This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. In this episode of SFTP, show host Bill Holdridge speaks with Poimen Ministries servants Phil and Susie Evans, as they tell their story of faith, victories, successes and changes. This is great encouragement for any pastor, young or old, as Phil and Susie recollect upon 45 years of pastoral ministry. From the early beginnings of church planting to their "golden years", where God is blessing in beautiful and powerful ways. Their story will captivate, comfort and hopefully embolden you to expect great things from God in your own ministry.

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.

In our previous podcast 102, we interviewed Pastor Lance Ralston on the subject of Christians in the U.S., living in an increasingly totalitarian state. In Podcast 108, Lance shared with us about the place of suffering in the life of faith. Lance is talking about these things because he desires to equip the fellowship he pastors (CC Oxnard, CA) in preparation for the increasing likelihoodthat there could be some very tough times ahead for Christians in the U.S. Of course, there are many topics related to an increase in totalitarianism in a given nation … will the shape of the church change? Will believers who decide to disobey the evil directives of the state be ready for the inevitable consequences of that decision? 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. So, Lance embarked on a study of the theology of suffering, and is currently preaching through a series on the subject. This podcast deals with the subject, when suffering comes to others. We need this wise counsel, and even more so as evil days increase, and as evil men continue to deceive and be deceived. So we’re going to dive right into it right now … so here we go with Pastor Lance Ralston on the subject of When Suffering Comes to Others.

Every church needs to do some healthy, Holy Spirit directed personal inventory. Pastors and leaders need to ask themselves the questions, “Why are we here in this community?” And, “What should we be, and what should we do to make us essential in our community (and beyond)?” On that subject, today we have with us Pastor Jeff Birmingham of River Rocks Church in Cummins, Georgia. There’s a statement on River Rocks Church’s website which reads, “We believe that our community doesn’t need another church service…” Jeff will tell us what is meant by this statement on the church’s website, and about what the Lord has been doing recently in his life and ministry to make much of that happen. But encouragement and renewed energy in the ministry did not come easy ... there were very painful moments, moments which led Jeff to reach out. The counsel of the Holy Spirit brought freedom and renewed vision in Jeff's life, and it has changed everything. Everything! Discover some of what Jeff learned (the truth sets us free), and the journey that he's on. It will be a blessing and exciting for any pastor or church leader.

Today we meet & converse with Chris and Heather Reif of Calvary Frontlines in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Chris has been the pastor of Calvary Frontlines since October of 2017. Today, we’re going to hear a bit of their story—an unusual story about how they both served in the U.S. Army ... Chris as a Green Beret ... how they met and married, and how they became strong in the Lord, and called into ministry as a couple, with Chris as a senior pastor. In this episode: ~ how their military background helped prepare them to serve the Lord ~ the importance of discipleship and training—within the church—in becoming prepared for pastoral ministry ~ comparisons between Special Forces commitment and the pastorate ~ the reality of Post Traumatic Stress and how the gospel, the Word, and the Holy Spirit provide healing ~ the testimony of what God has been doing in Ft. Smith, Arkansas! Blessings to all who listen!

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.

Today we have as our guest Pastor Bob Kopeny of Calvary Chapel East Anaheim, CA. We’re going to talking about the ingredients of a healthy local church. Stay tuned, because I promise you … after listening to this podcast interview, you’re going to feel like you’ve just been to your own personal pastor’s conference. In this podcasts, Bob will be sharing about: ~ What Calvary Chapel East Anaheim is known for ~ A venture of faith ... and how he went from being a police officer to a church planting pastor ~ What happened in their fellowship during the COVID year of 2020 ~ A unique and super effective way of discipling the next generation of leaders, while also learning from them ~ A missions strategy that has worked for them, and which is bearing lots of fruit To learn more about Bob and his fellowship, just head on over to cc-ea.org.

It’s always fun (and edifying) to talk with Bryan Newberry. Challenge and inspiration are common each time. For those who do not know Bryan, he is the founding pastor of Calvary Chapel San Diego, CA (1985) … and stepped aside from that role in 2018, handing the senior pastorate over to Phil Metzger. 32 years as their senior pastor. Bryan is part of the team of Poimen Ministries’ pastors, and also has his own non-profit organization called “Words of Encouragement.’ In addition to serving with Poimen Ministries and Words of Encouragement, Bryan is now the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Los Alamitos, CA. Bullet Points for Discussion: 1. How has the transition of CC San Diego gone? The new pastor (Phil Metzger) and you are friends, but very different re: ministry styles. What can pastors learn from the situation there? 2. What has been your approach in taking over for John Greenroyd of CC Los Alamitos in July of 2020? How is it going? 3. Before you stepped aside in San Diego, you experienced a major trial that was written about in the Calvary Chapel Magazine. Subtitle: “Two Christian Leaders Share Their Harrowing Experiences with Prescription Addiction.” Bryan, you were one of those leaders. What did you go through, and what did you learn? 4. How would you describe your passion in life/ministry? 5. I know you love to be available to mentor younger men. Who have been your mentors (major influences) in life/ministry? In what ways did they influence you?

Once again, today we have Bible teacher, author, and speaker Gayle Erwin with us, and our topic is Not Many Mighty, a discussion about the ways of God and the choices God makes in calling and using human beings. Gayle Erwin has beautifully addressed what this looks like in his book Not Many Mighty. God's Word says, “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26). Obviously, God thinks about things differently, and thinks about people differently than we do, in the natural. It is clear from Scripture that God doesn’t use perfect people. If that was His criterion, no one would ever be used of God. But God uses imperfect people to contain and then release His marvelous life and light to others. It's His plan, and it fulfills His purpose for connection and relationship with human beings. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." (2 Corinthians 4:6,7) Topics discussed: strength out of weakness; Paul's thorn in the flesh; outstanding Biblical examples of weak men mightily used of God; what does it look like for us be be 'anointed,' or to minister 'under the anointing'?; a liberating thought with regard to ministry and our response to God's grace. Gayle Erwin is the author of the bestselling book The Jesus Style, which explores the nature of Jesus. Not Many Mighty was written in that same vein.

Ken Graves tells it like it is. When one speaks with Ken Graves, he/she enters into the no fear zone, as it relates to the truth. But as is true with Jesus, grace is sweetly mixed with truth, and the result is an encouraged heart. In podcast #104, Ken tells the story of the fellowship he pastors in Bangor, Maine—and their battles with the powers that be in their state. Points of discussion: Has their been government overreach in in the handling of COVID-19? If government limits its citizens by depriving them of their constitutional rights, is it breaking the law? What does Romans 13 mean in our present day? How might pastors respond to the situation in their states, whether red or blue? Ken is articulate, well-studied, and passionate. You won't want to miss this one.