The Almost Amazing Dinner Party: Recent Episodes
CityRise Network
A show for families seeking to raise children who love and follow Jesus, hosted by Jennifer Dennis, Children's Director for the CityRise Network, and produced by Justin Kellough, Media Arts Pastor for the CityRise Network.
Welcome back to The Almost Amazing Podcast from the CityRise Network! Hosted by Jennifer Dennis and produced by Justin Kellough, this episode drops into full "summer vibe" mode while co-host Ashley is away. Jennifer and Justin cover a little bit of everything in this unstructured chat: The Reality of Ministry: What parts of church leadership require the most energy (and why hot summer outdoor events are the ultimate test). Public Speaking & Reading the Room: Navigating extemporaneous speaking, pacing, making eye contact, and overanalyzing audience facial expressions. Water Park Survival Stories: Jennifer's terrifying experience getting stuck on a spinning waterslide at Typhoon Texas. Community & Neighborhood Culture: Craving real-life Encanto or Little House on the Prairie community in a world of Nextdoor app drama and tall fences.
Welcome back to the Almost Amazing Podcast from CityRise Church! In this episode, host Jennifer Dennis and producer Justin Kellough lift a two-year "ban" to welcome special guest Andy Dennis back to the studio. We dive deep into why real human connection is becoming "gold" in a digital world and how church communities need to pivot. Andy, Jennifer, and Justin explore fascinating cultural trends—including the surprising reasons why young men are flocking to traditional church structures while women are dropping out. We also unpack the struggles of raising kids to be realistic (even if they want to play college softball!), the generational gap of voice-to-text messaging , and why embracing ambiguity is the secret weapon to solving major life problems. If you are looking for encouragement, raw authenticity, and a few good laughs, this episode is for you!
In this episode of the Almost Amazing Podcast, Jennifer Dennis, Justin Kellough, and Ashley Miksch sit down to chat about life, friendship, and the misconceptions we often hold about God, suffering, and our past. From our hilarious experiences with drive-thru apps and "point hoarding" to the deeper, meaningful conversations about reconciling our theology with difficult life seasons, we're keeping it real. We also dive into: The excitement of meeting Beth Moore at Truett Seminary. Unexpectedly reconnecting with high school friends after 30 years. Reflecting on why we sometimes believe lies about our worth or God's character during times of suffering. Whether you're here for the laughs or the deep, soul-searching questions, we're so glad you joined us!
Welcome back to The Almost Amazing Podcast! In this episode, Jennifer Dennis, Justin Kellough, and Ashley Miksch dive into the "Wild West" of AI, relationship boundaries, and the unexpected darkness of high school theater. The conversation kicks off with Jennifer's recent call-in to a Houston radio show regarding a major dating dilemma: when is it actually "safe" to give someone a key to your apartment? From there, the team explores the existential "dark corners" of our minds, the ethical minefield of using ChatGPT for professional emails, and a heated debate on whether aliens exist—or if they're already swimming among us as octopuses. Later, the group shifts gears to discuss ministry, the power of storytelling in the Gospels, and the "messenger-teachers" like Phoebe and Lydia in the early church. We wrap up with a "Get to know you" question about weird collections—ranging from salt and pepper shakers to human teeth.
Welcome to Episode 182 of The Almost Amazing Podcast! In this episode, Jennifer Dennis, Justin Kellough, and Ashley Miksch dive into the art of conversation and the struggle of moving past perfunctory small talk. We explore why the standard "How are you?" often feels like a missed opportunity for real connection and brainstorm better ways to truly see the people around us.
From Beth Moore's "concentric circles" of vulnerability to the messy reality of being authentic in a church hallway, we discuss how to navigate relationships with honesty and grace. Plus, we share personal updates on summer student ministry transitions, sermon prep breakthroughs, and what God is actively teaching us through the parables.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why we should (maybe) stop asking "How are you?"
The difference between being authentic, vulnerable, and intimate
Justin's experience researching Scripture for his latest sermon
Summer student ministry: VBS, camps, and seniors graduating
Wrestling with hard questions and the beauty of "deconstruction" that leads back to Christ About
Welcome back to a very special "Reunion Show" edition of The Almost Amazing Podcast! After a long hiatus due to the CityRise "Pathways" campaign, Jennifer Dennis, Justin Kellough, and Ashley Miksch are finally back in the studio to catch up on everything that's been happening in their lives. In this episode, the team dives into the complexities of work relationships, sharing honest stories about the struggle of not letting your boss "get in your head" and the unique challenges of being friends with the people you work for. Ashley shares incredible stories from her recent mission trip to Ecuador with 13 seniors, where they served local villages through One Heart Missions. Meanwhile, Justin discusses his deep dive into Greek midterm studies and the "lent thing" that changed his perspective on secular media. Finally, Jennifer gives us a candid (and slightly hilarious) look at her recent "Spring Break" spent navigating medical appointments.
Welcome back to The Almost Amazing Podcast! We are kicking off a brand-new year with some much-needed reflections on growth, digital habits, and the power of honesty. In this episode, Jennifer Dennis, Ashley Miksch, and Justin Kellough dive into their New Year's resolutions for the show—including a new bi-weekly schedule to keep things steady and sustainable. We also have a candid conversation about the "why" behind getting off TikTok, the growing challenges of AI-generated content, and why real accountability is more than just a church buzzword. Plus, Justin shares some behind-the-scenes stories (and a few spelling mishaps) from our church's latest print project. In this episode, we discuss: Setting personal and podcast boundaries for the new year. The struggle with "AI trickery" on social media. The history and impact of "Wesleyan Bands" and partner accountability. Lessons in pastoral care from the latest Knives Out movie.
Welcome to another episode of The Almost Amazing Podcast! 🎙️
This week, Jennifer and Justin dive into the chaos of the holiday season, starting with a hilarious look at their Spotify Wrapped results. From Jennifer's obsession with "Brown Noise" and "Space Music" to Justin's surprising status as a top 1% Beyoncé fan (and his K-Pop secrets), we explore what our listening habits really say about us.
But it's not all laughs and sloths—we also get real about spiritual growth. We discuss how to move past awkward small talk to have deeper, more meaningful conversations about faith. We talk about the "Crazy Tony" method of asking people what God is teaching them, and why it's more important to hear someone's life story before their theology.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Sloth Phobia: Why Zootopia triggers some awkward memories.
Spotify Wrapped Confessions: Listening ages, hipster vibes, and still being on an old church's family plan.
Seminary Lessons: Why it's more about the questions than the answers.
Meaningful Connections: How to ask "What is God teaching you?" without being aggressive.
Spiritual Transformation: A heartfelt moment reflecting on how God is working through this podcast.
Welcome to The Almost Amazing Podcast! 🎉
We're the podcast that was "supposed to be focused on parenting," but honestly, we've kind of lost the plot along the way. Hosted by Jennifer Dennis and produced by Justin Kellough, our hope is to provide encouragement and fun alongside incredible people who love Jesus.
In this chaotic and fun Episode 178, we finally address the question everyone's been asking: Where is Barnacle Bart?
What's in this (almost amazing) episode:
The Legend of Barnacle Bart: We reminisce about our highly-successful (and perhaps slightly "under the influence" looking) pirate puppet show during the pandemic. Hear how Bart, voiced by Justin using his best Mr. Krabs impression, gave deep theological answers to "kids" (who we definitely didn't make up).
Friendsgiving Chaos: We recap the recent student ministry potluck, discussing the glorious mess of parent-contributed food—from gourmet cranberry-turkey balls to the unexpected appearance of 100 Taco Bell tacos.
The Amazing Cake Delivery: Jennifer shares a heartwarming and hilarious story from her teaching days about a third-grader who brought a full birthday cake to school via public bus.
Deep Thoughts: We talk about avoiding the daily routine rut and doing things actively for God that are uncomfortable , the power of simply noticing and acknowledging people , and what we're looking forward to exploring in eternity.
If our lack of clear direction bothers you, we apologize... but no one is making you listen to this podcast!
