Join us this week as we dive into the pressing issues surrounding the upcoming election and explore how Christians can navigate this pivotal season with grace and purpose. We’ll discuss practical steps for engaging with the political landscape while staying true to our faith. Plus, we’ll unpack an insightful article titled "5 Lessons Christians Can…

Today we sit down with Moses Njobvu, a pastor, missional entrepreneur, and community advocate from Malawi. As the founder and team leader of the Abundant Life Center in Mitundu, Moses has dedicated his life to uplifting vulnerable communities through a holistic approach to ministry.Moses’s journey is one of resilience and transformation. Having fac…

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Leroy Barber, a dedicated leader with over 20 years of experience in combating poverty, homelessness, and racism while fostering what Dr. King called "the beloved community." We discuss Leroy's innovative projects, including the founding of Atlanta Youth Academies and Community Grounds Coffee shop, and his…

In this episode, we sit down with Trevor Barnett from The Restoration Team, a dedicated organization focused on disaster recovery and community rebuilding. With a wealth of experience in hurricane recovery efforts, Trevor shares his insights on the profound impact of Hurricane Milton and the challenges communities face in its aftermath. We delve in…

This week we are joined by Rev. Dr. Jonathan Smith and Dr. Scott Hagan to discuss the relief efforts happening in Georgia after Hurricane Helene. Join us as we explore the stories of resilience and hope from those affected, highlighting the amazing work being done through BullochStrong.com. Whether you’re directly affected by the hurricane or simpl…

In this episode of Pod Have Mercy, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Warren Kinghorn, a renowned expert at the intersection of theology, medicine, and mental health. Dr. Kinghorn is the Associate Research Professor of Psychiatry and Pastoral and Moral Theology at Duke University. He also co-directs the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative at Duk…

Content Warning: In this episode, we discuss topics related to mental health, including depression and suicide. These discussions may be distressing or triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or thoughts of suicide, we encourage you to seek support from a mental health professional or contact a cri…

This week we're joined by Matt Miofsky, Lead Pastor of The Gathering in St. Louis and an accomplished author. We'll dive deep into his new book, exploring themes of faith, failure, and resilience. As a ministry innovator, Matt offers unique insights into the intersection of spirituality and everyday life. Don't miss this enlightening conversation t…

On this episode, we sit down with Eddie Rester and Chris McAlilly, the hosts of The Weight podcast. Known for diving into life's most challenging questions, they explore faith, mental health, leadership, and personal growth with depth and authenticity. In The Weight, they invite guests from all walks of life—pastors, artists, athletes, and thinkers…

This week we are back from summer break! We have a new studio design and lots of guests lined up for the fall season. Today we check in on what John and Matt have been up to over the summer and what they are excited about for the fall at Chapelwood.

This week we are joined by Reverend Cesar Martinez! Rev. Martinez has been a Pastor in the UMC for the last 12 years. He leads a multicultural, multilingual, and multigenerational church in Houston Texas called CrossRoads UMC. Today we talk about how the United Methodist Church can better serve those in the community of Houston and how we can creat…

This week we are joined by Rev. Gregg Taylor and Rev. Melissa Maher at the Texas Annual Conference! We get an update from Rev. Taylor on his church in Minneapolis and we hear about how Rev. Maher has transitioned into a new and exciting role within the United Methodist Church.

Today we get a quick update from John's travels to Scotland. We talk about how many of the churches in Scotland have been converted to pubs, restaurants and art galleries. We discuss how Chapelwood's digital media reach makes uncommon connections near and far and much more!

This week we drop in on a group therapy session that is hosted by Logos, a group therapy resource started by Robert Hilliker. We discuss how Robert Hilliker first began his group therapy practice and some of the concepts that he finds foundational. For more information visit: https://logosgroups.com

This week we talk about the devastating weather event that occurred in Houston and how we are responding to those in crisis. For more information on how you can receive help or donate to the relief efforts visit Chapelwood.org/storm.

