Halfway There

181: Matt Till and Living on Mission

Matt Till is a lecturer of Christian Ministry and Communications at Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL, lead pastor of Restoration Church in the Chicago suburbs, and a regular contributor to Ephesiology, an online community and podcast dedicated to the study of the early Christian movement. Today, Matt shares with us the story of finding Christ at Promise Keepers with his dad, learning that working in ministry isn’t all it’s made out to be, and responding to his calling to plant a church. Matt also shares how he learned that vocation can be lived out in any line of work anywhere. His story reminds us that God always has a plan even when we think we’re directing the steps.
Listen to Matt’s story now!
 Stories Matt shared:
Growing up in a Methodist home in Chicagoland
Hearing the Holy Spirit for the first time at Promise Keepers in 1996 and receiving Christ with his dad
Being baby Christians with his whole family
Building community in college and how that shaped him
Studying broadcast communication
Working in Chicago television
Moving to a megachurch in the area to use his gifts
How his disillusionment caused him to grow
The vacation where God asked him to plant a church
Going to seminary to become a pastor
How God sparked conversations about church planting
Planting a church in the middle of megachurches falling
The unexpected response to his vulnerability
Great quotes from Matt:
You can be doing something of value for the Kingdom of God even outside the church.
God is a God on mission.
We’ve been more consumed with getting people to believe the right things; that’s just tribalism at its best. Or its worst.
Resources we mentioned:
Ephesiology’s the State of the Church in America episode
Ephesiology: The Study of a Movement
Matthew’s website
Connect with Matt on Twitter
Related episodes:
Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.


The post Matt Till and Living on Mission appeared first on Eric Nevins.

180: Cyd & Geoff Holsclaw and the God Who Likes You

Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw are Vineyard pastors in Grand Rapids, MI. Cyd is also a spiritual director and life coach, and Geoff is affiliate professor of theology at Northern Seminary. Married almost twenty years, they have two teenage boys love going on road trips together. Cyd and Geoff recently published Does God Really Like Me? Discovering the God Who Wants to Be with Us. Today, they share the story of first encountering God, meeting one another at just the right time, and learning that God really wants to be with us. The road was a little different for Cyd and Geoff but ultimately led them both to awareness of God’s desire to be with them.
Listen to Cyd & Geoff’s story!
Stories Cyd & Geoff shared:
Cyd growing up in Grand Rapids, MI and needing to leave a quickly as she could
Geoff grew up as a “friendly fundamentalist”
The covenant theology that made Cyd feel as if God was about the larger community not the individual
How Geoff moved from a more legalistic faith to a personal relationship with God
Teaching kids about Judges and how that shaped Cyd’s view of God
Geoff going through the Sermon on the Mount and how the Lord spoke to him on the beach
Cyd shared how losing her mom in her late 20s was a disorienting season
When Jesus played hide and seek with Cyd
How Geoff learned through pain and what God taught him
Moving to Chicago to go to seminary
Pastoring together in Michigan
Cyd leaving her ministry position and learning to be not do
Great quotes from Cyd & Geoff:
How do I find this God that I’ve heard about but haven’t known? (Cyd)
Reading the Bible through the lens of “God always wants to be with us” changes the whole story. (Cyd)
Jesus can be fun! I had never known Jesus can be fun.
It’s not a sin problem; it’s a separation problem.
God is the one overcoming all the barriers keeping us from him.
Resources we mentioned:
Does God Really Like Me?: Discovering the God Who Wants to Be With Us by Cyd and Geoff Holsclaw
Geoff’s website
Devotional Classics: Revised Edition: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups by Richard Foster
Outsmarting Yourself: Catching Your Past Invading the Present and What to Do About It by M.D. Karl Lehman
The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves
Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships
Related episodes:
Jeff Tacklind and the Winding Path of Transformation
Phileena Heuertz and Christian Contemplation
Rich Lewis Says Centering Prayer Changes You
The post Cyd & Geoff Holsclaw and the God Who Likes You appeared first on Eric Nevins.

179: Troy Greenwood and His Mid-Life Awakening

Troy Greenwood is the Co-Founder of GraceFull Cafe & Foundation. Today, he shares the story of feeling like something was missing in his life when he seemed to have it all, moving to Uganda for 10 months, and discovering a whole new way of living with God. He and his wife, Heather, run the Gracefull Cafe in Littleton, CO (where I live) and serve meals to anyone even if they cannot pay. Together, Troy and Heather are creating a community around food that’s open to all.
Listen to Troy’s story now!
Stories Troy shared:
Starting Gracefull Cafe with his wife
Growing up as a pastor’s kid going out of obligation
Feeling something was missing while seeming to have it all
Moving to Uganda for 10 months
Forgiving his parents because the Lord asked him to
How Uganda changed his understanding of himself
Noticing how his journal entries changed
Learning to leave God space to work in his day
The dream that convinced him it’s okay to go home
Opening Gracefull Cafe and how it works
Representing the entire community by creating a welcoming space
Why we must learn people’s names
Great quotes from Troy:
While the Lord was holding me in his hands, he was breaking so many things about what I knew and understood about myself and about him.
Ugandans taught me more about my faith than I taught them.
Sometimes we plan God out of our schedule.
I didn’t know anything about community until I lived in it.
I need buckets of patience and truckfuls of trust.
Resources we mentioned:
Gracefull Cafe
Related episodes:
Craig Greenfield and Good News for the Poor
Julie Court and the Power of Forgiveness
Jeff Brodsky and Barefoot Until the Last Child is Rescued
The post Troy Greenwood and His Mid-Life Awakening appeared first on Eric Nevins.

