Let's Talk with Sanctuary: Recent Episodes
Sanctuary | Host Bridgette Tomlin
Let's Talk with Sanctuary is a podcast for women, specifically women in ministry. It's our firm belief at Sanctuary that isolation is the Number One tool that the enemy is using to take down women in leadership. Through this platform it is Sanctuary's endeavor to open the conversation with off-limits topics, share some love, laughter, and encouragement, and inspire more authentic conversation among ministry wives. Let's talk.
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In today's episode we welcome author Kristen Strong to share about her most recent book--a book you're going to love to receive, and love to give away. Friends Are Family We Choose provides the perfect introduction to a conversation we keep unpacking at Let's Talk with Sanctuary--the value and importance of healthy friendships. Kristen shares about her "baptism by fire" training in friendship when she went from her childhood on "O'Neil Lane" to moving every few years with her husband's military career. She also talks about how to find friendship even in your busiest seasons, why it's important and Christ-like to make the effort, and so much more.
Kristen Strong, whose authored books include Girl Meets Change and When Change Finds You, also compiled the 90-day devotional, Praying Through Loneliness. She writes as the friend wanting to help you be the friend you want to have. She loves sharing laughs, long talks, and meaningful stories with family and friends while holding a cup of strong black tea. She and her US Air Force veteran husband, David, have three beloved adult children. Together this military family zigzagged across the country (and one ocean) several times before settling in Colorado Springs, Colorado. You can find her at kristenstrong.com, DaySpring’s (in)courage, and on Instagram @kristenstrong.
Connect with today's guest, Kristen Strong:
Instagram: @kristenstrong
Facebook: @chasingblueskies
www.kristenstrong.com
Learn more about Friends Are Family We Choose here.
Featured:
- Greene and Raley
- What’s your favorite episode or featured guest on Let’s Talk with Sanctuary’s first four seasons?
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
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What do you do when you've done everything right? You've raised your child in the ways of the Lord. You've modeled the heart of Christ. You've instructed them in right and wrong. Yet, the unthinkable happens--your once obedient and faith-filled child has become a prodigal. The pain is unbearable, and the walk of faith is long and hard.
If you are the parent of a prodigal, you need hope--and lots of it! Today we are blessed to have author Jelly Valimont on the podcast to share her most recent book. The book’s title, Pathways of a Prodigal. It’s an easy read, but oh-so-valuable to all parents and grandparents, and particularly for those in our listening audience who are raising preachers’ kids in your home. Take a listen as Jelly shares about her life as a PK, parenting her own prodigals, and the principles that guided her and her late husband, Dr. Randy Valimont, as they saw the return of each of their daughters.
Jelly Valimont is the widow of Dr. Randy Valimont, former pastor of Griffin First Assembly (GFA), an Encounter Life Network church. She was born in McMinnville, Tennessee into the home of a pastor and spent her PK life growing up in a Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia. While attending Southeastern University, she met and married the love of her life, Randy Valimont. The couple served in various ministerial roles in Arkansas and Georgia. In 1993, Randy and Jelly relocated to Griffin, Georgia, where Jelly continues to live. During their time in Griffin, Jelly has been involved in the local church in women's ministry, Celebration Choir, worship teams, and the ministry of costumes. She was also an administrative consultant for GFA during Dr. Valimont’s tenure.
Jelly has been used by God to speak in the local church and at conferences throughout the United States and internationally. She has written two books: I Have Issues and Tapestry: a Story of Adoption, Acceptance, and Destiny. Jelly’s heart’s cry is to do the will of the Father, wherever and whatever that might be, to bring souls into the Kingdom, and to facilitate spiritual health and well-being to the Body of Christ. If she can do it while laughing, so much the better!
Connect with today's guest, Jelly Valimont:
IG: @jellyvalimont
Facebook: @jelly.jordan.valimont
Email: jelly@valimontministries.org
Web: www.valimontministries.org
Featured:
- Episode 72, featuring Jelly Valimont
- 5th Avenue Resources
- What’s your favorite episode on Let’s Talk with Sanctuary’s first four seasons?
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
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Eternity in heaven, with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is the ultimate goal for every believer. Unfortunately, many professing followers of Christ, including ministers of the Gospel, will give themselves far too much latitude as they age, letting go of the simple spiritual disciplines and convictions that have grounded them through decades of following Christ, only to be sidelined by the enemy just before they cross the finish line. Faithfulness, not just in ministry service, but in surrendered submission to the work of the Holy Spirit in our personal lives each day is the focus for our conversation today. Our featured guests Pastors Billy and Bettye Nickell recently celebrated 50 years of marriage and faithful ministerial service. They join us to share what they've learned is "the secret sauce" of living with integrity all the days of your life.
Billy and Bettye Nickell were elected as Lead Pastors of Amarillo’s First Family Church, First Assembly of God, in March 2002. He served as the Presbyter of the of the North Plains Section from 1983-2010 and as an Executive Presbyter for twenty-three of those years. In April of 2010, Billy was elected to be the Secretary/Treasurer of the West Texas District, as well as one of three General Presbyters. He and Bettye traveled as evangelists for six-years prior to their 22-year pastorate at First Assembly of God in Canyon, Texas. He currently serves on the board of Pleasant Hills Children’s Home in Fairfield, TX, and as a member of the board of regents at Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie. They have two daughters who live in Amarillo with their husbands and eight beautiful grandchildren. Billy’s passion is sharing God’s Word for the exclusive purposes of bringing glory to Christ and seeing lives eternally changed.
Connect with today's guests, Billy & Bettye Nickell:
Website: www.firstfamilychurch.org
YouTube: Amarillo First Family Church
Email: fantastic1316@gmail.com
Featured:
- Give Let’s Talk with Sanctuary a Rating + Review!
- Learn about Let’s Connect.
- Let’s Connect listings
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
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Today’s guest will inspire you to just be a better, stronger, more compassionate human being. James wrote in chapter one, verse 27: “Pure and unblemished religion [as it is expressed in outward acts] in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit and look after the fatherless and the widows in their distress, and to keep oneself uncontaminated by the [secular] world.” Sometimes, even as ministers of the Gospel, we can be so consumed with all the tasks that are involved in producing ministry events that we can overlook ministry itself, stripped down to its core, which is just loving on people. And our guest Marlene Craft is going to help provide a bit of a mental and ministry reset for each of us, regardless of what lane of ministry work you’re doing—simply as a follower of Christ.
Marlene Craft and her husband Wayne were pastors for 30 years, until his sudden passing 13 years ago. Soon after her husband died, she knew that her desire was now to minister to widows. In 2013, Marlene began a small group widows’ ministry at her home church and, five years later, became the first Assemblies of God U.S. Missionary Chaplain to Widows, Marlene’s heart is to equip the church to minister to widows and has written a program to do that. She loves to encourage widows and let them know the Lord has “a future and a hope” for this season in their life. Marlene also enjoys teaching about grief to aid people through their journey of darkness.
Connect with today's guest, Marlene Craft:
Website: WidowsLink.org
Facebook: @WidowsLinkMinistry
Featured:
- Give Let’s Talk with Sanctuary a Rating + Review!
- Learn about Let’s Connect.
- Widows Link Cruise 2025 [registration deadline extended to Aug 30 2024]
- Let’s Connect listings
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
Send us a Text Message.
Today's conversation is going to be an encouragement for all our friends who are serving in the ministry, like pastoring a church, or preaching out on the weekends when invited, or serving as a lay youth pastor or worship pastor, while also carrying the weight of a full-time job in the secular arena. But we also hope to encourage so many others who may be considering this prospect in the near, or distant, future. Bi-vocational ministry often gets overlooked by vocational ministers, or even laity whose pastor is bi-vocational, as it can be misunderstood as being “part-time”. But our guest today, Rev. Robert Miller, is going to debunk this, and other myths about bi-vo ministry, easily from his own personal experience.
Rev. Robert L. Miller has served as the Chief Operating Officer of the North Texas District of the Assemblies of God and Lakeview Camp since December 2023, and Executive Director of the NTD Church Loan Fund and NTD Foundation since January 2018. Prior to serving in the North Texas District, Robert was the Lead Pastor at New Life Assembly in Collinsville, OK for eight years and has served in Pastoral Leadership for 20 years. Robert was a bi-vocational pastor while working in the financial services industry for 18 years prior to coming to the North Texas District. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and an MBA from Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He also co-leads an intentional interim pastoral ministry and is currently serving a church as lead pastor through a season of transition since August 2023. Robert serves as Chairman of the Board for Adult and Teen Challenge of Dallas, on the Board of Directors for Assemblies of God Credit Union, is the Founding Chair of the Spanish advanced degree program for Global University, on the Teacher Education Supervisory Board at SAGU, and was just nominated to serve on the board for the National Association of Church Business Administrators. Robert and his wife, Haley, have been married for 25 years and have four children, one son-in-love, two dogs, and one grandson! He is an avid golfer, loves traveling with his family, and playing Monopoly.
Connect with today's guest, Robert Miller:
Email: rmiller@northtexas.ag
Web: churchloanfund.ag
Featured:
- Give LTS a Rating + Review!
- Life on Loneliness Island Blog Series
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
Send us a Text Message.
In this episode, host Bridgette Tomlin and her guest Crystal Williams tackle the "modest is hottest" mantra, talk about what true modesty actually is, how to teach the generation behind us more about it, and what the risks and rewards are in speaking truth when it's easier to remain silent. Is modesty just about how long your shorts are, or how low-cut your blouse is? What does modesty of the heart look like? Take a listen and pass this crucial conversation along to another momma, youth pastor, women's ministries leader, or young adult you're leading.
Crystal is a happy wife and the mother of two vibrant, highly imaginative children. She likes to refer to herself as the “Williams Home Engineer”. She is the homeschool teacher to her children and her passions include transforming mundane moments into magical experiences. Crystal adores everything “Southern”, as is evident in her personality, her humble character and her “Old Soul” charm. Her home is where she’s most comfortable; however, where she thrives is in her ability to lift spirits and bring hope to whomever she encounters.
Although Crystal has faced numerous, difficult challenges throughout her life, God has proven Himself faithful through it all. Her life and those of her beautiful family are the evidence of God’s hand upon them. They are walking miracles. Crystal is full of faith and this is expressed through her fervency in worship towards God. All of this coupled with a lifetime of serving in ministry and the gifts in which she walks, gives Crystal the unique disposition to minister in a way which encourages, challenges and simply softens hearts.
Connect with today's guest, Crystal Williams:
IG: @crystal_firey_williams
Email: crystalfireywilliams@gmail.com
Featured:
- Give LTS a Rating + Review!
- Life on Loneliness Island Blog Series
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
When you’re suffering, when someone you love is suffering, when it seems the evil in the world is thriving or excelling, it just doesn’t make sense that God would not intervene right now and make it all right. What do you do when Jesus delays? But more importantly, how do you reconcile WHY Jesus delays? This episode of #letstalksanctuary features host Bridgette Tomlin as she digs deeper into Jesus’s delay in healing Lazarus--the delay of a highly anticipated miracle.
Featured:
- Let’s Connect | June 2024
- Sanctuary on Facebook
- Life on Loneliness Island Blog Series
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
You may have heard the slogan, “Behind every good man is a better woman”. Good men can be even greater men when challenged to become that. It is within the power of every woman to champion the greatness and potential she sees in the man she knows and loves, especially and most importantly her husband and the sons she is raising.
It is widely known that men and women are vastly different in the ways their brains function, what is most important to them, how they manage their emotions, what makes them angry, what makes them feel happy, fulfilled, and successful, and so much more. How can women champion their husbands forward to meet their full potential and, ultimately, fulfill the call of God on their lives—vocationally, personally, and relationally? In today's episode we welcome Neil Kennedy of FiveStar Man to educate, inspire, and encourage the listener as we head into Father's Day weekend.
Neil Kennedy is a renowned author of 14 books, speaker, and founder of FivestarMan.com, ChampionUniversity, and The Daily Champion. FivestarMan is an international men’s movement dedicated to empowering men with the message of Biblical/Authentic manhood. Neil and his wife, Kay, affectionally known as Kaytie Girl, have three married children with eight grandchildren. They reside in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Connect with Today's Guest, Neil:
Email: Neil@FivestarMan.com
Facebook: @neil.kennedy
Instagram: @neilkennedy
Featured:
- Let’s Connect | June 2024
- Sanctuary on Facebook
- Life on Loneliness Island Blog Series
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
There is a growing, almost staggering uptick in women who are serving in vocational ministry or on the mission field who are not married. And yet very few conversations are centered in the ministry world around what it looks like to be single in the local church, much less single in the ministry community space. So, that’s why today's guest Kelly Reed and host Bridgette Tomlin are attempting to pull back the curtains and shed a little light on this very important subject. They'll discuss the obstacles still standing in the way of single women in ministry, the challenges when divorce enters the picture, the differences for single women vs married women, and so much more. Take a listen, whether you're married or single as this conversation will stimulate further conversation in your own ministry and church circles.
Kelly Reed is the Worship Pastor at The Bridge Bricktown Campus in Oklahoma City and Mom to Bennett (11) and Gemma (7). Along with her passion for worship, Kelly carries a desire to help other women realize that their worth and value are established in God. She loves spending time with her family, hanging out with friends, or getting lost in a good book or TV show.
Connect with today's guest, Kelly Reed:
Email: kelly@wearethebridge.church
Facebook: Kelly Reed
Instagram: @itskellyreed
Featured:
- Let’s Connect | June 2024
- Contact Host Bridgette Tomlin
- When God Doesn't Fix It [Laura Story]
- It's Not Supposed to Be This Way [Lysa Terkeurst]
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
Even those beyond the church's four walls recognize that being labeled with a "Jezebel Spirit" is not a good thing. But often this term is thrown around flippantly, and even more often, it is thrown around without an understanding of its true meaning according to Scripture. Most recently this term hit the headlines through a church-hosted conference and a public declaration from an invited pulpit guest. What is a Jezebel spirit? In today's episode we welcome guest Susan Vandenheuvel to discuss the origin of this term, what it truly means, and how and when to properly use it. But even more importantly, this conversation is designed to draw attention to a common ploy of the enemy used against those in spiritual leadership. This is a powerful wakeup call, greatly needed for all followers of Christ.
Susan Vandenheuvel is a speaker, five-time author, and pastor who has filled various roles within her church and community, including the federal and state prison settings. She is also the creator and founder of She Rises MN and hosts an annual women’s conference. Susan’s story of redemption has helped many find hope, healing, freedom, and the unfailing love of Jesus. Susan is also the host of the She Connects Podcast, where she connects with women in the online space.
Her writing has been featured multiple times on the BibleGateway Blogger Grid and her ministry has been featured in Resilience Magazine, Ilona TV, and Alli Worthington’s Women Worth Following as making a difference in the world. When Susan isn’t speaking, writing, or recording, you can find her chasing her three adorable grandchildren, working in her flower garden, or floating across the lake in her kayak. She and her husband live in Central MN.
Connect with today's guest, Susan Vandenheuvel:
Website: www.sherisesmn.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.vandenheuvel.90/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_vandenheuvel/
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/susan_vandenheuvel
She Connects Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-connects/id1508048601
Featured:
- Let’s Retreat Registration is Open!
- Let’s Connect | June 2024
- She Connects Podcast
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
There's a lot of talk these days about church hurt. People who have been hurt or disappointed by spiritual leaders, spiritual leaders who have been hurt by those they are called to lead. How can someone in spiritual leadership maintain a heart that is tender to those he or she is leading, and simultaneously protect against chronic injury from the saints? Today's guest Ashley Earwood has had her own share of church hurt and joins host Bridgette Tomlin to reveal how the Holy Spirit has trained her to cultivate tough skin with a tender heart.
A church girl at heart, Ashley has volunteered in just about every area of the church you can imagine and has faithfully served alongside her husband in full-time pastoral ministry for the past 15 years. She currently serves full-time as part of the Senior Leadership Team at Bear Creek Church in Lodi, California where she also leads the Women's Ministry. She's about to celebrate 5 years of ONE Conference, a local women's conference she founded & hosts, centered around the topic of Biblical unity.
She's been married to her college sweetheart, Paul, for 20 years and they have three spunky children, ranging in ages 10-15.
A self-proclaimed 'reluctant pastor's wife' herself, Ashley has a heart to encourage ministry wives and is passionate about encouraging & equipping ALL women to find their place and run their race within the Body of Christ.
Connect with today's guest, Ashley Earwood:
IG: @ashleyearwood_
Featured:
- Let’s Retreat Registration is OPEN!
- Let’s Connect | Widows Online Community
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
In today's episode host Bridgette Tomlin welcomes Casey Gibbons of Mothergood to return to the podcast and talk about S-E-X. How do we talk to our children, teens, and young adults about God's plan for sexuality? In the midst of a gender identity crisis, how should today's ministry leaders and parents broach these otherwise touchy subjects according to God's Word? Casey, mother of six, offers sound counsel with practical tools on how to start the conversation, and keep it going in an effort to raise up a generation of Christ-followers who understand how to please God in every area of their lives.
Casey Gibbons is all about leading people to Jesus within the home and in the local church. She is an author/speaker and a homeschooling mother to her six creative children. Casey serves alongside her husband, Scotty, as Lead Pastors in Oklahoma City and in their extra time they enjoy speaking on the topics of marriage and family. Fun Fact: Casey loves taking a power nap and eating dark chocolate in the afternoons.
Connect with today's guest, Casey Gibbons:
IG: @Mothergood.us
FB: @Mothergood.us
Web: scottygibbons.com
BONUS: Casey's daughter Candice Gibbons is an Oxford University graduate and recently released her first two books for teen girls. Please checkout IG @authorCandiceGibbons, website candicegibbons.com.
