Prayer is essential. Prayer is God's idea. Prayer is the primary means by which God involves His children in what He wants to do in His world. Prayer was a primary focus of the best church ever—the apostolic church, as in Acts 2:42. Yet our prayer meetings are often boring, poorly attended, and unexciting ... when they ought to be one of the most exciting times of our lives. Guest show host Tim Brown interviews the Bill Holdridge of Poimen Ministries on this intriguing and hopefully helpful subject. "Lord, teach us to pray!"

From hippie commune to the business world; from the business world to planting and pastoring a wonderfully fruitful church, from senior pastoral ministry to Poimen Ministries, and then on to the mission field with Poimen Ministries, and now back in the U.S. strengthening pastors and their wives … Bob and Jeanne Claycamp have seen and experienced much. Listen to their story as they tell of the faithfulness and power of God through willing vessels. Being used of God … many lessons contained in this couple’s life together.

The Christian life, when lived by the Holy Spirit, is not boring. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance. Neither is the ministry of the pastor—and of his wife—boring, dull, or predictable. In this episode of SFTP, John and Laura Cowan sit down with show host Bill Holdridge and tell their story. It's an exciting one, to be sure, and it's continuing to be exciting as this godly, much loved couple continue serving, loving, trusting, and walking by faith. The power of testimony is awesome. The power of example is also amazing.

For anyone paying attention, it is obvious that something is going on that is unprecedented in the United States (and also worldwide). "Wokeness," "Cancel Culture," "Critical Race Theory," and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic have been part of massive government overreach and intrusion into all of our lives. In Podcast 102 we interviewed Pastor Lance Ralston on the subject of Christians in the U.S., living in an increasingly totalitarian state. Lance was talking about the book Live Not By Lies by Rod Dreher, and the subject of suffering as a result of totalitarianism. As we talked, Lance mentioned some of the ways he is helping his church get discipled into being ready to suffer for being a Christian in today’s world. To get the full context of that discussion, you’ll be able to find it in podcast 102. In order to prepare for his message series, Lance embarked on a study of the theology of suffering, and his four-part series is the result. This podcast is Part One of that series.

This conversation between host Bill Holdridge and Ron Arbaugh is all about the venture of faith he’s been on for the last 25+ years of ministry in the Lone Star State. God loves faith, it pleases Him. He loves it because it honors Him … when a man trusts God to do what He wants to do and is able to do, it pleases Him. He loves to work on behalf of His believing children. Pastor Ron is the founding pastor of CC San Antonio, the 2nd largest city in Texas. The Lord has used Ron and his fellowship in many marvelous ways. Dramatic testimony. Overcoming an impairment. Trusting the Lord for the huge things He wanted to do. Living scared, but trusting in the provision and guidance of God. Consistent, faithful development of pastoral level leaders. The list goes on. It's the grace of God, and Ron is the first to tell you that. Super encouraging stuff!

Many churches are experiencing a leadership deficit. There are too few biblical elders, too few deacons, and not as many people who know which spiritual gifts they’ve been given by the Spirit, what they are called to do, or what ministries the Lord has opened up for them. Many leadership teams are not in alignment with their pastor in doctrine and practice, nor are they in alignment with each other. There are many fellowships — normal sized (50-200 regular attenders) — that believe they do not possess the resources to begin strong leadership development and equipping and training of the saints. That's what this podcast is all about. It's going to help the equipping senior pastor do the work of equipping those whom the Lord is calling into leadership ministry positions. And, he doesn't have to have it all figured out. He can join others who are part of what pastor Donn Fisher of Calvary Chapel Raynham, Massachusetts is talking about in this episode. There is an include transcript of this podcast interview, which may be helpful to you with your notetaking. Matthew 28:18-20

A clear and timely message from long time assisting pastor James Chapman of Calvary Chapel Stone Mountian, GA on what is needed in a servant who serves the senior pastor.