Influence Podcast

This summer marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, which promulgated the Nicene Creed. Along with Catholics and the Orthodox, many Protestant churches affirm the theology of the Nicene Creed, whether or not they use it in their liturgy or formal theological statements. But what about Pentecostals? What should we make of the creed? That's what I ask Frank Macchia in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Frank Macchia is professor of systematic theology at Vanguard University of Southern California and associate director of the Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies at Bangor University in Wales. He is author of Tongues of Fire: A Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, published by Cascade Books, and of Introduction to Theology: Declaring the Wonders of God, published by Baker Academic. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Open When . . . Parenting through Foster and Adoption. Christian professionals delve into the unique challenges and struggles encountered by foster parents, adoptive parents, or kinship caregivers. Readers will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of guiding and nurturing children in nontraditional family structures. For more information about Open When . . . Parenting through Foster and Adoption visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“I am a survivor of child abuse,” writes Samantha Rose Jones. “The abuse impacted every aspect of my humanity — physically, emotionally, socially, mentally, and spiritually. All the instances were in a severe category, and the evil I faced was unfathomable. My starting point is bleak, but my current story is miraculous. I am a miracle because I am a child of the living Miracle Worker — God.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Jones about her journey from the pain of abuse to the miracle of love and joy. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Samantha Rose Jones is a grant writer for Evangel University. A credentialed Assemblies of God minister, she copastors Lifehouse Assembly of God in Cadillac, Michigan, with her husband Keith. She is author of God and Trauma: The Lessons I'm Learning ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards. Strengthen your family's relationships with God and each other with these easy-to-use Conversation Cards. Each card is uniquely designed with a question, faith builder statement, and a Bible verse to spark meaningful conversations that cultivate an open and nurturing environment in your home. For more information about the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” That is what 2 Chronicles 26:5 says about Uzziah, king of Judah in the early eighth century B.C. According to Warren D. Bullock, this verse is key to understanding Uzziah's success as a king, as well as his ultimate failure. “When [Uzziah] prayed, all went well; he had amazing success,” Bullock writes. “When he failed to seek the Lord, he acted out of pride, violated the boundaries of his calling, and was cursed with leprosy.” What lessons does Uzziah's example of both prayerfulness and prayerlessness teach spiritual leaders today? That's the question I ask Bullock in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influencemagazine and your host. Warren D. Bullock is a veteran Assemblies of God minister with six decades of experience as a pastor, superintendent of the Northwest Ministry Network, and General Council executive presbyter. He is author of Seven Life-Changing Words: The Power of Persevering Prayer, published by Trilogy. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

April is Autism Acceptance Month. According to the website, Autism Speaks, autism or autism spectrum disorder refers to “a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States today.” How should Christian churches minister to people with autism? Just as importantly, how should they facilitate ministry by people with autism? Those are the questions I ask Ron Sandison in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Ron Sandison is a speaker and teacher specializing in autism issues, a credentialed Assemblies of God minister, and author of several books on autism, including A Parent's Guide to Autism, Views from the Spectrum, and most recently, Adulting on the Spectrum, published by Kregel Publications. He is also author of the article, “Ministry on the Spectrum,” in the Spring 2025 issue of Influence. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards. Strengthen your family's relationships with God and each other with these easy-to-use Conversation Cards. Each card is uniquely designed with a question, faith builder statement, and a Bible verse to spark meaningful conversations that cultivate an open and nurturing environment in your home. For more information about the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

In 1 Corinthians 15:1–2, the apostle Paul wrote: “Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.” We typically interpret Paul's gospel in terms of the doctrine of justification by faith, with good reason. In Romans 1:17, for example, Paul wrote, “For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.'” And yet, in 1 Corinthians 15:3–7, Paul focused on what happened to Jesus Christ — His death and resurrection, not on what happened through Jesus Christ. Christ's death and resurrection are the cause, and our justification — including our own resurrection from the dead — is the effect. As we approach the holiest days in the Christian calendar — Good Friday and Easter — I want to devote a podcast to discussing the theological foundations of the gospel with Allen Tennison. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Allen Tennison is theological counsel of The General Council of the Assemblies of God and chair of the Commission on Doctrines and Practices. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Jesus asked His disciples an important question in Matthew 16:15: “Who do you say I am?” Ligonier Ministries surveyed Americans in 2022 about how they perceived Jesus. Responses to three statements in particular are worth highlighting. First, 54% of Americans and 80% of American evangelicals strongly agreed with the statement, “There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.” This statement summarizes the doctrine of the Trinity. But 40% of all Americans and 48% of evangelicals strongly agreed with the statement, “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.” This statement is a Christological heresy known as Arianism, not to mention an implicit rejection of the Trinity. Finally, 31% of all Americans and 29% of evangelicals strongly agreed with the statement, “Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God.” How 80% of evangelicals can affirm the Trinity but 29% deny Jesus' deity is an unsolvable math problem. But it's a solvable problem for Christian discipleship. Churches need to do a better job of inculcating what the Bible teaches about who Jesus Christ is. Toward that end, I talk with Robert M. Bowman Jr. about a biblical case for Jesus' deity in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Robert M. Bowman Jr. is president of the Institute for Religious Research, which provides “evidence-oriented answers to criticisms of the Bible and alternative views of Jesus Christ advocated by skeptics and members of other religions.” He is author, with J. Ed Komoszewski, of The Incarnate Christ and His Critics, published by Kregel Academic.

