The Ferment Podcast - Conversations About Worship And Transformation

SEASON ONE FINALE! Mitchell Maldonado is an all-around creative and has worked in virtually every aspect of the music industry as well as with all things tech and design. After studying music production in school, Mitchell embarked upon a diverse career that includes touring with various bands (most notably the CCM band The Neverclaim), working in studios across the country, engineering live audio, and acting as owner/producer/engineer/musician at House Below Productions. He currently serves as Media Director at the Vineyard in Boise, Idaho, where he lives with his beautiful wife Lindsay and their fur baby Clyde. On this final episode of our first season, we hear Mitchell's journey into both faith and full-time music. Also, we take a peek "behind the curtain" to explore the rewarding behind-the-scenes work that goes into making records.

Josh Williams is Lead Pastor of the Elm City Vineyard (ECV) in New Haven, CT and serves on the Executive Board for Vineyard USA. Originally from Iowa, Josh moved to New Haven to attend Yale, and later Yale Divinity School where he earned his M.Div. At Yale, he served as a campus minister for InterVarsity before becoming ECV's first full-time pastor in 2014. He currently lives with his wife Tina (vocal phenom and previous Ferment podcast guest) and their daughter Zoe. In this episode, Josh and our host Adam Russell discuss Josh's reluctant journey into pastoral ministry and explore the power of ministering with your spouse, the art of preaching like a worship leader, and the concept of worship as protest.

John Elmer is a church planter and lead pastor of the Vineyard Church in Syracuse, NY. He and his wife Gwen started the church in 1991 with six people in their living room, and that church has prospered into a multi-site church with four locations and 1500+ in attendance across ten services. John also oversees the northeast region of Vineyard churches in the US. On this episode, John and our host Adam Russell discuss John's journey of faith — from growing up Catholic to having a dramatic encounter with the Lord in high school, to moving to California where he crossed paths with the Vineyard. John and Adam delve into the qualities of good leadership, the importance of risk-taking with the freedom to fail, and multi-cultural ministry.

Matt Nall is a drummer, producer, husband, and father of two. In addition to drumming for over 20 years in both live and studio settings, Matt is a key part of the Campbellsville Vineyard worship community. He also serves as technical director for Campbellsville University's theater department. On this practical episode, Matt and our host Adam Russell dive into the vital role of the drummer in our worship settings, unpacking years of hard-won wisdom on a myriad of topics that will benefit every member of your worship team!

This week's guest is Josh Baldwin, worship leader and songwriter with Bethel Music. On this week's episode, Josh recounts his childhood growing up the son of a worship pastor as well as his first worship team experience as a drummer at the age of 12. Josh shares key insights into bringing our true selves to our worship leadership, and he and our host Adam Russell discuss Josh's recent success as a songwriter with recent Dove-award nominations. There is also an in-depth conversation about Duke basketball and Josh's thoughts about the current NBA season. (Maybe we'll launch another podcast: Worship Leaders On Basketball). Josh signed with Bethel Music in 2014 and moved to Redding, CA to join Bethel Church where he was featured on the Bethel Music collective release, Have It All (2016). He then released his first solo effort, The War Is Over, with the label in mid-2017 to critical acclaim, debuting in the top-three sector of the American and British Christian music charts. As a worship leader, Josh enjoys creating space for people to feel seen, encouraged, and invited into intimacy with God where true peace and hope is found. Josh lives with his wife Sheila and their two children in Redding, CA, and continues to tour domestically and internationally.

The Ferment continues its "conversations" series with Adam & Heather Russell. On this episode, they address the topic of friendship in all its various shapes and sizes, exploring the reality that even Jesus surrounded himself with a group of friends during his time on earth.

Kathy Maskell is the leader of the Vineyard Justice Network, an organization dedicated to showcasing the work of Vineyard churches as they confront injustice. Kathy also serves as a member of the Vineyard USA Executive Team and as pastor of discipleship at Blue Route Vineyard (Media, PA) alongside her husband and frequent Ferment guest, Dr. Caleb Maskell. A child of Buddhist immigrants from Vietnam, Kathy recounts her conversion to Christianity and discusses with host, Adam Russell, her journey into working on issues of justice, touching on the deep relationship between worship and compassion.

