Restore Podcast

In 2016, the Seventh-day Adventist Church surpassed $1 billion in tithe collected. It's an amazing amount when we ponder from where we came and how the concept of tithing began and evolved within the Church.So, with episode 45, we begin a series of episodes on tithing within our denomination. It's our hope you will not only find them informative, but you will be inspired and amazed how God has worked through the faithfulness of His people to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ in fulfilling the mission given to us to let the world know Jesus is coming soon.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesThe History and Use of Tithe (from Ellen White Estate)Tithe and Offering Resources from North American Division Stewardship DepartmentIn Search of the Store HouseIn almost every discussion of tithing, the question of where the tithe should be sent comes up. The following paper (Adobe PDF link) prepared by G. Edward Reid looks at the storehouse question from several points of view, coming to a concise answer for today’s Chri

In episode 44, I interview George Knight, Ed.D., M.Div., MA, emeritus professor of church history at Andrews University and perhaps one of the most living prolific writers in Adventist history. We spend time talking about his life, writing, women's ordination, and so much more.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesELLEN WHITE'S AFTERLIFEAdventist Book CenterAmazon

In episode 43, we welcome back Pastor Richie Halversen of Bowman Hills Church. We talk about his book released last year, Darkness Will Not Overcome, which covers his struggle and recovery from opioids. We also spend some time speaking about evangelism.Many, if not all, of us know someone (or even ourself) going through some kind of addiction. This is a great story of how God is able to give the victory.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesRICHIE HALVERSENE-mail: rhalversen@me.comTwitter: twitter.com/richie59Bowman Hills Church: bowmanhills.orgDARKNESS WILL NOT OVERCOMEAdventist Book CenterFacebook

In episode 42, we are delighted to have Pastor Sam Rainer with us. He's the pastor of West Bradenton Baptist Church. Our conversation is all about church revitalization as Sam is currently going through a church revitalization and helps other churches/pastors do so as well.Sam is also co-host of the Established Church Podcast, president of Church Answers, co-founder and co-owner of Rainer Publishing, and president of Revitalize Network.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesSAM RAINERWeb Site/Biography: samrainer.com/aboutTwitter: twitter.com/SamRainerMINISTRIESWest Bradenton Baptist Church: westbradenton.orgChurch Answers: churchanswers.comRainer Publishing: rainerpublishing.comRevitalize Network: revitalizenetwork.orgEstablished Church Podcast: spreaker.com/show/est-for-the-established-church

In episode 41, we have an in-depth conversation with Pastor Andres Flores of Epic Church in Chicago. We talk about what it was like to plant the church in 2012 and what has happened in the seven years since. You will be blessed to listen to Pastor Flores as he gives some keen insights and thoughts about his journey at Epic.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesANDRES FLORESFacebook: facebook.com/j.andresfloresTwitter: twitter.com/pastorandres777EPIC CHURCHWeb: epicchurchsda.comFacebook: facebook.com/EpicChurchTwitter: twitter.com/EpicChurchChiInstagram: instagram.com/epicchurchchi/YouTube: youtube.com/epicwiredARTICLE ABOUT EPIC CHURCHGlobal Mission: csps.globalmissioncenters.org/the-makings-of-an-epic-church

In episode 40 of the Restore Podcast, we are joined by Forest Lake Church Senior Pastor Geoff Patterson, Executive Pastor Tim Nichols, and Collegiate/Young Adult Pastor Juan Martinez discussing the church's past, present, and future trajectory in ministry.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesFOREST LAKE CHURCHWeb: forestlakechurch.orgFacebook: facebook.com/forestlakesdachurchTwitter: twitter.com/forestlkchurchInstagram: instagram.com/p/B3EkzqZAM6a/Live Services: forestlakechurch.churchonline.orgArchived Services: vimeo.com/forestlakechurch/videosGEOFF PATTERSONFacebook: facebook.com/geoff.patterson.5283Twitter: twitter.com/pattersongeoffTIM NICHOLSFacebook: facebook.com/tim.nichols.754Twitter: twitter.com/tgnicholsJUAN MARTINEZFacebook: facebook.com/juan.martinez.50115Twitter: twitter.com/JMartinez110