If you could travel back in time and share life lessons with your younger self, what would they be? That's the premise of Doug Clay's new book, Conversations with My Younger Self. “If I could go back in time,” he asks, “what mistakes would I correct? What choices would I change? What words would I say or leave unsaid? What path would I take?” Clay answers those questions by drawing on his personal experiences as well as the biblical stories of Samuel, Saul, Jonathan, and David. I talk to Clay about what he would say to his younger self in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Doug Clay is general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, a U.S. fellowship with nearly three million adherents, 13,000 churches and 38,000 ministers. He is author of Conversations with My Younger Self, forthcoming from Gospel Publishing House. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“The future is coming, and you're not in it.” That's what Rear Admiral Chester Cain (played by Ed Harris) says to Captain Pete Mitchell (played by Tom Cruise) in Top Gun: Maverick. Cain's reasoning? Mitchell will be replaced by AI. “These planes you've been testing, Captain, one day, sooner or later, they won't need pilots at all.” Technological advances initiate a process of creative destruction, in which old ways of doing things give way to new ways, in the process displacing people who do things the old way. The Luddites, for example, were weavers whose livelihoods were threatened by the adoption of automated weaving machines. The concern with AI is not merely that it will replace people's jobs, but that it will fundamentally redefine what it means to be human. How should pastors respond to this concern? That's the question I ask Paul A. Hoffman in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Paul A. Hoffman is  senior pastor of Evangelical Friends Church of Newport, Rhode Island, and coauthor with Sean O'Callaghan of AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep, published by Baker Academic. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Open When . . . Parenting through Foster and Adoption. Christian professionals delve into the unique challenges and struggles encountered by foster parents, adoptive parents, or kinship caregivers. Readers will be equipped with practical tools and strategies to navigate the complexities of guiding and nurturing children in nontraditional family structures. For more information about Open When . . . Parenting through Foster and Adoption visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Some time ago, a pastor called Chris Sonksen and confessed, “Our church is stuck, and I feel empty. I don't know what to do. I don't know how much longer I can keep doing this.” A lot of pastors feel this way. One Lifeway Research study found that six in 10 Protestant churches are plateaued or declining. More than half of churches saw fewer than 10 converts in the previous year. Another Lifeway Research study reported that more than 60% of pastors say that stress weighs heavily on them, with at least half reporting that their burdens have robbed them of joy in ministry. These pastors and the churches they lead seem like trains stuck on the tracks. What can they do to gain traction and get moving again? That's the question I ask Chris Sonksen in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Chris Sonksen is founding pastor of South Hills Church, a multi-state, multi-campus church based in Southern California, CEO and founder of Church Boom, and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. Most recently, he is author of Traction: Five Proven Principles for Unstoppable Growth, published by Avail. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Audacious Faith. This six-week women's Bible study will define biblical faith, address questions head-on, and unpack what it means to have audacious faith. Learn how to replace hopelessness and despair with vibrant faith that pleases the Lord and repels the enemy. For more information about Audacious Faith visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“The best days of the church are ahead,” write Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Raymond Chang. “Don't get us wrong. We are under no illusion that churches have it easy in this season. These days the church can feel … So fractured, So distracted. So divided and politicized. So exhausting. So hard to lead. Like everything is an uphill battle.” So why are these authors confident about the future of the church? That's the question I ask Kara Powell in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Kara Powell is chief of leadership formation and executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and a credentialed Assemblies of God minister. She is coauthor, with Mulder and Chang, of Future-Focused Church: Leading Through Change, Engaging the Next Generation, and Building a More Diverse Tomorrow, published by Baker Books. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards. Strengthen your family's relationships with God and each other with these easy-to-use Conversation Cards. Each card is uniquely designed with a question, faith builder statement, and a Bible verse to spark meaningful conversations that cultivate an open and nurturing environment in your home. For more information about the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“God could have spoken the heavens and earth into existence with a single word on a single day,” writes Rick DuBose. “He did not need seven days in which to do His work.” “But that is not how Genesis records it. God, for all His creative power, intentionally chose to work through seven days of creation. God worked in seven creative stages. Our world exists because of that process. And it's in that process you can begin to better understand how God continues to work in your life.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to DuBose about why God uses a process to transform our lives, and what the stages of that process are like. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Rick DuBose is assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God and author of The Creator's Wheel: 7 Phases of Godly Transformation, published in January by Chosen Books. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“Pentecostal historians have always acknowledged the miraculous stories accompanying the Azusa Street revival as an integral part of the Pentecostal experience,” writes Ruthie Edgerly Oberg. “However, the pressing question is whether the dubious and exaggerated claims of [author Tommy] Welchel will overshadow the genuine stories of ordinary men and women transformed by the Spirit, who carried the Pentecostal message into towns, cities, and nations, sparking a global movement.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Oberg about numerous problems with the histories of the Azusa Street Revival authored by Tommy Welchel. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Ruthie Edgerly Oberg is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and a conference speaker for the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center in Springfield, Missouri. Our conversation is based on an academic paper Oberg presented at the 53rdAnnual Meeting of the Society for Pentecostal Studies, which was titled, “The Mythologizing of Pentecostal History.” ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Creator's Wheel by Rick DuBose, coming out from Chosen Books on February 11. Our world demands faster speeds, quicker deliveries. We want change now, transformation in a moment. But God, who spoke galaxies into existence with a single word, took seven days to bring about His full and magnificent creation — and He takes His time with us. In The Creator's Wheel, Rick DuBose shows how, just as God reached into that dark and chaotic mess to form space and time, He reaches into the mess of our lives, initiating a process that transforms us into masterpieces. Visit MyHealthyChurch.com to pre-order your copy of The Creator's Wheel.

