City Takers: Recent Episodes
Christy Austin
City Takers Podcast is a show for those wanting to learn city transformation. What’s a City Taker? Someone who’s taking a city through the art of giving. Everything changes because someone brings change. Will you be that one? Join Christy Austin as she interviews City Takers around the Nation to learn strategies to “be the change” in your community.
In this episode, Christy interviews Will Riddle from Kingdom Change Ministries in Kansas City. Will’s mission is to bring clarity to areas of confusion and train God’s people to empower God’s people to influence the systems of the world through Christian principles. In this episode, Will shares his journey to where he is today and the different places the Lord has led him in city-transformation ministry. Will and Christy also discuss the practical pieces of city taking. You can go to kingdomchange.org to find out more about Will and Kingdom Change Ministries.
Each year Enkindle Ministries hosts their Summit, a gathering of Enkindlers from around the Nation, to press into prayer and seek God’s heart for the coming year. The mission of Enkindle Ministries is to transform our Nation with His Presence, one community at a time, with a specific focus this Hebrew year on building Cities of Refuge. This episode is part 2 of a teaching Enkindle President and City Takers Podcast host, Christy Austin, presented at that Summit. (Listen to episode 12 for part 1.) To learn more and stay connected visit citytaking.com.
Each year Enkindle Ministries hosts their Summit, a gathering of Enkindlers from around the Nation, to press into prayer and seek God’s heart for the coming year. The mission of Enkindle Ministries is to transform our Nation with His Presence, one community at a time, with a specific focus this Hebrew year on building Cities of Refuge. This episode is part 1 of a teaching Enkindle President and City Takers Podcast host, Christy Austin, presented at that Summit. To learn more and stay connected visit citytaking.com.
In this episode, Christy interviews Erin Valenti from County Seat Reclaimed Ministries in Jefferson, OH. County Seat Reclaimed Ministries aims to partner with the Church and transform communities with God’s presence. In this episode, Erin shares the rich legacy that CSRM stands on and the wells that they’re actively re-digging to release God’s presence in Jefferson and Ashtabula county. Christy and Erin discuss the strategies the Lord has given to CSR and the awe-filled journey they’ve walked as they’ve sought Him. Find out more about County Seat Reclaimed Ministries on their Facebook page.
In this episode, Christy interviews Steve and Amanda Pettit from Rescue Hill in Ft. Worth, TX. Rescue Hill exists to be a Safe Space, a Strong Voice, and a Strategic Force in the fight against human trafficking. In this episode, Christy and the Pettits talk about how the Lord put it on their hearts to pursue this ministry, the pieces He’s provided for them to put in place, and many of the things they’ve learned and discovered along the way. Find out more about Rescue Hill on facebook, instagram, and at rescuehill.org.
In this episode, Christy interviews Savannah Marten, Executive Director of The Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo. The Pregnancy Center is a Christ-centered outreach to women with unplanned pregnancies to save and change lives. In this episode, Savannah shares the strategic pieces the Lord has given to the pregnancy center to impact the city. Her and Christy also discuss what it looks like to lead in turbulent times and stay in step with the guiding of Holy Spirit. Find out more about The Pregnancy Center of Greater Toledo at friendsofpregnancycenter.org.
In this episode, Christy interviews Joe Liggett from Ember and Burn 24/7 in Toledo, OH. Both Ember and Burn 24/7 in Toledo are a gathering of the City Church in Toledo to pray, worship, and seek God for revival and reformation. In this episode Joe and Christy discuss the major keys to unity and revival in the church of a city. Hear them discuss the importance of personal and corporate prayer, humility, and the fear of the Lord. Ember Toledo and Burn 24/7 - Toledo are currently on a break, but you can stay connected to any updates on their facebook pages.
