Podcast appearances and mentions of Christine Caine

We should be posted up in ATL right now, sis, gearing up for the Woman Evolve Conference. Instead, we're home—and if that's got you in your feelings, our girl SJR says keep the pity party short. And we mean short, short! ‘Cause this “off” season we're all side-eyeing is still an opportunity to respond to God's call. In this episode, we're revisiting a powerful testimony from Christine Caine at last year's conference. She took us back to a story we can't ignore. Chile…y'all remember Lot's wife? She's the prime example that your best days aren't behind you, babe. And while looking back might feel safe, best believe—it'll cost you. Check out deals from our partners: Upgrade your sleep with Miracle Made! Go to https://trymiracle.com/evolve and use the code EVOLVE to claim your FREE 3 PIECE TOWEL SET and SAVE over 40% OFF. Try the original estrogen-powered M4 skincare from Alloy. Visit myalloy.com and use code EVOLVE for $20 off your first order! Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/kkzntqt9 #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Savings provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

God is not waiting to give you something. He's waiting for you to go get what He's already given. That's the tension at the heart of this episode, and if you've ever found yourself in a season of praying, waiting, and wondering why nothing seems to be moving, Christine Caine has a direct word for you from the Book of Joshua: how long will you put off going in to possess the land? In this week of our summer series, Christine Caine brings the entire series to a point. We've built the roots. We've developed the resilience. We've walked through shame, waited through the wilderness, found the peace. Now comes the question that determines whether any of it produces fruit: are you willing to go in and possess what God has already promised you? Because the abundant life Jesus described in John 10:10 was never meant to be dropped from the sky. It was meant to be walked into actively, faithfully, and at personal cost. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ Why does it feel like God's promises are for everyone else but not for me? ✅ I've been praying and believing for years, but why haven't I seen the breakthrough yet? ✅ What does it actually mean to possess the promises of God — is there something I need to do? ✅ How do I know what I need to cut away in order to move forward? ✅ Is the abundant life Jesus promised actually available to me right now, in my circumstances? ✅ Why do some Christians seem to walk in blessing and favor while others don't? ✅ Am I co-laboring with God or just waiting for Him to do something I'm supposed to participate in? …then this is your episode.

Carmen talks about how Paul encouraged fellow believers to apply the mind of Christ, as we see specifically in Philippians and how to react to the work of Kathryn Krick, a self-proclaimed "apostle." Writer and anti-human trafficking activist Christine Caine, author of "The Faith to Flourish," shares why God's pruning is painful at times, but always transformative as well. The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

What is God's calling for your life? Does it feel insignificant? Or have you ever felt called to something bigger, but unsure of how to get there? If so, you're in good company! Join Joyce, Ginger, Erin, and Christine Caine as they discuss all the nuances of God's unique calling for you.

What is God's calling for your life? Does it feel insignificant? Or have you ever felt called to something bigger, but unsure of how to get there? If so, you're in good company! Join Joyce, Ginger, Erin, and Christine Caine as they discuss all the nuances of God's unique calling for you.

You can have deep roots, genuine resilience, open hands, and real faith — and still not fully flourish. Because flourishing requires freedom. And for most of us, the thing standing between us and that freedom is something we've been carrying so long we don't notice the weight anymore. It's shame. In week 8 of our summer series, Christine Caine gets personal. This is the episode where she shares the testimony that reaches the part of us we don't usually let anyone see, the part that wonders, quietly and persistently, whether we are actually enough. Whether God could really use someone like us. Whether what happened to us has somehow disqualified us from what He intended for us. Christine Caine takes us back to Genesis 2, to the last verse before the fall, to the one thing God never designed us to carry, and shows that shame was never part of the original design. The enemy introduced it precisely because it is the most effective weapon against the thing he most wants to destroy: a life bearing fruit for the Kingdom. In this episode, Christine Caine opens her own story and shows what happened when she chose to place the truth of God's Word over the facts of her circumstances. She doesn't minimize the facts. She simply introduces a force that is higher than the facts: the truth of who God says you are. The takeaway that will stay with you: the thing the enemy used to shame you is often the very thing God will use to qualify you. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ Why do I still feel like I'm not enough, even after years of faith? ✅ Can God really use someone with a past like mine? ✅ How do I separate my identity from what happened to me? ✅ What do I do with shame that feels too deep or too old to shift? ✅ How do I believe what God says about me when the facts of my life say something different? ✅ Is it possible to flourish when I'm still carrying things I haven't told anyone? ✅ What does it actually mean to be God's workmanship — and does that include me? …then this is your episode.

Anchor Passage: (Numbers 26-27; 36)The second generation of God's people stands on the edge of the Promised Land, counted in a census after their parents died in the wilderness. Right in the middle of that list of names, five daughters step forward with a bold request, asking to be included in the inheritance of land for God's people. Join us as we discover what the outcome teaches us about who is included in God's promise today!

Carrying old wounds? Today, Joyce, Ginger and Christine Caine discuss Joyce's new memoir, My Battlefield, and how God can turn your pain into a powerful testimony of healing.

God never said, "Hurry up." He said, "Wait." And most of us are terrible at it. In week seven of our summer series, Christine Caine speaks into the season most of us are trying to get through as fast as possible — the waiting room. The season between the promise and the fulfillment. The gap between what God said and what you can currently see. Most of us treat that gap as a problem to be solved or a delay to be endured. Christine Caine makes clear it's neither. It is the place where the deepest roots get formed. She takes us through David's journey, not to show us how he arrived, but to show us what happened in between. Because David didn't just wait. He became. Every stage of the process taught him something he could not have learned any other way. The sheep. The palace. The cave. The wilderness. None of it was wasted. All of it was preparation. Waiting on God is not passive. It is the most active, faith-filled posture you can take. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ I feel called and gifted — so why does it feel like nothing is happening? ✅ How do I stay faithful in a season that feels pointless or beneath me? ✅ What do I do when life feels genuinely unfair and God hasn't explained why? ✅ How do I trust God's timing when I'm watching less qualified people get ahead? ✅ Is the hard season I'm in actually preparing me for something or have I missed my moment? ✅ What's the difference between being anointed and being appointed — and what happens in between? ✅ How do I keep turning up when I've been overlooked, misunderstood, or treated unjustly? …then this is your episode.

Your circumstances haven't changed. The storm is still there. So why are you so calm? That's not a problem. That's a testimony. In week six of our summer series, Christine Caine takes us into one of the most practical and quietly radical things a believer can do in a chaotic world: refuse to let your heart spiral. Drawing on Philippians 4:6–7 and John 14, she shows that the peace of God isn't the absence of storms — every single one of us is either heading into one, standing in the middle of one, or coming out of one. Peace isn't what happens when the storm stops. It's what guards your heart while it's still raging. In this episode, Christine Caine unpacks the military language behind Philippians 4:7, the peace of God standing guard like a Roman soldier stationed at the gates of your heart, and makes the case that supernatural peace in the middle of chaos is one of the most powerful witnessing tools a believer has. She's honest about a recent situation that could have sent her spiraling, and shares what it looked like to actually apply Paul's instruction: pray about it, give it to God, and go to bed. Not because the situation was resolved, but because God never sleeps. The takeaway that will stay with you: don't lose your peace over something you can do nothing about. Take it to the only one who can do something about everything. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ How do I stop my mind from spiraling when something scary or uncertain is happening? ✅ Is it possible to genuinely have peace when my circumstances are still a mess? ✅ What does it actually mean to give something to God — and how do I stop picking it back up? ✅ Why does it feel like I'm not allowed to be at peace, like I don't care enough if I'm not worrying? ✅ How do I trust God when I can't see Him doing anything about my situation? ✅ What does biblical peace actually feel like and how is it different from just numbing out? ✅ How do I guard my heart without shutting down or pretending everything is fine? …then this is your episode.