Featured:
- Let’s Retreat Registration is OPEN!
- Let’s Connect | Widows Online Community
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
While there are many seasons in the life of a ministry wife, undoubtedly there are seasons where it may feel like she's silently bleeding--isolated with no one who seems to understand the life she leads. In this episode, host Bridgette Tomlin welcomes her guest Jan McIntyre to share candidly about her own journey as a ministry wife, the nudge from the Holy Spirit to create community for ministry wives, and the practical decisions she's made to break out of isolation and shake off the sabotage that can come with church hurt. You'll be encouraged by her sweet, southern spirit and the tenacity with which she has forged through challenging times to love and serve Jesus faithfully.
Jan McIntyre is an ordained minister and a short term missionary. She is married to her best friend, Tim. They serve as the pastors of Marion Oaks Assembly of God in Ocala, FL and have been there for 19 years. They have two precious daughters and three beautiful granddaughters. Jan is the founder of Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s Wife, an online ministry for pastors’ wives. Jan’s motto is “Love God, love people.”
Connect with today's featured guest, Jan McIntyre:
Facebook:
- Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s Wife
- Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s Widow
- Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Retired Pastor’s Wife
- Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Broken Hearted (for abused & or abandoned pastors’ wives)
Web: silentlybleeding.com
Podcast: Silently Bleeding | Apple, Google Play, and Spotify
YouTube: Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s Wife
Radio: WNWR The Word in Philadelphia, PA [7:15 PM | Sat]
Featured:
- Let’s Retreat Registration is NOW OPEN for FIRST-TIME GUESTS!
- Find Sanctuary on Facebook
- Find Sanctuary on Instagram
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
While we don’t want to believe it, public perception or image definitely matter. As a general rule, there are two camps, perhaps three, within the ministerial community when it comes to public persona. One ascribes to that of the Influencer in every way--focusing on high fashion, promoting all their latest finds on social media, maybe they’re in the extreme fitness realm. And then there are those in the camp who deem attention to such things as vain, self-serving, prideful, and even deflecting attention away from Christ altogether. And among those in the middle are those who are giving it their best shot, while others are battling that legendary battle of self-value to the point of even loathing the mirror. Today's featured guest Maranda Rains, a bi-vocational pastor's wife and personal stylist, comes on board to school us on how to effectively tend to our public perception without pride, but also with grace, holiness, and an attitude that pleases the Lord. She might bring a perspective that challenges your own, but take a listen with an open mind, a surrendered heart, and a desire to hear some fun and fresh ideas about spring fashion!
Maranda Rains resides in Tyler, TX with her husband Paul of 22 years, daughters Bella Gray and Bristol Fay, plus two white fur people, Casper and Cotton. Maranda has enjoyed a 23-year career as a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant/Sales Director. She has had the privilege to drive 14 free cars, earn copious amounts of diamonds, travel around the world, and lead women of excellence. However, her most treasured gifts have been the valuable friendships she has collected along the way.
Maranda enjoys volunteering for organizations in her community, and mostly serving at her church, Lakeview Community Church, where she and her husband serve as lead pastors while also working in secular fields outside the church.
During college and as a former Miss Northeast Texas USA and Miss East Texas USA, Maranda’s passion for style and fashion drew her into the closets of friends to help boost their confidence and excitement to look and feel their very best. She's still having a blast even 25+ years later.
Connect with today's featured guest, Maranda Rains:
Facebook: Maranda’s Closet Clients
Facebook: @maranda.rains
Instagram: @marandarains
Featured:
- Let’s Retreat Registration is NOW OPEN for FIRST-TIME GUESTS!
- Find Sanctuary on Facebook
- Find Sanctuary on Instagram
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
Bridgette Tomlin, your host, welcomed her husband Chresten Tomlin to the podcast for Episode 78! In our most recent episode, Episode 77, we featured the incomparable Pam King and dug into her insights about the combo of marriage and ministry. This week we want to come at the same topic but from a slightly different angle. Chresten and Bridgette recently celebrated their 26th anniversary of marriage and ministry. In this episode they share a little bit of their own love story and journey, as well as some of the lessons they either learned early on in their marriage and ministry journey or wish they would have learned earlier! You'll enjoy their candor, up-front honesty, and recognize that somebody out there may have walked some of the same roads on which you find yourself today.
Reverend Chresten Tomlin has been involved in full-time preaching and music evangelism for the past 26 years. His travels have taken him across the nation and around the world, ministering in concerts, special services, and revival meetings. Having been raised in the fire of Pentecost, Chresten knows the value of living a Spirit-led life. God has placed a call upon him and his wife to bridge the generational gap, which will propel the Church into the future.
Chresten is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He combines a passionate burden for the lost and a fervent hunger for holiness to produce powerful, Pentecostal preaching. His message drives home basic principles for living the overcoming, joy-filled Christian life. Chresten is also a soulful singer who produces powerful and anointed Gospel music. His repertoire covers everything from black Gospel to southern Gospel and everything in between! This couple's desire is to raise up a new generation of Pentecostals, filled with the Spirit and driven by conviction.
Connect with today's featured guest, Chresten Tomlin:
Facebook: @tomlinministries
Site: www.ctministries.com
Email: ctministries98@gmail.com
Featured:
- Hear more from Chresten on #letstalksanctuary [Ep 7, 8, 42, 55]
- Marriage + Ministry Podcast Episodes [Ep 7, 8, 32, 36, 55, 77]
- Learn about Let’s Connect.
- The Love List by Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
Throughout the month of February we will feature content that focuses on the dynamic of marriage + ministry. First up, we welcome Sanctuary lead team member Pam King back to the podcast as she shares about the TOP THREE areas of concern for many married couples, especially those who serve in leadership. You'll draw loads of wisdom from her 45+ years of marriage and ministry experience, find out why sex in marriage is so important, walk away with practical tools you can actually use, and learn how she and her husband Jim keep their marriage operating a peak performance, regardless of the season they're in.
Born into a pastor’s home, Pam King has been in full time ministry her entire life. Alongside her husband, Jim, Pam has traveled around the world in ministry for over 40 years in missionary evangelism. Their ministry has taken them around the world with Ukraine and Israel as their primary focus. They have been involved in mobilizing pastors, Bible school students and lay people in various endeavors. They have lead scores of ministry teams from local churches across America on international crusades and conferences to Russia, Ukraine and China. Their ministry, Awaking Hope, has started or sponsored over 300 Bible schools in video format and over 200 new churches in the nations of Ukraine, Russia, Romania, China, Kyrgyzstan and Israel. One of the most fulfilling endeavors of their ministry has been House of Joy Orphanage that the Kings established in 1995 in Kahovka, Ukraine.
Jim and Pam love teaching on marriage and family as they see this as a great need in the Body of Christ today and especially among ministry couples and families. Ministry can bring challenges even to the strongest of marriages.
After her love and passion for God, her husband and her children are the love of Pam’s life. Pam finds great joy in fulfilling the call that God has placed on her life as a wife, mother, and minister. She has a passion to encourage people to live to their full potential and to live out their God-given purpose.
Connect with today's featured guest, Pam King:
Facebook: @awakinghope
Instagram: @awaking_hope
Site: www.awakinghope.com
Featured:
- Marriage + Ministry Podcast Episodes [Ep 7, 8, 32, 36, 55]
- Featured Scriptures
- Learn about Let’s Connect.
- The Love List by Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
Understanding who we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are, how we communicate, but then also all of the above about the people we are working with can help diffuse a lot of tension or unnecessary conflict when you’re working on a pastoral staff, a lead team, or even in your marriage. In this episode we welcome guest Vanessa McGee of McGee, Inc to educate us about the value of knowing yourself well, and then being able to identify and appreciate differences in others. You'll love Vanessa's sense of humor, her willingness to shoot straight, and perhaps identify with her own experience of being married to her total opposite!
Vanessa McGee has a passion to inspire and encourage others to discover and value the way that they have been uniquely formed and fashioned by God. Having worked with churches, non-profits and businesses for over 25 years, she understands the blessings and unique challenges that each of these types of environments bring. She has a diversified background, having worked in the areas of lay counseling, individual coaching, conference speaking and teaching within the local church. Vanessa has a distinctive style of speaking, utilizing humor and real life experience. This combination is sure to leave you laughing and entertained, but most importantly, challenged to go and live out God's purpose for your life and celebrate who you were created you to be! Vanessa has been married to her husband Robby for 38 years, and is known as Sessa to her three amazing grandkids. She was born and raised in Texas, and currently resides in Frisco, Texas where she can almost always be found with a book in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other!
Connect with today's featured guest, Vanessa McGee:
Facebook: Vanessa McNeel McGee
Instagram: @vanmcgee
Website: www.mcgeeinc.com
Featured:
- Share Sanctuary!
- Sanctuary Site
- Learn about Let's Retreat.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
We are launching Season Four of Let's Talk with Sanctuary today & welcome a return visit with our friend, Sheila Harper of SaveOne. As we sit in the first month of the year 2024, the very definition of identity is up for grabs. In the past, the term ‘identity’ meant your name, your job, your role in a family or a business, how you were known as a human. In years past, jokes were made about having “an identity crisis”. But we are undoubtedly in one of the greatest identity crises the world has ever seen.
How does this identity crisis affect the 21st century woman in ministry and leadership? How does this impact the next generation? And what does God say about the subject of identity? You'll draw immeasurable wisdom & be better equipped to shape the next generation on the other side of this insightful conversation with LTS host Bridgette Tomlin & her guest Sheila Harper.
Sheila Harper is the Founder and President of SaveOne, a global outreach ministry helping men, women, & families recover after abortion. She holds a Master’s degree in Biblical counseling, is a certified mental health coach with the American Association of Christian Counselors, & is the author of 10 books. Her first book, SaveOne-A Guide to Emotional Healing after Abortion, has been translated & distributed in 23 languages.
SaveOne currently has close to 400 chapters in 27 countries. Sheila has traveled the world speaking on the topic of abortion recovery, as well as training abortion recovery leaders. After enduring seven years of personal anguish over choosing abortion, she found restoration & forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Connect with today's featured guest:
Sheila Harper [Episodes 5, 38]Linktree: @saveone
Featured:
- Share Sanctuary!
- Sanctuary Site
- Learn about Let's Retreat.
What does God say about your identity?
- Eph 2:10 | You are a masterpiece.
- Gen 1:27 | You’re created in HIS IMAGE!
- 1 Pet 2:9 | You’re part of a royal family.
- Col 3:12 | He chose you.
- Eph 1:11 | You have an inheritance.
- Gal 3:26| You’re a child of God.
- Eph 2:8 | You’re saved by His grace.
- John 15:15 | You’re God’s friend.
- Is 49:16 | You’re engraved on the palm of His hand.
- Ps 139:14 | You’re wonderfully made.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
Despite the fact that Sanctuary, our ministry for ministry wives, was launched by an annual event we host call Let’s Retreat, we have never done an entire episode on what it is, why it’s important, who should go, all the things. So, today we are talking about Let's Retreat! And in order to do this episode justice, we had to introduce you to so many of our dear friends at Sanctuary who serve on the Let’s Retreat team, as well as one of our favorite Let’s Retreat guests. Today we are welcoming a few of the key players who make this two-day, two-night retreat as impactful as it is. You are in for a treat! Let's Talk about Let's Retreat. Proceed with caution: On the other side of this conversation, you'll be ready to register for 2024's events!
Connect with today's featured guests:
Lisa Goins [Episodes 1, 29, 63]IG: @lisajgoins
Facebook: Lisa Freeman Goins
Pam King [Episodes 7, 8, 25, 26, 49]IG: @pamking
Facebook: Pam King
Maranda RainsIG: @marandarains
Facebook: Maranda Rains
Bridgette Tomlin [Featured Episodes 42, 44, 61]IG: @bridgiecarol
Facebook: Bridgette Greene Tomlin
Kelly Woods [Episodes 6, 60]IG: @kellyewoods
Facebook: Kelly Grizzle Woods
Featured:
- Share Sanctuary!
- Sanctuary Site
- Learn about Let's Retreat.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
Whether you’re actively engaged in leading a women’s ministry, personally involved in a local church women’s ministry, or simply a woman yourself, let me encourage you to lean into this content. And to our male listeners who are married, or even pastoring women, this is gonna be a great resource for you, as well. Today we welcome women's ministries expert Ashley Simmons of Coastal Church (Daphne, AL) to share her heart for women's ministries, why it's all the more important for the 21st-century church, and the practical tools every women's ministries director needs to form a lead team, facilitate discipleship and so much more!
Ashley Simmons lives in Fairhope, AL and serves on staff at Coastal Church in Daphne, AL as the Counseling Coordinator and Women's Director. She is a mom to Cole (21), a Pre-Med student in his senior year at Mississippi College and Kennedy (20), who is serving on a worship internship at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. She celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary this summer with her wonderful husband Tim who also serves at Coastal Church as the executive pastor. Tim and Ashley have been in ministry for 25 years.
Connect with today's guest, Ashley Simmons:
Ashley Simmons | Instagram | Facebook
Featured:
- Share Sanctuary!
- Sanctuary Site
- Learn about Let's Retreat.
- Ashley Simmons' episode: Episode 36 "Married to Strength + Weakness"
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!
In the case of a tapestry, it starts as an idea. The weaver gathers the raw materials and the tools to work, prepares them, weaves them, and tamps them. Slowly, bit by bit, an image starts to appear; however, it's not until completion that the designer's vision is apparent.
Randy Valimont wasn't sure what to make of the raw materials of his life. At first, he couldn't see how anything beautiful could be woven from some of the threads that made up his life: a birth mother who abandoned him without looking at his face and birth father who didn't even know he existed. However, in the hands of his heavenly Father, the Master Weaver, he saw the threads of his adoptive family's unwavering support and his own faith, natural talents, training, and perseverance intersect into an intricately woven tapestry.
Author Jelly Valimont, widow of the late Dr. Randy Valimont, joins host Bridgette Tomlin to share his beautifully broken adoption story, the lessons she has learned in widowhood, and hope for women who are navigating to find their place in the work of the ministry.
Jelly Valimont is the widow of Dr. Randy Valimont, former pastor of Griffin First Assembly (GFA), an Encounter Life Network church. She was born in McMinnville, Tennessee into the home of a pastor and spent her PK life growing up in a Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia. While attending Southeastern University, she met and married the love of her life, Randy Valimont. The couple served in various ministerial roles in Arkansas and Georgia. In 1993, Randy and Jelly relocated to Griffin, Georgia, where Jelly continues to live. During their time in Griffin, Jelly has been involved in the local church in women's ministry, Celebration Choir, worship teams, and the ministry of costumes. She was also an administrative consultant for GFA during Dr. Valimont’s tenure.
Jelly has been used by God to speak in the local church and at conferences throughout the United States and internationally. She has written two books: I Have Issues and Tapestry: a Story of Adoption, Acceptance, and Destiny. Jelly’s heart’s cry is to do the will of the Father, wherever and whatever that might be, to bring souls into the Kingdom, and to facilitate spiritual health and well-being to the Body of Christ. If she can do it while laughing, so much the better!
Connect with today's guest, Jelly Valimont:
Instagram: @jellyvalimont
Facebook: @jelly.jordan.valimont
Email: jelly@valimontministries.org
Purchase the Books: www.valimontministries.org
Featured:
- August Let’s Connect Events
- September 2023 Episodes
- Women’s Ministries
- Let’s Talk about Let’s Retreat!
- Sanctuary Social | Monday Mythbusters
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
All of us have experiences, tough moments, hopefully some great memories, through the evolution from childhood to adolescence, and on into young adulthood. It can be tough growing up! But children being raised in today’s culture are facing challenges that previous generations may have never encountered, especially at the ages that our children are being required to address them. In today's conversation, guest Casey Gibbons of Mothergood.us will bring us fresh insights and timely reminders as we launch into a new school year as parents, pastors, coaches, and mentors.
Casey Gibbons loves leading people to Jesus in the local church and strengthening others in marriage and family life! She has six creative children in the elementary, junior high, high school, and college ages and serves alongside her husband Scotty as Lead Pastors at Peoples Church in the OKC Metro area.
Connect with today's guest, Casey Gibbons:
Personal Instagram: @CaseyGibbons
Personal Facebook: @Casey.Gibbons7
Mothergood IG: @mothergood.us
Mothergood Facebook: @mothergood.us
Featured:
- Next up>>Jelly Valimont's new book, Tapestry: A Story of Adoption, Acceptance, and Destiny
- Let’s Connect August’23 events
- Sanctuary Book Club Info
- LTS Episodes featuring Casey Gibbons or Parenting: Ep 4, 12, 21, 28, 31, 50, 53, 59
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Often times grief is exclusively defined as the loss of a friend or loved one to death. But there's actually a form of grief that comes when someone hasn't died, but something has died. You feel a sense of loss. Perhaps it's the death of a dream, the loss of a friendship, or your expectations have been shattered. Licensed professional counselor and pastor's wife Karen Blandino joins us at Let's Talk with Sanctuary today to talk about what ambiguous grief is, how to recognize it, and what steps to take forward to move through this unique journey of grief.
Karen Blandino is a pastor's wife, mother and LPC. She holds a Master's Degree in Counseling from TCU and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Education from UTA. She and her husband planted 7 City Church in the cultural arts district of Fort Worth, Texas where they serve as lead pastors. Karen has spent the last 20 years in education and counseling. In addition, she and her husband Stephen have been in full-time ministry for 30 years. With this combined experience, she works with people in diverse situations including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and ministry or spiritual hurts.