In this episode of The Almost Amazing Podcast, Jennifer, Justin, and Ashley dive into the latest cultural headlines and their own wild week! Ashley shares the chaotic story of her friend's apartment flooding in the middle of the night, detailing the four-hour ordeal of scooping out dirty water. Then, the hosts tackle a viral topic: Is it embarrassing for an independent woman to have a boyfriend? They debate the changing expectations in modern relationships, the impact of absent fathers, and the low perceived value-add men seem to bring in the secular dating world. The discussion pivots to the spiritual realm, where they talk about the breakdown of the family and how they've had to navigate the struggle between a child's happiness and their spiritual character. Jennifer also recounts a bizarre experience buying a car for her daughter, Olivia, from a mysterious, vacant warehouse-style dealership.
Welcome to The Almost Amazing Podcast! In this episode, hosts Jennifer Dennis and Justin Kellough check in with special guest Kaylie Simpson who shares her incredible and dramatic testimony of leaving a life of addiction and partying to become fully devoted to Christ. Kaylie recounts the moment her life changed forever on Halloween night, and how a relationship-focused sermon gave her the strength to break a toxic relationship and dedicate her life to full-time ministry. This powerful story is a beautiful reminder that God can use any moment to call us to Him. Plus, the crew dives into the funny, chaotic world of viral social media, the most niche ASMR content, and the true meaning of your algorithm!
Episode 175 of The Almost Amazing Podcast is here! Join Jennifer Dennis, Justin Kellough, and Ashley Miksch as they dive into the hilarious and often awkward reality of being "public figures" at church and getting spotted out "in the wild". In this episode: Public Life vs. Private Life: What's the most awkward place to run into a church member? From Marshall's to the gym, the hosts share cringe-worthy encounters. The "Bossy" Problem: We clear the air on a Bluetooth mishap that made Justin sound like a huge jerk to his wife—and why Jennifer thinks she's the one who's actually bossy to everyone on the team. Marriage and Chores: Who's doing all the work? We talk about using a butcher knife to cut butter, why one host is "fired" from grocery shopping, and the importance of a well-organized spice cabinet. Fostering Community: A powerful discussion on how every church member can help newcomers connect by adopting the mindset of a senior pastor. The Almost Amazing Podcast is brought to you by the City Rise Network. We don't know what this podcast is about, but we talk to incredible people who love Jesus! Subscribe for more encouragement and fun!
What starts with a debate about Lifesavers candy—and the safety feature of the hole in the middle—quickly devolves into a hilarious ramble that proves why The Almost Amazing Podcast has "lost the plot!" 🤷♀️ In this episode, Jennifer, Ashley, and Justin dive into everything from disturbing gym experiences (like that fire alarm at minute 29 and a devastating "fitness age" revelation) to terrifying break-in stories with surprisingly funny (and ill-advised) escape plans! 🏃♀️💨 Plus, we share the chaotic-but-thoughtful details of planning a farewell lunch, including a long line at a Mediterranean restaurant, a beautiful-but-ignored gift of flowers, and a card-signing frenzy. Join us for this week's "spiritual rambling" as we check in with Jennifer Dennis, Ashley Miksch, and producer Justin Kellough. It's an encouraging and fun time—even if we don't know what the podcast is about!
This week, the Almost Amazing Podcast crew is all over the place! Join Jennifer, Justin, and Ashley as they unpack:
- Why the camera has a personal vendetta against their teeth.
- The surprise Kebab Shop run-in that proves the podcast is a total flop (just kidding!).
- The controversial yet "incredible" movie that's got Justin driving to seminary with the soundtrack on repeat.
- Ashley’s very specific Starbucks order and how it led to a conversation about loving Jesus.
- A hilarious deep-dive into the wild world of supplement trends, from magnesium to ashwagandha.
Tune in for a much-needed dose of fun, faith, and a whole lot of random banter!
Join hosts Jennifer Dennis and Justin Kellough on "The Almost Amazing Podcast" as they navigate the chaotic but hilarious world of ministry, seminary, and life's big questions. In this episode, they dive into their new podcast format (which might still be a work in progress 😉) and welcome back their favorite guest, Ashley Miksch. From getting dressed for a Bible study to facing down a "sloth" at the checkout counter, they explore the anxieties that creep into our lives and how to handle them. Then, the conversation takes a wild turn to seminary life, Greek class bullies, and the unexpected humility of learning ancient languages. Plus, Ashley drops a bombshell about her secret past. Stick around as they share stories of second weddings, dancing at receptions, and why you should never let a friend take your wedding photos. It's spiritual rambling, honest conversation, and a whole lot of fun.
Elizabeth Smith is a member of our church family who has joined our effort to disciple and mentor those younger in the faith through our Lift Groups. She shares about how she got involved and what God has taught her by leading others. If you are in Houston and are interested in mentoring others in the faith or being mentored yourself, visit https://cityrise.org/liftedlife and fill out a Lift Group interest form.
Melanie Shankle is an author, speaker, and podcaster who is going to be speaking at our Women's Night of Worship on Sunday September 7th. Melanie shares a portion of her story with us, discussing her forthcoming book, and offers a preview of what she will be teaching on at our upcoming event. To learn more about Melanie, visit https://thebigmamablog.com/ To learn more about our Women's Ministry or to register for the event, visit https://cityrise.org/women
Melissa Patin is a friend of the show and Jennifer's former supervisor. Melissa's husband recently passed away, and she offers a great deal of insight about facing grief, including what we can do for our grieving friends.
Kristen Campell is our Women's Ministry Director, and she shares with us lots of great opportunities for women to get involved at CityRise.
Alejandra Rojas is our Worship and Senior Adults Admin, serving our church in a variety of ways. She offers great insight into what people can do to get better connected to a Christian community through church involvement.
Ashley Miksch, our Student Ministry Associate at CityRise Church, joins us for a great conversation about friendships.
Looking for meaningful frienships? Check out https://cityrise.org/adults for information on how to get involved at our church and start building godly relationships.
Jennifer and Justin chat with Andy Dennis about a book he read called "The Anxious Generation." Jennifer and Justin are fascinated by literature, but their Tiktok obsession greatly limits their time for reading. Andy was kind enough to give them a synopsis, and the discussion based on this book led to a fruitful conversation about parenting children in the digital age.
Aaron Senseman is the worship pastor at CityRise Bellaire and recently received a partial liver donation from a church member. Aaron shares his story with us and what God taught him along the way.
Amber Bender is the co-founder and Executive Director of Addi’s Faith Foundation, which is a 501c3 organization dedicated to ending childhood cancer. They fund childhood cancer research as well as provide financial assistance to families struggling to care for a child with cancer. Amber shares with us the story about how this organization began and how you can get involved to help their work in childhood cancer research and assistance. To learn more, visit https://addisfaith.org/
This Redeemed Life was founded in 2007 by Marian Jordan Ellis with the desire to reach women with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and equip them with the life-changing truth of God’s Word. Their motto is “Revelation Causes Transformation.” All of their resources and events are designed for women to encounter Jesus through the living Word and experience His power to transform their lives from the inside out.
Marian is our speaker for the Women's Retreat taking place on February 7 and 8 in Houston, TX. She shares her heart for ministry and a preview of the encouraging content she will be sharing at the retreat.
To register for the retreat, visit https://cityrise.org/women
To learn more about Marian's ministry, visit https://thisredeemedlife.org/
Mary Ann Bridgwater is the Founder and President of Pray the Word Ministries, a ministry committed to expanding and enhancing prayer activity in Houston, our nation, and throughout the world. A frequent speaker and prayer consultant, her passion is leading others to experience a prayer life where they walk in the awareness of the presence of a Holy God. If you'd like to learn more about her ministry, visit https://www.praytheword.org/
If you'd like to register for her upcoming weekly class offered by our church beginning February 19th, visit https://subspla.sh/n48jsmf
Jennifer and Justin chat about Christmas. To learn more about all our Christmas Eve services, visit https://cityrise.org/christmas.