In episode 39 of the Restore Podcast, we talk with the Speaker/Director of It Is Written, Pastor John Bradshaw. It Is Written is a ministry that has been touching lives for more than 60 years. It was the first religious program broadcasgt in color to hit television in 1956.Pastor Bradshaw shares from his heart, being very transparent about his personal journey, the past and present, and challenges with It Is Written and his take on evangelism in today's world.Make sure to listen all the way through!Show Notes/Links/ResourcesJOHN BRADSHAWTwitter: twitter.com/bradshawkiwiFacebook: facebook.com/bradshawkiwiIT IS WRITTENWeb: itiswritten.comYouTube: youtube.com/itiswrittenTwitter: twitter.com/itiswrittenFacebook: facebook.com/itiswritten

On the 100-year anniversary of the 1919 Bible conference, Dr. Michael Campbell releases his book on the "epochal" event in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.In episode 38, Dr. Campbell talks a bit about his personal journey, why he wrote his book, 1919: The Untold Story of Adventism's Struggle with Fundamentalism, the history and issues of the 1919 Bible conference, and the implications for today.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesMichael Campbell Bio from Southwestern Adventist University: swau.edu/profile/michael-campbellMichael Campbell on Facebook: facebook.com/pastorsoupMichael Campbell on Twitter: twitter.com/thewalkingstickSpectrum Magazine interview: spectrummagazine.org/interviews/2019/new-book-uncovers-adventist-relationship-fundamentalismBook—1919: The Untold Story of Adventism's Struggle With FundamentalismAdventist Book Center: adventistbookcenter.com/1919-the-untold-story-of-adventism-s-struggle-with-fundamentalism.htmlAmazon: amazon.com/dp/B07R6Y4Z1Z/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_d

Episode 37 features Dr. Carlton Byrd, senior pastor of Oakwood University Church on the campus of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama. He is also speaker/director for Breath of Life Ministries. In this conversation, Dr. Byrd speaks on his journey in ministry, evangelism/discipleship, and a brief inside look of his leadership at Oakwood and Breath of Life.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesBio: breathoflife.tv/who-we-are/dr-carlton-p-byrdBreath of Life Ministries: breathoflife.tvOakwood University Church: oucsda.orgTwitter: twitter.com/pastorcpbyrdBreath of Life on Twitter: twitter.com/breathoflifetvBreath of Life on Facebook: facebook.com/breathoflifetvBook: Free (pre-order at time of episode release)

Episode 36 features Ron Clouzet, D.Min., Th.D. (ABD), who serves as Ministerial Association Secretary for the Northern Asia-Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The conversation covers what it's like to minister and evangelize in the culture of that part of the world.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesOfficial Bio: nsdadventist.org/ministries/ministries.html?DP_DAPT=8Information on Northern Asia-Pacific Division: adventist.org/en/world-church/northern-asia-pacificE-mail: clouzet@nsdadventist.orgTwitter: twitter.com/ronclouzet

In episode 35, Bill Knott shares his faith journey from 18 years of pastoring churches, both large and small, to his current position as Executive Editor for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines. Adventist Review is the Seventh-day Adventist Church's flagship magazine, first published by James White in 1849.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesAdventist Review: AdventistReview.orgFacebook: facebook.com/AdventistReviewTwitter: twitter.com/AdventistReviewAdventist World: AdventistWorld.orgFacebook: facebook.com/AdventistWorldMagazineBill Knott on Twitter: twitter.com/AREditor

Sergio Quevedo is a pastor and church planter whose journey is one you will want to hear as he shares what God can do as we surrender our lives to Him and step out of our comfort zones.In episode 34, Sergio speaks about his call to ministry, giving up a law school scholarship. As the same time that he is given three small churches to pastor, Sergio begins a journey that leads him to be part of planting three more churches.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesTwitter: twitter.com/PrSergioQuevedoFacebook: facebook.com/sergissimo.quevedoOne Connection Church on Facebook: facebook.com/oneconnectionchurch

Episode 33 is a powerful conversation with Jennifer Bolejack whose husband, Pastor Bradley Bolejack, tragically took his own life after suffering from anxiety and depression. Jennifer's counselor, Casey Horne, was also part of this incredible conversation that will help draw awareness to mental health issues.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesCasey Horne web: ChampionFamiliesCounseling.comCasey Horne phone: (936) 900-8400(Services include video conference counseling.)Jennifer Bolejack e-mail: jenbole@gmail.comJennifer Bolejack Facebook: facebook.com/jen.bolejackJennifer's video testimony: youtu.be/r1192Uy8-JQAdventist Review article: Calling Out the Majority: Why we need to talk about pastoral burnout, depression, and even suicideCounseling web site—find a counselor anywhere you are: theravive.com"We are a network of licensed and professional clinical counselors, therapists, and psychologists who strive to make mental health care safe, affordable, and accessible. We hold compassionate values in therapy

