By Faith With Christine Hoover

Christine is joined by Garrett Kell, who details his dramatic conversion while a student at Virginia Tech and how the gospel changed him and those around him. Garrett then shares about his first years as a pastor and how he hid a secret sin from people in his life. God, in his goodness, brought his sin into the light and the way he did it changed Garrett forever. Please note: this episode is not suitable for children's listening ears.LINKS FROM THE SHOWDel Ray Baptist Church // Romans 2:4 // Ezekiel 38 Read more about Garrett's story:I Was a Pastor Hooked on PornWhen God Chased MeFinding Forgiveness After My AbortionSign up for Christine's monthly newsletterSponsorsFind out more about the new book, His Testimonies, My Heritage, at thegoodbook.com. Find out more about Labor With Hope by Gloria Furman at crossway.org/ByFaith2.Connect with GarrettTwitter // InstagramConnect with ChristineWebsite // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // S

Christine talks with author Sarah Mae about her complicated upbringing, specifically about her relationship with her alcoholic mother. Many people ask Sarah how she knew whether or not she should stay in a relationship with her mom, how she got her own emotional junk together so she could stop unhealthy patterns and behaviors, and how she got to a place where the sadness and pain of her relationship with her mom no longer consumed her. Sarah addresses these difficult topics and shares about her new raw, truth-filled book called The Complicated Heart: Loving Even When It Hurts.Please note: this episode is not suitable for children's listening ears.LINKS FROM THE SHOWSarah's new book, The Complicated Heart // Core Lies // The Navigators Ministry // Young Life // Boundaries by Cloud & Townsend // Forgiven and Set Free // Psalm 40:3Sign up for Christine's monthly newsletterSponsorsFind out more about the new book, His Testimonies, My Heritage, at thegoodbook.com. Find out more about the new edition of Women in th

Kicking off Season 5, Christine talks with pastor Afshin Ziafat about growing up Iranian and Muslim at a time when Iranians were hated in America. He shares how someone in his life took the risk of loving him and giving him a Bible, and how that Bible became pivotal in his life many years later. When Afshin became a Christian, it cost him everything to follow Jesus, and he details those painful costs in today's episode, as well as the unseen rewards that have come in the years since. Afshin helps us understand how we can honor our parents when our parents come against us because of Christ, how we can love and serve our Muslim neighbors, and why we can stake our entire lives on Jesus.LINKS FROM THE SHOWProvidence Church // Romans 3:22 // Matthew 10:34-39 // Matthew 16:24-28 // 1 John 2:17 // John 19 // 2 Corinthians 5 // 1 John 4Thank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find out more about the new book, His Testimonies, My Heritage, at thegoodbook.com. Connect with AfshinTwitterConnect

Christine is joined by her husband Kyle and together they answer your questions about the podcast season, church planting, ministry, and parenting. Questions answered include:What should you do when you feel your plate is too full? How do you step back well?What were the key factors that influenced you to church plant?What were your fears in church planting?What are some tips for the first few months of church planting?How can church planters help their wives in the early days of church planting?What's been the most surprising thing about church planting?How do you handle when good friends leave the church?How do you deal with and discuss theological differences as a couple?What is your best advice for how you can help your children love ministry?And a few more...Christine also shares what's coming in Season 5 of the podcast!LINKS FROM THE SHOWFriendship Bible study and reading guide // Friendship Leader's Guide // Come find me on Instagram and let me know what was your favorite moment of Season 4! // Numbers

Christine chats with Kim Ransleben about intentionally living locally and why that requires fighting isolation, homogeneity, and self-preservation. Kim shares gospel truths that help us face feelings of lack, whether financial, spiritual, or physical, and she shares how she's practically trying to serve in her own community.LINKS FROM THE SHOWFriday Night Lights (TV show) // Friday Night Lights (book) // Kim's writing for Desiring God // Acts 17 // Carl Ellis on The Sovereignty of God and Ethnic-Based Suffering // All That's Good by Hannah Anderson // Luke 6 // #lerasstorySubmit a question for the Ask Me Anything episode with Christine and KyleThank you to Baker Books for sponsoring today's episode! Find Scott Kedersha's new book, Ready or Knot?, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit scottkedersha.com/ready for more information.Connect with KimInstagram  Connect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play

Christine talks with writer and counselor Lauren Weir about how true greatness means being a servant. Lauren shares how we can cultivate a servant's heart in imitation of Jesus, how service is an expression of affection for him, and how she finds renewal when her service becomes dry. LINKS FROM THE SHOWWords Worth Noting // Psalm 33 // SEBTS // Cru // 1 Corinthians 13 // Luke 18 // Isaiah 30 // Philippians 2 // Matthew 23Submit a question for the Ask Me Anything episode with Christine and KyleThank you to Baker Books for sponsoring today's episode! Find Scott Kedersha's new book, Ready or Knot?, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit scottkedersha.com/ready for more information.Connect with LaurenWebsite // Instagram  Connect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith created by The Silver PagesArtwork for By Faith created by Reed Harmon

