky.to/VW-YouAreGod Vineyard Church of Delaware County https://www.vcdc.org/

Jan Smith, dubbed Mama Jan by Usher, is the world's premier vocal producer and instructor. She has over 30 years experience in the music industry as both an artist and a mentor. Mama Jan is a Grammy nominated producer and a Georgia Music Hall of Fame inductee. In addition to being a creative force for vocal excellence, Mama Jan is a visionary executive working across entertainment to reboot the music industry into an artist-driven business. As CEO of Mama J Music, she works tirelessly to fuse artist development, technology and music education into a successful career roadmap for all musicians. In this live recording of The Ferment, Adam and Mama Jan talk about the instrument of the human voice: what it is exactly and how to care for it well. Mama Jan shares practical tips for worship leaders, pastors and other vocalists who use their voices more than most including warm ups and warm downs and why every green room should have a steamer. Her holistic approach to honoring the body as a gift we've been entrusted with is an inspiration to every person regardless of vocation! Show notes: Vineyard Worship song of the month – You Are God https://slinky.to/VW-YouAreGod Jan Smith's Website https://jansmith.com

Kris MacQueen is the lead pastor at Guelph Vineyard Church in Ontario, Canada, a leader in the Vineyard Creative initiative, and a musician and songwriter inside and outside of the church. Kris and his wife Liv have been married for twenty years and recently started making music together as "The MacQueens". As we return from our midseason break, Kris and Adam chat about cultivating spiritual practices that will sustain us through the ups and downs of a long life spent in relationship with Jesus, a holistic approach to the fruitful life of a creative, and co-creating with your spouse. They also talk about the rich songwriting history of Vineyard Canada and the importance of having creative and spiritual mentors. Show notes: Kris's website https://krismacqueen.com The MacQueens https://themacqueens.ca Vineyard Creative https://creative.vineyard.ca

Adam and Heather Russell are answering listener questions from around the globe! They put out a request on social media and ya'll did not disappoint. From their dream team guest lineup to the future of online church, this episode covers lots of ground, from theological to practical to light-hearted. This is the last episode before our midseason break, so listen in and then join us as we return in early July! Show Notes: Vineyard Worship's song of the month – "Heaven's Work" https://slinky.to/HeavensWork The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection by Robert Capon https://amzn.to/3fIR7I7 Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus by Robert Capon https://amzn.to/3ucb4Mz Cannery Row by John Steinbeck https://amzn.to/3vqRNIw The Ferment: Dr. Charles Montgomery – Is There Blood On Our Preaching? https://bit.ly/3bNmEaI The Ferment: Paul Anleitner – American Civil Religion – How Did We Get Here https://bit.ly/3fBNFz2 Deep Talks Podcast with Paul Anleitner https://deeptalkstheologypodcast.podbean.com New Read/McQueen single: Möbius https://spoti.fi/2T8wsp7

This week on The Ferment we're flipping the script and Adam is in the guest's seat! Listen in on a special re-broadcast of the What is Worship? podcast with Harmony Smith where you'll hear Adam share about what he believes worship should be and how his definition of worship has evolved as he has come to know Jesus in a more real and honest way. Adam talks about the importance of "place" and how it flavors our experiences, and how good things are coming out of small places. Adam and Harmony also have an honest conversation about church life after COVID and Christianity as an embodied faith. Show Notes: Vineyard Worship's song of the month – "Heaven's Work" https://slinky.to/HeavensWork What is Worship? podcast with Harmony Smith https://apple.co/2QnNleB

Susan O'Brien is a spiritual director who works with people to become more aware of God's presence in their lives. She received her certification through the Institute of Christian Spirituality at Lipscomb University and also holds a Bachelor of Theology from Point University. She believes that God is working in every person that she encounters. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, Mike and their son, Ezekiel. When she isn't doing spiritual direction, homeschooling her son or teaching piano lessons, she likes spending time in her rocking chair or on the back porch swing. On this episode of The Ferment, Susan and our host Adam Russell look at the "slow" work of God in our lives. This is especially relevant in this season as our normal rhythms have been disrupted in so many ways. Much to glean in this rich episode! Show notes: To submit your question for Adam and Heather's next "Ask me anything" episode email [email protected]

Anabeth Morgan is a worship leader, songwriter and recording artist, and has been the worship pastor at the Mile High Vineyard in Denver, CO since 2011. She has appeared on many Vineyard Worship albums, such as Cultivation Generation -"Servant Wide Awake" & "My Foundation" and National Conference - "Live From Phoenix" and "Wonderful". She also released a solo project in 2017 titled "A Place Your Glory Dwells". Having travelled the world leading worship and coaching leaders and teams, she is an in-demand conference worship leader, teacher, and speaker. Anabeth is a graduate of Mississippi State University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Exercise Science and Psychology. She and her college sweetheart, Kyle, have been married since 2003, have 2 young children and live in Denver. In this episode of The Ferment, Anabeth and Adam chat about life as a parent and a person in ministry, and whether striking a balance is ever really possible. They also talk at length about cultivating emotional health and what that looks like as an individual, a staff, and a worship team. Anabeth shares some wisdom about staying connected to people in conflict, gives some practical examples of pursuing relationships while maintaining differentiation, and leaves us with a reading list to join her on the journey toward emotional maturity. Show notes: To submit your question for Adam and Heather's next "Ask me anything" episode" email [email protected] Anabeth's Website https://anabethmorgan.com The Leader's Journey by Jim Herrington, Trisha Taylor and R. Robert Creech https://amzn.to/32ZJhnl The Ferment: Steve Cuss https://bit.ly/3eGdWM2 Emotionally Focused (Chris Knudsen) https://www.emotionallyfocused.org/about/ The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni https://amzn.to/3xAxI47 Growing Yourself Up by Jenny Brown https://amzn.to/3sYDF7u The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni https://amzn.to/3nxOHQ0

