patreon.com/stgpod

youtube.com/@StormTheGatesPod

Dr. Doug Koskela serves through the Free Methodist Church as a professor at Seattle Pacific University, where he teaches Wesleyan theology, epistemology of theology, vocation and ecclesiology. He is a member of the Wesleyan Theological Society and author of several books. Today, he mentions his last two published works in our conversation, The Radiance of God: Christian Doctrine through the Image of Divine Light and Made Known to Them: An Invitation to the Study of Theology.

Seattle Pacific University: spu.edu

Koskela's Books: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385201990/made-known-to-them

Wesleyan Theological Society: wtsociety.org

As we start to roll out this new, ongoing series, if you want to fully support this ministry and receive 100% of our content, then you'll want to become a Gate Stormer on patreon.com/STGPOD.

We will continue offering Monday conversations featuring special guests on all platforms. Bible News will be released on Wednesdays partially on all platforms and in it's entirety on patreon.com/STGPOD.

Bible News is our attempt to follow the instruction of 20th century theologian Karl Barth when he said, “Take your Bible and take your newspaper, and read both. But interpret newspapers from your Bible.” (Time Magazine, May 1, 1966.)

In Joey and Lisa Putnam's experience serving the local church, there is a big gaping hole in most family ministry models. That hole is the lack of marriage enrichment and ministry support for parents from the local church.

Praise God for the Putnam's! They feel called to help fill in some of these gaps by helping local churches start marriage enrichment ministries. Please pay attention to their testimony as they have journeyed with the joy of the Lord together and overcome many trials. They are a beacon of hope for our churches who feel the need to start marriage enrichment ministries.

You can connect with them directly about marriage ministry here: 123askaboutme@gmail.com

Scott T. Kisker is an elder in the Allegheny West Annual Conference of the Global Methodist Church, Associate Provost at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY, and pastor of McKendree Chapel in Troy, OH. Dr. Kisker earned a BA from Swarthmore College, an MDiv from Duke Divinity School, and a PhD from Drew University. His books include The Band Meeting (with Kevin Watson), Longing for Spring (with Elaine Heath), Mainline or Methodist? and Foundation for Revival. Dr. Kisker serves on the boards of the ministries, Spirit and Truth and Shores of Grace, and is one of the hosts of the podcast “Wesworld.” Dr. Kisker is married to Roberta and has five children: Maria, Susanna, Isaac, Tabitha, and Naomi.

For more mentions regarding the shenanigans of AI overlords, please tune in to the easter egg at the very end.

WesWorld Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1JTMdJglIgkw5HnlW7lnFr

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HY8PSOARTMxQ2NzsMF2AZGbTAtGw2Afe/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104137624006892725169&rtpof=true&sd=true

Rev. Dr. Won Kim is a Korean Canadian-American who was born in Seoul, South Korea and grew up in Toronto, Ontario before moving to the U.S. He has been in ministry for more than 30 years in teaching, mentoring, and preaching wherever the LORD has called him. His diverse pastoral background includes congregational ministry, international mission, campus ministry and hospital chaplaincy. Won is passionate about building a Spirit-filled, orthodox church that holds traditional Wesleyan doctrine and vision to make disciples of Jesus Christ who spread scriptural holiness.

He is a graduate of York University (B.A), McMaster University Divinity School (M.Div), Asbury Theological Seminary (M.A), and Emory University Candler School of Theology (D.Min). Won is married to his wife Jessie and blessed with three children; Ryan, Joy and Sarabeth. He is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VWc8ESQ9j8P2BKAS3RnCE_bZ_87oWGEs/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104137624006892725169&rtpof=true&sd=true

Brandon Shook from Fusion USA helps us grapple with this subject today. Fusion is a ministry that believes the local church is called to make disciples of every generation, and every generation needs to be part of the family of the local church. There are over 18 million college students in the US. It’s time to invite them to find hope in Jesus and home in the local church.

Brandon serves as the Director of Partners & Development for Fusion USA. He's also a Board Member and the Men's Retreat Director for Revive Texas (revivetexas.org).

Brandon Shook lives in Houston, Texas with his family and has decades of youth and young adult ministry experience. “Shook” helps churches and organizations find their place of partnership with Fusion and he loves meeting new people!

brandon@fusionusa.org

fusionusa.org

Pastor Collin Kinney serves as the Pastor of Kosse Methodist Church. He is originally from Katy Texas, where he attended Cinco Ranch High School and graduated in the year 2020. He then attended Blinn Community College in Bryan, Texas for two years. Originally the plan was to transfer to Texas A&M until the Lord brought to fruition the pastoral calling on his life. Instead of attending A&M, Collin felt led to start his seminary journey online; a journey that has now led him to take his first appointment in the Global Methodist Church.

Clark Atkins is the Senior Pastor of First Church Siloam Springs, Arkansas ( a GMC congregation). Clark also serves as an Equipping Elder for the Trinity Conference of the GMC. He holds a Master of Divinity degree with Honors from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. Clark and his wife, Sherry, have two children: Allison and Sophia.

After nearly two decades in ministry, Kelly is more convinced than ever that God’s grace through Jesus Christ can transform anyone, anywhere. As a pastor, he believes that even our guilt—when brought honestly before God—can become the beginning of something beautiful. This book flows from Kelly’s deep love for the Church and his passion for helping people experience the freedom that comes through repentance and renewal.

https://www.inviteministries.org/store/view/good-guilt

Kelly lives in Carlsbad, New Mexico, with his wife, Shannon, and their two amazing kids. He is the lead pastor at First Methodist Church of Carlsbad.

