Podcasts about Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 6 of Falls Creek 2026! This week's band is  Crescent City, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 6 of Falls Creek 2026! This week's band is  Crescent City, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 6 of Falls Creek 2026! This week's band is  Crescent City, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 6 of Falls Creek 2026! This week's band is  Crescent City, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 6 of Falls Creek 2026! This week's band is  Crescent City, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Born without arms, Daniel Ritchie, Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention, shares that life can be really hard, and circumstances will often disappoint. But Romans 15:13 points us to a God who is not just a giver of hope but the very source of it. Christian hope is not fragile or dependent on outcomes. It is grounded in the unshakeable reality that Jesus reigns and His story ends in victory. Joy is not a feeling tied to circumstances but a choice available to every believer. Peace comes through prayer and intentional practice, not through getting life to cooperate. God is not looking for polished, perfect people to use. He is looking for ordinary people who trust an extraordinary God and let His hope overflow into the world around them.

Daniel Ritchie teaches from Romans 15:1-7 in a message called "Believers are Builders." Daniel shares his own story of being born without arms, the father who fought for his life in the delivery room, and the student pastor who shared the gospel with him as a broken teenager. He reminds us that Jesus is the hero of our stories, not ourselves. From Romans 15, Daniel unpacks three truths: believers are builders who step into others' weakness, believers are built up by the Word of God for daily endurance, and believers live with Jesus as the hero of their lives. He challenges us to move beyond a once-a-week spiritual meal and to let Scripture shape how we respond to a discouraging world. When we are built up by God's Word, we have something to give to others.

Message from Daniel Ritchie on June 21, 2026

Special guest speaker Daniel Ritchie speaks from Romans 15:13

Special guest speaker Daniel Ritchie speaks from Romans 15:13

A sermon from 2 Corinthians 1:3-9 by Daniel Ritchie.

The Theology of Resilience: Trusting God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense with Daniel RitchieResilience isn’t just the ability to survive hardship…it’s the courage to believe that God is still good, purposeful, and present in the middle of it. Today’s guest embodies that truth in a powerful way. Daniel Ritchie was born without arms, something that, by the world’s standards, could have defined his limitations. But instead of allowing his circumstances to dictate his identity or future, Daniel has chosen a life marked by faith, joy, perseverance, and purpose.This conversation goes far beyond overcoming adversity. It’s about how emotional wounds can run deeper than physical ones, the power that is found through surrender, as well as rooting and anchoring our identity in Christ, and how weakness, when placed in God’s hands, can become a platform for His strength.Daniel is a longtime evangelist, speaker, author, and currently serves as First Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention. But at his core, he is a man who has learned to trust God deeply, even when life didn’t make sense.Links:Daniel’s Website: https://danielritchie.com/about-daniel/Pick up a Copy of My Affliction for His Glory: https://www.amazon.com/My-Affliction-His-Glory-Identity/dp/1683590821Pick up a copy of Endure: https://www.amazon.com/Endure-Building-Faith-Long-Run/dp/1683595416 About Daniel - Daniel Ritchie A post from DRITCH9 on Daniel Ritchie provided by: https://danielritchie.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