David Berguño is the Worship Pastor of Viña Las Condes in Santiago, Chile where he lives with his wife Marjorie Brownell. With a background in songwriting and arranging, he has written and produced worship in Chile for many years and has led worship since he was a teen. On this episode of The Ferment, David gives us a window into his international upbringing, which spans the Western Hemisphere from Chile to Venezuela to the U.S. His multi-lingual and multi-cultural life experience gives him a unique voice as the Church at large wrestles with issues of race, globalism, and cultural division. This is especially relevant in the U.S. as we seek to embrace the growing diversity of our country and its churches. Show Notes: Vineyard Worship's song of the month for April - Thin Place Live: https://youtu.be/5u7jcBhhVJE Lyric Video: https://youtu.be/caLavnK9gQs Viña Las Condes, Santiago, Chile https://ivlc.cl

David Pfaltzgraff is the Founder and Lead Sound Designer at SundaySounds.com, a site that designs keys patches, templates, and sound libraries for worship musicians. David is also the creator of the Sunday Keys MainStage Template, a keys template for MainStage 3 that has been widely adopted by thousands of churches around the world. He has been married to his wife Anna for 10 years and they have 3 kids and currently live in Iowa. In this second VSOW takeover episode, David and VSOW Director Mike O'Brien talk all things keyboard, from gear that is accessible to any level of volunteer to computer-based keyboards, to helping the keys players on your team find what it means to contribute to the modern worship band from the keyboard position. David gives specific gear recommendations, encouraging advice on how to lower the barrier of entry and empower your keyboard player to support their team members creatively, and also demonstrates a variety of sounds available through different kinds of software. This is an incredibly valuable resource for both keyboard players who want to learn how to contribute to their worship community, as well as worship leaders who want to develop every member of their team. Show notes: Vineyard Worship's song of the month for April - Thin Place Live: https://youtu.be/5u7jcBhhVJE Lyric Video: https://youtu.be/caLavnK9gQs Vineyard School of Worship http://Vsow.org Sunday Sounds, LLC Https://SundaySounds.com Amazon: MIDI to USB Cable https://amzn.to/3e72s3L Amazon: 1/8" Cable to 1/4" Stereo https://amzn.to/3x432YC

Meet the Vineyard Worship Team! Adam Russell (Director of Vineyard Worship and host of The Ferment), Mike O'Brien (Director of the Vineyard School of Worship), Casey Corum (Director of Production and A&R, and producer of The Ferment) and Melisa Keller (Director of Events and Project Management). The Vineyard movement is comprised of thousands of worship leaders in the US alone, but what is Vineyard Worship as an organization? On this episode of The Ferment, the Vineyard Worship team provides an overview of what Vineyard Worship is, as well as what it is not. They give us the run down on the four facets that comprise Vineyard Worship, the four lanes of worship we are currently pursuing and share some great ways to get connected! Show notes: Vineyard Worship's song of the month for April - Thin Place Live: https://youtu.be/5u7jcBhhVJE Lyric Video: https://youtu.be/caLavnK9gQs Vineyard Worship team https://www.vineyardworship.com/team Vineyard School of Worship (VSOW) http://vsow.org LoFi Vineyard album https://youtu.be/ZB7QY-SD3eQ The Ferment - Caleb Maskell episode https://bit.ly/3s8rbKf Facebook group - Vineyard Worship Leaders https://www.facebook.com/groups/vineyardworshipleaders Facebook group - Vineyard Sound and Video Techs https://www.facebook.com/groups/362114604261036

Eddie Espinosa is a well-known Vineyard veteran and pioneer in the modern worship movement. Eddie was featured on numerous recordings through the years including groundbreaking original two vinyl records from Vineyard Ministries International - "All The Earth Shall Worship" and "He Is Worthy To Be Praised" both releasing in 1982. Eddie's song include "You Are The Mighty King", "Worthy Is The Lamb", and the global worship classic and era-defining "Change My Heart O God". Despite being known as a songwriter and worship pastor, Eddie spent most of his professional career in public education as a teacher, counselor and administrator. Eddie and his wife live in Southern California and have two children. In this episode of The Ferment, Eddie shares his story of being called into a life with Jesus and growing into a worshiper who is known as one who writes love songs to the Lord. He reflects on the early days at the Anaheim Vineyard and how they were marked by hunger and desperation for God, and shares the three things he believes bring the presence of God in worship. This is a very tender episode that overflows with a love for the Lord that is only cultivated in first-hand experience of His goodness and grace. Show notes: Change My Heart, O God by Eddie Espinosa https://youtu.be/DwudqCO7mSQ Eddie's interview with the Calvin Institute https://bit.ly/3dx2Zf5

Casey Corum is a songwriter, worship leader, record producer, and creative catalyst based in the greater Los Angeles, California area. He is also the producer of this podcast! Casey is best known for his work with Vineyard Music having served as Chief Creative Officer for over 10 years, and is currently the Director of Production and A&R. His songs have been sung in thousands of churches all over the world in numerous languages. Some of his best known songs include "Dwell", "Form Us", "No Longer Strangers", and "You Have Set Me Free". Casey also travels extensively working with artists, churches, and creative leaders on the stage and in the studio. Living life as an act of improvisation, Casey has given his life to unlocking creative potential in others and breaking through creative roadblocks. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Angie. They have four daughters and live in Fullerton, California. In this episode, you'll get to know the "behind the scenes guy" of the Ferment a little bit better. Coming to faith in the early days of the Vineyard, Casey offers a unique perspective of joining a young movement as a young man. He shares about his commitment to investing in songwriting, making good records and helping worship leaders to improve in their craft, and ends with a word of encouragement to Vineyard songwriters. Show notes: Casey's linktr.ee https://linktr.ee/caseycorum Casey's website http://Caseycorum.net Changed By Your Glory- Langley Vineyard 1989 https://amzn.to/3svCAET