Our host Adam Russell sits down with Dr. Caleb Maskell, a church historian, worship pastor, and return Ferment podcast guest. On this week's episode, they discuss the ongoing impact of the renewal of the mid-1990s, specifically the "Toronto Blessing," and share personal stories from their own visits to the Toronto Airport Vineyard (now the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship). Dr. Maskell leads the Society of Vineyard Scholars and is the Worship Pastor at Blue Route Vineyard Community Church outside Philadelphia, PA. He holds a PhD from Princeton University, focusing on the history of American Christianity, and has taught at Princeton Theological Seminary and Fordham University. Dr. Maskell is passionate about developing leaders and institutions that will help to produce a healthy, courageous, and hospitable future for the Church in the 21st century. In 2007, he co-planted Elm City Vineyard Church in New Haven, CT with his wife Kathy, who is active in social justice and worked for six years as the U.S. Advocacy Director for Love146 — an international human rights organization working to end child trafficking and exploitation. They currently live in Media, PA with their son Josiah and daughter Emmanuelle.

Costa Mitchell is a church planter, pastor, and the former National Director for the Vineyard movement in South Africa. In 1982, he was the planting pastor of the first Vineyard church outside of the US in Johannesburg. Costa came to faith in the Jesus Movement in South Africa that coincided with the movement of the same name in the US. Costa was instrumental in the early global work of the Vineyard and John Wimber. In this episode, Costa shares his personal journey and the challenge of establishing an intentionally multi-cultural church under the shadow of apartheid. Costa then shares with us some hard-won gems of leadership wisdom. This is a rich episode!

Millennial Whoa (also Millennial Whoop) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The millennial whoa (whoop) is a melodic pattern alternating between the fifth and third notes in a major scale, typically starting on the fifth, in the rhythm of straight 8th-notes, and often using the "wa" and "oh" syllables. It has been used extensively in 2010s pop music and modern worship music. This week on the podcast Adam sits down with five millennial worship leaders and influencers to discuss calling and vocation, their hopes and aspirations, misconceptions about their generation, and many other topics. Featured on the podcast are Alexandria Faison (Davenport, IA), Job Ang (Walnut, CA), Sarah Emano (Fort Collins, CO), Sam Crabtree (Cañon City, CO), and Rian Emano (Overland Park, KS).

This special episode of the Ferment was recorded live at the Songs & Stories event in August 2019 in Campbellsville, Kentucky. It features a wide-ranging panel discussion on the topics of constraint, comparison, sustainable creativity, and numerous other topics. The panel includes past podcast guests John Mark McMillan, Taylor Leonhardt, Fran Pratt, Ted Kim, and Jared Boyd. The panel is moderated by our host Adam Russell.

Fran Pratt - "The Litanist" - is Pastor of Worship and Liturgy at Peace of Christ Church in Round Rock, TX, where she lives with her spouse and two daughters. On this episode, she recounts her journey — from growing up Southern Baptist to finding the Vineyard (replete with strong coffee and rock'n'roll) to finding significant life in the contemplative tradition of the Church. The Litanist posts weekly Litanies at www.franpratt.com and extra monthly litanies and content for her patrons at www.patreon.com/franpratt

John Mark McMillan is a platinum-selling songwriter and recording artist best known for his songs "How He Loves," "Future/Past," and "King Of My Heart," co-written with his wife Sarah. John Mark is known for bending genres and defying categorization by carving out his own unique and independent path. With an ear for melody and a poet's eye for metaphor, no topic has been off-limits. While each of his albums over the past decade have continued to explore new territory, it's McMillan's ability to give lyric and language to the human experience that many consider his greatest gift. McMillan is no stranger to success with nearly half a million monthly listeners on Spotify and 40 million Spotify streams, but he won't let those things define him. He's learned a lot about himself since his previous studio album Borderland, which held a Top 15 spot on the iTunes Albums chart and No. 41 on Billboard's Top 200. "I've found that there's a profound restlessness in the gap between the ideals of youth and the realities of adulthood," says McMillan, "even when, especially when, you get what you wanted." In this compelling follow-up to their previous Ferment conversation, Adam and John Mark first discuss John Mark's upcoming record — diving into his production and writing process. They then explore the topic of deconstruction and its purpose in our journey. Lastly, they examine the idea that our creative work allows the very personal to become the most universal in connecting with people.

