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Does prayer feel more like a duty than a delight? Author and chaplain Christopher D. Hudson shares how God turned his checklist prayers into real connection. On this episode of The Church Around the World, host Dan Ehrman talks with Chris about his new book, A Visual Guide to Prayer, from Rose Publishing, part of Tyndale. Despite 30 years in Bible publishing and church leadership, Chris admits prayer was once the hardest part of his day. A mentor’s question changed everything: what if prayer was simply a chance to be with God? Key takeaways: Prayer is relationship, not transaction. God welcomes us as we are, and we can’t offer him a “bad” prayer.Structure serves freedom. Models like ACTS, PRAY, and the Psalms work like musical scales, training us to pray freely.Visual tools help people pray. The book’s diagrams and free downloadable worksheets can shape a Sunday school class, small group, or sermon series for discipleship in the local church.Chris also shares how his team at Peachtree Publishing Services guards the accuracy of God’s Word, and closes by praying for weary church leaders. “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” — Hebrews 4:16 (NLT) For pastors and Christian ministry leaders, this conversation is an invitation to rediscover prayer as a gift, not a burden. A Visual Guide to Prayer Resources from Christopher D. Hudson: https://readengageapply.com Church ConnectChurch Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

What if every believer in your church gave away one Bible a month? Karen and Dan Benson of Joy Creative Bibles share how Plant 12 makes that simple. On this episode of The Church Around the World, host Dan Ehrman visits Joy Creative in the Chicago area. Karen is the hand-lettering artist behind their designs, and Dan leads the business. Since 2018, they've shipped more than 300,000 laser-engraved Bibles around the world. Now, in partnership with Tyndale House Ministries, they've launched Plant 12, a monthly evangelism challenge built on five steps: Pray, Listen, Act, Nurture, and Testify. Key takeaways: Evangelism doesn't have to be intimidating. Giving away a Bible each month gives ordinary believers a simple, prayerful way to share their faith.Beauty invites people in. A cover that speaks to someone personally can make a hesitant reader more likely to open God's Word.Business can serve the global church. The Bensons share how God provided through setbacks and how their work has put Bibles in homes from Greece to Mongolia.You'll also hear moving stories of Scripture changing lives, including a letter from a woman God met through cancer and heartbreak. "It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." — Isaiah 55:11 (NLT) For pastors and small group leaders seeking gospel-centered outreach, Plant 12 offers a practical way to help your church plant seeds in your community. Take the Plant 12 Challenge: https://www.joycreativebibles.com/plant12 Joy Creative Bibles: https://www.joycreativebibles.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joycreativebibles Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joycreativebibles Church ConnectChurch Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

What happens when believers rediscover the very names God uses to reveal Himself? Host Dan Ehrman talks with author Grace Fox about her new book, Names of God: Growing Strong. Grace, an award-winning author of sixteen books and member of the First 5 writing team with Proverbs 31 Ministries, has served more than thirty years as a career missionary alongside her husband, Gene. Together they co-direct International Messengers Canada, a sending agency at work in thirty countries. Key takeaways for church leaders: Why anchoring your congregation in God's names builds resilient, everyday faithHow decades in cross-cultural missions shape a theology of God's sovereigntyPractical ways to disciple the next generation toward lasting trust in God"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you." — Psalm 9:10 (NLT) This conversation offers pastors and ministry leaders fresh language for helping their church know God more deeply. Order Names of God: Growing Strong: https://www.church-connect.com/p/names-of-god-growing-strong/9798400502613 More from Grace: https://www.gracefox.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/gracefox.author Church ConnectChurch Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

What does it look like to plant a church inside a famous honky-tonk bar on the Gulf Coast? Ben & Julie Ragsdale are doing it every Sunday. Dan Ehrman sits down with Ben and Julie Ragsdale, lead pastors of Worship on the Water — a thriving congregation that meets under an open-air tent at the world-famous Flora-Bama, right on the Alabama-Florida line. With 8 million tourists passing through their community each year, this couple has built a church in the wild where the gospel goes out every week — and baptisms happen right in the Gulf. In this episode of the Church Around the World podcast, Ben and Julie share: • How they balance local church discipleship with a constant stream of first-time visitors from across the country• What it means to co-lead in ministry as a married couple — including the real challenges of family life and church planting• Why they believe the next great revival will happen in the marketplace, not the four walls of a church "And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved." — Acts 2:47 (NLT) If you're a pastor or ministry leader thinking about gospel-centered leadership in unconventional spaces, this episode is for you. Visit them at worshiponthewater.com. Church ConnectChurch Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

