Halfway There

212: Neil Matthews and Accepting God’s Acceptance

Neil Matthews is a husband, father, and the producer of the podcast Other People’s Shoes where he creates space to hear one another’s perspectives. Today, Neil shares how he got swept into youth ministry, lost it all after a startling confession, and found a new ministry in podcasting. Neil relates his struggle with pride as a cover for his deeper woundings. He learned to depend on grace in humility while listening to what others are going through. Neil’s story reminds us that God is shaping us for the good through even the hardest experiences.
Listen to Neil’s story now!
Stories Neil shared:
Growing up in Southern California
Moving to Oregon before sixth grade
Choosing Christ and getting baptized
The night he almost committed suicide
The mentor who gave him a DC Talk tape
Giving his life to Christ at youth group once and for all
The night his youth leader quit in scandal
Getting swept into ministry as a 19 year old
Pursuing credentials as a pastor
How pornography derailed his career as a pastor
Reconciling with the pastor who fired him through his podcast
The absence of God he felt in that season
Getting baptized again on April 15, 2012
Learning to accept God’s acceptance of him
Great quotes from Neil:
Pain is something all of us walk in. How are we going to use it?
God sees me as who I am more than I do.
I am so important to him that I don’t need to get importance from anyone else.
Resources we mentioned:
Neil’s podcast website, Other People’s Shoes
You Lost Me: Why Young Christians Are Leaving Church . . . and Rethinking Faith by David Kinnaman
Neil’s episode with the pastor who fired him, You Lost Me Season Finale
Related episodes:
Rob Burns and Crossing Cultures
Meg Glesener and the Smile of God
John Swanger Shares Light in Dark Places
The post Neil Matthews and Accepting God’s Acceptance appeared first on Eric Nevins.

211: Aimee Byrd and Recovering From Biblical Manhood and Womanhood

Aimee Byrd is an author and podcaster. Her latest book is Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood  and it has caused quite the controversy. Today, Aimee shares how she longed for discipleship in college, met people of various theological stripes when she opened her own coffee shop, and learned to write in order to answer the questions others are asking. She is deeply concerned about the discipleship of women. Aimee has a knack for creating a conversation around important topics for disciples everywhere. Her story reminds us that what we believe about God shapes who we become in him.
Listen to Aimee’s story today!
Stories Aimee shared:
How Aimee became passionate about theology
Joining the Mortification of Spin podcast
Growing up in a Southern Baptist church and family
Realizing she wasn’t living the the way she wanted to after a night of partying
Thirsting for discipleship in college
Opening a coffee shop after college and engaging people of different theological stripes
Starting a Bible study for women in her church
How her pastor’s condescending attitude sent her on a journey
Moving to a new area and church and the lonely time that led to her writing
Struggling with being different in middle school
How selling her half of the coffee shop challenged her identity
Why she wrote Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Great quotes from Aimee:
You need discernment in a Christian bookstore.
I think my writing articulates questions regular people already have.
Just because put the word “biblical” in front of something doesn’t make it so.
Resources we mentioned:
Aimee’s website
Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood by Aimee Byrd
No Little Women: Equipping All Women in the Household of God
Related episodes:
Coleen Sharp and Building a Firm Foundation
Alex Lombard and Sticking to the Truth
Thomas Umstattd and Untwisting the Gospel
The post Aimee Byrd and Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood appeared first on Eric Nevins.

210: Bobby Jackson and Community that Heals

Bobby Jackson is a man of many hats: pastor, licensed therapist, and leader in the field of student care. Today, Bobby how he found stability in church as a kid, how deployment as an Army medic changed his life, and the car crash that led him to surrender to the Lord once and for all. Bobby has spent years developing programs to help students in pain and shares how his program can be used in churches around the country. Bobby’s story reminds us that no matter how far we think we’ve run, God will never let us go.
Listen to Bobby’s story now!
Stories Bobby shared:
Changing jobs and starting Rally Point Ministry
Growing up as an Air Force kid
The role of faith as he moved around
The influence of his mom on his faith
Why he went into youth ministry
Getting into theater in high school
Admission to Moody Bible Institute
Ending up in the Army and the difficulties of coming home
Being left by his wife and chasing her for a year
The season when he wrestled with God about the challenges
The “mini-miracles” that happened at his lowest
Feeling a degree of healing from his injuries
Totalling his car on the day he decided to rebel against God
The community that helped him heal
How he started ReGroup
Great quotes from Bobby:
Kids don’t inform Santa that they don’t believe he exists. But that’s the letter I wrote to God.
Community was a big part of my healing experience.
Every break in a relationship is two ways.
Resources we mentioned:
Rally Point Ministry
Related episodes:
Terry Wardle and the Healing Journey
D.L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention
Trevor Kapralos and the Power of Christian Community
The post Bobby Jackson and Community that Heals appeared first on Eric Nevins.

