Join Todd Unzicker and Andrew Hopper as they discuss the theological connection between believers’ spiritual adoption in Christ and the call to care for the orphan. Discover how your church can grow from “guilt-driven” ministry to become a community of “rope holders” for the vulnerable and the families caring for them. In this episode, Todd Unzicker sits down with Andrew Hopper, pastor of Mercy Hill Church, to discuss his new book, Chosen: Building Your Family the Way God Builds His. Hopper shares his personal journey as an adoptive father and explains why adoption should never be a “litmus test” for the faith, but rather a response to the gospel. They explore the theological framework of being “chosen” by God and how that reality should naturally overflow into a church’s mission to care for vulnerable children. Listen as they offer practical encouragement and unpack different ways local church members and N.C. Baptists can act as “rope holders” – the vital support system of believers who sustain adoptive and foster families. Whether through financial generosity, providing childcare or offering relational support, Hopper and Unzicker emphasize that every member of the local church has a role to play. By partnering with initiatives like Every Child, churches of all sizes can move toward a sustainable, mission-focused vision where children in North Carolina have a gospel-centered home.

Are our churches actually making disciples, or are we just barely passing? Brian Upshaw and Drew Dabbs dive into the latest LifeWay Research findings and discuss how pastors can move their congregations from a ‘D’ average to vibrant, Great Commission impact.  The latest State of Discipleship study reveals a startling disconnect in the pews: while churchgoers score high on “seeking God,” they are failing in Bible engagement and sharing Christ. Drew Dabbs, discipleship ministry strategist, points out that while “Ds get degrees” in college, a “D” average in discipleship suggests that many believers lack the practical tools to study the Word for themselves or engage their culture with the gospel. The conversation highlights that the desire to follow God is present, but the systems for equipping and reproducing disciples are often missing. To address these gaps, Dabbs and Brian Upshaw highlight the upcoming Disciple-Making Conference on Feb. 24 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church. This event is designed to move beyond theory by featuring local practitioners who are effectively building cultures of evangelism and leadership development in diverse contexts. Whether it’s understanding new Gen Z trends or learning how to turn volunteers into leaders, North Carolina Baptists have the resources available to help their churches “raise their grades” and thrive on mission. Listener Bonus: Listen for a special code to receive $5 off your registration! Register at disciplemakingconference.org.

Gen Z is outpacing other generations in church attendance. God is stirring something in the hearts of young people. In this live conversation recorded at the N.C. Baptist Annual Meeting, Daniel Rose sits down with Shane Pruitt to talk about calling, discipleship and why this unique moment is significant. Check out this episode to learn how church leaders can help students discern a call to ministry and prepare to lead. In this special episode recorded live during the NC Baptist Annual Meeting, Daniel Rose, student ministry strategist, talks with Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board and this year’s convention sermon speaker. They unpack what God is doing among Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and why so many students are sensing a call to ministry.  Pruitt shares powerful insights on “calling out the called,” the different ways God affirms a calling, and why serving often reveals where God is leading. They also discuss spiritual disciplines, the essential role of the local church and how leaders can walk with students as they discern next steps. If you want to be ready to walk with a student when they say “yes” to ministry, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

What a year! In this special end-of-year episode, N.C. Baptist Executive Director-Treasurer Todd Unzicker takes you behind the scenes at the N.C. Baptist building, stopping by offices to celebrate how God moved through churches, ministries and partnerships in 2025. From disciple making to disaster response, this is a look at kingdom impact across North Carolina. In this special year-end video, Todd walks the halls and sits down with N.C. Baptist staff members to reflect on a year full of gospel momentum. Together, they celebrate disciple-making efforts, summer camps, church revitalization and planting, missions engagement and the inspiring work of Baptists on Mission following Hurricane Helene. You’ll hear real stories, see familiar faces and get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how God has been at work through faithful churches and generous partners. Look back at a year marked by mission, movement and ministry impact.  Some of this year’s highlights include: 617 rebuilds completed by Baptists on Mission volunteers, bringing 617 families affected by Hurricane Helene back into their homes 62 N.C. Baptist churches ready to revitalize and replant 467 students responding to a call to ministry during summer camps Record attendance of about 1,500 at the Disciple-Making Conference  And more! Watch the video for the full 2025 recap and join us in celebrating all that God has done. N.C. Baptists are fueled by the local church, for the local church. Your faithful generosity makes an eternal impact for God’s kingdom.