Connect with today's guest, Karen Blandino:
Email: karen@karenblandino.com
Phone: 817.213.6224
Website: karenblandino.com
Facebook: @karenblandinocounseling
Instagram: @blandino_counseling
Featured:
- Sanctuary Virtual Book Club Meeting | September 14, 2023 | 7pm CST
- Let’s Connect August’23 events
- Sanctuary Book Club Info
- LTS Episodes on Grief (Ep 52, 51, 33, 18, 17, 5)
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Today we welcome author Kelly Balarie to Let's Talk with Sanctuary as we launch Quarter Three of the Sanctuary Book Club. This quarter's featured book is Kelly's latest book, Take Every Thought Captive. Regardless of how long you've been serving God or leading in a ministerial role, managing your own personal thought life requires lifelong diligence and a refresher course in the 'how-to's' now and again. We also talk about how to handle all the "triggered" people in your day-to-day! You'll be drawn in by Kelly's passion on this subject and be inspired to pick up the book, absorb its content, and then join the virtual book club meeting on Thursday, September 14. Learn more meeting details here.
Kelly Balarie is the author of Fear Fighting, Battle Ready, and Rest Now. When speaking at women's conferences around the nation, Kelly delights in joining hands with women as they go through life's ups and downs. To see marriages restored, hope recovered, and prayers of faith lifted up to a God on the move are some of her greatest joys. Beyond this, Kelly has led spiritual growth Bible study groups and has been seen on TODAY, The 700 Club, Crosswalk.com, iBelieve.com, and (in)courage. Her work has also been featured by Relevant and Today's Christian Woman. She lives with her husband and two kiddos on the East Coast.
Connect with today's guest, Kelly Balarie:
Instagram: @kellybalarie
Twitter: @kellybalarie
Blog: https://www.purposefulfaith.com/
Book Site: https://www.itakethoughtscaptive.com/
Featured:
- Sanctuary Virtual Book Club Meeting | September 14, 2023 | 7pm CST
- Let’s Connect August’23 events
- Sanctuary Book Club Info
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
We often quote the well-known verse in Revelation 12, stating that “they overcame him (the adversary or Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,…" It is vital as we pray and seek the Lord to intervene in our lives that we make room for the testimony when He answers. As believers, we want to be known for boldly declaring all that God has done and all He is doing so that we can continue to believe He will do greater things in our future. And this is what our ministry wife friend Rhonda Anzivino is here today to do. Take a listen as Rhonda, ministry wife and writer, shares her dynamic perspective of God's divine, sustaining strength in the midst of tragedy.
Rhonda Anzivino was raised in a pastor's home in northern Louisiana. Her heart was always for ministry. She and husband Raphael have served in various ministerial roles throughout Louisiana, as well as a church-planting effort just south of Saint Louis, Missouri, a church that is still thriving. In 2014, God brought the couple back to Baton Rouge and today they are lead pastors at Hosanna First Assembly of God. The Anzivino family has also launched an orphanage in Haiti, a partnership with their three adult children and five grandchildren. Rhonda is a speaker and blogs frequently from her site, insecretstrength.com
Connect with today's guest, Rhonda Anzivino:
Email: rhondavino@gmail.com
Instagram: @strengthswhisper
Facebook: @rhonda.anzivino
Blog: insecretstrength.com
Featured:
- Stop by Sanctuary
- Let’s Retreat | November 2023
- Subscribe + Stars | Subscribe to Let's Talk with Sanctuary on your preferred podcast app and give us the gift of your rating + review.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
For the Kingdom of God to be sustainable, fulfilling its mission until Jesus comes, every generation must raise up men and women of God who are called to give their lives for His cause. What does it look like for 21st century believers to acknowledge and answer the call of God for full-time ministry, receive training and mentoring, and then be launched into their calling? Elise Wood of Ripple Effect, Inc is passionate about challenging and mentoring young adults to all the above. Young adults and those who love and mentor them should tune in to learn more about the movement that is Ripple Effect.
Elise Wood is a pastor, speaker, writer, and an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. In October 2022, Elise and her husband Blare launched Ripple Effect, a nonprofit ministry to serve college-age students who are called to vocational ministry. Elise has almost a decade of experience founding and directing next-generation leadership and ministry training programs in the local church, and she has trained over 100 students called into vocational ministry through those. Elise and Blare were married in 2011, and they have a four-year-old daughter named Jensen Jae. Elise is passionate about seeing people walk in the fullness of the call that God has placed on their lives to go and make disciples of all nations.
Connect with today's guest, Elise Wood:
Ripple Effect Site: www.rippleffect.me
Facebook: @elise.gabrielle.wood
Instagram: @elisewood
Rippleffect IG: @rippleffect.me
Featured:
- Stop by Sanctuary
- Let’s Retreat | November 2023
- Subscribe + Stars | Subscribe to Let's Talk with Sanctuary on your preferred podcast app and give us the gift of your rating + review.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
In today's episode we welcome Pastor Brian Dollar, a 25+ year veteran of ministry to children. Pastor Brian talks about the value of children's ministries, from its foundations in Jesus's earthly ministry to its validity in today's 21st century culture. We ask the questions like "what should pastors know about children's ministries?" and "how do I get more people to volunteer for kid's min?" Every member of the local church needs to hear the profound insight Pastor Brian brings to this growing, invaluable facet of local church ministry for the family and for the communities they serve.
Brian began in ministry in 1992 and has served his current church for over 23 years. He is the author of several books: “I Blew It!”, “Kidminnovation”, and “Talk Now And Later.” “Talk Now And Later: How To Lead Kids Through Life’s Tough Topics” was the #1 New Release in Amazon’s Christian Families category (both in English and Spanish). Outreach Magazine named “Talk Now And Later” their Children’s Resource of the Year.
Brian founded High Voltage Kids Ministry Resources in 1998, which creates and provides Kids Church Curriculum, Music, Games, Videos, and more to churches around the world. Over 10,000 churches have used High Voltage Kids Ministry materials!
Brian and his wife, Cherith, have two amazing children – Ashton (son-in-law, Nick) and Jordan. He loves running, hiking, and watching his favorite sports teams: the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys!
Connect with today's guest, Brian Dollar:
Facebook: @briandollar
Purchase: Talk Now and Later on Amazon
Twitter: @briandollar1
Featured:
- Find a Let's Connect near you!
- Catch up on Sanctuary's Book Club for Q2 2023 by listening to the launch review of Jennie Allen's Find Your People in Episode 63.
- Sanctuary's spring blog series, Hello! I'm the Preacher's Wife
- Give Let's Talk with Sanctuary a rating + review on your preferred podcast app.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
As we head into Mother’s Day weekend, we can’t think of a better way to focus our thoughts than to acknowledge the powerful role that women play in shaping the lives of those around us. Today you may be grieving the loss of your own mother or perhaps you’re struggling in your role as a momma. Many of our listeners may be disappointed and hurt because their heart’s desire is to become a mother, but that hasn’t come to fruition just yet. And still, many of you may be relishing in all that God is doing in and through your life and your children. Wherever you’re coming from today, you can know that today’s story is going to refresh your soul, inspire your faith, and renew your ability to believe that God is the God of miracles.
Today's guest Johanna Garrison shares the made-for-a-movie, but real-life story of her own family's journey from war-torn Holland to America. Johanna's heartwarming accounts of her mother's faith in God carried their entire family through multiple tragedies. And as Johanna herself celebrates her first Mother's Day without her sweet Chinese momma, she provides a measure of hope for those who are asking, "If God really loved me, why did this happen?"
Johanna Garrison has served as a teacher, administrator, conference speaker, and mentor. She is a graduate of Evangel University. In addition, she has partnered with her husband, Alton, in multiple ministry positions including evangelist and pastor, as well as serving with him in his offices of Executive Director of US Missions and Assistant General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. The Garrisons have one daughter, Lizette. They reside in SW Missouri.
Connect with today's guest, Johanna Garrison:
FB: @jorijgarrison
Purchase Tangled Destinies on Amazon.com
Featured:
- Find a Let's Connect near you!
- Catch up on Sanctuary's Book Club for Q2 2023 by listening to the launch review of Jennie Allen's Find Your People in Episode 63.
- Sanctuary's spring blog series, Hello! I'm the Preacher's Wife
- Give Let's Talk with Sanctuary a rating + review on your preferred podcast app.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Today we are going to visit a topic that has been written about, talked about, prayed about so very often, but it’s something we can’t possibly write, talk, or pray about enough, and that is the lie of comparison. Church planter + Sanctuary Lead Team member Casey Graves joins the conversation today and openly shares of her own personal struggle with the lie of comparison, why it took her 25 years to discover her own value in God's kingdom work, and why her heart beats for the upcoming generation's victory over comparison and so much more. Let's talk about comparison.
Casey Graves is a pastor's wife, church planter, and momma in the Tulsa, OK area. This year she celebrates 25 years of ministry and marriage. She loves spending time with her husband and two teenage daughters.
Casey enjoys the remarkable people she gets to pastor at Foundations Church and leading the FC Women's ministry. She has found God has facilitated healing in her life from hurts in ministry through the process of planting Foundations Church.
Connect with today's guest, Casey Graves:
FB: @caseyboydgraves
IG: @cgraves6
Featured LTS Episodes: Ep 2, Ep 25, Ep 26
Featured:
- Give Let's Talk with Sanctuary a rating + review on your preferred podcast app.
- Let's Talk with Sanctuary | Episode 62 | Grace for the Growth Track
- Catch up on Sanctuary's Book Club for Q2 2023 by listening to the launch review of Jennie Allen's Find Your People in Episode 63.
- Sanctuary's spring blog series, Hello! I'm the Preacher's Wife
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Today we welcome podguest Lisa Goins back to Let's Talk with Sanctuary for the THIRD time (yes, she's one of your favorites!) as we launch Quarter Two of the Sanctuary Book Club. This quarter's featured book is Jennie Allen's most recent bestseller, Find Your People. Join host Bridgette Tomlin and the Sanctuary team in reading this book throughout the quarter, listen to today's podcast review, and then later attend our virtual book club meeting in the month of June. Check out the details at the link below.
Lisa is a national speaker and author of the award-winning book, Courageously Uncomfortable: when the real woman you want to be is on the other side of fear. Lisa shares her heart in a motivational way that both encourages and engages others to believe that with Jesus, all things are possible. She is also a business owner, co-lead pastor at Faith Church Tulsa and founder of She Knew Ministries. Lisa is a mom of four and now serves in her most favorite role as JoJo to her two grandbabies.
Connect with today's guest, Lisa Goins:
FB: @lisagoinsauthor
Website: www.lisajgoins.com
IG: @lisajgoins
Featured LTS Episodes: Ep 29, Ep 1
Featured:
- Give Let's Talk with Sanctuary a rating + review on your preferred podcast app.
- Catch up on Sanctuary's Book Club for 2023 by listening to the launch review of Carey Nieuwhof's At Your Best in Episode 57.
- Sanctuary's spring blog series, Hello! I'm the Preacher's Wife
- Sanctuary Book Club Q2 | Featured Book: Find Your People by Jennie Allen
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Let's Talk host Bridgette Tomlin steps away from the show's typical fare of an interview alongside a featured guest to deliver a timely message to women in ministry of all generations. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and sip slowly as you take in the mentorship Bridgette is bringing to the listener, whether you're in your 20s and just getting started in vocational ministry, or if you're proudly waving the banner of Middle Age + More, balancing the roles of active duty and intentional mentor to the generations coming up behind you. She will cover ground of life and growth before social media, the exciting opportunities for today's generation + the hurdles they'll face, and three big things she thinks every woman in ministry should learn and teach to someone else.
Learn more about #letstalksanctuary host Bridgette Tomlin by clicking here.
Featured:
- Sanctuary Let’s Retreats 2023 (Registration is NOW OPEN!)
- Sanctuary Book Club Q2 | Featured Book: Find Your People by Jennie Allen
- LTS Episode 44 "Finish the Race" | Bridgette Tomlin
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
We have heard so many cliche-phrases throughout the decades about the separation of Church and State that have sent mixed messages to the people of God about what they can and should say in regards to the government of our land. What exactly is the Church's role and responsibility when it comes to political issues? Today's guest Paul Abner helps the listener connect the dots and reclaim the rights of the 21st believer, whether parishioner or pastor.
Paul Abner is the founder of a coalition of faith-based leaders in the state of Oklahoma, an organization called Oklahoma Faith Leaders. OFL was launched in 2018 on the heels of his integral participation in the congressional campaigns, and ultimately election, of conservative leaders in the state of Oklahoma. His history of vocational ministry, with an emphasis on challenging and training students to live a life of sexual purity, has provided a rich network of faith leaders from six conservative religious denominations who unashamedly advocate for public policy that affects Oklahoma’s faith community. Oklahoma Faith Leaders played a dominant role in the ending of legal abortion in Oklahoma, making the state the first state to do so. Paul’s leadership provides platforms for conservative leaders to stand for Biblical principles, impacting the cities, counties, and ultimately state governances that make up the state of Oklahoma.
Connect with today's guest, Paul Abner:
FB: @okfaithleaders
Email: pawtw@sbcglobal.net
Website: OklahomaFaithLeaders.com
Phone: 405.740.0441
Featured:
- Sanctuary Let’s Retreats 2023 (Registration is NOW OPEN!)
- Sanctuary Book Club Q2 | Featured Book: Find Your People by Jennie Allen
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
What does worship look like in the life of a 21st century believer? How do we as leaders lead others into worship, in spirit and in truth? What are the contents of a corporate worship gathering? Is it all old stuff? Is it new stuff? So many nooks and crannies we can peek into today! LTS host Bridgette Tomlin brings back ministry wife and worship leader Kelly Woods to rediscover the art of worship.
Kelly Grizzle Woods was born and raised in Manassas, Virginia, in a close-knit, Christian family with her older sister, Jo Ann. They traveled in music ministry throughout her childhood and upon graduating high school, Kelly attended Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. She met Ron Woods in her sophomore year, married him in January of 1989 and together, they have pastored three church communities in Arkansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Her greatest joys are her three adult kids---Ryan, and his wife Danya, Lindsay, and her husband Wes, and Connor, and his wife Abbie.
Kelly has served in music + worship ministries in each of the three churches where they've pastored and also enjoys sharing her testimony of God's faithfulness in her life wherever she goes. She's an introvert on some level who has grown somewhat comfortable with being in the spotlight but can quickly refuel in the bliss of solitude, traveling, a great meal, an occasional spa day and, most of all, time with Jesus.
In 2018, she set out to finish her Church Ministries degree and graduated from Evangel University in May of 2019. She's embracing and enjoying this empty nest season and finding God as faithful as ever.
Connect with today's guest, Kelly Woods:
IG: @kellyewoods
FB: @kelly.grizzlewoods
Twitter: @kellyewoods
Let's Talk with Sanctuary | Episode 6
Featured:
- Sanctuary Let’s Retreats 2023 (Registration is NOW OPEN!)
- Sanctuary Let’s Connect
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Buckle up because today we are issuing a clarion call, a challenge, to the women of God across this nation and around the world! Today’s guest, Pastor Rochelle Ferguson, and host Bridgette Tomlin unpack what is at stake for our culture, for the Church, for our families, and for the next generation without divine intervention of the saints. It is time to stand up and declare, "Not on my watch".
Rochelle Ferguson is a woman who desires to know God, hear His instructions, obey His voice and exude His joy! Rochelle has been married to Jeff Ferguson for the last 18 years and they have three children – Madelynn (13), Joy (9) and Olivia (6). She and her husband co-pastor First Assembly of God in Henderson, KY and Rochelle is a Presbyter in the Kentucky Ministry Network. She is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, a graduate of Butler University and recently finished her Master’s Degree from North Central University with an emphasis on leadership and parenting the next generation. Rochelle’s heart’s desire is to see families and the church equipped and mobilized to experience revival. Her “Not On My Watch” movement has been established to encourage and challenge parents and ministry leaders to see the next generation passionately following Christ. Rochelle and her husband host “The Deep Rooted” podcast where believers are encouraged to live deep lives in a shallow world.
Connect with today's guest, Rochelle Ferguson:
Web: www.thedeeprooted.com
IG: @rochelleferguson
FB: @rochelleferguson
Podcast: The Deep Rooted Podcast
Featured:
- Sanctuary Let’s Retreats 2023 (Registration is NOW OPEN!)
- Sanctuary Let’s Connect
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
How do you address some of the challenges that come with managing the myriad of tasks, bookkeeping, pastoral duties, and the like when it comes to the church or ministry you’re serving? Today’s guest, Kacie Frazier of Ministry Brands, is going to help us find a better understanding of technology and how to make it work for you and not against you.
Kacie Frazier has spent the last 16+ years serving the church in a variety of contexts and roles. From serving in local ministry to equipping the broader Church, she's become an expert on using digital tools to help lead and grow healthy churches. With an MBA from Northeastern State University, Kacie brings dynamic leadership skills, digital savvy, and a genuine heart for the Church. When not helping pastors and churches, Kacie enjoys spending time with her two daughters, screaming at college football games, and frequenting Tulsa's best coffee shops.
About Ministry Brands
Ministry Brands has over 25 solutions and services that support more than 90,000 faith-based organizations throughout North America. We provide technology for church administration, worship planning, accounting and financials. Our solutions also include online giving, payment solutions, background screening, websites, live streaming and communications. The Ministry Brands team is made up of passionate professionals who believe in innovation and service to advance missions, drive efficiencies, and build engaged communities. The diverse and real-world experiences of our team members serving their communities enhances our ability to help customers thrive in a digital world and drive our organization forward.
