Grown-Up Church Kids

Can AI replace church, pastors, sermons, prayer, or real Christian community? In this live Grown-Up Church Kids episode, Dwan Hill and Shama Mrema sit down with Tommy Profitt, Lacy Abercrombie, and John Keith for a funny and honest conversation about ChatGPT, AI-generated sermons, church hurt, hearing God’s voice, spiritual discernment, creativity, singleness, parenting, and why church still matters. From Whoop Triggers and “Pastor GPT” jokes to deeper questions about revelation, silence, worship, scandals, and healing, this conversation wrestles with what technology can help us do and what it can never replace. If you grew up in church, left church, stayed in church, or are trying to trust church again, this episode is for you.00:00 Can AI Replace Church?02:14 Welcome to Grown-Up Church Kids03:02 What Are Whoop Triggers?07:20 Church Is Not Like It Used to Be07:47 Do Christians Use AI?10:36 AI, Creativity, and the Image of God15:17 Questions You Would Only Ask ChatGPT20:04 AI Sermons vs. Holy Spirit Revelation21:36 How Do You Hear God’s Voice?22:28 Religion, Relationship, and Spiritual Practices27:16 What Kind of Church Did You Grow Up In?31:24 Growing Up Between Black Church and White Church35:10 God’s First Language Is Silence38:05 Why Church Still Matters for Families41:43 Singleness in the Church47:11 Critiquing Church From the Outside49:21 Deconstruction vs. Leaving Church50:17 Church Is Where We Practice Being Human53:24 Killing Our Critical Spirit55:29 A Word for People Hurt by Church58:06 Thank God for the Church01:02:31 The Church Is Alive and WellABOUT THE SHOW:Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.There are more of us than you think.🔔 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g🎧 Listen on Audiohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662📚 Resourceshttps://amzn.to/3PISqfXFOLLOWMore from Dwan HillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhillWebsite: https://www.dwanhill.com/More from Shama MremaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realzWebsite: https://www.shamamrema.com/More from Grown-Up Church KidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/More from The Choir RoomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.choirisback.com/CREDITS:Director & Editor: Kyle WhittakerProducer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby LoomisAudio: Garrett Miller, Aaron RochotteVideo: Seth ScruggsVideo, Photo & Social: Jordan RubinoManagement: Annie Cunningham#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #jonkeith #lacyabercrombie #tommieprofitt #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkidYou grew up in church too? Take the GCK Check In and see what kind of grown up church kid you turned out to be: https://go.grownupchurchkids.com/checkin

Michael Bethany joins Grown-Up Church Kids to talk about growing up Pentecostal and COGIC, learning the difference between gospel music and modern worship, leading in CCM spaces like Gateway, and how he thinks about speaking in tongues today. This conversation is full of church kid nostalgia, honest theology, Black church memories, worship leading, spiritual gifts, and the journey of carrying Pentecostal faith into new rooms without losing the fire.0:00 Welcome to Grown-Up Church Kids0:45 Introducing Michael Bethany2:30 The guest speaker experience in the Black church5:15 "Lily in my valley" and the art of the preacher introduction8:00 Growing up in a storefront COGIC church11:20 Did cameras and phones kill something real in church?14:45 Everyone got to talk in old church and why that mattered17:30 Church traditions, liturgy, and belonging20:10 COGIC theme song breakdown and what it actually means23:00 From COGIC to CCM: Michael Bethany's musical journey27:15 Singing BGVs for Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin29:40 How Michael Bethany ended up at Gateway Church33:00 The bridge between gospel and CCM worship culture36:20 Do you still speak in tongues?40:10 What Paul teaches about tongues and spiritual gifts43:30 Dwan's mom delivering a message in tongues that changed his life46:00 What Pentecostals and Presbyterians can learn from each other49:15 Finding the secret place beyond the performance of church52:30 How Michael Bethany wrote Secret Place and Walk With You55:00 God connects people for a reason: how Dwan and Michael met57:30 Michael Bethany performs Secret Place liveABOUT THE SHOW:Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.There are more of us than you think.🔔 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g🎧 Listen on Audiohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662📚 Resourceshttps://amzn.to/3PISqfXFOLLOWMore from Dwan HillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhillWebsite: https://www.dwanhill.com/More from Shama MremaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realzWebsite: https://www.shamamrema.com/More from Grown-Up Church KidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/More from The Choir RoomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.choirisback.com/CREDITS:Director & Editor: Kyle WhittakerProducer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby LoomisAudio: Garrett Miller, Aaron RochotteVideo: Seth ScruggsVideo, Photo & Social: Jordan RubinoManagement: Annie Cunningham#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #stephenmcwhirter #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

