Outpost 127: A Podcast for the Misfit, the Sojourner and the Wanderer

Cooking a meal for her family at 8 years old, Sherra found the kitchen to be her happy place as a shy child. Today, it has become a laboratory where she creates her artistry. Sherra is a wife, a mom of three girls, and an entrepreneur, and business owner of Sherra's Sweets-N-Things. You can find her heavenly creations at: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sherras-Sweets-N-Things/100057609814348/?mibextid=D4KYlr

What does it look like when you are on the verge of becoming empty nesters but God prompts you to adopt four young children in need? Saying yes to the Lord's call can be incredibly satisfying but it's never easy. Surrounding yourself with a supportive and loving community is key. In Episode 33, Amy Jo Hush discussed the foster care crisis impacting our communities and introduced us to a family (the Hunt family) who is following God's prompting to do their part. In this interview, James Hunt discusses their journey including the highs and lows of caring and loving for children in need. (For more resources on this foster care crisis in the San Antonio area, please visit www.Alliance4orphans.org)

What happens when you have a career as a dental hygienist that spans for over 2 decades but leaves you feeling...unfulfilled? Perhaps you seek the wisdom of your Pastor. Perhaps your Pastor tells you that God has something greater for you. That's the story of Amy Jo Hush. Amy Jo brings with her both energy and passion to selflessly serve others in her community. In this two part interview Amy Jo shares her mission of serving clients at the San Antonio State Supported Living Center and also how she got involved in a growing foster care crisis.

What if…God is not just 1st in my life but instead actually IS my life? What if He doesn't fit into the religion that I've created but instead I fit into the way, the truth and the life that He declared, died, and rose for?

How many times in our desperation have we told God, "I can't" only for Him to respond with "Yes you can". That's the story over and over again for Kelly Gayle Martin Nelson. In fact, from broken marriages to life changing experiences in Malawi, Kelly has seen the grace and love of a heavenly Father, who continued to ask if she would be available to Him. This is not a sanitized conversation. Kelly speaks honestly and openly about her struggles in life and what she has experienced after traveling for over 12 years to a part of Africa that most of us can't find on a map.

Pablo began drawing at a young age and also enjoyed reading the comic strips in the daily news paper. These cartoons inspired the search for humor in all things but it was the underground comics from the 1970s' drug, hippie and rock and roll scene that greatly influenced his drawing style. After coming to faith Pablo wanted to pursue something artistic and different drawing ideas and inspiration from holy scriptures. In the year 2000 Pablo started doing just that. Since then Pablo's art work includes the comic strips of Bohemians del Barrio (social, political, current events with apocalyptic parallels), Jesu Mazi (contemporary Christ like character based on the life of Jesus), oils on wood and mixed media pieces using found and repurposed objects (art through scripture). These inspired art works has landed pieces at the U.S. embassy in Nassau, France plus local private collections. https://www.facebook.com/pablo.martinez.1253?mibextid=LQQJ4d

As someone who has experienced her own share of trauma and heartache, Rhonda Katan knows a thing or two about the messiness of life. Instead of allowing it to destroy her, Rhonda found that Jesus gave her the grit to hold on. She now councils, pastors, heals, and shares the Gospel with those going through difficult circumstances while living out her own calling, in the middle of the messiness. To get in touch with Rhonda, you can call or text her at (210) 218-6647 or email her at rhonda@rhondakatan.com. Find more information at https://rhondakatan.com/

What if the "big" things of life are actually the "little" moments that fill in the gaps of most of our days? Just some things that I have been pondering lately so I thought I would share. 

"We have a messed up relationship with work."-Pastor Justin Hartpence Pastor Justin Hartpence is the Senior Pastor of Northwest Hills Christian Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community pursuing God's Kingdom in San Antonio as it is in Heaven. In this broadcast, Pastor Justin discusses what a good theology of work should really look like.

“My concern is that many Christians today are living impotent lives.”-Justin Hartpence Pastor Justin Hartpence is the Senior Pastor of Northwest Hills Christian Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational community pursuing God's Kingdom in San Antonio as it is in Heaven. In this broadcast, Pastor Justin discusses the idea of being an image bearer of Jesus including it's historical context, it's contemporary misunderstanding and how it leads us to a “rugged” commitment of love in our world today.

I just wanted to drop this note of encouragement and prayer over all of you educators who are beginning the new school year. Thank you for what you do. Thank you for allowing God to use you the way He will.

What does an "adventurous life" look like for Christ? From China, to Kenya, Mongolia to Argentina, April Akoth has traveled the world preaching the Gospel as a vocational missionary. Now as a 6th and 7th grade Bible teacher at a U.S. private school, April discusses how her new mission field is no less important or challenging.

"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."-1 Peter 2:9-10 A reminder. An encouragement. A prayer and blessing. A new season.

"Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling."-1 Peter 4:9 Hospitality is more than a friendly handshake and even a warm cookie. Hospitality is a calling and if we are honest, maybe something that very few of us are really good at. Lacy Pollock joins us again to kickoff our 2022 season with an impactful and insightful look at how true hospitality is really about ministry.

Over the past several months, God has convicted me of the need to have a little more urgency with the purpose and power of this Outpost 127 broadcast. So, moving into 2022...we are planning to make a few changes. Listen as we explain what our sole (soul) purpose will be in 2022.

When the disciples returned from getting food and found Jesus speaking to a woman by a well, the book of John says they marveled at Him. Why? Because in that day and age most Jewish Rabbis wouldn't have been caught speaking to a woman in a public place. But of course, this is just another example of Jesus showing us the way. Depending on your faith tradition or denomination growing up, your belief of a woman's position of leadership in the church may vary. But as we scan the pages of scripture, names like Lydia, Deborah, Esther and Priscilla give us examples of strong female leadership that we must not overlook. In this discussion with Lacy Pollock, we dive into this topic of woman's leadership roles in the church. Lacy is a teacher and leader in the Vineyard Church, Circleville, Ohio but is also a great friend and passionate believer in the power of the Gospel. Hold on!

It's easy to be overwhelmed by all of the troubles in this world. Death, destruction, disease. It's enough to paralyze us as we fall into a life of lethargy, sadness and malaise We all need some good news right about now. (Mark 1:14-15).

In Episode 15 we were introduced to Ron Van Horn, a misfit minister loving and serving the people in Circleville Ohio. In our last discussion we teased a little about a new mobile ministry they were starting--Grounds for Recovery. Last week, Ron and Luke and the team got on the road and made their first appearance. Grounds for Recovery was started with the intent to help people in active recovery fight to get their lives back.  For more information about this ministry, find it on-line at: www.groundsforrecovery.com

Celebrity influence in our culture today is seen as a virtue, something to be admired or even desired and copied. Celebrity influence can have tremendous positive transformational benefits for Kingdom work but if not paid careful and prayerful attention to, celebrity can soon take the place of influence. (Romans 12:2, Matthew 28 & John 3:30).

"We need to keep our eyes on the mission and realize that we need each other if we are going to pull this off."-Francis Chan (Until Unity) On occasion, Luke Pollock and I jump on an evening phone call that inevitably turns into a 1 or even 2 hour deep dive into a host of ministry topics. On this particular call, we decided to turn on the microphone to just capture the essence of what our discussions normally sound like. So we invite you to be a "fly on the wall" and join us for this candid--and even somewhat uncomfortable-conversation about division and unity in American Christianity and the church.

Where can a family turn when they are without a home and trying to put the pieces of their lives back together? Since 2003, God has sent hundreds of families to The Strong Foundation in San Antonio, Texas to do just that. Jim Gipson, Pastor and Founder, shares his incredible story of seeing God make this mission all come true. https://strongfoundation.org/

As a misfit minister, Ron's love and training in the arts allows him to see the beauty and authenticity in the people around him. As a bi-vocational Pastor of a Vineyard Church, Ron also gets to share the love of Jesus in his adopted home of Circleville, Ohio.

Some raw thoughts to help keep YOU propped up for a little while longer. 

