J29 Coalition Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Dru Johnson challenges pastors and leaders to rethink how they engage the Old Testament in a politically polarized world. He explains how biblical law was never meant to be a blueprint for modern legislation but a formational guide to shape a wise and just people. Johnson explores the difference between Western legal systems and the Torah’s narrative and casuistic structure, emphasizing that the law invites discernment, not domination. He calls the church to recover a posture of patient, communal reflection on Scripture, especially when facing culture war pressures to weaponize the Bible in public life.About DruDru Johnson is the Templeton senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall (University of Oxford), adjunct professor of religion at Hope College in Holland, MI (previously a professor at The King’s College in New York City), director of the Abrahamic Theistic Origins Project, director of the Center for Hebraic Thought, editor at The Biblical Mind, host of The Biblical Mind podcast, and co-host of the OnScript Podcast. Before that, he was a high-school dropout, skinhead, punk rock drummer, combat veteran, IT supervisor, and pastor—all things that he hopes none of his children ever become.His books include Human Rites, Biblical Philosophy, and Understanding Biblical Law. Johnson speaks widely on the intersection of biblical theology, justice, and public ethics, helping church leaders engage Scripture with clarity, nuance, and theological depth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

David Ritchie, a pastor in Amarillo, Texas, discusses the challenges of navigating political polarization within the church. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between healthy political engagement and political idolatry, urging pastors to guide their congregations towards a Christ-centered perspective. Ritchie highlights the need for reconciliation amidst divisions and offers practical tools for pastors to foster healthy discourse and unity within their communities.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pastoral Context03:30 Navigating Political Polarization in the Church06:27 Understanding Political Idolatry09:38 The Role of Patriotism vs. Nationalism12:26 Discerning Healthy Political Engagement15:20 The Fruits of the Spirit vs. Works of the Flesh17:33 Practical Tools for Pastors20:28 The Power of the Gospel in Reconciliation23:34 Resources for Understanding Political Idolatry This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

Chris Martin discusses the inherent flaws in the design of the social internet, emphasizing that it is not a neutral technology but rather a set of tools created by individuals with their own brokenness. He highlights how algorithms and the content we engage with shape our desires and behaviors in fundamentally flawed ways.Check out Chris Martin’s Mending Division Academy course, “When Social Media Divides Us: Confronting Our Internet Habits,” at MendingDivisionAcademy.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

Caleb Campbell and Bonnie Kristian explore the landscape of journalism, discussing the distinction between news and opinion, the ideological perspectives of various media outlets, and the historical context of news consumption. They delve into the shift towards digital media and its implications for how people consume news today. Bonnie offers insights for pastors on encouraging healthy media consumption habits and provides resources for finding quality news.ResourcesMending Division AcademyBonnie Kristian Substack NewsletterChapters00:00 Understanding Journalism: News vs. Opinion02:42 The Role of Media Outlets: Perspectives and Bias05:28 The Evolution of News Consumption: From Print to Digital07:53 The Impact of Social Media on News Consumption10:45 Navigating Information Overload: Healthy Media Consumption13:28 Encouraging Healthy Media Habits in Congregations This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

SummaryCaleb Campbell and Daniel Bennett explore the complexities of misinformation and disinformation, the blurred lines between news and entertainment, and the challenges of navigating trust in media. They discuss the importance of healthy communication, especially in the context of faith and relationships, and offer insights on how to engage in constructive conversations about divisive topics. The discussion emphasizes the need for pastors and individuals to foster understanding and build trust in a divided world.LinksGo to MendingDivisionAcademy.com to learn more about Daniel Bennett’s course, “When Conspiracies Divide Us: Confronting Misinformation.” Takeaways* Misinformation is incorrect information, while disinformation is intentionally misleading.* The media landscape has blurred the lines between news and entertainment.* Trust in news sources requires a balanced media diet.* Healthy conversations are essential for understanding differing perspectives.* Faith can intersect with conspiratorial thinking in complex ways.* Pastors face challenges in addressing divisive issues within their congregations.* Building rapport and trust is crucial in conversations about sensitive topics.* Understanding the motivations behind beliefs can foster better communication.* All truth is ultimately God’s truth, guiding our understanding of the world.* Engaging with love and curiosity can mend relationships affected by misinformation.Chapters00:00 Understanding Polarized Perspectives in News Consumption01:50 Misinformation vs. Disinformation: Key Differences05:50 The Blurred Lines Between News and Entertainment10:53 Navigating Trustworthy News Sources13:18 The Impact of Media on Personal Relationships17:36 Engaging with Conspiratorial Thinking21:44 The Role of Faith in Truth and Misinformation25:43 Pastoral Guidance in a Divided Culture28:10 Educational Resources for Mending Divisions This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