209: Kara-Kae James and Creating Space

Kara-Kae James is an author, blogger, and podcaster. Her newest book is called TOGETHER, A Journal for Mom & Me. Today, Kara-Kae shares her journey as a kid keeping up appearances, how she struggled to trust even though she knew all the right answers, and growing comfortable with her questions. Kara-Kae also shares her journaling practices with her kids and how adopting a son changed her world. Throughout her story, Kara-Kae shows how she creates space for people to be and become themselves. Her story reminds us that God is not daunted by our questions but embraces them and us.
Listen to Kara-Kae’s story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Kara-Kae shared:
Growing up in Oklahoma as a church kid
Having a legalistic view of God as a young person
How checking all the boxes made her faith not her own
The behind the scenes of church work that jaded her
Knowing all the right answers but still struggling with God
How pastor’s wives can live in authenticity
Learning to be comfortable with her questions
Pursuing her dream of writing
Creating space for people to land with their questions
Her journaling practices with her kids
Adopting their son and how that changed their family
Great quotes from Kara-Kae:
The church was my safe place.
I can easily tell you all the correct answers even if i’m battling in my mind whether or not I believe them.
Sometimes letting things fall apart and asking hard questions is what will truly transform us.
Resources we mentioned:
Kara-Kae’s website
Together, a Journal for Mom & Me: A Guided Experience Connecting Moms and Kids to God and Each Other by Kara-Kae James
Mom Up: Thriving with Grace in the Chaos of Motherhood by Kara-Kae James
Leading and Loving It
Kara-Kae’s Amazon list of books about race
Related episodes:
Karen Gonzalez and the God Who Sees
Ryan Lui and Embracing Your Uniqueness
D.L. Mayfield and the Gift of Paying Attention
The post Kara-Kae James and Creating Space appeared first on Eric Nevins.

Bonus: Craig & Janice Hammersmith and Small Signs & Big Promises

Craig & Janice Hammersmith are an ordinary couple follow God’s extraordinary vision for their lives. Today, Craig & Janice share their journey from suburban family to working with students in Luxembourg. Craig shares the restlessness he felt working a tech job, how he received Luxembourg citizenship, and the amazing connections that confirmed God’s call on their family. The Hammersmith’s story reminds us that the Lord works with small signs if we are paying attention.
Listen to the Hammersmith’s story today!
Stories Janice & Craig shared:
Janice growing up in El Paso as a pastor’s kid
How the Lord protected her family
Craig growing up Roman Catholic before he went to public middle school
How his life changed after his mom became a believer
How their decisions in high school shaped them
Meeting one another at Colorado Christian University
The moment he reject a student who later committed suicide
How Craig got citizenship in Luxembourg
Getting connected with YoungLife
The small ways God led them to agree to go to Luxembourg
How the Lord used their kids to confirm they should go
The spiritual climate in Luxembourg
Great quotes from Janice and Craig:
We wouldn’t find the big sign. What we saw was a bunch of small signs and a bunch of promises.
Resources we shared:
Give to the Hammersmiths to help them go to Luxembourg
Watch a video about the Hammersmith’s journey
Related episodes:
Carol Wilson and Following the Lord’s Lead
Chris and Joi Copeland and When God Calls You Go
David Jacob and Seeking After God
The post Craig & Janice Hammersmith and Small Signs & Big Promises appeared first on Eric Nevins.