Lori Bisson is leading our new Grief Share group that is kicking off in January. She shares with us her experience with grief and her heart to help people work through tragedies by leaning on God. Visit https://cityrise.org/griefshare to sign up for this new group!
Emily Heinzman is the Bellaire Kids Program Coordinator and shares with us her journey in faith and how she came to find her place in full time kids ministry.
Steve Bezner has been the Senior Pastor of Houston Northwest Church since January 2013. His passion is to see Houston—and the world—become more like Heaven as people become more like Jesus. Steve loves to preach, teach, write, and speak about the Bible in a way that is easy to understand but also challenges people to live the life that God has designed for each of them. His new book "Your Jesus Is Too American" is a calling for the Church to reclaim Kingdom values over the American Dream, and you can learn more at https://www.stevebezner.com/ and order the book at https://a.co/d/cSTDDWJ
Melissa Radke is a best-selling author, speaker, and television personality that has won hearts around the world with her funny and candid insights on life, love, and the complexities of the modern world. We can't wait to have her at our upcoming women's event and loved getting to know her in this fun conversation.
To learn more about Melissa's ministry, visit https://www.melissaradke.com/
Elizabeth Lee and Emma Straub are two new members of our kids team focused on partnering with parents to teach children about the love Jesus has for them. Elizabeth and Emma share about how they came to be on our team and what they are looking forward to in this ministry.
David and Denise Glenn are the founders of Kardo Ministries and the authors of the Kardo Bible study materials. They are devoted to equipping people with the word of God to be better fathers, mothers, spouses, and parents. They will be speaking at our upcoming Marriage Night on October 4, 2024. To register, visit https://cityrise.org/marriagenight and to learn more about their ministry, visit https://kardo.org
Rosie Hirschfeld is the new director of Bellaire ACV, a ministry focused on sharing the love of Jesus with preschool children and their families while providing care and development to prepare kids for school. Rosie shares with us her history with the church, her passion for education, and what she is most excited about with this new campus of our preschool.
Catherine Hernandez attends our Bellaire campus and helps lead MomCo, a ministry focused on connecting mothers with a strong community for support and encouragement as they manage the hardest job in the world. To learn more about our MomCo ministry or to register for the fall, visit https://cityrise.org/women
Erika Roberts is the brand new director for A Children's Village Preschool, the CityRise Church early learning program that ministers to those near the Texas Medical Center in Houston, TX. Erika shares with us her passion for leading chidren to grow in their faith and education.
To learn more, visit https://cityrise.org/acv and to check out the available jobs at our church, visit https://cityrise.org/jobs
Joshua Montgomery and his family worship at our Bellaire campus and work with Houston area college students through Cru, an organization focused on connecting people with Jesus Christ. Joshua shares about his faith and calling into ministry, and how our church family can get involved ministering to college students.
Emily Taylor is a member of our Bellaire campus and offers a lot of insight about legal decisions everyone should think about in regard to their children, themselves, and aging parents. To connect with Emily about these types of issues, visit https://rappandkrock.com/emily-b-taylor/
Lorraine Lewis has been part of our church family for many years, helping to start our Bellaire campus in 2005 and eagerly jumping onto the team that launched CityRise Church | Missouri City in 2021. Lorraine shares her story of coming to faith and the unique perspective she has since she did not become a Christian until after becoming a parent.
Lisa Hafemeister is the new Director of HR and Strategic Planning for CityRise Church, helping us as we seek to do more in Houston and around the world for the Kingdom. She shares with us her faith background and heart to help the Church reach the world with the Gospel.
Meg Baumgarten is the Executive Assistant and Office Manager for Lifehouse Houston, seeking to help single pregnant moms get on their feet as they welcome new children into the world. Meg grew up at our West U Campus and is an incredible example of what it looks like to love and serve others in the name of Jesus! To learn more about Lifehouse visit https://lifehousehouston.org/
Ashley Miksch is a Student Ministry Associate for CityRise and she and Jennifer offer some great wisdom about how parents can partner with our ministries during the summer to help their children grow in the faith.
To learn more about all our summer activities for children and students visit https://cityrise.org/summer
Kirby Follis is the Executive Pastor of the CityRise Network and he has answers to all our questions about the big Deep & Wide Day event coming up on Sunday May 19 at Houston Christian University.
Make sure to visit https://cityrise.org/deepandwide for more information on this awesome gathering of all our church campuses!
Jennifer and Justin talk with Elizabeth Oliver about making a big career change, the importance of Christian community, and much more!
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Visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_ to watch our episodes on YouTube!
Jennifer and Justin take some time to catch up, discussing how we should trust God in big life changes, how sin has a way of showing itself when we drift from God, Christian meditation, and more!
Watch our full episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Rynie Badenhorst is our new Global Outreach Pastor, focused on reaching people around the world and online with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Rynie shares with us his story and heart for missions and what he hopes to see God do in the near future as we see to continue to expand the Kingdom.
To learn more, visit https://cityrise.org/missions
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Jared Stover and Gage Hallbauer go to our West U Campus and have been actively involved in a weekly Bible study hosted by Andy and Jennifer Dennis over the past few years. Jared and Gage offer great insight into how honoring God with our time, even when we are overwhelmed with a long list of responsibilities, will strengthen our faith in profound ways.
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To watch this episode and many more, check out our YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Elisa Adams and Olivia Dennis are two seniors from our student ministry that just returned from an incredible mission trip to Guatemala over spring break. They share with us what they got to do and how God moved through the work they took part in.
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To learn more about our student ministry or missions opportunities visit https://cityrise.org/students and https://cityrise.org/missions
Andy Dennis, our biggest fan and Baptist Student Ministry Director for Rice and the Med Center, shares with us some great insight about evangelism.
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To watch our most recent episodes, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Lauren Grossman is the Kids Ministry director at our Bellaire Campus, seeking to reach children with the gospel of Jesus Christ through weekly ministries, outreach events, and original media. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
Jose Pacheco is an MBA student at Rice University who felt the calling to start a bible study for his class mates. After seeing God's faithful provision to get him to the United States for his education, Jose couldn't help but look for ways to express his appreciation to God by doing something to further the Kingdom.
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West U Campus Pastor Robby Dobbs shares with us his heart to encourage and lead men into meaningful relationships with God and each other.
To learn more, visit https://cityrise.org/men
David and Jennifer Rupe share the story of their marriage and how their pursuit of God has strengthened their relationship in the good and bad times.
Jennifer and Justin set up at our annual Dinner & Deploy event where ministry partners from all over Houston and the world come together to connect and empower each other to share the gospel. Links for ministries we interviewed below!
STCH International https://www.stchm.org/international/
Agape Development https://www.agapedevelopment.org/
Casa El Buen Samaritano https://www.casaelbuen.org/
Amazon Basin Ministries https://www.amazonbasinministries.org/
One Heart Global Ministries https://www.facebook.com/1heartgm/
Full video episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
West U Baptist Worship Leader Savannah Cavazos shares her heart to serve in the worship ministry and offers encouragement and insight for Christians in the pursuit of meaningful worship.
Check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_ for videos of our episodes.
Laura Seifert of Yes Ministries shares with us insight on how to let go of the things that are holding us back, and gives us a preview of the teachings she will be sharing at our upcoming Women's Retreat on February 2 and 3 at West U Baptist Church in Houston, TX.
Visit https://www.yesministries.net/ to learn more about Laura's ministry.
Visit https://cityrise.org/women to register for the Women's Retreat.
Make sure to rate, review and subscribe!
Visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_ to watch our most recent episodes.
Jennifer and Justin take some time to catch up about the break, share their words for the year, and preview the next series our church will be going through together.
Check out https://cityrise.org/great for the new series.
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Senior Pastor Dr. Roger Patterson shares the story behind the "Great: 40 Days of Commission" study on the Great Commission.
To access all the resources for this new series, check out https://cityrise.org/great
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Sam Oliver shares with us a ton of great insight about how men can be healthier physically, emotionally, and mentally.
