This month our hosts, Beth Whitney and Cole Harper, are joined by Sonja Warner to discuss influence, both gospel and secular, and opportunities for discipleship. Sonja and her husband moved to the Sacramento area in 1993 and began attending Arcade Church in 1999. Over the years, Sonja has been involved in leading small groups and women’s Bible Studies. She served for a few years as Women’s Ministry Director and currently volunteers at the Welcome Hub and in the library. Most recently, she is exploring the possibility of becoming a writer. Last year Sonja wrote a Bible Study on 1 Peter and is currently working on a study in Hebrews. During the day Sonja works as a bookkeeper for a local small business and is an avid reader with a special interest in history (because the best stories are always the true ones). She lives with her husband of 38 years and a sweet Yellow Lab named Molly.   If you have questions about today's episode, you can email them to [email protected]   ------   Some Starting Points for Disciplers: If the idea of discipling another believer is new to you, or if it just feels overwhelming, that is okay. If you are a believer in Jesus and growing in your faith you are qualified!  Here are a few suggestions to help you get started: Pray! Ask God to open your eyes to someone he wants you to disciple. Look around and see who he has placed in your life; and keep an open mind because it might not be someone you would immediately think of. When God puts someone on your heart or in your path, invite them to coffee (or lunch). Take some time to get to know them. Learn their story; what has their faith-walk been like up to now? What are they afraid of, what are the things that encourage/discourage them? What areas of life are they looking to grow in? As the Holy Spirit leads, invite them to meet on a regular basis. Here are a few ideas for how to start: Read Scripture and discuss it together. You might want to start with one of the Gospels (especially if you’re meeting with a new believer). Ephesians is also a rich book for discussion. Pray through the Psalms together. Use a study such as The Apostle’s Creed by Tim Chester to discuss the essential truths of the faith. The Navigators really do publish an excellent selection of study guides for discipling others. Growing In Christ: A Thirteen-Week Follow-Up Course for New and Growing Christians is a good starting place for new believers. Their Design for Discipleship series covers many topics on the Christian life. Read a quality book together and discuss it. There are some excellent books on discipleship. Eugene Peterson’s book A Long Obedience in the Same Direction is one of the best (in my opinion). Habits of Grace by David Mathis is another excellent choice. Remember there is no single, “right” way to do discipleship. Keep God’s Word at the center and remember that your role is not to “fix” or change the other person. You are teaching them how to walk with God in their own circumstances; God will transform them as they do.

Our hosts, Beth Whitney and Cole Harper, are joined in this episode by Dan Dunmoyer to wrestle with allegiances of every shape and size, all while we long for a better, heavenly country. Dan Dunmoyer serves as the President and CEO of the California Building Industry Association, where he oversees all aspects of the association that represents homebuilders. Prior to joining the CBIA, Dunmoyer had various legislative caucus staff leadership and policy committee roles in the California State Assembly, starting as a fellow in the Jesse Unruh Fellowship program. He was president and CEO of the Personal Insurance Federation of California from 1996-2005. He served as deputy chief of staff and cabinet secretary for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2006-2008, overseeing all state agencies for the governor. Most recently he served as senior vice president and head of government affairs for Zurich and Farmers Insurance companies. Dunmoyer is a member of the board of overseers of the RAND Institute for Civil Justice, chair of the advisory committee of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, member of the PPIC Water Advisory Board and a former board member for CalPERS. He was on the elder board at Arcade Church for 4 years in the 90’s and has been back since 2018. He has attended Arcade since 1984 and is married, with three adult children. Dan’s favorite verse is Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” His favorite memory while at Arcade is meeting and marrying his wife. You can submit questions to [email protected].