178: Gisela Kreglinger and Savoring the Goodness of God

Gisela Kreglinger is a theologian, writer, and speaker who leads people on wine pilgrimages and is the author of The Soul of Wine: Savoring the Goodness of God. Today, Gisela shares her story of growing up on winery, how that taught her about dependance on God, and learning how wine brings people together. Gisela also shares how she learned to wrestle with God and how community helped her through those times. And, of course, she shares how to find good wines and the biblical basis for enjoying it. Grab a glass of wine and join this conversation!
Listen to Gisela’s story now!
Stories Gisela shared:
Growing up in Franconia, Germany on a winery and close to the earth
Listening to God when to harvest
Finding a more personal relationship with God during the Catholic charismatic revival
Being the dreamer in the family
Volunteering for a year after college
Studying with Eugene Peterson
Studying spirituality and beginning to write about the spirituality of wine
Wrestling with God and learning to be angry with him
Grieving her mom’s depression and loss
How community helped her through times of mourning
How wine brings joy and communities together
The joy of “holy intoxication” and the way wine opens you up
Great quotes from Gisela:
God works always in the particulars of people’s lives.
What spirituality do we need to cultivate and develop for the 21st century?
Wine is God’s gift to humanity so why do we let the secular world define the meaning of wine for us?
We need to reclaim God’s gifts for the Body of Christ.
Resources we mentioned:
Gisela’s website
The Soul of Wine: Savoring the Goodness of God by Gisela Kreglinger
The Spirituality of Wine by Gisela Kreglinger
Affordable Wines and How to Create a Charcuterie Board
Related episodes:
J. Parker and How the Gospel Applies to Sex
Dr. Corinne Weaver and Learning to Breathe
Gunnar Falk and Grace Extended in Community
The post Gisela Kreglinger and Savoring the Goodness of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

177: Ty Wyss and the Kindness of God

Ty Wyss is the Founder and Executive Director of Walls Down Ministry. Today, Ty shares how he discovered early that he was same-sex attracted, a place to belong in the gay community, and finding Jesus after a night of clubbing. When he finally felt God’s kindness toward him, Ty began to trust God with his life and sexuality. He vowed never to pretend to be something he wasn’t again. Walls Down Ministry serves as a bridge between the LGBTQ+ community and the church by  helping them become “competent caregivers and disciple-makers for the LGBT and same-sex attracted people” around them. Ty’s story teaches us that God loves everyone and offers a path forward for conversation between two historically divided communities. I’m so glad he shared his story.
Listen to Ty’s story now!
Stories Ty shared:
Growing up in the cornfields of Ohio and a typical Midwestern family
Realizing at 12 that he was same sex attracted
Experiencing sexual abuse from 9-15
Coming out to his friends and family at 17
Escaping to Columbus, Ohio to find a gay community
Enjoying community but feeling empty inside
Driving an hour to go to church on a Sunday Morning after clubbing the night before
How the Holy Spirit wooed him
Joining a discipleship group and learning to walk with God
Meeting his wife at camp and how they got together
Losing their second born son during birth
Experiencing God accepting his anger
Starting Walls Down Ministry and how he serves as a bridge between the LGBTQ+ community and the church.
Great quotes from Ty:
I don’t think there’s recipe for a gay person.
I came out on Thursday and my parents went to church on Sunday.
Doctrine doesn’t heal people. Community heals people.
I was an openly gay man and a closet Christian.
I did not feel like a prime candidate for the love of God.
If you use any weapon, it has to be kindness.
Resources we mentioned:
Walls Down Ministry
Related episodes:
Mary DeMuth and the Safest Place for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Patrick Meyers and the Kind Initiator
Billy Hallowell is Building Cultural Bridges
The post Ty Wyss and the Kindness of God appeared first on Eric Nevins.