It's rare to haven an opportunity to sit down with your teenage daughter and have an honest conversation about personal faith, the American Church and the importance of the Gospel message in today's culture. Rebekah Wukasch is an 18 year old high school student who has much to share with us...older people...who might be ready to give up on this younger generation. We encourage you to listen closely and with an open mind as to what she has to share.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."-Galatians 2:20. Words that changed Victor Otieno Akoth's life just a few years ago. Victor's childhood growing up in Kenya was all about trying to be good enough for God. But when Victor was introduced to Christ as his life, everything changed. Now Victor has started a new ministry for youth in Kenya and Tanzania that teaches them to live as Christ as their source. Come hear Victor's story, a little about his new ministry and especially how he has rediscovered a joy for painting.

"For FREEDOM Christ has set you free. Stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."-Galatians 5:1 Hiking to the South Rim of Big Bend National Park with 70 pounds on your back isn't much fun. Neither is walking through this life day to day. How did we become so burdened? What is the answer to finding rest? Better yet, who is the answer?

"Every sale has one thing in common-an overwhelmed client and my purpose is to step into that client's life for a very brief time where God can use the skills He has given me to lift that burden off of their shoulders." -Lynne Christopher What do you do when you know that God is calling you to start something new? Like most people, when Lynne Christopher had a nudge from God 5 years ago to begin her own business, she said, "I can't". And God didn't necessarily disagree with her. Join us as we hear Lynne's story, her purpose and why she sees what she does as more than just routine work.  Lynne Christopher is the owner and founder of Christopher Estate Sales. You can find out more at Christopherestatesales.com

While Gatorade can provide a quick dose of important vitamins and minerals to keep you from cramping, we can't live off the stuff. Water is the substance that your body actually needs. In the same way, trying to live in the pursuit of happiness (Gatorade) only will get you so far. Joy (water) which is a fruit of the spirit, is the only thing that truly nourishes.

Be honest, many of us walk around with a fake I.D. hoping that it looks real enough so we won't get caught. But trying to live day by day with something that isn't real also doesn't bring us any freedom. What we need is a new identification card--one that's been bought and paid for by someone else. In this interview with Matt Galbraith, we discuss the bedrock foundational truth of the new identity you experience as someone in Christ.  www.anchor.fm/cupoffreedom Facebook page: www.fb.me/takethejourneytofreedom Email: mgalbraith2007gmail.com

What about you? Are you a little...quiet, shy, perhaps like to work behind the scenes in the shadows? Is there a place for you in leadership and in ministry? I think you might be a little surprised at the answer. We begin with 1 Kings 19:11-12.

You may feel like it. You may look around and wonder if anyone really cares, if anyone is being impacted by what you do, who you are and what you say. Are you ready to give up, given in, move on or checkout? If you have 6 minutes today, we are here to tell you, that YOU are not alone!

Tiffany Crawford is a misfit minister using a camera lens to share the Gospel. In our interview, Tiffany discusses her time as a church planter, youth minister and how a short-term mission trip rocked her world on what (and who) the church really is.  https://tiffany-joy.com/

If we're honest, we should admit that we have been wearing masks long before COVID entered the picture. But why do we put on masks? What kind of masks do we wear and what can we do about taking them off? It all comes down to what we believe.

Gospel ministry doesn't end where the workplace begins.  You ARE the church wherever you find yourself at any given moment. In this interview, Luke Pollock from Outpost Circleville, Ohio unpacks ideas that may change the way you see church forever.

To Suck: (Informal-North American Slang)- To be very bad, disagreeable or disgusting. Almost every day in our society we hear the phrase "People Suck". But is it really true? What does the Bible have to say about it? For those on the front lines of Gospel ministry people are our WHY so isn't it important to settle this once and for all? (Romans 1:18-21, 28-32) (Romans 3:9-18) (Romans 3:23) (John 13:1-5) (John 3:16-17) (Ephesians 5:1-2) (2 Timothy 3:1-7)& (Ephesians 5:3-4).

An opportunity for you to come, take a listen and discover why Outpost 127 could be a "resupply spot" as you work on the front-lines, contending for the faith of the Gospel.

Welcome to Outpost 127 as we broadcast from out outlying settlement to share stories of you the Ambassador, the Sojourner, the Exile who are standing firm, striving side by side for the faith of the Gospel.