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Check out our most recent episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Julie Jenkins shares incredible insight on parenting, prayer, and faith based on what she has learned from her years of experience with three daughters who are now all adults.
Please make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
To watch our episodes on YouTube, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Rosty Semikov shares with us the unique way he is seeking to care for the people of his home country, Ukraine, and how his organization is spreading the Gospel through medical mission work.
To learn more about the Peace and Development Foundation, please visit https://peacedevelopment.fund
Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
Check out our episodes on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Worship pastor of our West U Campus, Dr. Paul Magyar shares about the role of worship in Christmas.
To find out about all our Christmas opportunities, visit https://cityrise.org/christmas
Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
To watch our most recent episodes on YouTube, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
We're taking a couple of weeks up to catch up on some interviews so that we can finish 2023 strong. Take a look back at some previous episodes you may have missed, or revisit one of your favorites!
Greyson Landrum is the newest member of our Student Team at CityRise, and he shares his faith background, and how God brought him into Student Ministry.
To learn more about opportunities for students at CityRise, visit https://cityrise.org/students
Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
To watch our most recent episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Jennifer and Justin catch up with each other about what God has been teaching them.
To watch our episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
David Hao is the Head of School at Veritas Christian Academy in Bellaire, TX. David offers advice for parents considering private school, and great encouragement for parents both in public and private school about discipling our kids.
To learn more about Veritas, visit https://www.veritasca.org/
Make sure to rate, review and subscribe.
To watch our most recent episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Jennifer and Justin catch up with a few Network Partners at our recent Leadership Conference.
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Check out the links below to connect with the partners we got to visit with:
Eyes on Me, Inc. https://www.eyesonmeinc.com/
Judea Harvest https://www.judeaharvest.org/
Attack Poverty https://attackpoverty.org/
Rice and Med Center BSM https://www.riceowlbsm.com/texas-medical-center
To watch our most recent episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Mike Wilson's organization "My Life Speaks" works closely with Haitian Child Services to create infrastructure so abandoned and neglected children don’t fall through the cracks. They provide family-based orphan care, similar to that of foster care in the US, for children who have truly been orphaned, neglected, and abandoned; many of whom have been discarded due to their special needs. They work to place as many children as possible with loving forever families, and keep them out of orphanages, off the streets, and out of danger.
To learn more about this organization and their event in Houston on October 17, visit https://www.mylifespeaks.com/events
Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
To watch our most recent episodes, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Jackie and Stephana Bledsoe are the featured speakers at our Marriage Night on October 6th and the founders of Happily Married Couples, who share a message of hope for marriages and families through speaking, writing, and coaching. Their mission is to help you cultivate a marriage worth celebrating and establish meaningful influence in the lives of your children. Their mission and heart for marriage has been forged through God’s grace in their own marriage, which has thrived through homelessness (twice!), job loss and financial despair, loneliness, in-law, intimacy issues, and most recent major health issues. Their desire is for God to use their story as one of hope and inspiration to other marriages.
To learn more about their ministry, visit https://happilymarriedcouples.com/
To register for our Marriage Night event on October 6, visit https://cityrise.org/marriagenight
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Tehila Weru and her family are long time partners of the CityRise Network through their 3 Strands Ministry in Kenya. Tehlila worked with our women's ministry this summer and shares her experience here and what her plans are next with equipping children's leaders in churches in Africa.
Check out https://www.3-strands.org/ for more information on this partner.
Please make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! And check out our YouTube playlist to watch our most recent episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Ben and Kelli Hays share with us the genesis of the new study "Flourishing Family" and talk about their own experiences in marriage and parenting. For more resources, please check out https://cityrise.org/flourishingfamily
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If you'd like to watch our most recent episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Eric Campbell is a long time member of our West U Baptist Church campus and an integral part of our mission team, most recently co-leading our first trip to work with a ministry partner in Ireland. Eric shares with us the history of his involvement in missions and why missions are so important.
To learn more about missions opportunities, visit https://cityrise.org/missions
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To watch our most recent episodes, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Jamie Ivey is an author, speaker and podcast host seeking to encourage people in their faith with a message of freedom in Christ. Jamie shares great insight into what God has to say about struggles with sin and shame, and offers encouragement for anyone seeking to embrace the true freedom that Christ offers.
To learn more about Jamie and her ministry, visit https://jamieivey.com
To register for the CityRise Women's event featuring Jamie on September 10, visit https://cityrise.org/women
To cook the meal Jamie mentions, check out https://www.onelovelylife.com/slow-cooker-butter-chicken/#tasty-recipes-21999-jump-target
To watch our episodes on YouTube, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
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Abby Bergstrom has been a professional actress, children's ministry director, and now full time educator in the public school system. She shares with us her story of transitioning into education and what God has been teaching her in this new role.
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To watch our most recent episodes, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Daniel Guillaume and Kenneth Watkins serve on the staff at CityRise Missouri City crafting meaningful opportunities for the community to worship God and be discipled in fellowship with other believers.
To learn more about CityRise Missouri City, visit https://cityrise.org/crmc
To watch our episodes on Youtube, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
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Aaron Sensemen is the Worship Pastor at our Crosspoint Church - Bellaire campus and has served on the mission team serving in Honduras for a decade. Aaron shares with us what God has been doing through this partnership over the years.
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To learn more about our missions, visit https://cityrise.org/missions
To watch this episode and more on YouTube, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Traci Edworthy is the Kidstuff Director for CityRise Missouri City. She shares the story of how she came to faith, her passion for teaching kids about Jesus, and encouragement about the growth and direction of our Missouri City campus.
Andrew and Lauren Jefferson met and fell in love while attending our CityRise Network Campus, West U Baptist Church. They share with us their history at this church, how they have grown in their faith by helping to form and lead their community group, and talk about what they are experiencing as they prepare to welcome their first child.
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Check out our YouTube playlist to watch our most recent episodes. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
We are aiming to be back with new episodes in a few weeks, but until then, check out an episode you missed, or visit the link below to watch some of our most recent episodes!
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
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Michael and Jamie Partridge have been serving in our church family for over a decade, spending their time and energy teaching children to understand and apply biblical teachings in fun ways. They share with us how they got involved and how they have been blessed through giving their time to our church family.
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Wes and Kacey Mathew are new to the CityRise Network with Wes coming on as our Production Director for live events at all of our campuses. Wes and Kacey share about their unique love story and how Wes hopes to further the reach of the gospel through improving our production.
To watch this and other episodes on youtube, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
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Palm Feist is a long time member of West U Baptist Church, serving in our children's ministry weekly to lead kids into a deep understanding of God. She shares with us how focusing on the names of God reveals his character.
To sign up for VBS (before the end of the day June 1) visit https://cityrise.org/summer
Check out our YouTube playlist to watch our shows! https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Catherine Weldon is the Assistant Director of A Children's Village preschool and a foster mom working with Casa De Esperanza. Catherine shares with us her heart for helping children in foster care and what she has learned from her time serving in this way.
To learn more about Casa de Espa]eranza, visit https://www.casahope.org/
To learn more about A Children's Village, visit https://cityrise.org/ministries/birth-through-5th-grade/preschool/
To watch on YouTube, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Kathleen Yarborough, the Director of Community Ministries, shares opportunities for summer volunteering with CityRise Network partners.
To learn more, visit https://cityrise.org/ministries/community-ministries/
To watch this episode or any of our most recent podcasts, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Jennifer and Justin catch up with a missionary from our church family serving in Africa.
To watch the video version of this podcast, visit https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
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Jean Pennington, former Women's Ministry Director for the CityRise Network and long time member of West U Baptist Church shares with us insight about prayer.
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Check out our YouTube playlist of episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Reed Verdesoto is a Platform Specific Designer who has helped develop over 300 apps, including the new CityRise app. Reed shares with us how he came to faith, his path toward helping churches with apps, and the reasons why an app can become a powerful tool to help people draw close to God and each other.