Dennis Liu is the co-lead pastor at Vineyard of Harvest Church, a multi-generational, multi-lingual, and multi-cultural congregation in Walnut, CA. Dennis earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then, when God made it clear that he was called to ministry and not to medicine, he began an internship at Vineyard of Harvest Church while pursuing a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Dennis eventually joined the Vineyard of Harvest staff full-time as the minister to the English congregation, graduated from Fuller in 2005 and was ordained as a pastor in 2007. Dennis married his wife Evangeline in 2011 and they have 4 children. In this episode of The Ferment, Dennis shares about how God disrupted his plans and the cultural expectations of his family to call him into ministry. He and Adam talk about Asian culture and the pioneering work Dennis has done as an Asian-American pastor in the Vineyard. They also discuss the rise of Anti-Asian racism since 2020 and the COVID-19 virus, as well as the shootings that occurred in Georgia the day before the recording of this episode. Dennis brings a strong and tender word about the need for building intercultural relationships within the Vineyard Movement and his desire to see the invitation to leadership extended to Asian-American leaders. Show Notes: Vineyard of Harvest Church https://vineyardofharvest.churchcenter.com/home

On the year anniversary of the US being locked down to lessen the spread of COVID-19, Adam and Heather Russell spend some time reflecting on what has been lost during this time, and also what has been gained. They share with us some of the things they have been reimagining as a family and as pastors of a local church, and the gift of this transitional moment as we see glimmers of hope of returning to a normal life. Heather speaks about rebuilding volunteer teams with new eyes and they give us some pastoral advice on gently shepherding our churches and teams as we all navigate the losses that we have experienced due to COVID. This episode poses the question "As we enter into this new season, what would you like to bring with you?" and helps us think that through. Come along as Adam and Heather lead us in some reimagining. Show Notes: Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs by Steve Cuss https://amzn.to/38CFMGN Managing Leadership Anxiety - Steve Cuss Podcast – Jack Shitama s6e9 https://stevecusswords.com/podcast/ The Leader's Journey by Jim Herrington, Trisha Taylor and R. Robert Creech https://amzn.to/3lavGSo

In this first round of VSOW (Vineyard School of Worship) takeover episodes, Mike O'Brien meets up with longtime friend Martin Reardon. Marty serves as the worship pastor of Trinity Anglican in Atlanta, GA. He has a Master's Degree in Worship Studies from the Robert Weber Institute, is a contributor for Seedbed and is the creator of allthingsworship.org. Marty and his wife have three children. In this episode of the Ferment, Mike and Marty explore the Anglican denomination, from the respite that can be found in The Book of Common Prayer and leaning into the seasons of the church calendar to the beauty of creating a non-anxious environment for people to experience the Holy Spirit. Marty shares about worship as a formative exercise and the role of worship leaders as "tour guides", walking with people in their experience of worship and leading, teaching and modeling how to engage spiritually. Marty also shares some practical advice for worship leaders in treating volunteer worship teams with kindness, tending to our own souls and relationships, and choosing a worship set that reflects the season of the church. This is an incredibly sweet episode that allows for an intimate look into the Anglican stream of worship. Show notes: Seedbed https://www.seedbed.com All Things Worship- A resource for worship leaders https://allthingsworship.org 10,000 Generations- by Martin Reardon, Billy Somerville, Jen Reardon, and Meghan Coffee https://amzn.to/2MXbhUs Book of Common Prayer https://amzn.to/38bgqiY The Quest for the Radical Middle by Bill Jackson https://amzn.to/30wWGlT ATLtrinityworship.org Mosaic of Christian Belief by Roger E. Olson https://amzn.to/38d09tQ

Kate Cooke is a songwriter, worship leader, mixed media artist and illustrator living and working on the south coast of England with her husband Jimmy, the Director of Production and Publishing for Vineyard Worship UK, and their 2 daughters. She is a co-writer on Vineyard Worship's album "The Lamb Has Conquered" and her vocals can be heard on Vineyard UK worship albums such as "Spirit Burn: Live from London", "The Lord Has Come" and "Love Divine". After completing a foundation year at Wimbledon School of Art in London, Kate decided to travel, got married, had a myriad of jobs while studying literature and then had children, deciding to stay at home with them when they were little. After witnessing the natural creativity in her girls, Kate decided to rekindle her own childhood passion for art once they were off at school and set up a small space in the corner of her bedroom, very tentatively picked up a pencil and started to draw again. This was the start of a journey of creative rediscovery which continues to this day; juggling art, work, motherhood and family life. In this female-forward episode of The Ferment, Kate is interviewed by Adam's exceptional wife, Heather Russell. Kate shares stories of experiencing the Holy Spirit in both traditional and charismatic faith expressions, the challenges she faced in balancing motherhood and creativity and the process of anchoring into her multi-faceted identity in the Lord. Kate also talks to us about acknowledging the truth of how God has created us and stepping into that with faithfulness instead of pursuing a road simply because it is perceived as "more holy". This is a podcast by the women but for the people. Men, you are welcome here too. Show Notes: Kate's Website https://www.katecooke.co.uk Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert https://amzn.to/3r5bmEa Old Masters and Young Geniuses: The Two Life Cycles of Artistic Creativity by David W. Galenson https://amzn.to/2ZVlTG6

Jemar Tisby is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Color of Compromise, president and co-founder of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective, and co-host of the podcast, "Pass The Mic." He grew up just north of Chicago and attended the University of Notre Dame. Jemar went on to join Teach For America and was assigned to the Mississippi Delta Corps where he taught sixth grade at a public charter school and later went on to be the principal. He received his MDiv from Reformed Theological Seminary and is presently working toward his PhD in History at the University of Mississippi studying race, religion, and social movements in the twentieth century. Jemar and his family call the Deep South home and especially love the weather, people, and food! His new book, How to Fight Racism released January 2021! In this episode of The Ferment, Jemar introduces us to the humanity of Martin Luther King, Jr. that is often lost in his iconography. He and Adam dig into the context of some of King's most famously quoted doctrine and discuss the ways in which the soundbites don't fully match up with his beliefs and intentions, particularly the ideas of nonviolence and protest as a mechanism for change. This is an incredibly educational and challenging episode that calls for a lot of self-reflection and provides tangible steps towards action. Show notes: Vineyard Worship's Song of the Month: "You Don't Have to Lose Heart" https://slinky.to/YouDontHaveToLoseHeart How to Fight Racism by Jemar Tisby https://amzn.to/3kae2h2 The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby https://amzn.to/3pDcGwz Radio Free Dixie by Timothy Tyson https://amzn.to/3pLke0w Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah https://amzn.to/3bvUxMm The Witness, Inc https://www.thewitnessinc.com