Connect with Ministry Brands
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/company/ministry-brands
Facebook - @ministrybrands
Twitter - @ministrybrands
Web - www.ministrybrands.com
Episode Features:
- Discover Sanctuary's confidential community on Facebook.
- Carey Nieuwhof's At Your Best
- Learn more about Sanctuary Let's Retreats.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Let's Talk with Sanctuary is a podcast for women, specifically women in ministry. It's our firm belief at Sanctuary that isolation is the Number One tool that the enemy is using to take down women in leadership. Through this platform Sanctuary's endeavoring to open the conversation with off-limits topics, share some love, laughter, and encouragement, and inspire more authentic conversation among ministry wives.
To learn more about Sanctuary, visit our site: www.sanctuaryministrywives.com/letstalk
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
As we launch into a brand new year, host Bridgette Tomlin is launching a book club for the year 2023. Each quarter she will welcome a guest to discuss the featured book she's reading. In today's episode, we kick off Sanctuary's book club by inviting guest Leann Cherry to discuss Carey Nieuwhof's book, At Your Best. Built into five segments, Carey's best-selling book, At Your Best: How to Get Time, Energy, and Priorities Working in Your Favor, is designed to help every leader escape stress and begin living at a sustainable pace. Bridgette & Leann get real about adrenaline rushes that come with ticking off the to-do list, failures to make family a priority, and so much more.
Leann Cherry and her husband Travis have been married and in full-time vocational ministry together for almost 22 years. Leann grew up in the Northeast part of the country in a ministry family and is a third generation pastor. Leann and Travis have two children and have served in pastoral ministry on church staffs in MO, CA, MD, AL, TX, now making Jenks, OK their home for the past seven years. Throughout Leann’s years in ministry, she has loved travelling and speaking for women’s, girls’, and youth events in different seasons, has written curriculum, and has served in a wide variety of roles throughout over two decades of ministry. She currently serves as co-Lead Pastor with her husband at their two-year old church plant in Tulsa.
Leann loves all things Starbucks, ice cream, dark chocolate, Hallmark, holidays, celebrations, travelling, time with family and friends, and believes in taking a photo to document everything! But ultimately, Leann is personally passionate about women knowing their true identity in Christ and experience the full LIFE God has for us all to live!
Connect with Leann:
Instagram: @leann_cherry_
Facebook: Travis Leann Cherry
Web: www.theconnecting.co
Event: Connecting as One Marriage Retreat | March 24-25, 2023
Episode Features:
- Discover Sanctuary's confidential community on Facebook.
- Carey Nieuwhof's At Your Best
- Learn more about Sanctuary Let's Retreats.
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
As we prepare for another new year, it is vital that we spiritually prepare through prayer. How do you know if your prayers are going to be effective? When spiritual wars are waged, how does a believer contend for victory? The subject of prayer is nothing new, but we all could use a refresher course! In this episode, guest Rhonda Rock schools the listener on how to press through tragedy, disappointment, sickness, and spiritual wars to reach the results God's Word has afforded every believer.
Reverend Rhonda Rock is an ordained evangelist with the Assemblies of God. Rhonda is also a recently retired State Certified Interpreter for the deaf whose work and ministry has taken her across the nation and to several countries in Central America.
Rhonda grew up in a pastor’s home and knows firsthand the stress the ministry can have on the family. Additionally, Rhonda battled chronic illness and depression, and was the primary care giver for her husband of 43 years, as he suffered with one serious health issue after another before ultimately going to be with Jesus.
Acquainted with suffering, widowhood, and ministry, Rhonda can relate to those who feel marginalized, lonely, and overwhelmed by life’s sometimes painful seasons. She can tell you how to find healing and victory on the other side of the valley. “Taste and see that the Lord is good” is more than a life verse; it has become her ministry mantra that calls out to encourage all who long to know the fullness of the Spirit and to experience the transformative power of His healing grace.
Connect with today's guest:
Rhonda Rock
Facebook: Taste & See Ministries
Email: Kaye57@cox.net
Phone: 918.230.2177
Episode Features:
- Learn more about Sanctuary Let's Retreats!
- Learn more about Sanctuary Let's Connect events!
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Marriage itself can be beautifully complicated but add in that element that comes with vocational ministry and leadership and things get even more complicated! The truth is: ministry can often become the third spouse in a marriage if we aren’t careful. Host Bridgette Tomlin welcomes her husband of 25 years, Chresten, and their pastor friends Greg and Deena Thurstonson to layer the experiences, lessons learned, beautiful bonuses, and wisdom from the multiple decades of marriage and ministry together.
Greg and Deena Thurstonson pioneered Dominion Church in the spring of 1996 with a core group of 30 people. Today the church has over 800 congregants and is continuing to grow. After years of meeting in hotels and shopping centers in and around the Clear Lake area, the church now sits on a beautiful building on 30 acres of property in Dickinson, TX. Pastors Greg & Deena have over 38 years of ministerial experience. Greg now serves as the President of the Alumni Association at his alma mater SAGU, and is committed to seeing the next generation receive a quality Christian higher education.
In addition to being a full-time pastor, Greg is a board-certified, faith-based Counselor. He travels as a speaker to various conferences, camps, revivals, and retreats. Closer to home, Pastor Greg loves and serves his community in a variety of ways, including serving on the Diversity Advisory Committee for the League City Chief of Police.
His wife Deena is a gifted worship leader and has been sought out to lead worship at camps and conventions, including the South Texas District Council. They have been married over thirty-six years and have two beautiful daughters, Taylor and Morgan, and two grandchildren, Brooklyn and Colt..
Connect with today's guests:
Greg Thurstonson
Facebook: @greg.thurstonson
Instagram: @gthurst1
Web: www.dominionchurch.org
Chresten Tomlin
Facebook: @tomlinministries
Web: www.ctministries.com
Episode Features:
- Marriage + Ministry (Season 1) episodes with Jim and Pam King
- Episode 7 (Part One)
- Episode 8 (Part Two)
- Episode 20 : Leading Your Team with Joy (featuring Greg & Deena Thurstonson)
- Learn more about Sanctuary Let's Retreats!
- Learn more about Sanctuary Let's Connect events!
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
In February, June, and August of 2022 we welcomed our very own women’s ministries expert Kelli Ferguson to Let's Talk and touched on a variety of aspects of ministry to women—everything from the WHY behind it, how to implement discipleship, and then creating and fostering authentic connection among the women you lead and serve. In the finale of this four-part series on ministry to women we welcome a panel of passionate ministers to women who help us determine what the top priorities should be as we ease into a brand new year.
Connect with today's guests:
Kelli Ferguson
Facebook: @kelliaferguson
Instagram: @kelliferguson
Email: kelli.ferguson@cafrederick.com
Cyndee Ownbey
Website: www.womensministrytoolbox.com
Facebook: @womensministrytoolbox
Facebook group: @womensministrytoolboxcommunity
Instagram: @womensministrytoolbox
Podcast: Women's Ministry Toolbox
Crystal Williams
Facebook: Crystal Firey Williams
Instagram: @ crystal_firey_williams
Episode Features:
- Episodes featuring Kelli Ferguson & Crystal Williams
- Ministry to Women, Part 1 with Kelli Ferguson | Episode 37
- Ministry to Women, Part 2 with Kelli Ferguson | Episode 43
- Ministry to Women, Part 3 with Kelli Ferguson | Episode 48
- Building Friendships That Fit with Crystal Williams | Episode 10
- The Gift of True Friendship with Crystal Williams | Episode 30
- Ministry to Women Blog Series at Sanctuary
- Learn more about Sanctuary's Let's Retreat, a retreat designed for the wives of full-time ministers.
- Custom Cookies from Cookie Break
- Catch up on Sanctuary's recent blog series about Transition.
- Help us spread the word about Let's Talk with Sanctuary by giving us a rating and a review on your preferred podcast platform!
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
When it comes to parenting resources, you'll find plenty of support for prenatal, newborn, preschool, the daunting 8-year-old and tween transitions, and even life with teens. But what does a mother do when she crosses the finish line, launches her children into adulthood, and is forced to rediscover her own identity beneath the layers of marriage, motherhood, and ministry life? In this episode we welcome Midlife Mindset coach Pamela Henkelman to walk us through the beautiful journey of life just beyond hands-on motherhood.
With a bright smile and an enthusiastic personality, Pamela lives to encourage women. She has a heart for the forgotten moms: the ones with adult children. She helps them navigate their changing role with their adult children through intimacy with God. She is a Midlife Mindset Coach for Moms, speaker, writer, and podcaster living her best “empty nest” life with her hubby, the pastor. They have five grown kids and two grandsons. For fun, Pamela enjoys deep conversations over coffee, time spent laughing with anyone, and cooking delicious food.
Connect with today's guest, Pamela Henkelman:
Instagram: @phenkelman
Facebook: @Pamela Henkelman
Web: www.pamelahenkelman.com
Podcast: The Midlife Momma Podcast
Episode Features:
- Custom Cookies from Cookie Break
- Help us spread the word about Let's Talk with Sanctuary by giving us a rating and a review on your preferred podcast platform!
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
Many pastors are trying to carry healing to broken families while their own families are broken. Many pastors’ wives are providing counseling for broken marriages while feeling isolated in their own marriages. Many of our missionaries are sacrificially preaching, teaching, and discipling while battling their own personal bouts with depression and questioning God’s hand in it all. How does today's ministry family manage to keep moving forward and remaining steady in the ministry while privately healing from significant grief and loss? In today's episode we welcome pastor's wife Rae Johnson as she shares about the ongoing journey of grief that she has traveled for the past decade.
Rae Johnson & her husband, Casey, have served side by side in full time ministry for over 17 years. In that time they have served as youth pastors, worship pastors, communication pastors, and are now serving as Associate Pastors at Heritage Church in Wichita Falls, Texas. Rae also took a big step of faith in September of 2014 and began homeschooling their two amazing kids, daughter, Elia, who is now 15 and son, Noah, who is 10, which continues to be one of the most rewarding, albeit very unexpected, God journeys. When not at the church helping coordinate an upcoming event or at home being homeschool mama, you will likely find Rae curled up in a quiet space with a hot cup of coffee and a good book.
Connect with today's guest, Rae Johnson:
Instagram: @thatjohnsonfamily
Facebook: @RaeJohnson
Web: www.thatjohnsonfamily.com
Podcast: Live the Moment Podcast
Episode Features:
- Simply Sisters is founded upon the premise that women need one another. And out of that need, Simply Sisters has multiplied its impact in many nations throughout the world, modeling what it means to not only love one another but to express it in tangible ways.+
- Find Sanctuary on Facebook and find a safe haven of support and encouragement for ministry wives, across the nation and around the world.
- Share Let's Talk with Sanctuary with a fellow ministry leader! Learn more about the podcast at our website, www.sanctuaryministrywives.com/letstalk
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
The Barna Group of research recently published a study citing that 56% of pastors they polled have considered quitting full-time ministry due to “the immense stress of the job”. The pressure is stacking on so many leaders who are battling all kinds of personal struggles such as anxiety, depression, mental, emotional, and spiritual fatigue, all the while trying to lead other followers of Christ to victory. In this conversation with licensed counselor Celeste Nichols we discuss the overarching result, as it pertains to mental health, from the past few years’ pandemic status, as well as the when, how, and why of professional counseling.
Celeste Nichols is a licensed counselor in the state of Arkansas. She is a wife and mother who grew up as a Pastor’s daughter and has experienced pastoral life first-hand. Before becoming a counselor, Celeste spent 14 years working on staff at a church. Celeste has a double masters degree in marriage and family therapy and clinical mental health and is passionate about working with ministry families through counseling. She offers a unique perspective on the beauty and challenges of ministry life.
Connect with today's guest, Celeste Nichols:
Web: myrelationshipsolutions.com
Email: celestenichols@myrelationshipsolutions.com
Episode Features:
- Simply Sisters is founded upon the premise that women need one another. And out of that need, Simply Sisters has multiplied its impact in many nations throughout the world, modeling what it means to not only love one another but to express it in tangible ways.+
- Find Sanctuary on Facebook and find a safe haven of support and encouragement for ministry wives, across the nation and around the world.
- Share Let's Talk with Sanctuary with a fellow ministry leader! Learn more about the podcast at our website, www.sanctuaryministrywives.com/letstalk
Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative. Learn how you can capitalize on all Lindsey can do for your small business, church, or ministry through her creative solutions of media, video, graphics, and more!
While most ministers and leaders typically feel adequately resourced and equipped to disciple their local churches and ministries, many feel ill-equipped to disciple their own children. In fact, some ministers find it extremely challenging to intentionally lead their own families in prayer. In today's conversation, host Bridgette Tomlin and her guest Brittany Rust discuss the urgency of the need to disciple our children and grandchildren and unpack a variety of resources to do so effectively, including Brittany's latest book, a devotion for families.
Brittany Rust has a passion to see people impacted by the power of God’s Word and abundant grace through writing and speaking. She is the founder of Truth and Grace Ministries, an ordained minister with twenty years of vocational ministry experience, and the author of five books. Brittany lives with her family in Springfield, Missouri. Learn more at www.brittanyrust.com.
Connect with today's guest, Brittany Rust:
Facebook: @brittanyrustofficial
Instagram: @brittanyrust
Web: www.brittanyrust.com
Leading and Loving from the Woman's Heart | Leadership Course
Truth x Grace Collective | Mentorship Subscription
Truth x Grace Summit | Online Conference
Episode Features:
- 5th Avenue Resources is a full-service advertising specialties company offering a wide range of promotional items to promote your company.
- Share Let's Talk with Sanctuary with a fellow ministry leader! Learn more about the podcast at our website, www.sanctuaryministrywives.com/letstalk
Dictionary.com defines hospitality as “generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests or hospitable treatment.” But what does God's Word say about it? Throughout Scripture, you won't see the word “hospitality” but a handful of times. But the ministry of hospitality is woven in and out of Biblical encounters--through the local body of believers, in the home, and between ministers. In this episode, host Bridgette Tomlin and her guest Pam King candidly discuss the importance and mechanics of hospitality in a variety of settings. How do you host? Who or what is the priority? Pam reminds us: we are all called to be hospitable. So, let's talk about hospitality.
Born into a pastor’s home, Pam has been in full-time ministry her entire life. Alongside her husband, Jim, Pam has traveled around the world in ministry for over 30 years in missionary evangelism--a total of 41 years in ministry! Pam was healed of a rare, incurable illness 30+ years ago. Since that time, she has inspired congregations as she shares her “fight of faith,” through the principles of healing that she has learned, as well as her unwavering belief in the power of the Word of God.
After her love and passion for God, her husband, children, and grandchildren are the love of Pam’s life. You've not seen a "GiGi" more in love with her grandkids! In her spare time she enjoys shopping and movies with her husband, as well as coffee with friends. Friendship and relationship building are of great priority to her.
Pam has a passion to encourage people to live to their full potential and to live out their God given purpose. Her desire to mentor young women, especially those in ministry, is what makes her a vital asset to the Sanctuary team.
Connect with today's guest, Pam King:
Facebook: @pamking
Instagram: @pamking
Email: pam@awakinghope.com
Episode Features:
- 5th Avenue Resources is a full-service advertising specialties company offering a wide range of promotional items to promote your company.
- Share Let's Talk with Sanctuary with a fellow ministry leader! Learn more about the podcast at our website, www.sanctuaryministrywives.com/letstalk
Today we welcome back to the podcast our favorite women’s ministries expert Kelli Ferguson for the third time this year. [Take a listen to her first two conversations with us about ministry to women>>links below]. In Season 2 Episode 13 host Bridgette Tomlin and guest Kelli talked in broader circles about the necessity of women’s ministries in the 21st century. Then in Season 2 Episode 19, the duo unpacked the processes through which a women’s ministries leader can foster increased authentic connection among the women they lead. In this episode let's tackle the topic of discipleship.
Kelli Ferguson serves alongside her husband, Benny, as Lead Pastors at Calvary Church in Frederick, MD. She is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Kelli serves on the Potomac Ministry Network 'Women Who Lead' Team and is a Field Team Speaker for AG Women. Benny and Kelli have four children: Elaina (16), Malia (13), Benny (11), & Laci (8).
Kelli is passionate about reaching the lost and discipling the found. She believes every person can have an authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. She loves connecting women to God and to one another and believes Sisterhood is for every girl. She loves date nights, being a momma, strong coffee, dark chocolate, and confetti!
Connect with today's guest, Kelli Ferguson:
Facebook: @kelliaferguson
Instagram: @kelliferguson
Email: kelli.ferguson@cafrederick.com
Episode Features:
- Dig into our blog archives as guest bloggers brought their fresh perspectives to this often overcooked and overlooked topic of women's ministries. Serving Sisterhood was our featured microblog series from June 2022.
- Season 2 Episode 13 | Ministry to Women, Part One
- Season 2 Episode 19 | Ministry to Women, Part Two
- Promote your business, ministry, or conference through a Let's Talk with Sanctuary ad. Contact us for further details here.
- 'Like' Let's Talk with Sanctuary on Facebook!
- Find The Collective Journey by Lisa Potter here.
In this episode we welcome author and worship clinician Holly Knight to discuss her first book, Stubborn Obedience. The book details the arduous journey their family undertook as an act of obedience to God's clear directive to adopt not one, but two babies from the country of Uganda. You'll discover your own personal challenges in stubborn obedience to the assignment God has placed on your life within the beautiful imagery of Holly's shared experiences.