To download the CityRise app, visit https://subsplash.com/cityrisechurch/app
To watch our most recent episodes on YouTube, check out https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
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Jennifer and Justin kick off the new "Almost Amazing" Podcast with Tim Yeager, Student Pastor of the CityRise Network, and his wife Sydney. They share with us the upcoming events for students and offer encouragement for parents.
Visit https://cityrise.org/students for more info on the events discussed.
Fill out a connect form at https://cityrise.org/connect to connect with Tim about getting your student involved or volunteering with students at CityRise.
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And check out our playlist of episodes on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
On our last episode before changing the podcast name, Jennifer and Justin talk about some of the most memorable podcast moments from the last 99 episodes and Justin interviews Jennifer.
Check out our YouTube playlist of episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
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See you next week for the first episode of "The Almost Amazing Podcast!"
Jennifer and Justin chat about upcoming Easter opportunities. Check out https://cityrise.org/easter for information on all our activities and opportunities!
Visit the link below to watch this episode or some of our other episodes on YouTube!
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Student Ministry Associates Jeny Cortez and Ashley Miksch share with us some great thoughts on helping teens grow in their faith.
For the video version of this podcast, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBQ0xEmEPpg
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Jennifer and Justin talk with missionary partners from Ecuador, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Kenya, and Ireland.
Check out https://cityrise.org/missions for a list of all of our international trips.
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Visit the link below to watch the video of this podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3fYy5E02rs
We'll back soon! Listen to a favorite episode or check out one that you missed. And don't forget to visit our YouTube playlist to watch our most recent episodes.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuAMJBF5rW7jL6EdYLySlLwWq_UQ4Py6_
Jennifer Dean is the Managing Director of the 4th Wall Theatre Company and she shares with us her thoughts on being a Christian in the workforce, the importance of work, and getting plugged into Christian community.
Brittany Senseman is a Licensed Professional Counselor sharing with us her thoughts about the deconstructing faith trend in many Christians and what someone can do when they face doubts. She also shares great insight on marriages and general mental health.
To learn more about Brittany and other counselors in her practice, visit https://www.anthologycw.com/
Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Check out the video version of this podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wImP3-X5dAE
Our most faithful listener Andy Dennis stops by to chat with us about a new article outlining all the new things we need to know about etiquette, and opens up about his thoughts on the importance of evangelism and why Christians struggle with it.
To see our first ever video podcast of this episode, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5Y2hfIFweY
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Christine Lee is long time member of our West U Baptist Church campus, serving in the orchestra, college ministry, and international missions. Christine shares with us her heart to serve in multiple ways, and how she came to know Jesus as a young child.
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Curtis Lawson is a contractor with Crafted Custom Homes and a consultant with Shepherd Constrction Advisors seeking to help people as they work through the chaos of building and remodeling homes. He shares about his work, his faith, and his podcast!
Check out https://yourprojectshepherd.com/podcasts/ for Curtis's podcast and to find more information on his consulting firm.
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Kristen Campbell is the Women's Ministry Director for the CityRise Network and Susannah Baker is an author and speaker coming to our Women's Retreat on February 3rd and 4th. They share with us what the retreat will be about, and discuss upcoming opportunities for women to connect.
To register for the retreat or learn more, visit https://cityrise.org/women
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Antonetta Russo serves as the Director of Connections and the Assistant to the Senior Pastor for the CityRise Network of churches. She shares with us how she came to know Jesus and the role outreach events play in connecting with a church community.
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Visit https://cityrise.org for more information on our ministries.
Julie Adams is a mom and Christ follower who also happens to be Jennifer's sister. She shares with us how God has shown up for her in big and small ways as she has navigated various struggles, including single motherhood.
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Jennifer and Justin thank you for a great year and look forward to joining you again in 2023 with new guests! If you missed some episodes or just want to re-listen to some of your favorites, we encourage you to go back through our library during the break.
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Patina Sehorn is a parenting expert and director of A Children's Village preschool in Houston, TX. Patina shares tips on how we can all make Christmas memories with our kids, regardless of their age.
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Alejandra Rojas is a student of music and assistant to the CityRise West U Baptist Worship Pastor. Alejandra shares with us her story of coming to know Jesus, the role of music in her faith, and how she finally chose to trust her intuition and follow the gifts God gave her into her career and calling.
To watch The Messiah performed at West U Baptist Church, check out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PDYiySD2lA
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Liana Fairbanks is a long time member of our church and the business administator, overseeing the financial aspects of our ministries. Liana shares with us her heart for Ecuador and describes how partnering in missions with our church through giving our time and finances is an imoportant way to take part in the great things God is doing.
To learn more about our mission opportunities visit https://cityrise.org/missions and to learn more about the Deep & Wide initiative, check out https://cityrise.org/deepandwide
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Jennifer and Justin talk about gratitude and how expressing thanks to God and others is important for our emotional and spiritual health.
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Joy Vonk is the Member Care Facilitator for Christian Health Service Corps, assisting missionaries around the world in their spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health. Joy shares with us how God has walked with her during her battle with Covid, and used the trials she has faced to strengthen her relationship with Him, and to deal with the idols in her life.
To learn more about the ministry that Joy serves, check out https://www.healthservicecorps.org/
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Christy Sylvester and Kelli Hays have a heart for the people of Kenya, and through their partnership with the CityRise Network will be building and resourcing a brand new medical clinic for people in a remote area of Kenya. Christy and Kelli share with us what they love about serving the people of Kenya, and provide opportunities for us to partner with them.
To find the Amazon Wish List for the clinic, visit https://cityrise.org/women and to learn more about serving both locally and abroad, visit https://cityrise.org/findyourspot.
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Shannon Lambert is the Director of the Baptist Student Ministry at the University of Houston, helping students grow in their faith, while also reaching new people with the gospel. Shannon shares with us insight on the spiritual climate of the university campus, and we discuss how parents can best serve and encourage their kids in their faith during this season.
For more information on the BSM at UH, visit http://uhbsm.org/
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Jennifer and Justin talk about some of their favorite Halloween memories and reflect on Reformation Day and what it means for Christ followers.
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Visit https://cityrise.org/events to stay in the loop on all our holiday activities!
Alberto Avila is the area director for Young Life Alief, creating weekly opportunities for teenagers to learn about Jesus, connecting students with Christian mentors, and working with local churches to further the gospel. Alberto shares with us his faith story and how Young Life seeks to meet students with the gospel wherever they are.
To learn more about Young Life, visit https://younglife.org/
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Crosspoint Church - Bellaire Campus Pastor Chris DeArman joins us for a conversation about what it means to worship in spirit and in truth, based on our Flourishing Worship series.
For more resources, check out https://cityrise.org/flourishingworship
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Jennifer and Justin set up in the lobby at the CityRise Network Conference and managed to convince several people to actually sit down and talk with them! In this episode, we hear from representatives for Main Street Ministries, Attack Poverty, Mercy Goods, STCH Ministries, The Bridge Church in Sugar Land, Casa El Buen Samaritano, The Landing, Trexo, and the CityRise Network.
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Elizabeth Smith is a Realtor with Martha Turner Sotheby's in Houston, TX. In this episode, she shares insight on the home buying/selling process, offers wisdom for young parents, and shares her story of faith.
To contact Elizabeth for real estate needs in the Houston area, you can find her information at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/associate/180-a-df21082713031035081/elizabeth-smith
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Elizabeth Smith is a Realtor with Martha Turner Sotheby's in Houston, TX. In this episode, she shares insight on the home buying/selling process, offers wisdom for young parents, and shares her story of faith.
To contact Elizabeth for real estate needs in the Houston area, you can find her information at https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/associate/180-a-df21082713031035081/elizabeth-smith
Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
Kenneth Watkins is the Worship Pastor at CityRise Missouri City. In addition to sharing how he came to know Jesus and what led him to worship ministry, we talk about how to manage complex issues when you find yourself on the other side of a difference of opinion with people you love.