In this special live recording from the N.C. Baptist Annual Meeting, episode host Aaron Wallace talks with Global Missions Coordinator Janet Packard and Pastor Neal Thornton about why caring for missionaries is part of the core identity of a Great Commission church. With more than 500 IMB missionaries from North Carolina alone, the opportunity to support them is vast and fruitful. This conversation explores what happens when churches take missionary care seriously. Janet Packard, N.C. Baptists’ new global missions coordinator, highlights the value of starting with a missions assessment, a simple tool that helps churches identify how to build relationships with missionaries and engage strategically in the Great Commission.  Neal Thorton, church planter and pastor of Coram Deo Baptist Church in Raleigh, shares why caring for missionaries enriches the entire church, creating a culture of “one another” compassion and helping believers see their Bibles and communities through a missionary lens. The conversation points to practical first steps, from praying for missionaries to reading biographies to forming long-term friendships with those serving overseas. Listen in to hear how N.C. Baptist churches can link arms with the hundreds of missionaries from North Carolina who need ongoing care, prayer and partnership.

The church is in a ‘strategic moment’ to reach a generation hungry for truth. In this episode, Todd Unzicker sits down with Shane Pruitt, National Next Gen Director for the North American Mission Board, to talk about how God is at work among Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Generations Z and Alpha are often marked by their values of authenticity and transparency, and their cause-driven motivations. Shane Pruitt joins Todd Unzicker to unpack the current traits of these two young generations and the church’s opportunity to connect with them in their search for answers. Their general tendency to mistrust and counter cultural narratives opens doors for ministry leaders to share the gospel and disciple them. From embracing your role as a mentor to letting young people serve and lead, Shane shares practical insight for discipling the next generation to declare and demonstrate the gospel.

What does it really mean to belong to a local church? Pastors Josh Wredberg and Matt Capps join us to talk about their new book Every Member Matters, exploring why church membership is a joyful opportunity to grow, serve and join God’s mission together. They unpack how committed membership strengthens discipleship and fuels the church’s mission. In this episode, Josh Wredberg, lead pastor of Redeemer Community Church in Fuquay-Varina, and Matt Capps, lead pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, join Brian Upshaw, director of N.C. Baptists’ Ministry Strategies group. Wredberg and Capps wrote a new book called Every Member Matters: Why Your Church Needs You and Why You Need Your Church.  In this conversation, the pastors share a compelling vision for church membership as more than just names on a roll, but active participation. They present a vision of membership that centers on discipleship, community and living on mission together. They talk about the biblical pattern of membership, the joys and challenges of being part of a committed body of believers, and how strong membership can lead to powerful mission.

In today’s cultural climate, many people – even in the church – view faith as a tool for personal fulfillment rather than a life transformed by Jesus. Author and ministry leader Trevin Wax joins Todd Unzicker to explore how churches can break through expressive individualism, build a counter-cultural community, and engage an increasingly open yet spiritually confused world. In this episode, Trevin Wax, vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board, unpacks the cultural shifts shaping how people react and respond to the gospel today. He explains how the dominant story of “expressive individualism” influences even faithful churchgoers, often distorting biblical teaching into a version of the American dream with a Christian appearance.  Wax shares practical ways for pastors and leaders to create a church culture distinct enough to influence the surrounding community, while recognizing the surprising openness many people have toward spiritual conversations. From redefining “abundant life” to leveraging everyday conversations, this discussion equips church leaders to be salt and light in a changing world.

If your church faced legal trouble, would it be ready? In this episode, Seth Brown sits down with Isaiah Turner of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF)’s Church & Ministry Alliance to talk about how churches can be both faithful and legally prepared in today’s shifting cultural landscape.  From restroom policies to youth retreats and staffing questions, Turner shares real-world legal challenges churches are facing across the country. He explains how the ADF Church & Ministry Alliance helps local churches stay protected and aligned with their biblical convictions, so you can stay focused on the Great Commission. Alliance Defending Freedom, a trusted partner of N.C. Baptists, offers tools to help churches steward their mission, documents and policies. Through the Church & Ministry Alliance, churches gain access to religious liberty assessments, legal reviews, and attorney support — all at a discounted rate for partnering N.C. Baptist churches. This service helps ensure your church is equipped to live sent, stand firm and keep proclaiming the gospel. Take a listen to hear how your church can be ready before a challenge ever arises.

This summer marks Merrie Johnson’s 25th year serving as N.C. Baptist student ministries strategist and leading the BeDoTell team. In this special episode, she and Todd Unzicker explore the grounds of Fort Caswell, which this year celebrates 75 years as an N.C. Baptist retreat and conference center. Tune in as Merrie Johnson shows Todd Unzicker places where she’s prayed for every new week of summer camp, connected with students on their questions about faith, and where students have returned to remember where their lives were changed. Merrie reflects on why staying rooted in a relationship with the Lord is essential for anyone in student ministry, and how she’s learned to watch for God at work every single day. She also shares ways you can pray for this summer’s youth weeks. Take a listen to be encouraged and challenged to never miss what God is doing around you.