Dr. Watson came to Asbury Seminary from faculty and administrative roles at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He served as United’s Senior Vice President, as well as Professor of New Testament, Academic Dean, and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

During his years at United, his leadership was instrumental in revitalizing the Seminary, strengthening its theological commitments, expanding its global reach, and increasing student enrollment. He demonstrated exceptional leadership in theological education, faculty development, strategic planning, and institutional growth. He oversaw the development of a new Master of Arts degree, the Hispanic Christian Academy, and early advancements in online theological education.

Dr. Watson has built meaningful partnerships across denominations and continents, working with Christian leaders in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. His passion for equipping Spirit-filled leaders extends beyond the classroom and into real-world ministry, where he has actively engaged in church renewal, mission work, and theological discourse on a global scale. His global perspective aligns with Asbury Seminary’s vision to serve the worldwide Church.

In other aspects of his professional life, Dr. Watson is Lead Editor of “Firebrand”, an online magazine “intended to promote theological reflection in various related traditions, including Methodist, Arminian, Holiness, Pentecostal, and others.” He also writes a Substack and serves as one of the hosts of the "It's Elementary" and "WesWorld" podcasts.

Dr. Watson has been published extensively in Christian journals and magazines and has contributed numerous chapters in books and commentaries. His latest book is “Scripture and the Life of God: Why the Bible Matters Today More than Ever” (Seedbed, 2017).

Dr. Watson and his wife, Harriet, have three children: Luke, Sean, and Ciara.

Links for Dr. Watson's work:

Podcasts: https://asburyseminary.edu/about/office-of-the-president/podcasts

Substack: https://davidfwatson3.substack.com

Firebrand: https://firebrandmag.com

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DZJNefRaEAR0twd_vTbLBUYh5OOOTjDt/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104137624006892725169&rtpof=true&sd=true

Steve Bezner is Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Theology at Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University. Prior to joining the Truett faculty, he served in a variety of pastoral roles, most recently serving as Senior Pastor of Houston Northwest Church in Houston, Texas, for twelve years, where he also served as adjunct faculty for Truett Houston. During his time in Houston, Steve served on the Executive Board of Texas Baptists, the board of Houston Church Planting Network, and with GlocalNet to start churches and promote peacemaking across religious and racial boundaries.

One of his primary passions is coaching and helping churches and pastors succeed in their various contexts. To that end, he has taught and written curriculum in a variety of settings over the years, including World Hope Ministries International—a ministry dedicated to providing theological education to pastors in remote global contexts.

Steve is married to Joy and has two sons—Ben and Andrew. He enjoys cooking, jazz music, coffee, books, hiking, fishing, and hunting.

https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436314_your-jesus-is-too-american

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1shuoQgoROgHpmtYyh1kTi2wK3YcysNkPyaUSGl9PGZo/edit?usp=sharing

Dr. Witherington joined the Asbury Seminary faculty in 1995 after teaching at Ashland Theological Seminary for more than a decade. He has also taught at High Point College, Duke Divinity School and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

A prolific author, Dr. Witherington has written more than 60 books, including commentaries on every book of the New Testament, including The Gospel Code: Novel Claims About Jesus, Mary Magdalene and Da Vinci (2004), The Problem With Evangelical Theory: Testing the Exegetical Foundations of Calvinism, Dispensationalism, and Wesleyanism (2005), and The New Testament Story (2004). One of his works, The Jesus Quest: The Third Search for the Jew of Nazareth (InterVarsity Press, 1995), was selected as the top biblical studies book of 1995 by Christianity Today and the Academy of Parish Clergy. In The Jesus Quest, Dr. Witherington surveys the contemporary Christological landscape in New Testament scholarship, offering a helpful perspective on one of the most significant and controversial religious debates of the past decade. In 1999 he again won the Christianity Today book award, this time for The Paul Quest: The Renewed Search for the Jew of Tarsus. He was recently featured in the BBC and PBS special entitled ‘The Story of Jesus’.

Dr. Witherington, who has led numerous study tours through the lands of the Bible, is known for bringing the text to life through incisive historical and cultural analysis. He is a John Wesley Fellow for Life, a research fellow at Cambridge University and a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature, Society for the Study of the New Testament and the Institute for Biblical Research. He is also an emeritus professor of New Testament at St. Andrews University, Scotland. Dr. Witherington has also spoken to many groups about his topics of expertise, and even had the opportunity to preach at the National Chapel in May of 2006.

In his leisure time, Dr. Witherington appreciates both music and sports. It is hard to say which sound he prefers: the sophisticated sonance of jazz sensation Pat Metheny or the incessant tomahawk chant of the Atlanta Braves faithful. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he is a dedicated Tar Heels basketball and football fan. He and his wife, Ann, have one son and daughter-in-law, and one grandson.

Here are some helpful links for more resources related to Dr. Witherington:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ben+witherington+iii&crid=3UX79XVB8BL6T&sprefix=ben+witherington+iii%2Caps%2C241&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.benw3.com

https://tutkutours.com

https://asburyseminary.edu/faculty/ben-witherington

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1htVBoQ21Z36FyOJbpdyFdwkahyg3hpVh/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104137624006892725169&rtpof=true&sd=true

Charleen Burghardt has been through her own share of messy chapters—battling dyslexia and anxiety, navigating the pain of divorce, and learning to be a single mom to two incredible kids with special needs. She has faced chronic illness with her sons and supported loved ones through mental health struggles.

But here’s what she learned: God doesn’t wait for the mess to clear before he shows up. He meets us right in it. Sometimes quietly. Sometimes in ways we don’t expect. But always with grace.

You can find Charleen's new book, blog, and other information about her ministry at www.charleenburghardt.com. Whether you’re grieving, healing, or just trying to breathe through the chaos, there is God's grace for you.