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Kenneth Watkins is the Worship Pastor at CityRise Missouri City. In addition to sharing how he came to know Jesus and what led him to worship ministry, we talk about how to manage complex issues when you find yourself on the other side of a difference of opinion with people you love.
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Lauren Erwin is on the Kidstuff Team at CityRise, but she also has great insight about marriage and what can be done to keep this relationship vital and strong. Lauren shares with us her story and talks about things we all can do to make our marriages a priority.
To learn more about the Outback Retreat for married couples and families Lauren mentioned, check out https://www.jhoutback.com/cities/houston/
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Lauren Erwin is on the Kidstuff Team at CityRise, but she also has great insight about marriage and what can be done to keep this relationship vital and strong. Lauren shares with us her story and talks about things we all can do to make our marriages a priority.
To learn more about the Outback Retreat for married couples and families Lauren mentioned, check out https://www.jhoutback.com/cities/houston/
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Jennifer and Justin talk about some of their favorite memories from school and a few things God has been teaching them over the summer. This conversation is sure to remind you of some of your favorite school experiences, and help you remember what it's like to be a student as you love and lead your own children to have a great year.
Please make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
Jennifer and Justin talk about some of their favorite memories from school and a few things God has been teaching them over the summer. This conversation is sure to remind you of some of your favorite school experiences, and help you remember what it's like to be a student as you love and lead your own children to have a great year.
Please make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
Murphy Sylvester is a Speech Language Pathologist, helping families as they navigate the various struggles and hurdles children may face in developing their ability to speak and express themselves. Murphy shares tips on helping children develop, advice on when to get help, and also talks about her faith and connection to our church.
To learn more about her work, you can check out http://therapyatthezone.com/about-our-therapists/
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Molly Urbani owns a home organizing business focused on helping people take steps toward bringing order back to their homes one room at a time. Molly shares some of her favorite tips, her heart behind this work, and talks about her faith and family.
To learn more about Molly's business, check out her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/organizedtorun/ and her website https://organizedtorun.com/. Some of her favorite organizers can be foudn on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/getneat_withlisa/ and https://www.instagram.com/dwellwellinc/
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Dr. Paul Magyar is the Worship Pastor at West U Baptist Church in Houston, TX, focused on teaching people about worship, and providing opportunities to connect with God through music. Dr. Magyar shares with us the definition he prefers for worship, his calling to lead others in this spiritual expression, and his heart to unite people across all generations in congregational worship.
To learn more about joining the worship ministry at our CityRise Network Campuses visit https://cityrise.org/findyourspot
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Dolly Monroe is the Kidstuff leader for Iglesia Crosspoint Bellaire, the spanish speaking congregation of Crosspoint Church - Bellaire. She also serves as a DJ for the spanish speaking branch of the radio station KHCB in Houston, TX. Dolly shares with us her passion for teaching children about the Bible, with a focus on scripture memory.
For more information on Iglesia Crosspoint Bellaire, visit https://cityrise.org/locations/icb/
To check out Dolly's radio program (in Spanish) check out https://www.radioamistad.net/web/tag/temas-vitales/
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Michelle Woo offers some incredible insight from her experience with helping her parents as they grow older and face health issues. Justin also shares an update on the tragedy that he and his family faced in July.
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Check out https://cityrise.org/ministries/adults/women/ to learn about "The Caregiving Season," a Bible study for women about caring for aging parents.
We're taking a little break and hope to be back with regular episodes by the end of July. In the meantime, check out some of our past episodes you might have missed, or search "The CityRise Podcast" on your podcast app to check out some incredible interviews with a few of our Network Partners hosted by Dr. Roger Patterson, Dr. Mark Edworthy, and Ben Hays.
Allison Finch shares with us some incredible tips and tricks she and her husband have learned parenting for the past 16 years, working to help their 5 kids grow in the faith and move toward independence. Summer is an especially difficult time to parent, and she provides incredible insight for overcoming the millions of questions kids ask on summer break, and also simple tips for helping our children grow as Christ followers.
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Visit https://cityrise.org to learn more about the CityRise Network.
Jennifer and Justin talk about the things they love most and the things they don't really care for about the pool, vacations, amusement parks, and more classic summer activities.
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Regina Nolan is a VP of HR at HP, a wife, mother, and Christ follower who shares a fun story about her connection with her father over his vast collection of books. We talk about her unique way of sharing his collection after his passing, advice for people looking for a job, and her work getting the speed limit on a portion of road near her home lowered.
To learn more about the ministries of the CityRise Network, visit https://cityrise.org
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Justo Robinson is the pastor of CityRise Emmanuel, a CityRise Network spanish language congregation located in Missouri City, TX. Justo shares with us his story of growing up in Colombia, his career in public education, and his calling as a minister of the gospel.
To learn more about CityRise Emmanuel, visit https://cityrise.org/locations/cremc/
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Lauren Grossman and Anna Lauren Nelson are members of the CityRise Kidstuff team focusing on helping children and families grow in the faith. They share some behind the scene stories and words of encouragement for parents seeking to lead their children to better know Jesus.
For more information on our Kidstuff Ministry visit https://cityrise.org/kidstuff
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Carol Sotier and Robynn Estrada have been friends at our West U Baptist Church Campus since their (now grown) children were small. Through church involvement, and a monthly double date at burger restaurants around Houston, Carol and Robynn show us how our church family plays an important role in our faith.
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John Litzler is an attorney focused on guiding churches and Christian non-profits through legal issues and questions. John shares with us incredible insight about the workings of the Supreme Court, the implications of the recent leak, and the importance of voting.
For more information on John's work with the Texas Baptists, check out https://www.texasbaptists.org/ministries/christian-life-commission
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Shawn Shannon is the Minister of Spiritual Formation at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Shawn shares with us the concept of classic, personal, and unchosen spiritual disciplines, helping us understand how each plays a role in making our faith more vibrant.
For more information about Shawn's ministry at Tallowood, visit https://tallowood.org/next-steps/spiritual-formation/
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Ashley Miksch is a Student Associate at the CityRise Network, focused on loving and leading teenage girls into a growing relationship with Christ. Ashley shares with us unique insight into what girls are facing.
To get your student involved in the Houston area, visit https://cityrise.org/students
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Jennifer and Justin work through a few different topics, including a Barna research finding that many Christians feel that it's wrong to share our faith, the tendency for people to keep their spritual life private, doubt, powerlessness, and prayer.
The Barna article can be found here: https://www.barna.com/research/millennials-oppose-evangelism/
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Robert Underwood is the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Community Impact at CityRise Missouri City. Robert shares with us his heart for church planting and mental health in the black community.
For more information on CityRise Missouri City, visit https://cityrise.org/locations/cityrise-missouri-city/
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Kristen Campbell is the new Women's Ministry Director of the CityRise Network, focused on loving and leading women of all ages in their faith. Kristen shares her heart for ministry and thoughts on struggles and concerns unique to women.
For more information on our Women's Ministry visit https://cityrise.org/ministries/adults/women/
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Kate Shellnutt is the Senior News Editor for Christianity Today, which seeks to demonstrate through all its media how the true, good, and beautiful gospel can not only transform lives but bring hope and flourishing to individuals, cultures, and communities. She shares with us her heart to inspire people to worship with the stories of God's people.
For more information on Christianity Today, visit https://www.christianitytoday.org/.
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Rynie Badenhorst is an active member of West U Baptist, a CityRise Network Campus, and has found many ways to serve those in need both on his and own and with his family. He shares with us his heart for serving and the story of how he came to value helping others.
For more information on Houston Welcomes Refugees, visit https://www.houstonwelcomesrefugees.com/. For more information on Adventures of the Heart, visit https://www.adventuresoftheheart.org/.
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Randy Guttenberger is the author of "Managing Your Crazy Self" and founder and president of Rhino Insights. Randy shares how better understanding our emotions and reflexes to tough situations can help us manage our reactions and behaviors in a positive way.
