The Launch Mission

Tommy sits down with John Decker to talk about the heart behind Every Student Sent and why so many students lose their faith in the transition to college. They unpack how early connection, intentional community, and a clear sense of purpose can completely change a student’s college experience—and why preparing before you arrive on campus matters more than you think. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

This Career Highlight episode breaks down the journey into nursing, from college to advanced roles like anesthesia. We discuss the different entry points into the field and how career paths can evolve over time. You'll get a realistic look at daily responsibilities, both as a bedside nurse and in a specialized role. The conversation also highlights key traits like assertiveness and empathy, which are essential for patient care. We also share why students are encouraged to explore the field through job shadowing before committing to the path. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

In this Career Highlight episode, Tommy sits down with a military colonel who built a 30+ year career in the service to explore what that path can look like after high school. You’ll hear how joining the military can help pay for college, provide structure, and open doors to long-term opportunities. This conversation highlights the wide range of roles available and how your responsibilities grow over time. We also talk about the personal side—leadership, friendships, and becoming part of something bigger than yourself. If you’re considering the military or just exploring your options, this episode gives you a real look at what that journey can offer. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

In this episode, Tommy sits down with a Certified Public Accountant and managing partner of an accounting firm to learn what a career in accounting really looks like. He explains the difference between basic accounting and becoming a CPA, what college preparation involves, and what entry-level work in the field is like. They also talk about the skills that make someone successful in this profession, including communication, trustworthiness, and problem-solving. Along the way, he shares why accounting can be one of the most valuable and flexible business degrees. If you're interested in business but not sure which direction to go, this conversation offers a helpful inside look.

In this Career Highlight episode, we sit down with a coffee company founder and entrepreneur to explore what building a business can actually look like. He shares how an unexpected path after college eventually led him to launch a coffee company focused on community, relationships, and purpose. Instead of chasing success through money alone, he explains how a bigger life mission shaped the way he approached business. The conversation challenges students to think about their future not just as a career path, but as a calling. Along the way, he shares practical wisdom about curiosity, resilience, and choosing purpose over pressure. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

In this Career Series episode, we sit down with a physical therapist to help you understand what this career actually looks like. If you’re interested in the medical field but not sure what direction to take, this conversation breaks down what physical therapy involves, how it’s different from other healthcare paths, and what kind of person tends to thrive in it. He explains the education process from college to doctorate and shares practical advice for students considering this route. It’s an honest look at what it takes — and how to pursue it with purpose. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

In this episode, Elean shares his journey from building his identity around soccer to discovering that only Christ could truly fill the void he was carrying. After multiple serious injuries, broken expectations, and seasons of anxiety and loneliness, he began pursuing a real relationship with the Lord instead of waiting until “later” to take faith seriously. Through prayer, community, mentorship, and intentional steps toward growth, his faith became personal. What started in pain turned into calling, eventually leading him into ministry. His story is a reminder that identity, purpose, and peace aren’t found in performance — and that waiting to follow Christ only makes the road harder. Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook

In this episode, three college freshmen reconnect after their senior year of high school and reflect on what freshman year has actually been like. They talk honestly about homesickness, building friendships from scratch, learning how to study, managing time, missing assignments, figuring out independence, and growing spiritually without the structure of high school. Each of them shares what surprised them — socially, academically, and spiritually — and how college has been both harder and better than expected. They unpack what independence really feels like (not the fantasy version), how long friendships actually take to form, and why discipline matters more than motivation. The episode closes with practical advice for high school seniors: be bold, build habits now (especially spiritually), thank the people who shaped you, and don’t panic if you don’t feel ready — because you probably are more ready than you think.Visit our websiteFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

College gives you the chance to decide who you’re going to be — and Sutton’s story shows how meaningful that choice can be. In this episode, Sutton shares her journey from navigating faith and temptation in high school to starting college out of state and rebuilding community from scratch. She talks honestly about loneliness, homesickness, and the pressure to figure everything out quickly — and why trusting God in those early weeks mattered more than having instant friendships.You’ll hear how community didn’t happen overnight, how the local church became a foundation, and how her faith deepened as she learned to place her identity in Christ rather than people or social circles. Sutton also shares why retreats like The Oaks can give incoming students a head start on finding community and seeing what faithful college life can look like. The takeaway is simple but powerful: following Jesus in college is worth it — and preparation before you arrive makes all the difference.Visit our websiteFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

Starting college means starting over in a lot of ways — new people, new routines, and new decisions about who you want to become. In this episode, Turner shares what his first year at college has really been like, from staying rooted in faith to intentionally building community early. He talks honestly about choosing relationships that don’t just make college feel less lonely, but actually make you better. You’ll hear why knowing your values before you arrive matters, how finding church and Christian community early shaped his experience, and why saying yes to leadership — even when it’s uncomfortable — can change everything.Visit our websiteFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

Moving across the country for college can feel exciting and terrifying at the same time — especially when you don’t know a single person. In this episode, Aubrey shares what it was really like leaving a small high school, starting over at a massive university, and learning how to find community when everything felt overwhelming and lonely. She talks honestly about saying yes before she felt ready, trusting God in moments of uncertainty, and learning that identity doesn’t come from majors, organizations, or social status. You’ll hear how loneliness didn’t mean something was wrong — it became the space where God built real friendships, deep faith, and a purpose bigger than herself. This episode is a reminder that college doesn’t have to be about drifting or surviving — it can be about intentionally building a life rooted in faith, community, and mission.Visit our websiteFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

College doesn’t just bring new classes and freedom — it brings the question of who you’re doing life with. In this episode, the conversation centers on why finding the right community early in college matters more than almost anything else. From the shift away from structured youth group to the need for intentional faith and friendships, this episode unpacks why community doesn’t just happen — it has to be pursued. You’ll hear why Christian community should be the foundation of college life, not just another activity, and how surrounding yourself with the right people shapes your faith, choices, and direction long-term.Visit our websiteFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

In this solo episode kicking off the second half of the season, Tommy welcomes the Class of 2026 and casts a vision for the year ahead. Rather than treating senior year as something to simply “get through,” he challenges students to see 2026 as a year of intentional preparation. The episode focuses on preparing spiritually, relationally, and practically for life after high school, while previewing what’s coming this spring and summer on the podcast. The central encouragement is clear: don’t drift, don’t wait, and don’t do this transition alone—start preparing now.Visit our websiteFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

In this recap episode, we pull together some of the most meaningful moments from students who joined the podcast this semester. Through a collection of short clips, students reflect on faith, calling, gap years, college transitions, community, leadership, and what it looks like to follow Jesus in real, everyday decisions. Their stories offer honest insight into navigating uncertainty, stepping into independence, and learning how God meets them in new environments. Together, these testimonies form a powerful picture of what it looks like to grow, wrestle, and take ownership of faith during seasons of transition.Visit our websiteFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook

In this episode, we pull together some of the best clips from every mentor who joined the podcast this fall semester. These highlight moments revisit themes like finishing senior year well, overcoming burnout, strengthening faith, choosing community, discovering calling, and preparing for college. Listeners will hear practical wisdom and honest encouragement on identity, life skills, and trusting God through transition. It’s a powerful, big-picture look at what matters most as you step into what’s next.Visit our websiteFollow us on InstagramFollow us on Facebook