Podcasts about volunteers

From the hills of Clare to the heart of a war zone, one local man has just returned from three weeks on the front line in Ukraine. Adventurer and charity advocate Declan McEvoy has been volunteering with Hell's Kitchen, a volunteer-led operation based in the eastern city of Kharkiv, just 20 kilometres from the fighting. Declan McEvoy joined Sally-Ann Barrett live in studio to discuss his recent journey to the front lines. Image (c) Clare FM

Visit www.joniradio.org to volunteer at a Family Retreat today! --------Thank you for listening! Your support of Joni and Friends helps make this show possible. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Become part of the global movement today at www.joniandfriends.org. Find more encouragement on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.

Pastor: Josh Bonzelaar Series: The Gospel Of Luke: Spirit Led Jesus (2) Title: Nothing is Impossible With God (Luke 1:26-33) Date: 2026.02.14+15   LINKS:

Your Allied Rapid Response for Santa Cruz County, or YARR, is expanding its volunteer network and training schedule. And, the California Fish and Game Commission has designated many of the state's mountain lions as threatened.

33-year-old Mikael Kingsbury is officially Team Canada’s first gold medallist after placing first in men’s dual moguls; thousands of volunteers are behind every medal ceremony, event, and more. Many travel from around the world to take part in volunteering; some Canadian tourists are choosing to take their cash elsewhere due to Cuba’s energy crisis; and more.

Send a textIn this episode, Col Andy Taylor and Rev Paul Roberts take a springtime visit to Peterchurch in the Golden Valley on Herefordshire's western border with Wales.  Standing in the corner of the churchyard, they spot the grave of a Victoria Cross winner and explore the story of Robert Jones VC of the South Wales Borderers.  They uncover the story of how Pte Jones won this highest of all gallantry awards at the Battle of Rorkes Drift in 1879, his depiction in the 1964 film Zulu, and his later life in Peterchurch after leaving the army, including his tragic death. A warning that this episode does feature the topic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and suicide.A little later, in the nearby Boughton Arms, Andy and Paul discuss the importance of war memorials in town and village life - from the time of Robert Jones when the ordinary soldier was unlikely to be memorialised, through the Second Boer War and the First World War when such memorials became an essential focus for individual and communal grief.  The poem "Drummer Hodge" by Thomas Hardy gets a mention, along with the temporary cenotaph set up in High Town, its eventual permanent replacement in St Peter's Square, Hereford, along with a number of other local war memorials which were installed in the county between 1919 and 1926.  Kings Pyon, Walford, Staunton-on-Wye and Tupsley all get a mention, and the commissioning of the hymn "O Valiant Hearts", first sung at the unveiling of Bodenham War Memorial is explored... with perhaps a promise of a later episde.Support the showIf you like what you hear, don't forget to like and subscribe to help us reach a wider audience. Visit our website - Herefordshire Light Infantry Museum; follow us on Facebook Herefordshire Regimental Museum | Facebook or visit our Youtube channel Herefordshire Regimental Museum - YouTube.Support the Museum? Become a Patreon supporter or a Become a FriendTheme Tune - The Lincolnshire Poacher, performed by the outstanding Haverhill Silver Band. This podcast generously supported by the Army Museums Ogilby Trust.

This week on Gun For Hire Radio… Dan Schmutter joins us with the current status and his opinions on our Second Amendment cases including Sensitive Places, Standard Capacity Magazines, & “Evil Features” on AR’s! Dan also recategorizes the crime of a Domestic Ponzi Scheme to its proper criminal definition “Domestic Embezzlement” and you or a loved one may be entitled to compensation. Please Listen, Learn, Like, Follow, Share, & Volunteer. The post The Gun For Hire Radio Broadcast: Episode 769 appeared first on Best Gun Range NYC and NJ Area | Gun Range Near Me.

Tune in this week to hear Peter Floyd, Chief Digital Officer at the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers, as he shares a practical and people-focused approach to making cyber security everyone's business. He explains why most cyber risk comes from everyday behaviours—not technology—and how organisations can lift awareness and capability across the workforce without extra budget or heavy technical language. Through real examples, Peter shows how short, engaging communications, humour, and simple behavioural nudges can dramatically improve cyber awareness and reduce risk. The episode offers clear, relatable lessons for public sector leaders looking to build a stronger security culture by meeting people where they are and making cyber relevant to their daily work and lives. Peter Floyd, Chief Digital Officer, Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co  

In this episode of The Christian Book Club Show, host Matt McChlery interviews author Lucy Marfleet about her book 'Telling the Big Story, the Bible in 60 Minutes.' They discuss the importance of understanding the whole narrative of the Bible, the inspiration behind the book, and how it serves as a resource for churches and groups to engage with Scripture. Lucy shares insights on planning inclusive events, managing volunteers, and the creative elements included in her book. The conversation also touches on personal faith, the influence of the Holy Spirit, and Lucy's future writing projects. Links Help keep this podcast on the web by simply buying me a coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattmcchlery Sponsor an episode of this podcast Click for Advertising info Visit Matt McChlery's website mattmcchlery.com Visit Lucy Marfleet's website lucymarfleet.com Takeaways The Bible is a love letter from God. Understanding the whole story of Scripture is essential. Involving all ages and abilities in church events is crucial. The book serves as a practical guide for churches. Planning and preparation are key to successful events. Volunteers play a vital role in executing church activities. Creativity can enhance engagement with Scripture. The Holy Spirit's influence is a constant in our lives. Lucy aims to make the Bible accessible and exciting. Future projects will explore fun aspects of the Bible.  Sound Bites "I'm obsessed with the Bible." "Everyone can take part in a sense." "Watch this space for more books." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Show and Guest 00:49 Exploring 'Telling the Big Story' Book 06:20 The Inspiration Behind the Book 09:48 Content and Structure of the Book 12:19 Planning and Involvement in Events 15:16 Volunteer Management and Event Execution 18:58 Getting to Know the Author 26:56 The Holy Spirit's Influence in Life 29:59 Where to Find the Book and Author's Future Projects

In this episode, I'm joined by my wife Eileen Opatut, a volunteer fundraiser who landed a yes on her first major ask! Together, we break down what actually works and walk through the real mechanics of successful fundraising.

Larry Sharpe returns to dismantle the NY GOP's culture of losing with a fusion voting strategy that weaponizes state matching funds to eliminate property taxes and bring nuclear power to the Empire State. Larry Sharpe, candidate for New York Governor, joins Brian Nichols to reveal his "Fusion Voting" strategy to break the Democrat stronghold and why the NY GOP's "weak resistance" results in a 24-year losing streak. Larry explains how running on the Republican, Conservative, and Libertarian lines simultaneously allows him to bypass the "spoiler" effect while weaponizing New York's matching funds system to finance a liberty-focused revolution. He breaks down the failure of the current establishment to address the exodus of residents and details why the "Red Team, Blue Team" mindset is destroying the Empire State. We expose the reality of New York's broken political machine and how Larry plans to use a Sovereign Wealth Fund to eliminate school property taxes overnight. You need to hear this blueprint for decentralizing education, rejecting federal funding to fire bloat-heavy administrators, and empowering local communities with 50% ownership of new nuclear power plants. This isn't just a campaign speech; it's a tactical guide on how to dismantle a one-party state from the inside out using actual policy solutions rather than empty rhetoric. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:47 - The 24-Year GOP Losing Streak 4:33 - Fusion Voting Explained 6:22 - Exploiting State Matching Funds 9:00 - The "Tipping Point" for Victory 11:06 - Why Elise Stefanik Refused to Run 14:49 - Gov. Hochul: "Get on a Bus to Florida" 16:02 - The GOP Establishment Hates Me 22:30 - The Sovereign Fund Solution 23:32 - Eliminating School Property Taxes 26:12 - Nuclear Power & Local Ownership 31:38 - The "One in Six" Voter Problem 35:36 - Politicians Stealing Larry's Ideas 36:40 - How to Help (Volunteer & Donate) Studio Sponsor: Cardio Miracle - "Unlock the secret to a healthier heart, increased energy levels, and transform your cardiovascular fitness like never before.": CardioMiracle.com/TBNS Links Section Larry Sharpe's Website & Volunteer: larrysharpe.com ❤️ Order Cardio Miracle (CardioMiracle.com/TBNS) for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being!