What would it look like if your church committed to reaching every home within five miles — by prayer, personal invitation, and a Bible on every doorstep? That's exactly what Cross Points Church in Shawnee, Kansas set out to do. In this episode of the Church Around the World podcast, Dan Ehrman sits down with Pastor David Jones and lay leader Shannon Jensen to unpack the 3-for-30 initiative — a three-year, whole-church outreach effort to pray for, invite, and deliver 30,000 New Living Translation Bibles to every home in their community. Their story is full of unexpected conversions, hard-won logistical lessons, and the kind of fruit that only comes through patient, gospel-centered leadership. 3 things pastors and church leaders will take away: A replicable outreach model — low barrier, high impact, and easily adapted for churches of any sizeWhat happens when the Word of God does the work — real stories of lives changed through Bible distribution and community care eventsThe long game of discipleship — why commitment to a multi-year vision matters, and how to disciple new believers starting from zero"It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it." — Isaiah 55:11 (NLT) This episode is an encouraging resource for any pastor thinking about church planting and evangelism, discipleship in the local church, or how to mobilize a congregation around a shared mission. Travis & Heather's conversion storyCross Points Church Church ConnectChurch Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

What does it look like to lead a ministry organization for decades and never lose sight of the fact that it belongs to God? That question sits at the heart of this conversation with Mark Taylor. Dan Ehrman and Tyndale House Foundation's Caroline Curry sit down with Mark Taylor — former President and CEO of Tyndale House Publishers and longtime Chairman of Tyndale House Ministries — for a rich conversation spanning six decades of gospel-centered leadership, Christian publishing history, and sacrificial generosity. Mark shares the story behind the founding of the New Living Translation Bible, Tyndale House Foundation's global grant-making, and the stewardship convictions that shaped his entire career. Key takeaways for church leaders: Stewardship over ownership — How Mark's father Ken Taylor modeled holding ministry resources with an open hand, and what that looks like in practice for pastors todayGenerosity as a leadership discipline — Why Tyndale House Foundation has given away over $150 million and why that commitment must be built into organizational leadership from the startDeveloping leaders patiently — The decade of formation Mark received before stepping into the CEO role, and why gradual leadership development matters in the local church"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce." — Proverbs 3:9 (NLT) This episode is an encouragement for any pastor or ministry director navigating the tension between organizational success and faithful stewardship — and a reminder that God-honoring leadership leaves a legacy far beyond what any one generation can see. Church ConnectChurch Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

What does it actually take to translate the Bible — and is the New Living Translation really just a paraphrase? If you've ever heard that criticism, this conversation is for you. In this episode of Church Around the World, Dan Ehrman sits down with Dr. Andrew Abernethy — professor of Old Testament and assistant dean at Wheaton College's Divinity School, and a member of the New Living Translation Bible committee — to pull back the curtain on the NLT translation process and what it means to make Scripture genuinely accessible without sacrificing accuracy. Three takeaways for church leaders: The NLT is not a paraphrase. It comes from a team of top evangelical scholars wrestling simultaneously with original-language accuracy and understandable English — a rigorous, two-stage process most readers never see.Translation is always interpretation. From the word "redeemer" in Ruth to a contested phrase in Matthew 1, every translation choice involves asking: what would this have meant then, and how do we communicate that clearly today?Scripture transforms whole families. Dr. Abernethy's own story — from a basketball family with no Bible background to an NLT committee member — is a reminder that God works powerfully through faithful engagement with His Word."Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." — Psalm 119:105 (NLT) This episode is a rich resource for any pastor or ministry leader who wants to understand — and confidently recommend — the New Living Translation Bible to their congregation. Learn more about Dr. Abernethy and the NLT:Dr. Andrew Abernethy - Wheaton CollegeNew Living TranslationNLT ScholarsGod's Messiah in the Old TestamentAndrew Abernethy - LinkedIn Church ConnectChurch Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