Dr. Charles A. Montgomery, Jr serves as a Teaching Pastor at Vineyard Church of Columbus and in 2012 took on the additional responsibility of becoming the Campus Pastor of Vineyard Columbus East Campus. A Spirit-filled, gifted preacher and lecturer, he is nationally and globally recognized as a critical thinker and advocate for racial reconciliation and is a member of the prestigious Martin Luther King Jr Board of Preachers of Morehouse College. Dr. Montgomery earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Morehouse College; a Master of Divinity from Emory University with certificates in Black Church studies and Christian Education, and a PhD in Ethical and Creative Leadership from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, Ohio(highest honors). He has also written several articles on Leadership and Spirituality, and is the author of the forthcoming book, Building A House Without Walls. Throughout his career Dr. Montgomery has received numerous academic, civic, literary, and ecclesiastical awards. Concerning these and other accomplishments, Dr. Montgomery believes his greatest accomplishment is being married to the love of his life, Kimberly. In this episode of The Ferment, Dr. Montgomery shares his journey from childhood to becoming a rocket scientist to pastoring, and the God thread woven throughout. He and Adam discuss the difference between oration and preaching, the craft of formulating a sermon and what happens when God asks you to scrap it and redirects at the last minute. Dr. Montgomery also presents some tough questions for us to wrestle with, like what does "thy kingdom come" look like in our context? And as the Vineyard is seeing movement towards real multiethnic communities, what does it mean to have true diversity and oneness in our churches? This is an encouraging conversation that will leave you with thoughts to chew on for the weeks to come. Show notes: Vineyard Worship's Song of the Month: "You Don't Have to Lose Heart" https://slinky.to/YouDontHaveToLoseHeart Vineyard Columbus https://vineyardcolumbus.org

In this follow-up episode of The Ferment, Mike O'Brien and Adam Russell continue their conversation about worship team culture and development and the importance of defining excellence within your own church context. They also tackle what it looks like to age well as a worship leader and some key strategies for longevity. Mike O'Brien has served as a worship pastor, speaker, record producer and songwriter for over 25 years. For 18 years he served one church (Vineyard Community Church of Marietta, GA) training hundreds of worship leaders and musicians; in that church he founded a creative common called "Poured Out Like Wine". Mike serves as the director for the Vineyard School of Worship and has produced numerous albums including "Shine On Us", "Miami Vineyard Live", and "Not Be Moved". He holds his Masters of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute and is currently serving the church at large in worship team training and worship leader mentoring. Mike, his wife Susan and their son Ezekiel live in Atlanta GA. Show notes: Mike's Website: http://Themikeo.com Vineyard School of Worship http://Vsow.org Vineyard Worship's Song of the Month: "You Don't Have to Lose Heart" https://slinky.to/YouDontHaveToLoseHeart

Mike O'Brien has served as a worship pastor, speaker, record producer and songwriter for over 25 years. For 18 years he served one church (Vineyard Community Church of Marietta, GA) training hundreds of worship leaders and musicians; in that church he founded a creative common called "Poured Out Like Wine". Mike serves as the director for the Vineyard School of Worship and has produced numerous albums including "Shine On Us", "Miami Vineyard Live", and "Not Be Moved". He holds his Masters of Worship Studies from the Robert E. Webber Institute and is currently serving the church at large in worship team training and worship leader mentoring. Mike, his wife Susan and their son Ezekiel live in Atlanta GA. In this episode of The Ferment, Mike shares some of the insight he has gained from visiting Vineyard churches across the nation over a number of years observing worship teams, and extends an invitation to worship leaders and pastors to view their teams differently, valuing the opportunity for discipleship over the desire to have a team stacked with "the best" musicians week in and week out. Mike also offers some tips for shaping the church's worship diet in a way that is most nourishing for that specific congregation and proposes some thoughts and personal experience on how to leave a church role well. Show notes: Mike's Website: http://Themikeo.com Vineyard School of Worship http://Vsow.org Vineyard Worship's Song of the Month: "You Don't Have to Lose Heart" https://slinky.to/YouDontHaveToLoseHeart Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss: https://amzn.to/2ObHtDN

Melisa Keller is the Director of Events & Project Management for Vineyard Worship. In her role, Melisa oversees Vineyard Worship Leader Retreats and Rise events, and serves as project manager for all products and releases. She earned her MBA in Hospitality Management, which has enabled her to better enjoy food, wine, good music and good times with family and friends. Melisa and her husband Scott currently lead worship and serve on the leadership team at Vineyard Fullerton in Fullerton, CA. They have two amazing children. In this episode of The Ferment, Adam and Melisa discuss emotional intelligence: what is it, why do we care, and how does it affect worship leaders and pastors? Melisa shares about how becoming self-aware allows us to find freedom from our reactionary responses, first by noticing what is happening in our physical bodies and then bringing them to the Lord and allowing Him to speak, often revealing things to us about our formative experiences. Emotional Intelligence leads us to an awareness of how we move through the world, and also allows us to love others better and to build teams marked by grace and understanding. This is an incredibly practical and valuable episode that all humans, but especially leaders, should have in their tool box. Show Notes: The Ferment: Melisa Keller - We Need To Pastor The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit https://bit.ly/3ozkoaC Managing Leadership Anxiety by Steve Cuss https://amzn.to/3j4cm8E