Do you want to be flourishing? Not just surviving your life but thriving. I have the greatest book to recommend to you. It is Christine Caine's newest book,  *The Faith To Flourish. The subtitle is God's design for a rooted, resilient, and fruitful life. Right away you can see why I love this book—it is talking about growing deep roots in your faith. You know I love when books talk about trees and this book focuses on the olive tree. I learned so much from Christine and cannot wait to share it with you. Depth Podcast Episode links and Book Recommendations to Grow your Roots Deep: *Depth: Growing Through Heartbreak to Strength by Jodi Snowdon. What if your greatest heartbreak catapults you to your greatest growth? Depth Podcast Episode 234: Do You Want To Be Deeply Rooted was recorded just earlier this year and goes into great detail about the books I recommend above about deep roots! I also share how to practically grow your roots deeper in your faith. I highly recommend this episode. *Thrive by Mark Hall (the cover of this book captivated me and began my journey to discover depth!) *Detours by Tony Evans (an amazing book about the life of Joseph and how he grew deep roots in his faith through detours) Depth Podcast Episode 114: I talk with Banning Liebscher about his book, *Rooted: The Hidden Places Where God Wants to Develop You. He says that God wants to grow you on the inside before he ever grows you on the outside. This hidden growth is so important. Depth Podcast Episode 115: I share practically how to grow deeper roots! Depth Podcast Episode 210 with Angie Baughman on the 5 Step Bible Study Method. Link to Mariners Church Reel on the two graphics- one graphic with God part of your life and one graphic with God at the center of the life. *Note: If you are interested in purchasing this book or the books recommended, I would love for you to use the Amazon Affiliate link above to help support the podcast. Thank you!  

Are you feeling disconnected from God or stuck in a season of pain? If you are hurting and longing to feel God's presence—this conversation is for you! Sheila Walsh, Christine Caine, Janice Gaines, Kalley Heiligenthal, and Elyse Mahan share personal stories of navigating seasons of feeling disconnected and explain how to experience God in seasons that seem silent.   Remember: God has not left you for even a moment; He is always present. There is not a second in our lives that we are unloved or alone. He sees every tear that we cry and holds us close. ------- If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to go back and listen to the previous conversations in this series: 1.       Can I Hear God's Voice? 2.       Hearing God Through Scripture 3.       Hearing God Through Prophecy 4.       Hearing God in Dreams and Visions ------- Do you want more Better Together? We have 1100+ conversations available! Start watching now for free on the TBN+ app!   --------  If you need prayer, join our community on Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // TikTok  and let us know how we can pray for you! ---------  Better Together is TBN's first daily original program made by women for women! We discuss faith, family, friends, and so much more—no topic is off limits. Find out what happens when real friends get together for real conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the secret to flourishing isn't waiting for your circumstances to change—but discovering a root system that no storm can destroy?In this episode, Lisa sits down with Christine Caine to unpack David's stunning declaration in Psalm 52:8, written amidst his most devastating betrayal. Like ancient olive trees scarred by fire yet still bearing fruit, your faith can produce abundance regardless of your external world.This conversation will awaken something in you—don't miss it!Additional ResourcesFREE Show Notes Here: https://page.church.tech/73a1c1f9Order premium meat now through Good Ranchers—use code “LISA" at checkout: https://go.goodranchers.com/lisa Join the Brave Book Club–use code "BEVERE" and get 20% off at checkout: bravebooks.com/bevereGet Lisa's new book, The Fight for Female, here: https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Female-Reclaiming-Divine-Identity/dp/0800736877/ref=Support this podcast by becoming a partner here (tax-deductible): https://3szn.short.gy/fightclubTo explore the other podcast shows that are part of the Messenger Network, click here: https://messengerinternational.org/podcastsTo help you grow as a follower of Christ, we invite you to download our everyday discipleship app, MessengerX. You can get it here: https://messengerx.com/

Have you ever become so familiar with your struggle that it started to shape your identity? In episode three of our Summer Recap Series, Shelley Giglio is joined by Christine Caine as she opens John 5 and unpacks the story of the man who sat beside the Pool of Bethesda waiting for his breakthrough. Through Scripture and personal testimony, Christine challenges us to consider the ways we've become comfortable sitting in disappointment, bitterness, fear, shame, or unbelief—and reminds us that Jesus is still asking, "Do you want to be healed?" Healing isn't just about leaving something behind; it's about stepping into the purpose God has prepared for us. Whether you're carrying wounds from your past, struggling to trust God with your future, or simply feeling stuck in your faith, this message will encourage you to get up, pick up your mat, and walk in the freedom Jesus has already made available. If you're ready to stop being defined by your issue and start living from your identity as a daughter of God, this episode is for you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What do you do when you've prayed and nothing has changed? You go again. In week 5 of our summer series, Christine Caine takes us to Elijah on the summit of Carmel: face between his knees, praying in the dark, sending his servant back to the horizon seven times before a cloud the size of a man's hand finally appears. Most of us go once. Maybe twice. Maybe three times. But the fourth, fifth, sixth time — that's where most people stop. That's where faith gets tested not by what we see, but by what we don't. Elijah heard the sound of rain before a single drop fell. That gap, between what you hear in the spirit and what you can see in the natural, is what Christine Caine calls the faith zone. And it's where every one of us will be asked to live. We've committed to the direction. Now comes the test: what do you do when you keep going and it's still hard? Resilience isn't the absence of exhaustion. It's the willingness to eat the bread God puts in front of you and get up one more time. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ I've been praying for the same thing for years and nothing has changed — should I keep going? ✅ How do I pray with faith and expectation when I'm exhausted and discouraged? ✅ What do I do when God feels silent and I can't see anything happening? ✅ How do I hold onto peace without ignoring the reality of what I'm facing? ✅ What does persistent prayer actually look like in everyday life? ✅ Is it okay to feel like giving up — and what do I do when I get there? ✅ How do I keep believing for a miracle when I've seen nothing for so long? …then this is your episode.

We need to talk about DREAMS! If you have ever asked: “Is God speaking to me through my dreams?” “How can I know that a dream is from Him?” “Does God still speak to people through visions?” We are here to remind you—there is no limit to the ways God speaks to His children. In this conversation, Sheila Walsh, Christine Caine, Janice Gaines, Kalley Heiligenthal, and Elyse Mahan discuss how to discern if a dream is from God and how to interpret these supernatural encounters! ------- If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to go back and listen to the previous conversations in this series: 1.       Can I Hear God's Voice? 2.       Hearing God Through Scripture 3.       Hearing God Through Prophecy ------- Do you want more Better Together? We have 1100+ conversations available! Start watching now for free on the TBN+ app!   --------  If you need prayer, join our community on Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // TikTok  and let us know how we can pray for you! ---------  Better Together is TBN's first daily original program made by women for women! We discuss faith, family, friends, and so much more—no topic is off-limits. Find out what happens when real friends get together for real conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are only three words — and Jesus said them in the middle of a conversation about the end times, almost as an aside. But nothing Jesus says is random. “Remember Lot's wife.” Of the possible 170 women mentioned in the Bible, she is the only one Jesus ever told us to remember. Not Eve. Not Sarah. Not Esther. Not Deborah. Not even his own mother. One woman. Three words. And Christine Caine believes Jesus meant every one of them for you. In week 4 of our summer series, Christine opens Luke 17 and Genesis 19 to ask the question Lot's wife couldn't answer: what happens when your longing for what you're leaving behind becomes greater than your trust in what God has promised ahead? In this episode, Christine Caine unpacks the story of Lot's wife — a woman with no name, a single cameo in the Old Testament, and one of the most arresting warnings in all of scripture. Lot's wife was being led out of destruction by an angel, toward the future God had promised her family, and she looked back. Her misplaced longing led to lingering. Her lingering led to being calcified — stuck forever in a place she was only ever supposed to be passing through. Christine Caine makes the case that this is not an ancient cautionary tale. It is the central challenge of the resilient life: will you keep moving forward into what God has for you, or will you keep looking back at what He's asking you to leave behind? ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ Why can't I seem to let go of my past — even when I know God is calling me forward? ✅ Is it wrong to grieve what I've lost or left behind, or does that mean I'm looking back? ✅ How do I know the difference between healthy reflection and destructive nostalgia? ✅ I feel stuck — emotionally, spiritually, in old patterns — how do I move forward? ✅ Why does God ask us to leave things behind that feel safe, familiar, or good? ✅ What does it actually look like to fix my eyes on Jesus when the past keeps pulling at me? ✅ Can God still use me if I've already looked back — if I've already gotten stuck? …then this is your episode.

