Advertise on podcast: Grace at the Fray

Rejection can feel like a single, stinging moment, but it often points to a lifelong script for managing pain: be impressive, be useful, avoid failure, and maybe people won't leave. Pastor Bobby Suh shares how abandonment, shame, and the longing for approval fueled an exhausting pursuit of perfection—even in ministry. His story takes us into places we often try to hide: rejection, church hurt, spiritual trauma, and shame. But Jesus knows rejection, too. Bobby shares how the gospel of grace freed him from having to prove himself and gave him an identity rejection cannot take away: a beloved child of God, fully known and deeply loved. In this episode, they discuss… Abandonment, Approval, and Achievement (07:08)A Call To Ministry and a Father’s Rejection (16:04)Marital Strain (26:35)Divorce, Rumors, and Church Fallout (34:10)“You Will Never Be Rejected” (43:00)Breaking the Cycle of Rejection (01:06:22) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Read 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳: 𝘓𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳 and 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘦𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘋𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘏𝘶𝘳𝘵Sign up now for our Gospel-Centered Life Weekend in McLean, VABible references: Psalm 129, Isaiah 53, Matthew 3:17 Credits: Our guest for this episode was Bobby Suh, Community Life Pastor at Christ Central Presbyterian Church and an associate with Life on Life Ministries. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

What happens when you go on mission to serve others—and discover just how much you need Jesus yourself? Fresh off an eight-week internship in Prague, Serge interns Alyssa, Grant, and John share how grief, loneliness, cultural discomfort, and the exposure of their own heart idols became invitations to deeper dependence on Christ. Their stories reveal the surprising gift of mission: Jesus meets us in our weakness, frees us from burdens we were never meant to carry, and gives us Himself. In this episode, they discuss… Adjusting to Czech Culture (10:50)Lasting Team Bonds (24:16)Experiencing Jesus in Hard Moments (31:57)Returning Home with a New Story (43:35)Hope of Slower Living (48:23) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Learn more about and sign up for the Serge Internship ProgramRead Life-Changing Mission: Devotions for Your Short-Term Trip edited by Patric KnaakBible references: Psalm 121, Psalm 42 Credits: Our guests for this episode were Alyssa, John, and Grant, three Serge interns who have just returned from Prague. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Loneliness touches all of us—but it often comes with shame, leaving us wondering what our aloneness says about us. In this episode, Jim talks with author and pastor Bill Smith about our deep desire to know and be known, and the God who refuses to leave us alone. Jesus enters our alienation, bears it at the cross, and rises again so that separation will never have the final word. Their conversation explores how grace meets us in loneliness and shame, brings us into genuine belonging, and frees us to risk moving toward others in love. In this episode, they discuss… Loneliness vs Aloneness (09:50)Shame Creates Hiding and Blame (14:14)Jesus Was Misunderstood Too (24:26)Suffering Well (34:47)Resurrection Makes Love Unbreakable (44:52) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Read Bill’s new book 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘕𝘰𝘵 𝘈𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦: 𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘐𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴Sign up for a GCL Weekend in Pittsburgh, PA or McLean, VARead 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭-𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 by Bob Thune and Will Walker and accompanying blog post “Created for Community, Redeemed for Community”Bible references: Philippians 2:6-11, Psalms 68:6, Romans 8:38-39 Credits: Our guest for this episode was Bill Smith, pastor, author, and retreat speaker who is regularly captured by the unexpected ways that God engages people in scripture. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Why do we keep going when the road is long? In this opening episode, pastor Ajay Thomas reminds weary believers that endurance doesn't come from trying harder—it comes from the strengthening grace that is ours in Christ. Drawing from 2 Timothy 2, he fixes our eyes on Jesus, the risen Savior who endured the cross and now leads His people through every trial with the promise of resurrection. Because Christ is alive, our suffering is never the end of the story. If you're tired, discouraged, or wondering whether to quit, this episode is a fresh invitation to receive the grace that carries us all the way home. In this episode, they discuss… A Foggy Swim and a Warning (08:13)Paul Telling Timothy Do Not Quit (14:29)How Grace in Christ Strengthens Us (18:13)Soldier Athlete Farmer Pictures (21:31)Jesus Risen from the Dead (35:36) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Read 𝘈 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘋𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘵𝘺 by Eugene PetersonExplore options for Mentored SonshipSign up for Discipleship LabBible references: 2 Timothy 2:1-13, Psalm 120-134 Credits: Our guest for this episode was Ajay Thomas, Co-Founder and Executive Director of The Advance Initiative. He serves with the goal of seeing a global movement of gospel-centered, multiethnic church plants by or among South Asians. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, Ashlie Kodsy, Hudson Marsh, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