Charleen's background includes a Master’s in Christian Education and a completed Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) residency, equipping her to serve others with both theological depth and compassionate presence. She lives with her husband in San Antonio, Texas, and has three adult children. She loves hiking, exploring nature, reading, learning new things, coffee, and all things chocolate.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CttvITHoAZv3h-nZ2Ii5rIAYaElUQUTx/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=104137624006892725169&rtpof=true&sd=true

Who Is God?

In the Global Methodist Church, we are clear about where faith begins.

It does not begin with trends, opinions, or even our urgent needs.

It begins with God.

That is why our catechism starts where the Church has always started—not with what we are called to do, but with who God is. Doctrine, for Global Methodists, is never an end in itself. It exists to form disciples, anchor the Church in truth, and fuel faithful mission.

In a time of cultural change and ecclesial rebuilding, this grounding matters. When we are clear about God, we are steadied for the work before us.

The catechism teaches us that there is one living and true God—eternal, holy, infinite in wisdom and goodness. This confession is not abstract. It is pastoral.

When leadership feels heavy, God is faithful.

When the Church feels fragile, God is not.

When the future feels uncertain, God remains the same.

The early Church understood this deeply. They spoke of God carefully, not because God was distant, but because God was holy. They trusted that while God cannot be contained by human language, God has truly made Himself known—not so we could control Him, but so we could trust Him.

The catechism reminds us that the one God is known as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This is not simply language for creeds or worship services. This is the shape of Christian life.

Before there was creation, God was already love.

Before there was mission, there was communion.

Before there was redemption, there was relationship.

This matters for who we are as Global Methodists.

Because God is Trinity, we are a connectional people, not isolated believers.

Because God is eternally relational, Christian life is never meant to be lived alone.

Because God is love, scriptural holiness is not about rule-keeping, but about being formed in love of God and neighbor.

The catechism also helps us name what God is like.

God is eternal—never rushed, never reactive, never overwhelmed. God is not bound by time, yet God steps into time for our salvation.

God is powerful, but not in the way the world defines power. God’s power does not dominate or coerce. God’s power creates, heals, forgives, and restores. The clearest picture of God’s power is the cross.

God is all-knowing. God knows us fully—our faith, our doubts, our obedience, and our resistance—and still invites us into relationship. God’s knowledge does not trap us; it sustains us.

God is always present. There is no place where God is absent. No congregation, no community, no mission field is beyond God’s reach. God’s presence always goes before the Church.

And the catechism refuses to separate God’s character. God is holy, just, and loving—not in tension, but in perfect unity. God’s holiness calls us into transformation. God’s justice is faithful and redemptive. God’s love is steadfast and active.

The catechism then turns to what God is doing.

God is at work in the world. Christians call this divine providence.

Providence does not mean everything that happens is God’s will.

It does not deny suffering or minimize pain.

It does not remove human responsibility.

Providence means God has not abandoned creation. God is patiently, faithfully working toward redemption—often in ways we only recognize over time.

As Global Methodists, this resonates deeply with our Wesleyan heritage. God’s grace goes before us, walks with us, and works within us. Grace invites response. Grace forms disciples. Grace fuels mission.

Finally, the catechism reminds us that God is Creator.

Creation exists because God is good. People are made in God’s image. The world belongs to God. Nothing is disposable. Nothing is forgotten.

This shapes our life together.

Because God is Trinity, we live in connection and accountability.

Because God is holy, we pursue lives shaped by grace and obedience.

Because God is at work, we lead with confidence rather than fear.

Because God is Creator, we steward faithfully what has been entrusted to us.

The catechism does not give us God to manage.

It gives us God to trust, worship, and obey.

And this is our calling as the Global Methodist Church:

to make disciples of Jesus Christ,

to spread scriptural holiness across the globe,

and to bear faithful witness to the living God.

So today, pause.

Remember who God is.

Remember whose you are.

And trust that the God who called the Church into being is still forming His people for faithful mission.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things.

To him be the glory forever.”

—Romans 11:36

Amen.

Sandy Richter is the Robert H. Gundry Chair of Biblical Studies at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. She holds a Masters Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and her PhD in Hebrew Bible from Harvard University’s Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations Department. She has taught at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wesley Biblical Seminary and Wheaton College, and is a veteran of many years of leading student groups in field archaeology and historical geography in Israel.

Her ambition? To make the real people and places of the Old Testament come alive for her students. She is recognized in the Church for her book, The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry into the Old Testament (IVP Academic) and the Epic of Eden adult Bible Study series that has grown from that project. In the academy, she is known for her work in Deuteronomy and the Deuteronomistic History and the role of Mt. Ebal in the history of Israelite religion. She is also deeply invested in environmental theology (see Stewards of Eden), often addressing both lay and academic audiences on the topic. Her current research involves a forthcoming commentary on Deuteronomy with Eerdmans, a textbook for the introduction of the Old Testament with Zondervan, and a children’s book on environmental theology. She is married to Steven Tsoukalas and has two (perfect) college-aged daughters.

https://sandyrichter.org/

If you've ever wondered whether God is still working today in the same ways He did in the Book of Acts and all throughout scripture, then this is an episode for you. We worship the same God who doesn't change. Dr. Telford Work joins STG to encourage us all regarding his work exploring and participating in disciple-making movements around the world. The stories he shares are full of the miracle-working power of God. He shared so many that we had to include more encouragement in the easter egg after the outro of the episode.

Telford Work is Professor of Theology at Westmont College. His most recent books are What About Evolution? and Jesus—The End and the Beginning. A recent focus is disciple-making movement (DMM) strategies and their implications (see link below). His course lectures on Christian doctrine, theological ethics, and New Testament are online at YouTube. His Ph.D. in Religion (Theology and Ethics) is from Duke University. He also holds an M.A. in Theological and Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and a B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University. He is the Scoutmaster for his boys’ Scout Troop and on a team of volunteer chaplains for the Santa Barbara County Jail.

https://telfordwork.net/dmm/

To set the record straight for everyone, insert laugh track, is Dr. Andy Miller III! Dr. Andy Miller III was named President of Wesley Biblical Seminary on July 1, 2024. Dr. Miller previously served WBS as Dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs. He is the ninth permanent president to lead the seminary, which is in its fiftieth year of developing trusted leaders for faithful churches through biblical and theological education.