Taylor Leonhardt is a worship leader and singer/songwriter based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Taylor was born and raised in Texas, where a childhood love for country music rooted deep in her heart. A strong yet subtle lyricist with silvery vocals reminiscent of Patty Griffin and Emmylou Harris, Leonhardt has taken those roots and crafted a sound all her own. Her latest release, RIVER HOUSE (available on iTunes and Spotify), has garnered praise for its warm, spacious production and soul-stirring songwriting. In this inspiring conversation, Taylor and our host Adam Russell explore Taylor's journey as a songwriter. From the "brackish waters" of writing for both the Church and outside world to the role hospitality plays in our songwriting, Taylor's creative self-awareness invites us to dive deep in this special podcast!

Steve Nicholson is the long-time senior pastor of the Evanston Vineyard outside of Chicago, IL, and has served the Vineyard movement for 40 years training church leaders and church planters across the globe. Steve began ministering as a college student through InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in the early '70s. After graduating, he moved to the Chicago area where he and several other 20-something leaders founded a church that placed a high priority on contemporary worship, biblical teaching, committed relationships as a church family, and an openness to the work of the Holy Spirit. That church, now the Evanston Vineyard, is today a diverse congregation from over 50 nations with no majority racial or cultural group. In addition, the Evanston Vineyard has planted 10 other congregations in the Chicago area and another 15 in other cities and countries. In this practical episode, Steve and Adam break down ways in which we can see the Holy Spirit at work in our gatherings. This is "core Vineyard" stuff, featuring Steve's down-to-earth, accessible approach to following the Holy Spirit's lead.

Shyla and Leon Powell are this week's guests. Leon is the worship pastor at the Vineyard Church in Syracuse, NY, and Shyla leads worship at the Syracuse Vineyard as well as works as a clinical therapist with the Salvation Army. This conversation runs the gamut — from personal stories about growing up black in predominately white environments to the blessings and challenges of leading worship together as a married couple. Both Shyla and Leon share some important personal insights from their own lives as well as hopes for the growing multi-ethnic Church experience.

Jared Boyd is a pastor, spiritual director, and founder of The Order of Sustainable Faith, a missional monastic expression of the Vineyard Church. In addition to his role in Sustainable Faith, Jared is Pastor at Franklinton Abbey and is part of The Society of Vineyard Scholars. In this rich episode, Jared and Adam dig deep into the topic of discernment and explore the benefits of spiritual direction and a contemplative life. Jared is a deep well and this episode is overflowing with practical wisdom for the long-term life of faith. For more information about The Order of Sustainable Faith visit: https://www.sustainablefaith.com/

Samuel Lane is a worship leader, songwriter, and recording artist, and is currently the Creative Director at The Vineyard Church in St. Albans in the Greater London area. For over twenty years, he has worked to refine his songwriting, exploring musicality and faith, pouring his life into crafting songs that draw people closer to God. Lane has written and recorded 40 songs with Vineyard Worship, and his songs have been covered by various artists including Jesus Culture. In 2013, Samuel released his debut solo album, The Fire, which Christianity Magazine called "incredible - there hasn't been an album that has captured my attention in such a way for a long time." In 2018, Lane released The Difference. "Maybe it's the stripped-down urgency of Lane's voice, the album's eclectic sonic treasure-chest or simply the B3 humming throughout, but whatever it is, it's enough to make you rethink today's neat-and-tidy Christian music categories" (Pandora Blog, Curators'Choice). In this candid episode, Sam shares his journey into worship leading and songwriting as the son of Vineyard UK pioneers Chris and Fliss Lane. From the depths of a life given to the worship of God and the service of His people, Sam brings a treasure of insights to sustain and inspire all of us who serve weekly in the trenches of local church worship ministry.

