In this episode of Conversations, Phil Cooke talks about his experience as a filmmaker in Hollywood and how Christians can use the potent gospel and powerful storytelling to influence and create change in culture.

Dr. Phil Cooke has been called “one of the most innovative communicators of our generation". As a media producer, writer, speaker, and consultant, his client list includes major film studios and TV networks as well as major Christian organizations like Voice of the Martyrs, The Museum of the Bible, The Salvation Army, and others. He’s also coached and consulted with many of the most influential churches and nonprofit organizations in the world, helping them use media to tell their story. Phil also has his own podcast — "The Phil Cooke Podcast".

This podcast is sponsored by The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

The Center for Thriving Leaders assists local churches to flourish by serving church planters and helping local churches renew and revitalize. The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders is based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Conversations, H.B. Charles Jr. (Lead Pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church) touches on key issues regarding mentorship, leadership, and preaching.

H.B. Charles Jr. has been the Lead Pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida since 2008. He has written several books devoted to spiritual formation, pastoral development, and church revitalization. H.B. is also the host of The On Preaching Podcast, which is dedicated to helping pastors preach faithfully, clearly, and better.

This podcast is sponsored by The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

The Center for Thriving Leaders assists local churches to flourish by serving church planters and helping local churches renew and revitalize. The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders is based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Conversations, Todd & Robyn Leyden (Executive Director and Health Services Manager of Fort Wilderness) share their family story and reveal some of the trials and tribulations they went through that shaped them in their journey with Christ and led them to an unexpected blessing in Fort Wilderness.

Todd & Robyn both reside in Rhinelander, Wisconsin where they lead and manage Fort Wilderness Christian Camp. Todd & Robyn have been married for 40 years, and they are the parents of three sons – Payton (deceased), Blake, and Chase. Todd and Robyn are members of Zionsville Fellowship Church (Indianapolis) and St. Germain Evangelical Free Church (Wisconsin).

To learn more about Todd & Robyn's faith journey, check out Todd's book: Eyes of the Father: Seeing Meaning in the Mirror. This book is a story of hope, where Todd discloses important truths of God's provision and grace – uncovered to him through traumatic events that occurred in their lives.

This podcast is sponsored by The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

The Center for Thriving Leaders assists local churches to flourish by serving church planters and helping local churches renew and revitalize. The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders is based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Conversations, Roger Holl (President of VisionAlaska) shares his unique faith and ministry journey in Alaska, his connection to the Charis Fellowship, and encourages listeners to never give up on sharing the gospel and being a light in darkness.

Dr. Roger Holl is pastor of Sterling Grace Community Church and president of VisionAlaska, Inc. Charis Fellowship Ministries, with ministries in church revitalization, Christian radio and African ministries.

This podcast is sponsored by The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

The Center for Thriving Leaders assists local churches to flourish by serving church planters and helping local churches renew and revitalize. The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders is based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Conversations, Michael Graham (Co-Author of The Great Dechurching) shares insights on the studies gathered from his book, The Great Dechurching, which dissects the phenomenon of dechurching in America and how to fix it.

Michael (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando) is program director for The Keller Center. He is the executive producer and writer of As in Heaven and coauthor of The Great Dechurching. He is a member at Orlando Grace Church. He is married to Sara, and they have two kids.

This podcast is sponsored by The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

The Center for Thriving Leaders assists local churches to flourish by serving church planters and helping local churches renew and revitalize. The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders is based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Conversations, Clay Burgess (Executive Director of Spiritual Formation at Hope Community Church) shares what attributes are indicative of an effective preaching model and presents ways for pastors to have a more genuine connection with their congregants.

Clay is a graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has earned advanced degrees from both Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, including a doctorate from the latter. He is on the executive board and teaches at Southwake Bible Institute.

This podcast is sponsored by The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

The Center for Thriving Leaders assists local churches to flourish by serving church planters and helping local churches renew and revitalize. The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders is based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Conversations, Trent Lambert & Rock LaGioia call up Darrell Bock & Jonathan Armstrong (Authors of Virtual Reality Church) to discuss the pitfalls and possibilities of virtual reality church.

Darrell Bock (BA, University of Texas; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary; PhD, University of Aberdeen) has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tubingen University in Germany), and is the author of more than forty books, including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus.

Jonathan J. Armstrong is Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute, where he lectures in New Testament studies and church history. He consults at the intersection of faith and technology and serves as the president of the Aqueduct Project (www.aqueductproject.org).

This podcast is sponsored by The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

The Center for Thriving Leaders assists local churches to flourish by serving church planters and helping local churches renew and revitalize. The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders is based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

In this episode of Conversations, Trent Lambert chats with Michael Cramer (Lead Pastor of New Life Church) about Michael's journey to the pulpit at New Life church, what he learned as a Pastor during the pandemic, and what he believes the church's role in culture is.

Dr. Michael Cramer is the Lead Pastor of New Life Church in Osceola, Indiana where he has served in various roles for 20 years. In addition, Michael is also a character coach for local youth sports teams and a loving husband and father to his wife and three children.

In February of 1985, Founding Pastor Dr. Mike Cramer preached for the first time at New Life church, which had only 23 people in attendance. However, Pastor Mike had a vision to effectively reach out with the gospel, and a burning passion to preach the Word of God. His confident belief that “with God all things are possible” helped the people gain a positive perspective. Pastor Mike challenged the congregation to embrace a fresh vision for reaching people. He helped them look through the “eye of faith” and see things not simply as they are, but how they could be through the power of God.

On the first Sunday in June 1985, that handful of people asked Pastor Mike to serve as their pastor as a strategic ministry vision was cast for the future. The strategy included building on the solid foundation of: Biblical preaching with life applications, dynamic worship, a family friendly emphasis with vital youth and children’s ministries, a focus on positive Christianity, and special events to “build a bridge” to the community. In just a few short years, the church out grew its landlocked facility in Mishawaka. Consequently, eight acres were purchased and the church campus was relocated to McKinley Highway East (U.S. 20) in Osceola.

This podcast is sponsored by The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.

The Center for Thriving Leaders assists local churches to flourish by serving church planters and helping local churches renew and revitalize. The Charis Collective Center for Thriving Leaders is based in Winona Lake, Indiana at Grace Theological Seminary.