What if you feel called to serve—but aren’t sure you believe what you’re saying? Tommy, a Serge missionary in London, shares how stepping into mission didn’t erase his doubt—it exposed it. In the midst of imposter syndrome and quiet cynicism, he discovered that Jesus isn’t threatened by our unbelief. Faith isn’t having it all together—it’s showing up. And as we do, God meets us with grace, revealing His beauty and reminding us that the gospel is still good news for us and for the world. In this episode, they discuss… Calling, Music, and a Crash Landing (07:35)Feeling Like a Fraud (13:07)Doubt Grows on the Field (22:19)The Best Moments You Cannot Control (32:41)Keep Showing Up with Your Unbelief (40:41) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Visit the brand new Serge StoreImpact a Generation - donate before the end of May to have your gift matchedBible references: Revelation 21, Mark 1:14-15,1 Corinthians 15 Credits: Our guest for this episode was Tommy L, a church planter and musician. He serves alongside his wife, Lindsay, on Serge’s Hounslow team. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

In a world that feels loud, urgent, and overwhelming, God’s grace often meets us in small, seemingly unimportant moments. That’s where Parker’s story takes us—into the ordinary rhythms of life and ministry in West London, where faithfulness looks like entrepreneurship, coffee, and a willingness to repent when everyday moments reveal what’s going on in our hearts. Through it all, we see a God who is patient, present, and gently transforming us. This episode invites us to re-engage with the ordinary through a gospel lens, trusting that even the smallest moments can become places where His love reshapes us and flows to others. In this episode, they discuss… Why London and Why Coffee (04:52)Refugee English Classes and Roasting (15:46)Five-Minute Prayer Drill (22:09)Busyness Control and Delegating Well (26:58)Serge Giveaway (43:54) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Practice our 5-Minute DrillParticipate in the new Serge giveawayBible references: Ephesians 2:10,  Psalm 139:23-24 Credits: Our guest for this episode was church planter Parker M., who has served with Serge since 2017 along with his wife, Natalie. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

How do we actually grow in grace—by grace? In this episode, we explore how real transformation doesn’t come from trying harder, but from trusting more deeply. Jim and guest Patric Knaak unpack the counterintuitive nature of sanctification—and how the Christian life isn’t about becoming less dependent on Jesus, but more. Through everyday stories and biblical insight, we’re reminded that faith receives what grace provides. When Christ becomes the true object of our faith, even our weakness becomes the place where His grace meets us and leads us into freedom. In this episode, they discuss… Faith Has an Object (08:18)Why Jesus Is Trustworthy (14:24)Faith as the One Essential Work (28:23)Misplaced Faith (46:16)Discouragement, Repentance, and Assurance (52:43) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Deepen your understanding of faith with Mentored SonshipRead Repentance: A Daring Call to Real Surrender by Jack MillerDownload our free e-book on Everyday Repentance or watch Stu Batstone's webinarListen to 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘏𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵Bible references: John 6:22-38, Ephesians 2:8-10, Galatians 2:20, Romans 7:13-20 Credits: Our guest for this episode was Deputy Director of Mission Patric Knaak. Patric is an author and ordained minister with the PCA, and has been with Serge since 2007. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Watching someone take a real risk for Jesus can stir our hope—and gently expose the places where we hold back. In this episode, we follow Sydney’s story of small, honest steps of faith, marked by real fear and a deepening trust in a gracious God. As she prepares to step into cross-cultural ministry, we see a Father who meets us in our weakness, invites us to follow, and holds us fast when we begin to sink. If you’re discerning your next step, consider this: Are you able? Are you willing? Could this be His invitation? In this episode, they discuss… A Trip that Changed Everything (06:04)Prayer that Pushes Past Fear (15:01)Wrestling with Calling (27:47)Support Raising (35:13)Tools for Your Next Step (45:52) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Learn more about LEAPExplore Apprenticeship opportunitiesRead 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘵 by Nathan Sloan and 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘌𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 by John C. MillerVisit our blog for "3 Questions to Uncomplicate your Calling" by Matt Allison and “A Living Sacrifice” by Josiah BancroftWatch Nathan Sloan’s webinar You are Sent: Finding Your Place in God’s Global MissionBible references: Romans 8:1, 1 John 4:18 Credits: Our guest for this episode was Sydney B., who recently returned to London after a short-term trip to the city with her church. She is now serving as an apprentice in a multicultural church plant. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L.  𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