Raised in a minister’s home, Holly Knight felt God’s calling to serve the Christian community early in life. In 2002, Holly married gospel music composer/producer/arranger Bradley Knight and began serving the local church alongside her husband, including 13 years at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, and four years at The Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City. Amidst the Covid pandemic, the Knights relocated their family back to Texas in 2021. They now have the honor of traveling the country to various churches every weekend, leading worship and working with church choirs, bands, and praise teams. Additionally, Holly enjoys speaking at women’s conferences and events, mentoring and encouraging them to serve the Lord to their fullest potential. She recently published her first book, Stubborn Obedience, which details the faithfulness of God during their family’s adoption process. Holly and Bradley are the proud parents of Ava (17), Greta (15), Harper (13), James (12), and Jolie (11).
Connect with today's guest, Holly Knight:
Facebook: @hollyallenknight
Instagram: @heyhollyknight
Web: www.heyhollyknight.com
Web: www.bradleyknight.com
Episode Features:
- Learn more about Let's Connect events by visiting our site or see the current event listings in Sanctuary's Facebook group!
- Promote your business, ministry, or conference through a Let's Talk with Sanctuary ad. Contact us for further details here.
- 'Like' Let's Talk with Sanctuary on Facebook!
As a culture, we are being bombarded with so many dooms’ day theories and predictions, some predicting the likes of a Depression-era level of economic and social hit in the coming months. And while that may be something that many in the past few generations have yet to experience, it’s not something new. In this conversation our guest Tom Greene brings a measure of hope to our listeners by shedding light on the truth of these words as they stand next to the Truth of God’s Word. How does a pastor, ministry leader, or business owner lead the local church or business through even more potentially challenging times just ahead and keep up the financial support they’ve committed to, as well as grow it?
Let's talk about the church's only responsibility.
Tom Greene travels across the nation in his commitment to an extensive speaking schedule, which includes churches, missions conventions, leadership conferences, district and national events. He is also the author of the book, "The Game Isn't Over" and co-founder of a ministry advancement group called Greene and Raley.
Greene has previously served the Assemblies of God as the National Director of Men's Ministries, National Youth Director, District Youth Director in Oklahoma and in several local churches. He is widely known for his personal passion for missions as demonstrated by his leadership of two national ministries, Speed the Light and Light for the Lost.
He and his wife, Pam, have two grown children, Bridgette and Andy, who are both actively involved in ministry.
Connect with today's guest, Tom Greene:
Facebook: @tomwgreene
Instagram: @revtomgreene
Web: www.greeneandraley.com
Episode Features:
* Get your name on the Waiting List for the 2022 Let's Retreat, scheduled for November 8-10, 2022! Click here.
* Hear guest Tom Greene, along with his wife Pam, share their experience and expertise on "Raising Children to Release Them" in Let's Talk with Sanctuary's S1 Ep 21.
One of the perpetual frustrations that lingers throughout all of time is the challenge of remaining true to ourselves while also understanding, shaping, and trusting the generation just a few paces behind us. Today’s focus is something that every single leader—male and female—should be leaning into should he or she desire to continue to lead effectively. How do we effectively mentor the up-and-coming generation of leaders while simultaneously remaining faithful to do what God has called us to do as individuals within our own generation? Let's talk about leading Gen Z.
Phil Rasmussen and his wife Brenda celebrate 37 years of marriage this year. They have two married children and two grandchildren. Phil served as Youth and Associate Pastor at Shoreline Community Church in Seattle, District Youth Director for the Northwest Ministry Network (Assemblies of God), and Assistant National Youth Director (Assemblies of God) in Springfield Missouri. He served at Northwest University as the Campus Pastor and as V.P. of Church Relations and Spiritual Formation. He currently serves at The Belonging Co. in Nashville Tennessee as the Executive Ministry Pastor. Phil has completed a doctoral degree from AGTS in Counseling with an emphasis in leadership development.
Brenda served at Shoreline Community Church as Music Pastor, National Fine Arts Director in Springfield, Missouri, and as professor of music at Northwest University. Her primary focus is in music theory and worship leader development. Brenda currently serves at The Belonging Co. as the Executive Director for TBCo College. Brenda has a music degree from Northwest University as well as an advanced degree in Music pedagogy from the Royal Conservatory of Music at the University of Toronto.
Together, they have invested their lives in raising a new generation of leaders. They have a passion to see students realize their full potential as they embrace the call of God on their lives.
Connect with today's guests, Phil & Brenda Rasmussen:
Facebook: @phil.rasmussen.77
Instagram: @prasmussen
Instagram: @brendarasmussen
Email: brenda.rasmussen@thebelonging.co
Episode Features:
- Get your name on the Waiting List for the 2020 Let's Retreat, scheduled for November 8-10, 2022! Click here.
- Learn more about The Belonging Co's upcoming conference in September 2022 by clicking here.
Stepping past the norm for Let's Talk with Sanctuary, host Bridgette Tomlin takes this episode to deliver a timely message that she strongly felt prompted to share--one that made her feel uncomfortable in the receiving and, undoubtedly, in the delivery. And while she assures the listener "this may never happen again", Bridgette couldn't help but obey the Holy Spirit's prompting, pouring her heart out to the listener and urging each follower of Jesus Christ to finish the Race.
Episode Features:
- Learn more from our guest bloggers throughout the month of June as they bring their fresh perspectives to this often overcooked and overlooked topic of women's ministries. A brand new microblog entry will go live on Sanctuary's site each Wednesday!
- Discover more details on this year’s Acts 6:4 Conference dates, speakers and sessions by visiting www.theacts64.com
Today we welcome special guest Kelli Ferguson back to the podcast as we roll out Part Two of our four-part series this year on Ministry to Women. [If you haven't had a chance to listen to Part One, don't miss out! Check out S2 Ep13] In this episode host Bridgette Tomlin and her guest Kelli dig just a little deeper to discover why connection is so important to women, how to lead your women's ministries toward it, and what the pitfalls are along the way. As Kelli reminds us, "We can’t wait until we are in a crisis to develop a plan for it", we as leaders must be aware that we also can't shy away from connection personally if the goal is to lead our followers to it.
Kelli Ferguson serves alongside her husband, Benny, as Lead Pastors at Calvary Church in Frederick, MD. She is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Kelli serves on the Potomac Ministry Network 'Women Who Lead' Team and is a Field Team Speaker for AG Women. Benny and Kelli have four children: Elaina (16), Malia (13), Benny (11), & Laci (8).
Kelli is passionate about reaching the lost and discipling the found. She believes every person can have an authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. She loves connecting women to God and to one another and believes Sisterhood is for every girl. She loves date nights, being a momma, strong coffee, dark chocolate, and confetti!
Connect with today's guest, Kelli Ferguson:
Facebook: @kelliaferguson
Instagram: @kelliferguson
Email: kelli.ferguson@cafrederick.com
Episode Features:
- Learn more from our guest bloggers throughout the month of June as they bring their fresh perspectives to this often overcooked and overlooked topic of women's ministries. A brand new microblog entry will go live on Sanctuary's site each Wednesday!
- Discover more details on this year’s Acts 6:4 Conference dates, speakers and sessions by visiting www.theacts64.com
We know that just because something is hard, it doesn’t mean you aren’t assigned by God to do it. But how do you know if something is harder because the grace God provided for that season has been removed? Today's guest is husband to Let's Talk's host Bridgette Tomlin, Chresten Tomlin. Through this episode, Chresten and Bridgette endeavor to share a conversation they've been having throughout 24 years of marriage and ministry during various seasons. They share behind-the-scenes details of highs and lows in their own marriage + ministry journey, what they did right, what they did wrong, and everything in between. You'll love this up-close-and-personal conversation as this husband and wife team showcase their personal passion to provide support for every ministry couple.
Chresten Tomlin is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He combines a passionate burden for the lost and a fervent hunger for holiness to produce powerful, Pentecostal preaching. His message drives home basic principles for living the overcoming, joy-filled Christian life. He and wife Bridgette love doing ministry together, whether that is through music, worship team training seminars, marriage conferences, teaching, and preaching. The couple makes their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and have two daughters: Bonnie, age 17, and Libbie, age 12.
"Chresten is a stellar vocalist, a solid horseman, and one of the most humble, God-fearing men you’ll ever meet."--Bridgette Tomlin
Connect with today's guest Chresten Tomlin:
Website: www.ctministries.com
Facebook: Tomlin Ministries
Email: ctministries98@gmail.com
Digital Music Platforms: Apple Music + many others
Episode Features:
- Give our podcast a rating and a review today before you leave your preferred podcast app! This helps Let's Talk with Sanctuary to become more findable in online search engines and on podcast listening apps.
- Let's Talk Episode 7 | Marriage + Ministry, Part One
- Let's Talk Episode 8 | Marriage + Ministry, Part Two
- Sanctuary Online--
- www.sanctuaryministrywives.com
- Sanctuary Current Blog Series: Life on Loneliness Island
- Sanctuary on Facebook @sanctuaryministrywives
- Sanctuary on Instagram @sanctuarym2mw
In S2 | Ep 15, our guest Jon Purkey (Nexus KC) shared this statement, which is echoing through a variety of issues confronting our culture right now, especially about identity: “People are trying to invent truth. You can’t create Truth. You just discover it.” Currently we see a blinking red light around the issue of identity, whether that be sexual identity, vocational identity, spiritual identity. In today's episode we welcome guest Susan Vandenheuvel (She Rises MN) to offer some insight on how to ground ourselves in the identity we have been given by Christ. And then how to lead others to do the same.
Susan Vandenheuvel is a speaker, mentor, five-time author, and pastor who has filled various roles within her church and community, including the federal and state prison settings. She is also the creator and founder of She Rises MN and hosts an annual women’s conference. Susan’s story of redemption has helped many find hope, healing, freedom, and the unfailing love of Jesus. Susan is also the host of the She Connects Podcast, where she connects with women in the online space. When Susan isn’t speaking, writing, or recording, you can find her chasing her three adorable grandchildren, working in her flower garden, or floating across the lake in her kayak. She and her husband live in Central MN.
Connect with today's guest Susan Vandenheuvel:
Website: She Rises MN
Instagram: @susanvandenheuvel
Facebook: @susanvandenheuvel
Amazon: @susanvandenheuvel
Podcast: She Connects
Episode Features:
- Give our podcast a rating and a review today before you leave! This helps Let's Talk with Sanctuary to become more findable in online search engines and on podcast listening apps.
- Sanctuary Online--
- www.sanctuaryministrywives.com
- Sanctuary Current Blog Series: Life on Loneliness Island
- Sanctuary on Facebook @sanctuaryministrywives
- Sanctuary on Instagram @sanctuarym2mw
The term ‘influencer’ carries positive and negative vibes with it. But what was considered optional for the local church just a few years ago has nearly become a requirement in maintaining community in the midst of a worldwide pandemic! We saw so many who had yet to create an online presence for their church or ministry become painfully, and urgently, aware that the circumstances surrounding Covid-19 were not going to quickly evaporate.
In today's episode we acknowledge the need to be interacting on social media. The Church has a unique opportunity through the various social media platforms–from Facebook to Instagram, TikTok to Snapchat, and then through websites and video platforms like YouTube. But how do we go about that? And what does it look like for a minister of the Gospel to become a “public figure” or a social media influencer in our western culture?
Over the past decade, Allison Yandell has been committed to creating meaningful experiences through ministerial and programmatic design. A product of three generations of pastors, she is equipping the Church to be an impactful presence in the local and global community. Currently Allison serves as the Director of Feed, an initiative of OneHope that reimagines youth ministry for Gen Z through training, community, and free resources.
Connect with today's guest Allison Yandell:
Website: Feed.Bible
Instagram: @feedyouthministry
Facebook: @feedyouthministry
Episode Features:
Take the #letsconnectchallenge! Learn more here.
LC Creative
Sanctuary on Facebook @sanctuaryministrywives
Sanctuary on Instagram @sanctuarym2mw
When you consider the pivot in sports, like basketball, the player’s foot is grounded, but he’s shifting with the other foot, looking for an alternate route to accomplish the same objective–which is to make a goal, put that ball through the net, bypassing the obstacle or other team’s player that looms in the way.
As we consider the past few years, we see those who took the opportunity to pivot and recalibrate around the variety of obstacles presented to us worldwide have managed to do more than survive. Many have actually grown. And others have managed to sustain. But many have also fallen through the cracks. Today we welcome Pastor Jon Purkey to talk about the power of the pivot and its importance to longevity in ministry.
Pastor Jon Purkey & his wife, Lisa, are the lead pastors of Nexus Church located in Lenex, Kansas. Pastor Jon has been in ministry for over 26 years & the pastor of Nexus for the past 11 years. Pastors Jon and Lisa have a heart to reach the nation with the love of Christ. They believe that God wants to restore hope in your life and that with Christ all things are possible. Jon and Lisa have been married for 17 years and have three amazing boys.
Connect with today's guest, Pastor Jon Purkey:
Pastor Jon Purkey IG: @jonpurkey
Nexus Church KC IG: @nexuschurchkc
Nexus Church KC Facebook: @nexuschurchkc
Nexus Church KC YouTube: @nexuschurchkc
Jon the Pentecostal YouTube: @jonthepentecostallive
Church Site: www.nexuskc.com
Episode Features:
Lindsey Culp with LC Creative, is so versatile and would be a tremendous asset to your small business, ministry, or church’s team with everything from social media development to video announcements, sermon bumper videos to event promotion videos. Stop by her site today–lindseyculpcreative.com–to learn more about how affordable and beneficial it is to add LC Creative to your resource list.
In S2 | Episode 14 of Let's Talk with Sanctuary, host Bridgette Tomlin and her guest Kelli Ferguson spoke openly about the highs and lows of women’s ministries. Women are such a vibrant part of the local church and are used by God to accomplish so many incredible things for His Cause. Today we tackle an issue that affects 1 in 3 women in our nation and that is the issue of abortion recovery. Not only is this important for you to learn more about as a leader of others, but this may be something that hits home for you personally. Abortion has a deep ripple effect. You may have chosen abortion personally, lost a child to abortion, or your life has been profoundly affected by abortion. Hear from SaveOne founder Sheila Harper as she shares her own personal story and offers hope for others while providing unique opportunities for the local church to intentionally reach men, women, and families recovering after an abortion.
Sheila Harper is the Founder and President of SaveOne, an international outreach ministry for men, women, and families suffering in silence after an abortion. She holds a Master’s degree in biblical counseling and is the author of 10 books. SaveOne-A Guide to Emotional Healing After Abortion, her first book, has been translated and distributed in 20 languages.
SaveOne, founded in 2000, currently has more than 300 chapters in 25 countries. Sheila has traveled the world speaking on the topic of abortion recovery as well as training abortion recovery leaders. She has been featured in many magazines and articles about her work in the abortion recovery field and has appeared on The 700 Club, and most recently had the great honor of being named one of “Huck’s Heroes” on The Mike Huckabee Show.
Sheila and her husband Jack planted Crossroads Church and pastored there for 11 years before working together at SaveOne. After enduring seven years of personal anguish over choosing abortion, she found restoration and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Sheila has two awesome sons, and now lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, Jack.
Connect with today's guest, Sheila Harper:Facebook: Save One
Instagram: SaveOne
YouTube: SaveOneInfo
Website: www.saveone.org
Podcast: Love Life Podcast
Partner with SaveOne: Donate
Episode Features:
Sanctuary Let's Connect | Widows
SaveOne
When it comes to women’s ministries—cultivating spiritual growth and fostering healthy, authentic connection—what does that look like in 2022? Are women’s ministries as necessary today in the local Church as they were 50, 60, 70 years ago? Why? And if so, what should they look like?
Today we welcome special guest Kelli Ferguson to help host Bridgette Tomlin tackle these questions and so much more.
Kelli serves alongside her husband, Benny, as Lead Pastors at Calvary Church in Frederick, MD. She is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. Kelli serves on the Potomac Ministry Network 'Women Who Lead' Team and is a Field Team Speaker for AG Women. Benny and Kelli have four children: Elaina (16), Malia (13), Benny (11), & Laci (8).
Kelli is passionate about reaching the lost and discipling the found. She believes every person can have an authentic, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ. She loves connecting women to God and to one another and believes Sisterhood is for every girl. She loves date nights, being a momma, strong coffee, dark chocolate, and confetti!
Connect with today's guest, Kelli Ferguson:
Facebook: @kelliaferguson
Instagram: @kelliferguson
Email: kelli.ferguson@cafrederick.com
Episode Features:
Submit your questions, concerns, or comments for our remaining three episodes throughout 2022 about ministry to women here.
Join Sanctuary's Let's Connect | Widows on Facebook to learn more about events and connection opportunities for women whose minister husbands have passed away.
For many women who are married to the minister, there must be intentional effort in striking a balance between the strengths and weaknesses of the driven leader husband. The temptation is to compare ourselves, our talents, our gifts with our husbands. Today's guest Ashley Simmons shares openly about her own experiences of being married to a talented, strong, and driven husband and what she's learned through more than two decades of ministry life. How do you keep from comparing? And even more importantly, how do you avoid competing with your spouse? Let's talk today about being married to strength and weakness.
Ashley Simmons has been in ministry with her family for 23 years. After meeting her husband Tim at Central Bible College they began their life in ministry as youth pastors in Birmingham, AL. The Lord then opened a door in Fairhope, AL. After pastoring there for six years they moved to North Mississippi where they served on staff at a multi-site church (Life Fellowship/ now Compel Church) for seven years. Ashley served in several different capacities during her time there as Guest Services Director, Next Steps Director and Campus Coordinator. After a time of growth, the Lord opened an opportunity to go home.
