As You Go

Isn't it nice to be pleasantly surprised?  Ashley Baines McNeese is an author, mother, and  professor at a college in Texas where she engages daily with "Gen Z" in her creative writing classes. Though she approached this position with some fear due to the negative things she'd heard about the young people she would encounter, she shares in this episode that she has been pleasantly surprised and encouraged by what she has learned from them.  Researchers and pundits are finding that it's not all "gloom and doom" on our U.S. college campuses. Many of this age group are seeking truth, authenticity, and intellectual honesty. Ashley shares her experiences and tips for all  believers as they interact with younger friends in an effort to share the gospel and make disciples.      Support us on pushpay.com!

"You can't fight a spiritual war with physical weapons."  In this episode, Ruth talks about the defensive and offensive weapons God has provided for us to engage in spiritual warfare. You will find this podcast to shed fresh light on "this present darkness" that we are living in.  "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world."  Please also check out this recent Bible study on Treasure magazine written by former missionary to Panama Judy Lytle: https://www.wnac.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/September-Study.pdf entitled, "Faith, Fear, and Superstition"  Support us on pushpay.com!

Diana Bryant knows a few things about change. During her many years as women's ministry leader, pastor's wife, mom, grandma, and employee, she has experiences all kinds of changes -- some good and some not so welcome. Sit in on this conversation between Ruth McDonald and Diana as they talk about things we need to trust God during the good, bad, and ugly of life's transitions.  Support us on pushpay.com!

Participating in a short term missions trip can change your life! In this episode, pastor's wife and long-time leader in Women's Ministries Amy Johnson shares the many ways God has enriched her life through going on multiple missions trips.  If you are interested in knowing more, here are some resources for you:  https://thehannahproject.org https://iminc.org/go/ Support us on pushpay.com!

Who knows you better than anyone else on earth? Does that person know absolutely everything about you? Would you want them to?  The Bible teaches us that we don't actually even know everything about ourselves... but God does. We may fear disclosing our deepest secrets to others because we feel they will reject us. But God, who knows us better than we know ourselves, has promised that He will "never leave us nor forsake us."  Resources cited in this episode: "Telling Yourself the Truth" by William Backus and Marie Chapian Psalm 139:1-12; Isaiah 44:1-2; I Samuel 12:19-22 "If You Look," a song written by Jeff Hamlin and performed by Glad. https://genius.com/Glad-if-you-look-lyrics Psalm 139:23-24   Support us on pushpay.com!

In this episode, Cookie Vasquez of Bakersfield, California shares her survival story. Saved from addiction, a survivor of Covid, and a great storyteller, Cookie has a story to tell! Join her and host Ruth McDonald as they chat about Cookie's varied experiences and a fun Covid-induced hallucination.    Support us on pushpay.com!

Kristen Crabtree is a pastor's wife and palliative care nurse who shares her experiences and insights into how we as Christians can care for people "from the cradle to the grave." Sooner or later, we all walk through "the valley of the shadow of death" with our loved ones, and Kristen gives wonderful and -- yes, encouraging! -- advice to help us with this most certain of human experiences.    Support us on pushpay.com!

Note: This episode contains material that is not appropriate for children and young listeners. "The only place where there is no hope is hell," says Cindy Cunningham, Director and Founder of Village of Hope Uganda. For even the most unimaginable trauma, there is hope in Christ. Village of Hope provides hope, healing and practical help of every kind for children who has been traumatized by war. Child soldiers, children of rape, orphans, and abandoned children by the thousands have been transformed by the love of Christ expressed through the Body of Christ.  If you would like to support this amazing ministry, please follow this link to give and to pray: https://villageofhopeuganda.com In addition to highlighting Village of Hope, Ruth and Cindy talk about trauma, particularly childhood trauma, and the hope that is available through Christ. Both recount how the Lord has healed and helped them throughout their walk with Him.  Support us on pushpay.com!

You're not going to want to miss this episode! In this oh so very important message, Ruth McDonald shares about the unfailing, unconditional, and totally undeserved love that God has for you. If you struggle with believing -- truly believing -- that God is delighted with you, you need this message.  The amazing thing about His grace is that it's 0% about what we do and 100% about who He is!  Support us on pushpay.com!