What if the ache beneath our routines is actually worship searching for a worthy object? In the West, we often look to politics, success, appearance, sports, or approval for what only God can give. In the mountains where our guest “Carl” serves, idols are carved from wood and stone and tower over villages. The forms differ, but the human heart is the same—restless and easily captured by false gods. Yet the gospel reveals the living God who speaks, hears our prayers, and rescues us by grace. Tune in to hear how Jesus frees people from silent idols and invites us into the joy of knowing Him. In this episode, they discuss… Idolatry at Home and Abroad (9:36)Confronting Unbelief with Prayer (18:21)Gentle Evangelism: Questions that Reach Hearts (25:01)Loneliness, Presence, and Daily Grace (32:40)God’s Nearness and Holy Fear (38:16)Spotting Idols And Finding Freedom (45:47) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Read The Path of Loneliness by Elisabeth ElliotSign up for Mentored SonshipLearn more about Business for TransformationExplore options for Short Term TripsRead “The Difference Between Workaholism and Walking in Good Works”Bible references: Ephesians 2:8-10, Colossians 2:15 Credits: Our guest for this episode was “Carl”, a Business for Transformation field worker with Serge. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

In places where the name of Jesus is rarely spoken, ordinary work becomes a doorway for extraordinary grace. In this episode, Jim sits down with Matt Allison, Serge’s Executive Director, to explore Business for Transformation—real businesses in hard places that embody the gospel through dignity, beauty, and risky obedience. Amid struggle and unseen faithfulness, one truth steadies it all: our hope is not in success, but in Christ’s steadfast love. Listen in and hear how God is at work—making all things new through grace-filled risk and everyday vocation. In this episode, they discuss… Kingdom Work Beyond Evangelism (06:10)A Justice Business that Endures (12:05)Young Builders with Long Runways (18:00)Catalysts for Risk and Repentance (24:52)Invitation to Consider B4T (35:05) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Explore B4T opportunitiesRead From Sex Trade to Freedom: The Transformative Power of Business for TransformationBible references: Revelation 21 Credits: Our guest for this episode was Matt Allison, Executive Director of Serge. Matt leads our efforts to mobilize the US church into global missions and support the work of Serge all around the world. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Shame tells us to hide. The gospel tells us we are already covered. In this powerful episode, Ruth Ann Batstone invites us into the tender pursuit of a God who sees our deepest exposure and responds not with rejection, but with mercy. Drawing from Genesis, the Psalms, and the cross of Christ, she shows how shame distorts intimacy, fuels false substitutes for love, and keeps us running from God and one another. But Jesus enters our hiding places, bears our shame, and clothes us with His righteousness—freeing us to live radiant, known, and deeply loved. In this episode, they discuss… Intimacy Beyond Sex (8:57)Addictions and Empty Cisterns (15:25)The Birth of Shame (25:46)Defining Shame and Its Faces (33:16)Marriage as Exposure and Vulnerability (38:02)The Cost of Contempt (47:15)Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation helpful, please share this it or leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Read Mike Mason’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘨𝘦, Ed Welch’s 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘶𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘥, and Dan Allender’s 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘈𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘴Check out our blog post: Grace for the Second Fall Sign up for Mentored Sonship Read Ruth Ann Batstone’s book 𝘔𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘯: 𝘉𝘦𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵Bible references: Gen 1-3:1, Romans 1:25, Malachi 2:3, Hebrews 12:2, Psalm 34:4-5Credits: Our guest for this episode was author and educator Ruth Ann Batstone, who joined Serge in 1990 and devoted decades to gospel renewal. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

When someone you love is hurting, knowing what to say can feel impossible. We invited authors Monica Kim and Danny Kwon to help us find a way forward that combines deep gospel hope with practical, compassionate care for teenagers dealing with anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, and more. Their wisdom comes from decades in youth ministry and clinical counseling, and our hope is that it reaches where your family truly lives: messy bedrooms, late-night texts, school meetings, and the everyday moments where fear and grace meet. In this episode, they discuss… Gospel Foundation Meets Psychology (09:37)How Churches Act as First Responders (18:40)Compassionate Care Over Quick Fixes (23:45)Peer Support and Youth Leadership (31:10)Exercises for Anxiety and Presence (39:20)Identity, Scars, and Resurrection Hope (44:10)Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging, please share this episode or leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Read Danny and Monica's book Revisit Debbie Harrell’s podcast episodeWatch Debbie Harrell’s free webinarRead 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭-𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘯𝘴, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘭-𝘊𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘵Visit our blog: Four Steps for Parenting by Grace, 3 Ways to Become a Praying ParentBible references: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 47:1-6Credits: Our guests for this episode were Monica Kim and Danny Kwon, co-authors of Teenagers and Mental Health: A Handbook for Parents, Pastors, and Youth Leaders. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L.  𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Disenchantment runs deep—for weary believers, pastors, and churches alike. In this conversation with Pastor Jerry Fourroux, we explore how the gospel restores wonder by turning our eyes again to the kindness of God in Christ. Drawing from Scripture, story, and lived experience, this episode reframes repentance not as dreary self-improvement but as a joyful return to grace. When God’s kindness leads the way, repentance becomes an invitation into beauty, freedom, and renewed imagination. If your faith feels tired, flattened, or disenchanted, this episode offers a hopeful reminder: Christ is still at work, tenderly drawing weary hearts from disenchantment to delight. In this episode, they discuss… A Life of Repentance (16:10)Repentance as Running Toward Joy (26:45)Vivification, Sacraments, and Beauty (32:55)Revelation Pulls Back the Curtain (39:12)Beyond Deconstruction to Re-Enchantment (45:20)Providence, Politics, and Humility (51:20)Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Read 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 by Scotty Smith and 𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦: 𝘈 𝘋𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘋𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 & 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦: 𝘈 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 by Jack MillerDownload our free e-book 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘰𝘺Revisit The Life-Giving Power of Christian Mentoring with Scotty SmithExplore more at serge.org/renewalExplore all that we have to offer and how you can participate at serge.orgBible references: Romans 2:4, Hebrews 13:2Credits: Our guest for this episode was Jerry Fourroux, pastor of Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church (ECO) in Williamsport, PA. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