They now have the privilege of serving at Coastal Church in Daphne, AL. Ashley's role is Coastal Counseling Coordinator and Coastal Women's Director. She has two beautiful children who have been the center of her calling as a mother. Cole is 20, he attends Mississippi College in Clinton, MS as a Pre-Med student and Kennedy, 18, attends Highlands College in Birmingham, AL studying Biblical Studies and is a part of the Worship Leaders practicum. Ashley has recently entered a new stage of "empty nester".
Let's Retreat Location: Gathering Oaks Retreat | Crawford, TX
Learn more about Let's Connect events: www.sanctuaryministrywives.com/let-s-connect
Ashley Simmons | Instagram | Facebook
Waiting. Nobody likes to wait. But there are beautiful things to discover in the waiting if we will wait with purpose. Today's guest Christa Smith, author of Singled Out in a Couples World, brings us a fresh reminder of the lessons she discovered while waiting to meet and marry her husband Sean at age 39. Her vantage point will encourage the listener in the waiting, whether she's waiting to meet her life's partner, waiting for a new ministry opportunity, looking for the exit from a difficult situation, praying for that prodigal to come home.
Whether speaking nationally or internationally, Christa Smith’s passion for the Lord pours out of her. Her life was significantly marked after a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit as a young girl. From that moment on, the prophetic heart of the Father became the foundation of her walk with Jesus.
Christa delivers what she hears from the Holy Spirit with humor, accuracy and powerful personal experiences. She is known for her passionate preaching and down to earth approachability, but what many people don’t know is that Christa is a student of Krav Maga, a home design enthusiast, committed coffee drinker, and lover of all things cozy!
Christa’s background includes graduating from Seattle Pacific University with a degree in Communication. She then went on to Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australia where she completed the Pastoral Ministry Program. She has planted and has been Director of two Schools of Ministry; one in the San Francisco Bay area and the other in Las Vegas, Nevada. Christa has also served as Associate Pastor at Garden Valley Church in Roseburg, Oregon and Executive Pastor at Expression 58 in Glendale, California. Christa currently resides in the San Francisco Bay area and travels full time with her husband, Sean, ministering together throughout America & beyond.
Episode Featured Links:
Sean & Christa Smith Ministries
Purchase Christa's BRAND NEW BOOK Singled Out in a Couples World
Follow Christa on Instagram @mrschristasmith
Sanctuary's Let's Retreat '22 registration opens FEBRUARY 4, 2022!
Gathering Oaks Retreat | Crawford, TX
Today we are going to talk about taking the first step in an area of our culture that has been widely overlooked by the Church at large in the US, and most likely, worldwide. And that is in the area of reaching and supporting the child welfare community of our nation’s cities. Even if you have the urge to scroll on by now because it’s “one more thing”, receive the challenge to take a listen! Just hear today’s guest out because, guaranteed, there is something that every single person can do, even if it isn’t by taking a child into your home. In fact, our guest today will share the limitless possibilities for the Church to be the Church in our own backyards. And not only is this a dire need; it’s a command of God’s Word!
Trisha Porter is married to her best friend, Eric, and they’ve been married 22 ½ years. They’ve been in ministry 21 of those years! Also in that time, they’ve had six kids—four that are "homemade" and two, adopted. "Currently five of them are teenagers, so prayers are appreciated," says Trish. Trish loves being with family, hanging with friends, drinking coffee, teaching, and LOVES the beach. She loves people in general and enjoys making people laugh, whether it’s speaking at a women’s event, emceeing, or even doing a little stand-up comedy. She and her husband are missionaries who lead an organization called Backyard Orphans. They guide church leaders to develop a sustainable adoption, foster and support ministry. Check them out at backyardorphans.org
Sanctuary Let's Retreat details can be found HERE.
Sanctuary Let's Connect details can be found HERE.
Have you endured tragedy or trauma? Are you struggling to have hope for great things in this new year? Today’s guest Miriam Neff has walked through her own challenging journey of loss and comes to us to offer the vantage point of her perspective through the belief in new beginnings. As we begin this new year, we must dig a little deeper than new year’s resolutions to lose weight, walk more, work harder, or dream bigger. Today we will discover that healing can begin in our lives and God’s plan can be fulfilled, even in the depths of tragedy’s shadow.
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Miriam Neff is the founder and president of Widow Connection, a not for profit ministry. Author of 11 books, counselor by profession, mother and grandmother, she speaks nationally and internationally on navigating unwanted life change and widow’s issues. She is the creator of New Beginnings and $tarting Over Financially, one-minute features heard on many media outlets and is a frequent radio guest on Moody Broadcasting and other networks. Miriam sponsors sewing and bakery training for widows in Africa and Albania. She and her daughter Valerie Neff Hogan have written Wise Women Managing Money: Expert Advice on Debt, Wealth, Budgeting, and More. [Available on Amazon | March 2022]
To contact Miriam for your free copy of today's featured book, click here and mention Let's Talk with Sanctuary in your message.
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Learn more about Sanctuary Let's Retreats here.
Ready to connect? So are we! Learn more here.
Satan, our adversary, is seeking—and always has sought—to take out those in spiritual leadership. Satan hates the family. He hates the marriage—especially those founded upon the Word of God because the family is a living picture to the world of God’s plan of salvation.
Today we welcome our guest Lynn Marie Cherry to take this conversation to a new level. Lynn and her husband David have walked through some very difficult seasons together. Gratefully, they've both chosen to make themselves vulnerable enough to share their story, bringing light to the subject of betrayal within marriage. This happens far more often than we’d like to admit, but all too often is never revealed or confronted for fear of losing it all. In ministry such things can not only destroy your marriage, but also cost you your ministry and means of income.
Lynn Marie Cherry is an engaging speaker and the author of an award-winning book, Keep Walking: 40 Days to Hope and Freedom after Betrayal, a daily devotional that helps women find a way through the pain of relational betrayal. She is dedicated to inspiring hope and shining a light on the path to freedom. In whatever shoes you prefer – rubber rain boots, tennis shoes or sassy heels - she’ll show you how to take a step forward today. Lynn graduated from Oral Roberts University and is a licensed minister. She enjoys sharing insight from God’s word and the world around her. Lynn and her husband David co-pastor Restoration Covenant Church in Round Rock, TX. They have been married for 30 years and have two sons. You can connect with her at lynnmariecherry.com.
- Learn more about Sanctuary's Let's Retreat 2022 by clicking here.
- Help us develop our content for 2022! Share your thoughts on what you'd like to talk about by completing our Contact form here.
- Connect with today's guest Lynn Marie Cherry here.
Today, as we come into this holiday season after a long and somewhat trying year, we are taking time to talk about how to pastor your family well. Many of our listeners serve in some form of leadership capacity, whether that be in ministry or otherwise. And often leaders have a tendency to give their best to the people group or business they lead, but are uncertain or even unaware of the lack of leadership they provide to their own families.
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Today’s guest is a true hero of the faith and a powerful preacher of the Gospel in her own rite. Martha Tennison has traveled across America for over 30 Years preaching revivals, women’s retreats, and camp meetings. She and her late husband, Rev W. Don Tennison, served together for 49 years of ministry. They have one son, Dr. D. Allen Tennison, a Dean at North Central University. The Tennisons pastored Radcliff First Assembly of God in Radcliff, KY from 1978-1990. On May 14, 1988, First Assembly experienced a fiery trial when their church bus was hit head on by a drunken driver resulting in the deaths of 24 young people and three staff members. Through this tragedy the Tennisons experienced God’s sustaining power and healing grace in the lives of their parishioners. Martha has a deep love and compassion for the hurting. Martha will keep you laughing and crying as she shares her life walking with a loving and faithful God.
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- Learn more about Sanctuary's Let's Retreat 2022 by clicking here.
- Help us develop our content for 2022! Share your thoughts on what you'd like to talk about by completing our Contact form here.
- To schedule Martha Tennison for 2022, email donmarthat@yahoo.com.
Authentic connection is sort of the buzz phrase we continually use at Sanctuary as it is at the heart of everything we are trying to do, promote, and cultivate. And we emphasize “authentic” because it’s such a rare find. As women in ministry and leadership, it is vital that we discover, but also, facilitate for others, authentic connection and friendship. Today we welcome returning guest Crystal Williams, a champion of authentic friendship, powerful speaker, women's ministries leader, and real-life friend of host Bridgette Tomlin.
Crystal Williams is a happy wife and the mother of two vibrant, highly imaginative children. She is blessed to live out her calling and lifelong dream of being a housewife, a stay-at-home mom and a homeschool teacher to her children.
Crystal's passions include, first and foremost, Jesus and her family. She also enjoys decorating and transforming mundane moments into magical experiences. Crystal adores everything "Southern" as is evident in her effervescent personality, her humble character and her "Old Soul" charm. Her home is where she's most comfortable. However, where she thrives is in her ability to lift up spirits and bring hope to whomever she encounters.
Crystal is full of faith and this is expressed through her fervency in worship towards God. All of this, coupled with a lifetime of serving in ministry and the gifts in which she walks, gives Crystal the unique disposition to minister in a way which encourages, challenges and simply softens hearts.
Contact Crystal Williams for 2022 scheduling: crystalfireywilliams@gmail.com
Episode Sponsors
North Texas District Church Loan Fund
5th Avenue Resources
Sanctuary | Ministry to Ministry Wives
Disappointments and delays have been a part of the human experience from the very beginning of creation. Scripture is laced with some of the most historical encounters that seemed to be loaded with one delay or disappointment after another. But these past several months seem to have shoved disappointment and delay into our faces! Regardless of what level you’ve faced disappointment or felt your hopes have been delayed, lean into today’s conversation with our guest Lisa Goins as we talk about the highs and lows of unrealized expectations, how to renew your trust in God’s timing and plan, and what to do in the meantime.
Lisa Goins is a pastor’s wife & mom of four grown children, grandmother to one adorable little girl, speaker & encourager of women, founder of the She Knew Gathering, and now author of Courageously Uncomfortable: a book that shares the deep desires of her heart to encourage women to break free of their comfort zone and pursue the life God meant for them to live, even if you have to be uncomfortable while you do it!
Lisa knows what it’s like to live a life where insecurity rules the day and fear determines most of your decisions, but she often reminds her audience--that is not the way it was meant to be for any of us. Having not grown up in church she admits she was completely un-groomed for the ministry and affectionately calls herself the Un-Pastor’s Wife! But we are so glad that Lisa has pressed through, past the fear, and brings the message God has wrought through her life as she comes to us today—bringing all of herself to the conversation and will undoubtedly leave us all the better for it!
Episode Sponsors
North Texas District Church Loan Fund
5th Avenue Resources
Sanctuary | Ministry to Ministry Wives
October is Ministers Appreciation Month and, as we often do here at Let’s Talk, we want to highlight solutions to dilemmas that are specific to the ministry family. Raising the preacher’s kids is definitely, at times, one of those dilemmas! Today our guest Casey Gibbons is joining us to school us from her own experience in raising not one, not two, but SIX preacher’s kids, elementary age through high school! You’ll find her on Instagram @mothergood as she shares about life beyond the highlight reel of a pastor’s homeschooling family. Casey, thank you for joining us once again at Let’s Talk with Sanctuary.
Casey Gibbons and her husband Scotty have been sustained by God's strength as their family has experienced numerous health issues while homeschooling six children and serving in ministry as national leaders, authors, and pastors. They celebrated their 20th anniversary this past year and live in the Oklahoma City area as Lead Pastors at People's Church. Outside of family and ministry, Casey is active in martial arts and is working towards her Black Belt.
Casey would love to have you join her personal pages on Facebook/Instagram @caseygibbons or on her ministry to moms on the Mothergood.us Facebook/Instagram @mothergood.us
Episode Sponsors
North Texas District Church Loan Fund
5th Avenue Resources
Sanctuary | Ministry to Ministry Wives
Women in ministry make a significant impact on the world as they selflessly and sacrificially serve the Kingdom of God. When you look throughout Scripture you’ll see—much of God’s plan has been fulfilled through the hands of women! Today we welcome one of those amazing servants to the podcast. We welcome Susanne Cox as she shares her incredible life story, a year of miracles, and the power of what God is doing through Project Rescue around the world.
Susanne Cox, an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, experienced a miraculous salvation at age 31 which radically changed her life and positioned her to bring hope and encouragement to others. Susanne challenges and inspires her audience to be transformed by the Word of God and fulfill their divine destiny. Her unique blend of humor and honesty is refreshing and appealing to all generations. Susanne served as a missionary to Southern Asia before marrying Pastor Ron Cox of Kingwood Church in Alabaster, Alabama. Their ministry, Legacy of Purpose, has partnered with Project Rescue for decades. Susanne now serves on the Speaker Bureau for Project Rescue and partners with their mission to rescue and restore victims of sexual exploitation through the love and power of God.
Episode Sponsors
North Texas District Church Loan Fund
5th Avenue Resources
Sanctuary | Ministry to Ministry Wives
Let's celebrate! Let's Talk with Sanctuary recently completed our first season of podcasting and we are excited to welcome the entire Sanctuary leadership team to the pod today. In this episode you'll hear Bridgette, Pam, Casey, and Richelle revel in the growth of Sanctuary over the past six years and then tackle Part Two of the top challenges today's ministry family is facing. [Get caught up on Season 2 Episode 1 if you missed it!]
Sanctuary's Let's Connect gatherings are growing in number of locations nationwide. But what if there isn't one located near you? You can host and it's SUPER EASY! Stop by Sanctuary to learn more about how our LC Coordinator Richelle Wingo can get you started connecting with ministry wives that live and serve near you.
Learn how our LTS engineer Lindsey Culp of LC Creative can benefit your church, ministry, or small business without adding a staff member to your team by visiting her site, link here.
Help us CELEBRATE our first season by sharing the word about Let's Talk with Sanctuary:
- Give a rating or a review on your favorite podcast app!
- Share on Facebook from the Let's Talk page!
- Share from our Insta @sanctuarym2mw to your Story!
Find Sanctuary's vibrant social media community on Facebook and join the conversation today. Facebook>>Groups>>Sanctuary Ministry Wives
Let's celebrate! Let's Talk with Sanctuary recently completed our first season of podcasting and we are excited to welcome the entire Sanctuary leadership team to the pod today. In this episode you'll hear Bridgette, Pam, Casey, and Richelle discuss their favorite episodes from Season One and then tackle the top challenges today's ministry family is facing.
Looking for a little support in the media department? Lindsey Culp of LC Creative is your girl! "My goal is to help churches and small businesses produce excellent videos and social media graphics for a fraction of the cost." Learn how Lindsey can benefit your church, ministry, or small business without adding a staff member to your team by visiting her site, link here.
Help us CELEBRATE our first season by sharing the word about Let's Talk with Sanctuary:
- Give a rating or a review on your favorite podcast app!
- Share on Facebook from the Let's Talk page!
- Share from our Insta @sanctuarym2mw to your Story!
Find Sanctuary's vibrant social media community on Facebook and join the conversation today. Facebook>>Groups>>Sanctuary Ministry Wives
What do you do when obstacles keep popping up, challenging the passion that drove you to obey God's call and plan for your life? When painful circumstances, health challenges, spiritual warfare keep hammering you, making you want to quit. Today's guest Bailey Kuert has encountered such challenges personally and ministerially and shares with us about what helps her keep going. BONUS: Hear her heart about forming and maintaining friendships despite a busy schedule that keeps her trotting the globe.
Bailey Kuert is a native born Tulsan. She gave her life to Jesus at 16 years old and felt a call to missions shortly after, which has taken her to 21 countries for ministry. She fell in love with Kenya as a little girl and married her Kenyan-born husband in 2012. Her heart is to help the needy and the forgotten. This is the motivation behind Kibibi Design, her artisan company which focuses on empowering women in East Africa by creating sustainable fashion.
Website Links:
Involved International
Kibibi Design
Facebook:
Bailey Kuert
Kibibi Design
Instagram:
@involvedinternational
@kibibidesign
@baykuert
Saying ‘yes’ to God’s will or plan for your life requires an initial, get-your-engine-going type of yes. But it also requires a perpetual yes in the days, weeks, months, and years of that assignment’s journey. In other words, you have to keep saying ‘yes’, when circumstances push against you, driving you to say ‘no’.
Our guest today knows all about this requirement as, over a decade ago, she and her family packed up the belongings they hadn’t sold and moved across the world to Prague, Czech Republic, to serve as missionaries and plant a church in one of the most atheistic cities of the world. As the Hales family openly shares, all that they had anticipated would come with their wholehearted yes exponentially unraveled before their eyes. And in short order.
Welcome, Amy Hales. Amy and her husband, Chris, along with their two children have served with Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) since November 2010. Because of God’s faithfulness and numerous supporters, they were able to move to Prague in 2012 and begin the journey of starting a new church. In October 2016, along with a team, the Hales planted an international church. They pastored the church through the end of December 2020. At this time, the Hales family transitioned the church to their Czech friends and pastors, Petr and Renata Rattay. Now stateside, they raising support to plant two more churches in the Czech Republic. One will be another international church in the city of Ostrava. The other will be a Czech church in the city of Decin.
Website: www.halesforeurope.com
Email: halesforeurope@gmail.com
Facebook: Heart for Europe - the Hales Family
Learn more about Sanctuary's annual Let's Retreat, scheduled to take place this November 2021, by clicking here.