We have received so many questions about prophecy: “Why would an All-Powerful God choose to speak through people?” “Can anyone prophesy?” “I received a prophetic word—now what?” In this conversation, Sheila Walsh, Christine Caine, Janice Gaines, Kalley Heiligenthal, and Elyse Mahan answer these questions, discuss the meaning and value of personal prophecy, and why God uses people to declare His truth! Every spiritual gift from God helps us grow. Understanding the gift of prophecy begins with understanding our Father's heart. ------- If you enjoyed this episode, we encourage you to go back and listen to the previous conversations in this series: 1.       Can I Hear God's Voice? 2.       Hearing God Through Scripture ------- Do you want more Better Together? We have 1100+ conversations available! Start watching now for free on the TBN+ app!   --------  If you need prayer, join our community on Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // TikTok  and let us know how we can pray for you! ---------  Better Together is TBN's first daily original program made by women for women! We discuss faith, family, friends, and so much more—no topic is off limits. Find out what happens when real friends get together for real conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the pressure you're under right now isn't a sign that something is going wrong — but that something is being built? We live in a world that treats discomfort as a problem to be solved and pressure as a threat to be escaped. But Christine Caine opens Hebrews with a different diagnosis entirely: the pressure isn't the enemy of your faith. It's the furnace where your faith becomes real. In week 3 of our summer series, Christine Caine closes the Root phase with the message that connects everything: faith, endurance, and pressure don't just coexist — they're designed to work together. James 1 tells us the testing of faith produces endurance. Endurance produces the rooted character that holds a flourishing life. Roots don't grow in comfort. They grow in resistance. This is the last week of the Root phase. Next week everything shifts — and you need this foundation under you before it does. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ How do I keep going in my faith when I'm exhausted and everything feels hard? ✅ Is it okay to feel like I want to quit — and what do I do with that feeling? ✅ Why does God allow so much pressure and pain if He's for me? ✅ What does it mean to run with endurance — is that just white-knuckling it? ✅ How do I stop running from hard things and start growing through them? ✅ What does the "great cloud of witnesses" actually mean for me in my daily life? ✅ How do I build roots strong enough to hold everything God is calling me toward? …then this is your episode.

Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is "living and active." The Bible is inspired by God and is as relevant today as it was thousands of years ago. It is God's love letter to YOU! When we read God's words to us on the pages of Scripture, we discover our true identity and find an eternal hope.   In this conversation, Sheila Walsh, Christine Caine, Janice Gaines, Kalley Heiligenthal, and Elyse Mahan share personal stories of the transformative power of studying the Bible! ------- If you missed the previous conversation in this series, we encourage you to go back and listen to “Can I Hear God's Voice?” ------- Do you want more Better Together? We have 1100+ conversations available! Start watching now for free on the TBN+ app!   --------  If you need prayer, join our community on Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // TikTok  and let us know how we can pray for you! ---------  Better Together is TBN's first daily original program made by women for women! We discuss faith, family, friends, and so much more—no topic is off-limits. Find out what happens when real friends get together for real conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nobody told you the waiting is the work. We live in a world that rewards being discovered — going viral, moving fast, getting noticed. But God's economy runs on something entirely different: development. And development always happens in the dark. In week two of this summer series, Christine Caine takes us into the darkroom — the season of delay, disappointment, and hiddenness that God uses not to hold us back, but to build the roots that will hold us up when everything shakes. Christine Caine does it through the story of a young man named David: anointed at 17, appointed at 37. Twenty years. Twenty chapters. And not one of them wasted. This isn't a season you endure. It's a season you grow in. Originally heard by over 135,000 people — what is God growing in you right now that you can't yet see? ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ Why does it feel like everyone else is moving forward while I'm still waiting? ✅ I feel called and gifted — so why isn't anything happening yet? ✅ What's the difference between a gift and an anointing — and why does it matter? ✅ How do I stay faithful in private when no one seems to notice? ✅ Why does God's process feel so slow when the world moves so fast? ✅ What do I do when I feel overlooked by the people who were supposed to see me? ✅ How do I stop comparing my journey to someone else's highlight reel? …then this is your episode.

If you have ever wondered—"Why can't I hear God?” or “Will God ever speak to me?”—then this conversation is for YOU! God is always communicating with His children. Drawing closer to our Heavenly Father empowers us to tune our "ears" to His voice and makes us more aware of His constant presence. Sheila Walsh, Christine Caine, Janice Gaines, Kalley Heiligenthal, and Elyse Mahan share their stories of learning to listen for God's voice and how we can be more sensitive when He speaks! ------- If you missed last week's conversation, we encourage you to go back and listen to “Surrender Your Plans to God.” ------- Do you want more Better Together? We have 1100+ conversations available! Start watching now for free on the TBN+ app!   --------  If you need prayer, join our community on Instagram // Facebook // YouTube // TikTok  and let us know how we can pray for you! ---------  Better Together is TBN's first daily original program made by women for women! We discuss faith, family, friends, and so much more—no topic is off-limits. Find out what happens when real friends get together for real conversations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the greatest thing you could become isn't a leader, but a servant? Through Joshua 1, we discover that God honors servitude, prepares us long before He promotes us, and often does His deepest work in the seasons no one else sees. If you've ever wondered whether God sees your faithfulness, this message is for you.Are you ready to step into all God has called you to be through our Christ-Like Leader Pathway? There are so many ways to start, and we're here to walk with you every step of the way.-CLICK HERE TO SERVE: https://www.shorelinecity.church/join-CLICK HERE TO GET IN COMMUNITY: https://www.shorelinecity.church/connectgroups -CLICK HERE TO LIVE GENEROUSLY: https://www.shorelinecity.church/give-JESUS FIRST: We've been praying for you! If you made the decision to put Jesus first, text “JESUS” to 73000.-PRAYER: We believe there isn't anything too small or too big to bring to God. It would be our honor to pray with you. Text “PRAYER” to 73000STAY CONNECTEDWebsite: https://www.shorelinecity.church/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shorelinecity/Facebook:   / shorelinecity  Pastor Earl:   / earlmcclellan  Pastor Oneka:   / onekamcclellan  #ShorelineCity 

This summer on Equip & Empower with Christine Caine, we're answering the question: what does it actually look like to live a rooted, resilient, and fruitful life? We're starting not with survival, but with possibility. A rooted life isn't just a stable life — it's a life capable of believing God for the impossible. And most of us have confused those two things. We want to be steady. We want to be safe. But Christine Caine opens this summer series with a provocation: the moment your situation stops being impossible is the moment you stop needing God. Roots aren't just for holding you in place. They're what make everything else possible. In this opening episode, Christine draws the line between intellectual faith and active trust — the difference between believing in God and believing God. For the thing in front of you.  For the miracle that seems too far.  For the promise you've nearly stopped praying for. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ What's the difference between believing in God and actually believing God — for my specific situation? ✅ How do I trust God when the people I should have been able to trust have hurt me? ✅ Can God really rebuild what's broken in me before He can use me for something bigger? ✅ How do I step out in faith when I'm still carrying wounds from my past? ✅ Why do I keep praying for a miracle but pulling back from anything that actually requires one? ✅ What does it mean to be rooted — and why does it matter for the life I'm trying to build? ✅ Is it possible to flourish after abandonment, betrayal, or brokenness? …then this is your episode.

What do you do when the dream God gave you feels completely disconnected from the reality you're living? When life feels unfair, painful, delayed, or deeply disappointing, it can be easy to wonder if God has forgotten you. In this episode, Christine Caine walks through the story of Joseph in Genesis 37–50 — one where betrayal, waiting, setbacks, and suffering aren't the end of the narrative. They're the process. From the pit to Potiphar's house. From prison to the palace. God wasn't absent in Joseph's darkest chapters. He was positioning him. Christine Caine shows that the painful seasons aren't detours from your purpose. They are the preparation for it. If you're in a waiting room right now, wondering whether God has forgotten the dream He placed in you, this message is for you. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ✅ Why would God allow painful seasons if He gave me the dream? ✅ What do I do when I feel forgotten or overlooked? ✅ Can God still use my trauma and setbacks for good? ✅ How do I forgive people who have deeply hurt me? ✅ How do I trust God's timing when the wait feels unbearable? ✅ What does faithfulness look like when nothing is going the way I planned? ✅ Is it possible for my story to still turn out the way God intended? ...then listen in!

The gospel has always been rogue. Faith is predicated on trust, not understanding. And dying to self will never go out of style. This episode right here ate down! Sarah Jakes Roberts sits down with mentor, evangelist, and A21 founder Christine Caine to talk passing the baton of faith, stewarding influence, the danger of building for the wrong reasons, and why everyone who is serious about their calling must regularly audit the condition of their heart before God. Drawing from her book, The Faith to Flourish, Christine closes with an urgent, hopeful call: stop waiting for the world to get better before you start living fully, sis . Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/evolve   #rulapod Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/evolve Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Author, Christine Caine, sits down with Ashley Key to discuss her latest book "The Faith to Flourish: God's Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life." Today on the 700 Club Interactive.

Author, Christine Caine, sits down with Ashley Key to discuss her latest book "The Faith to Flourish: God's Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life." Today on the 700 Club Interactive.

