Rusty George Podcast

158: Faith-Driven Entrepreneur Jeff Henderson on Ministry & Business Secrets from Chik Fil A by Rusty George

Greg Atkinson is a powerhouse leader and influential voice in better the modern church. His well-known books "Secrets of a Church Shopper" and "Church Leadership Essentials" have transformed churches and their pastoral leadership nation-wide. Today, Greg and I are discussing the secrets of his experience going undercover as a "church-shopper". We discuss hospitality, first-impressions, worship teams, and so much more. If you're a church leader, this episode is a must-hear. Greg's advice is poignant for this unique time in history, and I know what he has to share will transform your church and ministry.

The church is meant to be a place where you can find healing and wholeness. But, unfortunately, sometimes the church can be the very place where brokenness happens. Covid was a dark time for many of us in terms of mental health. For many of us who already struggled with mental health issues, the stress and anxiety and fear that Covid brought on only made those issues greater. I'm honored to join you all today by having an honest conversation about my own mental health journey, and about the ways that I believe that church across the world can do a better job in supporting those struggling with mental health issues.

There are a lot of keys to being a great communicator - but Danielle Strickland has a few tips that are about to change the game for speakers and leaders around the world. Best-selling author of, Danielle Strickland is a powerhouse voice for. In this episode, we discuss ways to be a positive disrupter - someone who changes the world with optimism and positivity, like Jesus did.

Churches are finally open, mask rules are waning, and the season of Covid is slowly but surely coming to an end. Praise the Lord! But even though this pandemic season is getting better by the day, churches, pastors, and church go-ers have been forever changed by the impact that the last year and a half has had.  In today's episode, my friend Rich Birch from unSeminary joins me to discuss the one thing that every pastor needs to be thinking about post-Covid -- and trust me, it's a game changer. You don't want to miss hearing it.  Rich also shares great insight on the importance of volunteering at a church, the best ways to serve online, and more helpful advice for how church members can make a helpful difference now that churches are faced with this new normal.

We all want to be more like Jesus, right? But sometimes it can be hard to know where to start in that journey... Fourth-generation pastor and my friend Zach Zehnder is on a mission to challenge Christians to become greater followers of Jesus. Zach and his wife Allison are the best-selling authors of the "Red Letter Challenge", a 40-day workbook that makes faith and discipleship simple, practical, and doable. Additionally, Zach shares his new resource, "Reopening Christianity" in this episode, and I can't wait for you to hear all about it. We're all on a mission to make and be better disciples every day, so I can't wait for you to be encouraged by this conversation and to hear Zach's heart for ministry.

What does the Bible tell us to do when we have faith in God, but we're still struggling with anxiety and panic attacks? Are you looking for peace and purpose? Are you fed up with stress and anxiety?  Best-selling author of Rhythms of Renewal, Rebekah Lyons is a contemporary, honest voice who's works focus on mental health, and more specifically, anxiety. Her testimony of supernatural healing and peace in her own journey with panic attacks is not only inspiring, but a reminder of God's ability to do a mighty healing work that only He can do.  Are you searching for answers for your struggle with anxiety today? Then I know that Rebekah's story in this episode will be life-changing for you. Listen with an open heart and mind, allowing God to do a powerful work through Rebekah's testimony of faith.

A Part 2 Q&A episode special! Pastor John Burke returns in this episode to answer the questions that our listeners submitted about the afterlife.

Ken Costa has an impressive background. He is a master of financial knowhow, as well as a spiritual leader and minister of the gospel. Ken's ministries operate at the intersection of the sacred and the secular: work and worship. His mission is to share the lesson that "if you know your why, you know your way". His unique standpoint on marketplace knowledge and Holy Spirit guidance makes him a must-hear voice for our time, and this conversation we have together is no exception.  In this episode, Ken and I discuss some hot-topics: the GameStop stock debacle, how millennials feel excluded from the financial goings on in the world, how Christian leaders can make informed business decisions during such uncertain times, and much more.Ken also shares his vision and passion for "Alpha", a fantastic church resource that he's been a part of. I can't wait for you to hear the unforgettable life and work lessons that Ken has to share in this episode (and not to mention, for you to hear his cool accent).

Lead pastor of one of the most influential churches in America (Community Christian Church in Chicago) and award-winning author, Dave Ferguson and his brother Jon are on a mission to share how you can change the world one neighbor at a time. Author of "BLESS: 5 Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World", Dave's insights into church planting and spreading the gospel to all parts of the world are both inspiring and effective. I know that, when you listen to this episode, you'll feel fired up to go love your neighbor like you never have before.  Are you fired up to share the gospel with those around you? Are you looking for a resource to help you plant a church? If the answer is "yes", this episode will be a game-changer for you. If you're interested in church planting in the California area, reach out to me and my team at rgeorge@reallifechurch.org.

