Interview | Race with Pastor Rodney Wilkinson

Pastor Daniel talks with Pastor Rodney Wilkinson, Gospel Fellowship, Boynton Beach, FL about the topic of race in our culture today. Just as the Apostle Paul addressed current topics throughout his letters to the Corinthian and Galatian churches, pastors need to speak to their people about how the gospel relates to what is happening in our world now. This topic of race and racism has shown up everywhere in recent years. But scripture is clear—God loves all people. So why is racism prevalent? What is going on? “A simple definition for racism is when we treat people differently because of the way they look.” This is an honest discussion about what racism looks like in society and in our churches. Why is it important that we address it? What should be our motivation for having the core value of multi-ethnicity in our churches? Where do we see God address racism in scripture? A fresh perspective from the frontlines of ministry.

QUOTES:

“Paul is not just giving speeches that he wants people to hear. He is contextualizing the gospel to the current day.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“We want to be able to talk about what people are talking about and give it a framework for how you look at current-day issues through the lens of the gospel.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“We want to be multiethnic because heaven is going to be multiethnic. Jesus didn’t die for one race.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“We see racism showing up in the church as distrust between the races. The question on the table is ‘Do I trust my white brother like I do my African American brother, or vice versa?’ ” -Rodney Wilkinson

“The motivation for me is when I look at Christ’s death and how He tore down the dividing wall of hostility.” -Rodney Wilkinson

“In looking at how God has made us in His image and in His likeness, we all have inherent dignity. If you believe that, how can you insult someone based on how God made them?” -Rodney Wilkinson

Interview | Mental Health with Pastor Bryan Saylor

Pastor Daniel talks with Bryan Saylor, Young Adults Pastor at Calvary Chapel, Melbourne, FL and cohost of the podcast Thought Life with counselor Crystal Turman, about the subject of mental health. God has placed the highest priority on what we do with our mind. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, He answered: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37) What does it mean to be mentally healthy and how can we deal with the issues surrounding mental health? How have spiritual disciplines helped maintain good mental health? What about the stigma of mental health treatment? An open, honest and compassionate discussion about a timely subject.

QUOTES: “Mental health is understanding that we are body, soul and mind and trying to get all those things under the submission of Jesus Christ.” -Bryan Saylor

“Your beliefs affect your body.” - Daniel Williams

“We are wholistic beings and the things that we do actually have an effect on each other.” -Bryan Saylor

“We are literally addicted to our phones. That can be such a huge cause of anxiety and can lead to negative mental effects. Purposefully disconnect from that.” -Bryan Saylor

“Silence and solitude is forcing myself to get out of that rat race.” -Bryan Saylor

“People come to us for crisis management. I’m always trying to point them to Jesus.” - Daniel Williams

Interview | The Importance of Learning with Pastor Kevin Day

Pastor Daniel talks with Kevin Day, Senior Pastor at Calvary Chapel in Kent, WA about why the practice of learning is so important to your life and ministry. How do you impart wisdom to people? You always need to start with the word of God. What you share with others has to be based on truth. Be a good listener first. Then take time to think about what you hear, to process it. Ask questions. How do you learn from your mistakes, from failure? How does accountability help us to learn? How does it benefit you to pour into others? What happens when you disagree with what you hear? This is a great conversation about the practical aspects of learning yourself, learning from others and passing it on.

QUOTES:

“If there’s no changing, there’s not growth. And if there’s no growth, it’s a slow death.” -Kevin Day

“I want to draw out from you the things you have gone through.” Kevin Day

“Failure is a great teacher. If I can learn from your mistakes, that will actually benefit me.” - Daniel Williams

“The most difficult thing is to actually say, ‘That just didn’t work.’ It is a process of humbling myself with people and with the Lord.” -Kevin Day

“I am accountable to God first. Then there are people you trust that you can share with.” -Kevin Day

“It’s ok to have friends that disagree with you. It helps us to process what we think and why.” - Daniel Williams

“Unity is what we build diversity on, which brings maturity… Without unity, we can have diversity, but we can’t have maturity.” -Kevin Day

“It’s a lifelong journey where God is deepening our love for Him, our love for His Word, our love for His people. It doesn’t happen overnight…You’ve got to stay at it.” -Kevin Day