Ibraim Nascimento is an international, Afro-Brazilian artist from the historic city of Cachoeira, Bahia. He has exhibited his work throughout Brazil and the United States, from California to Texas. Iconoclast, an organization associated with Chapelwood, recently commissioned Ibraim to create the cover art for an annual book of poetry that they publ…

Today we are joined by Rev. DeAndre Johnson and Pastor Lindsay Kirkpatrick to discuss some changes that are taking place in The United Methodist Church. John Stephens served as a delegate to the United Methodist Church’s General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. The two-week long process uses the first week to divide into 14 different legisl…

Linda Kagey, LCDC, ADC is a licensed chemical dependency counselor with more than 20 years of experience providing addiction and codependency treatment to adults, adolescents and families. She has extensive counseling experience with both the criminal and family law systems and can provide evaluations and therapy as needed, as well as expert testim…

Today we have a very special guest, Shariq Abdul Ghani! In this heartfelt conversation, Shariq delves into the richness of his faith traditions, sharing personal anecdotes and insights on how his beliefs have shaped his understanding of the world and humanity. We discuss the commonalities that exist between Islam and Christianity, emphasizing the s…

Today we are joined by a very special guest, Michele Russell! Michele Russell received her Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1995. During her 22 years working in the field of mental health, she served as a staff counselor at Texas Children’s Hospital Learning Support Center and established t…

In this special episode, John Stephens and Josef Klam check in with us from their pilgrimage in the footsteps of the apostle Paul.

Join us this week as we dive deep into the realms of empathy, understanding, and grace with our special guest, Tod Bolsinger. In this enlightening episode, Tod Bolsinger, renowned author, speaker, and leadership expert, shares his insights on navigating the complexities of leadership with empathy and humility. From leading with a compassionate hear…

This week we talk about the three temptations of Jesus according to Richard Rohr. In Matthew’s Gospel, the temptations are not just isolated events but profound lessons for us all. In the first temptation, Jesus confronts the challenge to misuse personal power. In a world where the allure of greatness and recognition can be overwhelming, Jesus teac…

This week we talk about the Rodeo and Holy Week. We talk about an article written by Ruth Haley Barton at transformingcenter.org. We also discuss how we can use the image of the crucifix as a visual cue for reflection. Holy Week—is all of us going through the rhythm of death, burial, and resurrection. It is not a rhythm that any of us would willing…

This week we talk about truth! We examine how our perception of truth plays a pivotal role in shaping the narratives that influence our perspectives on issues ranging from politics to morality. We also delve into the dynamic relationship between post-truth, Overton's Window, and the church. How does the evolving landscape of information impact reli…

Today we talk about grace! We talk about where we see grace in our every day lives and where we experience the kind of grace that cannot be earned.

Welcome to a powerful and inspiring episode of Pod Have Mercy, where we sit down with a remarkable individual who defied all odds to find freedom and self-expression. In this episode, we have the privilege of hosting Arshia Komeili, an Iranian rapper whose journey from persecution to redemption is nothing short of extraordinary. Arshia's story begi…

This week we are joined again by Bishop Mande Muyombo! Bishop Mande Muyombo was elected to the episcopacy in 2017. He is the Resident Bishop of the North Katanga Area, which includes North Katanga, Tanganyika and Tanzania conferences in the Congo Central Conference of The United Methodist Church.

In this episode, join our lively discussions as we navigate the highs and lows of the 2024 Super Bowl, dissecting epic plays and unforgettable moments. But that's not all – we'll also embark on a soulful journey into the Lenten season and Ash Wednesday, exploring the meaning behind the rituals and traditions that shape our spiritual landscapes.…

Welcome to another episode of Pod Have Mercy! In this captivating installment, we have the delightful Haley Brown joining us to explore the artistry of charcuterie boards, the depths of spirituality, the joys of wine, and the intertwining threads of faith. Haley, a seasoned connoisseur of charcuterie, takes us on a mouthwatering journey as she unve…

Today we catch up on everything that happened over the break and talk about some exciting things that are coming in 2024!

This week is a special Christmas episode! We are joined by John's brother and mother today in studio! We talk about John and Matt's favorite Christmas memories, what they are excited for this year and much more!

Today we are joined by Suzanne Harter and Donna Watkins to talk about the ways that Chapelwood is partnering with the community during the holiday season. Christmas Manna is a long-standing, much-loved Chapelwood tradition of matching families lacking the resources to buy Christmas toys, new clothes, and "extras" for their children with those willi…

Happy Thanksgiving from Pod Have Mercy! Today we discuss our favorite Thanksgiving memories and what makes the holiday so special. We talk about the importance of gratitude and how we can practice thankfulness during this season.

