Kristen Welch, Founder of Mercy House Global, on Intimacy with God Amidst Fruitful Ministry (Ep. 175)

Kristen Welch is an author, speaker, and the founder of Mercy House Global, but her story is shaped less by achievement and more by surrender. Raised in a generous, Christian home, Kristen followed God’s lead into ministry, writing, and motherhood. Her love for writing led her into the early Christian mom-blogging world where she found community and influence, but it was a 2010 blogging trip to Kenya with Compassion International that unsettled her faith and reordered her calling. That encounter became the catalyst for Mercy House Global and for a lifelong journey of learning what it means to say yes to God with open hands.   Through Mercy House, Kristen has spent the past fifteen years walking alongside vulnerable women and families through job creation, orphan prevention, and discipleship, both globally and locally. Along the way, she has learned that generosity and ministry busyness without intimacy with God can quietly hollow out the soul. Her story reflects the cost of faithful work, the danger of doing for God without being with Him, and the grace God offers through rest, repentance, and renewed friendship with Him.   This conversation invites all of us to reflect on how God calls us to slow down, reorient our hearts, and rediscover satisfaction in His presence while living generously.   Major Topics Include: Generosity in hospitality Obedience through small, faithful yeses Using influence for Kingdom purpose Serving without losing intimacy with God The danger of doing for God without being with God Identity rooted in sonship, not productivity Parenting through embodied generosity Slowing down to practice God’s presence QUOTES TO REMEMBER “Just do the next right thing.” “We were always looking for ways to use what we had for the gospel of hospitality.” “The opportunity to use the writing skill and the blog platform for God’s glory really became a sweet spot for me and it changed my life.” “I will spend the rest of my life answering the question, ‘what am I doing to help the vulnerable in our communities and in our world?’” “God used the poor to help me find Him in a new way.” “God doesn’t need us to do any of this, He invites us to do it.” “Being with God is the best use of our time.” “It is not a waste of time to spend time with God.” “When we live as generous people, our kids will too.” LINKS FROM THE SHOW Mercy House Global Kristen Welch’s Website Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch Raising World Changers in a Changing World by Kristen Welch Compassion International When Helping Hurts (see our interview with coauthor Brian Fikkert) Women Doing Well (see our interview with president Julie Wilson) The Finish Line Community Facebook Group The Finish Line Community LinkedIn Group BIBLE REFERENCES FROM THE SHOW Revelation 3:20 | Christ’s Invitation to Intimacy   Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.   Hebrews 2:1 | Drifting from Jesus   Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  1 Thessalonians 5:18 | Gratitude amid Hardship   Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.   Philippians 4:11–13 | Contentment in All Circumstances   Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! If you have a thought about something you heard, or a story to share, please reach out! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. You can also contact us directly from our contact page. If you want to engage with the Finish Line Community, check out our groups on Facebookand LinkedIn.