In this episode, Christy interviews Denise Emerine from Greater Toledo House of Prayer in Toledo, OH. The Greater Toledo House of Prayer (GTHOP) is an intercessory and worship based ministry focused on touching the Father’s heart to unlock the door to His presence. They believe the spiritual climate of their region will only be changed under the banner of unity. In this episode, Christy and Denise discuss the importance and necessity of the body of Christ saturating their region in prayer to spark and fuel revival. Denise shares inspiring stories of how God led their ministry to pursue strategic properties to redeem them for His Kingdom. Learn more about GTHOP at gthop.org, hope park at hopepark.org, or contact info@gthop.org for more information.
In this episode, Christy interviews Scottie Gentry from Merrywhether Farm Ministries in Ida, MI. Merrywhether Farm Ministries exists to know God and make Him known. In this episode, Scottie shares about the unique ministry God has called him, his wife Victoria, and the Merrywhether team to as they steward the farm. Scottie also shares about what it means to minister right where God has planted you, and encourages the listener to seek that out and step boldly into it. You can learn more about Merrywhether at https://mwfarmministries.org and connect with them on Facebook by searching Merrywhether Farm Ministry.
In this episode, Christy interviews Wendy Yeager and Vonda Hogle from Keep Watch, a nation-wide ministry that started and is headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. The vision for the Keep Watch movement is that our cities and communities are transformed, with our schools at the epicenter of that change. In this episode, Christy, Wendy, and Vonda discuss Keep Watch’s heart to bring weekly prayer to every school and what that looks like practically. They also share the strategies they’ve used to honor leadership that is hesitant to open the door for Keep Watch while still pressing in for that open door. To find out more about Keep Watch, start the volunteer process, or listen to the podcast go to keepwatchprayer.org. If you are a representative of a church interested in partnering with Keep Watch, you can email Vonda at vonda@keepwatchprayer.org.
In this episode, Christy interviews George and Sarah Williams, Pastors of CityLight Church in Toledo, Ohio. About 15 years ago, George and Sarah moved into a neighborhood with the intention to love their neighbors as themselves. They share stories about their early days and what that looked like as they continued year after year. Hear about how they partnered with God’s heart as well as their practical keys and encouragement to persevere through the mundane to cultivate opportunities for the miraculous. You can visit citylighttoledo.org to find out more about their heart and ministry in the city of Toledo.
In this episode, Christy interviews Bill and Barb Herzog from Merge in Toledo, Ohio. Merge is a network of pastors gathering to bring strength and unity to His church. Christy and the Herzogs discuss how the Church of Toledo has cultivated and continues to cultivate unity, with the purpose to bring transformation to Toledo, to the state of Ohio, and impact our Nation. They share testimonies and keys that have fueled the culture of unity, including being centered around God’s presence, building relationships, giving everybody the space and freedom for their worship expression, and much more! Find out more about Merge at mergetoledo.com.
In this episode, Christy interviews brother and sister, Ryan and Ashley Hershberger, from Mission 58:12 in Toledo, Ohio. Mission 58:12 is located in North Toledo and their mission is to bring a reformation through the ministry of reconciliation by cultivating our neighborhoods. Christy, Ryan, and Ashley discuss what brought the Hershbergers to ministry in this neighborhood and some of the very simple and practical strategies they have found effective for bringing transformation. They share about loving their neighbors as themselves and finding the person of peace. Find out more about the work Ryan and Ashley are doing on their Facebook page, Mission 58:12. You can also connect with Ryan’s music on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music by searching Ryan David and Dominion in Darkness.
In this episode, Christy interviews Chad Seabright, who is a founding member and former President of Enkindle Ministries. Chad and his wife, Brooke, are currently the City Taker Hub leaders in Lebanon, TN and have a heart to see their entire city saved, set free, and walking in their destiny. In this episode, Christy and Chad discuss the beginnings of Enkindle and how it has led to where the ministry is today. Chad also shares important pieces of his journey that have shaped his heart for taking his city. You can find some of Chad’s teachings and get connected with Lebanon’s Fire Service at citytakerstrainingcenter.com and on the City Takers Training Center Facebook page.
We want to invite you to join us for the City Takers podcast! Christy will be interview City Takers from around the Nation who are taking back their city through the art of giving, and we hope it will activate you to take back your city. Gather around the table with us for some good news!