If you are a Christian, chances are you know someone who has deconstructed their faith or is doing so right now. You want to help them reconstruct their faith in Jesus, but you don't know how to act or what to say. “The truth is that we can't control someone's reconstruction,” writes Ian Harber. “What we can do is create environments — both in our interpersonal relationships and in our churches — that help minimize the intensity of someone's deconstruction by being a non-anxious presence, creating healthy relationships and churches full of trust and care, and having a more robust understanding of our faith to talk through with them.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Harber about what deconstruction is and how to be a better Christian friend and church community for someone who is experiencing a crisis of faith. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Ian Harber is author of Walking Through Deconstruction, published by InterVarsity Press. A writer and Christian media producer, he has written for The Gospel Coalition, Mere Orthodoxy, and RELEVANT. He writes about reconstructing faith in his newsletter Back Again, and about faith, media, and technology at Endeavor. He lives in Denton, Texas, with his wife and sons. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

In Matthew 12:38–40, Jesus compared himself to Jonah. “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” That comparison got Gerad Strong thinking about other points where Jonah and Jesus present a study in contrasts. He recently spoke about those contrasts at the biweekly chapel service of the Assemblies of God national office. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Strong about those contrasts. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Gerad Strong is the director of Training and Church Health with the Church Multiplication Network of the Assemblies of God. Formerly lead pastor of a rural church, Strong led a revitalization effort, resulting in the establishment of seven new church campuses in two years. He is author of The Forgotten Field: Using Multisite Models to Reach and Revive Rural Communities with the Gospel, published in 2022 by Baxter Press. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Creator's Wheel by Rick DuBose, coming out from Chosen Books on February 11. Our world demands faster speeds, quicker deliveries. We want change now, transformation in a moment. But God, who spoke galaxies into existence with a single word, took seven days to bring about His full and magnificent creation — and He takes His time with us. In The Creator's Wheel, Rick DuBose shows how, just as God reached into that dark and chaotic mess to form space and time, He reaches into the mess of our lives, initiating a process that transforms us into masterpieces. Visit MyHealthyChurch.com to pre-order your copy of The Creator's Wheel.

“Extensive research reveals that only 10 percent of people possess the raw talent to manage,” writes Stephen Blandino. “And while there are clear differences between leading and managing, Gallup merges the two by defining a manager as ‘someone responsible for leading a team toward common objectives.'” Blandino goes on to say that while most people are not “natural leaders,” they can become “learned leaders.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to him about learning to lead. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influencemagazine and your host. Stephen Blandino is lead pastor of 7 City Church in Fort Worth, Texas; a leadership coach, blogger, and host of the Leader Fluent Podcast; and author of Insanely Practical Leadership: 12 No-Nonsense Keys to Master the Art of Leading Yourself and Others, published by Avail. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free adult small group resources that build Bible-based small groups. With these resources, your small group will learn how to dig into the Bible and apply it to life. Enriching videos and intriguing discussion questions will create the kind of moments that inspire members to continue engaging deeply with the Bible all week long. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

“Establishing the Church among all peoples everywhere by reaching, planting, training, and serving” is the mission of Assemblies of God World Missions. AGWM divides its work into five regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, and Latin America. Over the next few months, I plan to interview AGWM's five regional directors about the challenges, opportunities, and key initiatives they lead. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Larry Henderson about Assemblies of God World Missions' efforts in Europe. Larry Henderson serves as AGWM's Europe Regional Director. In that role, he oversees 504 missionaries and associates. He also serves as a liaison between the U. S. Assemblies of God and its fraternal fellowships in the region. —————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free adult small group resources that build Bible-based small groups. With these resources, your small group will learn how to dig into the Bible and apply it to life. Enriching videos and intriguing discussion questions will create the kind of moments that inspire members to continue engaging deeply with the Bible all week long. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

“Establishing the Church among all peoples everywhere by reaching, planting, training, and serving” is the mission of Assemblies of God World Missions. AGWM divides its work into five regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, and Latin America. Over the next few months, I plan to interview AGWM's five regional directors about the challenges, opportunities, and key initiatives they lead. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Jeff Hartensveld about Assemblies of God World Missions' efforts in Asia Pacific. Jeff Hartensveld serves as AGWM's Asia Pacific Regional Director. In that role, he oversees 505 missionaries and associates. He also serves as a liaison between the U. S. Assemblies of God and its fraternal fellowships in the region. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free adult small group resources that build Bible-based small groups. With these resources, your small group will learn how to dig into the Bible and apply it to life. Enriching videos and intriguing discussion questions will create the kind of moments that inspire members to continue engaging deeply with the Bible all week long. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

“Establishing the Church among all peoples everywhere by reaching, planting, training, and serving” is the mission of Assemblies of God World Missions. AGWM divides its work into five regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, and Latin America. Over the next few months, I plan to interview AGWM's five regional directors about the challenges, opportunities, and key initiatives they lead. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Greg Beggs about Assemblies of God World Missions' efforts in Africa. Greg Beggs serves as AGWM's Africa Regional Director. In that role, he oversees 350 missionaries and associates. He also serves as a liaison between the U. S. Assemblies of God and its fraternal fellowships in the region. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free adult small group resources that build Bible-based small groups. With these resources, your small group will learn how to dig into the Bible and apply it to life. Enriching videos and intriguing discussion questions will create the kind of moments that inspire members to continue engaging deeply with the Bible all week long. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

“We tend to think of miracles as the exceptions to the rule, and that's one kind of miracle. There are miracles that defy the laws of nature, but the laws of nature are miraculous and mysterious in and of themselves. ‘We should always endeavor to wonder at the permanent thing, not the mere exception, said G. K. Chesterton. ‘We should be startled by the sun, and not by the eclipse.'” So writes Mark Batterson in his new book, A Million Little Miracles: Rediscover the God Who Is Bigger Than Big, Closer Than Close, and Gooder Than Good, published by Multnomah. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Batterson about developing what he calls “holy curiosity” in light of these truths ab out God. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Mark Batterson is pastor of National Community Church in Washington D.C., an ordained Assemblies of God minister, and a best-selling author. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free adult small group resources that build Bible-based small groups. With these resources, your small group will learn how to dig into the Bible and apply it to life. Enriching videos and intriguing discussion questions will create the kind of moments that inspire members to continue engaging deeply with the Bible all week long. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