Christine talks with Amy Blair, founder and CEO of The Batik Boutique in Malaysia. Amy shares how she and her husband knew God was calling them to Malaysia, what she's learned about God and herself through cross-cultural living, and how practicing language skills with a friend led to an opportunity to help women and children escape poverty in her adopted country. LINKS FROM THE SHOWThe Batik Boutique // The Batik Boutique on Instagram // The Batik Boutique on Facebook // Raven & Lily Submit a question for the Ask Me Anything episode with Christine and KyleThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Lauren Chandler's children's book, Goodbye to Goodbyes, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith created by The Silver PagesArtwork for By Faith created by Reed Harmon

Christine is joined by pastor and author Kyle Idleman, who shares from Hebrews 12 about what faith is and how it gives us confidence to run the race God has set before us. He also shares how we can respond to anxieties and other weights that pull us out of the race. LINKS FROM THE SHOWKyle's church, Southeast Christian Church // Kyle's new book, Don't Give Up // Kyle's other books // Hebrews 12 // Hebrews 10:24Submit a question for the Ask Me Anything episode with Christine and KyleThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Lauren Chandler's children's book, Goodbye to Goodbyes, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with KyleWebsite // Twitter // Facebook Connect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith created by The Silver PagesArtwork for By Faith created by Reed Harmon

Christine chats with author and speaker Trillia Newbell about fears that keep us from stepping out and using our gifts to serve: fear of failure, fear of drawing attention to ourselves, and the fear of what others will think. Trillia offers both big gospel truths and practical, everyday ways we can respond when we sense fear rising up within.  LINKS FROM THE SHOWThe ERLC // Trillia's Bible study on Romans 8, If God is For Us // Trillia's book, Fear and Faith // The Freedom of Self-forgetfulness // Proverbs 29:25 // 1 Peter 3:6 // Just Do SomethingSubmit a question for the Ask Me Anything episode with Christine and KyleThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Lauren Chandler's children's book, Goodbye to Goodbyes, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with Trillia Website // Twitter // Facebook // InstagramConnect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes

Christine talks with pastor and author Winn Collier about the ministry of words through writing and pastoring. Winn shares how he got started writing, what words and books have most impacted him in his life, and what advice he'd give to those who dream of writing.  LINKS FROM THE SHOWAll Souls Charlottesville // Winn's latest book, Love Big, Be Well // Psalm 139 // Leif Enger's Peace Like a River // Eugene Peterson's Working the Angles // Marilynne Robinson's books // Dr. King's Where Do We Go From Here? // Leif Enger's Virgil WanderThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Lauren Chandler's children's book, Goodbye to Goodbyes, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with Winn Website // Twitter // Facebook // InstagramConnect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith created by The Silver PagesArtwork

Carolyn McCulley joins Christine to talk about women and work, how we don’t often within the church talk about the entire arc of a woman’s life, and how this hinders our understanding of biblical womanhood. Carolyn also shares about being single in the church and gives us some super practical things we can all do to cultivate community for our single friends, as well as how we can encourage singles to use their gifts within the church.LINKS FROM THE SHOWCarolyn's book The Measure of Success // Carolyn's other books // City Gate Films // Ian & Larissa's documentary // Babylon BeeThank you to Baker Books for sponsoring today's episode! Find Rebecca Friedlander's new book, Finding Beautiful, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit rebeccafriedlander.com for more information.Connect with Carolyn Website // Twitter // FacebookConnect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith create

Christine chats with Anna Perez about church planting in NYC alongside her husband Rich. Anna shares how, as she says, God has worked out her obedience specifically through church planting. She touches on comparison, trying to fit herself into a cookie cutter formula of what she thought she should do, and how she's come to embrace the calling not just as her husband's but also as her own. LINKS FROM THE SHOWChrist Crucified Fellowship in Manhattan // Rich Perez's book, Mi Casa Uptown // My book, The Church Planting WifeThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Lauren Chandler's new book, Goodbye to Goodbyes, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with Anna Instagram Connect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith created by The Silver PagesArtwork for By Faith created by Reed Harmon

Christine talks with pastor Greg Gilbert about how we can discover grace, let go of guilt, and rest with great assurance in our salvation. He helps us discover the why behind our service and what it means to actually serve by faith rather than from a place of guilt.This is a gospel-rich episode! Christine and Greg cover everything from doubting our salvation, wondering if we've committed what the Bible says is the unpardonable sin, worries about losing our salvation, and finding ourselves driven more by "shoulds" than the actual gospel. LINKS FROM THE SHOWThird Avenue Baptist // Assured // What is the Gospel? // Greg's other booksThank you to Baker Books for sponsoring today's episode! Find Greg's new book, Assured: Discover Grace, Let Go of Guilt, and Rest in Your Salvation, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit bakerpublishinggroup.com for more information.Connect with GregTwitter Connect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTun

Christine sits down with Dorena Williamson, a pastor's wife and mom of four, who is passionate about helping others revel in the beauty of the diversity of God's kingdom. She calls this passion "bridge building": seeking to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Dorena shares what bridge building practically looks like in her life, how God is expanding the reach of her message through children, and the truth she turns to when she feels hopeless and wants to give up. LINKS FROM THE SHOWStrong Tower Church // Colorfull // Thoughtfull // Gracefull // Be The BridgeThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Melissa Kruger's new book, 5 Things to Pray For Your Kids, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with Dorena Twitter // Instagram // WebsiteConnect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith cr

Christine chats with wife, mom, women's minister, and author Melissa Kruger about how she's cultivated the gift of teaching. Melissa shares about her unlikely start as a teacher, and how she helps other women learn to teach and hone their craft. She says we're all teachers in some form, whether we're teaching our children or counseling a friend over coffee. Melissa gives us helpful advice on growing in our understanding of Scripture and passing that knowledge along to others.LINKS FROM THE SHOWUptown Church // The Gospel Coalition // Five Things to Pray for Your Kids // In All Things // Melissa's other booksThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Melissa Kruger's new book, 5 Things to Pray For Your Kids, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with Melissa Twitter // Instagram // WebsiteConnect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Googl

Christine talks with Dr. Russell Moore about what the gift of prophecy is, how we see it in the church today, and how we can endure in our service to others when we're discouraged, weary, or facing criticism. LINKS FROM THE SHOWEthics and Religious Liberty Commission // The Storm Tossed Family // The Dip by Seth Godin // Dr. Moore's other booksThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Melissa Kruger's new book, 5 Things to Pray For Your Kids, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with Dr. MooreTwitter // Instagram // Website // FacebookConnect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith created by The Silver PagesArtwork for By Faith created by Reed Harmon

Christine talks with her friend Lori McDaniel about the gift of leadership. Lori shares how she first knew she was a leader, what challenges she's faced as a woman leader, and what leadership looks like for women in complementarian church contexts. LINKS FROM THE SHOWInternational Mission Board // The McDaniel's Church // Spiritual Gifts Inventory // Oswald Sanders' Spiritual LeadershipThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Melissa Kruger's new book, 5 Things to Pray For Your Kids, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with Lori Twitter // Instagram // WebsiteConnect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google Play // SpotifyMusic for By Faith created by The Silver PagesArtwork for By Faith created by Reed Harmon

Christine chats with author Christie Purifoy about her ministry of what she calls "placemaking": cultivating a sense of home and place in a way that loves God and our neighbors well. She says placemaking is for everyone, no matter if you live in a dorm room or a high-rise in the city, no matter if you have the gift of hospitality or if you're an introvert. Christie shares practical and simple ways we can all be placemakers where we live, both in our homes and in our communities.LINKS FROM THE SHOWChristie's new book, Placemaker: Cultivating Places of Comfort, Beauty, and PeaceThank you to The Good Book Company for sponsoring today's episode! Find Melissa Kruger's new book, 5 Things to Pray For Your Kids, on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit thegoodbook.com for more information.Connect with Christie PurifoyWebsite // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // PodcastConnect with ChristineBlog // Facebook // Instagram // Twitter // Books Subscribe to the "By Faith" PodcastiTunes // Stitcher // Google

Christine talks with singer/songwriter Caroline Cobb about how she uses her voice and creative talents to serve God and others. Caroline shares how she begin writing songs and taking the huge risk of playing them for others. She also talks about the temptations that lay like landmines in any type of service that puts you up in front of others--things like comparison, envy, isolation, and control. Though we may not all be songwriters like her, Caroline helps us see how even the little things we do everyday matter in the Kingdom of God.LINKS FROM THE SHOWWhite Rock Fellowship // "There is a Mountain" // "Only the Sick Need a Physician" // Caroline's music on iTunes // Follow Caroline on SpotifyThank you to Baker Books for sponsoring today's episode! Find Sarah Beth Marr's new book, Whispers and Wildflowers: 30 Days to Slow Your Pace, Savor Scripture, and Draw Closer to God on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit sarahbethmarr.com for more information.Past Episodes of By Faith Mentioned in this Ep

Christine chats with author Jared Wilson about what spiritual gifts are, how we should think about them, and why the church is so important in helping us know how we're gifted. Jared shares how we can avoid a self-focus when it comes to how God's created us to serve him and how we can know if we're serving in the Spirit's strength rather than our own. In addition, Jared and Christine talk about when Jared left the pastorate, how he knew it was time to make a change, and how times of transition can often reveal the idolatry we place in our identity.LINKS FROM THE SHOWMidwestern Baptist Theological Seminary // Jared's new book, The Gospel-Driven Church // The Imperfect Disciple // The Pastor's Justification // Spiritual Gifts passages: 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4 Thank you to Baker Books for sponsoring today's episode! Find Scott Kedersha's new book, Ready or Knot? on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Christianbook.com. Visit ScottKedersha.com/Ready for more information.Connect with JaredTwitter // Instag