Our hosts, Beth Whitney and Cole Harper, are joined in this episode by Dan Walbert to discuss who Jesus is and how he is the only source of true hope.   Dan Walbert is the Lead Pastor of Greenhaven Neighborhood Church (www.Greenhaven.org) in the Pocket area of Sacramento. He graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary upon completing his ThM in historical theology and Spiritual formation. He and his wife, Lauren, have a wonderful little boy named Ezra James. Dan loves to read and encourage others at the local coffee shop.   Follow Dan Walbert on Twitter @danielwalbert  Follow Cole Harper on Twitter @colechristianha Follow Beth Whitney on Twitter @bwhitney92   You can submit questions to [email protected]. 

On this episode, our hosts Beth Whitney and Cole Harper are joined by Dr. Todd Miles. Miles has been a follower of Jesus from a young age. A native of Oregon and resident of Portland, he is married to Camille. They have six children and two grandchildren. Todd is a Professor of Theology at Western Seminary where he teaches Theology, Hermeneutics, Biblical Theology, Church History, and Apologetics. He currently serves as an Elder at Hinson Church. Prior to working at Western Seminary, he was employed as a research engineer at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Todd is an alumnus of Oregon State University (BS and MS in Nuclear Engineering), Western Seminary (MDiv), and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (PhD in Systematic Theology). Todd enjoys "all-things athletic," "all-things Oregon State," and reading military history and biographies. Todd is the author of many published articles and books, including Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies and Cannabis and the Christian: What the Bible Says about Marijuana.

This month's conversation is between our host Beth Whitney and Jim Culp. Jim and his wife, Annie, are the founders and directors of Iglesias del Oeste. Iglesias del Oeste exists to advance the Gospel by equipping healthy leaders who impact their communities, nations and the World. Iglesias del Oeste currently serves in 7 spanish-speaking nations and has sent missionaries to four other nations.  Jim served for 20 years in pastoral ministry before launching Iglesias del Oeste in 2016.   Jim and Annie have been married for 29 years. They live in Ensenada, Mexico, and have three children, Daniel, married to Danielle, Benjamin, soon to be married to Sara, and Kate. Learn more about Iglesia del Oeste by visiting their website at https://www.iglesiasdeloeste.com/.

Heidi Matzke is the Executive Director of Alternatives Pregnancy Center, a women's health clinic in Sacramento, California. Alternatives Pregnancy Center is a pro-gospel, pro-woman, pro-life, non-profit women's health clinic that has been serving the Sacramento area for over 39 years. All of their services are completely free, and never accept any government funding, which makes them 100% donor funded. Their services include pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion pill reversal, gynecological care, prenatal care, STD testing and treatment, parenting classes, and abortion recovery classes, all offered FREE of charge and with the hope of the Gospel attached.   For more information about Alternatives Pregnancy Center, and other topics discussed in this episode, visit pgtest.org, and pgtest.org/getinvolved for ways to get involved. Also be sure to follow @alternativespc and @arcadechurch on Instagram or Facebook.

Heidi Matzke is the Executive Director of Alternatives Pregnancy Center, a women's health clinic in Sacramento, California. Alternatives Pregnancy Center is a pro-gospel, pro-woman, pro-life, non-profit women's health clinic that has been serving the Sacramento area for over 39 years. All of their services are completely free, and never accept any government funding, which makes them 100% donor funded. Their services include pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, abortion pill reversal, gynecological care, prenatal care, STD testing and treatment, parenting classes, and abortion recovery classes, all offered FREE of charge and with the hope of the Gospel attached.   For more information about Alternatives Pregnancy Center, and other topics discussed in this episode, visit pgtest.org, and pgtest.org/getinvolved for ways to get involved. Also be sure to follow @alternativespc and @arcadechurch on Instagram or Facebook.

We're continuing our conversation from last week, diving deeper into the good and perfect character of God the Father, and why understanding God's character is essential for long-haul faith.

Narcisissm, authority, trust, gender roles in marriage, common pit falls, and more. Join us as we discuss who God the Father is and how we believe He has designed us to respond to societal issues today.

Beth Whitney, Cole Harper, and Madison Near discuss, from an artistic perspective, what the church is, what it means to be part of the church, and why that's important in today's culture.