“One of my biggest pet peeves is hearing shepherds say, ‘Ministry would be great if it weren't for the people,'” writes Craig T. Owens. “In essence they are saying, ‘I am happy to do this, as long as there aren't any difficult sheep to deal with.” He goes on to conclude: “Sheep are your ministry! Even the sheep that bite you, kick you, betray you, and abandon you.” The question pastors need to ask is how to minister to people who cause them pain. That's the question I ask Owens in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Craig T. Owens is pastor of Calvary Assembly of God in Cedar Springs, Mich.; cohost of The Craig and Greg show, a leadership podcast; and author of When Sheep Bite. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free adult small group resources that build Bible-based small groups. With these resources, your small group will learn how to dig into the Bible and apply it to life. Enriching videos and intriguing discussion questions will create the kind of moments that inspire members to continue engaging deeply with the Bible all week long. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

Happy Reformation Day! On this date in 1517, Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk and theology professor at the University of Wittenberg, posted his famous “Ninety-five Theses” protesting the sale of indulgences on the door of Wittenberg's Castle Church. Luther intended to reform the Catholic church from the inside. His critique of the church went beyond its corrupt practices to the bad theology underlying them, however. Over time, this critique led Luther and like-minded reformers to break with Catholicism and form new churches — Protestant churches. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with church historian Charlie Self about the Protestant Reformation, why there are in fact five Reformations, and what Pentecostals should make of the event. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Charlie Self, Ph.D., is visiting professor of church history at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, an ordained Assemblies of God minister, and co-author with Johan Mostert and Jamé Bolds of Life in 5D: A New Vision of Discipleship. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for preschool, kids, youth, and adults, available in both English and Spanish. The curriculum library provides you with discipleship resources that transform lives and anchor your church in the Bible. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account.

“Evangelical giving is down. Way down. Nearly every measure. Across the board.” So states The Giving Gap: Changes in Evangelical Generosity, a new report from Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts. The report goes on to say: “The numbers paint an increasingly bleak picture of evangelical generosity — a situation which has the potential to impact every church, every denomination, every parachurch ministry, and even many secular nonprofits.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Ron Sellers about the details of the report, as well as what ministry leaders can do in response to the trend of declining generosity. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influencemagazine and your host. Ron Sellers is president of Grey Matter Research & Consulting, a firm that regularly serves Christian ministries, denominations, and churches to solve their information needs. He wrote “How Evangelicals Come to Faith” for the summer 2024 issue of Influence. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of MEGA Sports Camp. The MEGA Sports Camp theme for 2025 is In Your Element. This VBS invites kids to discover who Jesus has made them to be. This new theme is designed for kids to engage with the science that supports sports, and it will teach kids about faith and sports in a fun, engaging setting. For more information about MEGA Sports Camp VBS, or to preorder In Your Element, visit MEGASportsCamp.com.

“Today, we see real trouble in America's churches, and many wonder whether Christianity can survive,” writes Joseph Castleberry. “I believe that we will not only survive, but we will see our greatest numerical growth, our greatest season of anointing, and our most important time of influence in the next 30 to 40 years — if Jesus tarries.” Impressive revivals will come to American churches over the next 25 years, setting the stage for the next Great Awakening —the sixth such Awakening in American history.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Castleberry about why he thinks generational theory predicts a Great Awakening in the coming decades, as well as what Christian churches must do to prepare for it. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Joseph Castleberry, Ed.D., is president of Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash., and author of The Sixth Great Awakening and the Coming Renewal of the American Church. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of MEGA Sports Camp. The MEGA Sports Camp theme for 2025 is In Your Element. This VBS invites kids to discover who Jesus has made them to be. This new theme is designed for kids to engage with the science that supports sports, and it will teach kids about faith and sports in a fun, engaging setting. For more information about MEGA Sports Camp VBS, visit MEGASportsCamp.com.

“Despite the Western church's slow pace developing women leaders, Western culture is increasingly producing women leaders in business, the academy, entertainment, medicine, and government,” writes Anna Morgan. “If we do not provide leadership development opportunities for gifted young Christian women inside our local churches, then they may well pursue leadership opportunities outside the church, thus weakening it.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Morgan about how egalitarian denominations such as the Assemblies of God can better develop the women leaders God has called and empowered for ministry. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Anna Morgan is an ordained minister with the Australian Christian Churches, a member of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship. She earned her Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. She is vice president of academics at Ascent College and copastor with her husband, John, of Word of Life, an Assemblies of God church in the metro Washington, DC, area. She is author of Growing Women in Ministry, published by Baker Academic. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Made for This. With Made for This, kids can intentionally engage in their own spiritual walk. In this easy-to-follow journal, kids will start their lifelong discovery of who God is and pursuing the adventure He has in store for their life.  For more information about Made for This, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“Establishing the Church among all peoples everywhere by reaching, planting, training, and serving” is the mission of Assemblies of God World Missions. AGWM divides its work into five regions: Africa, Asia Pacific, Eurasia, Europe, and Latin America. During the fall of 2024, I plan to interview AGWM's five regional directors about the challenges, opportunities, and key initiatives they lead. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Joe G. about Assemblies of God World Missions' efforts in Eurasia. Because of the sensitive nature of AGWM work in this region, I won't be using Joe G's last name in this podcast. Joe G. serves as AGWM's Eurasia Regional Director. In that role, he oversees ministries in 44 nations within seven distinct areas: India, Southern Asia, Arab World, Central Eurasia, Eurasia Northwest, Russia/Belarus, and Israel/Palestine. He also serves as a liaison between the U. S. Assemblies of God and its fraternal fellowships in Eurasia. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free adult small group resources that build Bible-based small groups. With these resources, your small group will learn how to dig into the Bible and apply it to life. Enriching videos and intriguing discussion questions will create the kind of moments that inspire members to continue engaging deeply with the Bible all week long. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