To learn more about Randy and his non-profit, visit https://managingyourcrazy.com/
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Lori Morrow is a Worldview Coach creating resources to help people grow their faith, find their voice, and maximize their impact. She shares how she became passionate about Apologetics, and encouarages us all to better understand our faith for the sake of our walk with Jesus and the next generation.
To learn more, visit https://www.thespoonfedsoul.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/c/LoriBMorrow
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Laura Seifert is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and founder of Yes Ministries, focused on drawing women closer to Jesus through teaching His truth and sharing our lives.
For more information on Laura's book and ministry, check out https://www.yesministries.net/
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Jennifer and Justin set up at Dinner and Deploy, an incredible gathering where our church family can connect with our local and international partners, learning about their ministries and how to serve with them.
To learn more about the partners featured in this episode and all of our other partners, check out https://cityrise.org/partners/
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Brent Gallagher and his wife own Avenu Fitness in Houston, TX, focusing on creating community as they seek to provide quality coaching towards overall health. Brent shares with us about taking small steps toward healthy sleeping and eating habits.
To learn more about Avenu Fit, visit https://avenufit.com/
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Lacey Moses is the leader of Mercy House Ministries, a wife, and a mother who has face difficult seasons in life, and learned a great deal about praying for God's will when things aren't going the way you expect. To learn more about Mercy House Ministries, visit https://cityrise.org/forms/forms-mercy-house-ministries-info-request/
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Erin Santos is a managing director of Casa de Luz Mexico, a ministry working to keep families together and lift up the name of Jesus in Primo Tapia, Mexico. Erin shares about the journey that she, her husband, and their children embarked on together over 10 years ago to start this ministry, sharing the biggest lessons she's learned from God along the way.
To learn more about Casa de Luz Mexico, visit https://casadeluzmexico.com/
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Kim Hudson is a Christ follower grappling with a new normal after suffering a major stroke in 2019. She shares what she has learned on this journey, and offers insight into how we can all weather the chaos that sometimes comes our way in this life. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!
Mary Ann Bridgwater is the founder of Pray the Word Ministries, focused on helping believers grow in their relationship with Christ through prayer. Mary Ann shares her journey to cultivate her own prayer life, and encourages us to go to God's Word when we need guidance on how to pray.
To learn more about Pray the Word Ministries, visit https://www.praytheword.org/
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Ben and Kelli Hays are Christ followers in Houston, TX focusing on building meaningful relationships with young adults in college, the med center, and in the work force. By opening their home to guests and adoptive children, they are sharing their lives in a way that shows off the love of Christ.
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Karen Oak is an author, former missionary, and speaker who has dedicated her life to loving and leading people to Jesus. Karen shares with us the story behind her book, A Warm Place in the Sun, describing some of the things she's learned through hard times, and encouraging those who are facing difficulties.
To purchase her book, visit https://www.amazon.com/Karen-Oak/e/B08SY8LDJC?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000
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Jennifer and Justin announce a brief break for the holidays and share an assortment of confessions and grievances about the podcast and life.
For Christmas, all we want is a review and/or rating in your podcast app!
Julissa Chappell is the Director of Operations at Casa El Buen Samaritano, creating events that minister to and reach communities all throughout Houston with the gospel and medical assistance. Julissa shares the incredible story of how God brought her and her husband their three boys according to His plan and His timing.
To learn more about Casa El Buen Samaritano, visit https://www.casaelbuen.org/
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Tassy Beasley is the Owner/Creator of FindItGirl, an online retailer of high quality and unique home goods. Tassy shares about starting a new endeavor after many years in upper level retail and raising four boys to love and follow Jesus.
To learn more, visit https://finditgirl.com.
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Angelina Hudson is the Executive Director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness for the Greater Houston area. Focusing on providing education and resources for those struggling with mental illness and their loved ones, Angelina shares about her work with NAMI and her personal story of navigating the mental health issues of her family.
To learn more about NAMI visit https://www.namigreaterhouston.org/ or call their warm-line with questions at 713-970-4483.
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Richard and Sheri Bright are comedians, speakers, authors, and pastors focused on helping couples grow their faith and marriages through laughter. They share their story, their heart for couples seeking to strengthen their marriages, and give great insight into how we can all grow closer to God with our spouse.
To learn more about their ministry, like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/therealbrights and check out their website https://www.brightermarriage.com/.
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Stephanie Whitfield is a Multi-Skill Journalist for KHOU11 News in Houston, TX . She shares with us the joy she finds in her career, and the way she has found a role that allows her the flexibility to partner with her husband to raise children that love Jesus. We talk about her history in journalism, what kinds of news stories that get her excited, and the importance of having mentors in our lives and careers.
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Kathleen Yarborough is the Community Ministries Director for the CityRise Network, focusing on partnering with local ministries to meet needs and share the love of Jesus. Kathleen shares some opportunities to serve in Houston, and also talks about her journey toward developing a heart for partnering with local ministries.
Visit https://cityrise.org/soc to learn more about opportunities to serve in Houston.
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Philip Yancey is an author writing primarily about spiritual issues. His books have sold more than fifteen million copies in English and have been translated into forty languages, making him one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors. Philip shares the story of his faith journey recovering from a toxic church experience, and offers encouragement for those examining their faith with a critical eye.
To learn more about Philip and his new memoir, Where the Light Fell,visit https://philipyancey.com/
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Sonya DeArman is a Christ follower, wife, mother, and thrift shopper. Being married to a pastor, Sonya offers insight on parenting a senior, helping guests at church feel welcome, and managing anxiety with all of life's ups and downs.
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Zac McCray is the Assistant Chapter Director for Ratio Christi at Rice University, an organization dedicated to answering big questions about our faith and educating Christians on the tenets of our faith. Zac shares his personal story of coming to know Jesus, and the role apologetics play in his current walk with Christ.
For more information on Ratio Christi, or to contribute to Zac's ministry, visit https://ratiochristi.org/
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Melissa Patin retired last year from Houston ISD after 10 years as a principal, with a career as a school counselor and teacher before that. She shares her philosophy on taking care of those that we lead, and also her heart for putting the students' best interests first and foremost in education.
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Jeny Cortez is the Director of Development for STCH Ministries, focused on raising funds to support their ministry to children and families in South Texas and beyond. She shares with us the incredible things that STCH does, and also offers insight into trusting God in our parenting journey as we seek to raise children that love and follow Jesus.
To learn more about STCH, visit https://www.stchm.org/
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Denise Glenn is an author and co-founder of Kardo Ministries, focused on helping believers connect with God to develop as spouses and parents. She shares her story of coming through a difficult season in her marriage, and how that developed into a ministry to love and lead people into healthy relationships.
For more information on her ministry and her latest books and curriculum, visit https://kardo.org/.
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Keith Browning is the evening news producer for ABC 13 in Houston, TX and a strong follower of Jesus. He shares his experience with avoiding burnout in the workplace, surviving cancer, staying true to God, and making sure your family remains a top priority in a world obsessed with work success.
To check out ABC 13, visit https://abc13.com/watch/live/?ex_cid=ktrkspdlivewl
And please make sure to subscribe, rate, and review this podcast to help us get the word out!
Dr. Roger Patterson is the Senior Pastor and founder of the CityRise Network, providing direct oversight to 6 different congregations, and offering support and networking for several other congregations, non-profits, and missionaries. Roger shares some of the major lessons he's learned in ministry, as well as his heart for everyone to see their family as their most important ministry.
For more information on the CityRise Network, visit https://cityrise.org/.
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Dr. Stephen Spann is a primary care physician and founding Dean of the University of Houston School of Medicine. He shares some encouraging words about the power of doctors to heal through meaningful relationships, and articulates the inspiration he finds in Jesus as the Great Physician.
For more information on the free medical clinic that Dr. Spann helped create in Houston, visit https://www.casaelbuen.org/.
To learn about the new medical school at the University of Houston, visit https://www.uh.edu/medicine/.
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On Sunday August 29 the CityRise Network gathered our volunteers from all our campuses for a night of celebration and empowerment. Jennifer and Justin set up a booth right by the check in table and had the opportunity to talk to several incredible people about serving.