On today's program, the pastor of Arise Vineyard in California has resigned after old allegations resurfaced of inappropriate behavior. We'll have details. And, medical debt continues to be a growing burden for many American families—but churches are partnering to help pay it off. We'll take a look. Plus, a Baptist news publication is sued for defamation by a former college professor who says he was falsely accused of sexual abuse. But first, a Florida woman is charged for impersonating the father of a Camp Mystic victim to raise money through a GoFundMe page. The complaint identifies Maitlin White, who used Matthew Childress' name and his daughter's picture to start a GoFund Me campaign to raise money. Childress lost his daughter Chloe during the July 4 floods that swept through Camp Mystic last year, killing 27 campers and counselors. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Isaac Wood, Jessica Eturralde, Bob Smietana, Joseph Abboud, Kelly Van Duine—and you, Warren. A special thanks to Chimes, the student-run news publication for Biola University, for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, the Department of Justice is suing the founder of Life Surge, Joe Johnson, for his alleged part in a scheme to cheat the government out of over $46 million in taxes through abusive bargain sale transactions. We'll take a look. And, a new report reveals the final moments of missionaries Alex and Serena Wurm before their plane crashed on a trip to deliver aid to Jamaica. We'll have details. Plus, two reports that detail reasons for cautious optimism. One shows that the decline of religion in America has stalled. Another, that Christian giving in America is on the rebound. But first, abuse lawsuits are piling up against Pastor Greg Laurie and his Harvest Christian Fellowship, bringing the total number of lawsuits to 12. The original lawsuit was filed in September by two men claiming that Paul Havsgaard abused them at a children's shelter in Bucharest, Romania. Allegations include children being tied to radiators, being made to kneel down on walnut shells, being touched inappropriately, and being “pimped out” for sex. The number of litigants has now risen to 12. The law firm representing the survivors said in a news release in September that it expects 23 former residents of the children's home to bring complaints. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Daniel Ritchie, Isaac Wood, Bob Smietana, Jessica Eturralde, and Makella Knowles. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, Duluth Vineyard cleared Interim Pastor John Kliewer of misconduct after an investigation found him innocent…but his wife is crying foul, saying Kliewer was forced to sign an NDA as part of his settlement agreement. We'll have details. And, a look at where the My Faith Votes is today a year after its former CEO Jason Yates was charged with the possession of child sexual abuse materials. Plus, another next installment in our occasional series on radical generosity. But first, the Anglican Church in North America has suspended Archbishop Steve Wood after more than 140 clergy signed an open letter calling for his inhibition.  The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kathryn Post, Kim Roberts, Isaac Wood, Stacey Horton, Daniel Ritchie, Marci Seither, Tony Mator, and Christina Darnell. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, an Oklahoma pastor was fired after reporting missing church funds—this, despite the fact that he followed denominational rules in raising his concerns. Now, his bishop has been arrested for embezzlement. We'll take a look.  And, Gen Z is bringing a new paradigm to traditional missions.  A new report examines what they value—and what they don't. We'll have details. Plus, churches and ministries are working to fill in the gap as SNAP benefits continue to be unpredictable amid the government shutdown. But first, ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood is taking a leave of absence amid allegations of sexual misconduct. Archbishop Steve Wood, who heads the Anglican Church in North America, is taking a voluntary leave of absence in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment, bullying and plagiarism. Those allegations will be investigated by a 10-person Board of Inquiry, made up of ACNA clergy and laypeople, that will assess whether there are reasonable grounds to initiate a church trial. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kathryn Post, Bob Smietana, Tony Mator, Kim Roberts, Shannon Cuthrell, Cheryl Mann Bacon, Daniel Ritchie, Aaron Earls, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to The Christian Chronicle and Lifeway Research for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. Its sister ministry, Samaritan's Purse, joined soon after. Now, both ministries have voluntarily resigned due to a newly added leadership requirement. We'll have details. And, pro-life ministries continue to adjust to a post-Roe world. MinistryWatch senior reporter Kim Roberts took a deep dive into where the pro-life movement stands now. Plus, the Church of England names its first female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally. The appointment was ratified by King Charles III last week. But first, Tony Evans will not be returning to lead his Dallas megachurch after completing a year-long restoration process due to an undisclosed sin.  The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Adelle Banks, Kim Roberts, Isaac Wood, Greg Teffertiller, Daniel Ritchie, Tony Mator, Danika Kirka, Brian Melley, Yonat Shimron, Barry Bowen, Makella Knowles, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to The Trinity Foundation for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, an investigation dug into abuse allegations at IHOP-KC—and now a pastoral team charged with making recommendations based on that investigation has determined Mike Bickle is ‘permanently disqualified' from church office. We'll take a look. And, a sexual abuse lawsuit against the missionary agency Ethnos360 has been dismissed. Plus, remembering Voddie Baucham, who passed away last week. But first, Camp Mystic has announced plans to partially reopen next summer—and not everyone is happy about it. Camp Mystic, a Christian girls camp where 27 campers and counselors died in the July 4 flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas, has said it plans to host camps next summer. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Greg Teffertiller, Daniel Ritchie, Isaac Wood, Bob Smietana, Makella Knowles, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Christian Index for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, St. Andrew's Chapel in Sanford, Florida, has refused to reveal the salaries of its pastors—even to its own board of elders. But a new whistleblower report shows that at least three of its pastors receive compensation that's raising eyebrows. We'll take a look. Plus, the use of celebrities to promote causes is not new—but ministries are increasingly turning to social media influencers to tout their missions. We look at their uses—and misuses—plus cautions to consider. And, former SBC professor David Sills drops his defamation suit against the late Jennifer Lyell, who accused him of sexual abuse before her death this summer. Meanwhile, other SBC-related defendants in the case are seeking summary judgment. Finally, we'll have an update on the health of popular speaker Christopher Yuan, who was injured in an accident this week. But first, military chaplains are attempting to leave the Anglican Church in North America en masse.  The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Tony Mator, Diana Chandler, Bob Smietana, Adelle Banks—and you, Warren. A special thanks to Baptist Press for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, an anti-trafficking group based in North Carolina is being accused of exploiting the very women it is supposed to be helping. We'll take a look. And, World Vision's CEO discusses humanitarian work in a post USAID world. We'll have details. Plus, factors that are forcing pastors to quit the ministry. But first, eight leaders at the House of Prayer Christian Church in Georgia have been indicted for fraud and tax charges for defrauding banks through real estate schemes and funneling veterans' benefits to its seminary. The indictment, unsealed on September 10, revealed that eight men associated with the church were charged with various crimes, including conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and assisting in filing a false tax return. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Makella Knowles, Tony Mator, Stacey Horton, Fiona André, Kenzie James, Aaron Earls—and you, Warren. A special thanks to The Christian Chronicle and Lifeway Research for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, the Assemblies of God South Texas Ministry Network has discovered financial misconduct among its ranks. This is the same Assemblies of God network plagued by Chi Alpha sexual abuse scandals. We'll have details. And, a ministry helping Christians escape ‘high control' churches…the group encourages believers to rebuild—not deconstruct—their faith. Plus, the American Bible Society is issuing thousands of dollars in grants to Christian colleges to fund the development of an A-I assistant and YouTube shows—all to boost Gen Z engagement with the Bible. But first, a Christian school in Tennessee has demoted its newly hired principal after parents discovered he had left his former school for hiring a convicted sex offender to work on school grounds. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Stacey Horton, Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Jessica Eturralde, Tony Mator, Bob Smietana, Isaac Wood, and Adelle Banks. Until next time, may God bless you.