Dr. Brittany Kim is an Old Testament scholar, adjunct professor, and spiritual director-in-training based in Chicago, IL. She has taught at Roberts Wesleyan College, Northeastern Seminary, and Bethel Seminary, and is the author of Lengthen Your Tent-Cords: The Metaphorical World of Israel's Household in the Book of Isaiah. Brittany is also the wife of Ferment podcast guest, Ted Kim. In this episode, Brittany and Adam dig into the Old Testament bringing out both specific and "meta" insights extremely useful for the modern worship leader. Brittany also highlights the frequency and importance of the theme of lament, particularly in the Psalms. This is an important conversation for worship leaders and songwriters seeking more biblical expressions of worship in their personal and congregational lives.

Geno Olison is the co-lead pastor of the South Suburban Vineyard on in Chicago, IL. He also helps to lead the Diversity Initiative for Vineyard USA and is an accomplished musician, co-producing both Vineyard Soul projects: We Are Ready and Generous God. On this challenging episode, Geno shares his personal story as a black man coming into mostly white environments in education and the Church, and provides valuable insights into how we can all move toward a more welcoming and hospitable spirit to embrace a broader, multi-ethnic expression of the Church.

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. In this episode, Melisa recounts her faith journey growing up in the Vineyard as the daughter of drummer Bill Dragoo, who was featured on many early Vineyard recordings of the '90s. Adam and Melisa then discuss the role of the prophetic in worship leadership highlighting the need to pastor the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our gatherings. Melisa attends the Vineyard church in Fullerton, CA where she helps oversee worship.

This special edition of the podcast is entitled "So You've Turned 35" featuring a candid and helpful conversation between our host Adam Russell and his wife Heather about this overlooked stage of life. This is an important episode discuss both the pitfalls and opportunities we face when life is at its fullest. Whether you are in this life stage, not quite yet, or even beyond it, there is gold in pastoral wisdom shared in this episode.

Sarah Pemberton is a worship leader, songwriter, and — alongside her husband Grant — co-pastors the Nashville Vineyard in Tennessee. In this episode Sarah shares the origins of the Nashville Vineyard, from planting in the basement of a restaurant to acquiring the second oldest church building in Nashville. An added anecdote involves an American Idol finalist and a renovation television show! Adam and Sarah then dive into her prolific and prophetic songwriting practice, pulling out both inspiring and practical insights for creatives in any field.

Sam Yoder is a chiropractor in Campbellsville, KY and the author of the modern Vineyard hymns "All Things Rise," "Wonderful," and the upcoming Vineyard Worship single, "Jesus Beautiful." In this wide-ranging conversation, Sam shares about his journey - from being raised Old Order Amish to discovering the music of Bob Dylan and the writing of Carl Sagan. Sam and Adam cover various topics including the experience of the immigrant and outsider in society, the songwriting genius of Dylan, and Sam's deep love of space and the universe that inspired his upcoming album, The Reaches, featuring songs about black holes and other surprises. Sam is an inspiring and curious person who pursues his creative life with ferocity. This is a fascinating conversation you won't want to miss.

Josh Ray is a producer, worship leader, and the owner of Anchour Studios in Windham, Maine. In addition to running Anchour Studio he serves as worship pastor at the Vineyard Church in Mechanic Falls, Maine. Josh and his wife Ryan have five children and live a very full life surrounded by friends and family. In this unique episode Josh and Adam dive into the world of music production, exploring what makes music truly great and why it is important to our life of worship.

Paul Anleitner is a worship pastor based in Minneapolis, MN and host of the Deep Talks podcast - Exploring Theology and Meaning-Making. It was during college that Paul realized his calling to help people experience the Spirit of God through song and teaching. After his freshman year, he gave up his basketball scholarship to begin his journey with God in ministry. It led him through ups and downs, victories and disappointments, moments of running hard and moments of running away, leading worship, church planting, training to be a pastor, and finishing his degree to become a teacher. In 2006, he married the girl of his dreams, moved to Minnesota and got involved with cross-denominational gatherings of worship and prayer both locally and nationally. He served as regional director for an international worship and prayer ministry and traveled the country meeting with pastors, worship leaders and musicians and helped launch city-wide prayer and worship events. In 2009, he joined the staff of Redeeming Love Church in St. Paul, MN as their worship director and is still serving there today.His is on the staff of Redeeming Love Church in St. Paul, MN as their worship director. In this episode Paul shares his journey, beginning in the charismatic movement and moving through various other denominations — all the while broadening and deepening his experience of God in worship and developing a deep love for the whole Church.