Prior to joining WBS in 2021, Dr. Miller had an extensive ministry in the Salvation Army, serving as a pastor, leader, and administrator as a Corps Officer and Area Commander. He holds a Ph.D. in historical theology from Nazarene Theological College (University of Manchester) and a Doctor of Ministry from Perkins School of Theology (Southern Methodist University). He is also an alumnus of Asbury Theological Seminary and Asbury University. He is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church and a delegate to its upcoming Convening General Conference.

Originally from the Midwest, Dr. Miller is married to Abby Adams Miller, who served with him as a Salvation Army Officer. She homeschools their three children, Andy, Titus, and Georgia. The Millers reside in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Wesley Biblical Seminary: wbs.edu

More To The Story Podcast: https://www.andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

Sanctitas Et Scriptura: https://wbs.edu/news/sanctitas-et-scriptura/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO5GoZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFLa21WeG5VOExvcWE4U2Jxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrOHWSPcxh2ZPDVG6fsMaY3CCioBSOug3a6iSjRnl_JiIMgY5lfhqUS-np4Y_aem_ihDgo7Yaq9wx11XTzvgOMw

Beth Felker Jones (PhD, Duke University) is a Midwestern writer and professor who has published numerous theological books, short stories, and is working on her first novel. A lifelong book lover, she writes about relationships, identity, and redemption. For more information about Beth's work, please explore the following links:

https://www.ivpress.com/why-i-am-protestant?srsltid=AfmBOor8bBVMruzH3zTKr9rrN3a-qJ2mOqiA85yMxWP5SmqK8uBD_O3k

https://bethfelkerjones.substack.com/

https://www.seminary.edu/faculty/beth-felker-jones/

https://bethfelkerjones.com/

Jeremy Smith is the Lead Pastor of Crosspoint Church in NW Florida. Crosspoint Church is a church of six physical locations with a special vision to do the work of multiplying disciples of Jesus. This special focus is called The Re-Awakening Initiative. The Re-Awakening Initiative is powered by Replicate Ministries, and is igniting a powerful disciple-making movement across churches and communities — and they want YOU to be a part of it.

This transformational initiative equips pastors and leaders with personalized plans, actionable strategies, and real-world training to inspire growth and re-energize their churches. Through immersive experiences like Pastor Huddles, Co-Lab Workshops, and Movement Ready Training Days, they’re helping churches discover clarity, build momentum, and multiply disciples. Find out more here: https://crosspoint.church/reawakening/.

Robert McCormick is a pastor and practitioner using the Re-Awakening Initiative resources for his local church context. Robert joined the staff at Madison Methodist Church in February of 2024 as the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Assimilation. Prior to coming to MMC, he served at Trinity Methodist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi for over 6 years as the Director of Student Ministries and Associate Pastor.

Dr. Matt O'Reilly is Lead Pastor of Christ Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a senior fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians. A two-time recipient of the John Stott Award for Pastoral Engagement, Matt is the author of multiple books including Free to Be Holy: A Biblical Theology of Sanctification and Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice. His essays have appeared in both scholarly and popular-level publications, and he speaks regularly at conferences and churches. To access more from Dr. O'Reilly, go here: https://www.theologyproject.online/.

Stay tuned to the very end for a little Auburn football and nugget of wisdom on pastoral leadership.

Dr. Tallon is an Associate Professor of Theology at Houston Christian University in addition to being the Dean of the School of Christian Thought. He is the author of many publications including The Absolute Basics of the Christian Faith (https://my.seedbed.com/product/the-absolute-basics-of-the-christian-faith/) and co-author of The Absolute Basics of the Wesleyan Way (https://my.seedbed.com/product/the-absolute-basics-of-the-wesleyan-way/) with Dr. Justus Hunter.

Dr. Tallon is a member of the Evangelical Philosophical Society and the Wesleyan Theological Society. Involvement in ministry is important to Dr. Tallon, and he has held a number of full-time positions in youth and college ministry. He has a large family, who keep him on his toes. He likes outdoorsy sporting activities that don’t involve the application of game theory (e.g. biking, hiking, camping, running, frisbee, etc.).

Stay tuned to the very end for sweet Billy memories and discover where there may still be ground left to till in the areas of Lewis and Tolkien studies.

Bishop Eduard Khegay was born in 1970 and grew up in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, Soviet Union. He studied at the Bauman Moscow Technical University and majored in Mechanical Hydraulic Engineering. He became a Christian through the missionary work of Jonathan Park during his years at University and went on to study at Moscow United Methodist Theological Seminary, which he graduated in 1996. 

During the 1990s, Eduard served as a leader of the college student ministries at Moscow Central United Methodist Church (UMC) and Pastor of the First UMC in St. Petersburg. In the 2000s, he served as Director of Church Development of the Russia UMC, Pastor of Aspiration UMC, District Superintendent of St.Petersburg District, Pastor of Raduga Ministry of Moscow UMC, Assistant to the Bishop Hans Vaxby, and District Superintendent of Central Asia. In October 2012, Eduard was elected a Bishop of Eurasia Episcopal Area of the Methodist Church in Eurasia.  In 2025, Eduard was received as Bishop into the Global Methodist Church. 

He received his Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theologyof  Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia in 2001 and Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC in 2010. Eduard is married to Viktoria Nogay and they have two daughters, Liudmila and Lydia. They live in Moscow, Russia. 