Resources: David Koyzis, Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement Paul Miller, The Religion of American Greatness: What’s Wrong With Christian NationalismMichael Austin, American Christian Nationalism: Neither American Nor Christian Caleb Campbell, Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor AVC Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/shop/AmericanValuesJ29 Coalition: https://www.j29coalition.com/J29 Newsletter/Podcast: https://blog.j29coalition.com/J29 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@J29CoalitionDisarming Leviathan: https://www.disarmingleviathan.com/American Values Coalition: https://americanvalues.org/AVC Newsletter: https://news.americanvalues.org/Additional Book Recommendations Lisa Sharon Harper, Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World--and How to Repair It All Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in CommunityDavid A. Ritchie, Why Do the Nations Rage? The Demonic Origin of Nationalism This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

SummaryCaleb Campbell and Austin Gravley explore the concept of the perception gap, particularly in the context of social media and its impact on how individuals and groups perceive one another. They discuss the importance of humility in navigating these perceptions, the role of media literacy in discipleship, and practical steps that ministry leaders can take to address these issues within their congregations. The conversation emphasizes the need for deeper understanding and engagement with others, as well as the importance of setting boundaries around media consumption.LinksGo to MendingDivisionAcademy.com to learn about Austin Gravley’s small group course on the perception gap. Takeaways* The perception gap refers to the difference between how we perceive others and their actual beliefs and feelings.* Social media often provides only surface-level information, leading to misconceptions.* Humility is essential for engaging in meaningful conversations and understanding others.* Discipleship should include teaching media literacy to help individuals navigate information responsibly.* Setting boundaries around media consumption can improve mental and spiritual health.* Pastors should focus on local issues rather than solely national discourse.* The perception gap is a dynamic cultural force that cannot be fully closed but can be addressed.* Good faith conversations require time and effort to understand differing perspectives.* Media literacy is as important as other discipleship topics like marriage and finances.* Recognizing our limitations can foster humility and better communication.Chapters00:00 Understanding the Perception Gap07:28 The Impact of Social Media on Perception15:30 The Role of Pastors in Addressing Perception21:28 Cultivating Media Literacy in Congregations30:42 Practical Steps for Ministry Leaders This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, Dr. Carmen Joy Imes joins Caleb Campbell for a deep and hopeful conversation about what it means to be the family of God in an age marked by expressive individualism, isolation, and cultural fragmentation. Drawing from her newest book Being God's Family, Imes explores the biblical vision of spiritual siblinghood and how belonging—not just belief—is central to Christian discipleship. She challenges the church to recover intergenerational friendships, mutual responsibility, and shared life as essential expressions of kingdom community.Dr. Carmen Joy Imes is a respected biblical scholar, author, and public theologian whose work bridges academic insight with pastoral application. She serves as Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University and is the author of Bearing God’s Name, Being God’s Image, and Being God’s Family. Through her teaching, writing, and popular YouTube series Torah Tuesday, Dr. Imes invites Christians to see Scripture with fresh eyes and to live as participants in God’s redemptive family. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, Pastor Michael Thomas shares hard-earned wisdom from twelve years of pastoring Radiant Covenant Church, a deliberately multiethnic, multigenerational congregation in Renton, Washington. Michael discusses the challenges of cultivating real community beyond feel-good diversity optics, especially in a city like Seattle where progressive ideals often mask deeper divides. He explains how Radiant creates “good soil” through biblical preaching, honest conversations, and a discipleship model that refuses to separate Jesus from justice. Drawing from lived experience and local ministry, Michael lays out a compelling vision for kingdom-rooted preaching, civic discipleship, and pastoral courage in a polarized, performative age.Michael Dineo Thomas Jr. is the founding and lead pastor of Radiant Covenant Church in Renton, Washington, where he has served since planting the church in 2013. Originally from Chicago, Michael leads a multiethnic, multigenerational congregation committed to Christ-centered reconciliation and biblical