About Daniel Daniel is a speaker, author and the Vice President of the Southern Baptist Convention. He is husband to Heather and daddy to two. About the Episode Join Becky Davidson as she sits down with Daniel Ritchie, a motivational speaker and author, to explore his incredible journey of overcoming adversity. Born without arms, Daniel shares his birth story, the challenges he faced growing up, and how his faith played a pivotal role in his life. Discover how Daniel's unique perspective on disability and faith inspires others to find purpose and joy in their own stories. Related Links Story of Daniel's Life Extraordinary Legacy Small Group study X - @DanielRitchie   Author of "My Affliction for His Glory" and "Endure." Visit danielritchie.com for more insights and resources.   Moment of Reflection: “Where in my parenting journey have I seen unexpected beauty grow out of hardship?”

On today's program, David E. Taylor—the self-appointed apostle of Kingdom of God Global Church and head of Joshua Media Ministries—was arrested this week for forced labor and money laundering. If convicted, he could face more than 20 years in prison. We'll have details. And, a Kentucky church has encouraged their members to check books out of their local library, and not return them—ever. The books, many of them geared toward children, promote LGBTQ lifestyles, and the church is framing the thefts as an act of civil disobedience. We'll take a look. Plus, Dauphin Way Baptist Church used to be the largest Baptist church in Alabama. Now, it is selling its property and plans to downsize. But first, a PCA church in Newport Beach, California, is reeling after one of its elders was arrested for sexual assault. Redeemer Church of Orange County in Newport Beach, California, a 325-member congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), informed its congregation last week that one of its elders, Michael Maxwell, had been arrested by Irvine police for sexual crimes against a minor.  The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Yonat Shimron, Mark Wingfield, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Baptist News Global for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

In this episode, evangelist Daniel Ritchie shares his life story of being born without arms, and provides encouragement for finding contentment in every circumstance.