Dr. Cerling’s primary teaching focus is school administration and secondary literacy. She spends much time studying teaching strategies, classroom management, and methodology. Through the National Writing Project and The Olga Lengyl Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights, Dr. Cerling has studied Holocaust Education and Social Justice in America.

Prior to coming to Higher Ed., Dr. Cerling has been an English, theatre, and speech teacher and also a principal, curriculum director, and superintendent of schools. She has been the Program Director and Department Chair of Bethel College Education Department.

Dr. Cerling has been actively involved in her church teaching Sunday School, small groups, and leading activities. She has enjoyed the opportunity to invest in and mentor undergraduate and high school students. Other hobbies include reading and attending events in which her children participate.

https://churchsource.com/products/love-goes-first-how-to-engage-the-world-transform-your-relationships-and-live-out-the-gospel?variant=42117129437281

In August of 2022, Rev. Andrew Forrest became the new senior pastor of Asbury, a large local church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His desire is to build on the legacy of the past while leading Asbury toward the future of accomplishing its mission of Helping Others Follow Jesus.

Pastor Andrew started out in life almost as far away from Oklahoma as you can get! His family was a missionary family (his father was a pastor too!), so he did a lot of his growing up in West Africa before moving back to the US to live in Virginia. He attended college at Columbia University in New York City and earned his seminary degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.

He is married to Elaine, and they have two children: Jack and Annie. The Forrest family moved to Tulsa from Dallas where Andrew was the Senior Pastor of Munger Place Church (a church plant of Highland Park United Methodist) for 12 years before becoming the Senior Pastor of Asbury.

Listen to the very end to discover one of Pastor Andrew's favorite beverages.

Steve is the founding pastor of Crossroads Church, now called The Table Church, a group-based church with 4 locations around Pittsburgh, Pa. His missionary heart can be traced to his coming to Christ through a missionary team while living in Brussels, Belgium.

He has also been a Master Trainer with Dynamic Church Planting International, and is the author of three books and soon to be more. Steve is a classically trained pianist. His most important partner is his wife Linda; they have three adult sons, three daughters-in-love and four grandchildren.

To get in touch with Steve, you can email him at steve@therivernetwork.org

Rev. Bryan Rogers is the Lead Pastor of Lutie Watkins Memorial Methodist Church in Llano, TX. He's a Presiding Elder in the MidTexas Conference of the Global Methodist Church. He serves as the COO for Revive (revivetexas.org). He's a husband and a father. If you need a "pick-me-up" today, this is it. We promise you can't listen to Bryan's testimony and remain unmoved.

In addition to his work with the episcopacy, Dr. Chris Ritter has been the Directing Pastor at Kingswood Church since 2009 and has a passion for connecting people with Jesus. He is the author of Seven Things John Wesley Expected Us to Do for Kids (Abingdon Press, 2016) and holds a Doctor of Ministry in Evangelism from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. He graduated magna cum laude from Candler School of Theology at Emory University in 1997 and is ordained in the Global Methodist Church. Pastor Chris has been married to Becky since 1988, and together they have four adult children.

He manages the facebook page GMC Links which shares online content being produced regularly by and for the Global Methodist Church.

John Mark McMillan is something of an anomaly. A singer-songwriter, bending genres and defying categorization by carving out his own unique and independent path. With an ear for melody and a poet's eye for metaphor, no topic has been off-limits. While each album has continued to explore new territory, it's McMillan's ability to give lyric and language to the human experience that many consider his greatest gift.

He writes music from his sanctified imagination. This is nowhere more evident than in his latest album "Cosmic Supreme." Pleas enjoy the humble and deep reflections of John Mark in this conversation. For friends curious about his music, here are some songs that are great places to start:

Holy Powers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxuYul9O4YM

Juggernaut: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=govE9dPp1zc

Enemy, love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvqCKOL2uLw

Wilderlove: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vG2_TKNllaM

Future/Past: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGNznfexvUA

Death In His Grave: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSTKbmNY1WA

If you don't know anything about New Room, you need to know! seedbed.com/newroom

At New Room Conference, we come together first and foremost to meet with God. We pray—not just for ourselves, but for a great awakening that stirs hearts and changes the world. We connect with each other in deep and meaningful ways, sharing testimonies of God’s faithfulness that inspire, challenge, and build us up. In these moments, you’ll see how He’s moving, not just in your life but in the lives of those walking alongside you. We laugh and grow together in breakout sessions that spark joy, ignite creativity, and plant seeds of transformation. These are moments where the Spirit moves in unexpected ways—sometimes through laughter, sometimes through tears, and always through connection. And we worship together. Oh, how we worship! Voices raised, hearts aligned, Spirit flowing. It’s a glimpse of heaven, a powerful reminder that we are a people of the Word and the Spirit, bound together in the love of God. We want to hear about your discipleship band—the small circle of friends who are helping you sow seeds of grace and grow deeper in your walk with Jesus. Your story matters, and we’d love to share it with the community.

Here’s our challenge: step out, meet someone new, and build a connection. These moments of community may just become the foundation for something beautiful and eternal. So come ready to pray. Come ready to share. Come ready to laugh, worship, and connect. Let’s sow together for the great awakening God has in store.

Dr. Powers is the Interim Dean of the E. Stanley Jones School of Mission and Ministry as well as Associate Professor of Worship Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He graduated from Asbury University in 2003 with a B.A. in English, from Asbury Theological Seminary in 2009 with a M.A. in Christian Ministries – worship studies emphasis, and holds the Doctor of Worship Studies from The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, Florida. He received his Ph.D. through The London School of Theology where his dissertation focused on the worship theology of Robert E. Webber.