What if the thing you've been praying for requires the response you've been avoiding? In this powerful message, we dive into John 5 and the story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda—a man who had been stuck for 38 years, waiting for change but bound by excuses, disappointment, and patterns. When Jesus asks him a seemingly simple question—“Do you want to get well?”—everything shifts. In this episode, Christine Caine unpacks the deeper meaning behind Jesus' question and challenges us to confront the areas where we may be choosing comfort over transformation. With biblical truth and personal insight, she reveals how healing often requires participation, obedience, and the courage to let go of the past. If you're tired of feeling stuck, defined by your past, or limited by your circumstances—this message will stir your faith and call you forward. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like: ● Why do I feel stuck even though I want change? ● What's actually holding me back from healing? ● How do I move past my past? ● Why does God ask me to do things that feel impossible? ● Am I unknowingly choosing comfort over breakthrough?

Karen Harmon — a wife, homeschool mom, physical therapist, business owner, speaker, writer, and worship leader — shares openly about what it looks like to hold onto hope when you're wearing many hats and life feels full. She talks about finding joy and steadiness in marriage, motherhood, and the daily rhythms of a busy life, while staying rooted in God's presence.Karen Harmon is a wife, homeschool mom, physical therapist, business owner, speaker, writer, and worship leader. She serves as a coach with Christine Caine's Propel Women Cohorts, mentoring and equipping women in leadership and spiritual formation. Karen encourages multipassionate women to live fully and intentionally in all their roles — offering hope, practical wisdom, and real-life encouragement for marriage, motherhood, career, and faith.In this episode, Karen shares:  - How she cultivates hope on the days when she feels like she's dropping balls or life feels overwhelming  - Practical ways she keeps hope alive in her marriage and as a homeschool mom  - A favorite Scripture she's leaning on right now for hope  - How worship helps anchor her in busy seasons  - What she's hoping for in 2026 — for her family and her own heart  A warm, honest conversation for every woman navigating many roles and longing for real, sustainable hope in the everyday.Listen now for encouragement that feels like coffee with a wise and gracious friend.  Connect with Karen on Instagram or on her Website. Subscribe to She Lives Fearless so you don't miss an episode and share your heart on the conversations! Connect with Host, Holly Newton. #CultivatingHope #MultipassionateLiving #ChristianWoman #HopeInTheEveryday #FaithAndFamily #SheLivesFearless #KarenHarmon

Most of us have never been taught what the Bible actually says about our bodies. Christine Caine is asking the question a lot of people are afraid to ask out loud — does God care what you do with your body? How you eat, how you exercise, how you present yourself? What about tattoos, piercings, or cosmetic surgery? The answer is more nuanced — and more freeing — than you might think. In this full sermon, Christine Caine walks through the biblical truth about the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, and brings Scripture into conversation with some of the most personal questions we carry — about fitness, beauty standards, stewardship, and identity. She's not here to shame anyone. She's here to bring clarity where the culture has created confusion. Because there's a difference between honoring your body and idolizing it. And most of us are navigating that line without a map. In this episode, you'll discover: What it actually means to steward your body as God's temple — without becoming consumed by it Why your identity is rooted in Christ, not your appearance or your fitness level What the Bible says about tattoos, piercings, cosmetic surgery, and beauty standards How to examine your motives — and make decisions about your body from freedom, not pressure This is for you if you've ever asked: → Does God care how I look or how I take care of my body? → Is it wrong to want to be fit, healthy, or attractive? → What does the Bible actually say about tattoos or cosmetic surgery? → How do I stop swinging between neglect and obsession with my appearance?

Are you surviving… or truly thriving? Christine Caine shares a deeply personal message about trauma, identity, healing, and the abundant life Jesus offers. Through powerful testimony and biblical truth, this sermon challenges us to stop outsourcing our source of flourishing and return to Jesus as our true source of peace, joy, and purpose. No matter your past, God can transform pain into purpose and use your story to bring hope to others.