On today's program, a former employee sues Liberty University, claiming she was given heavier work loads, less pay, and was passed over for promotions. In the end, she claims she was fired for being a whistleblower. We'll have details. Plus, email scams are targeting churches…in some cases, scammers pose as pastors seeking donations. How can churches and members protect themselves? We take a look. Also, the Southern Baptist Convention launches a new abuse helpline. We'll also have a remembrance of Dr. James Dobson, who died on Thursday. First, a lawsuit leveled against Grand Canyon Education has been dropped. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Daniel Ritchie, Yonat Shimron, Isaac Wood, Jessica Eturralde, Laura Erlanson, and Aaron Earls. A special thanks to Lifeway Research and Baptist Press for contributing material for this week's podcast.   MANUSCRIPT:   FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Christina: And I'm Christina Darnell, in for Natasha Cowden this week, and we'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today's program, a former employee sues Liberty University, claiming she was given heavier work loads, less pay, and was passed over for promotions. In the end, she claims she was fired for being a whistleblower. We'll have details. Plus, email scams are targeting churches…in some cases, scammers pose as pastors seeking donations. How can churches and members protect themselves? We take a look. And, the Southern Baptist Convention launches a new abuse helpline. We'll also have a remembrance of Dr. James Dobson, who died on Thursday. Christina: But first, a lawsuit leveled against Grand Canyon Education has been dropped. Warren: The Federal Trade Commission first brought the lawsuit during the Biden Administration, claiming Grand Canyon Education—which is the for-profit marketing arm of Grand Canyon University—misled prospective students about how much it would cost to complete their doctoral programs. Christina: Also, in November, Grand Canyon secured another victory after the court found that the Education Department had used the wrong standard when it denied the university's application for nonprofit status in 2019. All that led to last week, when the Federal Trade Commission formally dismissed their case. Warren: That's right. In a statement, the F-T-C said the case presented “consumers very little upside relative to the cost of pursuing it to completion, especially given the developments chronicled above.” They said it would be “imprudent to continue expending Commission resources on a lost cause.” Christina: Grand Canyon Education praised the decision. Warren: They did. Grand Canyon University President Brian Mueller—who is also president of Grand Canyon Education—says the accusations against them have always been false. Christina: Still, Grand Canyon University isn't out of the woods yet. A civil case brought by former doctoral students is still ongoing in federal court. Warren: In June 2024, Tanner Smith and Qimin Wang are two plaintiffs—both former students who claim they were lied to about the cost of the doctoral programs. They say they were both required to take continuation courses that added over $8,000 to the cost of their degree programs. Christina: Our next story takes us to Liberty University, who is facing a discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuit from a former employee. Warren: Erika Woolfolk, a black woman, worked as a civil rights investigator in Liberty's Office of Equity and Compliance for Title IX. She is a graduate of the school and worked there from 2014 to 2024. She filed a lawsuit on August 12,