If you're interested in serving at one of our CityRise Network campuses, visit https://cityrise.org/connect to let us know and one of our team members will reach out to you!
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Matt Dockall is a certified financial planner who coaches people on ways to manage their wealth toward the goals that matter most to them. He shares insight on investing, godly views on money, and basic financial principles.
For more information on Matt's financial planning business, visit https://presidiofinancial.us/
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Kristen Kellough is a worship leader at the CityRise West U Baptist Church Campus, a preschool teacher, a wife, and a mother of two young children. With the birth of her second child, Kristen faced a battle with depression that made parenting a daily struggle. She shares her story, as well as insight on what helped her during that tough season.
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Jaime Obando is the Associate Director of Community Ministries at CityRise, seeking to connect with those who need Jesus by meeting their needs. As a parent of two teenage boys, Jaime offered a wealth of insight about shepherding children during the toughest season of adolescence.
Visit https://cityrise.org/communityministries to learn more about Jaime's ministry at our church.
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Sammy Ramos is a church planter leading Cistern Church, located in the Westbury community of Houston, TX. In this chat we talk about why church planting is important, the great things that can happen in camp ministry, and how vital Christ-centered community is for someone to grow in their faith.
For more information on Cistern visit https://cisternchurch.org/
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Kirby Follis, Executive Pastor of the CityRise Network, shares his personal journey in ministry, big lessons he's learned a husband, his experience with seasons of faith, and reflections on grief and the death of his father.
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Christy Sylvester, Executive Director of Casa El Buen Samaritano, shares her path to becoming part of one of the last free medical clinics in Houston, serving families from hundreds of zip codes in need of medical care. Christy shares her heart for reaching the nations right here in Houston, and gives information on how medical professionals and those without medical experience can help the ministry of Casa.
To learn more, visit https://www.casaelbuen.org/
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Jennifer and Justin talk with Tim Wainright, principal of Westlake Preparatory Academy, about a variety of topics regarding education. Choosing the best school for your children, supporting teachers, and clinging to God through the ups and downs of the education roller coaster are just a few of the things that come up in our conversation.
Visit https://www.westlakeprep.org/ to learn more about Westlake Prep in Richmond, TX.
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We took a week off from recording, but wanted to share some fun with you to hold you over until the next Almost Amazing Dinner Party! Check out this deleted content from episodes 10-17 featuring Kevin Dean, Jenny Johnson, Jess Madden, Kristen Maxfield, Mark Krimm, Tricia Blackford, Stephanie Frey, and Chris DeArman.
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Jennifer and Justin have an awesome conversation with Dr. James Tour, Professor of Chemistry at Rice University. Although he has an extensive knowledge of science, Dr. Tour's primary passion is leading people to Christ, and he has served as the college class teacher at our West U campus for 20 years. He shares some incredible tips about elevating the role of Scripture in the home, and emphasizes the importance of personal Bible study and meditation.
Visit https://www.youtube.com/drjamestour and http://www.drjamestour.com/ for more content from and information about Dr. Tour.
Jennifer and Justin chat with Cassie Gallagher, a personal trainer, fitness coach, business owner, wife, and mother. She shares insight on healthy eating, exercise, and even shares her story of getting out of debt by making sacrifices to get her finances in order.
To learn more about her business, Avenu Fitness, visit https://avenufit.com/
For counseling resources mentioned in the show, visit https://www.stchm.org/family-counseling/
Jennifer and Justin catch up with Chris DeArman, Campus Pastor for Crosspoint Church - Bellaire, a CityRise Campus. Chris offers encouragement for anyone facing fears or regrets, challenging us to put our faith in the plans God has for us and our families.
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Stephanie Frey, a licensed professional counselor focusing on marriages and families offers an incredible amount of insight into how we can take care of our marriages.
South Texas Children's Home Ministries, a CityRise Partner, offers incredible Christ centered counseling services at affordable prices. You can learn more about counseling options through this incredible ministry at https://www.stchm.org/family-counseling/
Jennifer and Justin catch up with Tricia Blackford, a member of our church who serves Sudanese refugees in Chad with her husband and children. A life on the mission field has taught her some incredible things about connecting with God, and we address small ways to take steps in building our sensitivity to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
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Mark Krimm has been in high school full time since the 80s- first as a student, then a Young Life leader, and now as a coach and educator. His insight into what teenagers need comes from years of observing them "in the wild"- away from parents and immersed in the culture- and he shares some incredible ideas for loving and leading them well.
Jennifer and Justin catch up with Kristen, the former Crosspoint Church - Bellaire campus Kidstuff Director, as she looks back at her time in ministry, and looks forward to the next chapter in her life. We talk about ways to bless our ministry leaders and some behind the scenes stories of life in the church during a pandemic.
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and write a review to get the word out about the podcast!
Jess Madden, registered dietitian focusing on child nutrition, has a career devoted to helping families develop positive attitudes and habits in regard to food. Kids are notoriously stubborn at the dinner table, so how do we get them the proper nutrition in these formative years? Jess shares her thoughts on some common struggles parents face in this area.
Jennifer and Justin talk with Jenny Johnson, founder of Project One Day, a childcare solution for working parents in need of affordable, safe, Christ-centered childcare. As the mother of three teenagers, Jenny also shares strategies to get your children connected in church.
To learn more about Project One Day, visit https://podhouston.org
Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and write a review to get the word out about the podcast! And make sure to share the link to this show with someone you think might enjoy the content.
Kevin Dean, Artistic Director of the AD Players in Houston, TX, talks about his faith and his work, sharing how following Christ in our daily lives can impact those who don't know Jesus in significant ways. We also hear about his family's journey through the adoption process, and how community groups at the CityRise Network provide support for a person seeking to grow in their faith.
To learn more about the AD Players visit https://www.adplayers.org/
Jennifer and Justin talk with Jeff Frey, VP of Innovation at Talent Path, and faculty member of The Citadel and Rice University.
Visit https://wellevations.com/ to take the wellevation survey mentioned in this episode and to learn more about this aspect of Jeff's expertise. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, and write a review to get the word out about the podcast!
Crosspoint Church - Bellaire Worship Pastor Aaron Senseman shares an encouraging word for any parents walking through a prodigal season with their children. There is no way to predict how the Holy Spirit will work, and those furthest from God may one day return to lead others in their faith.
Jennifer and Justin talk with Jean Pennington, newly retired Women's Ministry Director of the CityRise Network.
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Andy gives us a unique perspective on transitioning your children to college. Based on his experience as the Baptist Student Ministry Director for Rice University and the Med Center in Houston, Andy talks about fears, trusting the Holy Spirit, and guiding your children now in preparation for the next chapter of life.
Jennifer and Justin talk with Judy Ho about her faith and life as a medical professional during a pandemic.
If you would like more information on becoming a Christ follower, visit https://cityrise.org/connect to let us know
As a leader in the Yes Prep schools of Houston, and with over 20 years of teaching experience, Keith Desrosiers offers insight into the state of education during a pandemic from the unique perspective of someone experiencing it from both sides of the table- as a dad and as a math teacher.
For more information on Yes Prep schools visit https://yesprep.org
Patina Sehorn joins Jennifer and Justin to discuss parenting strategies.
For more information on "A Children's Village" (enrolling for 2021-22 now!) visit https://www.cityrise.org/preschool today!
We talk with Garren Rush- speaker, teacher, author, father, and creator- about being a dad, marriage, the state of education, racial justice, and how we can bring solutions to daily life in our families. Check out https://www.gerrenrush.com/ for more from Gerren!
Jennifer Dennis and Justin Kellough are embarking on a brand new journey in the world of podcasting, preparing to interview anyone and everyone that has something to say about raising families to love and follow Jesus Christ. They will be interviewing some people, about some things, at some time in the future, with episodes releasing in some sort of regular interval. Don't worry, they totally know what they're doing. Subscribe to be the first to know when episodes drop, and search CityRiseOrg on Facebook to like our Network page so you can stay in the loop.