What happens when the Church shows up—not just with programs, but with people—in the lives of children growing up in under-resourced neighborhoods? This week, Dan is joined by guest co-host Caroline Curry (Development Specialist, Tyndale House Foundation) and two leaders from By the Hand Club for Kids: Peter Hanson, VP of Volunteer Development, and Stephen Fernandes, Chief Development Officer. By the Hand Club for Kids has been walking alongside children in some of Chicago's most challenged communities for over two decades—offering not just after-school programming, but something rarer: the sustained presence of caring adults who refuse to let a child's zip code define their ceiling. In this conversation, we explore: Why diverse social connections matter enormously for kids growing up in geographic and economic isolationThe irreplaceable role of adult presence and attention in forming a child's sense of value and purpose—especially in our distracted, screen-saturated worldHow By the Hand helps students see their own neighborhoods through the lens of God's abundance rather than human scarcityWhat By the Hand's work says to the broader Church about what we truly valueLearn more about By the Hand Club for Kids: By The Hand History and Stories Giving to By The Hand Volunteer Interest Form ByTheHand.com Facebook LinkedIn Church ConnectChurch Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

In this episode, Dan Ehrman sits down with Steve Macchia and S.K. "Suz" Skinner to explore their new book, Praying the Parables of Jesus: A 40-Day Devotional Journey in Word and Image (NavPress/Tyndale). Steve is the founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), an author of 17 books, and a leading voice in spiritual formation and discipleship for Christian leaders. Suz is an artist and spiritual director who serves on LTI's Emmaus faculty and helps others encounter Christ through Scripture and art. Together, Steve and Suz discuss their unique collaboration — pairing written devotional reflections with original artwork — and how the ancient practices of Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of Scripture) and Visio Divina (prayerful reflection on sacred art) can open fresh encounters with the parables of Jesus. They share about LTI's broader mission of cultivating vibrant spirituality and attentive discernment among Christian leaders and churches, and how this book grew naturally out of that discipleship work. With 40 devotions perfectly suited for the season of Lent, this conversation explores how believers can use the parables as a framework for slowing down, recalibrating their hearts, and drawing closer to Jesus during the 40 days leading to Easter. Whether used individually or in a small group, Praying the Parables of Jesus offers a rich, multisensory path into the Kingdom stories Jesus told — and an invitation to let those stories reshape how we live, pray, and follow. Lenten Prayer ExperienceSteve Macchia S.K. Suz SkinnerGodspeed Movie Church Connect Church Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

How do you lead a congregation into deeper engagement with Scripture—and sustain it together? Pastor Andrew Forrest joins Dan Ehrman on The Church Around the World to share how Asbury Church in Tulsa is guiding the entire church through The One Year Bible in 2026 with a “Year Through the Bible” initiative built around shared rhythms, joy-filled discipleship, and practical tools pastors can adapt in their own contexts.  Andrew also reflects on the difficult leadership transition of leaving the church he planted and pastored for over a decade to serve Asbury following its disaffiliation from a denomination. Along the way, he offers wisdom for shepherding people through change, grounding ministry identity in faithfulness rather than outcomes, and leading with love in an anxious and divided age. The conversation includes insights from Andrew’s book, Love Goes First, and practical ideas for cultivating spiritual habits that shape a church’s life together. Church Connect Church Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. Episode Links: Asbury Church - Tulsa Andrew Forrest  Love Goes First: Reaching Others in an Age of Anxiety and Division  More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

In this episode of The Church Around the World, host Dan Ehrman is joined by Alex McElroy—pastor, author, and founder of Proof For The Truth—for a thoughtful conversation on how apologetics strengthens local church ministry, shapes discipleship, and equips believers to engage culture with confidence and grace. Alex shares how apologetics is not merely an academic exercise, but a pastoral tool that helps congregations address doubt, disciple the next generation, and remain grounded in biblical truth amid cultural pressure. The conversation also explores the landscape of African-American apologetics, highlighting its unique voice, historical context, and growing influence within the broader evangelical church. In addition, Alex reflects personally on navigating vocational change, the challenges of redefining calling outside of traditional ministry roles, and the importance of rooting identity not in titles or platforms, but in who we are in Christ. His story offers encouragement to pastors, ministry leaders, and believers discerning new seasons of calling while remaining faithful to God’s purposes. This episode will resonate with anyone interested in: • Using apologetics as a discipleship and evangelism tool in the local church • Understanding the role and contribution of African-American voices in apologetics • Walking through vocational transition with spiritual clarity and confidence • Finding lasting identity and purpose grounded in God, not role or profession A timely and encouraging conversation for church leaders, educators, and believers seeking to lead faithfully in a changing world. Learn more about Alex McElroy: • https://www.proofforthetruth.org/ • https://www.alexrmcelroy.com/ • https://www.facebook.com/pastoralexmcelroy/ Church Connect Church Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. Episode Links: New Living Translation NLT Scholars  More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