On today's program, World Vision prevails in court after it was sued for discrimination. The ruling protects the ministry's right to hire based on its religious beliefs. We'll have details. And, a seminary professor accused of sexual misconduct resigned from Concordia Seminary, and is now hired by an independent seminary…raising questions about what background and reference checks seminaries conduct in its hiring process. Plus, a new study shows that Americans' trust in the church is rebounding—slightly—after dropping to an all-time low in recent years. We'll take a look. But first, a pro-life clinic in Colorado has been cleared by the court to continue offering abortion pill reversal treatments. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Makella Knowles, Christin Fejervary, Aaron Earls—and you, Warren. A special thanks to Lifeway Research and The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, a third prosecutor has been appointed in the trial of Anglican Church in North America Bishop Stewart Ruch after the first two resigned. The Bishop is on trial with the denomination for welcoming abusers into the church, and minimizing the needs of abuse survivors. A North Carolina church was the victim of an online scam that stole nearly $800 thousand from their new building fund. That was two years ago—we'll look at where the church is now. Plus, Brent Leatherwood resigns from the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, just one year after being fired…then unfired. Leatherwood led the agency for four contentious years. We'll have details. First, the defense attorney in a lawsuit involving T.D. Jakes has been sanctioned by the court for using artificial intelligence in the preparation of court documents. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Kathryn Post, Daniel Ritchie, Bob Smietana, Katie Ruth Bowes, and Isaac Wood. A special thanks to the Biblical Recorder and The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT:    FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Christina: And I'm Christina Darnell, in for Natasha Cowden this week, and we'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today's program, a third prosecutor has been appointed in the trial of Anglican Church in North America Bishop Stewart Ruch after the first two resigned. The Bishop is on trial with the denomination for welcoming abusers into the church, and minimizing the needs of abuse survivors. And, a North Carolina church was the victim of an online scam that stole nearly $800 thousand from their new building fund. That was two years ago—we'll look at where the church is now. Plus, Brent Leatherwood resigns from the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, just one year after being fired…then unfired. Leatherwood led the agency for four contentious years. We'll have details. Christina: But first, the defense attorney in a lawsuit involving T.D. Jakes has been sanctioned by the court for using artificial intelligence in the preparation of court documents. Warren: The attorney is Tyrone Blackburn, and he was defending Duane Youngblood in a defamation lawsuit filed by TD Jakes. Blackburn has been sanctioned by a federal court because he presented documents that contained material fabricated by artificial intelligence. U.S. District Court Judge William Stickman ordered Blackburn to pay over $76-thousand in fees to cover expenses Jakes had to pay to defend himself against the “AI-generated hallucinations and other misrepresentations in Defendant's motion to dismiss briefing.” Christina: Last year, Duane Youngblood accused Jakes of attempted sexual assault. Jakes has maintained his innocence and filed a defamation lawsuit against Youngblood in November 2024. Jakes noted that Youngblood is on parole after felony convictions for sexual assault and corruption of minors. Warren: According to a statement provided to Dallas Morning News, Blackburn said he purchased an A-I program because he doesn't employ paralegals and most of his current clients are pro bono. The A-I program generated its own legal prompts and motions, and contained false quotes and case law. Before he could fix the A-I generated errors, Youngblood asked him to leave the case. Christina: But the judge essentially told him that wasn't an excuse—that he was fully responsible for the accuracy of his legal briefs, regardless of who—or what—contributed to it. It was Blackburn's signature on the document. Warren: Right.

On today's program, conservative leader Jason Yates, who was the former CEO of My Faith Votes, has pleaded guilty to the possession of child sexual abuse material. We'll have details. President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill…school choice advocates welcome a provision in the bill that includes a private school tax credit…but the impact on Christian education remains uncertain. We'll take a look. Plus, The King's College in New York City. After years of financial woes and false restarts, the school has shut down—for good, this time. First, a Texas court says a lawsuit against Bill Gothard and the Institute for Basic Life Principles can move forward. The Texas Supreme Court ruled on June 27 that a lawsuit against the Institute for Basic Life Principles (IBLP) and its founder Bill Gothard could continue, despite the defendants' petition to dismiss the lawsuit under the First Amendment and the Ecclesiastical Abstention Doctrine. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Isaac Wood, Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Tony Mator, Kathryn Post, Clemente Lisi, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to the Religion UnPlugged for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

This week Heights welcomes Daniel Ritchie. Daniel is an evangelist who travels throughout the country sharing the Good News of Jesus. Hear Daniel's story, and a message from John chapter 9.Welcome to Heights Baptist Church! Our mission is to love and to lead all people to a new life with Christ.Digital Connect Card: https://www.heightschurch.org/connectTo watch services online: https://www.heightschurch.org/mediaTo give online: https://www.heightschurch.org/give

Welcome to week 3 of Falls Creek 2025! This week's band is So We May, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 3 of Falls Creek 2025! This week's band is So We May, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 3 of Falls Creek 2025! This week's band is So We May, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 3 of Falls Creek 2025! This week's band is So We May, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

Welcome to week 3 of Falls Creek 2025! This week's band is So We May, and the camp speaker is Daniel Ritchie

It was a great Sunday at Generations Church as we heard from special guest speaker, Daniel Ritchie. Check out this message as he shares his personal testimony and how God is still working and moving today.