“As parents and followers of Christ, few areas of our lives can prompt more guilt, insecurity, and anxiety than discipling our children,” writes Brian Dembowczyk. “We want to disciple. We try to disciple. But more often than not, we fail to disciple.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Dembowczyk about why we fail to disciple our kids and how we can begin to do so effectively. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Brian Dembowczyk, Ph.D., is associate publisher for Thomas Nelson Bibles. He was previously the managing editor of The Gospel Project, a Bible study curriculum used by over 1.6 million adults, teens, and children each week, and he has also been a pastor, discipleship pastor, and family pastor. He is author of Family Discipleship That Works, published by InterVarsity Press, as well as “No Place Like Home: Equipping families for children's discipleship” in the fall 2024 issue of Influence. He lives in Tennessee with his wife and three children. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Including Children with Disabilities. Including Children with Disabilities will help you understand common disabilities and equip you with the practical tools and information you need to effectively teach them. For more information about Including Children with Disabilities, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“Studying the Bible is of essential importance in our Christian discipleship; therefore, we need to take seriously the interpretive enterprise.” So write Jacqui Grey and Paul Lewis in their new book, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, part of the Foundation for Spirit-Empowered Christianity series published by BakerAcademic. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to them about what Pentecostals bring to the task of biblical interpretation, and how to do it well. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode of the Influence Podcast. Jacqui Grey, Ph.D., is professor of biblical studies at Alphacrucis University College in Sydney, Australia. She is also a research fellow with the University of South Africa and the Centre for Pentecostal Theology and an ordained minister with Australian Christian Churches. Paul Lewis, Ph.D., is professor of historical theology and intercultural studies at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Evangel University, in Springfield, Missouri, and an ordained AG minister. They wrote “Making Bible Study PERSONAL,” based on their book, for the summer 2024 issue of Influence. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free adult small group resources that build Bible-based small groups. With these resources, your small group will learn how to dig into the Bible and apply it to life. Enriching videos and intriguing discussion questions will create the kind of moments that inspire members to continue engaging deeply with the Bible all week long. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

“History is, paradoxically, unalterable and in constant need of revision. The past does not change, after all, but we can change our understanding of it based on new facts or better interpretive frameworks. Daniel Isgrigg carefully examines stories (and myths) of Assemblies of God origins in this book, providing the kind of revision AG history needs today.” That's what I wrote in a back-cover blurb for Isgrigg's forthcoming book, Aspects of Assemblies of God Origins. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with him about why it's important to revisit what we think we know about the history of the AG. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Daniel Isgrigg is associate professor of History of Spirit-Empowered Christianity at Oral Roberts University and an ordained AG minister. His forthcoming book is Aspects of Assemblies of God Origins, out later this month from Pickwick Publications. He is currently writing a popular history of the AG.  ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, a distributor of In Jesus' Name. In In Jesus' Name, Rick DuBose shows the path back to five forgotten altars — and ultimately, the path to your place in heaven's throne room. Full of real-world application and encouraging inspiration, this book will prepare you to pray with humble authority that moves heaven--and unleashes victory here on earth. For more information about In Jesus' Name, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

According to 2020 Assemblies of God statistics, approximately one in five AG adherents is a kid 12 years old or younger. In a Fellowship with three million adherents, that amounts to roughly 600,000 kids who cycle through churches' ministries on a regular basis. Does your church have a discipleship strategy in place to help these kids become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ? KidminRoadmap was designed to help your church answer that question with an enthusiastic and well-prepared “Yes”! In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Julie Pratt about how KidminRoadmap can help kids in your church take next steps in their walk with Christ. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Julie Pratt is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and serves as the National Kidmin Discipleship Director for the AG national office. She has authored articles for Influence, including “Abused and Neglected Kids,”  “Telling the Greatest Story,” and “Partnering with Parents.” ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Momentum Training Series. Momentum Training Series will help you become more effective in your ministry, whether you are a new volunteer or a seasoned leader. The series covers topics such as including children with disabilities, teaching lessons that last, leaving a spiritual legacy, and cultivating a Spirit-empowered kids ministry. For more information about Momentum Training Series, visit MomentumTrainingSeries.com.

In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus gave the Great Commission to the Church: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus' words are well known, but how well is the Church carrying out His commission? The Lausanne Movementexamines that question in depth in its State of the Great Commission Report.  In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Dr. Matthew Niermann about that report. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Dr. Niermann has served the Lausanne Movement since 2010 in a variety of roles, including research and operations. He is currently director of the State of the Great Commission Report. In addition, he serves as a dean and professor of architectural design at California Baptist University, where his research partially focuses on the relationship between creativity and Christian witness. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of NextGen High Scores. Grounded in research and illustrated with real-life experience, NextGen High Scores explains in practical language the most common behaviors, practices, and strategies of kids and youth pastors who make a lasting impact. For more information about NextGen High Scores visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“God is infinitely powerful; people are not. Your physical, emotional, and spiritual health affect the well-being of those Jesus has called you to serve. In this way, doing your part to care for yourself is not an act of selfishness — it is a necessary component of selflessness.” So writes Hal Donaldson in his new book, What Really Matters: How to Care for Yourself and Serve a Hurting World, cowritten with his daughter, Lindsay Donaldson-Kring and published in June by Baker Books. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Donaldson about serving others without hurting yourself. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Hal Donaldson is founder, president, and CEO of Convoy of Hope, a global faith-based nonprofit organization that works with communities to address root causes of poverty and hunger. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Captivated. There is a difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word. The Captivated Bible study takes women deeper with God so that they may be firmly rooted, unshakable, and flourishing in His Kingdom. For more information about Captivated, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“As ones who have been shown mercy, may we [Christians] demonstrate God's compassion toward those who embrace all things LGBTQ” writes Linda Seiler in Transformation. “At the same time, may we hold fast to God's Word, refusing to compromise on His sacred design for sexuality that images the gospel. Such compassion without compromise reflects God's heart and leads to transformation.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Seiler about her former desire to become a man, and how Jesus Christ transformed her from the inside out. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Linda Seiler, Ph.D., is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Chi Alpha missionary, and executive director of ReStory ministries. She is author of Transformation: A Former Transgender Responds to LGBTQ. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Captivated. There is a difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word. The Captivated Bible study takes women deeper with God so that they may be firmly rooted, unshakable, and flourishing in His Kingdom. For more information about Captivated, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