Most biblical scholars and students of prophecy would agree: we are on the tail-end of the prophetic timeline before the return of Jesus Christ. And yet much of the Great Commission is yet to be completed. When you look back through close of the Gospels while Jesus was still physically on earth, His ascension was preceded by what we now call the Great Commission. This led into the launch of the Early Church and the endeavor to spread the Good News to both the Jew and the Gentile. But all of that commission was coupled with one crucial element: what took place in the early chapters of Acts. Today’s guest—Chad Stafford—is joining us once again here at Let’s Talk as he has written a book called 40 Days with the Holy Spirit.
Chad & Jennifer Stafford have been in full-time ministry for over 20 years having served in almost every area of church work.
Chad grew up in Daphne, Alabama and played football and baseball at Daphne High School. Chad & Jennifer were youth pastors in Daphne from 1999-2004 where the youth ministry became recognized as one of the largest in the nation.
Following their time in Daphne, Chad and Jennifer served as Executive Pastors in south Atlanta, Georgia and then Lead Pastors in Bentonville, Arkansas. They returned to Daphne in 2009 and launched Coastal Church in January 2010.
The Staffords feel called by God to spend the rest of their lives on the Eastern Shore. Coastal Church is the church they want to pastor and Daphne is where they want to live and raise Evan. "When you’ve been all around the world, there is only one place left that you want to go. Home."
Contact Info:
Insta: @cstafford54
Facebook: Chad Stafford
Email : info@coastalchurch.tv
Website: www.coastalchurch.tv
Chad’s new book, 40 Day with the Holy Spirit, just released. Visit www.40dayswiththeholyspirit.com or Amazon to order a copy.
Raising children in 2021 is complicated, to say the least. Raising children in the ministry provides an additional layer of complication into the mix! Today's episode focuses primarily on the topic of parenting in the ministry but provides even more emphasis on raising children to release them into God-given destinies. How do you raise children in the ministry but not expressly for the ministry? How does a parent go about fostering an inner independence into each child, while also preparing themselves for the day when it's time to release that child to live on their own? Our guests for Episode 21 are Tom & Pam Greene. The Greene's also happen to be the parents of our LTS host Bridgette Tomlin! You'll enjoy this candid conversation as they weigh in on how to love your children enough to let them go.
Tom Greene travels across the nation in his commitment to an extensive speaking schedule, which includes churches, missions conventions, leadership conferences, district and national events. He is also the author of the book, "The Game Isn't Over".
Greene has previously served the Assemblies of God as the National Director of Men's Ministries, National Youth Director, District Youth Director in Oklahoma and in several local churches. He is widely known for his personal passion for missions as demonstrated by his leadership of two national ministries, Speed the Light and Light for the Lost.
He and his wife, Pam, now celebrating 48 years of marriage, have two grown children, Bridgette and Andy, who are actively involved in ministry. Through these years Tom has spent 39 of the 48 years married in traveling ministry opportunities. Tom and Pam are now are co-founders of a ministry advancement group—Greene & Raley.
Pam has volunteered her assistance and support through all of the ministry positions. She started her own successful business and now looks after her father living with them.
As this podcast grows in influence, we are learning the power of social media shares. As is the case with your own ministry’s presence online, word spreads about this podcast through the word of mouth of listeners just like you. Whether you share a post on social media, leave a review on your favorite podcast app, or share the link with a friend via text message or email, you’re powering the search engines so that the word spreads to other women in ministry or leadership can tap into this resource, as well. So, will you do that for us today? Check out our Facebook page by searching “Let’s Talk with Sanctuary” or sharing this podcast with a ministry wife or leader today.
If there’s anything we can take away from the New Testament contents about the foundation and growth of the Early Church, it is this: unity is the breeding ground for explosive power through the Holy Spirit. God responds to unity. He responds to unity amongst believers. He responds to unity in marriages and families. He responds to unity amongst leadership teams. And if unity has ever been challenged amongst the body of Christ before, it has definitely been challenged throughout this past year. In this episode we want to shed light on what causes breakdown in unity in leadership teams so that we can break off the lie of the enemy and lead like never before...remaining faithful all the way to the finish line.
Guests Greg and Deena Thurstonson pioneered Dominion Church in the Spring of 1996 with a core group of 30 people. Today the church runs over 600 in attendance each week and is continuing to grow. After years of meeting in hotels and shopping centers in and around the Clear Lake area, the church purchased its first property in August of 2005 located in League City, TX. Pastors Greg & Deena have over 35 years of ministerial experience. Greg graduated from Southwestern Assemblies of God University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Christian Education. In addition to being a full-time pastor, Greg is a board-certified Faith-Based Counselor. He travels extensively as a speaker at various conferences, camps, revivals and retreats. He also serves on a number of boards within our community and among our fellowship, and he mentors several pastors. Deena is a gifted worship leader and has been sought-out to lead worship at camps and conventions, including the South Texas District Council. They have been married 35 years and have two beautiful daughters, Taylor and Morgan, and their granddaughter Brooklyn.
Sanctuary has a current blog that is loaded with content designed with YOU in mind! Not only are we updating it regularly with contributions from our leadership team and recent podcast guests, but you can also dig deep into the archives as we’ve been providing this resource now for over five years! Stop by Sanctuary and click “Let’s Grow” to take in all that Sanctuary has to offer.
A 2014 Forbes Magazine feature named being a spiritual leader as #5 on their 9 Toughest Leadership Roles. “Being a pastor is like death by a thousand paper cuts,” says Rev. Dr. Ken Fong, senior pastor at Evergreen Baptist Church in Rosemead, California and a program director at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena. “You’re scrutinized and criticized from top to bottom, stem to stern. You work for an invisible, perfect Boss, and you’re supposed to lead a ragtag gaggle of volunteers towards God's coming future. It's like herding cats, but harder.”
Our guests today have served in a variety of ministerial roles, not the least of which is their most recent church-planting journey, during their more than two decades of ministry. Chad & Jennifer Stafford have not only survived the process but are here to share their own personal victories and defeats with us as they continue to grow and cultivate disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Upon graduating from Central Bible College (Springfield, MO), Chad & Jennifer Stafford have been in full-time ministry for over 20 years having served in almost every area of church work.
Chad grew up in Daphne, Alabama and played football and baseball at Daphne High School. He was a youth pastor in Daphne from 1999-2004 where the youth ministry became recognized as one of the largest in the nation. He served as a football coach, baseball coach, and chaplain at Daphne High School as he and Jennifer poured their lives into the Eastern Shore community.
Following their time in Daphne, Chad and Jennifer served as Executive Pastors in south Atlanta, Georgia and then Lead Pastors in Bentonville, Arkansas.
They returned to Daphne in 2009 and launched Coastal Church in January 2010.
On October 12, 2007, Chad & Jennifer welcomed their son, Evan Charles Stafford.
The Staffords feel called by God to spend the rest of their lives on the Eastern Shore. Coastal Church is the church they want to pastor and Daphne is where they want to live and raise Evan. "When you’ve been all around the world, there is only one place left that you want to go. Home."
Contact Info:
Insta: @cstafford54
Insta: @jtstafford
Facebook: Jennifer Stafford
Facebook: Chad Stafford
Email : info@coastalchurch.tv
Website: www.coastalchurch.tv
Chad’s new book, 40 Day with the Holy Spirit, just released. Visit www.40dayswiththeholyspirit.com or Amazon to order a copy.
Anxiety seems to be a common denominator in the lives of most people, but especially invades the lives of those who lead in any capacity. However, most don’t acknowledge they’re dealing with anxiety, much less do anything about it. Let’s talk about how to identify the signs of anxiety and extreme stress and how to deal with it in a healthy, Biblically based manner.
This episode's guest is therapist Racheal Elrod-Edwards. Racheal was born and raised in Oklahoma. She's a "wife of 25 years, a mom of three zany teens, a therapist and a fellow trauma survivor". Racheal graduated with a Master of Arts in Marriage & Family Therapy from Southern Nazarene University. After graduation, she worked with a community mental health agency in the school system for several years, focusing on students, littles and teens, who were kids from hard places. Her next stop professionally was in a group practice where Racheal primarily worked with adults and older teens, focusing on how difficult experiences continue to present in our life long after we’ve survived them.
Now in private practice, Racheal works with teens and adults, helping to lower anxiety, and increase personal power to help overcome negative experiences by releasing charged emotional material. She is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) trained (soon to be certified), with a focus on early trauma experiences. She's also trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Chronic Pain Management.
Reach out to Racheal for consultation from anywhere in the United States as she offers services in her Tulsa, OK office, as well as through secure online portal sessions.
Phone: 918-505-4866
Email: Racheal@harmonizecounseling.com
Website: www.rachealedwardslmft.com
Learn more about Let's Retreat Sanctuary by visiting our site!
Ministers today are suffering from what we're calling Ministry PTSD—post-traumatic stress disorder from traumatic ministerial experiences. And many of them are not self-aware enough to acknowledge that or they don’t know what the answers are to pull themselves out of the pit. Today's episode guest Pastor Mike Allard has had his own fair share of experiences in such a pit and brings to us the lessons he learned in what he deems a place of "total failure".
Reverend Mike Allard, began preaching as a boy when he was just 13 years old in his home church, Northwest Assembly of God, in Wichita Falls, Texas. During his 40+ years of ministry he has served as youth pastor and children’s pastor for 11 years; a District Youth Director in the South Texas district of the Assemblies of God for 11 years and currently is the Lead Pastor at Crossroads Fellowship, in Houston, Texas for almost 20 years.
Pastor Mike's first book Never Give Up! is the incredible true story of how God brought him from failure to faith. In his second book, Living In The Overflow, he reveals truths about how you can experience life to its fullest. How having a daily time in prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to flow through you will move you into the overflow.
Crossroads Fellowship, under the leadership of Pastor Mike has grown from 250 to an average of 1,300 each Sunday. He has a passion for souls and missions. In his many years of travel Mike has raised millions of dollars in mission services, conferences, conventions, camps, tours, and special days. Over the past several years, Crossroads Fellowship has given each year over $1,000,000.00 to missions.
But his greatest accomplishment is his family. He has a beautiful wife, Danielle, who has been by his side for 41+ years. He has three wonderful children, Joshua, Michael, and Lacey. He currently has 11 grandchildren, and he looks forward to every day getting to share life with this crazy, but wonderful family that God has given him.
Let’s Connect events are casual dinner gatherings where ministry wives who live and serve near one another get together and connect. There’s no message to preach, no volunteers to coordinate, no stress. Just women who understand what you deal with each day and your lifestyle in the ministry, getting together for dinner and some laughs. Learn more about a Connect near you or how you can launch one by stopping by our website at sanctuaryministrywives.com and click “Let’s Connect”. Our next events are just ahead in June!
What happens when the pastor's wife becomes the pastor's widow? In many cases, she loses far more than her husband. She stands to lose her identity, her source of income, her home, her community, her people. Grab a cup of coffee or hot tea, sit back, and take in this incredible conversation with our dear friend Betty Calabrese as she recounts the amazing journey God has led her on since the untimely death of her beloved husband, Joe, 40 years ago.
When We Becomes Me offers small-group weekend retreats at the While We're Waiting Retreat Center in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Their goal is to renew and refresh your spirit as you begin life re-entry after loss. Most retreats begin at 5:00 pm on Fridays and continue through 10:00 am on the following Sunday. During this time, guests will share stories of their loved ones and have opportunities for relaxing and fun activities. Lodging, meals, and materials are provided at no cost to participants. Learn more about When We Becomes Me by visiting their site here.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Let's Connect events are casual dinner gatherings designed for interaction, laughs, fun, and connection with ministry wives who live and serve near you, once per quarter. Currently, we have ministry wives hosting in 30+ venues through Let's Connect. We are looking to double those in 2021! There's no service schedule, no class to teach, no volunteers to coordinate--just you and other ministry wives who get together for dinner, some great conversation, and maybe some dessert, just to sweeten the deal. Learn more about Sanctuary's Let's Connect events as our next quarter's events take place just ahead in June 2021.
Let’s have a little fun together, lighten the mood, and learn a few life hacks to lighten the load! We all find ourselves in different seasons, needing more efficient solutions to new dilemmas. Today we want to hear from our Life Hack Expert Richelle Wingo as she provides a few tips for five different categories of everyday life.
Richelle Wingo is a wife and mother of three. She and her husband Joel are born and raised Oklahoma natives. They have served in a variety of ministry roles over the years including Chi Alpha campus pastors, staff pastors, and leading roles in Assembly of God ministries such as COMPACT Family Services and Teen Challenge. She currently serves as the Children’s Pastor in Stillwater, OK at Calvary Assembly of God where her dad is the pastor. She has served in children’s ministry for 22 years. Outside of the church, she serves as a virtual assistant to 12 clients all across the US and teaches online English classes to kids in China. In her free time she enjoys time spent with her kids, Ava (12), Emma (8), and Eli (3). She loves finding new and creative ways to do things.
Lindsey Culp, founder and creative director for LC Creative, is actually the engineer and editor of our podcast. But she does so much more than that! And what she brings to the table creatively through the mediums of social media graphics, promotional materials, video production and editing, video announcements, and so much more is affordable and easily accessible to the local church or small business. You’ve probably discovered over the past year and a half that the use of media, professional graphics, and video has become nearly a necessity but the cost of such tools can be astronomical. But LC Creative isn’t like all of those other companies! Her prices are affordable and as a pastor’s daughter herself, she has a heart to help your local church or small business thrive and get the message across in an effective way. Stop by lindseyculpcreative.com to learn more.
Guest Kathy Wampler, co-founder of Abide Retreats in partnership with Dave Roever Evangelistic Association, joins the podcast as she and host Bridgette Tomlin break down the similarities of military wives to ministry wives. So many of their experiences are parallel! You'll thoroughly enjoy the insight Kathy brings regarding this subject, as well as her own experience as a woman launching into preaching ministry.
Let’s talk about how we can support those who are serving in our nation’s military as our nation and the Church find ourselves at a crucial crossroads—in our nation’s history and on the prophetic timeline. Military personnel and their families pay a significant price for the freedoms we still enjoy. How do we connect with military wives? And how can they receive the spiritual support they need?
Kathy Wampler grew up in a pastor’s home and loved every minute being a PK. "All the good times and bad. I wouldn’t change it for anything. Those experiences also taught me the joy that comes when you know that you know, you are doing what God called you to do." Kathy's highest honor has been the opportunity to work with Dave Roever (Roever Evangelistic Association). "I have learned so much and gained the support and friendship of a great minister of God. What a blessing!"
When Kathy isn't traveling, you’ll find her home, "being boring according to some people. A night on the couch with my hubby, watching an old movie and relaxing…I’ll take it! I’ll cherish it, because…I’m just a simple girl!" She and her husband Dave have been married for 28 years and serve together at Roever Evangelistic Association, as well as travel in preaching and music ministry.
Facebook: @KathyWamplerMinistries
Instagram: @kwampler
YouTube: Kathy Wampler
Abide Retreats | www.abideretreats.com
Facebook: @AbideRetreats
Weekly Bible Studies with Kathy
Find Let's Talk with Sanctuary on Facebook! This will help you learn more of the behind the scenes about our podcast guests, upcoming episodes, content you can follow up with, and so much more. This will also help you share details about the podcast with your friends.
At Sanctuary we believe that isolation is the Number One tool that the enemy uses to break down the leader out in front. All too often, the ministry leader bears the burden of loneliness and the defeating thoughts like "I'm the only one who deals with..." But what if we break up the lie of isolation and combat it with honor, encouragement, and connection? MVP Leader Group founders Terry and Sam Allen give their own bare-faced accounts of what these three gifts have provided for them personally and how they're on a mission to distribute honor, encouragement, and connection to ministry and business leaders from coast to coast.
Terry & Samalee “Sam” Allen come from very different backgrounds, but both as students knew God had placed a call for ministry on their hearts. The Allens have been in ministry, together, longer than they’ve been married. They served as youth pastors in two states, as well as in state leadership with the Assemblies of God in Tennessee. Terry and “Sam” served with Huldah Buntain & the late Reverend Randy Valimont in the equipping effort of Calcutta Mercy in Calcutta/Kolkata, India.
Terry and “Sam” are quite aware of the stresses and challenges of ministry. The Lord has birthed a heart for ministry to ministers in the Allens’ hearts and in 2019 they launched MVP Leader Group. MVP Leader Group is a creative encouragement network to Encourage. Honor. and Connect ministry and business leaders, both male and female. Currently, MVP Leader Group has a footprint in 24 states.
The Allens make their home in Nashville, Tennessee near their son and daughter-in-love, Dane & Emily. The countdown is on for the arrival of their first grandchild in March 2021.
Looking for inspiration and encouragement? Stop by Sanctuary and discover the wealth of resources provided for ministry wives through our bi-monthly blog, Let's Connect events that are popping up across the country, a bi-monthly podcast, prayer support, and of course, Let's Retreat!
Parenting in the 21st century is not for the faint of heart. As we continue on this journey through cultural shifts and pandemic pandemonium, how do we parent effectively and still raise children who are God-fearing, God-pleasing, and God-loving? Our pod-guest Casey Gibbons shares from her very own wealth of experience in intentional parenting as she and her husband Scotty are raising six children while also balancing a vibrant ministry life. Hear the beautiful lessons she is learning each day as every member of their family bears the burden of multiple health complications.
Casey and her husband Scotty have been sustained by God's strength as their family has experienced numerous health issues while homeschooling six children and serving in ministry as national leaders, authors, and pastors. They celebrated their 20th anniversary this year and live in the Oklahoma City area as Lead Pastors at People's Church. Outside of family and ministry, Casey is active in martial arts and is working towards her Black Belt.