John Kim is an Investor, entrepreneur, and co-pastor of The166, a Vineyard church plant in the Hell's Kitchen section of midtown Manhattan, NY. After graduating from Harvard in 1995, John received his Ph.D. in Economics from MIT in 1998. John joined MSD Capital in 1998, serving as partner from 2001 to 2008. He then founded the Karamaan Group —a long-term investing firm that takes ownership interest in public and private companies. John resides in Manhattan with his wife, Kara, and son, Samuel. The Kims are one of three founding families of Coram Deo: A House of Worship, Prayer and Entrepreneurship, located in midtown Manhattan. In this unique episode, John shares his journey of being a Jesus follower in the fast-paced NYC business world, surviving with his faith intact and actually finding his God-breathed vocation in the midst of it. This is a deeply encouraging conversation for anyone seeking to walk out their calling, whether inside or outside the walls of the Church.

Carol Wimber-Wong was an early Vineyard pioneer and, along with her late husband John Wimber, helped birth the Vineyard Movement. Carol has been closely involved in the development of the Vineyard for over 40 years. In this broad conversation, Adam and Carol discuss her journey of faith and the deep impact the Quakers had on both her and John and the foundation of the Vineyard Movement. They then dive into her perspective on the history of the Vineyard and her dreams for the future Church.

Ray Hollenbach is an author, communicator, and pastor from Campbellsville, KY, and has written extensively about faith and culture for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, ChurchLeaders.com, SermonCentral.com, Relevant Magazine, My Faith Radio, and Collide Magazine. Ray earned a bachelor's degree in communications from Illinois State University and a master's degree in theology from Campbellsville University, and is currently a lecturer in theology at Campbellsville University. As an author, he has penned several books including Deeper Grace, a book designed to widen our understanding of grace from "salvation" to transformation, The Impossible Mentor, a book on the foundations of discipleship, and a small collection of very short stories addressing spiritual themes titled The Man with All the Answers (and other spiritual stories). After pastoring for 15 years, he is now passionate about helping people and organizations navigate change, and working with church leaders to focus on spiritual formation to create church-wide cultures of discipleship. In this episode of the podcast, Adam and Ray discuss Ray's journey in the discipleship movement of the 70s & 80s, to a Holy Spirit-inspired re-evaluation of his entire life, and back to a life radically surrendered to making disciples in the local church.

Audrey Assad is a recording artist, songwriter, and record producer from Nashville, TN. Her debut album, The House You're Building, became the 2010 Christian Album of the Year on Amazon and the Christian Breakthrough Album of the Year on iTunes. That success led to collaborations and tours with Chris Tomlin, Tenth Avenue North, and Jars of Clay. In this episode, Audrey recounts her journey through multiple Christian denominations before landing in the Catholic Church. The conversation continues by diving deep into Audrey's creative process. She and Adam also discuss the under-representation of women in the production world as well as the over-emphasis on appearance in the Christian music industry.

This is part two of a special two-part Easter series. Host Adam Russell offers both hope and comfort as he wrestles with the tension between the promise of Easter and the reality of our day-to-day lives.

This is part one of a special two-part Easter series. Host Adam Russell brings us five thoughts on resurrection as we move through the Easter season.

Crispin Schroeder is a pastor, musician, and the host of the "Extra Crispy" podcast. In 2009 Crispin and his wife Dina planted the Northshore Vineyard Church in Covington, Louisiana. Though faith is central to everything Crispin does he is just as at home singing in a club on Saturday night as he is singing gospel songs in church on Sunday morning. Blending Blues, Americana, and Gospel with lyrical depth, Crispin has been cooking up a unique blend of roots music for over 2 decades penning soulful songs that celebrate life and explore longing in a way that is both earthy and spiritual. In addition to leading his own band, Crispin plays keyboards and accordion in a New Orleans-based Americana outfit Cactus Thief, and is a frequent member of Big Daddy O's blues band. In January 2016 Crispin became one of the first musicians to help launch "Songs for Kids" at Children's Hospital, New Orleans. Each Tuesday afternoon Crispin and local singer Mykia Jovan (Smoke n Bones) perform songs for patients and their families at Children's Hospital. In this episode, Adam and Crispin discuss Crispin's spiritual and musical journey — through the deconstruction of his faith, to profound encounters with God, to the reconstruction process where he discovered his need to not only be reconciled to God but also to be reconciled to himself.