On June 3, 2024, Rick Ross began serving as general treasurer of the Assemblies of God, succeeding Choco De Jésus, who became executive director of AG U.S. Missions. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Ross about what the general treasurer does and how well the AG is doing financially, as well as financial advice for AG congregations and ministers. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Rick Ross, D.Min., has deep roots in the AG, and comes to this office with a wide variety of ministry experiences, including as a pastor, district leader, university board chair, and executive presbyter. He has served churches in Illinois, Washington, and North Carolina, most recently as district superintendent in that state. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of NextGen High Scores. Grounded in research and illustrated with real-life experience, NextGen High Scores explains in practical language the most common behaviors, practices, and strategies of kids and youth pastors who make a lasting impact. For more information about NextGen High Scores visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“Crisis communication is a crucial aspect of managing any organization's reputation and maintaining public trust during a time of great challenge,” writes Phil Cooke in Church on Trial. “For churches and Christian ministries, crisis communication is particularly important because they are often viewed as trusted institutions in their communities, and their responses to calamity can significantly impact their church members, donors, supporters, and the public's perception.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Cooke about what churches should do in a crisis. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Phil Cooke, Ph.D., is co-founder and CEO of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles, as well as the nonprofit organization, The Influence Lab. He has produced media programming and commercials in nearly 70 countries for clients includingπ Hollywood studios, major nonprofits, and faith-based organizations around the world. He is author of Church on Trial: How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis, published by Avail. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Captivated. There is a difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word. The Captivated Bible study takes women deeper with God so that they may be firmly rooted, unshakable, and flourishing in His Kingdom. For more information about Captivated, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“Do you find your inner life compromised by repeated yielding to sexual temptation?” So asked Arnold Fleagle and Don Lichi in their book, Broken Windows of the Soul. They went on to say: “You are not alone. The moral fabric of our culture is being ripped apart as large numbers of men and women are indulging in infidelity, perverted sexuality and pornography. … It is becoming increasingly difficult to find any individuals who are healthy and whole in their lifestyle.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Lichi about the baleful impact of pornography and what Christians can do when they're affected by it. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Don Lichi, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in the State of Ohio and vice president emeritus of EMERGE Counseling Ministries, where he served for nearly 30 years. He is coauthor, with Arnold Fleagle, of Broken Windows of the Soul: A Pastor and a Christian Psychologist Discuss Sexual Sins and the Prescription to Heal Them, published by Moody Press. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry. Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry will equip you with practical tools to intentionally make room for the Holy Spirit in your kids ministry. It includes practical tips for leading kids to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, respond to the Holy Spirit, and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“Christian Nationalism has garnered significant attention in recent years, owing to the potential dangers it poses for American democracy. Its specter has spurred newfound interest in the role of religion in American public life with fresh considerations of familiar questions: Is religion resurging as a force in politics? Will America's Christian majority restrict the rights of religious minorities? Is Christian nationalism a real threat, or a small, extreme faction with outsized press coverage?” So asks Christian Nationalism: A New Approach, a December 2023 report by Neighborly Faith. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Kevin Singer, Ryan Burge, and Mark David Hall about that report and the questions it raises. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Kevin Singer is president of Neighborly Faith, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide “research and events introducing Christians to neighbors of every faith.” Ryan Burge is associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and an ordained Baptist pastor; he posts regularly at Graphs About Religion. Mark David Hall is a professor at Regent University's Robertson School of Government and a senior fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, where he directs its Religious Liberty in the States initiative. My conversation with them is coming up after a brief word from our sponsor. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free preschool curriculum that brings Bible time and play time together. Each lesson is designed to engage young minds during the lesson and make sure the principles they're learning stay with them when they get home, as well as while they grow. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.

On May 2, 1870, a baby was born in Centerville, Louisiana, to formerly enslaved parents. Raised in poverty, segregated by a white supremacist society, he nonetheless went on to lead one of the most significant revival movements of the twentieth century. I'm talking about William J. Seymour, of course, and the Azusa Street Revival he led from 1906–1909. This revival was a critical node in the social network of early Pentecostalism. Today is the 154th anniversary of Seymour's birth; in honor of which, I've invited Dr. Larry Martin to talk about the significance of his life and ministry. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Martin is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, founder of River of Revival Ministries, and Pentecostal historian. His most recent book is William J. Seymour: Pentecostal Trailblazer and Revered Pastor of the Azusa Street Revival, published this year by Whitaker House. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry. Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry will equip you with practical tools to intentionally make room for the Holy Spirit in your kids ministry. It includes practical tips for leading kids to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, respond to the Holy Spirit, and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about Cultivating a Spirit-Empowered Kids Ministry, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“God didn't call the perfect version of you, the version that has years of experience or the version that has it all figured out.” writes John Zick. “In fact, He has no desire for a version of you that does not desperately need him. Paul understood this when he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NLT], ‘I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.'” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Zick about being called into ministry, recognizing personal imperfections, and learning from others on the leadership journey. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. John Zick is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, director of the AG's Called initiative, and editor of From Leaders For Leaders: A Guide for Those Called Into Ministry, published by GPH. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Guided Student Devotional. Guided Student Devotional will help youth develop a habit of spending time with God and reading His Word every day. Each devotion will focus on a dimension of a Spirit-filled disciple: Bible, Holy Spirit, Mission, Prayer, Worship, Service, and Generosity. For more information about the Guided Student Devotional, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“Church size matters to us far more than it should. From the pride it brings when the numbers are up to the shame and frustration it causes when the numbers are static or down, none of this provides a healthy foundation on which to build a healthy church body,” writes Karl Vaters. He goes on to suggest a solution: “We need to de-size the church.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Vaters about why bigness is a problem, why de-sizing the church is a solution, and how to do it. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Karl Vaters has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. An ordained Assemblies of God minister, he is author most recently of De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What's Next, published this month by Moody Press. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Momentum Training Series. Momentum Training Series will help you become more effective in your ministry, whether you are a new volunteer or a seasoned leader. The series covers topics such as including children with disabilities, teaching lessons that last, leaving a spiritual legacy, and cultivating a Spirit-empowered kids ministry. For more information about Momentum Training Series, visit MomentumTrainingSeries.com.

