In this stand-alone episode, host Mark Kelly introduces our new book from Kainos Press, entitled LO-AMMI: ‘Christians’ – but not God’s people. He explains how the book is rooted in his own experience growing up in church, how several Scripture passages helped him understand that the vast majority of church members are not God’s people, and what can — and must — be done to transform “church people” into disciples of Jesus for the future of our country.
Download the free ebook or read it online by clicking here.
In this episode, we’re talking with Frank and Sherri Pomeroy of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas. You will recall that’s where, on Nov. 5, 2017, an armed man opened fire during Sunday morning worship services, killing 26 people, including nine members of one family.
In the two-year aftermath of that horrific day, God has worked in wonderful ways to heal and redeem lives. The Pomeroys, who themselves lost a 14-year-old daughter in the tragedy, spoke with us in a profoundly transparent way about the struggles the church has experienced and how a wide range of redemptive relationships has helped traumatized families move toward healing.
In this episode, we’re talking with Tony Kitchens about the challenges he faced as a young man being released from prison — and how God used providential relationships with believing mentors to help him find lasting freedom. Tony struggled for years to escape the “second prison” of discrimination and hopelessness that always faces men and women released from prison. Today, however, Tony directs field work for Prison Fellowship in Georgia and North Florida. He offers us both firsthand insight and practical advice for those of us who want to help former prisoners experience the gift of restoration God has placed … in our hands … for them.
Visit Tony Kitchens’ Facebook page by clicking here. Learn more about Prison Fellowship by clicking here. See more about Dallas Willard’s Renovation of the Heart by clicking here.
In this episode, we’re talking with Glenn Barth, president and CEO of Good Cities, a community development initiative that advances the gospel of the Kingdom by working with local leaders toward the common good of the city. The mission of Good Cities is to discover, support, and serve vibrant city movements by building processes that create good cities.
Our good friend Reggie McNeal works alongside Glenn in helping community leaders discover the power and collective impact of collaboration. Using the Good City tools, church leaders can help their communities experience God’s common grace in the redemptive features a city has to offer, which in turn leads to the opportunity for people to experience God’s salvation and a future filled with hope.
Learn more about the Good Cities movement by clicking here. Check out Glenn Barth’s book, The Good City, on Amazon by clicking here.
Listen to a related podcast with Reggie McNeal, “What hinders the Kingdom?” by clicking here.
From left: David Park, Bryan White, Chip Sweney, Tito Ruiz
In this episode, we’re talking with four men of different ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds who are modeling a radically different approach to one of the most difficult issues facing our generation in the church: racial reconciliation.
Instead of approaching reconciliation as a program that seeks to navigate political waters or resolve historical inequities, these “Four Hermanos” are unpacking the idea that believers are one in Christ, regardless of our differences and divisions. They have become intentional about pursuing personal relationship as the means of reconciliation because, in truth, our broken world can only be reconciled one relationship at a time. You will find their proof of concept in the love, joy, and laughter you hear in this episode.
We hope you will listen closely and decide to follow their model: Look around for someone God has placed in your circle — where you live, work, and play — and strike up a conversation that will give you an opportunity to listen to their story and ask questions to better help you understand what their life is like. Gospel transformation flows naturally through the lines of deep friendship.
Learn more about the Unite movement in Atlanta by clicking here. Is your city on the national Good Cities list? Find out by clicking here.
In this episode, we’re discussing the thorny problem of bullying, a serious injustice that drives both the teen suicide and school shooting epidemics.
We’re talking with Paul Coughlin, founder and president of The Protectors, a faith-based organization that provides comprehensive solutions to help families and communities combat the only form of abuse that its victims are told to “just ignore.”
As a one-time victim of bullying himself, Paul offers penetrating insights that overturn our misunderstandings about how to help both the victims and the perpetrators of serial bullying.
Learn more about Paul Coughlin’s great work through The Protectors by clicking here.
In this episode, we’re talking with Russell and Megan Marshall, a young couple who heard God’s call to leave good jobs and a comfortable house in the suburbs to develop redemptive relationships with residents of an ethnically and economically diverse apartment complex in a transitional area of their city. Russell and Megan walk us through the challenges and blessings they have encountered as they have done what all believers are called to do: Listen to God’s call and follow him in obedience to love our neighbors and make disciples of Jesus wherever we live, work, and play.
Learn more about Dwell apartment ministry by clicking here.
In this episode, we’re talking with Brad Brisco about a couple of the biggest barriers that keep Western Christians and churches from effectively sharing the good news of God’s kingdom. Brad, who is a longtime church-planting catalyst, breaks down our misunderstandings of what the Church is — and even of who God is — and explains how we can begin to equip and activate all the people of God to engage in God’s mission right where he has sent us to live, work, and play.
In this episode, we’re talking with Sarah Koeppen and Emily Virkler, who lead a marvelous ministry called The Hope Box that is tackling head-on the desperate need in Georgia of infants who have been abandoned, abused, and neglected — including the increasingly horrific problem of sex trafficking babies. Sarah and Emily have a wonderful story to share about the way God is working among his people to wrap their arms around these precious children and help them grow up to become happy, healthy, productive citizens of his kingdom.
The Table on Delk offers friendship, resources, and hope for women, children, and even men oppressed by sex trafficking in NW Metro Atlanta. Ministry leader Tina Williford explains how God moved her — a stay-at-home mom with no special training — into a restoration ministry that gives trafficked people an opportunity to experience God’s transforming power and to take hold of the new lives he has prepared for them to live.
Learn more about The Table on Delk by clicking here. Explore The Atlanta Dream Center’s “Out of Darkness” ministry and other outreaches by clicking here.