justice. Under his leadership, Radiant has grown into a vibrant faith community through expository preaching, contextual discipleship, and public witness—including city-wide events like the “March to Surrender” and annual faith and race conferences. Pastor Michael is a leader within the Evangelical Covenant Church and regularly trains and mentors pastors navigating multiethnic ministry in politically divided contexts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, Pastor Scott Venable, lead pastor of Northwood Church in Keller, Texas, shares candid insights from leading a multiethnic, politically diverse congregation in the heart of the Bible Belt. He discusses how his church navigates cultural polarization by staying rooted in a kingdom-first identity, resisting both right-wing Christian nationalism and left-leaning cultural conformity. Scott explains how expository preaching, contextual discipleship, and a clear “kingdom DNA” have shaped his church’s ability to remain biblically faithful and socially engaged.Scott Venable is the Lead Pastor of Northwood Church in Keller, Texas, a multiethnic, non-denominational church known for its commitment to biblical teaching and community engagement. Formerly a church planter in Chicago, Scott returned to Texas to succeed founding pastor Bob Roberts Jr. at Northwood. Under his leadership, the church emphasizes “kingdom DNA” through initiatives like a 10-week discipleship program, refugee and immigrant ministries, ESL programs, and local partnerships. He also coaches church planters nationwide through a residency and training pipeline rooted in kingdom theology. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, pastors Derrick Puckett and Mike Erre dive deep into the challenges and calling of leading churches through polarization, cultural change, and spiritual formation. Drawing from their diverse contexts—Chicago and Southern California—they unpack how the gospel shapes a unique political and pastoral imagination that defies partisan categories. Derrick shares how racial justice, discipleship, and theological depth hold together in his multiethnic congregation, while Mike reflects on how fear, cynicism, and ideology often shape believers more than Scripture. Together, they call pastors to preach a more beautiful gospel, stay rooted in Christ’s kingdom, and shepherd their people through the noise with humility, honesty, and hope.Pastor Derrick Puckett is the founding pastor of Renewal Church of Chicago, a gospel-centered, multiethnic congregation committed to discipleship, justice, and the flourishing of its city. He also serves as the Executive Director of The Chicago Partnership, equipping church planters and pastors for urban ministry. With a strong commitment to racial reconciliation and pastoral formation, Derrick is a frequent conference speaker and contributor to conversations on church planting, multiethnic ministry, and kingdom justice.Pastor Mike Erre is the lead pastor of Journey Church in Southern California and host of the VOX Podcast, where he explores culture, theology, and the Church’s public witness. A former teaching pastor at large evangelical churches, Mike now shepherds a community committed to deconstruction, reconstruction, and Jesus-centered discipleship. He is known for his honest, theological approach to tough issues—calling believers to trade fear and outrage for wonder, humility, and kingdom imagination. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

Pastor Caleb Campbell explores the intersection of American politics and religion with political scientists Amy Black, Dan Bennett and Napp Nazworth. The speakers discuss the importance of civic engagement, the role of government as a form of love for neighbor, and the need for Christians to participate in politics while maintaining a posture of humility and service. They emphasize the significance of local politics and the responsibility of the church to educate its members on citizenship and civic duties.Chapters00:00 Introduction to American Politics and Religion06:37 Understanding Habeas Corpus13:01 The Importance of Due Process20:41 Biblical Perspectives on Governance25:42 Navigating Political Engagement as Christians28:19 The Role of Love in Politics30:33 Government as a Form of Neighborly Love35:32 The Dichotomy of Political Involvement40:15 Local vs. National Politics: A Balanced Approach45:32 The Church's Role in Political Education This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, Pastor Richard Johnson shares his journey from a pastor’s kid to founding pastor of a vibrant, intentionally multiracial congregation in Columbus, Ohio. Rooted in Micah 6:8, Richard’s ministry embraces justice, mercy, and humility—not just in theory, but in the daily discipleship of a diverse church family navigating race, politics, and civic responsibility. He reflects on leading his church through polarizing moments like the Trayvon Martin shooting and the 2016 election, the vulnerability of political transparency from the pulpit, and how practices like active listening and contemplative worship have become tools of transformation.Pastor Rich Johnson is the founding pastor of Sanctuary Columbus Church, an intentionally multiracial and justice-oriented congregation rooted in the Evangelical Covenant Church. A graduate of Morehouse College and a longtime advocate for racial reconciliation in the church, he leads with vulnerability, spiritual depth, and a commitment to civic discipleship. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, Caleb Campbell sits down with pastor, scholar, jazz pianist, and author Mark Glanville to explore what it means to preach faithfully in a post-Christian, doubt-filled age. Drawing from his new book Preaching in a New Key, Mark unpacks how expository preaching must move beyond outdated models to engage both the head and heart of today’s listeners, who often come to church carrying skepticism, grief, and questions. Using jazz as a guiding metaphor, he describes preaching as improvisation within tradition—rooted in Scripture yet dynamically contextualized for the moment. Learn more about the J29 Coalition at j29coalition.com. Mark Glanville is a pastor, Old Testament scholar, accomplished jazz pianist, and author whose work bridges theology, culture, and the life of the local church. He currently serves as Associate Professor of Pastoral Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, where he teaches preaching, biblical studies, and mission. His books include Improvising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul and Preaching in a New Key, which invites pastors to reimagine expository preaching for today’s post-Christian world. Drawing on both Scripture and jazz, Mark offers a compelling vision of preaching that is faithful to tradition yet dynamically responsive to the cultural moment. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this compelling episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, Pastor David Swanson and Pastor Michael Agapito offer rich and contrasting pastoral perspectives on navigating politics, polarization, and discipleship in deeply different ministry contexts—Chicago’s South Side and rural Southern Illinois. David, leading a multiracial congregation in a historically underrepresented neighborhood, shares how the Black church tradition has shaped a pragmatic, justice-oriented engagement with politics. Michael, serving in a historically sundown town, speaks vulnerably about pastoring a predominantly white congregation as a non-anxious presence and ambassador of the Kingdom of God. Together, they offer theological insights, pastoral strategies, and honest reflections on how Christian leaders can equip their communities to engage civic life faithfully, curiously, and with spiritual maturity.David W. Swanson is the founding pastor of New Community Covenant Church, a multiracial congregation located on the South Side of Chicago. He is also the founder of New Community Outreach, a nonprofit ministry focused on youth reconciliation and trauma healing. A graduate of North Park Theological Seminary, David serves within the Evangelical Covenant Church and is the author of Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity. With a heart for racial justice, holistic discipleship, and neighborhood-rooted ministry, David brings deep theological reflection and practical pastoral experience to today's most pressing cultural challenges.Michael Agapito is the lead pastor of Craneville Baptist Church in Southern Illinois. A thoughtful and mission-minded pastor, Michael ministers in a predominantly white, rural community with a complex racial history. Drawing from his American Baptist tradition and a personal commitment to cross-cultural discipleship, he approaches ministry with humility, curiosity, and courage. Michael frequently engages in public conversations about how the church can navigate partisan polarization and embody the love and justice of the Kingdom of God. Online, he’s known as “The Confessing Millennial,” where he offers nuanced reflections on politics, faith, and formation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this timely and honest episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, pastors Vermon Pierre and Darryl Williamson reflect on the tensions of leading gospel-centered churches in an age of political hostility, racial division, and theological drift. Both members of The Gospel Coalition’s Council, Vermon and Darryl share from their experiences pastoring multiethnic churches in Phoenix and Tampa, offering insight into how Christian leaders can form people who are resilient, humble, and shaped more by the Kingdom of God than by partisan ideologies. With wisdom and clarity, they unpack themes like political discipleship, spiritual formation, pastoral courage, and the need for long-term, relational investment in shaping the imagination of the church. Vermon Pierre is the lead pastor of Roosevelt Community Church, a gospel-centered, multiethnic congregation in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. He is a Council member of The Gospel Coalition and a founding leader in the Surge Network, where he equips pastors and leaders for contextual, justice-oriented ministry. Vermon is widely respected for his theological clarity, missional heart, and commitment to helping the local church engage cultural and political realities with biblical wisdom and pastoral integrity. His book, Dearly Beloved: How God's Love for His Church Deepens Our Love for Each Other, is available wherever fine books are sold.Darryl Williamson serves as the lead pastor of Living Faith Bible Fellowship in Tampa, Florida, a diverse and disciple-making church committed to gospel proclamation and community transformation. As a Council member for The Gospel Coalition and a frequent national speaker, Darryl brings theological depth and pastoral experience to conversations about racial reconciliation, justice, and kingdom-centered discipleship. His leadership is marked by humility, clarity, and a deep trust in the power of the gospel to unify across division. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, pastors Benji Bruneel and Ben Marsh unpack what it means to lead churches through political division, cultural formation, and communal discipleship in radically different contexts—Santa Barbara, California and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Together, they explore how service, incarnation, and relational ministry become powerful antidotes to politicized tribalism. From engaging refugee and immigrant communities to fostering disruptive unity across ideological lines, both pastors share how their churches are learning to foreground difference, embrace Spirit-led formation, and confront modern idols—including media addiction and cultural homogeneity. This conversation is a practical, wise, and at times hilarious roadmap for pastors navigating polarized times with courage and compassion.Benji Bruneel is one of the lead pastors at Santa Barbara Community Church, a non-denominational congregation with historic ties to the Baptist tradition. Serving on the Central Coast of California, Benji is passionate about forming a church that is “relentlessly relational,” rooted in the gospel, and responsive to the real needs of its immigrant-rich, economically diverse community.Ben Marsh is the lead pastor of First Alliance Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, part of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Ministering in the heart of the Bible Belt, Ben is known for his public theological writing, pastoral honesty, and prophetic commitment to justice, truth, and unity. He leads a small, vibrant congregation shaped by community outreach, refugee engagement, and discipleship that resists partisan conformity. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition Podcast, Pastor Brad Edwards joins Caleb Campbell for a wide-ranging conversation on pastoring in a politically volatile and spiritually skeptical environment. Reflecting on his experience planting The Table in Boulder County, Colorado, Edwards explores the deep cultural suspicions toward institutional life—particularly the church—and argues for a renewed theological imagination that recovers the beauty, goodness, and formational power of the local church. Drawing from his book The Reason for Church, he discusses how institutions, when rightly understood, function as greenhouses for spiritual growth, identity, and meaning in a fragmented world. Edwards offers practical and pastoral insights for helping congregants move from consumer-driven religiosity and politically shaped theology to Christ-centered wisdom, communal discernment, and rooted spiritual maturity.About BradBrad Edwards is a pastor, church planter, and author serving in Boulder County, Colorado, where he leads The Table, a congregation deeply rooted in Reformed theology and passionate about engaging a secular, hyper-spiritual culture with the beauty of Jesus and His church. A graduate of Covenant Theological Seminary and a longtime admirer of Tim Keller, Brad brings a thoughtful, intellectually honest, and pastoral approach to ministry in a politically complex landscape. He is the author of The Reason for Church, a book that articulates a compelling case for the church as a vital institution for spiritual formation and human flourishing. Brad also co-hosts the Post Everything podcast, exploring faith, culture, and institutional renewal. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this J29 Coalition Podcast episode, pastors Jackie Parks and Andy Littleton explore what it means to lead churches through cultural polarization, political tension, and spiritual formation in vastly different Arizona contexts. Jackie, who planted a trauma-informed, justice-driven congregation emerging from a homeless ministry, shares how missional life together can become a prophetic alternative to tribalism. Andy, serving a post-Christian, artistically inclined population in Tucson, reflects on how Scripture subtly but persistently forms a political imagination when preached with humility and curiosity. Together, they reflect on building trust, embracing discomfort, and leaving space for the Spirit to form people through lived experience and communal discernment. Their honest and hopeful conversation models how pastors can be both prophetic and pastoral without giving in to fear or false certainty.Jackie Parks is the founding pastor of South Scottsdale Presbyterian Church, a community born out of a long-standing ministry to people experiencing homelessness. Ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians (ECO), Jackie leads a church deeply shaped by justice, inclusion, and trauma-informed discipleship.Andy Littleton is the founding pastor of Mission Church in Tucson, Arizona, a congregation rooted in the heart of a post-Christian, creative, and justice-seeking neighborhood. He also writes and reflects on faith and culture through his online platform, A Little Mission. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