Paul Anleitner is the Worship Pastor at the First Evangelical Free Church in Minneapolis, MN and host of the Deep Talks podcast - Exploring Theology and Meaning-Making. Prior to joining the staff at First Free, he enjoyed 15 years of vocational ministry experience in a variety of roles and denominational settings. He has had the privilege over the years of being not only a Worship Pastor in the Assemblies of God, Evangelical Covenant Church, and now the Evangelical Free Church, but has also taught theology and biblical studies courses in Christian high schools, directed parachurch ministries, and recorded & released original music. Paul loves reading theology, exercising and watching or playing basketball. He is married to the girl of his dreams, Keri, and they have 3 kids. In this episode of The Ferment podcast, Paul and our host Adam Russell have an incredibly nuanced conversation about the way symbols and the meaning we ascribe to them create stories that shape our worldview. Coming on the tail of January 6th and the insurrection at the US Capitol Building, Paul and Adam discuss the mixed symbolism of nooses and Confederate flags displayed alongside "Jesus Saves" signs and the way that mirrors the present state of Christianity and politics in our nation. As the layers are peeled back, Paul and Adam dive into spheres of psychology and theology, examining the symbolism within our church buildings and worship songs, and the effect the convergence of culture and subcultures has on shaping the narrative of our nation, our worship experience, and our lives. Show notes Deep Talks Podcast https://deeptalkstheologypodcast.podbean.com The Ferment Podcast – Paul Anleitner 5.26.19 https://bit.ly/3980Pl6

Eleanor Mumford and her husband John play a significant leadership role within the Vineyard family of churches, both in the UK and overseas. They worked for two years with John Wimber at the Anaheim Vineyard in California before starting the SW London Vineyard in 1987. They handed over the leadership of that church in 2008 and served as National Directors in the UK and Ireland until 2015. They now focus on the continued development and momentum of the international Vineyard family. Eleanor and John have two grown sons, two beautiful daughters-in-law and 4 grandchildren. In this episode of The Ferment, Eleanor shares her origin story and the power of a praying roommate. She also talks about her husband's first interactions with John Wimber and their earliest days with the Vineyard movement, the profound impact of worship in their life and ministry, and their life more recently as international coordinators within Vineyard Global. Eleanor speaks about unity, equipping international leaders to care for their people and communities, and shares an encouraging word about staying close to the Lord during this hard season. Show notes: Vineyard Global: https://vineyard.org

Ryan Delmore and his wife Sarah live on the central coast of California where they own and operate Del's Famous Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant. A worship leader in the Vineyard church for over 25 years, Ryan continues to write songs and lead worship in his local church, while touring occasionally. He has written and recorded several songs with Vineyard Music, including "Better Than Life," "Set Me on Fire," "Let It Come," and "Jesus' Name". Ryan and Sarah have five children and a granddaughter. In this episode of The Ferment, Ryan shares his story of growing up seaside, finding the Lord and becoming an "accidental songwriter." He talks about how his definition of success and his dreams have evolved over time, and how being mentored as a young man really helped shape him both personally and musically. Ryan and Adam also reminisce about the lengths they used to go to in order to have access to their favorite songs on demand pre-Spotify. Show notes Del's Famous Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant https://delspizzeria.com John Barnett - Holy and Anointed One https://youtu.be/oAjSjxg-BOs The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions https://amzn.to/3nBCoRi

Sandra McCracken's prolific contributions as a songwriter, modern-day hymn writer, and record producer have brought grace and clarity to her soulful, folk-gospel sound. Whether in a theater or in a chapel, she is a dynamic performer who blurs the lines of what church music sounds like, captivating and inviting audiences to sing along. While many of her songs like "We Will Feast In the House Of Zion" and "Thy Mercy My God" have settled into regular rotation in Christian worship services internationally, she has also had songs recorded by All Sons And Daughters, ABC's Grey's Anatomy, Audrey Assad, A Rocha Compilation, Bifrost Arts, Caedmon's Call and others. She is further a founding member of Indelible Grace Music and Rain for Roots (children's music) and has been a guest writer for Art House America, She Reads Truth, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, RELEVANT Magazine, and more. In the first episode of season 3, Sandra and our host Adam Russell talk about how songwriting is influenced by the world around us, discovering who we are when our normal affirmations are stripped away and the opportunity that change brings to learn to love each other. Sandra also shares her love of the Psalms and the profound impact they've had on her songwriting, and how songs can be a purveyor of hospitality. Show notes: Sandra's Website https://www.sandramccracken.com Sandra McCracken - Lay My Worry Down https://bit.ly/2X7jeIc To Be Told - God Invites You to Coauthor Your Future by Dan B. Allender https://amzn.to/2X6lBL7 Yo-Yo Ma - "Music Happens Between the Notes" (On Being with Krista Tippet) https://bit.ly/3rN2eEZ Sandra McCracken- Traincar https://bit.ly/3pICyrk Sandra McCracken - Patient Kingdom https://sandramccracken.lnk.to/PatientKingdom https://sandramccracken.lnk.to/PatientKingdom

As we take our end of season break, please enjoy some of our very favorite episodes from 2020, released on Mondays and Thursdays throughout December! We will catch you back with Season 3 in January! New Year, new episodes! Steve Cuss is the author of the influential book, "Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs" (published by NEXT Leadership Network), and serves as lead pastor at Discover Christian Church in Broomfield, CO. On today's episode, Steve and Adam discuss chronic anxiety and its effect on our personal lives, our teams, and the society in which we live. This is an important conversation, especially in the current global pandemic.

As we take our end of season break, please enjoy some of our very favorite episodes from 2020, released on Mondays and Thursdays throughout December! We will catch you back with Season 3 in January! New Year, new episodes! Chris Lizotte is a singer-songwriter and worship leader best known for his songs "Glory The King," "I Love Your Ways," and "I Will Trust You." Born and raised in Orange County, CA, Chris has led worship for The National Youth Leaders Convention, Promise Keepers, and Campus Crusade, and his songs have been recorded by Kim Walker-Smith, Crystal Lewis, Vineyard Worship, and Maranatha! Music. On this episode Chris shares his faith journey — from growing up Catholic to coming to faith through a physical healing — as well as his journey into music and leading worship. Many prominent voices have spoken deeply and personally into Chris's life and long road in worship ministry and mainstream music, including Chuck Smith, Kevin Prosch, John Wimber, and Eddie Espinosa. There is much to learn here.