Livestream with Jonathan MS Pearce where we talk to an American fighter training in Ukraine to fight against the Russians. His unit Revanche is fundraising for equipment through Dzyga's Paw.Donate to help out:https://dzygaspaw.com/signal-revanche?project=Revanchehttps://dzygaspaw.com/projects----------SILICON CURTAIN LIVE EVENTS - FUNDRAISER CAMPAIGN Events in 2025 - Advocacy for a Ukrainian victory with Silicon Curtainhttps://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasOur events of the first half of the year in Lviv, Kyiv and Odesa were a huge success. Now we need to maintain this momentum, and change the tide towards a Ukrainian victory. The Silicon Curtain Roadshow is an ambitious campaign to run a minimum of 12 events in 2025, and potentially many more. Any support you can provide for the fundraising campaign would be gratefully appreciated. https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extrasWe need to scale up our support for Ukraine, and these events are designed to have a major impact. Your support in making it happen is greatly appreciated. All events will be recorded professionally and published for free on the Silicon Curtain channel. Where possible, we will also live-stream events.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyslhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/-----------

Phillip Dukes of "The Scoop with Dukes" looks at Auburn as things begin to come together under Alex Golesh. Chuck and Heath discuss LaNorris Sellers unique status as one of just five QBs from the class of 23's top 35 to still be with his program, and the only one with three OCs in that time. Jon Reed of Fox Sports Knoxville analyzes Tennessee and Joey Aguilar's hopes of continued eligibility.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, I chat with Mandy Hinson from St John's Community Services about the services provided by the organization, as well as the as a budding new project called " The Pantry."Timeline:1:00 Mandy Hinson introduction1:49 What is St John's Community Services?3:00 Oasis Program for unhoused youth and victims of domestic abuse.4:00 The Pantry5:42 The beginning of The Pantry9:00 Collaborating with Second Harvest 9:30 Partnering with Discovery Park of America11:00 Volunteers 12:30 Donations13:50 Other opportunities to volunteer.14:00 FUMC: Rhea House Food PantryTo get started with our IDD services: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/employment-and-community-first-choices.htmlTo get started for help with homelessness and fleeing Domestic Violence, go to westtncoc.org

Welcome to Episode 208 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This week, Kim Levinsky hops back on the mic to talk all things Sassquad Running—the inclusive, high-energy crew that proves running events can be super fun. We also dive into the brutally cold temps, rangers pulling off a save with folks stuck on a gondola, and a rescue mission in Vermont involving hikers who bit off a little too much that they could handle. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!Links for the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ISLCatskillsPodcast, Donate a coffee to support the show! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills, Like to be a sponsor or monthly supporter of the show? Go here! - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills/membershipThanks to the sponsors of the show: Outdoor chronicles photography - https://www.outdoorchroniclesphotography.com/, Trailbound Project - https://www.trailboundproject.com/, Camp Catskill - https://campcatskill.co/, Another Summit - https://www.guardianrevival.org/programs/another-summitLinks: Sassquad Trail Running, Sassquad Trail Parties, Sassquad PodcastVolunteer Opportunities: Trailhead stewards for 3500 Club -https://www.catskill3500club.org/trailhead-stewardship, Catskills Trail Crew - https://www.nynjtc.org/trailcrew/catskills-trail-crew, NYNJTC Volunteering - https://www.nynjtc.org/catskills, Catskill Center - https://catskillcenter.org/, Catskill Mountain Club - https://catskillmountainclub.org/about-us/, Catskill Mountainkeeper - https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/ Post Hike Brews and Bites - Hudson North, Morning Sunshine Coffee, #trailrunning #sassquad #trailrunningcatskills #catskills #catskillmountains #hudsonvalley #hudsonvalleyhiking #NYC #history #husdonvalley #hikingNY #kaaterskill #bluehole #catskillhiking #visitcatskills #catskillstrails #catskillmountains #3500 #catskills #catskillpark #catskillshiker #catskillmountainsnewyork #hiking #catskill3500club #catskill3500 #hikethecatskills #hikehudson

If fifty years of anything is something to celebrate, fifty years of a local volunteer fire department is most definitely something to celebrate. On this day in 1964, a write-up on the celebration of the golden anniversary and the history of the Wishek Volunteer Fire Department was shared in the Wishek Star, inviting everyone to join in celebrating this milestone.

The Happy Headline is brought to you by United Way of Southwest Michigan - United Is The Way We Create Lasting Change in Southwest Michigan for Over 80 Years. Give, Advocate or Volunteer now at UWSM.org See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Sharpe returns to dismantle the NY GOP's culture of losing with a fusion voting strategy that weaponizes state matching funds to eliminate property taxes and bring nuclear power to the Empire State. Larry Sharpe, candidate for New York Governor, joins Brian Nichols to reveal his "Fusion Voting" strategy to break the Democrat stronghold and why the NY GOP's "weak resistance" results in a 24-year losing streak. Larry explains how running on the Republican, Conservative, and Libertarian lines simultaneously allows him to bypass the "spoiler" effect while weaponizing New York's matching funds system to finance a liberty-focused revolution. He breaks down the failure of the current establishment to address the exodus of residents and details why the "Red Team, Blue Team" mindset is destroying the Empire State. We expose the reality of New York's broken political machine and how Larry plans to use a Sovereign Wealth Fund to eliminate school property taxes overnight. You need to hear this blueprint for decentralizing education, rejecting federal funding to fire bloat-heavy administrators, and empowering local communities with 50% ownership of new nuclear power plants. This isn't just a campaign speech; it's a tactical guide on how to dismantle a one-party state from the inside out using actual policy solutions rather than empty rhetoric. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:47 - The 24-Year GOP Losing Streak 4:33 - Fusion Voting Explained 6:22 - Exploiting State Matching Funds 9:00 - The "Tipping Point" for Victory 11:06 - Why Elise Stefanik Refused to Run 14:49 - Gov. Hochul: "Get on a Bus to Florida" 16:02 - The GOP Establishment Hates Me 22:30 - The Sovereign Fund Solution 23:32 - Eliminating School Property Taxes 26:12 - Nuclear Power & Local Ownership 31:38 - The "One in Six" Voter Problem 35:36 - Politicians Stealing Larry's Ideas 36:40 - How to Help (Volunteer & Donate) Studio Sponsor: Cardio Miracle - "Unlock the secret to a healthier heart, increased energy levels, and transform your cardiovascular fitness like never before.": CardioMiracle.com/TBNS Links Section Larry Sharpe's Website & Volunteer: larrysharpe.com ❤️ Order Cardio Miracle (CardioMiracle.com/TBNS) for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being!

RNIB Northern Ireland Technology Fair 2026 took place on Wednesday 11th of February at the Foyle Arena in Derry/Londonderry.Our Amelia was there and caught up with tech volunteer Jason about why he enjoys volunteering for RNIB. Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB' written in bold black capital letters and underlined with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio' is written in black in a smaller font.

Unfortunately, there are still more humans than dogs in the average airport terminal. Still, it's not uncommon to see dogs as you run to catch your flight. Some dogs, like humans, are just travelers passing through. But others, increasingly, are at the airport to take care of business. Today on AirSpace: it's Canine Career Day! We discuss the surprisingly wide variety of airport dog jobs, and hear from a few lucky humans about their unique coworkers. Matt and Emily learn about therapy dogs with trading cards; beagles and Labradors sniffing luggage for safety (and prohibited agricultural products); and even an elite doggie duo chasing wildlife off the runway.  Thanks to our guests in this episode: Pam Baird, Volunteer, CATS Program, Denver International Airport Chris Keyser, Wildlife Specialist, West Virginia International Yeager Airport Find the transcript for this episode and more information at s.si.edu/airspaces11e6.Subscribe to our monthly newsletter at s.si.edu/airspacenewsletter.AirSpace is made possible with the generous support of Lockheed Martin.AirSpace logo courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution. Episode photo courtesy of West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW).

What if you never had to panic-recruit volunteers again? Scrambling to find 25 volunteers by next week is stressful, reactive, and exhausting. In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares a smarter approach: build a volunteer pipeline before you need it using simple marketing tools like lead magnets, nurture emails, and even interactive quizzes. Instead of chasing people at the last minute, you'll learn how to create a steady stream of mission-aligned supporters who are already warmed up and ready to say yes. This is recruitment that feels calm, proactive, and repeatable. Full show notes: 201. How a Lead Magnet Can Help You Recruit On-Demand Volunteers Lead Magnet - Episode Highlights [00:27] - Understanding On-Demand Volunteers [01:28] - Emotional Reality of Volunteer Recruitment [02:33] - Building a Volunteer Pipeline [05:17] - What is a Lead Magnet? [08:11] - Creating Effective Lead Magnets [13:10] - Advanced Lead Magnet Strategies [28:41] - The Power of Volunteer Quizzes [34:15] - Practical Steps to Start Building Your Lead Magnet  Helpful Links Volunteer Management Progress Report  VolunteerPro Impact Lab  Volunteer Nation Episode #002: How to Recruit Volunteers by Building a Following First Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause. For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

Becky Ruska's path into the nonprofit world didn't follow a traditional trajectory. After spending more than two decades in retail leadership as a district manager for Express, she made a bold decision to step away in her early 40s. What began as a period of rest and reflection quickly evolved into something more meaningful when she started volunteering weekly at the newly formed St. Croix Valley Food Bank in Wisconsin. That volunteer role turned into an opportunity and ultimately a second career rooted in service, community and purpose. Today, Becky plays a central part in connecting volunteers, donors, businesses and community members to the food bank's mission. From managing volunteer programs and community events to growing brand awareness through social media and partnerships, she brings people together around a shared goal: making sure food gets to those who need it most. Since its launch just over four years ago, the St. Croix Valley Food Bank has grown rapidly and now distributes nearly five million pounds of food annually across four counties through more than 55 partner programs. With a new permanent facility on the horizon, the organization is preparing to scale its impact even further, aiming to distribute up to eight million pounds of food in the coming years. Becky believes that fundraising and community building aren't about asking for money—they're about relationships. Whether she's giving a tour to a first-time volunteer, standing at a local festival booth or calling a donor who scribbled “call me if you need a volunteer” on a donation slip, Becky shows how meaningful impact often starts with simply showing up. In this episode of the RKD Group: Chat podcast, Becky reflects on career change, building trust from the ground up and what it takes to create lasting community connections around a growing nonprofit.

