If you find yourself having trouble with applying grace into your everyday life, then the Trueface Podcast is for you. Our hope is to provide practical and helpful applications of grace and truth so that we can live beyond the mask. Every other week, guests share a story, discuss a principal, and apply it to our lives.
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Our culture seems more interested in the last two minutes than the last two thousand years. This is unfortunate. It’s also avoidable. Join Mike Woodruff each month as he speaks with authors and thought leaders to understand the ideas shaping our world. Beneath the Headlines is hosted by Lakelight Institute. Mike Woodruff is the senior pastor at Christ Church with campuses in the north suburbs of Chicago. Learn more at https://www.christchurchil.org
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200churches Podcast: Ministry Encouragement for Pastors of Small Churches
Jeff Keady and Jonny Craig: Pastors, Leaders, Bloggers, Podcasters, and Encouragers
Jeff and Jonny are pastors who want to encourage pastors of “smaller” churches. All most pastors see online are the churches that have grown into the thousands in just a few years, the ones that spread out around the city through multiple services and multiple campuses. The ministry leaders with the most influence are the mega church pastors with mega ministries, staffs, and dollars. Praise God for what He is doing in these large and influential churches! We benefit from their vision and inf ...
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Transforming Family Dynamics Through Grace // Janet Newberry
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46:46What if the biggest transformation starts at our own dinner table? In this episode, we sit down with our friend Janet Newberry to unpack how grace-based living shapes not just education but the very heart of family. We explore what it means to “practice the art of being family,” and how atmosphere, discipline, and life can form a discipleship model…
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Populism, Trust, and the Future of Higher Education: A Conversation with Dr. Nathan Hatch
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54:17In this insightful episode of Beneath the Headlines, host Mike Woodruff sits down with Dr. Nathan Hatch—renowned historian, former president of Wake Forest University, and scholar of American religious history. They delve into the parallels between today’s populist movements and the 19th-century democratization of American Christianity, exploring h…
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Sharing Your Faith through Friendship // Jon Ferguson
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36:50What if the key to sharing Jesus is simply being a good friend? In this episode, we sit down with Jon Ferguson to unpack BLESS—a simple, powerful framework for loving our neighbors the way Jesus did. As we talk through each step—Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, and Share Your Story—we’re reminded that discipleship and evangelism aren’t about …
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What if forgiveness wasn’t just for the offender—but the path to your own freedom? In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Louise Sedgwick, a longtime friend of the Trueface community whose story first appeared in the original TrueFaced book. Louise shares her harrowing journey through childhood trauma, the deep disconnect between her knowl…
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The Power of the 12 Steps for Spiritual Growth | John Ortberg on Beneath the Headlines
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1:05:20In this thought-provoking episode of Beneath the Headlines, host Mike Woodruff sits down with pastor, speaker, and bestselling author John Ortberg to discuss his latest book, Steps: How the 12 Steps Can Help Anyone Grow Spiritually. With over 40 years in ministry and a deep focus on spiritual formation, John shares profound insights on how the prin…
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Striving, Stuck, or Trusting? // Benjamin Crawshaw
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48:11Are we actually growing in our faith, or just going through the motions? Many of us get stuck—either striving to do more for God or sitting back in passivity, wondering if this is all there is. In this episode, we sit down with Benjamin Croshaw, co-author of The Path, to unpack the secret to true spiritual maturity. We explore why trusting God is s…
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Are you stuck in a shame spiral and don’t even realize it? In this powerful episode, we finally welcome our longtime teammate and creative force Brittany Colson to the podcast. Brittany not only co-authored The Path, she also brings her experience as a licensed therapist to unpack one of its most pivotal chapters: “The Wound.” Together, we explore …
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What If Jesus' Way Is Different? // Bruce McNicol
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39:37What if the way of Jesus is different than you thought? As we celebrate 30 years of Trueface, we’re launching The Path, a book designed to help the next generation experience the freedom and grace of Jesus in a fresh way. In this episode, Robby Angle sits down with Trueface co-founder Bruce McNicol to unpack the heart behind The Path, the power of …
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The Brain Science Behind Spiritual Growth // Jim Wilder
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52:10Why do so many of us struggle to experience the peace and freedom Jesus promises? We know the right answers, but often, our lives still feel stuck in fear, performance, and isolation. In this conversation, Robby sits down with Dr. Jim Wilder—author, neurotheologian, and expert in brain science and spiritual formation—to unpack how our brains are wi…
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How can we live a life that truly reflects who we are meant to be in Christ? In this episode of the TrueFace Podcast, we sit down with Bill Thrall, co-founder of Trueface, to explore just that. Celebrating 30 years of ministry, Bill shares the profound insights and stories from his journey with Trueface, a path marked by fostering genuine relations…