As we take our end of season break, please enjoy some of our very favorite episodes from 2020, released on Mondays and Thursdays throughout December! We will catch you back with Season 3 in January! New Year, new episodes! Worship leader and songwriter Matt Redman has penned some of the most-beloved worship anthems in the modern Church. Songs such as "The Heart of Worship," "10,000 Reasons," "Blessed Be Your Name," and "Build My Life" are sung around the world and will continue to be sung for many years to come. In early 2020, Matt released his 14th album,Let There Be Wonder. On this episode, Matt and our host Adam Russell mine Matt's wisdom on the role of worship leaders as servants who not only lead people in singing to God, but who help people see God. From there, they delve into the challenges faced by worship leaders in this time of quarantine and virtual church. This is a rich conversation, as Matt's words have resonance and relevance now more than ever.

As we take our end of season break, please enjoy some of our very favorite episodes from 2020, released on Mondays and Thursdays throughout December! We will catch you back with Season 3 in January! New Year, new episodes! This episode is part of our new series, Black Voices In The Vineyard, which features interviews with Black leaders from around the Vineyard movement. Kim McNeal and her husband have lived in Raleigh, NC for over 20 years, but they are proud natives of the "City of Brotherly Love," Philadelphia, PA (#goeagles). Presently, Kim works as a financial literacy educator at a non-profit and serves as an elder and worship leader at Raleigh Vineyard Church. On this inspiring episode Kim shares her journey of faith, beginning with a seminal moment of seeing Aretha Franklin perform when Kim was only 5 years old to the start of her life following Jesus in college. Kim has spent many years in both the white and black Church, bringing with her helpful and challenging insights into journeying together as the people of God from "every tribe, tongue, and nation."

As we take our end of season break, please enjoy some of our very favorite episodes from 2020, released on Mondays and Thursdays throughout December! We will catch you back with Season 3 in January! New Year, new episodes! Lauri Varieur is a former VP of Creative Brand/Social Media/Visual for top fashion brands BCBGMAXAZRIA and Donna Karan. She is now co-lead pastor — alongside her husband Wade — of Vineyard Fullerton, an eclectic church plant in downtown Fullerton, CA celebrating its 6th anniversary. On this episode, Lauri shares her journey growing up in the greater NYC area and coming to a real faith at the Manhattan Vineyard under the leadership of Mike & Char Turrigiano. Feeling called into the "mission field" from a young age, Lauri found herself in the fashion industry with a call to pastor those around her. This is an inspiring conversation about our call to follow Jesus in every context in which we find ourselves.

As we take our end of season break, please enjoy some of our very favorite episodes from 2020, released on Mondays and Thursdays throughout December! We will catch you back with Season 3 in January! New Year, new episodes! Edgar King has been the lead pastor of Trinity Vineyard Church, a multicultural community of faith in Nakuru, Kenya since 2017. Born and raised in Nakuru, Edgar has a passion for the people of his city and creating a place where everyone is welcome. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Statistics from Kenyatta University and a Diploma in Theology from the Vineyard School of Ministry- Africa, and is on the National Leadership Board of the Association of Vineyard Churches of Kenya. Edgar spends his time leading worship, training worship leaders and helping others grow in their journey toward Jesus. In this intercontinental episode, Edgar and our host Adam Russell chat about life in Kenya, some of the challenges and opportunities that come with caring for a diverse worship community and the gift of being a part of the global Vineyard family. Show notes: Edgar's Church https://trinitynakuru.org Vineyard Worship Together- Edgar King https://bit.ly/2GpzoY4

As we take our end of season break, please enjoy some of our very favorite episodes from 2020, released on Mondays and Thursdays throughout December! We will catch you back with Season 3 in January! New Year, new episodes! Brian Doerksen is a Canadian singer/songwriter, worship leader, author and pastor. He is best known for his songs "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" and "Refiner's Fire" which have been sung in churches internationally. He has been making music for 30 years, and has won more awards in both the United States and Canada than can be counted on all his fingers and toes. Brian has been married to his high school sweetheart, Joyce, for over 35 years and they have 4 daughters and 2 sons. In this episode, Brian shares his journey of faith, songwriting and becoming a worship leader with our host Adam Russell. Brian's story is a beautiful example of a life marked by intimacy with the Father, and this grounding conversation will reorient our hearts toward vulnerability and authenticity before God and each other in worship. Brian's Song- "Father, I Want You to Hold Me" https://bit.ly/2YJBSXG

As we take our end of season break, please enjoy some of our very favorite episodes from 2020, released on Mondays and Thursdays throughout December! We will catch you back with Season 3 in January! New Year, new episodes! Aarti Sequeira is a cooking show host, journalist, and cookbook author. If her face is familiar, it might mean that you, too, have enjoyed a pulse-racing episode of Guy's Grocery Games or know her as the season 6 winner of Food Network Star. Aarti is also the author of Aarti Paarti: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul. An incredibly multi-faceted woman, she also holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism and produced a documentary for HBO about the genocide in Darfur called Sand and Sorrow. Aarti lives with her husband and 2 daughters in Los Angeles. In this episode, Aarti and our host Adam Russell raise a proverbial glass to all things food and hospitality, exploring the unifying and intimate nature of sharing a meal and the innate way in which food breaks down cultural and social barriers. They also explore the ways our spiritual practices adapt to the season of life we are in, and the sweetness of the unearned attention and love of the Father. This laughter-filled episode is good for the heart…and will likely make you very hungry. Aarti's Website https://aartisequeira.com Aarti's Cookbook https://amzn.to/3aEo99i Aarti's Cooking Show- Community Table https://bit.ly/2DQy8fF

