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In this episode Matt is joined by Rich Rudowske from Lutheran Bible Translators to explore the vital work of translating the Bible into languages around the world, the impact of technology and AI on this mission, and why access to God's word is crucial for every community. Links: Lutheran Bible Translators: https://lbt.org/ Back to the Bible: https://lbt.org/back-to-the-bible-empower-your-church-through-scripture/ VoxCon 2027: https://www.gotovox.com Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode, Matt welcome Luke Kjolhaug to the show and together they explore how the message of Jesus transforms our relationship with fear and anxiety, drawing insights from Luke's new book 'Fear Not.'  Links: Fear Not book: https://shop.1517.org/products/9781967920129-fear-not VoxCon: https://www.gotovox.com Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of Christian higher education, focusing on its unique role in shaping students' faith, career, and life purpose. Rev. Dr. Ryan Peterson, VP of Advancement at Concordia University St. Paul, shares insights on how Christian universities foster transformation, community, and faithfulness like noneother in a challenging world. Links: Concordia St. Paul: https://www.csp.edu Make It Simple: https://www.makeitsimple.org VoxCon 2027: https://www.gotovox.com Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode Matt chats with Rev. Dr. Tim Ahlman about raising up leaders in the local church, the battle over "who can lead" in the LCMS, and much more. Links: Unite Leadership Collective: https://www.uniteleadership.org/ VoxCon 2027: https://www.gotovox.com/ Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

If you work in ministry or volunteer at your church then chances are you've used Planning Center. In the latest episode of Make It Simple, Matt chats with Aaron Stewart, the co-founder of Planning Center Services to discuss technology and the church. Keywords: technology, tech, church, AI, ministry Planning Center: https://planningcenter.com VoxCon 2027: https://www.gotovox.com/ Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In the latest episode of Make It Simple, Matt sits down with Gregg Matte, Sr. Pastor of Houston's First Baptist Church and founder of Breakaway Ministry. Matt and Gregg discuss ministry and leadership in the second half of life, leaving a legacy as a leader, and much more. Info: Houston's First - https://www.houstonsfirst.org Breakaway Ministries - https://breakaway.org Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode of Make It Simple, we explore how to effectively reach and engage men in the church, focusing on creating safe spaces for vulnerability, understanding generational differences, and trusting in the movement of the Holy Spirit. Keywords: men's ministry, church engagement, vulnerability, leadership, spiritual growth, generational differences, Holy Spirit, community, discipleship Links: Guy Wasko: https://for.nyc VoxCon 2027: https://www.gotovox.com/ Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

Matt and Rachel talk to comedian Andrew Stanley. Andrew is a rising star in stand-up, playing arenas with Nate Bargatze. He's also the son of pastor Andy Stanley and grandson of Dr. Charles Stanley, two of the most prominent and influential pastors and communicators in the country. Andrew shares his journey from a preacher's kid to a stand-up comedian, discussing the challenges of vulnerability, the importance of practice, and how his faith influences his work. He offers insights on building a comedy career, managing self-worth, and living authentically. Keywords: comedy, stand-up, faith, vulnerability, career, storytelling, practice, legacy, mental health, authenticity Andrew Stanley: https://andrewstanleycomedy.com VoxCon 2027: https://www.gotovox.com/ Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In the latest episode of Make It Simple, Matt talks to Zach Zehnder of Red Letter Living about Hodos, a national gathering for young adults, and about the challenge as well as the opportunity to reach 18 to 29 year olds with the message of Jesus. Resources & Links: Hodos Discount Code: simple150 Hodos Young Adult Gathering: https://www.hodosway.com/gatherings VoxCon 2027: https://www.gotovox.com/ Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

In this episode, we explore the journey of our friend Tanner Olson, a full-time poet, author, and speaker. Tanner gives us a peek behind-the-scenes of building a platform that not only shares a message of hope with the world, but provides a sustainable living for him and his family. Resources & Links: VoxCon 2027Tanner's WebsiteGetting Through What You're Going Through (Book)Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

This week, Matt and Rachel discuss Advent, the season of preparation and waiting leading up to Christmas Day, noting its increasing cultural popularity through various Advent calendars (like Lego or even whiskey) which are often separated from its original. They explain that Advent, derived from the Latin Adventus meaning "appearing" (not waiting as often thought), is a liturgical season intended to align believers with those who waited for Christ's first coming, prepare hearts for his birth, and remind them that Christians are still waiting for his promised Second Coming. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

This week, Rachel and Matt welcome Dr. Caroline Fleck and talk about validation, drawing from her book on the subject. They discuss how validation, which is about communicating mindfulness, understanding, and empathy to make someone feel seen and accepted, is often misunderstood as agreement or praise, but is actually a crucial therapeutic tool used to facilitate change in behavior. Dr. Fleck outlines the foundational skills of validation, like attending and copying, as a means to decrease physiological distress and open the door for psychological safety and deeper connection in relationships. Check out Dr. Caroline Fleck at https://drcarolinefleck.com/. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

This week, Matt and Rachel discuss the Holy Spirit, discussing that this crucial member of the Trinity is often either dangerously ignored out of caution or wrongly obsessed over through a focus on specific physical manifestations. They emphasize the Spirit's biblical role as the Helper / Encourager, whose indwelling is assured to all believers through baptism, empowering their faith, providing comfort, and constantly drawing them back to the finished work of Jesus Christ. **Podcast correction: in the episode, they reference a Jennifer Knapp song, which is about the Holy Spirit, which is called "Trinity."** Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

This week, Matt and Rachel discuss how to argue in a world where conflict is everywhere and often seems to ruin relationships. They talk about how the political and cultural issues being discussed are often "overvalued," leading people to choose victory over connection, and they offer practical ways to engage in heated conversations by leading with love, seeking to understand, and choosing curiosity. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.

This week, Matt and Rachel talk about disappointment and unmet expectations in life. Using a framework for grieving loss, they wonder if learning to deal with disappointments, both trivial and profound, is key to emotional health. They talk about the power of naming the disappointment and the need if left unmet, and how to reach an adjusted, hopeful expectation for the future—to avoid getting stuck in cynicism or despair. Support the show For more information on Make It Simple Ministries, head to https://makeitsimple.org/ To support Make It Simple, head here: Support the show Buy your copy of Junk Drawer Jesus wherever books are sold.