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Dr. Derwin L. Gray, co-founder and lead pastor of Transformation Church. Since launching in 2010, Transformation Church has become a multi-ethnic, multi-generational movement impacting thousands locally and globally. In this conversation, Derwin tackles one of the most pressing—and often avoided—questions facing church leaders today: what are we actually multiplying? Are we forming disciples of Jesus—or unintentionally shaping people more through culture, politics, and media than through the gospel? Derwin challenges leaders to examine the deeper currents shaping their churches and to recover a bold, Christ-centered vision for discipleship. What are we actually multiplying? // Derwin raises a provocative concern: many churches are focused on growth, expansion, and multiplication—but not always clear on what is being multiplied. Are we producing disciples rooted in the gospel, or consumers attracted to experiences? He warns that without intentional focus, churches can unintentionally replicate shallow faith, cultural Christianity, or even ideological distortion. The goal of multiplication must not simply be more campuses or larger attendance, but deeper, more faithful discipleship. A discipleship crisis beneath the surface. // The issue isn't that churches lack discipleship. It's that many people are being discipled by the wrong influences. Social media, political ideologies, and cultural narratives are shaping beliefs and behaviors, often more powerfully than Scripture. This creates a “wrong discipleship” problem, where people identify as Christians but reflect values that are inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus. The challenge for leaders is to re-center discipleship around Christ, ensuring that people are being formed by the gospel rather than the surrounding culture. The danger of ideological captivity. // Derwin speaks candidly about the ways the church can become entangled in political ideologies—whether on the right or the left. He specifically critiques the rise of Christian nationalism, defining it as the fusion of the church's identity with the identity of a nation-state. This, he argues, distorts the gospel by elevating political allegiance above allegiance to Christ. At the same time, he acknowledges the influence of secular progressivism. Both extremes, in different ways, can pull believers away from the centrality of Jesus. The call is not to disengage from society, but to engage from a distinctly gospel-centered perspective. Recovering a gospel-shaped identity. // At the heart of Derwin's message is a call to rediscover what it means to be shaped by the gospel. The good news of Jesus is not merely about individual salvation—it creates a new family across ethnic, cultural, and social lines. This vision is central to Transformation Church's identity as a multi-ethnic community. Derwin emphasizes that the gospel reconciles not only vertically (between people and God), but horizontally (between people and one another). When churches lose this vision, they lose their witness in a divided world. Courageous and compassionate leadership. // Leading in this cultural moment requires what Derwin calls “courageous compassion.” Pastors must be willing to speak truth clearly while loving people deeply. This means addressing difficult issues without fear of losing people, while also avoiding harsh or divisive rhetoric. Derwin acknowledges that this approach can lead to criticism from multiple sides, but he emphasizes that faithfulness to Christ must take priority over maintaining comfort or approval. Practical steps for leaders. // For pastors who feel their churches have been shaped more by culture than by Christ, Derwin offers simple but powerful starting points: pray, repent, and refocus on the gospel. He encourages leaders to equip themselves through study and to guide their teams in rediscovering a biblical framework for discipleship. Most importantly, leaders must model what they teach, demonstrating lives rooted in Christ rather than captured by cultural narratives. A renewed vision for the church. // Ultimately, Derwin calls the church back to its prophetic voice. The church is not meant to mirror the divisions of the world but to offer a compelling alternative: a community shaped by love, unity, and truth. When the church remains rooted in Jesus, it becomes a powerful witness to a watching world. To learn more about Transformation Church and Dr. Derwin L. Gray, his teaching, and resources, visit transformationchurch.tc and derwinlgray.com. Plus, pre-order his book, It’s Time to Heal: Four God-Given Steps to Restore What Life Has Shattered. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Lastly, don't forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: Portable Church Your church is doing really well right now, and your leadership team is looking for solutions to keep momentum going! It could be time to start a new location. Maybe you have hesitated in the past few years, but you know it's time to step out in faith again and launch that next location. Portable Church has assembled a bundle of resources to help you leverage your growing momentum into a new location by sending a part of your congregation back to their neighborhood on Mission. This bundle of resources will give you a step-by-step plan to launch that new or next location, and a 5 minute readiness tool that will help you know your church is ready to do it! Click here to watch the free webinar “Launch a New Location in 150 Days or Less” and grab the bundle of resources for your church! Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, so glad that you decided to tune in to today’s episode of the unSeminary podcast. Really looking forward to this. I had a fragment of a conversation with a dear friend at the Exponential Conference and I want to have more of that today with you listening in. And this is a conversation that I know is impacting people. I think 100% of our church is in the country today. It’s something that we all are seeing. It’s impacting us. We’ve got to be thinking about this. Rich Birch — Honored to have Dr. Derwin Gray with us, incredible leader from Transformation Church. He and his wife, Vicki, co-founded the church in 2010. It’s a multi-ethnic, multi-generational, mission-shaped community community with two locations in South Carolina, as well as Church Online. He’s an award-winning author of multiple books. He’s been on the podcast in the past and is one of the people who, he’s called me out on the podcast before, and I have taken those lessons with me. And so I’m I'm hoping that happens with you today. Derwin, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Hey, man, thank you. So good to be with you.Rich Birch — No, it’s it’s honest. You know, been multiple times you’ve been on the show and I I’ve walked away being like, man, okay, Derwin just, he’s just pushed me and and got me to think different, which I really appreciate that. So for folks that don’t know about Transformation, kind of tell us a little bit about the church and give us the context you’re in, that sort of thing.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, man. So ah my wife and I co-planted Transformation Church in 2010 in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. And so neither my wife and nor I grew up in church, and both of us came to faith in our mid to late 20s, and primarily through people at work. There was a woman at my wife’s job who shared Christ with her. I had a teammate named Steve Grant, with the Indianapolis Colts, where I played in the NFL. We called him the naked preacher because after practice, he’d dry off, take a shower, wrap a towel around his waist, and he’d share the gospel. And over five years, I came to faith. My wife came to faith before me. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And all we knew was this. If Jesus is this incredible, this forgiving, this gracious, this is the greatest news there is in the world. And so we didn’t know what words like evangelism and discipleship meant. All we knew was this. I want to know him. I want to make him known. I want to know his word.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And so that was in 1997, 1998. We moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to play for the Carolina Panthers, and I got injured. And so all I could do was read my Bible, rehab my knee. And the following year, both my wife and I said, you know what? I think my NFL time is done.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — What are we going to do? We don’t know. So I got an invitation to speak at a youth event to share my testimony. And I said, well, what is that? They were like, a testimony is where you share your story of how you met Christ and what what took place. So I did that. People started calling me.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And in 1999, other Christians says, you guys need a nonprofit organization. You know, we’re like, what does that mean? So we started a ministry called One Heart at a Time. I would travel and speak. She would organize everything. We served at our church. Well, the longer we did that, we saw incredible fruit, but we also saw that wherever I would preach, it was ethnically segregated. It was it was really weird, right?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — I’m like, wait a second. America is integrated, but the church is basically segregated. And so I began to ask questions and I got lousy answers. But as we read the Bible, it was like the early church was Jews and Gentiles. That’s what it was. It was a multi-ethnic church. Jesus not only forgave sins, but he created a family with different colored skins. Not only is that the future of the church in Revelation 7:9, but that’s the present reality of the church that intrinsic to the gospel is ethnic reconciliation. What good would it be Jesus forgives you but don’t love your brother and sister? So the cross is vertical and horizontal. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So we were frustrated. And then we just sense God say, well, you can criticize or you can create. And so ultimately that led to planting Transformation Church in the south area of Charlotte, North Carolina, where actually physically in what’s called Indian Land, South Carolina, and our other campus is in Lake Wiley, South Carolina, but it’s really the greater Charlotte area.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And our church is more ethnically diverse than our community. And I want to be very, very clear. One of the reasons why we are ethnically diverse is because of the good news of Jesus. Like I explained, Jesus not only forgives sins, but he creates a family with different colored skins. And so for us, ethnic unity in Christ not only enhances our discipleship, but it enhances our witness to a looking and watching world which is filled with so much division. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And over the last 16 years, God has done miraculous things. We’ve seen 9,000 people come to faith, thousands be baptized. God has given us massive influence. We also have what’s called the Multi-Ethnic Church Roundtable, where we’ve equipped 800 leaders from around the world to do gospel-centered multi-ethnic ministry. We’re also in the process, Leon’s Crump and I, of launching what’s called the Promise Collective, which is going to be an intentionally multi-ethnic gospel-centered church planting network.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So a lot of wonderful things are taking place. And we think it’s pretty cool that God planted us in the state of South Carolina where the first shots of the Civil War were fired. And God has used this church here to influence not only the church in America, but even around the world. Rich Birch — Yeah, absolutely Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So we’re grateful.Rich Birch — Well, I, yeah, there’s I respect you on so many levels. And, and, you know, they these issues around being a multi-ethnic church are, you know, at the core of that. And just to respect you on for lots of what you’ve done. and And we ended up at this in this conversation, just to kind of bring everybody up to speed, we ended up in this conversation at Exponential that I leaned forward as just declaring my, ah you know, a little bit about me for folks that are listening in. So I am Canadian, don’t hold it against me.Rich Birch — But I’ve served mostly American churches in the churches I work with. And most of the 95% of the listeners of this podcast are in the States. I was in the States for a bunch of years. And that may become a little more obvious as we’re talking here why that’s why I’m talking about that context. But one of the things in this conversation that I heard you, the question you asked, which made me lean forward and then where it kind of unfolded from there is you asked the question, what are we actually multiplying? Exponential is obviously the global conference for multiplication, but you were pushing us to think about what are we actually multiplying? What is the the core of that? Can you unpack that for us?What were you thinking of when we started talking about that that day?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, sure, sure. Just to provide either even a little bit more context is it was a gathering of of very large churches. Rich Birch — Right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And the question is what’s going well, what’s not going well? And so typically in those types of rooms, I like to listen. And so as I was listening, I was hearing no disrespect, but a lot of the same.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And so I kind of waited for everybody to to finish what they were saying. And I said, here’s something that Transformation Church does well, is we are equipping our people to stand against secular progressivism and Christian nationalism. And I said, what are we exactly multiplying? Because the state of the church the United States America is not good. It’s not healthy. It is divided. In many cases, it is it’s mean. Shallow theology, not loving our neighbors as God commands us to be loved. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So so my question was, are we just putting up more boxes for consumers to come in and consume because we have good music, good human-centered preaching. You know, we’re not going to mess with your idols. We’re not going to topple your idols at all. And yeah, you can invite your friends when we get more campuses. Because if that’s just what we’re doing, don’t sign me up for that. I don’t I don’t I don’t want any parts of that. That’s how we got to where we are now. And so you as a Canadian, here in America, the witness of the church is not very good. Like when I talk to people who are unbelievers, I have to untangle…Rich Birch — Right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — …politics from the gospel because unfortunately there’s been an unholy wedding, particularly on the far right with aspects of Christianity, which has distorted and deformed. I think the secular progressivism is pretty easy to see, but I think the Christian nationalism is a lot harder. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Now, let me define what I mean by that. So first of all, Loving your country is a good thing. That’s called loving your neighbors. You love yourself. So my fourth grandfather, Moses Davis, fought for the Union, the colored cavalry of Virginia… Rich Birch — Wow. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — …against the treasonous Confederate whatever it was. So in my blood is patriotism for my nation. America’s my home. But to love my neighbors, I love myself means not only do love America, but I love the entire world. And then as a Christian, we have a global body that we love. There are more followers of Jesus of color outside of America than the United States of America.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Now, what do I mean by Christian nationalism? This is what I mean. Christian nationalism is the attempt to fuse the identity and mission of the church with the identity and power of a nation state, treating the nation as a primary vehicle of God’s purposes rather than seeing God’s kingdom as a global Jesus-centered reality that transcends all nations.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — By that definition, Christian nationalism is a heresy. Because it basically says, if you don’t think like us, you can’t be a follower of Jesus. And so you’re adding to the works of Christ. And so Christian nationalism has infiltrated much of what I would say the majority culture, Caucasian church in America. Not all, but a lot. Where Christians, what what it means to follow Jesus has turned into a far right, almost authoritarianism versus, no, no, you have the right to vote in the United States of America. But as Christians, we don’t have a right to idolize nor demonize those who vote differently than us.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — I’m not sure Americans know this, but most people in the world are not Republican or Democrat. Rich Birch — Right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So if you say your faith is based on what you vote for, you’re adding to the work of Christ.Rich Birch — So, so Derwin, I appreciate you. So I’ve not heard a lot of people talk about this. This seems to be, I don’t know, it seems like something happened post COVID and the church in general, there was this like shakeup in the church in general where, you know, lots of people ended up in different places and it was like, we’ve become more divided than ever before. And I do think that there’s a significant dividing line at or close to what you’re talking about here, that it’s like, there’s a, there’s a new voice around Christian nationalism that seems to be gaining influence. Is that, is that, is that ah a false perception or is that the way you see it as well?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — No, you are 100% right. And it is a well-orchestrated, well-funded plan. With social media and the rise of social media influencers, paid propagandists can go on and infuse their propaganda into people immediately.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And here’s and here’s the thing. Populism does not require much intellect. All it requires is somebody to be angry at who’s taking from you. So the more divided we are as people, the more the oligarchs have power and the money that they make.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — They own the social media. They own the algorithms. I mean, for goodness sakes, Elon Musk promised people a million dollars to vote in Pennsylvania for the election. How is that even legal? Right. Rich Birch — Right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So people are being inundated. Like we have family members that don’t even talk to each other anymore because they have red hat or a blue shirt, right? And so it has been in increasingly effective. But here’s the thing, Rich, that’s so wild to me. The admin the the Trump administration greenlit the FDA approval of an abortion pill. And I don’t hear any evangelical saying anything about it.Rich Birch — Right. Right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And even when you look at the Supreme Court now saying states can choose whether you do abortion or not, that’s pro-choice. You know, what used to be the Republican Party, small government, family values, those things are way gone. Rich Birch — Right. Right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And so not only has Christian nationalism changed like, or not only has this current administration changed what the Republican Party was, but in many cases, it’s changed even so much of the church. And it is wild to listen to people in 2016 who said one thing, who say a totally different thing now.Rich Birch — Yeah.