In this week’s episode, host Dan Ehrman sits down with Dr. Eric J. Tully, Director of the PhD in Theological Studies and Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Dr. Tully joins us to explore why ancient languages matter deeply for the life of the local church, not just the academy — from deepening biblical interpretation to enriching preaching and discipleship. We also dive into the significant transition unfolding at TEDS, as the historic seminary prepares to merge with Trinity Western University in Canada — a move that reflects broader shifts in theological education and mission in the 21st century. Dr. Tully shares insights on what this change means for faculty, students, and the global church community. Along the way we discuss: • The enduring value of studying the Bible in its original languages — Hebrew, Greek, and the ancient versions — for theological clarity and faithful ministry. Trinity International University • How ancient texts and language study equip pastors and lay leaders for deeper engagement with Scripture. Trinity International University • Dr. Tully’s academic work — including his books on prophetic literature, textual criticism, and biblical interpretation — and how these projects aim to connect rigorous scholarship with the life of the church. Trinity International University • The story behind TEDS’ evolving institutional identity and its future in Canada. Whether you’re a pastor, student, or curious follower of Jesus, this conversation will challenge the way you think about language, Scripture, and the global future of theological education. Church Connect Church Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. Episode Links:Dr. Tully LinkedInDr. Eric Tully - TEDS More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

In this episode of The Church Around the World, host Dan Ehrman sits down with Dr. Jerry Hwang — Academic Dean and Professor of Old Testament at Regent College and a member of the New Living Translation (NLT) Bible Translation Committee. Dr. Hwang shares how the NLT translation process works, how scholars collaborate, and why translation matters for a global and multilingual church. Together, they explore the challenges of communicating ancient Scripture in clear and accurate modern English, the importance of Old Testament theology, and the role of cross-cultural scholarship in shaping the mission of the church worldwide. This conversation offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how the Bible is translated and why it matters for pastors, missionaries, and believers around the world. If you’ve ever wondered how the NLT is created—or wanted insight into the intersection of theology, scholarship, and mission—this episode is for you. Church Connect Church Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. Episode Links: New Living Translation NLT Scholars  More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

In this inspiring episode of The Church Around the World, host Dan Ehrman speaks with Andrew Gorski of Evangelical Poland and the Lake EPIC Training Center. Together they explore how God is stirring hearts in Poland—a nation rich in history yet still deeply shaped by its Catholic tradition. Andrew shares the bold vision behind Evangelical Poland: to see 1% of the nation come to a Protestant faith in Jesus Christ. Listeners will gain a glimpse into the country’s unique cultural and spiritual landscape and hear how local leaders are partnering with international churches and ministries to advance the gospel. The conversation also highlights mission trips taken in summer 2025, when teams from Tyndale House Publishers joined the work at Lake EPIC. These trips helped renovate facilities to support leadership training, outreach, and community engagement that equip Polish believers to reach their neighbors for Christ. Join us as we celebrate how God is moving in Poland—and how the global Church can stand alongside our brothers and sisters there in prayer and partnership. Church Connect Church Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. Episode Links:Lake EPIC Christian Training Center Evangelical Poland Dawn Eaton’s Tyndale Mission Trip Experience  More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now

In this special episode of The Church Around the World, host Dan Ehrman is joined by co-host Caroline Curry from the Tyndale House Foundation for an in-studio conversation with Dr. Jessy Jaison of Mesa Global, her husband Dr. Jaison Thomas, and nonprofit leader Chris Bos. Mesa Global equips local church leaders in more than 50 nations, including across Asia—where Oxford-trained Dr. Jessy Jaison leads from India, a nation home to more than 800 seminaries and theological training institutions. Dr. Jaison offers practical and spiritual insights on uniting leaders for the Gospel, the journey from leading peers to serving as a respected elder, and the challenges of merging diverse ministry organizations. The conversation explores: - The Christian legacy and church diversity across Kerala and India. - Bridging the gap between the academy and the church so that thriving congregations have well-trained leaders. - God’s work in shaping her leadership as a woman in full-time ministry. - The ongoing call to discipleship and spiritual formation throughout life. - Engaging and mentoring younger leaders to bridge generational divides. - Leading effectively across cultures in the Global South.  This episode is a rich reflection on Gospel-centered leadership, humility in growth, and the global church’s shared mission to equip the next generation of faithful servants. Church Connect Church Connect – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation, funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations through leaders like Development Specialist Caroline Curry. Episode Links: Dr. Jessy Jaison Dr. Jaison Thomas Chris Bos  More from The Church Around the World:Get email updates: Sign up hereListen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now