In this episode, Ruth McDonald sits down with veteran missionary to Spain Lea Edgmon to discuss a very important topic: how to you hang in there for the long haul? Between the two, Ruth and Lea have over 60 years of experience as overseas missionaries and church planters. Listen in as they share tips and advice on how to hang in there... even when you don't feel like it! Lea shares about some difficulties she has faced during her years overseas including the loss of her unborn triplets and other losses and trials. She gives testimony to the beauty of teammates who loved and supported her through tough times and cited the Scriptural basis for all the "one anothers." She urges us to encourage others by our actions, prayers, and words.        Support us on pushpay.com!

One in 36 children in the U.S. has been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. In this episode, Ruth McDonald talks with April Jimmeye about how we can care for children with special needs -- both as parents and as the church. April is a mother of 3 children, 2 of whom have diagnoses of autism. She is also a graduate of Liberty University and earned a Masters from University of West Florida. She is a certified Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) who shares a wealth of information from her own personal journey and her acquired knowledge. Most parents -- whether they have special needs children or not -- will resonate with April's message, as all of us have thought "this is not quite what I expected at the baby shower." Her perspective and advice are so vital for all of us who love and care for children.  If you are involved in a church, you will find April's message challenging and helpful as you try to ensure that your ministry is accessible to every family and every child.    Support us on pushpay.com!

In this episode, Ruth McDonald interviews missionary to Bulgaria, Amy Postlewaite, about the simplicity of discipleship as a natural lifestyle. Amy and her husband Jonathan live with their 3 children in Pleven, Bulgaria, where they are involved in church planting, evangelism and discipleship. Their lives are filled with discipling Bulgarian children and adults as well as international students from many nations.  Amy focuses in on the importance of making discipleship reproducible, and you will hear many examples of how that is possible in a natural and lifestyle-based approach to helping others in their walk with Christ.  You will be encouraged by the story of how Amy's 11-year-old daughter is already busy discipling her friends in a regular home small group. Anyone who loves Jesus can disciple others!  You may learn more about the Postlewaites' ministry at: https://iminc.org/im-missionaries/jonathan-and-amy-postlewaite/ One resource that Amy and her family recommend in this podcast is Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden: https://www.amazon.com/Discipleship-Essentials-Guide-Building-Christ/dp/0830821287/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ZPUD5S4IMTRY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.o3bWHe01a7H7AjJDFWyYPWB7jrTDOxa1fhwTB2PwTgc3V1xjtOo8ychBUs4HoDZCkUkbg3JRKXETL3VzPY2ytqpnQ6UXlp0OvAznkcLK1sT2Jy_f88I4OYXMfc3IBdqeJs1o8n8kFOKwI2ozbiXoDvI8vCaDKIpJK5CAGGggDpH5O7grNv2W6-UrWfudqYFk1DQsPX5HYBFQOIOcOibOz29Ex-wMLs21CIPBNQYVD_Y.r6KP2id8qoBv4QomQEBhRaGxzMITAGVGWg3lebqLSqo&dib_tag=se&keywords=discipleship+essentials+by+greg+ogden&qid=1713380962&sprefix=discipleship+essentials%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1   Support us on pushpay.com!

In this episode, Ruth sits down with her daughter Kate Speer to discuss both the cost and the joy of following Christ. As a former missionary, Ruth served as a missionary in Japan for 36 years. Kate was born and raised there and shares her unique perspective as an "MK" or missionary kid. She shared how God changed her heart from adamantly refusing to be a missionary and the joy she has found in obedience to His call on her life.  As part of the video, a podcast with Liz Curtis Higgs is referenced. Here is the link for that talk about Mary of Bethany, who poured the precious ointment on the feet of Jesus.  https://www.podcastics.com/podcast/episode/the-scandal-and-glory-of-pure-worship-easter-2021-with-liz-curtis-higgs-66065/   Support us on pushpay.com!

Proverbs 3:5,6 includes a promise that God will "direct your path" or "make your way straight" as you trust in Him.  In this episode, we look at how God: 1) makes our path straight (Proverbs 3:5,6; Isaiah 42:16; Isaiah 45:2; Luke 3:4-6) 2) makes our hearts straight (Proverbs 2:15; James 1:13-15) 3) straightens out the messes we have made (I Peter 2:24-25; Joel 2:25; Jeremiah 30: 17) 4) will ultimately straighten out everything, restoring it to its "factory setting" (Rom. 8:18-25; Isaiah 61:1-4)   Support us on pushpay.com!