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — It’s hard.Rich Birch — Well, yeah. And I so I think the thing you’ve, you’re putting a finger on and it’s, I appreciate you being willing to talk about and unpack it is there’s definitely like a broader cultural conversation that’s happening around these issues. That is for sure. We’re seeing that. And that’s having an impact on our ability to disciple the people in our churches or our people are being discipled by social media, by the algorithm, by YouTube And that can create or is creating a discipleship crisis in many of our churches. How do you try to find the line between those two to say, hey, we’re going to talk about the discipleship stuff… Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah. Rich Birch — …without getting dragged in on the you know the exterior? How do we how do we draw those lines in a way that makes sense?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah. Yeah. So, so, so what I would say is we don’t have a discipleship problem. We have a wrong discipleship problem. Rich Birch — Okay, that’s good. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Because somebody is making students out of somebody.Rich Birch — Right, sure.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And so are we becoming students of Jesus? that’s That’s the issue. And so what I say is this, how a person votes, that’s their conscience. But how do you treat the people who don’t vote like you? Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So for example, research shows black Americans are more socially conservative, more biblically committed than white Americans. But 90%, I’m sorry, but black American Christians, but black American Christians, 90% vote for Democrats. So how can you be more socially conservative, more biblically committed, but you vote for Democrat?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Well, because they don’t take everything that’s in the Democratic Party, just like most people who voted for Trump don’t take everything with him. And so we have to give each other the latitude and the grace. And there’s also pro-life Democrats. And not everybody who voted for Trump is evil. Not everybody who votes Democrat is evil. But the powers that be want us divided. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s true. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And when I and when I talk to my friends from Canada, when I talk to my friends that are pastors from around the world, Norway, different parts of Europe, Australia, England, and they’re going, what has happened to you guys?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — I can tell you what’s what’s taken place is our faith is being distorted and driving it is fear and hatred.Rich Birch — Yeah. So I would echo that. The joke I’ve made, both with American leaders and leaders from other parts of the world, is there is a segment of the body of Christ that seems very angry about the love of God. Like they’re and they’re very fearful. Like it’s all it’s all anger and fear driven. And I don’t know whether, and it probably is related to the algorithms, but like we’re hearing from these people so much more than, than we used to. It used to be an echo chamber of people that lived in so much fear, but now it’s just out there. It seems to be in, in our, you know, in our feeds all the time.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, what used to be on the fringes is now on the main street, right? And so we need to re-gospel ourselves. We need a greater commitment to Christ. So, for example, life in the womb is precious and sacred. That’s not conservative. That’s gospel. That’s biblical.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Caring for the dignity of undocumented people in America is not liberal. That’s gospel. Wanting border control is not conservative. That is understanding that a nation has to have borders to flourish. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Believing that marriage is between a man and a woman, we believe that’s biblical. But loving and respecting LGBTQ people is not liberal. Loving my neighbors as I love myself. And if I have any hope of anybody ah coming to Jesus, they’re not going come to Jesus because I’m yelling at them and I’m angry. I’m going to love them and pursue them just like we’ve done here at our church.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And so I feel like what we’ve done in in in the church is we’ve taken a 250 year old country called America. And then specifically the last 10 years, we’ve made that the hermeneutic to understand the gospel.Rich Birch — Yeah, right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — We’ve made that the lenses that we look through to determine the gospel. Whereas what I’m saying, let’s go back to the text. Let’s go back to the early church, the book of Acts, Paul’s letters, the gospels. That’s where our faith comes from. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Like I have lobbied on Capitol Hill with Republicans and Democrats about immigration reform. We need border security, but we can also secure the dignity of human beings, especially human beings who are undocumented and don’t have a record against them. Right. So there has to be a process to have strong borders, but also to hold to people’s hearts.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — But but at the end of the day, right at the end of the day, we are people of the Lamb, not the elephant or the donkey.Rich Birch — So good. So good. So what’s the hardest part about leading in a church that really refuses to be captured by either side? I feel like there’s pressure on from both political parties to they, you know, I think somewhere along the line, they realize, wow, there’s a lot of power in these churches. And how do we you know, how do we kind of infiltrate or how do we gain that? What’s it like to lead a church that’s trying to, that’s refusing to be captured by both sides is wants to keep Jesus ahead. What does that cost? How is that, you know, what are some of the pressures of that? What have been some telltale signs for you as you’ve led at Transformation in this front?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, um i would i would I would say, Rich, sometimes I’ll get a critical email and a eventually those people will leave. But but but but for the most part, I mean, we’re 16 years in, it’s our ethos, it’s our character. People know who we are. They know why we are. And so like we’re flourishing, we’re growing. It’s beautiful. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — There’s a matter of fact, I got some messages earlier today just saying, hey, thank you. Like I was just about done with Christianity and I found Transformation Church, right? I mean, this Jesus, you’re this is what I want to be a part of. So I think respecting and loving all people, even though you disagree with them. And the thing that I said, I did a series in 2024 in the fall before the election on on the Beatitudes.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And my whole thing was how you vote is up to your conscious. How you treat people is not up for debate. We’re called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. And so in our church, I’m sure we got people all over the political spectrum. I’m a registered independent myself.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — But something that I think really landed well with our people is this: 99.9% of all followers of Jesus for 2,000 years and even now have never voted Republican and have never voted Democrat.Rich Birch — Right. Right. That’s good.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Our faith is in Christ and Christ alone. And America is what’s called a constitutional republic democracy. It is not a theocracy. It is governed by a constitution, not the Bible. And so, yes, I want believers in place not to do some kind of spiritual Sharia law, but to make sure that the Constitution is upheld, which gives life and liberty and justice, not for some, but for all.Rich Birch — What would you say, you know, I’ve often thought around this, these, this issue and we’re kind of related issues. I have to think back to Billy Graham and I think like, man, we don’t know what, don’t what he’d be doing today. Like what would, I’ve heard this story that and in the fifties he gathered a group of what at the time, they you know they self afflicted they gave themselves the title of fundamentalist and they said, hey, we gotta stop calling ourselves fundamentalist because that word is so loaded in our culture. It feels like evangelical is like that today. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah.Rich Birch — It is when people ask me, are you evangelical? I’ll say, well, it depends on what you mean by evangelical because it has so much freight behind it. Do you think there is a place for kind of a broader discussion? How, how can we continue to try to create a middle here that where people can actually try to shed these, like you say, the Lamb and the donkey and, or the, the, the elephant and the donkey and, and focus on the Lamb. How do we do that going forward? How do we create those kinds of places where those kinds of conversations can continue to happen?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, you know, so let me answer the first question first is when I preached in Norway a few years ago, the people said, thank you for being so evangelical. And it had nothing to do with politics. So the term evangelical comes from the Greek word, which means good news. So it’s never meant to be a political voting block. Rich Birch — Right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — It’s never meant to be an ethnicity. It is good news people. So in Europe, I say I’m evangelical because it goes well. Here in America, I say I am shaped by the gospel. I’m a Christian that’s shaped by the gospel. Rich Birch — That’s good language.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — I love God and I love my neighbors. I love myself. So I think we have a fundamental gospel problem in the American church. If you simply think the good news is Jesus died for your sins, now you don’t go to hell, then your discipleship is going to be very reductionistic. It’s going to be very individualistic.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, his ascension and then sending the Spirit, is not only do we spend eternity with him, but as brothers and sisters, we’re equally righteous, equally redeemed, equally the temple of the Holy Spirit, equally God’s children. So if all those things are true equally, then by definition, we are the body of Christ. So if you hurt, then I hurt, but we don’t think that way.Rich Birch — Right.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So we have to change the way we think. Paul says in Philippians 2.3, do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but consider others better than yourselves. Verse five is “for you have the mind of Christ”. And so what we’ve been able to do here at Transformation Church is really move people deeper to the gospel. If you listen to one of my messages, you will hear gospel. That’s why we are the way we are. And the gospel challenges idols.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — When President Obama was president, I would get emails, “Oh you must be a Republican.” And then when President Trump, “You must be a Democrat.” I’m like, no, I’m an independent, but I’m called to be prophetic and to equip us to not be captivated by the zeitgeist…Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — …the spirit of the age. When the church loses her prophetic witness, we’ve lost everything.Rich Birch — That’s good.Rich Birch — Yeah, that that that names something that you put a finger on there, on something that I’d love you to unpack a little bit more. How do you do that as a pastor? Because I’ve seen you do that consistently. It’s like, how how do we be that prophetic voice, speak with clarity to ultimately point people back to Jesus, not be captured by just the winds of the day?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Be courageously compassionate. Rich Birch — That’s good.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Be courageously compassionate. I believe, you know, so I have, I have, I have talked to pastors who lead churches that may be, you know, center a little bit left. And well, if I talk about this issue too much, people may leave. Then I’ve heard other people like, well, if I talk about about this, the MAGA people may leave. And it’s like, well, Are you concerned about people leaving or are you concerned about honoring the call that God has given you? Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And one day you have to face him and you’re going to say, well, you know, what Lord, I was afraid people were going to leave. Like you can be courageous and compassionate simultaneously.Rich Birch — That’s good.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — So I, there are people on both sides of the aisle that passionately and deeply love Jesus, but have different perspectives politically. Now, Christian nationalism, that is a whole different species that that has to be lovingly challenged. And my job at Transformation Church is to equip our people and to be a shepherd because there are false prophets and wolves that are coming.Rich Birch — There’s a ton here. I really appreciate that. For a pastor that’s listening in today that’s thinking, man, I look at my people and I think maybe I they have been discipled more by cable news than by scripture. And I maybe haven’t done everything I could could have done. I haven’t been clear with compassion. I’ve just been, I’ve just kind of let this happen. What would you say some of the first steps that you would say for a for a leader like that?Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, pray, repent, pray, repent. Take your elders and your staff through a book by Preston Sprinkle called “Exiles in Babylon” or the book by Michael Byrd and N.T. Wright. Both of them deal with you know how to be a faithful witness in this time of political division. But before you go out and share, make sure that you are equipped. But also choose not to be partisan.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Rich, the Epstein Files is one of the biggest cover-ups in American history. We’re talking about precious kids who were taking advantage of. And I mean, where is the prophetic voice that this is wrong, regardless of who’s in it? This is wrong and it demands justice. We as God’s people are going to be held accountable to equip this. Like, this is serious. Like, I’ve heard people say, well, there’s bigger problems in the world. No, there’s not.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Derwin, this has been fantastic. I want to point people towards, you’ve got a new book that’s coming out. That’s like like a huge left-hand turn here, but just looking at it, I think this could is is connected, obviously, to what we’re talking about in today’s conversation. It comes out this fall.Rich Birch — It’s called it’s a time or “It’s Time to Heal: Four God-Given Steps to Restore What Life Has Shattered”. Tell us a little bit about this book, and I and I want to get people to you know actually pre-order this thing.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, man. So basically the last seven years, what I have seen from followers of Christ is we’re the walking wounded. We are, we are just stuck. We have allowed our traumas, our histories, our pains, our failures, the way we’ve been hurt to keep us in a position of hurt. And we’ve just circled and circled. And then, a lot of preaching deals with behavior modification and doesn’t get to the root. And so I’ve just been like, you know what, God, I want to help God’s people. Right. And it starts with helping myself.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And what I do is I really take a theology of who we are in Christ. I take neuroscience and psychology and marry them in spiritual formationRich Birch — Love it.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And it’s by far the best book that I’ve ever written. I can’t wait for people to see the endorsements from people like Dr. Daniel Amen, Craig Groeschel, Christine Caine. It’s by far the most important book I’ve ever written and the best book I’ve ever written. And I believe that it can really help people heal. Like really understanding that trauma gets in our nervous system. It’s not just think harder, do more. Like we have to learn how this is embodied inside of us. Dr. Derwin L. Gray — And so, man, it transformed me writing it. And what I do is I walk the people through an acronym. The the book is in four parts and the acronym HEAL. H stands for honest about what what happened. E, expect hard. A, accept what happened and L, live from love, not for love. And I share some incredible stories in there. And so, yeah, I’m really, really looking forward to people healing.Rich Birch — Well, yeah, I would encourage people to, we’ll link to that in the show notes and all that. But I think it’s connected in that I think I think the extremes on both ends politically, they’ve picked up on kind of the pain in the zeitgeist. And they’ve they’ve said, hey, the solution is is is the other side is the enemy and we got to do something to tear them down. And we know that just won’t work. At the end of the day, it’s Jesus transforming our lives. It’s him restoring us to who we are. And I think this could be a great tool for folks as they’re wrestling with that. So I’m excited for that book to come out. Looking forward to that. And we’ll we’ll link to all that. Rich Birch — Any kind of final words as we wrap up today? I really appreciate you unpacking this a bit more and taking some time to, you know, kind of let us chat a little bit about it.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, two thoughts. Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 and 45, bless those who persecute you. And I said, love your enemies. And then Jesus said, you will know my disciples because they love one another. Refuse to let anger and hatred and division guide you.Rich Birch — That’s good. So good. You said two things. You had two you that and one other thing.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Well, yeah, it was it was Matthew 5 and you’re on…yeah.Rich Birch — Oh, I see. Right, right, right. Yep. Okay. That’s good. Nice. Where if people want to track with you or with the church, where do we want to send them online? Just as we wrap up today’s call conversation.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Yeah, just go to derwinlgray.com, derwinlgray.comRich Birch — Nice. That’s great. Dr. Derwin, I just want to honor you. You’re an incredible leader. Thank you for being here today and helping us think through these issues. Thank you.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Thank you, my friend.Rich Birch — Take care.Dr. Derwin L. Gray — Appreciate you.