Casey would love to have you join her personal pages on Facebook/Instagram @caseygibbons or on her ministry to moms on the Mothergood.us Facebook/Instagram @mothergood.us
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Many leaders and ministers face the stumbling block of reading God's Word simply to produce content for their followers. But statistics show all too clearly: neglect of the personal discipline of consistent Scripture reading and study inevitably leads to spiritual depletion and, over time, decay. Are you still wondered by the Word? Or has it become "vocational"? Our pod-guest Lindsay Dryer shares with us about the shift in her personal life when she made time of meditation on God's Word much more than an item to check off of her daily to-do list. Ready for a challenge? Let's do this!
Lindsay Dryer is a wife and a mom of three kids. She recently moved from Alaska to Edmond, OK, where her husband is a pastor at Spring Creek Assembly. Lindsay most enjoys family time, reading and writing, baking sourdough bread, and any chance to explore new places with her husband. Learn more about her at her website, www.lindsaydryer.com and subscribe to her monthly newsletter, Planted, which is hope-filled, Scripture-based encouragement for everyday life and practical resources to help you on your journey of knowing God through studying the Bible. To dig deeper with Lindsay and the amazing team of writers of Wondered by the Word, stop by the site and start the year-long plan today!
BIG NEWS! The dates and registration details for this year's LET'S RETREAT 2021 will be shared in this episode! Also, learn more about Let's Connect events that will popping up across the country throughout the month of February. It's not too late to host one in your area! Let's Connect. Learn more about how easy it is to host by clicking here.
In the busyness of life we often find that we've abandoned authentic friendship for a safer, easier, more convenient model. Sometimes it's a season of life that doesn't allow much time for deeper, more invested friendships. But more often than not we simply find ourselves depleted and lonely, struggling to believe we will ever have the community or sisterhood we crave, much less the cherished inner circle of kindred spirits. Let's Talk guest Crystal Williams reminds the listener in Episode 10 that "friendships are formed, not found". That's right! To have the type of friendships you deserve and need, you'll have to build friendships that fit. Take a listen as we journey through what she describes as Zones of Friendship. Perhaps you're needing to do a little "re-zoning" of friends to get the right combination that God has designed for your current life cycle.
Crystal Williams is a happy wife and the mother of two vibrant, highly imaginative children. Her personal passions include, first and foremost, Jesus and her family. She also enjoys decorating and transforming mundane moments into magical experiences. Her home is where she's most comfortable. However, where she thrives is in her ability to lift up spirits and bring hope to whomever she encounters.
Although Crystal has faced numerous, difficult challenges throughout her life, God has proven Himself faithful through it all. Her life and the lives of her beautiful family are evidence of God's hand upon them. Crystal is full of faith and this is expressed through her fervency in worship towards God. All of this, coupled with a lifetime of serving in ministry and the gifts in which she walks, gives Crystal the unique disposition to minister in a way which encourages, challenges and simply softens hearts.
Episode Sponsor: LC Creative
We kick off 2021 with this beautifully insightful conversation with radio & podcast host, author, Bible teacher, and speaker Kim Wier. Kim recently published a book, The Art of Friendship, that brings the elephant in the room front and center--we are lonely. Loneliness is now at epidemic levels in a time when we are continuously connected via social media and other modern forms of technology! You'll love Kim's perspective (and may even feel a bit of a sting) as she brings out the mandate from God's Word to not only befriend others by social media standards, but go deeper, stretch farther, and love bigger.
What kind of friendships are lacking in your life? Let's Talk.
Let's Talk with Sanctuary, hosted by Bridgette Tomlin, is a podcast for women, specifically women in ministry or leadership. It's our firm belief at Sanctuary that isolation is the Number One tool that the enemy is using to take down women in leadership. Through this platform, Sanctuary's endeavoring to open the conversation with off-limits topics, share some love, laughter, and encouragement, and inspire more authentic conversation among ministry wives.
Connect with Kim Wier via her site, www.kimwier.com, and through Hope on Demand
Episode Sponsor: LC Creative
We just couldn't get it all in on one conversation so this episode is PART TWO of our Marriage + Ministry series! As in Episode 7, Let's Talk host Bridgette Tomlin is joined by her own husband, Chresten, as well as marriage & ministry mentors Jim & Pam King. Together the couples discuss a variety of subjects pertaining to marriage, sharing from their own victories and mistakes, and give practical tools for real-life issues that today's 21st century couples must address in order to go the distance.
Ready to connect with other ministry wives? Visit Sanctuary's website or join the Facebook and Instagram communities! Let's Connect.
Learn more about Sanctuary founder and Let's Talk host, Bridgette Tomlin, here. Her husband & pod-guest Chresten Tomlin is a full-time evangelist and revivalist and ministers through one-on-one evangelism, preaching, teaching, and singing of God's Word in churches across the nation and around the world.
Jim and Pam King have been in full time ministry since Day One of their marriage together. Their ministry has taken them around the world with Ukraine and Israel as their primary focus. They have been involved in mobilizing pastors, Bible school students and lay people in various endeavors. Jim and Pam have lead scores of ministry teams from local churches across America on international crusades and conferences to Russia, Ukraine and China. Their ministry, Awaking Hope, has started or sponsored over 300 Bible schools in video format and over 200 new churches in the nations of Ukraine, Russia, Romania, China, Kyrgyzstan and Israel.
In addition to their overseas ministry, Jim and Pam have been Lead Pastors at Victory City Church in Austin, TX for the last 5 years. In March of this year, they transitioned the church to their son-in-law and daughter, Eric and Natalie Morris. They also serve as hosts to annual Holy Land Tours to Israel.
Jim and Pam love teaching on marriage and family as they see this as a great need in the Body of Christ today and especially among ministry couples and families. Ministry can bring challenges even to the strongest of marriages.
After their love and passion for God and each other, their two children and six grandchildren are the loves of their lives.
Lindsey Culp of LC Creative is the engineer & editor of this episode of Let's Talk with Sanctuary. Check out what she can do to help your church, ministry, or small business through social media development, graphic design, video editing, and so much more by visiting her website and following LC Creative on Facebook.
Marriage can be complicated, even on the best days. But add ministry or leadership responsibilities to the mix and it becomes its own breed of animal to manage! In Episode 7, Let's Talk host Bridgette Tomlin is joined by her own husband, Chresten, as well as marriage & ministry mentors Jim & Pam King. Together the couples discuss a variety of subjects pertaining to marriage, sharing from their own victories and mistakes, and give practical tools for real-life issues that today's 21st century couples must address in order to go the distance.
Ready to connect with other ministry wives? Visit Sanctuary's website or join the Facebook and Instagram communities! Let's Connect.
Learn more about Sanctuary founder and Let's Talk host, Bridgette Tomlin, here. Her husband & pod-guest Chresten Tomlin is a full-time evangelist and revivalist and ministers through one-on-one evangelism, preaching, teaching, and singing of God's Word in churches across the nation and around the world.
Jim and Pam King have been in full time ministry since Day One of their marriage together. Their ministry has taken them around the world with Ukraine and Israel as their primary focus. They have been involved in mobilizing pastors, Bible school students and lay people in various endeavors. Jim and Pam have lead scores of ministry teams from local churches across America on international crusades and conferences to Russia, Ukraine and China. Their ministry, Awaking Hope, has started or sponsored over 300 Bible schools in video format and over 200 new churches in the nations of Ukraine, Russia, Romania, China, Kyrgyzstan and Israel.
In addition to their overseas ministry, Jim and Pam have been Lead Pastors at Victory City Church in Austin, TX for the last 5 years. In March of this year, they transitioned the church to their son-in-law and daughter, Eric and Natalie Morris. They also serve as hosts to annual Holy Land Tours to Israel.
Jim and Pam love teaching on marriage and family as they see this as a great need in the Body of Christ today and especially among ministry couples and families. Ministry can bring challenges even to the strongest of marriages.
After their love and passion for God and each other, their two children and six grandchildren are the loves of their lives.
Lindsey Culp of LC Creative is the engineer & editor of this episode of Let's Talk with Sanctuary. Check out what she can do to help your church, ministry, or small business through social media development, graphic design, video editing, and so much more by visiting her website and following LC Creative on Facebook.
As we journey into the holiday season of 2020, many will be carrying a bonus load of grief, disappointment, and unfulfilled dreams--whether they're the gathered fragments of months spent battling and leading through a worldwide pandemic or hurts from losses of long ago. LT guest Kelly Woods knows loss all too well as she lost her mother in a tragic car accident when she was just 13 years old. Take some time to hear her story as she recounts the lifelong grief recovery and the moment she surrendered her pain and resentment to the Lord, once and for all. Kelly highlights the discovery she made as she began to share her story, as well as so many nuggets of hope and truth, with others.
There's good news: God is still faithful and has a purpose for the pain.
Let's Talk with Sanctuary, hosted by Bridgette Tomlin, is a podcast for women, specifically women in ministry or leadership. It's our firm belief at Sanctuary that isolation is the Number One tool that the enemy is using to take down women in leadership. Through this platform, Sanctuary's endeavoring to open the conversation with off-limits topics, share some love, laughter, and encouragement, and inspire more authentic conversation among ministry wives.
Kelly Woods, originally from Manassas, Virginia, now resides and serves in ministry with her husband of 32 years, Ron Woods in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. She and Ron met in Bible college, married in January of 1989 and together, they have pastored three church communities in Arkansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma.
Her greatest joys have centered around her role as mom to her three adult kids---Ryan, Lindsay and Connor. Now adults, all three are married. Kelly is embracing and enjoying this empty nest season and finding God as faithful as ever.
Kelly has served in music/worship ministries in each of the three churches where they've pastored and also enjoys sharing her testimony of God's faithfulness in her life wherever she goes. She's an introvert who has grown only somewhat comfortable with being in the spotlight but can quickly refuel in the bliss of solitude, traveling, a great meal, an occasional spa day and, most of all, time with Jesus.
Kelly would love to connect! Find her on IG @kellyewoods and Facebook @Kelly Grizzle Woods
Looking to hear more of Kelly's story? There are so many other layers to take in! Click here for more.
//Let's Talk Sponsor Highlight//
"My goal is to help churches and small businesses produce excellent design materials for a fraction of the cost." To learn more about the amazing Lindsey Culp and the variety of services she can offer to support and promote your small business or ministry, stop by LC Creative and check out the 25% off discount that she is offering for first-time orders placed before 12/31/20!
Friends, it doesn't matter who you are--this episode is gonna be a fan favorite. Guest Sheila Harper is one of the most authentic, real human beings you'll ever meet (complete with a sweet southern accent!). She shares from her own experience on the reality in, realization of, and recovery from burnout in leadership and goes so far as to call out the sin of not taking consistent time off. Sheila encourages 21st century leaders with practical and spiritual guidelines for true Sabbath.
Learn more through her bio and online connections below about all that Sheila is doing to break the generational choice of abortion. Her own story of recovery and healing through the power of a relationship with Jesus is life-changing and a must-read for those who are suffering after an abortion, as well as for pastors and community leaders seeking to reach the hurting. Looking to connect with Sheila? Follow her on Instagram @saveone or on Facebook @save one
Sheila Harper has provided a blog series for Sanctuary to be published throughout the month of November 2020. Stop by Sanctuary to take in each incredible and insightful entry of this eye-opening series--Bye, Bye, Burnout.
Sheila Harper is the Founder and President of SaveOne, an international outreach ministry for men, women, and families suffering in silence after an abortion. She holds a Master’s degree in biblical counseling and is the author of 10 books. SaveOne-A Guide to Emotional Healing after Abortion, her first book, has been translated and distributed in 20 languages.
SaveOne, founded in 2000, currently has more than 300 chapters in 25 countries. Sheila has traveled the world speaking on the topic of abortion recovery, as well as training abortion recovery leaders. She has been featured in many magazines and articles about her work in the abortion recovery field and has appeared on The 700 Club, and most recently had the great honor of being named one of “Huck’s Heroes” on The Mike Huckabee Show.
Sheila and her husband Jack planted Crossroads Church and pastored there for 11 years before working together at SaveOne. After enduring seven years of personal anguish over choosing abortion, she found restoration and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Sheila has two awesome sons, and now lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, Jack.
You can order the books, or find a chapter near you at www.saveone.org
"My goal is to help churches and small businesses produce excellent design materials for a fraction of the cost." To learn more about the amazing Lindsey Culp and the variety of services she can offer to support and promote your small business or ministry, stop by LC Creative and check out the 25% off discount that she is offering for first-time orders placed before 12/31/20!
Welcome to Let's Talk, a podcast designed for ministry wives and women in ministry. No doubt you'll love the beautiful candor with which our guest Natalie Morris shares from personal history and lessons learned. A PK herself, Natalie confesses her desire to implement the positive experiences from her own raising into the balance she craves while raising four young children. She and her husband of more than a decade tackled their first lead pastorate while forging through the year 2020 and worldwide pandemic. How are they making it? Check out Episode Four of Let's Talk with Sanctuary!
Looking to connect with Natalie? Follow her on Instagram @nataliemorris or on Facebook @nataliekingmorris
Ready to connect with other ministry wives? Visit Sanctuary's website or join the Facebook and Instagram communities! Let's Connect. 'Like' the Let's Talk Facebook page by clicking here.
Learn more about Sanctuary founder and Let's Talk host, Bridgette Tomlin, here.
Natalie Morris is wife to Eric and the couple has been married for almost 14 years. Eric and Natalie recently became lead pastors in the middle of a global pandemic at Victory City Church just outside of Austin, TX, following the leadership of Natalie's parents. They have four kids, ages 10, 8, 4, and 1, who are busy with sports, etc. "I'm currently just trying to figure out how to get them everywhere and help pastor a church!"
Welcome to Let's Talk, a podcast designed for ministry wives and women in ministry. This episode is loaded with laughs and beautiful insight as Bridgette chats with Allison Yandell, a young adult forging her way through ministry resource development. Allison is the product of three generations of pastors! You'll totally enjoy her funny takeaways of her life's raising as a PK in Episode Three of Let's Talk with Sanctuary!
Learn more about the incredible resources Allison references through Feed, a partner of One Hope, by clicking here.
Ready to connect with other ministry wives? Visit Sanctuary's website or join the Facebook and Instagram communities! Let's Connect.
Learn more about Sanctuary founder and Let's Talk host, Bridgette Tomlin, here.
Over the past decade, Allison Yandell has been committed to cultivating meaningful experiences both inside and outside the walls of the church through ministerial and programmatic design. A product of three generations of pastors, she is committed to equipping the Church to be an innovative and impactful presence in the local and global community. Originally from Oklahoma, she now calls South Florida home where she serves with Feed, an initiative of OneHope, helping to design free resources for youth pastors all over the world. Want to connect more? Hit her up at allisonyandell@gmail.com or keep up with her on Instagram @allisonyandell.
Welcome to Let's Talk, a podcast designed for ministry wives and women in ministry. Jump in to this conversation with co-pastor, author, and speaker Casey Graves in Episode Two of Let's Talk with Sanctuary! Through this conversation, Casey highlights the rocky journey she has taken through now over two decades of ministry, which included the planting of a church from a very broken personal place in her heart.
Purchase Casey's book, Perfectly Weak, through her ministry site or through your favorite online book retailer.
Ready to connect with other ministry wives? Visit Sanctuary's website or join the Facebook and Instagram communities! Let's Connect.
Learn more about Sanctuary founder and Let's Talk host, Bridgette Tomlin, here.
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Casey Graves is a wife, momma and pastor in Tulsa, OK. She spends her time keeping up with the craziest dreamer and God-chaser she knows (her husband), and being mom to two precious girls that are her life’s calling to raise. She loves the people that she gets to pastor and realizes that God has facilitated His healing in her life through the process of planting Foundations Church. She heavily leans toward Jesus every day to be the Grace that is sufficient for her and power that is made perfect in her weakness.
In her spare time, Casey loves a good cup of coffee with a friend, anything chocolate, writing, and a family date day. What draws her to Sanctuary is her desire to truly share her vulnerabilities and struggles to help others dealing with similar wounds and insecurities that come with ministry.
Casey recently published her first book, Perfectly Weak (Hear My Heart Publishing), now available at Amazon or the couple's ministry site.
Welcome to Let's Talk, a podcast designed for ministry wives and women in ministry. You'll love this conversation with co-pastor, author, and speaker Lisa Goins in Sanctuary's first episode of Let's Talk! Lisa's candor and vulnerability will draw you in right away as she speaks of the many times she cowered to fear instead of trusting God to help her fulfill her dreams.
Purchase Courageously Uncomfortable at Lisa's site, www.lisajgoins.com, or at your favorite online book retailer.
Ready to connect with other ministry wives? Visit Sanctuary's website or join the Facebook and Instagram communities! Let's Connect.
Learn more about Sanctuary founder and Let's Talk host, Bridgette Tomlin, here.
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Lisa Goins is a pastor's wife to Kelly, a mom of four, and a speaker and encourager of women. She recently founded the She Knew Gathering and is now author of Courageously Uncomfortable, "a book that shares the deep desires of my heart to encourage women to break free of their comfort zone and pursue the life God meant for you to live, even if you have to be uncomfortable while you do it!" Some of her favorite things include coffee time with Jesus and friends, M&M’s ("I'm forever a slave to my sweet tooth!"), TJ Maxx, Hallmark Movies, beaches and all sunny spots by the water, and speaking to and encouraging women. "Whether it's for 2 or 20 or 200 or 2000, I come alive when speaking as I see women move beyond their deep regrets and insecurities and make a decision to show up for their new life; the one full of God-given potential and unlimited possibilities in Christ Jesus."