In this episode of Undercurrents, host Ken Ogasawara goes behind the scenes with the Material Resources team at Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) to explore how relief kits, hygiene kits, school kits, and canned meat are prepared and shipped to communities facing crisis around the world — and right here in Ontario.What does it actually take to send a relief kit overseas? Why is MCC so specific about items like metal pencil sharpeners, heavy-duty nail clippers, toothbrush colours, towel sizes, and notebook page counts? And how does a brand-new 10,000 square foot industrial meat cannery help feed families experiencing food insecurity?Transcription is here.Discussion guide is here.Volunteer at the meat cannery: https://mcc.org/MCCOntarioMeatCanneryEmail dylanyantzi@mcco.ca for more details.Donate toward a relief kit:https://mcc.org/get-involved/giving/designations/kits-and-comfortersPetition from Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB):https://foodgrainsbank.ca/postcard/ A major driver of crisis requiring materialresources responses, is climate change. Sign this petition so our government will respond fairly and adequately:https://mcc.org/campaign/support-fair-canadian-response-climate-change-0Undercurrents is sponsored in part by Kindred Credit Union.

Despite decades of service, many veteran community radio broadcasters find themselves unable to step away from the microphone due to a critical shortage of new volunteers. - Sa kabila ng ilang dekadang pagseserbisyo, ilan sa mga beteranong broadcaster sa community radio ang hindi makaalis sa harap ng mikropono dahil sa matinding kakulangan ng mga bagong volunteer.

Rima Jalba shares the good of the Cinnamon Trust, the UK national charity for older people, the terminally ill and their pets. The mission is as simple as it is clear: they provide hands-on assistance to pet owners across the country when any aspect of the day-to-day care of their pets poses a problem; as well as the provision of lifelong care for pets who outlive their owners. A life-long animal lover herself, Rima shares everything from her first pet as a child to how she made a life change, choosing to work for connection rather than just a paycheck. And that's exactly what brought her to the Cinnamon Trust's (doggie) door. For the animal lovers out there (just like us) and for anyone looking for inspiration on how to engage within your own community, this good one is for you. ___________________________ Steve's third book in his cozy mystery series, THE DOG WALKING DETECTIVES is finally here: SEASON'S SLAYINGS! Get your copy on Amazon: https://bit.ly/3WYTPiR or Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4hOjILR Grab the first two: Book 1: DROWN TOWN Amazon: https://amzn.to/478W8mp Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/3Mv7cCk & Book 2: MURDER UNMASKED Amazon: https://shorturl.at/fDR47 Barnes & Noble: https://shorturl.at/3ccTy

Cole Cubelic of WJOX Brimingham and the SEC Network analyzes the impact of several SEC offensive line transfers. Chuck and Heath discuss coaching moves at Oklahoma and Tennessee. Mike Craven of Dave Campbell's Texas Football looks at possible key impact freshmen for various Texas programs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Indiana lawmakers are reviving legislation that would restrict social media use for children, this time with an emphasis on parental controls and forcing social media platforms to be less addictive. Indiana residents will no longer be able to change their gender marker on driver's licenses. An Indiana House committee moved a bill forward Tuesday to extend syringe services programs. Members of the Martindale-Brightwood community and local activists are calling on Mayor Joe Hogsett to stop the proposed data center development in the historically Black neighborhood. Volunteers gathered Tuesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the Million Meal Marathon, an annual event to help address food insecurity across the state. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources will host seven workshops across Indiana to allow Hoosiers to provide input on the development of a statewide water inventory and management plan under an executive order by Gov. Mike Braun. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Zach Bundy, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

We sit down with retiring K-State Police Chief Ronnie Grice to talk recovery, service, and why Manhattan became home far beyond his two-year plan. He shares how partnership with Cheryl fuels joyful volunteering and outlines what comes next after the badge.• near-death health scare and community support• Distinguished Volunteer Award and meaning of recognition• 46-year law enforcement journey and leadership shifts• campus safety, game day planning, and partnerships• making service a family habit with Cheryl• post-retirement goals: training chiefs and awards committee• practical path to start volunteering locally• gratitude, friendship, and the CFA celebration“Pick two or three organizations you're passionate about and devote your time to them”GMCFCFAs

In this episode, we're joined by Megan Oliver, Marketing Manager at Rosterfy, a leading volunteer management software provider. Megan shares how Rosterfy helps organizations, nonprofits, and governments simplify volunteer coordination, reduce administrative tasks by 50%, and focus on impactful work. From sporting events like the Super Bowl and World Cup to local government programs, Rosterfy's platform streamlines communication, scheduling, and reporting for volunteers. Learn how Rosterfy's features, including automations and free resources, empower organizations to efficiently manage large-scale volunteer efforts. Don't miss Megan's insights into the future of marketing, growth strategies, and the importance of volunteer management software in creating successful programs.

The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Complex has opened 2026 volunteer sign-ups for education programs, visitor services, and habitat support at Ridgefield and Steigerwald Lake, with orientation planned for early spring and new opportunities tied to the upcoming Community Nature Center. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/ridgefield-steigerwald-lake-refuges-open-sign-ups-for-new-volunteers/ #Ridgefield #SteigerwaldLake #ClarkCountyWA #WildlifeRefuge #VolunteerOpportunity #USFWS

Bushfire volunteers in WA's south say they have been warning the State government for years that the nearby national park has an untapped fuel load. 

Join us for the second hour of the Sharathon, here at WSFI 88.5 FM and WSFV 88.7 FM Catholic Radio! The Sharathon is a series of live shows, featuring guests from the local community, and is an opportunity for listeners to donate to WSFI Catholic Radio for much-needed infrastructure and technological improvements. In this hour, Fr. Gerald O'Reilly introduces Seminarians Carlos Mora, Landon Novosad, and Jesus Martinez, who are visiting the Chicago area as part of their Propaedeutic formation. The seminarians give their own personal story, their journey towards the priesthood, and explain what the Propaedeutic Program is. Bonnie Quirke, a volunteer here at WSFI, explains the needs of the radio station and gives information on how to donate. To make a tax-deductible donation to WSFI Catholic Radio, please call us at 224-206-8455, donate safely online at wsficatholicradio.org/support-wsfi/donate/, or mail your offering to: P.O. Box 885 Libertyville, IL 60048

The Happy Headline is brought to you by United Way of Southwest Michigan - United Is The Way We Create Lasting Change in Southwest Michigan for Over 80 Years. Give, Advocate or Volunteer now at UWSM.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of the U.S. emergency response system, but since 2008, nearly 200,000 volunteers have left the fire service, a drop of almost 25 percent. To make things worse, calls to fire departments have increased about 70 percent since 2008, leaving the firefighters who remain to do much more with much less. Despite all of this, little research has been done to find the causes of this crisis and what to do about it. But that is starting to change. Today on the podcast, I am joined by Joe Maruca, a board member of the National Volunteer Fire Council, and Ken Willette, the executive director of the North American Fire Training Directors. Both men recently worked with researchers on a massive new study looking at what effects training requirements have had on volunteer fire department recruitment and retention. During the interview, we discuss the many factors that have caused volunteers to leave the fire service, and how volunteer departments are adapting to their new reality. We also talk about what is being done to help chiefs and communities bring more volunteers into the fire service. Links:  Read the new Fire Protection Research report, "Understanding the Role of Training on Volunteer Firefighter Recruitment & Retention," coming at the end of February. Learn more about the National Volunteer Fire Council, and check out its new Make Me a Firefighter program, which matches volunteers with department needs. Learn more about the North American Fire Training Directors  

Clark County is accepting applications for a volunteer seat on the Law and Justice Council, a state-established body that helps coordinate local criminal justice activities and develop community corrections plans. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/clark-county-seeks-volunteer-for-law-and-justice-council/ #ClarkCounty #LocalGovernment #CriminalJustice #CivicEngagement #PublicService