Dr. Powers has a passion for the intersection of liturgy and spiritual formation in the life of the church. He has authored and co-authored several articles and books, including Echo: A Catechism for Discipleship in the Ancient Christian Tradition, The 12 Days of Christmas Sermons, and Watchnight: John Wesley’s Covenant Renewal Service, all published by Seedbed. In 2009, he was awarded the Hoyt Hickman Award by the Order of St. Luke at Asbury Seminary for excellence in liturgical scholarship and leading public worship. He also serves on the board of the Charles Wesley Society.

Mike holds a B.A. from Baylor University, an M.Div. and D.Min. from Asbury Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Historical Theology from Brunel University (through London School of Theology) in England.

Whether in a local church or a seminary classroom, Mike has stressed that the faithfulness of a local church begins with the faithfulness of each person within the local church. In preaching, he strives to show how God’s Word is relevant to our everyday lives. He enjoys introducing people to Christians throughout history, revealing how much we can learn from these giants in our faith.

Mike is the author of Regere Animas: Spiritual Direction in the Letters of Bernard of Clairvaux (2013), and most recently, The Fourth Degree of Prayer (2022), written for laypersons.

Including his previous role at Asbury Theological Seminary as Assistant Provost, Brian has over 8 years in positions of leadership for theological education. He currently serves as an adjunct professor for Asbury Theological Seminary and Wesley Biblical Seminary teaching in the areas of Church History, Wesley Studies, and Pastoral Formation. Brian is currently appointed as Missional Discipleship Coordinator with World Methodist Evangelism in partnership with the Inspire Movement. Inspire is a worldwide missional discipleship network.

inspiremovement.org

You have the opportunity to experience the more of God He wants you to receive by attending the next Spirit & Truth Conference in Irving, TX. A Spirit & Truth Conference is a gathering for believers to get equipped and seek the powerful presence of the Lord together. It’s a chance to learn from respected leaders about ways to spark a new movement of back-to-the-basics, Spirit-filled, missional Christianity.

Register now at https://www.spiritandtruth.life/midtexas

She's been writing Bible studies and teaching the Bible for the past two decades. She spent her first few years in Nashville making records with three different labels. Eventually, she decided to dedicate herself fully to writing and teaching the Bible. God’s Word is meant to permeate every part of our lives, so she loves helping others make the connection between Scripture and everyday life.

Kelly recently finished an MA in Biblical and Theological Studies at Denver Seminary. In addition to her love for Scripture, she has a deep love for missions. She works closely with Justice & Mercy International (https://justiceandmercy.org) in the Amazon jungles of Brazil as well as the Eastern European country of Moldova.

When she's not writing or speaking, she loves to be home cooking for friends and family, spending time with her nieces and nephews, taking walks, serving her local church, or gardening.

Please check out kellyminter.com to find her amazing work for the Lord! Stay tuned to the very end to discover more about Kelly's love for cooking and college football.

In this episode, they open up about their individual faith journeys, sharing how God called them into ministry. They also offer an deeper look into their lives, discussing how they navigate the unique challenges of serving in two different churches while raising their two young daughters.

Tune in to hear their hearts for the Lord and be encouraged by their story of faith, family, and ministry. Stay tuned to the very end if you share their love for Starbucks Pumpkin Spice.

Dr. Kenneth J. Collins is professor of Historical Theology and Wesley Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is the 2008 recipient of the Professor of the Year Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Asbury Theological Seminary.

Dr. Collins is a member of the following professional organizations: The American Academy of Religion, The Oxford Institute, The Wesleyan Theological Society, The Wesley Historical Society, The Historical Society of the United Methodist Church, the Editorial Board of Wesley and Methodist Studies, the Editorial Board of Australasian Centre for Wesleyan Research, the Board of Directors, the Institute on Religion and Democracy (Washington, D.C.), and the Editorial Board of Methodist Review: A Journal of Wesleyan and Methodist Studies. He has published a host of books and scores of articles exploring topics ranging from Wesleyan theology to Christian spirituality, including recent publications:

Collins, Kenneth J. Jesus the Stranger: The Man from Galilee and the Light of the World. Franklin, Tennessee: Seedbed, 2021.

Collins, Kenneth J., and Robert W. Wall, eds. Wesley One Volume Commentary. Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2020.

Collins, Kenneth J. and Jerry L. Walls. Roman but Not Catholic: What Remains at Stake 500 Years after the Reformation. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017.

Collins, Kenneth J. and Jason E. Vickers. The Sermons of John Wesley: A Collection for the Christian Journey. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2013.

To explore Dr. Collins work further: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kenneth-J.-Collins/author/B001HCWO1I?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1755049395&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=0099353e-33e6-4245-85a2-8c00c3b622d5

Thunderstruck by Dr. Peter Bellini: https://www.amazon.com/Thunderstruck-Deliverance-Ministry-Wesley-Today/dp/1666759392

Stay tuned to the very end for a few words of wisdom of what we shouldn't carry over from John Wesley into the 21st century.

For 15 years, during his pastoral ministry, Webb was a volunteer dean of a one-week junior high church camp, a role he chose because church camp was a formative part of his spiritual journey as a teenager. He entered pastoral roles in Pennsylvania, beginning as an Associate Pastor ministering to youth. When Webb met with his District Superintendent to discuss his next appointment as Pastor, Webb was told, “Have at it. You can’t hurt it.”

According to Webb, he used to get a newsletter from the Confessing Movement that, on the back, had the words, “Don’t leave the United Methodist Church. Stay and work for its renewal and reform.” Webb believed heeding these words was a part of his ministry. In 2016, though, he began sensing God would call him in a different direction. He’d been part of the conversations of the Wesleyan Covenant Association and then of what the Global Methodist Church would look like. So, after serving as United Methodist Bishop in the Upper New York area for over ten years, Webb retired in January 2023 in order to, in his words, “live out my ministry and my call in a new traditional expression of Methodism.” This meant accepting a role as Bishop of the newly launched Global Methodist Church.