Stephen McWhirter is known as the songwriter of “Come Jesus Come,” but behind the worship songs is a story of addiction, church hurt, forgiveness, and radical restoration. In this episode of Grown-Up Church Kids, Stephen shares how growing up around ministry shaped his view of God, why he once hated Jesus and Christians, and how a 3 a.m. encounter with God changed everything.Dwan, Shama, and Stephen talk about church hypocrisy, addiction, repentance, forgiving his father, family, ministry, and what it means to know Jesus beyond the people who misrepresented Him.00:00 Stephen’s Story Begins01:15 That’ll Preach06:31 When a Christian Artist Gets Real07:48 “I Don’t Know If You Want Me On This Podcast”09:27 Growing Up With Church Hypocrisy10:40 Addiction, Anger, and Hating Jesus14:15 The Billy Graham Crusade15:22 Reading The Case for Christ at 3 A.M.16:13 “You Won’t Do It. I’ll Do It.”17:05 Quitting Drugs Overnight18:14 Returning to Church20:14 Forgiving His Father24:09 His Father’s Final Breath25:20 Why Forgiveness Is So Hard27:15 Repentance, Consequences, and Grace31:07 “You Don’t Know Who You Are Yet”33:05 Ministry With Jesus vs. Ministry For Jesus35:08 Choosing Family Over the Grind40:28 Stephen’s Book and Music41:32 “Come Jesus Come” and What’s Next41:54 Old Rugged CrossABOUT THE SHOW:Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.There are more of us than you think.🔔 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g🎧 Listen on Audiohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662📚 Resourceshttps://amzn.to/3PISqfXFOLLOWMore from Dwan HillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhillWebsite: https://www.dwanhill.com/More from Shama MremaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realzWebsite: https://www.shamamrema.com/More from Grown-Up Church KidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/More from The Choir RoomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.choirisback.com/CREDITS:Director & Editor: Kyle WhittakerProducer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby LoomisAudio: Garrett Miller, Aaron RochotteVideo: Seth ScruggsVideo, Photo & Social: Jordan RubinoManagement: Annie Cunningham#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #stephenmcwhirter #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

Did you grow up in church and now wonder if you should stay? In this episode of Grown-Up Church Kids, Dwan Hill and Shama Mrema talk about pastors’ kids, church culture, childhood faith, ministry pressure, deconstruction, grief, and what it means to follow Jesus as an adult. If you’ve ever wrestled with church, Christianity, spiritual burnout, or the faith you inherited, there is room for you here. Grown-Up Church Kids is where Sunday meets real life, where there’s more of us than you think, and where stories are better than sermons.00:00 Should Church Kids Stay?01:07 Welcome to Grown-Up Church Kids02:44 Growing Up Around the Pulpit04:24 First Church Memories06:17 Church Every Single Week10:37 Black Church and Public School12:23 Sheltered Church Kid Moments18:09 Gospel Church vs CCM Church20:50 Shama’s Missionary Kid Story24:53 When Church Changed a Family26:09 Church Planting in Tanzania29:03 Pastor’s Kid Pressure32:12 Choosing Faith for Yourself35:21 Fired From Church Ministry38:26 Old Church Kid Pictures40:41 The Cost of Ministry Commitment46:00 Trying to Be Perfect47:58 Dwan’s Salvation Story50:08 Childhood Faith as an Adult53:21 Faith When Parents Get Sick55:34 Wrestling With Disappointment57:19 Grief, Joy, and Seasons1:00:24 Deconstruction and Returning to Faith1:01:56 Trying Church Again1:04:03 Don’t Give UpABOUT THE SHOW:Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.There are more of us than you think.🔔 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g🎧 Listen on Audiohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662📚 Resourceshttps://amzn.to/3PISqfXFOLLOWMore from Dwan HillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhillWebsite: https://www.dwanhill.com/More from Shama MremaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realzWebsite: https://www.shamamrema.com/More from Grown-Up Church KidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/More from The Choir RoomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.choirisback.com/CREDITS:Director & Editor: Kyle WhittakerProducer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby LoomisAudio: Garrett Miller, Aaron RochotteVideo: Seth ScruggsVideo, Photo & Social: Jordan RubinoManagement: Annie Cunningham#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