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God Speaks, Are You Listening? // Jason Glaze
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46:01How do we hear God in the noise of everyday life? Welcome to this special episode of the TrueFace Podcast, where we delve deep into the mysteries of divine communication. Join us as Robby Angle and his guest, Jason Glaze, explore the profound yet often overlooked ways God speaks to us. As founder of New Name Ministries and a seasoned counselor, Jas…
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The Digital Fast: Reclaiming Your Life from Technology Addiction with Dr. Darren Whitehead
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49:47In this thought-provoking episode of Beneath the Headlines, host Mike Woodruff sits down with Dr. Darren Whitehead, pastor, author, and founder of Church of the City in Nashville, Tennessee. Together, they dive into the pressing issue of our relationship with technology and how it’s shaping—and often disrupting—our lives. Dr. Whitehead’s book, The …
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What does it really mean to experience deep attachment with God and others? Michael Cusick, a licensed professional counselor and author of Sacred Attachment talks about the journey of healing and building secure, loving connections. Michael unpacks the core components of attachment—being seen, soothed, safe, and secure—and how these elements shape…
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What does it look like to trust God more deeply in our everyday lives? In this episode of the True Face Podcast, we explore how stillness and intentional time with God can transform our spiritual practices and relationships. We share how we've been striving to create better personal rhythms, from quiet time with God to moments of reflection, and ho…
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In June of 2018 Jonny and I had a conversation with Brandon Patterson, who was then the Pastor at the church in Plains, GA attended by a well known former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter. Brandon was newly married and 24 years old at the time, and while talk of pastoring a presidential family was interesting, the HEART of this small church pastor was …
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Christianity's Cultural Fingerprints: A Conversation with Glen Scrivener
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48:15In this episode of "Beneath the Headlines," host Mike Woodruff interviews Glen Scrivener, an Australian writer, pastor, and apologist currently living in the UK. The conversation centers around Scrivener's book "The Air We Breathe" which explores how modern Western values like human rights, equality, progress, and compassion are deeply rooted in Ch…
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Navigating Truth in a Post-Truth World: A Conversation with Collin Hansen
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54:11Join Pastor Mike Woodruff and guest Collin Hansen, editor-in-chief of The Gospel Coalition, as they explore: The evolution of journalism from traditional reporting to advocacy Challenges in discerning truth in today's media landscape Impact of changing media on faith and society Strategies for thoughtful news consumption The importance of local jou…
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Episode 425 - Jeff's Update: The FBI, Unity, and Grandchildren
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18:07After more than one year... here is a new episode! So I took a little time off... This is a short one with the intention of more to come!By Jeff Keady and Jonny Craig: Pastors, Leaders, Bloggers, Podcasters, and Encouragers
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Robby Angle - Update on Trueface - Summer 2024
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15:06On this episode of the Trueface Podcast, Robby is back with a solo episode reflecting on the past, and where we are headed. Join us as we celebrate what God is doing in this ministry! You will not want to miss this episode! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/joTnR8Kmow4 Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/42863/15224466 Thanks for joining the podcas…
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Barry Rowan // The Spiritual Art of Business
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47:44On this episode of the Trueface podcast, I am with Barry Rowan. Barry Rowan is a Harvard Business School graduate who spent his entire career serving in C-Suite roles. He has been instrumental in building and transforming eight businesses, primarily in the technology and communication space, with one selling for $10 billion. His leadership experien…
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Carolyn Taketa // God Designed Us to Live in Community
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50:27On this episode of the Trueface podcast, I am with Carolyn Taketa. Carolyn is a certified leadership coach who helps people move from where they are to where they want to be. She has 30+ years of leadership experience as a small group pastor, executive director, writer, podcast host, and litigation attorney. Currently, Carolyn coaches leaders and t…
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On this episode of the Trueface podcast, Robby is with Steve Woodworth. With over forty years devoted to advancing Christian organizations, Steve brings a wealth of expertise in marketing, management, and organizational development. He steered World Vision’s direct marketing and donor services through a decade of annual double-digit growth in the 1…
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Chad Clemons // Meeting The New Trueface COO
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50:31On this episode of the Trueface podcast, Robby is with Chadwell Clemons. For over 25 years, Chad has navigated full-time ministry – from wrangling families as a ministry director to planting churches and now the deep waters of COO at Trueface. When he is not developing clarity for Trueface or coaching churches on organizational development, catch m…