Webb describes with enthusiasm what his role as Bishop means. “Bishops are, first and foremost, guardians of the faith; we’re teachers and equippers, vision casters.” The Global Methodist Church is built on three values, according to Webb: submission to the Lordship of Christ, groundedness in the authority and primacy of Scripture, and multiplication. These values will allow the GMC to be consistent and accountable to the orthodox tenets of the Wesleyan tradition of the Christian faith while multiplying disciples, leaders, and congregations.

For more information about planting churches and multiplying disciples, please take advantage of the following resources:

https://therivernetwork.org/

https://www.plantersfield.org/

Fusion was born in the United Kingdom in the late nineties out of a place of prayer and a holy hunger for young adults to encounter Jesus in their formative years. It initially grew through students planting missional small groups on campus and around university towns and cities. As university students came to faith and needed to be formed as disciples, Fusion’s focus sharpened, committing to working with and through local churches to reach the campus and create sustainable pathways for college students to find both hope in Jesus and home in the local church, long term.

Listen all the way through for some funny banter about how Miriam's influence to change American language is growing.

For more information about Fusion and resources for your local church, you can visit fusionusa.org.

midtexasgmc.org

We're also thrilled to welcome our new co-host at STG, Rev. Hayley Shotts! The future of STG will be brighter because of this addition to the team. To God be the glory!

Stay tuned to the very end as we resolve some technical difficulties together.

Ryan Barnett is Chair of Connectional Council of the MidTexas Conference of the Global Methodist Church. He is the founding pastor of the Wesley House of Studies at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary where he currently serves as preaching faculty for the Pastoral Studies Program. He loves preaching, teaching, and setting up systems for effective church leadership. Ryan is husband to Kim, dad to Davis, enjoys gardening and losing golf balls.

Jason Vickers (PhD) serves as the Wesley Endowed Chair of Christian Theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary. A popular teacher, prolific author, and ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church, Jason fulfills his calling as a teacher of the church both through advancing scholarship and resourcing church members theologically. He is married with three children and is an avid outdoorsman and lifelong fan of classical country music.

https://seedbed.com/pcdm/

https://seedbed.com/theology-of-god-and-creation-profoundly-christian-distinctly-methodist/

In this episode you'll hear how best to help and some stories to encourage your prayer life. God is near. There is something all of us can do to help our brothers and sisters in the Texas Hill Country: pray. You can also recruit a team or join one through Texans On Mission. Please utilize the links below for more information.

In this episode you'll hear from the following: Rand Jenkins (Chief Strategy Officer for Texans On Mission), Rev. Frank Oakman (Pastor of Kerrville GMC), Rev. Judy Swarts (Pastor of First Methodist Church of San Saba), Rev. Scott Bradford (Pastor of First Methodist Church of San Angelo), and Rev. Brad Dehaven (Pastor of St. Luke's Methodist Church of Corpus Christi).

https://www.texansonmission.org/

https://www.texansonmission.org/serve

Rev. Zach Kingery is a Network Ambassador with Dirt Roads Network and an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church. He is a Kansas native who grew up attending Lamont Wesleyan Church and has rural church revitalization as part of his spiritual DNA.

With a BA in Pastoral Ministry & Biblical Study and a Master of Divinity, Zach has pastored in small town and rural churches in Oklahoma, Missouri, and South Dakota. He met his wife, Jessica, while attending Oklahoma Wesleyan University and they have three children: Syrus, Etta, and Jameson.

As a Network Ambassador Zach works with denominations, church leadership, and pastors to be effective in the mission field of rural America.

“It is my hope to see the pioneering, Holy Spirit filled, mission-minded zeal of the Methodist movement renewed in rural America.”

Nijay Gupta (DPhil, University of Durham) has written several academic books including A Beginner’s Guide to New Testament Studies, Paul and the Language of Faith, 15 New Testament Words of Life, and Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He has co-edited The State of New Testament Studies, Dictionary of Paul and His Letters (2nd ed.), and The State of Pauline Studies. Nijay co-chairs the Pauline Theology seminar of the Institute for Biblical Research and serves as a senior translator for the New Living Translation.

Stay tuned to the very end if you care about who will be the next Lightfoot Professor of Divinity and Religion at Durham University.

To connect with Dr. Gupta's work, please follow these links:

https://www.seminary.edu/faculty/nijay-gupta/

https://nijaykgupta.substack.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/slow-theology-simple-faith-for-chaotic-times/id1556188087

Greg Oberg grew up as a NASA brat in Dickinson, TX. He went to Texas A&M University and was a member of the Corps of Cadets. After graduating from A&M, the Obergs went to Wilmore, KY for Greg to attend Asbury Theological Seminary for three years. Since 2004, Greg has served in a variety of ministry settings: suburban churches, a rural church as pastor and youth director, 11 years in campus ministry, and a year as the inaugural pastor of a church break-off in Louisiana. Greg came to Coleman in June of 2024 to serve as the 57th pastor of First Methodist of Coleman. When not serving in ministry, Greg can be found running 5Ks. Greg also loves going on cruises with his family. Greg and his wife Georgia met at the Texas A&M Wesley Foundation, and have been married since 1999. They have three kids: Wesley, Lincoln, and Lexi. Wesley graduated from A&M and now teaches English in Japan. Lincoln is at Sam Houston State.

Stay tuned to the very end for some cruise tips and burger banter.

Links to articles mentioned in the conversation:

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/22/upshot/how-social-isolation-is-killing-us.html?mc=aud_dev&mcid=fb-nytimes&mccr=JanHighMC&mcdt=2017-01&subid=JanHighMC&ad-keywords=AudDevGate

https://mikefrost.net/the-lonely-crowd-churches-dying-due-to-friendlessness/

Together, we explore what it means to live from our beloved-ness instead of for our worth, how Sabbath disrupts our cultural obsession with productivity, and why surrender may be the bravest form of trust.

