Episode 23 – Seeking the Peace That Passes All Understanding

In this episode of Awaken to Grace, Brian and Jen welcome Rev. Charlie Charles, an elder in the Florida Conference, for a rich conversation on peace as a fruit of the Spirit. Drawing on his childhood in 1980s Northern Ireland and experience of pastoral ministry, Charlie helps untangle the difference between the world's peace and the shalom Christ offers, a peace that doesn't remove us from turbulence, but steadies us from within it. Jen grounds the conversation in Wesley's vision of the Kingdom of God, where peace and joy arrive not through our striving but through full acceptance of God's saving love. Together, they explore John 20's breathtaking image of the risen Christ breathing peace into his fearful disciples before sending them out, and they offer the church a practical vision of peacemaking rooted in deep listening, courage, and the daily habits that keep us open to the Spirit's work. 3:26 — Shalom: beyond the absence of violence 5:10 — Peace as fruit: Wesley's Kingdom framework 17:47 — Breath, receive, release: the John 20 sending 27:54 — Listening and courage as peacemaking skills 38:50 — Daily habits and the cultivation of peace For more information on the year-long Awaken to Grace series, visit awakentograce.org. Produced by Wesley's Revival, a ministry of Studio Wesley. Original music by the Institute for Modern Worship.