There is a theory that both the next podcast edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement as well as the next written version might be delayed out of some sort of concern about whether the internal numbering system is equipped to deal with the impending approach of the 1,000th edition. At least, that is one possible explanation of why it has taken so long to produce these older stories from the last week. There was a slight disruption in the routine which sometimes results in delays. I'm Sean Tubbs, and I look forward to sorting it all out.Audio versions of stories previously sent out in the newsletter: * Charlottesville City Council agrees to reallocate funding intended to run low-barrier shelter (read the story)* Charlottesville's finance director presents more details on city's $8.5 million surplus (read the story)* The 700 block of Charlottesville's West Main Street is now known as “Mel's Walk” (read the story)* Albemarle's Economic Development Authority agrees to spend $500K on Boulders Road Extension (read the story)* Supervisor Mike Pruitt shares information on CARTA with fellow elected officials (read the story)* The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission will try again for federal funding for design of Rivanna pedestrian bridge (read the story)Charlottesville Community Engagement is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Today's shout-out: Cville Village seeks volunteers!Can you drive a neighbor to a doctor's appointment? Change an overhead lightbulb, plant a flower, walk a dog for someone who is sick, visit someone who is lonely? If so, Cville Village needs you!Cville Village is a local 501c3 nonprofit organization loosely affiliated with a national network of Villages whose goals are to help seniors stay in their own homes as long as possible, and to build connections among them that diminish social isolation. Volunteers do small chores for, and have gatherings of, professors and schoolteachers, nurses and lawyers, aides and housekeepers. Time and chance come to all – a fall, an order not to drive, failing eyesight, a sudden stroke. They assist folks continue living at home, with a little help from their friends.Cville Village volunteers consult software that shows them who has requested a service and where they are located. Volunteers accept only the requests that fit their schedule and their skills.Volunteering for Cville Village can expand your circle of friends and shower you with thanks.To learn more, visit cvillevillage.org or attend one of their monthly Village “meet-ups” and see for yourself. To find out where and when the next meetup is, or to get more information and a volunteer application, email us at info@cvillevillage.org, or call them at (434) 218-3727.End notes for #998-AMy thoughts were well-intentioned. As I was producing stories last week, I did produce the audio but I did not post them to the Information Charlottesville website. Somehow I forgot that finished audio segments had been made and it felt like a slog to have to do the audio again.This is because the radio version did not air last week and so I didn't feel the same pressure to follow all of the steps. This week there will be a radio show and I have enough material that I am considering slowing down a little this week to focus on business and administration things.Also, it is going to be in the fifties later and I want to go for a walk and watch the ice and snow melt. So I am going to aim to have the next newsletter out tomorrow. That will be #999 and after that will be #1000. No comma. I think that's how I'll get through adding a fourth digit.Another reason things were difficult this week is that my copy of Adobe Audition reset and a lot of my bookmarks disappeared. Because I could not see the recent links to session files, I assumed I had not produced them.I'm writing this as I produce the podcast and also missing are my links to various sound files I use as punctuation in between stories. Youngers versions of me used to love playing around with audio production. I still do, but these days the need to produce takes the capacity away from being creative.Which is why this may be a week I listen to my brain and take a slight reset. All I know is that I'm very glad to have this edition done and to have a few hours off away from writing. There are many stories to tell, but there are also days I need to do a little more.Oh! Another reason this week is weird. For some reason, the gain on the headphones for my recording set-up is really low so I can't really hear myself while narrating. This is an annoyance but also causes issues. Perhaps I'll spend the rest of the day setting up a new place to work! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

The February 9, 1976 cover of Sports Illustrated froze a moment that changed Tennessee basketball forever. Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld weren't just winning games — they were transforming the sport. King played with raw power and fearless intent, a scorer who imposed his will, while Grunfeld brought grace, vision, and a scorer's touch that made defenses choose wrong every time. Together, they became more than teammates. They were a movement. The Ernie and Bernie Show wasn't just a hit — it was must-see basketball. What made them unforgettable was how perfectly they balanced each other. You couldn't stop one without awakening the other. King attacked the rim like it owed him something. Grunfeld punished hesitation with precision. Their chemistry lifted Tennessee onto the national stage and announced that the Volunteers belonged among college basketball's elite at a moment when the game itself was exploding into the American consciousness. For Mike Keith, those two players meant something even deeper. Long before he became the unmistakable Voice of the Vols, he was a kid watching Bernard and Ernie make Tennessee matter. On Past Our Prime, Mike reflects on seeing them play in Atlanta when the Omni first opened — how they looked like kings, on and off the court, and how that moment felt like personal validation. Tennessee was no longer just his team; it was a national treasure, and he was proud to share it with the world. Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld didn't just shape an era — they helped shape Mike Keith's love for the Vols and the voice he would one day lend to their history. It's the Bernie and Ernie Show, decades later, meeting the man who carries their legacy forward every night. Mike Keith joins Past Our Prime — and it's a conversation that still echoes through Knoxville. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coach is joined by sports journalist Jimmy Hyams to analyze the high-stakes landscape of college athletics, beginning with a deep dive into Tennessee football's evolving roster. They explore the legal complexities surrounding quarterback Jojo Aguilar's eligibility, contrasting his case with other NCAA rulings, and discuss the ripple effects on the team's quarterback competition. The conversation shifts to the burgeoning talent of player Nate Ament, whom Hyams considers one of the most promising athletes in his 40-year career covering the Volunteers. They note Ament's significant development throughout the season, particularly his dominant performance against Texas A&M and his prowess at the free-throw line, while acknowledging that head coach Rick Barnes expects even more growth from him as the year progresses. The segment further expands into a broader discussion on the SEC's competitive hierarchy and the shifting financial realities of the sport. Hyams identifies Florida as the most complete team in the conference, while noting Kentucky’s resilience in second-half comebacks and the recent struggles of teams like Vanderbilt and Alabama. The dialogue concludes with a breakdown of the massive financial payouts within the SEC, highlighting a $72.4 million distribution to member schools. They discuss how these funds, influenced by recent legal settlements like the House case, are managed within athletic departments, balancing revenue sharing for players with the increasing operational budgets that have seen Tennessee's finances nearly double in recent years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The intersection of silence and sovereignty is revealed in Luke 1:1-25. Pastor Jordan Hansen shares a message at Christian Life Center regarding seasons of waiting and the faithfulness of God. Obedience defines success, even when fruitfulness is not immediately visible. The story of Zachariah and Elizabeth illustrates a God who hears prayers and remains in control during periods of silence. Faith provides an anchor in times of uncertainty.   Pastor: Jordan Hansen Series: The Gospel Of Luke: Spirit Led Jesus Title: Silence and Sovereignty (Luke 1:1-25) Date: 2026.02.07+08   LINKS:

Coach is joined by sports journalist Jimmy Hyams to analyze the high-stakes landscape of college athletics, beginning with a deep dive into Tennessee football's evolving roster. They explore the legal complexities surrounding quarterback Jojo Aguilar's eligibility, contrasting his case with other NCAA rulings, and discuss the ripple effects on the team's quarterback competition. The conversation shifts to the burgeoning talent of player Nate Ament, whom Hyams considers one of the most promising athletes in his 40-year career covering the Volunteers. They note Ament's significant development throughout the season, particularly his dominant performance against Texas A&M and his prowess at the free-throw line, while acknowledging that head coach Rick Barnes expects even more growth from him as the year progresses. The segment further expands into a broader discussion on the SEC's competitive hierarchy and the shifting financial realities of the sport. Hyams identifies Florida as the most complete team in the conference, while noting Kentucky’s resilience in second-half comebacks and the recent struggles of teams like Vanderbilt and Alabama. The dialogue concludes with a breakdown of the massive financial payouts within the SEC, highlighting a $72.4 million distribution to member schools. They discuss how these funds, influenced by recent legal settlements like the House case, are managed within athletic departments, balancing revenue sharing for players with the increasing operational budgets that have seen Tennessee's finances nearly double in recent years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Larry Sharpe, candidate for New York Governor, joins Brian Nichols to reveal his "Fusion Voting" strategy to break the Democrat stronghold and why the NY GOP's "weak resistance" results in a 24-year losing streak. Larry explains how running on the Republican, Conservative, and Libertarian lines simultaneously allows him to bypass the "spoiler" effect while weaponizing New York's matching funds system to finance a liberty-focused revolution. He breaks down the failure of the current establishment to address the exodus of residents and details why the "Red Team, Blue Team" mindset is destroying the Empire State. We expose the reality of New York's broken political machine and how Larry plans to use a Sovereign Wealth Fund to eliminate school property taxes overnight. You need to hear this blueprint for decentralizing education, rejecting federal funding to fire bloat-heavy administrators, and empowering local communities with 50% ownership of new nuclear power plants. This isn't just a campaign speech; it's a tactical guide on how to dismantle a one-party state from the inside out using actual policy solutions rather than empty rhetoric. Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 2:47 - The 24-Year GOP Losing Streak 4:33 - Fusion Voting Explained 6:22 - Exploiting State Matching Funds 9:00 - The "Tipping Point" for Victory 11:06 - Why Elise Stefanik Refused to Run 14:49 - Gov. Hochul: "Get on a Bus to Florida" 16:02 - The GOP Establishment Hates Me 22:30 - The Sovereign Fund Solution 23:32 - Eliminating School Property Taxes 26:12 - Nuclear Power & Local Ownership 31:38 - The "One in Six" Voter Problem 35:36 - Politicians Stealing Larry's Ideas 36:40 - How to Help (Volunteer & Donate) Studio Sponsor: Cardio Miracle - "Unlock the secret to a healthier heart, increased energy levels, and transform your cardiovascular fitness like never before.": CardioMiracle.com/TBNS Links Section Larry Sharpe's Website & Volunteer: larrysharpe.com ❤️ Order Cardio Miracle (CardioMiracle.com/TBNS) for 15% off and take a step towards better heart health and overall well-being!