Welcome to the plague year(s)...we guess? In the last Ferment episode of the year, Adam and Heather review their 2020 high notes: favorite Ferment guests, favorite quarantine moments and newly acquired hobbies. They also chat about how the robots are winning and how online church is different than church. Oh, and Adam yells…a lot. So buckle up and enjoy the Russell ride and we'll catch you in 2021! Edgar King on The Ferment https://bit.ly/2HKTPjc Matt Redman on The Ferment https://bit.ly/37bLJJe Aarti Sequeira on The Ferment https://bit.ly/3q9752z Chris Lizotte on The Ferment https://bit.ly/36f01cD Kathleen Edwards- Total Freedom https://spoti.fi/37fejJD My Morning Jacket – The Waterfall II https://spoti.fi/3o5gW7B John Mark McMillan – Stabal Session (Live) https://spoti.fi/3q8LwPJ John Mark McMillan – Juggernaut https://spoti.fi/2VdQ3Ca Andy Squyres - Dead Horse https://spoti.fi/39uTVqV War On Drugs - Live Drugs https://spoti.fi/37bRyGA Harden Coffee https://hardencoffee.com New York Times Cooking Instagram Account @nytcooking Rick Rubin @rickrubin Vineyard Single – Familia https://youtu.be/Zdz6xAB8bH0 Vineyard Single - Cherry Blossoms feat. Daena Jay https://youtu.be/kA3qGH-We0Y Criminal Podcast https://thisiscriminal.com/episodes Broken Record Podcast - Lenny Kravitz episode https://brokenrecordpodcast.com/#/episode-72-lenny-kravitz/

Jacob Heppner is a CrossFit Games veteran with three top-10 finishes and a career-best finish of sixth overall in 2019. Raised in an agricultural community in San Joaquin Valley, Jacob learned the value of hard work early on. He was homeschooled until high school, where he fell in love with football, and went on to play at Central Methodist University while earning a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics. He was also exposed to CrossFit during this time, then competed in his first Games in 2014 after marrying his wife Kelli. Jacob currently lives with his wife and kids in Basehor, Kansas. In this episode, Jacob and our host Adam Russell talk about the value of doing hard things on a daily basis, how our dreams shift over time, and finding joy and opportunity in hard situations. Especially during a difficult season of disrupted routines and unsettled emotions, this episode is motivational in taking ownership of our lives and choosing a goal to work towards. Jacob Heppner's Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/35SUybo

We've always heard that the two things we don't talk about at the dinner table are religion and politics, but in this episode of The Ferment we are going to talk about them both and how we navigate them as a unit…or don't. Featuring conversations with 8 different pastors spanning gender, racial, cultural and political divides, we hear the perspectives of just about every ideology that exists amongst people who study the Bible and love Jesus deeply. Up first is Shane Claiborne, a prominent speaker, activist and best-selling author who founded The Simple Way in Philadelphia and worked with Mother Teresa in Calcutta. He is followed by David Englehardt, pastor of Kings' Church NYC in Manhattan and founder of Englehardt Law, and Rose Madrid Swetman, who is currently the Regional Leader for Vineyard USA in the Northwest Region and an Adjunct Professor and Moderator for the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Next we hear from Montel Richardson, who pastors a 172-year-old historically black church in Campbellsville, KY and founder of the H.O.P.E. Project, which seeks to be of service to the community in practical ways. Parker Frey is a pastor at the Oxford Vineyard Church in Ohio, and Jason Coker is the Lead Pastor at the Oceanside Sanctuary in California, as well as a member of the Human Development faculty at Cal State San Marcos. Finally, we wrap up with Melody and Bud Winderweedle, pastors of Ekklesia Vineyard in Chattanooga, TN. With such a diverse group of pastors, the conversations cover topics of pro-life vs. pro-birth, moral hierarchies and how they affect our priorities as Christians, the value of face-to-face conversations, how we navigate racial unrest and the beauty of practicing lament. This episode provides valuable opportunity for developing empathy and learning to love our brothers and sisters in Christ during an extremely polarizing season. Shane Claiborne's website: https://www.shaneclaiborne.com David Englehardt's church – Kings' Church NYC: https://www.kcnyc.org/team Rose Madrird Swetman's website: http://rosemadridswetman.com/ Montel Richardson's website: https://montelrichardsonministries.org Parker Frey's church: https://www.oxfordvineyard.com Jason Coker's website: https://www.jasoncoker.net/about Melody and Bud Winderweedle https://ekklesiavineyard.com

Brian Zahnd is the lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, which he founded in 1981 with his wife, Peri. He is a passionate reader, avid hiker and mountain climber, Bob Dylan aficionado and author of several books including Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Postcards from Babylon, A Farewell to Mars, Water to Wine, and Beauty Will Save the World. Brian and Peri have three adult sons and seven grandchildren. In this special repost episode, Brian and our host Adam Russell discuss the hidden treasures to be found in academic theology when our experience of Christianity no longer feels worthy of Jesus, and the effects a founding pastor's evolving faith can have on a church body. Brian also shares the historical parallels of our current times and the need for Christians to prioritize practicing love in such a divisive political season. This episode is packed full of personal testimony that is challenging and honest and is sure to inspire a deeper look at our own relationship with Jesus. Brian's Website https://brianzahnd.com Postcards from Babylon https://amzn.to/3he6MP8 Word of Life Church https://wolc.com

Mack Brock has been a worship leader for over 15 years and co-wrote "O Come to the Altar", "Resurrecting", "Here as in Heaven" and "Do it Again", all of which have had impact on the church worldwide. Mack's greatest passion is to lead people into a heightened awareness of the presence of God and to see individuals experience the breakthrough God has for them through worship. He lives in Charlotte, NC with his wife and children. In this episode, Mack and our host Adam Russell talk about the Lord's faithfulness to do His work in us even when we try to put it off or avoid it, and His patient pursuit of our lives. Mack also shares about some new developments in his life, including an upcoming album release and becoming a foster parent. Mack's Website http://www.mackbrock.com/ Mack Brock- SPACE releasing 11/20/20 https://mackbrock.lnk.to/SPACE Vineyard Worship Song of the Month - "Familia" https://slinky.to/Familia

In this edition of our "conversations" series, Adam is joined by two friends: Ted Kim, lead pastor of the Evanston Vineyard, and platinum-selling songwriter and artist, John Mark McMillan. Emerging from a casual text conversation, this episode dives deep into the nature of creativity. From humanity's need for discovery and play, to writing songs and exploring new lands, making space for surprise opens us to epiphany and transcendence. Grab your favorite hot beverage and a pair of headphones and take a walk with the guys as they encourage us to just "be" and let our minds breathe and our hearts open.