208: James Prescott and Processing Grief Well

James Prescott is an author, podcaster, and Twitter boss (he’s always thought-provoking which I admire a great deal). Today, James shares the story of the trauma and grief he suffered by his mother’s sudden hospitalization as a child. When she returned to the family, her faith strengthened his but when she died years later, James began to ask God some questions. James shares his contemplative journey and why he started the Poema podcast. His story reminds us that it’s okay to ask God questions because He often uses them to mature us into his image.
Listen to James’ story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories James shared:
The season of grief as we endure a pandemic
The two responses to grief
Growing up in a Christian family in the Methodist
The moment his mom woke up after a coma
Being more interested in Jesus after his mom’s injury
Making a decision at 15 to follow Jesus
Growing in discipleship as a college student
Questioning God after his mom died
Finding a new community that allowed him to ask his questions
His changing theological beliefs
Finding a more contemplative expression of his faith
The transcendent moment during a Taizé service
Starting his podcast Poema
Great quotes from James:
This God I believe in is not big enough for me.
I changed how I believe as much as what I believe because how you believe is really important.
Sometimes you can be in pain and not know it
You are not alone. Whatever is going on in your life, you are not alone.
Resources we shared:
Connect with James on Twitter or his website
NOOMA Complete Collection
The Sabbath (FSG Classics) by Abraham Heschel
Related episodes:
Ty Wyss and the Kindness of God
Jennifer Eikenhorst and an Accidental Hope
Mark Karris says Stop Being Superstitious and Put Your Faith into Action
The post James Prescott and Processing Grief Well appeared first on Eric Nevins.

207: Meg Glesener and the Smile of God

Meg Glesener is a mom of eight raising her family in Seattle, a podcaster, and moderator of Christian Podcasters Association. Today, Meg shares growing up in an unsafe environment, how a Christian girl willing to be her friend changed her life, and her passion for the outcast. Meg also shares with us the bittersweet emotions of letting her children grow up and follow their own faith journeys. Everything Meg does is full of joy and compassion for others. Her story reminds us of God’s heart to leave the 99 to pursue the wayward one.
Listen to Meg’s story now in your favorite podcast player!
Stories Meg shared:
Growing up in Southern California in a non-Christian family
Bouncing around as a kid in a volatile family
Turning to sports and school for meaning
How her dad ended up in rehab
Meeting a girl who invited her to an afterschool program
Giving her life to Christ and not knowing how to tell her parents
Sharing Christ with her twin sisters and seeing her family come to Jesus as well
Choosing to have a large family
Her passion for meeting those with needs
Struggling with parenting as kids make their own choices
Her life prayer in Jude 24
Starting her own podcast, the Letters from Home Podcast
Turning her home into a safe place for others
Great quotes from Meg:
From the very beginning of our marriage we wanted to serve the Lord.
When I think of the Lord’s love and mercy and goodness in my own life, how can I not pour that back in?
There’s no perfect parenting. It’s a walk with God.
Resources we mentioned:
Meg’s website
Connect with Meg on Instagram
Christian Podcasters Association on Facebook and Instagram
Related episodes:
John Swanger Shares Light in Dark Places
April Diaz and Power and Justice in the Kingdom
Troy Greenwood and His Mid-Life Awakening
The post Meg Glesener and the Smile of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

206: Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People

Jay Kim, a pastor in the Silicon Valley and the author of Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age. Today, Jay shares how being alone as a child shaped him, wandering into agnosticism as a college student, and how Brennan Manning was just what he needed. We talk about the dark season struggling with infertility, too. Then, we discuss his book, why tangible people are so important, and how churches can hold that value even while they engage online. This conversation is the perfect one to have in the midst of a global pandemic and I know it will encourage you.
Listen to Jay’s story in your favorite podcast app now!
Stories Jay shared:
Pastoring a church in Silicon Valley
Emigrating to the United States after his mom’s conversion
Being alone a lot as a child and how that shaped him
Thinking that his church involvement meant he loved the Lord
Wandering in college a bit
The college friends that invited him for pizza and Brennan Manning
The people and practices that keep him grounded
How he discovered practices that help
Struggling with infertility and how that shaped him
Why he wrote Analog Church
How analog practices and meetings transform us
Great quotes from Jay:
I discovered they weren’t looking for someone with answers, they were looking for someone to affirm their questions.
When you go through valleys, the emotion trumps your theology.
Incarnation is by definition analog.
Transformation happens in analog, always and only.
Resources we mentioned:
Jay’s website
Connect with Jay on Twitter and Instagram
Analog Church: Why We Need Real People, Places, and Things in the Digital Age by Jay Kim
The Ragamuffin Gospel: Good News for the Bedraggled, Beat-Up, and Burnt Out by Brennan Manning
Skye Jethani’s article about The Case Against Sermon-Centric Sundays
Related episodes:
ddd
Caroline Harries and The Invitation of Hope
Rob Burns and Crossing Cultures
The post Jay Kim and Why We Need Real People appeared first on Eric Nevins.