“To invest one's life in the next generation for the sake of the kingdom of God is to do the work that Jesus did,” writes Lee Rogers. “Few will notice the nobility and spiritual richness of the work, yet for those who minister to the next generation, the value is high — and the impact is eternal.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Rogers about what NextGen ministry is, why it's important, and what factors contribute to long-term effectiveness. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Lee Rogers is a NextGen ministry veteran with over 25 years of experience working with young people. He serves as director of Student Evangelism for Assemblies of God Youth Ministries and is author of NextGen High Scores: How to Win at Ministry to the Next Generation, published by GPH. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for preschool, kids, youth, and adults, available in both English and Spanish. The curriculum library provides you with discipleship resources that transform lives and anchor your church in the Bible. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account.

“The entire second half of 1 Samuel is the story of an abuser hunting down a victim,” according to Jim Bradford. The abuser is King Saul, and his intended victim is David. “Saul literally threw spears,” Bradford notes; “abusive leaders do so figuratively. I recently heard Bradford preach a sermon about responding to abusive authority based on 1 Samuel and thought it would make an excellent podcast. After all, it seems that every few weeks news breaks about a pastor who has used their position trust for selfish gain. Christians — whether church leaders or laypeople — need to know how to respond. So, I've invited Bradford onto the podcast today to talk about how to deal with spiritual abusers. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Jim Bradford, Ph.D., is an ordained Assemblies of God minister; lead pastor at Central Assembly in Springfield, Missouri; former AG general secretary; and a longtime mentor and friend. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for preschool, kids, youth, and adults, available in both English and Spanish. The curriculum library provides you with discipleship resources that transform lives and anchor your church in the Bible. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account.

“There has never been a better day to plant churches than now in the Assemblies of God.” Mike McCrary recently made that statement in a presentation to the employees of the AG national office. I was so impressed by the presentation that I invited him to join me on the Influence Podcast. So, in this episode, I talk to him about why he thinks that's the case. Along the way, we also talk about why America needs more churches, church planting myths, and how every church — even already existing churches — can support church multiplication. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Mike McCrary, D.Min., is national director of Funding and Strategic Partnerships for the Church Multiplication Network of the Assemblies of God, an ordained AG minister, and a longtime friend. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for preschool, kids, youth, and adults, available in both English and Spanish. The curriculum library provides you with discipleship resources that transform lives and anchor your church in the Bible. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account.

“The first Christians were weird,” writes Nijay Gupta. “I am not talking about their clothing, music preferences, or hobbies. When I say ‘weird' or ‘strange,' I am talking about deviation from cultural norms and society's expectations for how things ought to be done. Especially when it came to religion … the Christians were as backwards and as odd as you could be.” Well, that's how the Romans viewed them anyway. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Gupta about how Christianity deviated from Roman cultural norms and expectations, and why Romans viewed them as weird and dangerous — but also compelling. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Nijay Gupta, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, a Pauline scholar, and most recently author of Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling, published by Brazos Press. We talked about his previous book, Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church, published by IVP Academic, in Episode 315 of the Influence Podcast. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of MEGA Sports Camp. The MEGA Sports Camp theme for 2024 is Blaze a Trail. This VBS invites kids to live an adventure with Jesus. Kids will learn that Jesus blazed the trail for our salvation, and as they follow Jesus, they can live their own adventure that points people to Him. For more information about MEGA Sports Camp VBS, visit MEGASportsCamp.com.

“The complex challenges and demands faced by today's leaders will not be overcome by simply applying administrative techniques or business best practices,” writes Justin A. Irving. “Today's leaders need something more — they need wisdom to lead their communities through complex times.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Irving about what that wisdom looks like in terms of self-leadership; people and teams; organizational dynamics, especially culture; and external dynamics, including crises and change. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Justin Irving, Ph.D., is Duke K. McCall Professor of Christian Leadership and chair of the department of Leadership and Discipleship at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as author of Healthy Leadership for Thriving Organizations, published in 2023 by Baker Academic. He and Mark Strauss wrote “Humility and the Celebrity Leader,” the cover story of the November/December 2019 issue of Influence magazine. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of MEGA Sports Camp. The MEGA Sports Camp theme for 2024 is Blaze a Trail. This VBS invites kids to live an adventure with Jesus. Kids will learn that Jesus blazed the trail for our salvation, and as they follow Jesus, they can live their own adventure that points people to Him. For more information about MEGA Sports Camp VBS, visit MEGASportsCamp.com.

On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade, effectively overturning numerous state laws against abortion and legalizing the practice throughout the land. That decision stood until June 24, 2022, when the Supreme Court reversed itself in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and overturned Roe. This didn't end the abortion debate, however. Rather, it returned the debates about whether and how to restrict abortion to the states. Ever since, Americans have engaged in a renewed, vigorous debate about what the law should say about abortion. This past Monday was the 51st anniversary of Roe, and therefore a good occasion to talk about abortion from a Christian perspective. So, in this episode of the Influence Podcast, I'm talking to Allen Tennison about the Assemblies of God's stance on the sanctity of life, which begins in the womb. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. (Influence is published by the Assemblies of God.) Allen Tennison, Ph.D., is theological counsel of The General Council of the Assemblies of God, chair of its Commission on Doctrines and Practices, and an ordained AG minister. ––––– This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for preschool, kids, youth, and adults, available in both English and Spanish. The curriculum library provides you with discipleship resources that transform lives and anchor your church in the Bible. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account.