This episode is for anyone tired of hustle and hungry for wholeness.

—

blaine@discoverjourneycc.com

Learn more about Blaine’s ministry and the heartbeat of Journey Community Church. discoverjourneycc.com

From 1986 to 1997 he served as pastor of three United Methodist congregations in the North Texas Conference. From 1997 to 2004 he served on the faculty of Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. There he taught courses in Evangelism, History of Christianity, United Methodist Studies, and Wesley Studies.

In 2004 he was elected a bishop of The United Methodist Church and served the Kansas Area 2004-2012, the Great Plains Area 2012-2016, and the Houston Area 2016-2022. In 2023 he was received as an elder and bishop in The Global Methodist Church.

He is the author or co-author of eleven books, most recently The Once and Future Wesleyan Movement and Scripture and the Wesleyan Way: A Bible Study on Real Christianity.

Matthew Esquivel seeks to contribute to the field of the History of Christianity by exploring the early Church’s notion of salvation as sharing in the life of God, what it means to be the Church, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the Church. This includes how early Church communities, particularly in the Roman Province of North Africa, understood and practiced the sacraments, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, martyrdom and martyr veneration, and spiritual authority. He seeks to uncover insight as to how the Church today, including his own Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition, which he has pastored since 2009, could explore these questions in light of its own context.

For resources pertinent to our conversation:

Robert Louis Wilken. The Spirit of Early Christian Thought.

https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Early-Christian-Thought-Seeking/dp/0300105983

Robert Louis Wilken. The First Thousand Years: A Global History of Christianity

https://www.amazon.com/First-Thousand-Years-History-Christianity/dp/0300198388/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Q9N345KGRBUU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-qpZC1tdcn2JYlxDgp3bG_oGRfuGcclkci6Qc3VB-VgXqdlXgo2QqFd9IWl6eQhC.lnLK7vUvPOMXDTLDC6_yK8s_MPzH0uZ7oa54jSxDrv8&dib_tag=se&keywords=wilken+first+thousand+years&qid=1746548388&sprefix=wilken+first%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1

Forthcoming: Podcast on early church history with Dr. Matthew Esquivel. Stay tuned to my Facebook page for launch information:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012284504593

For more information about Oklahoma Wesleyan: okwu.edu

To engage with this GMC Zimbabwe project or to explore OneChild partnering in like manner in other countries, please contact John through their website:  www.hopeforzimbabwe.co.

http://www.zirkelministrycostarica.com

https://midtexasgmc.org/costa-rica-partnership

lindythomas@midtexasgmc.org

When Women Lead: https://www.amazon.com/When-Women-Lead-Authority-Barriers/dp/0310129648

Tell Her Story: https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Her-Story-Taught-Ministered/dp/1514000741

Defining a Biblical Position on Women and Eldership (Bridgetown Church): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6314e00979f8094598b9dbab/t/64e465ab45ec2453882f910e/1733441855266/Defining+a+Biblical+Position+on+Women+and+Eldership+-+Written+Statement.pdf

Sandra Richter-Deborah Study: https://my.seedbed.com/product/epic-of-eden-deborah-unlikely-heroes-and-the-book-of-judges/

Email Jill or Hayley:

jilljacksonsears@midtexasgmc.org

hayley@firstmethodistforney.org

Hang in there until the very end for a beautiful affirming word from Dr. Watson to Bishop Gregory.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mike+ryherd&crid=2TK6X1UPRDTR1&sprefix=mike+ryherd%2Caps%2C125&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

https://www.andymilleriii.com/media/podcast

wbs.edu

Rev. Dr. Jessica LaGrone is the Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. She enjoys mentoring and multiplying as she serves as pastor to a vibrant seminary community. She is an acclaimed teacher, preacher, and author whose engaging communication style endears her to groups throughout the United States. A native of Texas, Jessica is an ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church where she also serves as a Chairperson of the denomination's Connectional Council. She previously pastored in churches in the Houston area including eight years at The Woodlands Methodist Church where she served as Pastor of Worship.

She holds an MDiv from Asbury Seminary and a DMin in Transformational Preaching from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University with a concentration on Creativity in Preaching.

Jessica’s latest book, Out of Chaos: How God Makes New Things Out of the Broken Pieces of Life (https://my.seedbed.com/product/out-of-chaos/), explores the beauty that God can bring out of the chaotic state of our lives and our world. Jessica's books and studies have been used in personal and group studies around the world, and include Namesake, Under Wraps, Broken and Blessed, Set Apart, and The Miracles of Jesus.

2:42 Conference: https://242conference.com/

New Room Conference: https://newroomconference.com/

https://asburyseminary.edu/students/chapel/archive/

https://www.amazon.com/Evangelism-Today-Offering-Christ-Created/dp/1662899173/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=hUcOx&content-id=amzn1.sym.255b3518-6e7f-495c-8611-30a58648072e%3Aamzn1.symc.a68f4ca3-28dc-4388-a2cf-24672c480d8f&pf_rd_p=255b3518-6e7f-495c-8611-30a58648072e&pf_rd_r=DPGK6RAGQWRW8WB7TFRN&pd_rd_wg=yKv1j&pd_rd_r=92bafc55-9e57-4eb2-89c5-0e093359feb5&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d

For a brief introduction into his work, you can also read his articles titled, "Thunderstruck," in three parts at firebrandmag.com. Part 1 is here: https://firebrandmag.com/articles/thunderstruck-the-deliverance-ministry-of-john-wesley?rq=thunderstruck

Ryan Danker Article:

https://firebrandmag.com/articles/wesleyans-and-episcopacy