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Navigating the Mountain of Spiritual Formation
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15:54On this episode of the Trueface podcast, Robby is back with a solo episode thinking about Spiritual Formation. Today, we look at spiritual growth, likening it to a journey up a mountain. Starting with accepting Jesus, oftentimes, we fall into religious routines before experiencing a profound "grace awakening" at the peak. This awakening shifts our …
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On this episode of the Trueface podcast, Robby is with his buddy, Scott Bowen. Scott is a dad, husband, business leader, and entrepreneur. Despite numerous challenges, Scott and his partner, Tom, started a soccer academy and mentorship program in Uganda. Today, they've mentored over 17,000 boys and employed 70 staff members. It's a testament to the…
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In this episode of the Trueface Podcast, host Robby Angle explores gratitude's complexities despite a life filled with blessings. Drawing inspiration from various scriptures, the episode delves into gratitude as a practiced discipline, akin to physical fitness. It uncovers the transformative power of gratitude leading to worship, emphasizing the co…
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Benj Miller // How to Have the Best Year Yet
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51:01On this episode of the Trueface podcast, Robby is with his best friend, Benj Miller. Benj is a proven entrepreneur who values character, culture, and innovation. He founded his first company 15 years ago as the strategist and visionary behind Syrup Marketing, where he has launched hundreds of brands for clients -- and seven additional operating com…
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Restoring Trust – A Press On Interview with Dr. David Miller, Mike Zafirovski, and Tom Tropp
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51:53Enjoy listening to Mike lead a panel discussion about restoring trust at the sold-out inaugural Lakelight Institute Good Work Summit. Panelists include Dr. David Miller (Director of Princeton Faith and Work Initiative), Mike Zafirovski (former President of Motorola) and Tom Tropp (Chief Ethics Officer at Gallagher).…
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Exodus Answers – Pastor Mike answers your sermon series questions
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53:59By Mike Woodruff
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The Character Gap - a Press On interview with Dr. Christian Miller
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51:56Today Mike’s guest is American philosopher Christian Miller, PhD, an award-winning professor from Wake Forest University who recently authored The Character Gap, has authored numerous other books and articles, and is a regular contributor to publications including Forbes. He is also director of The Honesty Project. Mike and Dr. Miller discuss his w…
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Trueface Interview - A joint Press On and Trueface interview with Robby Angle
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47:23This week we are sharing with you a link to a podcast that Mike appeared on as a guest. In it, he talks about the importance of thinking well, particularly at this moment in history when we are allowing other voices to think for us. Mike argues for more “white space” as the volume and velocity of life is increasing every day. Mike also talks about …
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Tim Keller – A Press On interview with Collin Hansen
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1:00:05On this week’s podcast, Mike’s guest is journalist, podcaster, and author Collin Hanson, who recently published a book on one of the 21st century’s most influential church leaders--Tim Keller. Collin is vice president for content and editor in chief of The Gospel Coalition, as well as executive director of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics…
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The Hope of Life After Death - A Press On interview with Dr. Jeff Brannon
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50:55This week’s Press On guest is Dr. Jeff Brannon, chair of the Biblical Studies Department at Belhaven University, and author of the recently published The Hope of Life After Death: A Biblical Theology of the Resurrection. Dr. Brannon and Mike discuss the hope of Christ’s resurrection, which changes everything.…
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The Dawning of Redemption – A Press On interview with Dr. Ian Vaillancourt
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1:01:52In today’s podcast, Mike talks with Ian Vaillancourt, a professor in Ontario and an award winning author about his most recent book, The Dawning of Redemption, which provides an accessible overview of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible). Dr. Vaillancourt is particularly focused on the way the Bible is an unified work and the big them…
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Conspiracy – A Press On interview with Jared Stacey
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58:53In this week’s podcast, Mike explores the rise of Conspiracy Theories. What are they? Why are they growing and how do we deal with them. His guest is Jared Stacey, a PhD student in Theological Ethics at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.By Mike Woodruff
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Everything is Not Fine – A Press On interview with Katie Schnack
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37:19In this week’s episode of The Press On Podcast, Mike talks with Katie Schnack, the author of Everything is Not Fine: Finding Strength When Life Gets Annoyingly Difficult (IVP: Sept. 2023). Through lots of stories (and humor) Katie reflects on the struggles she and her husband face when their son is born with very serious – and life-long – medical c…
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Written In Stone – A Press On interview with Dr. Philip Ryken