Joshua Miller is an African-American pastor, worship leader, and songwriter in Lancaster, California. Joshua's powerful voice was featured on Vineyard Worship's first two singles of 2019, ALL THE SAME & YOU'RE CARRYING ME. In this episode Joshua recounts his story of abandoning faith at a young age to pursue a life of crime and violence, and eventually finding his way back through dramatic encounters with the Living God. Joshua also shares great insight into the local church's journey into a broader multi-cultural worship expression.

On this episode of the Ferment Podcast we take a break from our usual format. Adam and our first return guest Ted Kim discuss five of their favorite books that every worship leader should read in 2019. Don't miss this episode!!

Noelle Shearer is a church planter, pastor, and songwriter in Denver, Colorado. Noelle's formative years as a follower of Jesus were spent at the Vineyard Church in Columbus, Ohio under the leadership of Rich Nathan. In this podcast Noelle tells her story — from feeling like an outsider in worship leadership to leading worship at the largest Vineyard church in the world — and shares about her current venture where she, her husband Will, and their three children are planting a neighborhood church in the Denver area.

Gabriel Wilson is a record producer, songwriter, and recording artist based in the greater Portland, Oregon area. His most-recent album productions include the debut album Touching Heaven from Influence Music as well as multiple chart-topping #1 BillBoard Albums such as Mercury & Lightning (John Mark McMillan), Every Nation (Lindy Conant & the Circuit Riders) and Bethel Music's Tides & You Make Me Brave. Wilson has also co-written many songs including "Spirit Lead Me" from Michael Ketterer, "Nothing Stands Between Us" and "No Country" from John Mark McMillan, "Forever" from Kari Jobe, "Letting Go" from Steffany Gretzinger, and ASCAP Award-winning song "Ever Be" from Bethel. Wilson co-owns and operates Feng Sway Studio in the Pacific Northwest and is a co-founder of RMA, an "anti"-label bent on championing "Equity for Artists" by helping artists navigate the brave new world of the modern music industry. He is also a WorshipU online instructor, a teacher at various songwriting and worship conferences globally, and a songwriting mentor for writers from all over the world via Skype — helping writers break through blocks and sharpen their skills. On this episode Adam and Gabriel delve into Gabriel's unique story and what it means to develop as a creative person in the Kingdom of God.

Anabeth Morgan is a worship pastor, songwriter, and teacher at the Mile High Vineyard in Denver, CO. Originally from a suburb of Memphis, Tennessee, Anabeth has always loved the Church, but it was within the walls of the Vineyard Church in Kansas City, MO that she began to feel God tugging on her heart to lead others in worship. She is featured on numerous Vineyard projects such as Cultivation Generation Live – My Foundation and Servant Wide Awake and, most recently, released a solo project entitled 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. In this episode, Anabeth and Adam go deep into Anabeth's unlikely journey into worship leading to the present day where she plays an active role in coaching other worship leaders to lead with a pastoral heart and prophetic edge. Her heart is to see God's Kingdom come to earth so that people would be healed, set free, changed and moved to say "Yes!" to Jesus.

Grimaldi Martinez-Melendez is a bi-lingual worship leader and pastor at the North Jersey Vineyard in the greater New York City area. In this episode, Grimaldi and Adam cover multiple topics ranging from walking out the daily realities of multi-cultural ministry to raising kids who love God and can discover their musical gifting.

Carl Tuttle is a pastor, pioneering worship leader, songwriter, church planter, and conference speaker. He has composed dozens of songs and is most known for "Hosanna," which is certified as a gold record and sung by Christians worldwide. On this episode, Carl recounts his time in the early days of the Vineyard Movement where a group of hungry and desperate people discovered the very real and living God. An integral part of the birth of the Vineyard Movement, he has been in ministry for over forty years and currently serves as a pastor at Vineyard at the River Church in Orange County, CA. Carl is a father of six grown children and a grandfather of four.