Caleb is joined by Ben Cremer and David Ritchie for a candid conversation about navigating the complexities of pastoral ministry in politically charged and culturally entrenched environments. From the Confederate roots of Idaho to refugee ministry in West Texas, the three pastors explore how historical context, political idolatry, and cultural assumptions shape the church’s witness today. They share their own evolving journeys—from avoiding politics to addressing justice and social action through a gospel lens. They offer practical guidance for pastors, emphasize the power of gentle, Spirit-led truth, and call the church back to the cruciform way of the Lamb. For more about the J29 Coalition, and our upcoming Pastor Cohort, visit J29coalition.com David Ritchie is the lead pastor of Redeemer Christian Church in Amarillo, Texas, where he has faithfully served for over a decade. A fifth-generation West Texan, David brings deep-rooted love for his hometown to his ministry, which began with the replanting of a dying church and has grown into a vibrant, multi-generational congregation. He is the author of Why Do the Nations Rage?, a biblical-theological critique of Christian nationalism, and is known for his thoughtful, gospel-centered engagement with cultural and political issues. In addition to his local church work, David is involved in ministry to refugees in the Amarillo area and is passionate about forming disciples who embody the self-giving love of Jesus.Ben Cremer is a writer, theologian, and pastor committed to shepherding people through the complexities of faith, culture, and discipleship in the modern world. Based in Boise, Idaho, Ben has spent nearly two decades pastoring in both traditional and digital spaces, with a growing focus on online discipleship and theological reflection. He is the voice behind the Into the Gray newsletter and podcast, where he explores faith beyond culture war binaries, drawing from church history, biblical scholarship, and personal pastoral experience. Known for his gentle yet prophetic voice, Ben speaks especially to those who have felt pushed out of church spaces, offering a vision of Jesus rooted in grace, justice, and spiritual renewal. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

In this episode of the J29 Coalition podcast, host Caleb Campbell is joined by pastors Steve Bezner and Nate Bush for a candid conversation about leading churches in a cultural moment marked by Christian nationalism, political division, and post-pandemic disillusionment. The trio explores the isolation many pastors feel, the courage it takes to speak prophetically, and the hope found in forming authentic, supportive relationships. Listeners will be encouraged by stories of wrestling with fear, finding community, and holding fast to a vision of the Church shaped by justice, mercy, and the way of Jesus.Learn more about how you can receive coaching from pastors like Nate and Steve at J29Coalition.comSteve Bezner is the Senior Pastor of Houston Northwest Church in Houston, Texas. A thoughtful and prophetic voice in the American evangelical landscape, Steve is passionate about church renewal, racial justice, and equipping the Church to navigate cultural polarization with humility and grace. Nate Bush serves as the Lead Pastor of New City Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Committed to spiritual formation, justice, and local community transformation, Nate brings pastoral depth and bold conviction to his leadership in a city marked by complexity and beauty. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com

Pastors Malcolm Foley and Chris Davis join Caleb Campbell for a rich, energizing conversation on preaching the book of Revelation, confronting fear-mongering, and re-centering the church around the person and power of Jesus. Drawing from their pastoral experiences in multicultural congregations and their books (The Anti-Greed Gospel and Bright Hope for Tomorrow), Malcolm and Chris dismantle end-times sensationalism and instead offer a theologically grounded, Spirit-led vision of Christ’s return as fuel for endurance, justice, and joy. They explore how Revelation comforts the suffering, exposes the corrupting power of empire, and calls the church to the way of the Lamb in the face of roaring beasts. The result is both pastoral and prophetic—offering courage to weary leaders and clarity to confused congregations.Learn more about how you can receive coaching from pastors like Malcolm and Chris at J29Coalition.comAbout MalcolmPastor Malcolm Foley is a theologian, pastor, and author committed to leading the church into deeper faithfulness at the intersection of justice, discipleship, and gospel hope. He serves as co-pastor of Mosaic Waco, a vibrant, intentionally multicultural church in Waco, Texas, where he helps cultivate a community shaped by the Spirit and centered on Jesus. Malcolm is the author of The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money Is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward, in which he calls the church to reject mammon and embody the liberating kingdom of God. With a Ph.D. in theology and a heart for pastoral care, Malcolm brings both academic rigor and prophetic compassion to his preaching, writing, and leadership.About ChrisPastor Chris Davis is a seasoned pastor, writer, and theological guide with a heart for leading God’s people through hope, hardship, and cultural complexity. He serves as the lead pastor of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia. With deep roots in pastoral ministry and a passion for multiethnic community, Chris shepherds with both conviction and tenderness. He is the author of Bright Hope for Tomorrow: How Anticipating Jesus’ Return Gives Strength for Today, a book that reclaims the doctrine of Christ’s return as fuel for endurance, purity, and joy rather than fear and speculation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit blog.j29coalition.com