Trisha Taylor is a counselor, author, consultant and speaker based in Houston, TX. As a counselor she works with individuals, couples and families and seeks to provide a safe space where people who are hurting or confused can find God's grace and wisdom. Trisha also co-authored the book "The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation", which challenges leaders to see their congregations as living systems and to respond to leadership challenges with emotional maturity, leading as Jesus did, from the inside out. In this episode, Trisha and our host Adam Russell discuss the slow work of God, what transformation looks like when quick fixes don't work, and the very real question… "Can we change?" Trisha also leads us through a practical exercise for differentiating between our thoughts and feelings, and tackles the hard topic of conflict and allowing others to be different than us. This episode is a treasure trove of illustrations that will be an encouragement to any leader working to improve the health of their staff or church.

Maria Lundbak Hinge is a worship leader, songwriter, humanitarian & development aid worker, and is the worship pastor at Copenhagen Vineyard. She also leads Vineyard Nordic Worship across Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland and has ventured into restarting Vineyard Nordic Worship as a music company in order to gather and share worship songs in the Nordic countries. She and her husband Morten have 3 boys and live in Copenhagen, Denmark. In this edition of our Vineyard Global Family series, Maria and our host Adam Russell talk about what it's like growing up in a country where Christianity is cultural but an intentional faith practice is rare. They also discuss the importance of our heart posture in worship and leadership, and the power of being supported in prayer and having our emotional wounds tended after a trauma.

"What up, everybody!" Welcome to the 100th episode of The Ferment! After 2 years and 93 guests, we are circling back to the premise of this podcast with a 3-part conversation on the concept of fermentation as relates to our personal growth and spiritual journey. Pastor and spiritual director Jared Boyd shares with us about waking up to love and leads us through a practice of stillness and opening to the Lord's voice, after which Dr. Elizabeth Pierre shares about the importance of engaging therapeutic work in the ongoing process of life change. Keith Saarloos brings us home with a beautiful description of wine-making, illustrating the daily work, struggle and determination involved in intentional transformation. With triple the wisdom to be harvested, you won't want to miss this rich episode!

Welcome to another edition of our "conversations" series with Adam and Heather Russell! In this episode they answer your most burning questions, from Adam's dream guest to advice on raising pastor's kids, their thoughts on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the church and, most importantly: Is Adam getting a face tattoo?? You'll have to listen to find out! Also, be sure to join us next week for our 100th episode, featuring both new and returning guests discussing fermentation as a metaphor for personal transformation.

A beautiful part of the Vineyard Global Family, Michael Ureña and Mariella Solís volunteer as worship pastors at La Viña del Este in Costa Rica. They have been married for 3 years and are a happy, crazy, dog-loving couple to whom God has given a passion for the Kingdom and pastoring others, especially musicians. In this episode, Michael and Mariella chat with our host Adam Russell about life in Costa Rica, their journeys as musicians, and their heart-dream of writing songs that originate in Costa Rica and flow out to the rest of the world.

Aarti Sequeira is a cooking show host, journalist, and cookbook author. If her face is familiar, it might mean that you, too, have enjoyed a pulse-racing episode of Guy's Grocery Games or know her as the season 6 winner of Food Network Star. Aarti is also the author of Aarti Paarti: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul. An incredibly multi-faceted woman, she also holds a Bachelor's Degree from Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism and produced a documentary for HBO about the genocide in Darfur called Sand and Sorrow. Aarti lives with her husband and 2 daughters in Los Angeles. In this episode, Aarti and our host Adam Russell raise a proverbial glass to all things food and hospitality, exploring the unifying and intimate nature of sharing a meal and the innate way in which food breaks down cultural and social barriers. They also explore the ways our spiritual practices adapt to the season of life we are in, and the sweetness of the unearned attention and love of the Father. This laughter-filled episode is good for the heart…and will likely make you very hungry.

Edgar King has been the lead pastor of Trinity Vineyard Church, a multicultural community of faith in Nakuru, Kenya since 2017. Born and raised in Nakuru, Edgar has a passion for the people of his city and creating a place where everyone is welcome. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and Statistics from Kenyatta University and a Diploma in Theology from the Vineyard School of Ministry- Africa, and is on the National Leadership Board of the Association of Vineyard Churches of Kenya. Edgar spends his time leading worship, training worship leaders and helping others grow in their journey toward Jesus. In this intercontinental episode, Edgar and our host Adam Russell chat about life in Kenya, some of the challenges and opportunities that come with caring for a diverse worship community and the gift of being a part of the global Vineyard family.

Brian Doerksen is a Canadian singer/songwriter, worship leader, author and pastor. He is best known for his songs "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" and "Refiner's Fire" which have been sung in churches internationally. He has been making music for 30 years, and has won more awards in both the United States and Canada than can be counted on all his fingers and toes. Brian has been married to his high school sweetheart, Joyce, for over 35 years and they have 4 daughters and 2 sons. In this episode, Brian shares his journey of faith, songwriting and becoming a worship leader with our host Adam Russell. Brian's story is a beautiful example of a life marked by intimacy with the Father, and this grounding conversation will reorient our hearts toward vulnerability and authenticity before God and each other in worship.