This week we are joined by Joseph Patty, Andrew Wolfe and Angela Ferguson to recap a recent event at Chapelwood called, "The Birds and Bees". The Birds and Bees is an organization that was founded by Mary Flo Ridley and Megan Michelson. They started the organization to give parents the tools and confidence they need to have healthy conversations wi…

This week we are joined by Justus Marete! Mr. Marete is the CEO of Maua Methodist Hospital in Kenya. Today we talk about some of the challenges that the hospital has encountered and what it was like during covid. We talk about ways that we can support the hospital and much more! For more information about the hospital visit: https://methodisthospit…

Today we are joined by Rev. Michael Jarboe! "Jarboe" is the Lead Pastor of The Journey Contemporary Worship Community at Memorial Drive Methodist Church. Today we talk about what is happening locally in the life of the church, how we can meet people where they are in the current technological age and the wonderful partnership that Chapelwood and Me…

This week we are joined by Dr. Paul Chilcote to discuss his new book, Multiplying Love. We delve into Paul's extensive work, which spans across decades and continents, focusing on his pioneering contributions to Wesleyan theology and Methodist studies. Listeners will have the opportunity to hear about Paul's deep commitment to social justice and ho…

Today we talk about a recent mission trip that our producer took to India and the crisis in the slums of Mumbai. The organization that he partnered with is called Asher House. Asher House is a developmental aid program created to offer education to the children of India's rural poor. Children starting from Pre K grade levels through Elementary are …

This week we have a quick conversation about ways that we can respond to the turmoil in Israel and Gaza. We talk about the background of the dispute and how we can pray for those who are affected by the violence.

Today we are joined by David Worthington. Since arriving in 2006, David has overseen the development at John Wesley's New Room, including the delivery of the Broadmead Garden project and Horsefair Visitor Centre project. During this time, he has acquired an in-depth knowledge of the site and its significance in the story of the early Methodist move…

Today we talk about the Book of Joel, an ancient prophetic text, and discover its astonishing parallels with the contemporary Christian Church. We explore the timeless wisdom and insights embedded within this often overlooked book, revealing its striking relevance to our present-day faith and community. We'll navigate through themes of repentance, …

This week on the podcast we discuss Russell Moore's book, Losing Our Religion. We also reflect on an article that Moore wrote about exile. We catch up on what John and Matt have been up to lately and we cover many more topics!

Today Rev. Maggie Wood joins us again to talk about addiction and recovery! We discuss how the opposite of addiction is not sobriety, the opposite of addiction is connection. We discuss Maggie and Matt's story of addiction and recovery and how the pandemic ramped up consumption for many people. If you or a family member would like to learn more abo…

This week we are joined by Mercy Street's new pastor, Rev. Maggie Wood. Maggie talks about her call story, how she found Mercy Street years ago, the journey back to Chapelwood and much more! https://mercystreet.org/

Matt and John are back in studio after an extended summer break. Today we discuss what they've been up to the past few months and what is coming for the future of the podcast! We also reflect on an article written by David French called, "How Did America Get Mean?".

Today we are joined by Rev. DeAndre Johnson, Rev. Lindsay Kirkpatrick and Rev. David Horton. We talk about their experiences as young clergy, why they remain in The United Methodist Church and their hopes for the future!

Today we are joined by Bishop Thomas Bickerton! As a respected bishop, Bishop Bickerton carries immense responsibilities, serving on the General Board of Global Ministries, the Standing Committee on Central Conference affairs, and the Commission on the General Conference. With an impressive tenure that spans several decades, he brings a wealth of k…

Today we are joined by Bishop Michael McKee! Bishop McKee is the dean of SMU’s Perkins School of Theology. He has served as episcopal leader of the North Texas Annual Conference since his election by the South Central Jurisdiction in 2012, and he retired from that position on January 1, 2023. We catch up with Bishop McKee and his involvement at the…

This week we are recording at the Texas Annual Conference and we are joined by 3 pastors who are planting new churches! Rev. David Briggs, Rev. Shuler Sitsch and Rev. Jennifer Hodson talk about the process of planting new churches, what God is doing in their communities and their hopes for the future of the United Methodist Church and their congreg…