On today's program, an independent investigation into the International House of Prayer in Kansas City and its founder Mike Bickle was released this week…finding 17 cases of abuse leveled against him. Samaritan's Purse dodges the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid. Other ministries—especially those working to resettle refugees—aren't faring as well, however…many face furloughs as they scramble to support the thousands of refugees already in the United States depending on them for rent and basic necessities. We'll take a look. And, the 50 largest relief and development ministries in the MinistryWatch database. But first, Church of the Highlands founding pastor Chris Hodges announced Sunday that he is stepping down as lead pastor. Hodges planted Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2001, and has seen explosive growth in its 24 years. According to Outreach 100, about 60,000 congregants attend the worship services on a given weekend, making it the second largest church in the nation in attendance. Hodges made his announcement Sunday (Feb. 2), the same day the church celebrated its 24th anniversary. Hodges said Mark Pettus will step into the role of lead pastor, and he will take on the role as founding pastor. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Daniel Ritchie, Kathryn Post, Bob Smietana, Mark Wingfield, Tony Mator, Jack Jenkins, Aleja Hertzler-McCain, Adelle Banks, Kim Roberts, Mark Kellner, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Baptist News Global and the Baptist Paper for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT:  FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I'm Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, and we'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today's program, an independent investigation into the International House of Prayer in Kansas City and its founder Mike Bickle was released this week…finding 17 cases of abuse leveled against him. Samaritan's Purse dodges the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid. Other ministries—especially those working to resettle refugees—aren't faring as well, however…many face furloughs as they scramble to support the thousands of refugees already in the United States depending on them for rent and basic necessities. We'll take a look. And, the 50 largest relief and development ministries in the MinistryWatch database. Natasha: But first, Church of the Highlands founding pastor Chris Hodges announced Sunday that he is stepping down as lead pastor. Warren: Hodges planted Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2001, and has seen explosive growth in its 24 years. According to Outreach 100, about 60,000 congregants attend the worship services on a given weekend, making it the second largest church in the nation in attendance. Hodges made his announcement Sunday (Feb. 2), the same day the church celebrated its 24th anniversary. Hodges said Mark Pettus will step into the role of lead pastor, and he will take on the role as founding pastor. Natasha: What does he plan to do next? Warren: Hodges said he would increase his efforts at Highlands College as chancellor. Hodges said he's not retiring, and he's not burned out, but he has reached a state in life in which he wants to empower other leaders. Natasha: Next, the report is out, detailing abuse by IHOP KC founder, Mike Bickle. Warren: Mike Bickle, the influential founder of the International House of Prayer, a global missionary group, committed sexual abuse or misconduct involving at least 17 survivors, according to an independent report released Monday (Feb. 3).

Federal employees have until Thursday to resign voluntarily. There are 40,000 U.S. government workers in Colorado. Tom Temin, the host of the Federal Drive and columnist for the Federal News Network, an outlet for government workers, joins us. Then, what do Colorado voters think about the Trump presidency so far? Plus, remembering Daniel Ritchie, a steward of arts and education known as the "Cowboy Chancellor." Later, State Sen. Iman Jodeh breaks down stereotypes about the hijab. And go for another ride in the Great Dale House Car. 

On today's program, Orange—a church curriculum publisher who faced its share of scandal last year—announces plans to merge with another organization. We'll have details. Also, an Atlanta Church gives $100 million to missions. We'll take a look. And, Sean Feucht Ministries' transparency grade drops to an “F”—and its Donor Confidence Score plunges to a 21…out of 100. But first, Grace Community Church responds to rumors that pastor John MacArthur is on the verge of death. California megachurch pastor and author John MacArthur remains in the hospital undergoing tests as he recovers from a difficult year of health issues, including a heart-valve replacement. On Sunday, Grace Community Church elder updated the congregation, where MacArthur has pastored since 1969. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Daniel Ritchie, Kim Roberts, Marci Seither, Shannon Cuthrell, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to The NonProfit Times and Generous Giving for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

Welcome to our Sunday Service! We pray that this is a blessing for you. Feel free to like, share, and comment on this post - how has the Lord been working in your life this week? _____________________________ To learn more about The Tabernacle, check out our website and follow us on our social media platforms!Visit our website:www.thetabernaclefamily.orgConnect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thetabernaclefamilyCheck out our YouTube channel at:  www.youtube.com/@tabdanva  

Born without arms, Daniel Ritchie explains how he found peace and contentment.