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1:01:39Dr. Phil Ryken is a theologian, an author and the President of Wheaton College. He received his BA from Wheaton College, a Master of Divinity (1 of only 2 degrees after which you will likely lose money) – from Westminster Theological Seminary and then did a PhD in historical theology at Oxford. He joined the pastoral staff at 10th Presbyterian chur…
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International Needs Ghana – A Press On interview with Cromwell Awadey
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53:09This week's Press On Podcast is an interview with Cromwell Awadey, the Executive Director for IN (International Needs) Ghana, and one of the more delightful and winsome leaders I’ve been around. Cromwell leads 30 IN staff in their Accra office, and another 115 in the field. In this interview we talk about the challenges facing Ghana, his leadership…
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Conversations on the Middle East - A Press On interview with Gil Hoffmann
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46:14Gil Hoffmann is a prominent Israeli journalist, who, in 2022 was named one of the Top 100 people “positively influencing Jewish life.” He grew up in the Chicago area, graduated from Northwestern and then moved to Israel, where he became an Israeli citizen, served in the Israeli army, and then became the chief political correspondent for the Jerusal…
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Reconciliation – A Press On interview with Dr. Salim Munayer
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56:11In conjunction with his recent trip to Israel, Mike is re-interviewing several Middle Eastern leaders. In this podcast he speaks with Dr. Salim Munayer, who has spent the last 30 years working in reconciliation work.By Mike Woodruff
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Episode 424 - Rick Warren Coaches First Time Church Planter Willie Johnson
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1:24:51What a blast to use my podcast to introduce Rick Warren to a church planter who hasn't even launched his first public service yet! Willie Johnson is with REDEFINE CHURCH in St. Louis MO. Rick's project these days is FinishingTheTask.com. I asked Rick to coach Willie, from his perspective as a church planter who has handed off his church to the next…
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B.L.E.S.S. - A Press On interview with Jon Ferguson
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54:59In today’s episode, Mike talks with Jon Ferguson, who along with his brother, has: 1) planted a thriving church; 2) launched a church-planting network that has led to the creation of thousands of churches around the world; 3) launched Exponential – a conference for churches that plan churches; and 4) has written several award winning books. Mike an…
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Episode 423 - The Secret Power of Kindness with Greg Atkinson
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45:37Greg Atkinson was on the 200churches Podcast 10 years ago! Way back in July of 2013 he joined us, when we were only six months old as a podcast - and now, ten years later he is back for the fourth or fifth time - with a great episode about something so fundamental to our Christian life, that we almost miss it: KINDNESS. Check out Greg's book: The S…
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Few countries are as old, confusing or as important as Israel. In today’s podcast, Mike goes to 30,000 feet to look down on the history of Israel from Abraham through the present.By Mike Woodruff
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Men's Forum – A Press On interview with Jason Brown
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52:30By Mike Woodruff
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Receive – a Press On interview with Jeff Kemp
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1:01:32In this episode of the podcast I have a chance to talk with Jeff Kemp about men, friendship and his new book, Receive. Jeff, who had an 11 NFL career and who has had lots of experience around politics (his Dad, who also played in the NFL, later served as a congressman and as Secretary of HUD). You can access a PDF of Jeff’s second book, Men Huddle …
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Israel and Judaism – a Press On interview with Roy Schwarcz
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46:05In today’s podcast I have a chance to talk with Roy Schwarcz, who was raised Jewish in New York City before becoming a Christian in the early 70s. Roy, who has both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Jewish Studies, not only talks about Israel and Judaism, he answers a bunch of my questions about both.…
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Episode 422 - The Necessity of the Neighborhood Church with Sam Rainer
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54:44Jeff talks with Sam Rainer, Pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church in Florida, the President of Church Answers, and the author of the new book - The Surprising Return of the Neighborhood Church. Sam is a great example of a 200church pastor who refuses to imagine a limit on his impact based on the size of his church. This is an encouraging conversa…
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Where the Truth Resides Pt. 2 - An interview with David Moore - 100+ with Pastor Mike Woodruff
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1:02:32This 100+ podcast is a discussion with author, speaker and podcaster David Moore about the key books and notable theologians of the 20th century. Listen to a conversation about why we should read and where truth resides. Hear a list of the most influential 20th century people.By Mike Woodruff
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Ordering Your Private World – A Press On Interview with Gordon McDonald
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57:18Over the last fifty years, Gordon MacDonald has: served as a pastor, written a dozen best-selling books – most notably Ordering Your Private World – and served as a trustee or senior leader at a variety of organizations, including Christianity Today, World Vision, Intervarsity and Denver Seminary. I’ve had the privilege of knowing Gordon for thirty…
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