Anger doesn't always look the way you think it does. Christine Caine has sat with this question for years — and in this message, she gets honest about what's really underneath our anger, and why most of us have never been taught to look there. Sometimes anger is a raised voice. Sometimes it's withdrawal. Sometimes it's the quiet bitterness you've been carrying for years and calling something else. In Jonah 4, God asks Jonah a simple question: "Is it right for you to be angry?" Jonah couldn't answer it. A lot of us can't either. In this full sermon, Christine Caine unpacks the difference between righteous anger and destructive anger, how to identify what's actually driving your emotions, and what it looks like to process anger in a way that leads to healing — not more harm. This one will stay with you. In this episode, you'll discover: ● The difference between righteous anger and the kind that destroys ● How to identify the real root of your emotions (not just the trigger) ● Practical, biblical steps to process anger and walk in genuine freedom ● Why God isn't afraid of your anger — and what He wants to do with it This is for you if you've ever asked: → Is anger always a sin? → Why do I react so strongly → even when I know better? → How do I actually control my anger in the moment? → Can God use my anger for something good?

Sometimes it feels like hardships and struggles are endless. Like a new storm is always brewing on the horizon. You face challenging circumstances, strained relationships, or shattered dreams. And the weight of it all can feel crushing. Christine Caine shares her story of abuse, abandonment, and rejection and how God walked her along the hard, long road of healing. Her book is "The Faith to Flourish: God's Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life."  Originally aired April 16, 2026 Check out Susie's new podcast God Impressions on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

What if success is the very thing that causes you to drift from God?

In this episode of Being Human with Steve Cuss, hosts Steve and Lisa Cuss explore how upbringing shapes relationship dynamics, feelings of shame, and our faith. Guest Christine Caine shares her powerful journey through adoption trauma, childhood sexual abuse, and healing. Bible scholar Yana Jenay Conner reframes Jesus' "turn the other cheek" teaching as a dignified response to dehumanization. Steve and Lisa also address gaslighting and its impact on trust. Throughout, the episode emphasizes that family of origin work isn't about blame, but about pursuing healing, forgiveness, and flourishing rooted in God's transformative love. Episode Resources: Yana Jenay Conner's Living Beyond Offence: Finding the Shalom of Jesus on the Path to Forgiveness Christine Cain's The Faith to Flourish: God's Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life More From Christine and Yanna: Other books by Christine Caine Christine Caine's website Yana Jenay Conner's website Yana Jenay Conner's podcast ⁠Living Single with Yana Jenay⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christine Caine returns to the podcast to discuss the real reasons she thinks women are done with the church, how to get them back, why playing the Holy Spirit's role in other people's lives has to stop, and the necessity of being pruned if you want to flourish.