Born without arms, Daniel Ritchie explains how he found peace and contentment.

On today's program, longtime pastor Steve Lawson was removed as pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Dallas over an ‘inappropriate relationship' with a woman...now, ministries are dropping the author and teaching fellow as ripples of his affair spread. We'll take a look. And, devastated families share stories of being cut off by adult children involved in The Network—an association of churches started by Steve Morgan. We'll have details. Plus, two prominent pastors announce their plans for retirement. But first, Fuller Seminary Professor Vince Bantu is being accused of a secret second marriage. Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, the denominational seminary for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), acknowledged that former professor Vince Bantu engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student during his tenure there. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Jessica Eturralde, Tony Mator, Mallory Challis, G. Jeffrey MacDonald, Daniel Ritchie, Marci Seither, Aaron Earls, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Baptist News Global for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT   FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I'm Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today's program, longtime pastor Steve Lawson was removed as pastor of Trinity Bible Church in Dallas over an ‘inappropriate relationship' with a woman...now, ministries are dropping the author and teaching fellow as ripples of his affair spread. We'll take a look. And, devastated families share stories of being cut off by adult children involved in The Network—an association of churches started by Steve Morgan. We'll have details. Plus, two prominent pastors announce their plans for retirement. Natasha: But first, Fuller Seminary Professor Vince Bantu is being accused of a secret second marriage. Warren: Covenant Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, the denominational seminary for the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), acknowledged that former professor Vince Bantu engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student during his tenure there. The incident arose because of an investigative article published in Christianity Today about Bantu's alleged secret marriage. Covenant said after the student filed a Title IX complaint against Bantu, the seminary confronted him, he confessed to the relationship, and he resigned from his position in 2018. Natasha: But he didn't stop teaching. Warren: That's right, Bantu joined the faculty of Fuller Seminary in 2019 as an associate professor of church history and black church studies. Covenant said they were contacted by Fuller about the reason for his departure and they “shared with Fuller Seminary all the details of what had happened in 2018. Natasha: He doesn't just teach at Fuller, he's also a pastor. Warren: Bantu left his co-pastoring position at Outpour Community Church shortly after the Covenant complaint, and founded a new church, Beloved Community Church. He also began meeting with two other pastors as part of an accountability group. Those pastors, Darren Young and Thurman Williams, met with Bantu regularly to provide moral support and mutual discipleship. Young and Williams told CT about Bantu's alleged secret marriage to a second wife based on conversations with him during accountability meetings. They said he argued that one way for him to avoid sexual temptation was to marry multiple women. Natasha: Is Fuller doing anything about these allegations? Warren: General Counsel Lance Griffin said in a statement.

MRO Chapel from Darlington Raceway on September 1, 2024 with guest speaker Daniel Ritchie.

On today's program, after a slew of controversies, Southern Baptists chose a low-key leader. We take a closer look at new SBC President Clint Pressley. And, Pastors and politics—legally, what are churches and other Christian nonprofits allowed to do when it comes to this year's presidential campaign? We also highlight the results are in from our summer survey of top ministry executives. They tell us their biggest challenges—and hopes for the future. But first, a former youth volunteer for Vineyard Church in Anaheim, California, has been sentenced to more than 120 years in prison. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh.  We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Jessica Eturralde, Daniel Ritchie, Kim Roberts, Tiffany Stanley, Yonat Shimron, Anna Piela, and Brittany Smith. A special thanks to the National Association of Evangelicals for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.   FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha: And I'm Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado. And we'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today's program, after a slew of controversies, Southern Baptists chose a low-key leader. We take a closer look at new S-B-C President Clint Pressley. And, Pastors and politics—legally, what are churches and other Christian nonprofits allowed to do when it comes to this year's presidential campaign? And, the results are in from our summer survey of top ministry executives. They tell us their biggest challenges—and hopes for the future. Natasha But first, a former youth volunteer for Vineyard Church in Anaheim, California, has been sentenced to more than 120 years in prison. Warren: Todd Christian Hartman, 41, has been sentenced to 125 years to life for collecting and creating child pornography materials and molesting four girls between the years 2009 and 2014. In 2015, investigators found hundreds of child pornography images and videos in Hartman's Newport Beach home. Federal agents arrested Hartman on child pornography charges, but the case collapsed after a judge ruled he was not informed of his Miranda rights at the time of his arrest. Natasha: What happened next? Warren: In 2016, Hartman contacted the father of two of his victims and admitted to repeatedly molesting one of them after meeting through his volunteer work at the Anaheim Vineyard Church children's ministry, starting when the girl was 6 years old. Hartman was also convicted of molesting the girl's younger sister and molesting a 14-year-old girl and 12-year-old girl at a sleepover in 2009. Natasha: How did the church respond? Warren: MinistryWatch contacted the Dwelling Place to inquire about Vineyard's handling of the employee's concerns, including whether or not church leadership was informed. We have not yet heard back at the time of publication. Natasha: Let's move to our next story Warren: A Colorado man has been sentenced to at least eight years in prison for sexually abusing a child, with the possibility of life behind bars. Michael Paustian, age 53, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a child from a position of trust for a victim under the age of 15. He also pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a child. Both are class 3 felonies. Natasha: Was he connected to a ministry? Warren: Paustian was employed by Group Publishing as the company's creative director. Group Publishing is widely known for publishing curriculum used by churches. He'd began working at Group Publishing in 2005, and informed “company leaders in 2023 that he was being accused of incidents that allegedly happened in his home 18 years ago, not related to his work at Group.”