Ted Kim is a worship leader, songwriter, and pastor based in Evanston, Illinois. The son of Korean immigrants, Ted shares insights into the complex nature of multi-cultural and multi-ethnic ministry from his personal experience. He is currently the Senior Associate Pastor at The Evanston Vineyard after serving over 7 years as Worship Pastor at the Vineyard Church in Syracuse, NY. Ted is best known for his song Kyrie Eleíson (co-written with Cindy Rethmeier).

Cindy Rethmeier is one of the pioneering women worship leaders and songwriters of the modern worship era. She wrote some of Vineyard's most well-known anthems (Exalt the Lord, I Bow Down) and served an integral role in children's worship, penning the songs I Want to be Like Jesus and Good News. Cindy spent 7 years in an Anglican Church writing musical settings for prayers and seasonal antiphons for the liturgy, and her most-recent song — co-written with Vineyard pastor and worship leader Ted Kim — is Kyrie Eléison, a lament based on a prayer of petition used in ancient Christian liturgies translating as "Lord, have mercy." Cindy lives in Southern California with her husband of 38 years, Steve. She has 2 married children & 9 grandchildren who are the inspiration for her name songs & lighthearted, everyday-life songs. On this episode Cindy shares wisdom learned from her journey — from the early days of the Vineyard movement to present day — learning to own her own voice and see herself as God has shaped her to be.

James Duke is a Nashville-based guitar player, best known for his work with John Mark McMillan, Jesus Culture, Kim Walker, and JOHNNYSWIM. On this deeply personal episode James opens up to Adam about his struggle with depression, even while on tour with some of the most-compelling names in the modern worship world.

Andy Squyres is a singer-songwriter from North Carolina. His songs are both heartbreaking and utterly hopeful. Andy's new song "You Bring The Morning" epitomizes this tension — and is more than worth a listen. In this wide-ranging conversation, Adam and Andy dig deep into what it means to evolve both as people and in our personal theology as we walk out our lives in relationship with God. Andy is currently the worship pastor of Queen City Church located in Charlotte, NC.

Hannah DeSpain is a vocalist and worship leader in Campbellsville, KY, featured on numerous Vineyard Worship projects such as Promises of Wonder and All Things Rise. She sits down with our host Adam Russell, her long-time friend, and shares her life story — from growing up singing in church with her twin sister Sarah to discovering a calling to lead people in worship in college to marrying her husband Matt. Hannah offers some hard-won and key insights as she and Adam discuss walking through seasons of suffering and loss as followers of Jesus.

This week we are featuring a special four part mini-series on dreaming with our, host Adam Russell. This powerful series not only will give you permission to dream again, but will also give you practical steps on how to see your dreams come to life. In this final installment Adam talks about living out our dreams.

This week we are featuring a special four part mini-series on dreaming with our host, Adam Russell. This powerful series not only will give you permission to dream again, but will also give you practical steps on how to see your dreams come to life. In this third installment Adam talks about persevering through hard times with our dreams.

This week we are featuring a special four part mini-series on dreaming with our host, Adam Russell. This powerful series not only will give you permission to dream again, but will also give you practical steps on how to see your dreams come to life. In this second installment Adam talks about dreaming out loud.

This week we are featuring a special four part mini-series on dreaming with our host, Adam Russell. This powerful series not only will give you permission to dream again, but will also give you practical steps on how to see your dreams come to life. In this first installment Adam talks about creating space to dream.

John Mark McMillan is a platinum-selling songwriter and recording artist best known for his songs "How He Loves," "Future/Past," and "King Of My Heart," co-written with his wife Sarah. John Mark is known for bending genres and defying categorization by carving out his own unique and independent path. With an ear for melody and a poet's eye for metaphor, no topic has been off-limits. While each of his albums over the past decade have continued to explore new territory, it's McMillan's ability to give lyric and language to the human experience that many consider his greatest gift. McMillan is no stranger to success with nearly half a million monthly listeners on Spotify and 40 million Spotify streams, but he won't let those things define him. He's learned a lot about himself since his previous studio album Borderland, which held a Top 15 spot on the iTunes Albums chart and No. 41 on Billboard's Top 200. "I've found that there's a profound restlessness in the gap between the ideals of youth and the realities of adulthood," says McMillan, "even when, especially when, you get what you wanted."