Gracie Binion sits down with Dwan and Shama to talk about writing “Goodbye Yesterday,” hearing the audible voice of God, navigating fake prophecy, and what it actually looks like to release secular music as a worship leader. She opens up about growing up in a ministry family, leaving a toxic relationship, receiving prophetic words at 13 that did not make sense until she got married, and why she still believes God speaks even when the prophetic movement has been misused. Grown Up Church Kids is where Sunday morning meets real life.ABOUT THE SHOW:Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.There are more of us than you think.🔔 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g🎧 Listen on Audiohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662📚 Resourceshttps://amzn.to/3PISqfXFOLLOWMore from Dwan HillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhillWebsite: https://www.dwanhill.com/More from Shama MremaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realzWebsite: https://www.shamamrema.com/More from Grown-Up Church KidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/More from The Choir RoomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.choirisback.com/CREDITS:Director & Editor: Kyle WhittakerProducer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby LoomisAudio: Garrett Miller, Aaron RochotteVideo: Seth ScruggsVideo, Photo & Social: Jordan RubinoManagement: Annie Cunningham#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #graciebinion #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

Trip Lee was 19 years old when he was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome. He has never fully recovered. And in that body he has pastored churches, raised a family, and written some of the most worshipful music in Christian hip hop. In this episode of Grown Up Church Kids, Dwan sits down with Trip to talk about what it costs to follow Jesus when your body won’t cooperate, what it felt like to grow up caught between two cultures, and what he believes about a God who hasn’t said yes yet. His new album For Your Glory is out now. This conversation will stay with you.ABOUT THE SHOW:Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.There are more of us than you think.🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/🔔 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g🎧 Listen on Audiohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662📚 Resourceshttps://amzn.to/3PISqfXFOLLOWMore from Dwan HillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhillWebsite: https://www.dwanhill.com/More from Shama MremaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realzWebsite: https://www.shamamrema.com/More from Grown-Up Church KidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/More from The Choir RoomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.choirisback.com/CREDITS:Director & Editor: Kyle WhittakerProducer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby LoomisAudio: Garrett Miller, Aaron RochotteVideo: Seth ScruggsVideo, Photo & Social: Jordan RubinoManagement: Annie Cunningham#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #triplee #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

Grammy-winning Christian artist DOE joins Grown Up Church Kids for a hilarious and honest conversation about growing up in church, and the rules a lot of church kids remember: no kissing, no Disney, no scary movies, no dating, and sometimes… no pants. From Pentecostal holiness culture and COGIC roots to Pokémon panic, purity culture, R-rated movies, dating, parenting, and spiritual conviction, this episode asks what protection was, what was fear, and what still matters now.DOE also shares how her bilingual church upbringing shaped her worship, how her family prayer times formed her songwriting, and what motherhood is teaching her about raising kids without trying to fix herself through them. If you grew up in church and are still sorting through the beauty, the baggage, and the funny rules that shaped you, this one is for you.ABOUT THE SHOW:Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.There are more of us than you think.🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/🔔 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g🎧 Listen on Audiohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662📚 Resourceshttps://amzn.to/3PISqfXFOLLOW00:00 No Power Rangers in Church01:29 Welcome to Grown Up Church Kids02:21 Movies Church Kids Couldn’t Watch08:58 Meet DOE10:28 DOE’s COGIC Roots14:32 Growing Up in a Bilingual Church20:16 Multicultural Worship & Israel Houghton25:57 Bible Games & Sword Drills31:44 DOE on R-Rated Movies32:45 “Demon in My Pocket”35:37 Parenting, Pokémon & Conviction39:31 Aladdin, Genies & Spiritual Sensitivity42:47 Christian Content We Can Trust45:53 Scary Movies & Fear50:03 Dating as a Church Kid53:50 Purity Culture and Marriage59:09 The Testimony of Protection1:04:47 Church Kids at House Parties1:08:52 DOE’s Musical Influences1:13:02 Songs Born in Prayer1:14:19 Meet Baby Shiloh1:15:44 Parenting Without Projecting1:18:48 Final Thoughts & SongsMore from Dwan HillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhillWebsite: https://www.dwanhill.com/More from Shama MremaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realzWebsite: https://www.shamamrema.com/More from Grown-Up Church KidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/More from The Choir RoomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.choirisback.com/CREDITS:Director & Editor: Kyle WhittakerProducer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby LoomisAudio: Garrett Miller, Aaron RochotteVideo: Seth ScruggsVideo, Photo & Social: Jordan RubinoManagement: Annie Cunningham#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #doe #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid

In this episode of Grown Up Church Kids, Matt Maher joins Dwan Hill and Shama Mrema for an honest, eye-opening conversation about Catholic vs Protestant beliefs, church unity, saints, the Eucharist, and what it really means to follow Jesus. If you’ve ever wondered “Are Catholics Christians?”, struggled with church hurt, or felt disconnected from faith after growing up in church, this conversation bridges the gap with clarity, humility, and depth. From misconceptions about praying to saints to the meaning of communion and the beauty of liturgy, this episode explores how different traditions can still point to the same gospel. It’s not about winning arguments. It’s about rediscovering faith, unity in the Church, and a deeper relationship with God beyond performance, denomination, or tradition. If you’re a grown-up church kid trying to make sense of faith today, this one’s for you.ABOUT THE SHOW:Grown Up Church Kids is more than a show, it’s a full-circle moment where Sunday Morning Meets Real Life. Bringing together community, conversations, shared stories, and songs that shaped a generation, this is a space for Grown-Up Church Kids to reconnect with their roots, redefine their journeys, and celebrate the faith together.There are more of us than you think.🎟️ Live Show — Nashville (May 14)https://www.analognashville.com/events/grown-up-church-kids-live/🔔 Subscribe on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5g🎧 Listen on Audiohttps://www.buzzsprout.com/2607662📚 Resourceshttps://amzn.to/3PISqfXFOLLOWMore from Dwan HillYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DwanHillInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwanhillWebsite: https://www.dwanhill.com/More from Shama MremaYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AfterSchoolProgramInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/shama4realzWebsite: https://www.shamamrema.com/More from Grown-Up Church KidsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9KOBazbPvWdcopb_dd1M5gInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownup.churchkids/Website: https://www.grownupchurchkids.com/More from The Choir RoomYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechoirroomInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.choirroom/?hl=enWebsite: https://www.choirisback.com/CREDITS:Director & Editor: Kyle WhittakerProducer: Hannah Gifford (Open Hand Management)Production Assistants: Sarah Bush, Abby LoomisAudio: Garrett Miller, Aaron RochotteVideo: Seth ScruggsVideo, Photo & Social: Jordan RubinoManagement: Annie Cunningham#grownupchurchkids #dwanhill #shamamrema #mattmaher #thechoirroom #faithjourney #churchkid00:00 One Church or Many?01:06 Welcome to GCK02:11 Catholic Curiosity Begins05:48 Meet Matt Maher06:14 Are Catholics Christians?10:06 Do Catholics Worship Saints?15:07 Is Heaven Closer Than We Think?19:47 The Eucharist Explained25:07 Why Catholics Believe This30:31 “Catholic Then Saved?”37:29 Why Church Kids Walk Away41:35 Social Media & Faith47:13 Is There Only One Church?49:20 Why Young People Want Liturgy57:04 The Problem with “New” Theology01:01:11 How to Grow in Faith Daily01:08:46 Unity Over Division01:12:37 Final Thoughts & Music