We've all faced unanswered prayers... Is God ignoring us? Does he not care? Did we pray the prayer wrong? Did our sin block us from having God hear us? The Bible has a lot to say about this topic, and today, I I want to share the real reason that God may feel silent in your life. Join me as we read an excerpt together from my most recent book, "After Amen: What to do When You're Waiting on God". If you're interested, you can check out After Amen at www.afteramenbook.com

Have you experienced tension and frustration in your marriage during Covid and lockdown? Mental health doesn't just affect the individual, but it affects your marriage too. For those who are wanting to work on the mental health of their marriage this year, I can't wait for you to listen to this episode with my friend Dave Willis.  Dave Willis, the co-founder of XO Marriage and the "Naked Marriage" Podcast along with his wife Ashley, joins me in this episode to discuss practical ways that we can work on better, healthier mental health in our marriages. Dave shares their personal marriage journey, struggles him and Ashley have overcome, how their podcast was envisioned and started, and he speaks on the major pain points many people have experienced in their marriages, specifically during Covid season. This conversation with Dave is a breath of fresh air in a culture of shame and brokenness. Listen to this episode with your spouse this week, and allow God to do a great work in the mental health of your marriage

Author, speaker, podcaster, and entrepreneurial coach Jo Saxton is on a mission to inspire leaders to own their voice, lead confidently, and to make a difference; and this unforgettable conversation is no exception. In this episode, Jo shares her personal journey of discovering her gifts, the process and vision that took place in writing her books, and even her love for Target. We discuss women empowerment in the church and workplace, a powerful and necessary topic. If you're looking for jolt of inspiration, a leader worth following, and even a good laugh, I know that you'll love this episode.

The Covid season has forced church leaders to make some of the most difficult and controversial decisions of their ministry career. But specifically, the question has been: "When do we move church back inside?" ... Do we wait until it's legal? Do we stay outside for the betterment of our community? Do we move indoors for the betterment of our community? What does the Bible say about this problem? My co-host Brad Williams and I have an honest discussion in this episode about how we ultimately decided to move Real Life Church and all of its campuses back indoors.

We all have questions about the afterlife... Will I be myself? Will I see friends and loved ones? What will Heaven look like? What is God like? What will we do forever? What about children and pets? John Burke is the New York Times best-selling author of "Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future that Awaits You". As the lead pastor of Gateway Church and the founder of Gateway Leadership Initiative, John is a powerful leader and minister of the gospel, who's insights into life after death will leave you with awe and excitement of the life to come. John answers the most pondered questions with confidence and grace, steering us to the Bible and sharing unforgettable near-death experiences where people have seen glimpses of heaven. I know this episode will leave you stronger in your faith, and more confident than ever in the eternity to come spent with our savior. Do you have questions about the afterlife that you would like John Burke to answer in Part Two of this episo

We want to take some time this year to discuss an important topic: mental health. But, more specifically, practical and doable ways that we can all build better, stronger mental health in 2021. This last year took quite a toll on all of us... Statistics of depression, anxiety, and suicide are through the roof as the world attempts to recover from the stress and difficulty we all experienced. So how can we recover, heal, and reclaim our mental health? Jim Beebe, LMFT has been a practicing licensed counselor for 34 years. Jim is passionate about helping his clients seek wholeness spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. And in today's episode, he guides us through just that. I believe this episode will bring healing to you today, and I pray that our conversation on establishing better mental health will guide you towards healing and wholeness.

Did Jesus Christ really raise from the dead after three days? And if yes, how can we really know for sure? This Holy Week, I'm joined in this rerun episode by best-selling author and former investigative journalist, Lee Strobel. An atheist-turned-Christian, Lee has sought answers to all of the questions that come with the Christian faith. His best-selling novel "The Case for Christ" details his conversion to Christianity. For the last twenty-five years, his life’s work has been to share the evidence that supports the truth and claims of Christianity, and to equip believers to share their faith with the people they know and love. Lee and I honestly and openly discuss the facts and the evidence on Christ's resurrection, the entire crucifixion account, and much more. I believe our conversation will illuminate your path of faith, and will help you grow in both understanding and a deeper faith in God.

Tuvya Zaretsky, a leader at "Jews for Jesus", joins me to discusses the importance & significance of The Passover for Christians today. A rerun episode from last year, we discuss Tuvya's background in Judaism, his faith transformation to becoming a Christian, and what we can learn from Jesus' growing up as a Jew. I know that Tuvya's message will illuminate your path of faith this Holy Week.

Tim Celek from Stadia Church Planting Group joins me in this episode today to discuss everything that church planters need to know in 2021. Tim has pioneered and planted churches that have reached thousands for the gospel, with a keen understanding on how to make the modern church refreshing and new for young believers. Tim is a personal hero of mine, and I'm so glad that you're getting to meet and hear from him today. We discuss everything from a practical breakdown of a church plant timeline, to Tim's hardest and greatest moments in his church planting ministry. If you're at all interested in planting a church in California, please reach out to me and my team at rgeorge@reallifechurch.org

Nona Jones is a global thought leader, author, executive, and pastor taking the social media world by storm. But what's her mission? To share the kingdom impact that social media can have... As well as to shed light on the darker side. Author of "From Social Media to Social Ministry: A Guide to Digital Discipleship", Nona quite literally wrote the book on digital ministry. Our conversation today is honest and deep, opening the door to the impact that social media is really having on you, your kids, and those around you. But it's not all bad news - Nona is quick to share the impact we can have as Christians in the social media world, and how we as believers can best use these platforms for Kingdom-minded impact.