Storm The Gates

Local challenges need local solutions. Ministry moves at the speed of relationship. If the church is to mirror culture, we would be competitive instead of cooperative. Values of transparency, accountability, and sustainability. All of this and more are part of the wisdom imparted to us all on this episode of STG. Brothers John Scott and James Kawadza join to STG to discuss the mission of One Child and how it fits beautifully with the mission of the Global Methodist Church. John works for One Child and James is his partner on the ground in Zimbabwe helping One Child meet the local needs of the children of Zimbabwe. James also serves the Global Methodist Church by helping the congregations of Zimbabwe grow and connect to one another. Please consider sponsoring a child through the links below. For those who listen to the very end of the episode, breaking news awaits.To engage with this GMC Zimbabwe project or to explore OneChild partnering in like manner in other countries, please contact John through their website:  www.hopeforzimbabwe.co.

One of the many God-ordained partnerships of the MidTexas Conference of the GMC is with the Evangelical Methodist Church of Costa Rica. One of the main instruments God used to establish this partnership and continues to use to sustain it is Ray Zirkel. Rev. Ray Zirkel has given over three decades of his life to being a pastor and missionary in Costa Rica. You will hear his testimony and discover ways you can get involved is assisting churches in Costa Rica share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ray, and his wife Lidia, also provide leadership for a school, seminary, and children's home in Costa Rica. Please consider how God may be leading you to serve this partnership. Below are links for more information on mission trips and the specific work of the Zirkel family. We've also included the email address for Lindy Thomas who can help answer any questions related to the MidTexas-Costa Rican partnership. http://www.zirkelministrycostarica.comhttps://midtexasgmc.org/costa-rica-partnershiplindythomas@midtexasgmc.org

Green and gold are flung afar on this episode of STG. The motto of Baylor University is Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo (For Church, For Texas, For the World). Dr. Still and Dr. Freeman highlight how Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University is preparing present and future generations for ministry. Dr. Todd Still has been the Dean of Truett Theological Seminary for 10 years now. Dr. Rusty Freeman is the Director of the Wesley House of Studies at Truett in a addition to serving as the Executive Director for Revive (revivetexas.org). Truett is located at the heart of MidTexas in Waco, TX, with extension sites in Houston and San Antonio. Anyone discerning a call to ministry will be given strong reasons why they should consider attending Truett Theological Seminary. www.baylor.edu/truett

Don't miss the story about what happens underneath a mango tree. Friends of the podcast will recall Rev. Ryan Barnett. He's the Conference Operations Officer of the MidTexas Conference of the GMC. He is joined by friends Matt Pennington and Tynna Dixon, both of which are pastors in the MidTexas Conference of the GMC. Rev. Dr. Matt Pennington pastors the good people of First Methodist Church in Gonzales, TX, whereas Rev. Tynna Dixon pastors the good people of First Methodist Church in Waco, TX. This team recently went to Rwanda to minister, be ministered to, and support the newly established ministry partnership between both the MidTexas and Rwandan Conferences of the GMC. Stay tuned for for more information about the upcoming trip in the summer of 2025 to Rwanda!

It's a beautiful messy episode of STG today. Thank you for being patient with us. It's a little more raw than normal as Shea discusses saying goobye to one of the members of their family with four legs, Vera May. Katherine Reilly is the special guest. She is an MDiv student at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, in addition to pursuing ordination as a candidate for ministry in the Global Methodist Church. Katherine served on the MidTexas delegation team for the Convening Conference of the Global Methodist Church in Costa Rica back in September, 2024. She is a beacon of hope for the church going forward. Please glean all you can from her testimony. You can follow Katherine along with Bishop Carolyn Moore on The Art Of Holiness podcast. She is a recurring cohost there as well. She is anointed of the Lord and confident in her calling to lead the church and reach new generations for Jesus.

Back in Bulgaria, brother Daniel Topalski joins STG for a conversation about his life in ministry, including his roles in the GMC. The MidTexas and Bulgarian Conferences are partners in ministry along with Costa Rica and, now, Rwanda. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will feature key leaders and stories from our global partners in ministry. Rev. Dr. Topalski leads the Bulgarian Conference in the GMC and serves on the Connectional Council. STG is excited to have Jason Nix back hosting the podcast. He's got new dad written all over him. Lean in to be challenged by what Dr. Topalski is asking the church to do.

Pray first. Do the ministry. Develop God-sized goals with your leadership team. These simple words of instruction from Rev. Bequi Flores will help us all take faithful steps of obedience in reaching the diversity of people in our respective mission fields. Rev. Flores is the Lead Pastor of Karnes City Methodist Church in addition to being the Presiding Elder for Hispanic Churches in the MidTexas Conference of the Global Methodist Church. If you're interested in planting a Hispanic Church or you're already a member of one and would like to connect with the GMC, please reach out to Bequi here: bequiflores@midtexasgmc.org

From Genesis to Revelation, the arc of scripture testifies to God's calling upon the lives of women to lead His people. The first evangelists of the gospel are women. And yet, in the catholic Body of Christ today, women in ordained ministry is a minority position. The Global Methodist Church fully believes and supports the ordination of women to both the offices of deacon and elder. Rev. Jill Jackson-Sears and Rev. Hayley Shotts join STG to testify to God's calling upon their lives and how they came to know and live into that calling. Whatever your view on the matter may be, their testimonies and the following resources are valuable to consider. Those who listen to the very end will be rewarded. When Women Lead: https://www.amazon.com/When-Women-Lead-Authority-Barriers/dp/0310129648Tell Her Story: https://www.amazon.com/Tell-Her-Story-Taught-Ministered/dp/1514000741Defining a Biblical Position on Women and Eldership (Bridgetown Church): https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6314e00979f8094598b9dbab/t/64e465ab45ec2453882f910e/1733441855266/Defining+a+Biblical+Position+on+Women+and+Eldership+-+Written+Statement.pdfSandra Richter-Deborah Study: https://my.seedbed.com/product/epic-of-eden-deborah-unlikely-heroes-and-the-book-of-judges/Email Jill or Hayley:jilljacksonsears@midtexasgmc.orghayley@firstmethodistforney.org

We are called to be holy for the Lord, the living God, He is holy. Scripture attests in both Old and New Testaments that God's people are called to holiness. As people called Methodists, this calling was central to John Wesley's understanding of his purpose in ministry. This episode of Storm The Gates will be featured in Bishop Leah Hidde-Gregory's teaching for her episcopal areas around the theme of spreading scriptural holiness. Dr. David Watson rejoins the podcast to offer his wisdom and contribution for the church in this area. His book, Scripture And The Life Of God, is a valuable resource for the church today explaining the nature of scripture and it's function in drawing us into the life of God. You can buy the book here through Seedbed's online store: https://my.seedbed.com/product/scripture-and-the-life-of-god/Hang in there until the very end for a beautiful affirming word from Dr. Watson to Bishop Gregory.

Tune in for a miraculous story of redemption as Pastor Mike shares with STG his story of being sold by his biological parents at a very early age to become a devout follower of Jesus and pastor in the Global Methodist Church. You will be encouraged by what the Lord has done and continues to do through Mike's story. If you're interested in buying one of Mike's books, you can find them here on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=mike+ryherd&crid=2TK6X1UPRDTR1&sprefix=mike+ryherd%2Caps%2C125&ref=nb_sb_noss_1