Welcome to Episode 207 of Inside The Line: The Catskill Mountains Podcast! This week, Catskill fly fisher Chris Gallagher joins us to talk about his lifetime obsession with fly fishing in the Catskills. He chats about the past times, competitive fly fishing and how the sport got him hooked. We also somehow end up discussing snow blindness, Shandaken's improvements for climate change, and the woes of the Catskill Mountain Railroad. Make sure to subscribe on your favorite platform, share the show, donate if you feel like it… or just keep tuning in. I'm just grateful you're here. And as always... VOLUNTEER!!!!Links for the Podcast: https://linktr.ee/ISLCatskillsPodcast, Donate a coffee to support the show! https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills, Like to be a sponsor or monthly supporter of the show? Go here! - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/ITLCatskills/membershipThanks to the sponsors of the show: Outdoor chronicles photography - https://www.outdoorchroniclesphotography.com/, Trailbound Project - https://www.trailboundproject.com/, Camp Catskill - https://campcatskill.co/, Another Summit - https://www.guardianrevival.org/programs/another-summitLinks: Trout Town Flies, Chris's Instagram, Catskill Mountain Railroad Woes, Eddie Bauer Bankruptcy, Roscoe Mountain Club Volunteer Opportunities: Trailhead stewards for 3500 Club -https://www.catskill3500club.org/trailhead-stewardship, Catskills Trail Crew - https://www.nynjtc.org/trailcrew/catskills-trail-crew, NYNJTC Volunteering - https://www.nynjtc.org/catskills, Catskill Center - https://catskillcenter.org/, Catskill Mountain Club - https://catskillmountainclub.org/about-us/, Catskill Mountainkeeper - https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/ Post Hike Brews and Bites - Hudson North, Roscoe Beer Company, Roscoe Junction#flyfishing #catskillflyfishing #catskills #catskillmountains #hudsonvalley #hudsonvalleyhiking #NYC #history #husdonvalley #hikingNY #kaaterskill #bluehole #catskillhiking #visitcatskills #catskillstrails #catskillmountains #3500 #catskills #catskillpark #catskillshiker #catskillmountainsnewyork #hiking #catskill3500club #catskill3500 #hikethecatskills #hikehudson

(Feb 6, 2026) A small state park in Colton has become home to some of the best cross-country skiing in the North Country, thanks to some dedicated volunteers; local government leaders in Clinton County say they're optimistic about the economic outlook of the region; and we've got a preview of the Empire State Winter Games this weekend.

