Between Sundays with The Chandlers

Jon Thompson joins Matt and Lauren to talk about what faithful Christian witness looks like in a complicated cultural moment.They get into revival, why Christians are tempted to retreat from people who think differently, the importance of actually loving our neighbors, and Jon’s framework of love, word, and power.Jon’s new book, Presence: Resilient Witness in Times of Retreat and Revival, is available now.Plus, Matt tries a dad joke. It does not go particularly well.ORDER MY LATEST BOOKBecoming Like Jesus is a book about “progressive sanctification” that takes it beyond church words into the honest conversation so many Christians have navigated. Rooted in the Beatitudes, this book unpacks the lifelong series of highs and lows that the Holy Spirit uses to shape us into a person who looks like Jesus.FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our SponsorsGlobal Christian ReliefGCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit https://bit.ly/GCRMatt to learn more.Human CoalitionFor just $26, Human Coalition can help reach a woman before the abortion industry does and offer her real, compassionate support. Right now, there’s an opportunity to do even more. A generous donor has provided a $100,000 matching gift, so every gift made through December 31 can go even further.So don’t wait. Give $26 today at humancoalition.org/chandler and help show the next mom that she is not alone.Christian Marriage CruisesReady to invest in your marriage, rest, and reconnect? Join licensed marriage therapists Caleb and Verlynda for a faith-based marriage retreat at sea—visit christianmarriagecruise.com/sundays to reserve your spot today.The UnimaginableSome questions only suffering can teach us to ask, and only God can meet us in.If you or someone you love is walking through devastating loss, The Unimaginable is a faithful companion for the journey...reminding you that while grief may never fully disappear, you never have to carry it alone.Available at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever books are sold.–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with my friend Josh Turner—pastor, leader, and now author of Into the Storm. Josh’s story is one of unexpected suffering and surprising strength. We talk about his daughter Riley, born with a rare condition, undiagnosed for 12 years, and now living life with courage and clarity most adults don’t have. Josh shares what it was like walking through that pain while pastoring, wrestling with God’s sovereignty, and being forced to reexamine what he actually believed about suffering.That experience, by the grace of God, moved Josh from being just a servant of God to living like a son. We also dive into the ministry he now leads, 10Ten Project, which helps pastors get healthy before they burn out or blow up. This episode isn’t just for church leaders—it’s for anyone walking through pain, anyone looking for hope, and anyone needing to be reminded: God is doing more than you think He is.In This EpisodeSuffering as a young pastor and preparing the church for itJosh’s early ministry influences and meeting MattThe story of Riley’s birth and undiagnosed conditionWrestling theologically with suffering and God’s sovereigntyTransition from servant to son – a pastor’s identity crisisWhy 10Ten exists: helping pastors finish wellHow many pastors are emotionally unawareReal stories from intensives and ministry breakdownsA theology of suffering is essential for everyoneEncouragement to those in suffering or leadership burnoutGuest Resources Into the Storm by Josh Turner10Ten ProjectFollow JoshuaFollow 10Ten ProjectFOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Instagram | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our SponsorsOvercoming the Darkness by Nate PickowiczThis book offers biblical wisdom and the stories of faithful saints to help you see God’s faithfulness in the darkest seasons. Grab Overcoming the Darkness today at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold.On Our Way Home by Colleen ChaoThrough Scripture and her own journey of suffering, Colleen Chao reminds us that all our longings point to the joy of our true Home with Christ. Get your copy of On Our Way Home at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever good books are sold. –Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with JP and Ashley Graves—longtime friends and members of our church—with a story that’s both difficult and deeply hopeful. We talk about alcohol—not just as a drink, but as an idol that slowly took the throne in JP’s life and nearly destroyed their marriage. What started as casual drinking turned into dependence, deceit, and despair. Ashley shares what it was like to live with a man she barely recognized, and JP walks us through the moment of surrender that led to healing. This isn’t just about sobriety—it’s about learning to recognize the lies you may be believing and the power of Jesus to meet us in our mess, pull us out, and redeem what feels too far gone. If you’re feeling stuck, ashamed, or maybe you aren’t sure if your drinking is a problem—this episode is for you.In This EpisodeA Fun Marriage with a Hidden Struggle: JP and Ashley share their early faith journeys, how they met, and the beginnings of alcohol use in their marriage.Numbing with Alcohol Becomes Normal: COVID, cultural norms, and unprocessed pain escalate drinking into full dependency—especially for JP.Deception, Distance, and Despair: JP begins hiding alcohol, Ashley senses the loss of connection, and both begin living separate lives under one roof.A Daughter’s Baptism and a Drunken Confession: JP breaks down the night before he’s supposed to baptize their daughter, leading to a confession that changes everything.Recovery, Rebuilding, and Radical Forgiveness: JP enters counseling and AA. Ashley processes her pain and begins to hope again as God starts to restore.For the One Who Feels Hopeless: JP and Ashley speak directly to listeners—those stuck in addiction and those silently suffering beside them.Resources If you are struggling with alcohol, I want to encourage you to find help. Find a Recovery program at a local church or if you are local to Dallas, Check out Recovery at The Village Church.FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Instagram | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our SponsorsCovenant EyesVictory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change.The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.Acts 29This episode of The Overcomers is sponsored by Acts 29, with an invitation to the Acts 29 Conference this coming October in Dallas. To learn more and register, visit acts29.com/conference. Overcomers listeners will receive a special discount of $20 off registration prices using the code OVERCOMERS in all caps anytime before October 1.–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and restaurateur Marty Bryan—founder of Marty B’s Restaurant—and Eric Loper, a former tech executive turned faith-driven consultant. Together, we dive into what it really looks like to integrate your faith into your business—whether you’re the CEO or just starting out.Marty shares the story behind Marty B’s, a now nine-restaurant enterprise built on Christian values and radical hospitality. Eric opens up about leaving a high-powered tech role to launch companies that give 100% of their profits to ministry. We talk ambition, humility, leadership, and why bold faith in the workplace might cost you—but is worth it every time.Whether you're an entrepreneur, a manager in a Fortune 500 company, or just trying to live out your faith at work, this conversation is for you.In This EpisodeWhy Faith and Business Don’t Need to Be SeparateMarty’s Journey: From Learning the Industry to Owning 9 RestaurantsEric’s Story: Leaving Big Tech to Build Kingdom-Focused VenturesIntegrating Faith in a Hospitality BusinessMen’s and Women’s Bible Breakfasts at Marty B’sStarting Worship Nights and Staying BoldAmbition, Ego, and Kingdom ImpactBuilding Team and Culture Through HospitalityHandling Pushback, Staying FaithfulBeing Salt and Light in Secular WorkplacesPrayer as a Witness in the WorkplaceCulture Building: Alignment and DriftSystems, Structure, and Knowing Your StrengthsTruth Telling as a Cultural FoundationResources MentionedFirst Liberty Institute – Legal help for religious freedom casesMarty B’s RestaurantsFOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Instagram | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our SponsorsCovenant EyesVictory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change.The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.Moody PublishersFind Grace Beyond Salvation and I Choose Joy wherever you get your books or at Moodypublishers.comActs 29This episode of The Overcomers is sponsored by Acts 29, with an invitation to the Acts 29 Conference this coming October in Dallas. To learn more and register, visit acts29.com/conference. Overcomers listeners will receive a special discount of $20 off registration prices using the code OVERCOMERS in all caps anytime before October 1.–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]