In this season finale, Jim Lovelady invites us to listen again to the hum of God’s radical grace—a grace that refuses to be earned and meets us in both rebellion and self-righteous striving. Preaching from Luke 15, Jim explores why we love grace, why we resist it, and how Jesus tells these parables to unsettle proud hearts and tenderize weary ones. This episode proclaims the shocking good news that the Father runs toward prodigals of every kind, covers our shame at great cost to Himself, and invites us into the joy of the Kingdom—where grace reigns, and the party is already underway. In this episode, they discuss… Writer’s Block and Grace Anxiety (02:28)When Grace Sounds Cliché (09:48)Jesus Welcomes the "Losers" (13:15)Why We Hate Grace (18:31)Troubled Hearts and Humility (24:05)Communion as Weekly Celebration (35:05) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Read 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘰𝘯: 𝘈 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨Give to Missionary Care and get your gift doubled until December 31stListen to or watch Rose Marie Miller Podcast: What Kingdom Centered Prayer Looks Like & Rose Marie Miller Podcast: A Hundred Years of Grace: Celebrating Rose Marie MillerBible references: Luke 15, Deuteronomy 21:18-21 Credits: Our host for this episode was Jim Lovelady, pastor, musician, and program leader on Serge’s Renewal team. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].

Anxiety can feel like a constant hum—an undercurrent of dread that steals joy and whispers disqualification. In this honest conversation, counselor and former Serge field worker Danielle Martinelli-Taylor shares how Christ meets us right in that noise with radical, tender grace. In this episode, we explore the difference between worry and anxiety, why so many missionaries feel overwhelmed, and how Jesus draws near not after we “fix ourselves,” but in our weakness. If you’ve ever feared you’re too anxious, too broken, or too much of a burden, this episode will help you hear the louder song of Christ’s love for you. In this episode, they discuss… True Member Care (09:01)Stress Versus Anxiety (19:18)Body Signals and Shame (26:20)Performance Pressure and Pastoral Anxiety (35:02)Coping Behaviors and Deeper Wounds (43:25)Trauma, Boundaries, and Finding Help (50:16) Thank you for listening! If you found this conversation encouraging or helpful, please share this episode with your friends and loved ones. Or please leave us a review—it really helps! Referenced in this episode: Give to 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦 todayRead 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦, 𝘛𝘳𝘺 𝘚𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳, & 𝘙𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘺Explore a Serge ApprenticeshipBible references: 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 1 John 3:20, Zephaniah 3:17 Credits: Our guest for this episode was Danielle Martinelli-Taylor, a licensed clinical counselor and the founder of Animo C&C LLC. She has also been with Serge since 2012 and currently serves as the Counseling Coordinator and Home Assignment Specialist. This episode was hosted by Jim Lovelady. Production by Evan Mader, Anna Madsen, and Grace Chang. Music by Tommy L. 𝑮𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒓𝒂𝒚 𝑷𝒐𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒔𝒕 is produced by SERGE, an international missions agency that sends and cares for missionaries and develops gospel-centered programs and resources for ongoing spiritual renewal. Learn more and get involved at serge.org. Connect with us!  Instagram: @graceatthefrayFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/sergeglobalTwitter: https://twitter.com/GraceAtTheFrayTik Tok: @graceatthefrayLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/serge/Sign up here to get notified when new episodes are released: https://serge.org/podcast/#subscribe Questions or comments? Reach out to us anytime at [email protected].