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're talking with Jeremy Baker, Lead Pastor of Elevate Life Church in Connecticut. In just over three years, Elevate Life has grown from 70 people to more than 2,000 weekly attendees, becoming one of the fastest-growing churches in the country—especially remarkable in a region widely known as spiritually resistant and unchurched. Jeremy shares the honest, behind-the-scenes story of how God has moved, and what his team has learned about loving people well, building invite culture, and helping people take meaningful steps in their spiritual journey. Is explosive growth possible in spiritually dry regions? How do churches keep the focus on people instead of preferences as momentum builds? Jeremy offers a refreshing reminder that growth is less about formulas and more about faithfulness. Humble beginnings and a clear calling. // Jeremy and his wife left a comfortable ministry role at a large church in Dallas after sensing God's call to the Northeast—one of the least churched regions in North America. With no church-planting playbook and their personal savings on the line, they launched Elevate Life with high expectations and a large marketing push. When only 70 people showed up on launch day, disappointment could have ended the story. Instead, it became the starting point. Jeremy describes the journey as a “God deal” from the beginning—marked by prayer, obedience, and a willingness to go after people rather than polish programs. Loving people from the street to the seat. // One of Elevate Life's defining values is making people feel seen, heard, and celebrated. Jeremy believes every person walks in carrying an invisible sign that says, “See me.” That belief shapes their entire guest experience. From banner-waving parking lot teams to outdoor tents for first-time guests (even in winter), the church treats arrival as sacred ground. Volunteers walk guests through the building, help with kids check-in, offer tours, and even escort people to their seats. The intentional warmth sends a clear message: you matter here. Taking people where they are. // With nearly 4,000 first-time guests in a single year, Elevate Life assumes nothing about biblical knowledge or spiritual maturity. Rather than pushing people toward instant maturity, the church focuses on meeting people where they are. Grow Track, life groups, and clear next steps help people move forward at a sustainable pace. Jeremy warns that churches often forget how far they've traveled spiritually—and unintentionally expect newcomers to keep up. Invite culture that never lets up. // Elevate Life's growth hasn't come from direct mail or massive ad budgets. Jeremy says he'll never do mailbox ads again. Instead, growth flows from a relentless invite culture. Every service, hallway conversation, life group, and ministry environment reinforces the same message: Who are you bringing? Invite cards, QR codes, social media ads, and consistent language keep invitation top of mind. Jeremy believes repetition—not creativity—is the secret. Reaching people over protecting preferences. // As the church has doubled in size, Jeremy is vigilant about guarding its mission. Growth brings new pressures—parking shortages, crowded services, limited space—but he resists shifting focus inward. If churches aren’t careful, they’ll trade purpose for preferences,. Elevate Life's mission—making heaven more crowded—keeps the team outwardly focused. Jeremy regularly reminds leaders that people are not problems to solve; they are people to pastor. A challenge for church leaders. // Jeremy closes with a simple encouragement to pastors: love people deeply, steward what God has given you, and don't lose sight of why you started. Churches don't grow because they chase growth—they grow when leaders refuse to give up on people. In regions others have written off spiritually, God is still moving—and often through ordinary leaders who simply refuse to stop caring. To learn more about Elevate Life Church, visit elevatelifect.com or follow them on Instagram @elevatelifect. 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, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. Pumped that you have decided to tune in today. We’ve got a very good conversation. I’m really looking forward to leaning in and learning from this leader and the story that God’s been writing at his church in the last two and a half years.Rich Birch — Elevate Church in Connecticut has grown from 70 people to over 2,000 on a weekly basis. It’s been named one of the fastest growing churches in the country. I love their mission and purpose is really simple: making heaven more crowded. Today we’ve got Jeremy Baker with us. He is the lead pastor. Jeremy, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here.Jeremy Baker — Thank you so much for having me. So excited. And what a great privilege and honor to be on on live with you today. So thank you.Rich Birch — Yeah, I’m excited that to unpack this story a little bit. It is not normal for a church to grow from 70 to 2000 in any part of the country, but even more so in Connecticut. I can say as a guy who served in New Jersey, I’m Canadian, you know – don’t hold that against against me. Jeremy Baker — Let’s go.Rich Birch — So I understand the spiritual context that you’re in a little bit. But why don’t you unpack the story? Kind of tell us a little bit what’s gone on over these last couple of years. For folks that don’t know, tell us about the kind of spiritual, you know, climate in Connecticut. Talk us through those issues.Jeremy Baker — Yeah, I first of all, it’s a God deal all the way. And I know a lot of people are asking me, hey, give me some handles, what’s some formulas, what’s some how-tos.Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — I’m just blown away by what God’s done. And I think it’s really just the heartbeat of God is going after his people and serving the community really well. So we’re in an area, I’m 30 minutes away from Yale University.Rich Birch — Okay.Jeremy Baker — I’m not too far away from New Haven, Connecticut. I’m in in a town about 100,000 people. Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — Matter of fact, the building is actually in between two cities. Rich Birch — Okay. Jeremy Baker — The building is divided right down in half. One half being, yeah, it’s crazy. One half being Meriden, one half being a town called Wallingford. And so in those two cities is about 100,000 people. Rich Birch — Okay. Jeremy Baker — So three and a half years ago, I’m working at a big church in Dallas, Texas, mega-world, mega-church, on staff, XP, and the Lord just pressed on our heart, me and my wife that we’re comfortable. We’re we’re living the good life, we’re living the Dallas life, the big Texas life, and there’s more, you know. And nothing wrong with that, nothing wrong with the Dallas life, the big life, the Texas life, nothing wrong with big churches – God loves this, the capital “C” church, you know. And so long story short, prayed for about a year, and we said, we’re going to the Northeast. Rich Birch — Wow. Jeremy Baker — This is where my wife is originally from, the Connecticut region, this area, actually called a little town called North Haven. And we’re going to go back up here because there’s a group of people that need the Lord. And, you know, the Northeast, New Jersey, you know, New York, Maine, Vermont, Pennsylvania, these kind of, this region up here in this New England region is ah is an unchurched region. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — There’s great people that are God-fearing people, great good Bible-believing churches, but there’s it’s not known as a Southern, you know, Christianity. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — Like everybody goes to church in the South, but up here, it’s a little different region. So we came up here. We didn’t know how to plant a church, honestly.Rich Birch — Love it.Jeremy Baker — I’m just giving you all the honest, the the real, real.Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — I wish I could tell you that I wrote the book on it and I know how to do everything perfectly. Rich Birch — Love itJeremy Baker — But i could I could tell you every horror story what not to do, you know? So we we pulled out our life savings and we started a church and we had 70 people on our launch date. Rich Birch — Wow. And we put about $100,000 into our launch date thinking we would have… Rich Birch — Wow. Jeremy Baker — …you know, 800 people, a thousand people are going to show up. We put mailers in everybody’s mailbox. So long story short, we had 70 people. Rich Birch — Wow, wow.Jeremy Baker — And then out of that, we have just been going after our city. Out of that, we have just been reaching people, inviting people to God’s house, serving our community, clean days, outreaches, food ministry, backpack giveaways, Christmas, Thanksgiving. I mean, just every major holiday, we have just attacked our community. And this last week, we had over 2,400 people in attendance.Rich Birch — Wow. Wow. Praise God. Jeremy Baker — And and so in three and a half years, it’s just been wild. And there’s so much in that story I could tell you.Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — But that’s kind of been from where we were, planning humble beginnings. God, what do you want to do? And it’s not about the size of a church, as you know, because I know there’s great churches out there that are ministering very well to the size that is in their community, and they’re doing a really good job shepherding people, caring for people.Jeremy Baker — But it’s just, you know, I always believe, God, let me not mess this up. Lord, if I can steward this well, you’ll keep bringing them to me. And so we have a brand new team, new staff. I like to call us the the misfits of Toy Island, if I could use the if i could if i could use the Christmas kind of you know… Rich Birch — Yes. Jeremy Baker — …thought process, you know. We don’t know what we’re doing, but we’re loving people well. We’re serving. We’re discipling to the best of our ability. We’re preaching the full gospel now. I don’t want people to think that we’re not preaching the gospel.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — We’re preaching from Genesis to Revelations, and we’re preaching the whole Bible, the whole council. And but that’s kind of that’s a little bit of kind of like how the beginning happened, but it’s been wild.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s cool.Jeremy Baker — It’s been wild, man.Rich Birch — Yeah. And I know, you know, we know that, well, all of our churches, you know, they they have the impact they do because God chooses to use what we’re doing at the end of the day. It’s got nothing to with us. It’s got everything to do with him. Jeremy Baker — Right. Rich Birch — But he is choosing to use something that you’re you’re doing. He’s clearly blessing something. He’s working through something. When you step back and think about the last couple of years, two or three years, What would be some of the things that you’ve seen him use that are like, hmm, this seems to be a part of the equation of what he’s pulling together.Rich Birch — And that’s not from a like, hey, we want to replicate all this, but it’s like, hey, here’s here’s your story. This is what God seems to be using in your context to reach your people. What would be some of those things that bubble up to your mind?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, great question. I would think the first thing for us is people want to be seen. People in the world that we live in today want to know that someone cares about them, that someone loves them.Jeremy Baker — We like to say it around here. We have little cultural sayings. We see you. We hear you. We celebrate you. We see you, we hear you, we celebrate you. I love what Mary Kay said, the the makeup organization. She had a quote, and if I can quote her right, she said, everybody has an invisible sign around their neck that says, see me. Jeremy Baker — And and I think it’s important. I think it’s real important that we see people the way God sees them. You know, for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever would believe in him. So the whole thing is about seeing people the way God sees them, not seeing them through their lens of brokenness or through the lens of maybe a divorce or the pain or the regret or the shame. No, we got to see them through the grace and the mercy of God, through through what Jesus wants to do in their life. So we’re just loving people really well from the street, if I could say it like this, because I know it’s been said in church conferences, but from the street to the seat, we’re just loving people really well, you know, how to how to make people feel like they’re the big deal. Rich Birch — Right, right.Jeremy Baker — You know, that God does love them. So that would be probably one thing that I would say would kind of be our bread and butter of just loving people well… Rich Birch — Yes. Jeremy Baker — …helping people find hope, especially in a season like this, you know, holiday season. It’s like, a you know, a lot of people are hopeless and we need to give hope to people. And so that would be a big thing. Jeremy Baker — I say think the second thing I would say is taking people on the spiritual journey where they’re at. You know, I’ve been a ministry for 30 years. My dad’s a pastor. So I’ve been in church for a long time. And I think sometimes, you know, we can as as as church kids, or if I could say it that way, or church people, we are called the shepherd. We’re called to minister. We’re called the guide. But sometimes we want people to be on the road that we’re on. And and they don’t realize… Rich Birch — That’s so true. Jeremy Baker — …we have we have we have been on this journey for a long time. There’s been a lot of going to the mat, dealing with us, God doing a work in us. Like David said in Psalms 51, Lord, create me a clean heart. Help me help me grow, Lord, as a leader, as a mature, you know. Put away childish things. I, you know, I want to grow. So so we’re taking people on their journey. Okay, you’re new to faith, so we need to start you on this road or this path, if I could say, you know. Oh, you’ve been walking with God for three years. Okay, we’ve got to make sure that you know some of the foundations, some of the basics. Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — You know I think that’s been some of our greatness of helping people stick, find community, be a part. So those are, I think those are two things. Understanding people need to be seen. And the second one is taking them on a journey of where they’re at, you know?Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. I love that. The let’s let’s unpack that a little bit. I’d love to start with the loving people well thing – a little bit more detail. Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — When you say that, so what does that mean from the street to the seat? How are you how do you feel like, oh, this is something that Elevate Life’s doing well to love people as they’re coming, as they’re arriving, as they’re a part of what’s going on at the church?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so great. So for me, it’s going to be guest experience. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — What does it look like when people pull on your parking lot? You know, do we have parking lot – we don’t call them attendants. We call them parking lot banner wavers. Rich Birch — Yeah. Yeah. Love it.Jeremy Baker — They’re waving a banner, a blessing over your car. Now, it’s going to be a little charismatic a little bit. There’s going to be a little bit of a, you know, my background is, you know, is I’m I’m very very energetic, very enthusiastic…Rich Birch — Sure.Jeremy Baker — …passionate as a leader. So I want people to know it’s a big deal that you’re on property today. Rich Birch — Right.Jeremy Baker — It’s a really big deal that you brought your family, that you showed up. You didn’t have to show up. You didn’t have to be here. You could have stayed home. You could have did what you wanted to do, but you gave God some time today. And so what we do is we we we we really pray that as the tires hit the parking lot, that miracles take place in people’s lives.Jeremy Baker — Whatever that miracle might be, miracle of salvation. A miracle of of of a mindset change, a miracle of restoration. So banner wavers in the parking lot, loving on people. Jeremy Baker — We have a team called the Impact Team that’s in the parking lot. They’re what we call our first time guest experience connection moments. So when they when there’s tents outside, of course, even in the winter, we got tents outside with heaters outside. You know, we just got four inches of snow the other day, but they’re still outside.Jeremy Baker — So the commitment from our servant leaders is there. The commitment from our staff is there, just to make people seen and feel loved. So as they’re walking into the property, if they’re a first time guest, our team has been trained how to identify a first time people, even with the amount of people that are coming. And they’ll walk up to them and just say, so glad you’re here.Jeremy Baker — Is this your first time? No, I’ve been here for about a month. OK, do you need anything? How can I serve you? How can we help you? Do you know how to check your kids in? Or, hey, can i can I walk you to your seat? I mean, we literally have a team over 100 plus people that are helping people walk into a building… Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — …get a free get a get a cup of coffee, find them to their seat, make them feel loved. If they’re new, hey, let me take you on an experience tour is what we call it, an experience tour. You’re walking into a brand new building. You’ve never been into the building before. You know, lot of churches, it’s all love, but might not have the right signage of communication of where restrooms are, kids check-in nurseries, nursing mother’s room, you know, special needs, whatever. So we have these people that go and walk these people through this building. And, you know, we don’t have a large building. We’re we’re adding on to our building, but we’re about 28,000 square feet.Rich Birch — Okay.Jeremy Baker — And so even in that size, you know, you can get lost in a building that size… Rich Birch — Right, right. Jeremy Baker — …you you know, especially where there’s hallways and doorways you don’t know. And so we’re having people walk through. And then people walk up all the way to their seat.Rich Birch — Wow.Jeremy Baker — And then when they’re in their seat, we got people that are on the host team, which we’d call modern day ushers. We call them host team members. They just walking up to them. Hey, good to see you. How you doing? Good morning before service starts.Rich Birch — I love that. Yes.Jeremy Baker — So we’re creating this we’re creating this interaction culture. Now, if you’re introverted, I’ll be honest with you, it’s going to be hard. It’s going to be hard, man.Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — It’s going to be hard. If you’re more introverted in your personality and your style, you’re going to feel overloaded at a level, you know what I’m saying?Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — So so that that’s some of the feedback we get.Jeremy Baker — Like, hey, I love the church… Rich Birch — It’s a little much. Jeremy Baker — …but I got 18 people talking to me, man, before I even find a seat. And it’s like, I get it, I get it, I get it. But, you know, we just want you to feel seen and feel loved. So that’s part of what we do.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s very cool. I love that.Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — Super practical. That’s cool. And then I like this idea of talking to people where they’re at. I think that can be a concern we run into or a it’s like we’re not even aware that in our our churches we’re we’re we’re using language or or we’re assuming everyone’s at a certain place. What does that look like for you at Elevate Life? How are you helping? Because that’s a lot of people in a short period of time to both get to know and then also try to communicate in a way that actually connects with where they’re at. Talk us through what do you mean by that when you say we’re trying to talk to people where they’re at in their spiritual journey?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so if it so if you’re new, let me just give you context. This year alone, in 2025, we’ve had 3,919 first-time guests walk through our doors. Rich Birch — That’s great.Jeremy Baker — This year alone. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — So for us, we know as a new plant, as a new church, we’re going to have to really walk people through this spiritual journey. Some of these people maybe have some form of God, maybe they have been walking with God. Maybe they’ve been out of church since, you know, let’s just talk about pre, know, after or during COVID. Maybe they haven’t been back to God’s house because that’s really real in the Northeast. Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — I mean, some people are just now coming back to church in the Northeast that have not been in church for the last four years. You know, it’s like, oh yeah, I’ve been out of church for about three and a half years and I’m just now getting back into the rhythm of getting back in my faith.Jeremy Baker — So there’s so much I can talk about that. Like how how do we make our services flow? Like I always introduce introduce myself, hey, my name is Jeremy, and I have the privilege to pastor this church, and I just want to say welcome. If if this is your, you know, 52nd welcome this year or if this is your first welcome, I just want to say welcome. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — Because i want I want them to know that we’re real, that we’re authentic, and we want to help them on their spiritual journey. Rich Birch — It’s good.Jeremy Baker — So we offer stuff like, you know, first-time, you know, decision, if you made a first time decision, let’s go, let’s go into, you know, who is Jesus? You know, what does Jesus, you know, want to do in your life? So there’s, there’s, there’s classes, there’s paths that we offer there. Jeremy Baker — Grow track, you know, we have grow track that we offer every month. Hey, hey, won’t we want to teach you a little bit more about faith, who Elevate Life is, what, what our mission is, what our vision is, what, what the values of our church is. And so we walk them through that.Jeremy Baker — And then, and then what we have is we have life groups. And these life groups are from all different walks. Deep dive of Revelation, deep studies of the Old Testament. Or, hey, we’re just going to go through the book of John. We’re just going to start in John 1 and learn what Jesus, you know, who Jesus is. And we’re to start there. Or if you’re more intellectual, we’re going to go a little bit deeper. You know, so we we we we we have these these life groups, we call them, because we’re Elevate Life. So we call them life groups. We want we want these groups to bring life to people.Jeremy Baker — And and so ah so we just we we have people, we encourage them to sign up, to get involved. That’s our conversations always in the hallways. Hey, are you are you serving on a team? Are you in a life group? Here’s here’s why. The goal for me is not just gathering large crowds. The goal for me as as a shepherd, I would just say as ah as as the lead pastor now in this season of my life, is is to help people develop spiritually… Rich Birch — Yeah, so good. Yeah, definitely. Jeremy Baker — …to help people find their personal walk with God, not just come and hear a good word. You know, motivating, it’s inspiring, it’s it’s helpful. Yes, it’s practical. I’ve got handles I can live my life by throughout the week. But my my heart is, don’t just take a Sunday and give it to God, but give God every day of your life. Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know, sometimes we just turn the surrender switch on on Sunday, not realizing the surrender switch needs to be on every day of the week.Rich Birch — Amen. So true.Jeremy Baker — So I’ve got to turn that surrender switch on every day. And just like you a natural thought when you turn the light switch on when you’re in the room, you turn it off when you leave the room. Well, a lot of people look at church that way. I’m going to turn my surrender switch on today. It’s Sunday. I’m going to go to God’s house. And then on when they leave Sunday, they leave away the property. They pull away. The surrender switch turns off. And I think that’s where the consumer mindset, especially in the Western part of the country… Rich Birch — Sure. Jeremy Baker — …you know, we have gotten, you know, we’re, we’re inundated with consumerism. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — And so, and so how, do how do we help people really become disciples of of Christ? So the second part of our mission statement is making disciples that follow Jesus. So the goal is making heaven more crowded, but making disciples that follow Jesus.Rich Birch — So good. That’s great. Let’s talk about a bit like up the funnel a little bit, like at the top end, where, how are people learning about Elevate Life? You talked about when you launched, you did a bunch of marketing stuff. Has that continued to happen? Is this just like, you’re really good at Facebook ads? Help me understand. What does that look like? How, why is the church growing?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, great question. I personally, I will never do an ad in a mailbox again. That was $25,000 that I think one person showed up, and then we had a bunch of them ripped up and mailed back to us and told us to never mail them and again. It’s the funniest story.Rich Birch — Wow. Yes.Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so it’s it’s all good. It’s it’s it’s this is not the South. I’m a Texas guy, and I’m living in the New England region, and it’s it’s night and day, you know.Rich Birch — Yes. Yes.Jeremy Baker — So what we have done really well at, I believe, causes some of the growth to happen is two things, is every week we’re encouraging people to invite somebody. That is a part of our culture. Invite culture. Who you bringing? Who do you know that’s far from God that needs the Lord right now? Who do you know that’s far from Him that you know that that you could bring?Jeremy Baker — So then the second thing is we’re doing really good social media ads. We’re spending about $1,500 a month on social media ads. And our team has done a phenomenal job. And all my team is 19, 20, 21, and 22-year-old young men and women that are running all of my social media.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s great.Jeremy Baker — I’m 50. I want to act like I’m current. But I’m not. You know, there’s things I don’t, I’m not adverse in. There’s things that are constantly changing with technology.Rich Birch — Sure. Yeah, sure.Jeremy Baker — And and and I just got to trust this younger generation.Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — And they have done a phenomenal job.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — That’s been one of our huge success for us to put us on the map in this region, to put us, make us aware.Rich Birch — Let’s pull it, but pull apart both of those. When you say you’re encouraging people every week, so you’re like ringing the bell that I want to hear churches to hear more of. You’re inviting people every week to invite their friends. Give us a sense. What does that look like? How are you doing that every single week? What’s that look like?Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so part of that is in our services. It’s in language. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — You know, we always say, you know thank you for being here this morning. We pray that you have brought somebody with you. And then at the end of our service, we’re saying, hey, don’t forget to invite somebody back next week. So we’re always saying that in our language. So it’s become part of our our culture. It’s become part of of who we are as a church. We are a bringer church. We are an inviting church. We are a reach the lost church. We are the great commission. Because the goal for us is not just giving information, but we’re hoping that the people will receive the information that causes some type of revelation in their own spirit that leads them to the Great Commission. Rich Birch — That’s good.Jeremy Baker — Because we want them to be a part of what Jesus said. He you know he said in in Matthew 10, he goes, the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. You know. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that he would send more laborers. So we are we are Ephesians 4, equipping the church to do the work of the ministry. We are we have to encourage people to build the local community of the church, the local house of God. And so that’s part of our language in our hallways. We have really practical things. We have invite card stands everywhere. Invite card stands everywhere. So simple. We have QR codes. You can scan. You can download all kinds of invite information. Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — You can invite our service times. So really practical steps like that have really helped us. And then in our life groups, it’s in it’s being said. In our midweek services, it’s being said. We do eight services a week. So that’s what we’re doing right now, eight services a week. And and and so in every service, it’s just been indoctrinated. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — It’s been just repetition, you know, over and over and over. Rich Birch — Yep. Jeremy Baker — And then And I think that’s a big part of why God’s allowed us to… Honestly, I don’t know church any other way. Rich Birch — Right. Sure.Jeremy Baker — I personally don’t know church any other way. I’m not the sharpest knife in the drawer.Rich Birch — I don’t know about that.Jeremy Baker — I’m just I know I’m just appreciate the love. I mean I I’m a guy who barely graduated from seminary. I barely graduated, you know. I was like everybody looked at me, all the professors, like, oh, man. I hope you make it. You know, it’s like, it’s like one of those guys, it’s like, I just, I just love people well. And I want people to know Jesus. I mean, Jesus changed my life. I mean, he changed my life. He, he did something in me that no one ever has ever done or no one could ever do. And my life is I’m indebted to him.Jeremy Baker — I’m I’m living my whole life for him. That’s why 30 years of working through whatever I’ve got to work through in ministry and working through stuff as a as a young man, now as an older man. I’ve just stayed the course, stayed faithful. Not perfect, but stayed faithful, step moving forward every season of my life. And so I just love people well, and I think people hear the heart of that through our pastoral team, through our elders. Rich Birch — Sure. Jeremy Baker — They hear the heart of loving people well, that we want people to find Christ. So that’s the language I think helped us in this last season, you know, really in this last season, really grow. A year ago, a year ago, this time, we only ran, not not only, it’s great, but we were around about 900 people a year ago.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s crazy.Jeremy Baker — And then it’s last year, we’ve exploded.Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — We’ve doubled our church.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — I mean, we’ve doubled. I mean, we we we have no more parking. I mean, we we we have 345 parking spots. And then two out of the five weekend experiences, because we do other services throughout the week, two out of the five weekend experiences, we have to turn people away, which just breaks my heart as a pastor because it’s like…Rich Birch — Right. Yeah. Yes.Jeremy Baker — …we can’t build fast enough. We’re looking for bigger venues. Again, I could go on that, but we want to make more room. We want people to find hope. It was never about being big. I told a pastor locally, I said, and he was he was coming here to, you know, just to encourage us to keep going, which was very kind of him. But I said, pastor, it was never about being big. It’s always been about reaching the lost.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s great.Jeremy Baker — It’s always been about reaching the lost.Rich Birch — Yeah.Jeremy Baker — So I don’t know if that makes any sense.Rich Birch — It does. It does. There’s a lot there that you, that I, you know, I, I, I didn’t want to interrupt because there’s so much packed in there that I think was so helpful for people. And, you know, that singular focus on, Hey, we’re trying to reach people. I want to come back to that in um in a minute. I want you to kind of speak to, leaders on that. Rich Birch — But I want to underline one of the, it’s a simple thing that um we miss in too many churches. And I’ve done a bunch of study on invite culture and you’re doing classically, you’re doing the best behavior classically. You’ve got to keep invite in front of people. We can’t, you can’t let up the gas pedal on that one. You’ve got to keep that in front of people, make it super practical, give them tools, all that like invite card stuff, all of that super important.Rich Birch — Years ago, I was talking to a lead pastor of a church that was growing very rapidly. And this wasn’t on a podcast. We were talking sidebar and I was like, Hey, asked a very similar question. What’s God using? And he’s like, Oh, it’s a little embarrassing. I don’t want to say it. And I’m like, no, no, tell me, what do you think he’s using? And he said, well, every weekend for this last year, We put invite cards on every single chair in every auditorium for the entire year. And we told people, take those and invite people. And he’s like, I really think that that is like just the intensity…Jeremy Baker — That’s it.Rich Birch — …of we’re keeping it in front of people. We can’t let up. So I want to I want to encourage you and that and listeners. Jeremy Baker — Thank you. Rich Birch — Hey, friends, that is that is a key part of this. Talk to us about the the focus on reaching the lost or reaching people who are far from God or unchurched people. Talk talk us through that. Rich Birch — Because what what’s happening at your church, I know we’ve kind of we’ve referenced this a few times, is super unique in in, you know, New England. What would be some of the challenges that you’re facing to keeping that singular focus of reaching unchurched people, people far from God? What’s been the challenge there and how are you having to adjust and kind of keep your culture focused on that as you continue to grow?Jeremy Baker — Such a great question. I mean, such a great question. I would, man, you’re such a great question asker, if I could say it that way.Rich Birch — Oh, that’s nice. Thank you.Jeremy Baker — Yeah I mean, a great question.Rich Birch — Sure.Jeremy Baker — I would think for me, for me, I got into ministry so that people’s lives could be changed by the good news. There’s no other way there’s no other reason why I’m in ministry. I’m here because I want people’s lives to be changed the way my life has been changed. So the the thing I’m always projecting from the the the the platform that I get to walk in, the the place that I get to stand, is it’s got to be about people. That’s why Christ came. He came and he and he died on a cross so that people would find eternal life, so that people would find hope.Jeremy Baker — And so we’re always pushing that agenda from the front. And, you know, whatever said from the platform stage, whatever you want to, however you want to articulate it, is is is is being pushed for a reason, I believe. So we’re constantly pushing this from the stage. We’ve got to reach people. People are dying and going to hell every day. And this is where I think the church sometimes trips. We got enough people now. So now let’s get let’s let’s stop making it about people and let’s start making it about preferences. Rich Birch — Come on.Jeremy Baker — And I think that’s the danger that’s the danger where guys like me can, you know, I was just having an elder meeting a few days ago, and I andI was telling our elders, because now we’ve got to implement some other pathways of discipleship, some other handles to help people grow and mature faster. And I said, you can’t push maturity. Maturity takes time.Jeremy Baker — If we’re not careful, we’ll we’ll lose the vision of what got us here. And then what happens is we’ll become inward focus rather than outward focus. said, I’ve seen it, guys. And I was talking to my elders. and I was just opening up my heart to them. I said, I’ve seen us do this. I’ve been a part of big churches where now it’s about the building. It’s about the butts.Rich Birch — So true.Jeremy Baker — It’s about the budgets. It’s about, you know, I’ve seen that. And I’m like, let us never lose the very thing that God’s allowed us to be a part of in in this season. Rich Birch — Yep, so true.Jeremy Baker — I never woke up one day and said, hey, let’s go and have one the fastest growing churches in America in the New England region. I woke up one day said, God, I’m comfortable. And I don’t want to be comfortable anymore. Rich Birch — So good. Jeremy Baker — I want you to use my life for the rest of my life until I see you to bring an impact in this region, whatever region that you send me. He sent us to the Northeast. Rich Birch — Yep.Jeremy Baker — He sent us back home to where my wife was from. And so that’s our prayer. And I want to keep the main thing the main thing. I don’t want to drift because there is a difference between, there is a difference between preferences and then and then purpose, you know. The purpose of Elevate is to make heaven more crowded. The purpose of Elevate is to make disciples that follow Jesus. The purpose is to reach our community, to make an impact. But but if you’re not careful, you’ll you’ll get you’ll get satisfied with the people. You’ll settle. You’ll get complacent. We got enough people now.Jeremy Baker — But what if but what if God really wants to change? What if God, this is my question I’ve been wrestling with, and maybe maybe you have answers for me, but I’ve been wrestling with this question in my own spirit. Like, is it possible that one church could really change a community? Is it possible that one church could, God could use a church, a group of people. Not not I’m not talking I’m not talking about domination. I’m talking about just a group of people that are passionate about making heaven more crowded, that God could use a group of people that would change the facet of a community. Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know? That would that that that’s the that’s the thing I’ve been wrestling with. Can God use Elevate Life in this region? What if God wants to use us to help Yale? What if God wants us to use us to, you know, to to to get on college campuses and see a revival, you know, at Yale University?Rich Birch — So good.Jeremy Baker — You know, and I mean, that’s an Ivy League school. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — I mean, people from all over the world go to that school. And we haven’t even, I feel like, scratched the surface. So that’s part of my my always, I got to keep the main thing the main thing. It’s got to be about people. So one of our values is, people is our pursuit. That’s what we’re, we’re pursuing people.Rich Birch — That’s so good.Jeremy Baker — And not programs, not not preferences. I got preferences. I mean, I’m sure we all got preferences. Rich Birch — Yes.Jeremy Baker — But I’m putting down my preference so that I can carry the purpose of the good news. I hope that makes sense.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Makes total sense. And yeah, super encouraging. And yeah, I think I think God’s placed your church in a, you know, every community across the country is an important place. There’s people all over the world that need Jesus, obviously, but I i don’t think you’re, I think it doesn’t, it’s not surprising to me that the Northeast is a place that is, some call it a spiritually dead or spiritually dry part of the country, while at the same time, it is of global significance in a lot of different ways. Like the the communities that you’re serving are are different than other parts of the kind country from an influence point of view. You place like Yale, it’s not just another university.Jeremy Baker — Yeah.Rich Birch — You know. And so I think God’s placed you there for a real specific reason, which I think is you know, super encouraging. Well, this has been a a great conversation, Jeremy. I just want to encourage you, thankful that you would come on today and help us kind of peek behind the curtain a little bit. As we land today’s episode, any kind of final words you give to church leaders that are listening in to today’s conversation?Jeremy Baker — You know, the only thing I would encourage church leaders is my my my thing I always tell pastors and and people that I am connected with always is just make it about people. Make it about people. And I’ll say it this way. It’s not problems to be solved. It’s people to be pastored. It’s not problems to be solved. It’s people to be pastored. Sometimes pastors, and I get it because I’m talking to myself, sometimes we make people the problem, and the people are not the problem. The people are the purpose of why we do the pastoring. That’s why we do what we do. That’s why we do shepherding. Jeremy Baker — So, you know, when you’re dealing with when you’re dealing with people, it’s messy. It can be hurtful. There’s there’s different things that come with that, and we could list a thousand things in that. But I would just say, just love people well to the best of your ability. Give them grace. Give them mercy. Jeremy Baker — If they leave your church and they go somewhere else, just let them know the key under the mat. We’re on the same team. We’re part of the same family. We’re all going to go to heaven to we know one day. It’s not about who’s got the bigger church or who’s better? Who’s got the better kids program or who’s got ah the more youth? It’s not about any of that. It’s about just trusting God with what he’s given us stewardship over and in stewarding that really well and just loving the people that God brings.Rich Birch — Yeah, so good. Pastor Jeremy, appreciate you being on today.Jeremy Baker — Thank you.Rich Birch — If people want to track with you or with the church, where do we want to send them online to connect with you guys and kind of follow your story a little bit? I would encourage people to follow your Instagram. So where can we find that and your website and all that? Jeremy Baker — Yeah, so our website is elevatelifect.com, elevatelifect.com, and that would be the same for our Instagram. And so thank you so much for having me. ‘m very grateful, and thank you for your time.Rich Birch — Thanks so much. Take care.

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