In episode 32, we have an incredible conversation over one of life's greatest questions: If God is good and loving, why is there evil in the world?In his latest book: Theodicy of Love: Cosmic Conflict and the Problem of Evil, professor and author John Peckham discusses this topic with a fresh, in-depth framework.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesBook: theodicyoflove.comBook: Amazon linkBio: andrews.edu/sem/contact/faculty/john-peckham.htmlJohn on Twitter: twitter.com/jcpeckham

In episode 31, we kick off the new year with Heather Thompson Day, Ph.D., talking about how to better communicate in the 21st century—particularly communicating the gospel.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesHeather's Web Site: heatherthompsonday.comHeather on Facebook: facebook.com/AuthorHeatherThompsonDayHeather on Instagram: instagram.com/heatherthompsondayHeather on Twitter: twitter.com/heathertday

In episode 30, we talk with Kaleb Eisele as he shares his journey of faith within the Adventist Church. Kaleb is a 27-year-old millennial who started the web site, Humans of Adventism.Show Notes/Links/ResourcesOrangeburg Church on Facebook: facebook.com/OrangeburgAdventistsHumans of Adventism Web Site: adventisthumans.comHumans of Adventism on Facebook: facebook.com/humansofadventismHumans of Adventism on Instagram: instagram.com/humansofadventismKaleb on Twitter: twitter.com/KalebEisele

In episode 29, we talk with Pastors Walter Castro and José Cortez Jr. about Volunteer Lay Pastors.Florida Conference has been at the forefront of this endeavor for many years. Here are some statistics regarding the VLP program in Florida:89 mission groups/companies/churches led by VLPsVLP program started about 15 years agoAround $4.5 million in tithe comes from these churchesWe have VLPs from 18 nationalitiesThe largest VLP-led church has 387 membersWe have three female VLPsHundreds of baptisms come from VLP-led churches every yearShow Notes/Links/ResourcesNorth American Division Article about Volunteer Lay Pastors written by José Cortes Jr.North American Division Volunteer Lay Pastor GuidelinesWalter Castro, Florida Conference Pastoral Ministries Field Associate for Volunteer Lay Pastors: Walter.Castro@floridaconference.com

In episode 28, we have a fascinating conversation with the authors of The Discipleship Gospel, Bill Hull and Ben Sobels. In the book, Bill and Ben expand on several points, particularly, (1) you cannot make disciples for a non-discipleship gospel, and (2) the gospel you preach determines the disciples you make. Purchasing a copy of the book is strongly recommended. We've arranged a 20% discount with the publisher for the paperback version. Just click to HIM Publications, and apply the coupon code RESTORE before finalizing your purchase. Show Notes/Links/Resources The Discipleship Gospel: Use RESTORE coupon code to purchase at 20% discount. Bill Hull: billhull.net Ben Sobels: cypresschurch.org The Bonhoeffer Project: thebonhoefferproject.com

While attending the North American church planters boot camp, I had the pleasure of conversing with Pastor Edwin Vargas and his wife, Lisanette. Church planting is one of the most beautiful and challenging endeavors any follower of Jesus can undertake. This couple is on their third church plant. Listen to their story, and I know you will be blessed, challenged, and inspired—perhaps even to go and plant a church! Show Notes/Links/Resources Edwin Vargas on Twitter: @predwingabriel Edwin Vargas on Facebook: Edwin Gabriel Vargas Newday Christian Church: newdaysda.com

Welcome to the Restore Podcast episode 26. I am Javier, your host. Wherever you may be and however you listen we always thank you for joining us on the journey to helping Restore the vision, Restore mission, Restore the church. I'm really excited to have you listen to my conversation on this episode with Pastor Karl Vaters. He is the teaching pastor at Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Fountain Vally, California, where he's been a pastor for more than 20 years. Karl has been a small church pastor all of his life, and he's written two books about it. The first book he wrote, The Grasshopper Myth, we briefly mention as we focus on his most recent book which I recently finished reading, Small Church Essentials: Field-tested Principles for Leading a Healthy Congregation of Under 250. In the book's introduction Karl mentions: "This book is not about how to get your small church to become a big church. It's also not about how small churches are better than big churches. They'