Alicia Crowe and her husband Josh are former missionaries to Japan with IM, Inc. who now minister to Japanese people in the Dublin, OH area. As Alicia shares her story in this podcast, you will see that God works through challenges, depression, loss, and unwanted life events to lead us into His perfect will for our lives. Sit back and enjoy this testimony of God's Sovereignty and His perfect guidance. God already know your future and you can trust His plan for you!   Support us on pushpay.com!

Do you ever feel like your spiritual transformation is taking too long? Do you get frustrated with other believers and wonder why they are not looking more Christlike? Do you sometimes feel like the Holy Spirit needs a little help in straightening out Christians around you? In this episode, Ruth McDonald shares from the Bible about the way the Holy Spirit works to re-make us increasingly into the image of Christ. (2 Cor. 3:18) Even though the process sometimes seems to take longer than we'd like, the Spirit is working to restore us to our original condition when we were created "in the image of God."  Ruth shares several powerful testimonies and stories that provide strong evidence that the Holy Spirit can be trusted to resurrect traits and resemblances to the likeness we were meant to show.  You will be encouraged by this episode to be patient with yourself and with others, trusting the process and the One who restores, transforms, and changes hearts.          Support us on pushpay.com!

"I just want to be a grownup Christian woman!" Childhood trauma left Tammy Lancaster feeling like she often became 4 years old all over again. In this episode, you can listen in on a conversation between Tammy and Ruth McDonald as they talk about real life issues that affect our emotional health... often for a lifetime. Tammy and her husband Jamie ministered as church planting missionaries in Uruguay for over 20 years and are now residing in Nashville, TN and are with IM,Inc. In this podcast, she touches on sensitive subjects such as abandonment, trauma, divorce, neglect and abuse. And yet, the conversation is full of healing, hope, and joy as she shares about her path to emotional wholeness.  It's not a short episode, but you will be blessed by Tammy's story. If you are struggling with hurts that you cannot quite get over, you will be encouraged to seek out help from the body of Christ and skilled professionals. And, no matter your background, you will be challenged to love, support and encourage those around you. 500605   Support us on pushpay.com!

This encouraging episode from Ruth McDonald helps us confront our fears about actually getting involved in disciple making. If you are convinced that you should be sharing your faith and helping other grow... but are nervous or confused about how to get started... this episode is for you. Confronting our fears.... I don't know enough. What if I get stumped? What if I don't know the answers? I'm too young... I'm too old... Keep it simple. Ruth explains how to let the Bible speak for itself through the Discovery Bible Method. https://www.dbsguide.org Trust the Holy Spirit. As we pray for His guidance, He will teach us (and those who study with us.) Support us on pushpay.com!

Melanie Franks is part of a church planting team in Athens, AL where she and her husband are actively involved in evangelism and discipleship. In this episode of As You Go, she and Ruth McDonald sit down to discuss the importance of women discipling other women.  Included in the conversation are: 1) what it means to make disciples 2) how exactly do you make disciples? 3) why is discipleship important? Mentioned and recommended in this episode is Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth's book "Adorned." https://www.reviveourhearts.com/books/adorned/ The title "Disciple Her" was borrowed from the book by that title written by Kandi Gallaty https://www.amazon.com/Disciple-Her-Using-Wonder-Invest/dp/1535902477 Support us on pushpay.com!

Whether you listen during the Christmas season or at another time of the year, this episode brings insight into Jesus' mother Mary and her exemplary faith. As a young Jewish girl, she was typical in many ways. And yet, we see by the things the Holy Spirit included in the Bible about her that she was also extraordinary.  Even though a very young girl: 1) Mary was preparing for the future she assumed would be hers. When her plans were completely upended by the visit from the angel Gabriel, she knew what to do. 2) Mary knew she needed other women in order to deal with life's surprises and challenges, as evidenced by her extended visit with her cousin Elizabeth. 3) Mary knew the Word of God. Though they are not named, we know that she had been discipled by those around her in her childhood. Because of her rich foundation in the Scriptures, she was able to be strong for the special task God had for her. 4) Mary knew that God's plan is always best. Her song of praise is a wonderful testimony to her firm faith in God.    Support us on pushpay.com!