What if the very thing holding you back from your future is what you refuse to let go of? Following Jesus isn't comfortable, convenient, or predictable—but it is always worth it. In a culture that celebrates options, security, and self-promotion, God calls us to something radically different: surrender, faithfulness, and full devotion. In this episode, Christine Caine unpacks 1 Kings 19:1–21 and the powerful moment when Elisha burns his ploughs to follow God's call. Through this message, you'll discover why calling is not something you chase—but something you prepare for through faithfulness right where you are. This episode will challenge you to let go of what's familiar so you can step into what God has prepared, reminding you that a life fully surrendered to Jesus is always worth the cost. ✨If you ever asked questions like… ● Why does following Jesus feel so costly? ● How do I know when it's time to let something go? ● Do I have to have everything figured out before I obey God? Then this is for you.

Sometimes it feels like hardships and struggles are endless. Like a new storm is always brewing on the horizon. You face challenging circumstances, strained relationships, or shattered dreams. And the weight of it all can feel crushing. Christine Caine shares her story of abuse, abandonment, and rejection and how God walked her along the hard, long road of healing. Her book is "The Faith to Flourish: God's Design for a Rooted, Resilient, and Fruitful Life."  Check out Susie's new podcast God Impressions on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts! Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: click here

What do you do when you've prayed, waited, believed—and nothing seems to change? In seasons of delay, disappointment, and silence, it can be tempting to lose heart or take matters into your own hands. But God is still at work, even in the waiting. In this episode, Christine Caine unpacks Luke 1:1–25 and the story of Zechariah and Elizabeth and reveal how faith, hope, and trust are formed in the space between God's promise and its fulfillment. This message will encourage you to keep believing that even when God seems silent, He is not absent—His timing is always purposeful. You'll be reminded that your waiting is not wasted, your prayers have been heard, and your God still does the impossible. ✨If you ever asked questions like… ● Why does God seem silent when I'm praying so hard? ● What do I do when I feel disappointed by delay? ● Is God still working even when I can't see anything changing?

What if the power you need to live boldly for Christ is the very thing many believers overlook? The book of Acts reveals a Church that was radically transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit—and that same power is available to believers today. In this episode, Christine Caine unpacks the powerful moment of Pentecost in Acts 2 and explains why the Holy Spirit is not optional for the Christian life but essential for fulfilling God's mission. Through Scripture and powerful teaching, Christine reveals how the Spirit empowers ordinary people to live with supernatural courage, boldness, and purpose. If you've ever felt weary, overwhelmed, or unsure how to live out your faith, this episode will remind you that God has already given you the help you need. ✨If you've ever asked questions like… ● Why do I need the Holy Spirit in my daily life? ● Are the gifts of the Spirit still active today? ● How can I experience more of God's power and presence? This episode will encourage you to pursue a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit and step into the supernatural life God designed for you.

In a world that rewards speed, productivity, and constant activity, what if the very thing your soul needs most is to slow down and linger in the presence of God? Many believers long for God's guidance, peace, and power in their lives, but rush past the very place where transformation happens. Scripture shows us that God's greatest work in us often begins when we simply stay in His presence. In this episode, Christine Caine explores Exodus 33 and the powerful moment when Joshua chose to remain in the tent of meeting long after Moses left. Through this story, she reveals how lingering in God's presence deepens our relationship with Him, sharpens our spiritual sensitivity, and prepares us for the calling He has placed on our lives. If you've been feeling spiritually rushed, distracted, or disconnected, this message will invite you back to the place where true transformation begins—God's presence. ✨ If you've ever asked questions like… ● Why does spending time in God's presence matter so much? ● How can I hear God more clearly in a busy and distracted world? ● How do I create intentional space to meet with God? …then this episode is for you. Discover how to slow down, seek God wholeheartedly, and rediscover the life-changing power of lingering in His presence.

Christine Caine joins Ginny Yurich for a life-giving conversation about what the olive tree can teach us about resilience, slow growth, healing, identity, and the kind of faith that keeps bearing fruit even in hard seasons. This episode is a beautiful reminder that God does some of His deepest work underground, that flourishing is possible even after pain, and that getting outside with our kids is not just good for their bodies and minds, but for their spiritual formation too. If you've been feeling stretched thin, discouraged, or like growth is taking too long, this one will steady you and lift your eyes again. Explore Christine's book The Faith to Flourish, and learn more about A21 and Christine's podcast and resources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when we want the power of God—but not the heart of God? In this message, Christine Caine walks through Acts 8 to uncover a powerful warning for every believer: God isn't impressed by influence, platforms, or appearances—He is looking at the heart. Through the story of Simon the Sorcerer, Christine reveals the difference between authentic faith and counterfeit spirituality, and why our motives matter more to God than our gifts. In a world obsessed with visibility, influence, and spiritual performance, it's easy to mistake appearance for transformation. But Scripture reminds us that the gifts of God can never be bought, earned, or manipulated—God cares deeply about the condition of our hearts. If you've ever wrestled with comparison, spiritual ambition, disappointment, or hidden bitterness, this message will help you realign your heart with what truly matters and pursue the genuine work of God in your life. ✨ What you'll learn: • How to discern between genuine and counterfeit spiritual influence • Why motives matter more to God than outward success • How bitterness quietly blocks spiritual freedom • Why the gifts of God can never be bought, earned, or manipulated

God didn't create you just to survive—He created you to flourish! In this episode of the 4:13, Bible teacher Christine Caine shares how you can thrive in every season of life—even the hardest ones—by grounding yourself in God's unchanging truth. Using the biblical imagery of the olive tree, Christine explains how pruning can be restorative, pressing can produce the good stuff, and abiding in Christ leads to resilient, evergreen faith. So, if you're feeling weary, stretched, or spiritually dry, listen in! This conversation will equip you to grow deep spiritual roots, bear lasting fruit, and flourish exactly where God has planted you. SHOW NOTES: 413Podcast.com/394  Read the episode TRANSCRIPT in the show notes. Get my weekly email, Java with Jennifer, to be notified when a new podcast episode releases. Subscribe HERE.

In this rich and encouraging conversation, Shelley Giglio is joined by Christine Caine to talk about flourishing in a world that often feels heavy, chaotic, and hard. Inspired by Christine's new book, The Faith to Flourish, Shelley and Christine explore the biblical imagery of the olive tree and what it teaches us about being rooted in Christ, bearing lasting fruit, and thriving even in difficult places. Christine shares why this message feels so urgent for women right now, especially after years of disappointment, distraction, and spiritual fatigue. Together, she and Shelley talk about abiding in Jesus, resisting the false definitions of flourishing that culture offers, and building a life that can withstand suffering when it comes. They also have an honest and thoughtful conversation about healing, therapy, prayer, the role of the local church, and why deep roots in Jesus and His people matter more than ever. Christine reflects on her own story of trauma, healing, cancer, friendship, and faith, reminding listeners that flourishing doesn't mean life is easy — it means Jesus is enough in every season. This episode is a hopeful invitation to stop languishing, put down deeper roots in Christ, and become women who produce fruit, freedom, and shade for the people around us. The Grove is an extension of all God is doing at Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more, follow us on Instagram @pcc_thegrove or visit thegroveonline.com to get connected. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ambition can either drive you toward God's purpose—or quietly pull your heart away from it. But the wrong kind of ambition can quietly pull your heart away from God. In a culture that constantly tells us to achieve more, build more, and prove more, it's easy to confuse calling with striving. The Bible doesn't condemn ambition—but it does warn us about the danger of selfish ambition. In this episode, Christine Caine explores the powerful difference between godly ambition and selfish ambition, revealing how our motivations shape our leadership, our relationships, and our spiritual health. If you've ever wrestled with questions like: • Am I pursuing purpose—or just proving myself? • Is my drive coming from calling or insecurity? • How do I lead and succeed without losing my soul? This message will help you realign your ambition with the heart of God. ✨ What you'll learn: • The biblical difference between godly ambition and selfish ambition • How insecurity can quietly fuel unhealthy striving • Why true success in God's Kingdom is measured by love, not achievement • How to pursue your calling while staying rooted in humility and identity in Christ

What if where you are right now is exactly where God wants you? He hasn’t overlooked you; He’s set you apart. Learn how to stop comparing your position to someone else’s platform and start embracing the purpose God has for your life. If you’ve just made a decision for Christ, please respond HERE: ele.vc/tIepfr Scripture References:1 Corinthians 12, verses 12-271 Samuel 16, verses 1, 6-12See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.