176: Meg Calvin and Permission for Ambition

Meg Calvin is a fellow podcaster, speaker, and author of I Am My Own Sanctuary.  Today, Meg shares how she was called to ministry at a young age, how it took over her life, and how she learned to have a life outside of her work. Meg says she helps “spiritually attuned go-getters” like herself to make peace with ambition by seeing it as God-given. Meg has a great sense of humor and I know her story will encourage you to ask what it is the Lord is asking you to do and go get it done!
Listen to Meg’s story, now!
Stories Meg shared:
Working on a church staff from very young
Tips for how to deal with Imposter Syndrome
Finding validation in the church
Sensing the Holy Spirit as a young woman
Noticing a difference between herself and her classmates in seminary
Discovering how fun “outside of church Meg” is
How it surprises her that people that people have limiting beliefs
How she learned to have a life outside of church
Learning that she is loved even without accomplishment
Staying at her church even after she decided against ordination
Publishing her first book The Bluebonnet Child
Why Christians shouldn’t be afraid of “owning their power”
Why “I am my own sanctuary” is important to her
Great quotes from Meg:
Nobody loves you enough to hold you accountable to your selfcare.
I said no to God to speak behind a mic every Sunday because I thought I was doing that to get applause but my hobbies were the same thing.
Resources we mentioned:
Meg’s website
I Am My Own Sanctuary: How A Recovering Holy-Roller Found Healing and Power by Meg Calvin
The Bluebonnet Child: Finding Grace in Poor Soil by Meg Calvin
Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation by Parker Palmer
Disciple.com
Mel Robbins – How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over
Related episodes:
Ryan Lui and Embracing Your Uniqueness
Cari Jenkins and Who You Really Are
Cliff Ravenscraft and Finding Yourself in Christ
The post Meg Calvin and Permission for Ambition appeared first on Eric Nevins.

175: Markus Watson and How Suffering Transforms

Markus Watson is a pastor and host of Spiritual Life and Leadership podcast. Today, Markus shares the story of how he found a new life with Christ after nearly losing his career. Markus tells us the story of how he gave up his Hollywood dreams, became a pastor, and suffered through false accusations of child porn. The accusations ultimately cost Markus his job but the experience led him to a richer, less performance-based faith. This story reminds us that suffering is often the tool with which the Lord shapes us.
Listen to Markus’ story now!
Stories Markus shared:
Growing up in Los Angeles as a pastor’s kid
Being a little judgey as a young Christian
The stages of making a decision to live for Jesus
Joining Campus Crusade for Christ and learning leadership skills
Working in Hollywood and finding his priorities
Discovering his passion when he started seminary
How the ordination process helped him to let go of his Hollywood dream
Moving to Kentucky to become a pastor
Going home to California
The call from the executive presbyter that changed his life
Being accused of porn addiction and the resulting investigation
The dark night of the soul he experienced during the investigation
How this experience messed with his self-worth
Meditating on God’s love for him on a surfboard
Losing his job to false accusations
How suffering has changed him and his ministry
Great quotes from Markus:
To embrace preaching meant that I was letting go of something that I’d been holding on to.
I’ve always believed God loves me unconditionally but in that moment, I finally understood.
When I think of discipleship, I think of it in terms of becoming more fully ourselves.
Resources we mentioned:
Markus’ website
Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen
The Critical Journey, Stages in the Life of Faith, Second Edition by Janet O. Hagberg & Robert Guelich
The Emotionally Healthy Leader: How Transforming Your Inner Life Will Deeply Transform Your Church, Team, and the World by Peter Scazzero
Surrender to Love: Discovering the Heart of Christian Spirituality (The Spiritual Journey) by David Benner
Life of the Beloved: Spiritual Living in a Secular World by Henri Nouwen
Abba’s Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging by Brennan Manning
Related episodes:
Mary DeMuth and the Safest Place for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Jim Barnard Finds Hope in Suffering through Community
Misty Phillip and the Counterintuitive Ways of God
Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.


The post Markus Watson and How Suffering Transforms appeared first on Eric Nevins.

174: Caroline Harries and the Invitation of Hope

Caroline Harries is an author, podcaster, and blogger at In Due Time. She also founded the ministry Moms in the Making for women waiting through a season of infertility. Today, Caroline shares the moment when she and her husband learned they would not be able to have children naturally, the works-based faith she had to break, and how the Lord used her surrender to create her ministry. Of course, waiting is a time when he shapes us most and Caroline’s story is no different. If you’re waiting for anything, Caroline’s story will encourage you to trust the Lord all the more.
Listen to Caroline’s story now!
Stories Caroline shared:
Growing up in a non-Christian home and going to church in middle school
Finding community in college while studying her Bible everyday
Living more like her friends than Jesus
Receiving a diagnosis that drove her deeper
Finding her husband at a church in the young adults group
Learning that she and her husband were unable to have children
Operating in a works-based mindset and how that made them miserable
The dream that convinced her to surrender to the Lord
Starting a fertility support group
Being disobedient and investing in her career instead of writing a book
Writing her book and overseeing over 50 support groups
How you can support friends going through infertility
Overcoming shame and bringing hope
Great quotes from Caroline:
We actually have a Father who wants to be with us at all times.
Everything changed when I chose to surrender our journey over to the Lord saying “It’s not by our works that we’ll become parents; it’s by your grace. It’s going to be a gift from you.”
No matter what season you’re in, whether on the mountain or in the valley, just run after him and his goodness will chase you down.
Resources we mentioned:
Join Moms In the Making
Caroline’s website, In Due Time
Caroline’s podcast, A Cup Full of Hope
In Due Time: Hope and Encouragement in the Waiting by Caroline Harries
Related episodes:
J. Parker and How the Gospel Relates to Sex
Dan & Lindsay McKenzie are Living a Big Adventure Together
Misty Phillip and the Counterintuitive Ways of God
The post Caroline Harries and The Invitation of Hope appeared first on Eric Nevins.