On today's program, Village Church Pastor Matt Chandler is under fire after his church hired a man who, in the past, was convicted of child sexual abuse. That man was his father. We'll take a look. Also, Robert Morris—the Gateway Church pastor accused of abusing a young girl starting when she was 12 years old—is having his radio and tv programs canceled…and is receiving no severance after resigning from his posts. We'll have details. And, the closure of another Christian college—the Florida campus of Johnson University is shutting down after low enrollment made it no longer sustainable. But first, former Christian billionaire Bill Hwang—once one of the wealthiest evangelicals in the U.S., celebrated as part of a “new evangelical donor-class”—he now faces the possibility of life behind bars. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh.  We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Tony Mator, Kathryn Post, Kim Roberts, Bob Smietana, Jessica Eturralde, Daniel Ritchie, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to Baptist Press for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, a South Carolina church is facing fallout after it became known that its pastor is a registered sex offender for abusing a minor. Leaders knew when they hired him, but didn't alert members. We'll have details. And, years ago a handful of Dallas-area churches that started as multi-site campuses of The Village Church transitioned to becoming independent churches as part of a church-planting initiative. We checked in to see how they are doing. Plus, another Christian university is shuttering its doors due to financial hardship. We'll take a look. But first, a technology company has acquired two sister websites from Christianity Today. Gloo, a technology company that is behind the famous “He Gets Us” campaign has acquired two sister news sites from Christianity Today: Church Law & Tax and ChurchSalary. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh.  We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Daniel Ritchie, Bob Smietana, Samuel Heard, Jessica Eturralde, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell. A special thanks to the Biblical Recorder for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.

On today's program, the Southern Baptist Convention's Abuse Reform Task Force will be ending next week…without any names on its website of pastors credibly accused of abuse…and with no clear path forward. We'll take a look. And, Salem Media Group pulls Dinesh D'Souza's movie ‘2000 Mules' from all its streaming platforms. We'll have details. Plus, a Texas United Methodist megachurch announces it will continue to NOT host same-sex weddings at its facilities. This, despite the denomination's ruling last month that lifted the ban on LGBTQ clergy and weddings. But first, another former Kanakuk Kamp staffer has been arrested for child sexual assault. 46-year-old Matthew Harmon was arrested on May 28, 2024. Harmon was wanted for the sexual assault of a child in 2007 when he was a teacher and coach at the Providence School in Dallas. He turned himself in to the Dallas County jail, the police department told MinistryWatch. Harmon worked summer camps at Kanakuk in Durango, Colorado, and Kanakuk in Branson, Missouri, beginning in 1995 through the mid-2000s. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh.  We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Brittany Smith, Bob Smietana, Yonat Shimron, Adelle Banks, Daniel Ritchie, Bethany Starin, Jeffrey Walton, Jessica Eturralde, and Robyn Spradlin. A special thanks to The Institute on Religion & Democracy for contributing material for this week's podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.