In their new book, Faith Beyond Youth Group, Kara Powell, Jen Bradbury and Brad M. Griffin offer this startling statistic about students' faith after high school graduation: “While spiritual and religious activity under age eighteen seems to slightly increase the odds of faith lasting after youth group, a compilation of studies indicates that about 40 to 50 percent of youth group kids drift from God and the faith community after graduation.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I'm talking to Kara Powell about how churches can address this problem by cultivating lifelong faith in youth. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Kara Powell, Ph.D., is executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute, a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary, where she also serves as Fuller's chief of leadership formation. A credentialed Assemblies of God minister, she is author or coauthor of numerous books about ministry to youth. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, a distributor of In Jesus' Name. In this book, Rick DuBose shows the path back to five forgotten altars — and ultimately, the path to your place in heaven's throne room. Full of real-world application and encouraging inspiration, this book will prepare you to pray with humble authority that moves heaven — and unleashes victory here on earth. For more information about In Jesus' Name, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“An intentional prayer life is the nonnegotiable constant of lasting, fruitful Christian life and ministry,” write Ryan Skoog, Peter Greer and Cameron Doolittle in Lead with Prayer. Unfortunately, most Christian leaders report having lackluster prayer lives. A 2005 study by Lifeway Resources found that just 16% of pastors are “very satisfied” with their prayer lives. A 2021 Lifeway study found that 72% percent struggle with consistent personal prayer. Lead with Prayer aims to help Christian leaders narrow the gap between what they aspire to do and what they actually do by showing them how to prioritize prayer, grow in prayerfulness, and build a culture of prayer in their organizations. Those are also the topics I'm talking to Ryan Skoog about in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Ryan Skoog is cofounder and president of Venture, a Christian ministry to “the least reached and least resourced” parts of the world that partners with “local leaders in those communities to end some of the world's greatest injustices.” ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of MEGA Sports Camp. The MEGA Sports Camp theme for 2024 is Blaze a Trail. This VBS invites kids to live an adventure with Jesus. Kids will learn that Jesus blazed the trail for our salvation, and as they follow Jesus, they can live their own adventure that points people to Him. For more information about MEGA Sports Camp VBS, visit MEGASportsCamp.com.

William E. Vaughan once wrote, “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” There's a lot of truth in Vaughan's statement. Opportunities abound in 2024. What are we doing to welcome them? No doubt there will also be challenges to face, however. The crucial question is how do we face them both and make progress at the same time? In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I'm talking to Doug Clay about big events, challenges opportunities the Assemblies of God faces in the coming year. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Doug Clay is general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of MEGA Sports Camp. The MEGA Sports Camp theme for 2024 is Blaze a Trail. This vacation Bible school program invites kids to live an adventure with Jesus. Kids will learn that Jesus blazed the trail for our salvation, and as they follow Jesus, they can live their own adventure that points people to Him. For more information about MEGA Sports Camp VBS, visit MEGASportsCamp.com.

January 7–13, 2024 is the 82nd Annual Assemblies of God Week of Prayer. The theme verse of the week is Habakkuk 3:2: “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” For more information about this event, as well as for daily prayer points, print resources, free downloads, and videos, visit WeekOfPrayer.AG.org. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I'm talking to Joe Oden about how prayer ignites revival and catalyzes spiritual awakening. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Joe Oden, D.Min, is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, national prayer and evangelism director for the AG, director of its World Prayer Center, and evangelism commission chair for the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America. He is author of Prayer That Ignites Revival, forthcoming from Chosen Books in April 2024. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, a distributor of In Jesus' Name. In this book, Rick DuBose shows the path back to five forgotten altars — and ultimately, the path to your place in heaven's throne room. Full of real-world application and encouraging inspiration, this book will prepare you to pray with humble authority that moves heaven — and unleashes victory here on earth. For more information about In Jesus' Name, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

This is part two of my conversation with Craig Keener about the historicity of the details of Jesus' birth. According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, Christ's birth was attended by many miracles: angelic visitations, prophetic dreams, the miraculous birth of John the Baptist, and the virginal conception of Christ himself. The first Christmas, then, was a thoroughly supernatural event. Those miraculous elements have led many to question whether Jesus was born the way the Gospels say He was. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I conclude my conversation with Craig Keener about whether Christmas really happened. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Craig Keener, Ph.D., is the  F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and an ordained AG minister. He is author of numerous books on the historicity of the New Testament, including The Historical Jesus of the Gospels, Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, and Christobiography: Memory, History, and the Reliability of the Gospels, ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Life of Jesus. With this 12-part series, the life of Jesus will come alive in your heart as you examine His teachings in their cultural, historical, geographical, and spiritual context. The series includes 12 study videos, study guides, and full sermons. For more information about Life of Jesus, visit TheCHLS.org/LifeofJesus.

According to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the birth of Jesus Christ was attended by many miracles: angelic visitations, prophetic dreams, the miraculous birth of John the Baptist, and the virginal conception of Christ himself. The first Christmas, then, was a thoroughly supernatural event. Those miraculous elements have led many to question whether Jesus was born the way the Gospels say He was, however. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I'm talking to Craig Keener about whether Christmas really happened. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Craig Keener, Ph.D., is the  F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and an ordained AG minister. He is author of numerous books on the historicity of the New Testament, including The Historical Jesus of the Gospels, Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts, and Christobiography: Memory, History, and the Reliability of the Gospels. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Life of Jesus. With this 12-part series, the life of Jesus will come alive in your heart as you examine His teachings in their cultural, historical, geographical, and spiritual context. The series includes 12 study videos, study guides, and full sermons. For more information about Life of Jesus, visit TheCHLS.org/LifeofJesus.