An Imperfect Minister’s Wife’s Reflections on her Life and her Perfect Saviour with Joy Gulick

Have you ever felt like you have to earn your place with God, work harder, do more, prove you belong? What if the most freeing truth of the Christian life is that you simply can't? In this warm and laughter-filled conversation,   Dr. Beth sits down with Joy Gulick, author of “A Perfect Minister’s Wife: Another Work of Fiction”. At the age of 90, Joy simultaneously exhibits a beautiful balance of  passion for God’s word and the lightheartedness and joy of a little girl . She  reminds us that grace is a gift already given, fully paid for, and impossible to repay. ”, Joy was married to a minister and is a former missionary. She has had a life of faithful adventure, as she and her husband, Roger accepted God‘s call to move around the country to serve different churches, and to move around the world and preach the gospel in other countries.  Beth interviews Joy today alongside her son, daughter in law, and (kind of) a son in law, for a tender, joy-soaked conversation recorded just months after the passing of her beloved husband, Roger (also a guest of Never Perfect faith in early 2025) . Together they reflect on a lifetime of ministry, from buying thrift-store clothes for an unexpected mountain church to serving as missionaries across the world (including five trips to Iraq) well into their seventies. Through stories of Sabbath rest, small-group revival, bold discipleship, and irrepressible humor, Joy models what it looks like to live freely, love people boldly, and never lose the "glow." What You'll Learn: Why the Sabbath is a gift to enjoy, not a rule to obey and how rest protects you from burnout in ministry and life How small groups and everyday discipleship can multiply faith and transform an entire community The difference between earning God's love and receiving it as a gift you could never repay Why honesty about our struggles makes Christians more relatable—and the gospel more believable How to lovingly empower others (and yourself) to step out of comfort and into bold, God-sized obedience Why laughter and lightheartedness can be signs of a deep, grace-filled maturity About the Guest:  Joy Gulick is an author, pastor's wife, and mother of two who, alongside her late husband Roger, gave decades of her life to ministry and global missions. Known for her warmth, humor, and gift for seeing the best in others, Joy has spent a lifetime encouraging baby Christians to study, share, and reproduce their faith. Her husband Roger's own conversation with Dr. Beth is available on the Never Perfect Podcast. Get a copy of Joy Gulick’s Book: The Perfect Minister's Wife: Another Book of Fiction Wherever you are on your journey, weary, doubting, or just longing for a little more freedom, this episode is a gentle invitation to receive the gift you don't have to earn. Take a listen, let Joy's joy remind you that grace really is good news, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices