Dying to Live Podcast

In our previous episode, we spent time exploring one of the most important and personal questions every believer asks at some point in life:“How do I find God’s will for my life?”We looked at what Scripture teaches, we talked about guidance, obedience, wisdom, and the role of God’s Word, prayer, and counsel in discerning His direction. That conversation clearly resonated, because many of you reached out with thoughtful, honest, and sometimes very practical questions.So today’s episode is a follow-up.This is a Question and Answer session based on that first discussion. We’re going to take the real questions that flowed out of the previous podcast and work through them carefully and biblically.

In a world where marriage is increasingly undervalued, many Christian couples who long for children find themselves facing difficult and emotional decisions when pregnancy does not come easily.Modern medicine offers a range of assisted pregnancy options, but these can raise important biblical and ethical questions. What should a couple do when they are struggling to conceive? What choices are available? And which options are consistent with the teaching of Scripture? In this podcast, we explore both sides — the medical alternatives and the biblical principles that should guide Christian couples seeking to honor God in this sensitive area.Helping us navigate this complex topic are Mike and Adrienne D'Offay, an eldership couple in Joshua Generation, together with Dr Louise Dauth, a general practitioner with a special interest in women’s health. Our desire is to provide clarity, compassion, and biblical wisdom for couples walking this challenging journey.

The church has always been called to care for the poor. From the Old Testament to the early church, Scripture makes it clear that compassion for those in need is not optional—it is part of faithful Christian living. We are called to show mercy, to give generously, and to help those who are suffering.But the church also has a unique mission. It is not simply a social agency or a government program. The church exists to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to make disciples. That raises an important question for our time: How do we care for the poor without losing our focus on the gospel?In recent years, the language of social justice has become more prominent in Christian circles. While the pursuit of justice and compassion is biblical, there is a danger when social action begins to replace gospel proclamation. The church must never forget that people’s greatest need is not only physical provision, but spiritual salvation.So the challenge is to find the right balance. The church must meet real needs, show real love, and serve the poor faithfully—while keeping the gospel at the very center of its mission. In simple terms:We care for the poor because of the gospel, and we proclaim the gospel because it is the greatest gift we can give to the poor.

Today’s episode is a powerful and deeply moving story of transformation.Our guest today is Zaib, a young woman who grew up in a very strict Muslim family. From an early age, her life was shaped by fear, rules, and the weight of religious expectations. But God had a different story written for her life.In this episode, Zaib courageously shares her journey — a journey from fear to freedom. She tells the story of growing up in a tightly controlled environment, the questions that began to stir in her heart, and the remarkable way that Jesus revealed Himself to her.Coming to Christ was not an easy decision. It came with real cost, deep struggle, and significant risk. Yet through it all, Zaib discovered something she had never known before: the grace, love, and freedom that are found in Jesus Christ. Her testimony is both challenging and encouraging. It reminds us that the gospel is powerful, that Christ is still drawing people to Himself from every background, and that no one is beyond the reach of God’s saving grace. So wherever you are listening from, I encourage you to listen carefully to this remarkable story.Here is Zaib’s testimony — from fear to freedom.

In this episode, we’re looking at biblical authority — what it is, how it’s meant to function, and how leaders can exercise it without slipping into control.Scripture reminds us in Romans 13 that all authority ultimately comes from God. That means leadership authority is not something we own — it’s something we steward. It is delegated, and it is accountable. From the beginning, authority was tied to responsibility. In Genesis, humanity is given dominion not to dominate, but to cultivate and care. Biblical authority exists to protect, to guide, to correct, and to build up.The clearest model is Jesus Christ. He possessed all authority, yet led through service and sacrifice. He corrected without crushing. He commanded without manipulating. His authority created freedom, not fear.A leader’s authority extends as far as their responsibility — no further. You are accountable for vision, values, and direction. You are not called to control every decision or outcome. When authority shifts from stewardship to self-protection, it becomes control. Control manages people. Authority develops them.Control demands compliance. Authority cultivates conviction.The balance is stewardship — leading with clarity and courage, while remembering the authority you carry is entrusted, not owned.Morne van der Walt, Dylan Jones and Mike D'Offay, elders in the life of JoshGen, explore what it means to lead with real authority — without control.

A new year brings fresh plans and new possibilities. But what if the year behind you was painful? What if disappointment or loss has made trusting God for the future feel incredibly hard? How do we exercise faith when our confidence has been shaken?How do we plan wisely for a new year while still living surrendered to God? Is there a way to hold vision in one hand and trust in the other? And what about unbelief? Can faith and doubt live in the same heart?In Gospel of Mark chapter 9, a desperate father cries out to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” That honest prayer reminds us that faith isn’t the absence of doubt—it’s bringing our doubt to God. So what is God’s role in growing our faith? What is ours? And what do we do when our faith feels smaller than a mustard seed?As we step into 2026, we won’t ignore the tension between planning and surrender—we’ll lean into it. Because maybe faith isn’t certainty for the whole year. Maybe it’s trusting God daily for the next step. If you’re stepping into this year hopeful, hesitant, or barely holding on—this conversation is for you.Luke Hulley and Dan Barnard, elders who lead congregations in the life of JoshGen, encourage us to find faith for 2026… together.

Every Janu-WORRY (as some people refer to it) we’re told it’s time for a reset. New year, new goals, new habits, new us. But spiritually, many of us step into the new year carrying the same questions, the same struggles, the same disappointments—and the same old selves. We pray, we hope, we try again, yet sometimes nothing feels new at all. So what does God actually expect of us? Is the new year a spiritual performance review (KPA) —do better, try harder, fix yourself? Or is God at work in ways we don’t immediately feel or see? What if newness doesn’t always look like change on the outside, but faithfulness on the inside? What if God isn’t holding a big stick over our failures, but gently leading us forward, even when we feel stuck? In this podcast, New Year, Old Me, we explore the tension between our desire for transformation and the reality of living with unresolved struggles. We’ll talk honestly about faith when nothing feels fresh, hope when progress feels slow, and the grace of a God who meets us not as a “new us,” but as we really are—right here, right now.Dan Barnard and Brett Bevan, both elders leading congregations in JoshGen, share some humour around expectations made of us AND the challenges of finding God in a new year with old challenges and the old me.

Deliverance is a word that often brings confusion, curiosity, or even fear. For some, it’s associated with dramatic encounters and intense moments. For others, it raises honest questions they’ve never felt free to ask.Today, we want to slow down and bring clarity. In this episode, we’re de-mystifying deliverance. What is deliverance? What are demons? Can a believer have a demon? And what’s the difference between demon possession and demonic oppression?At its core, deliverance is about freedom—freedom from Satan and his demons, and freedom to walk fully in what Jesus has already accomplished. It’s not about hype or fear; it’s about truth, authority, and wholeness in Christ. And while some deliverance experiences are dramatic, many are gentle moments of freedom—where peace replaces torment and truth replaces lies.Our goal today is simple: to explain, to equip, and to point back to Jesus, the One who sets captives free. Dave and Keena James, an eldership couple from JoshGen City Bowl, share their experiences with deliverance.

What does it really mean to live by faith? So often, especially in ministry circles, living by faith is reduced to finances—raising support, trusting God for provision, or serving without a salary. And while money can certainly be part of the story, it’s far from the whole picture.Living by faith is bigger than a bank account. It’s about trusting God with every area of our lives—our decisions, our relationships, our calling, our future, and even our very existence. It’s waking up each day believing that God is who He says He is, and that He can be trusted with what we cannot see.Living by faith doesn’t always feel safe. Sometimes it’s risky. Sometimes it requires us to step forward without clarity, to move before we feel ready, and to obey without guarantees. It’s not reckless—but it is careful courage, grounded in full reliance on God.In this episode, we’ll explore what it truly means to live by faith—not just when it’s convenient, but when it costs us something. When trust replaces control. When obedience matters more than outcomes. And when our confidence rests not in ourselves, but in the faithfulness of God. This is a journey of learning to trust Him—fully, daily, and wholeheartedly.

Christmas is more than lights, music, and traditions—it’s a season when hearts are softer and conversations about faith feel more natural. It’s often the one time of year when people who don’t follow Jesus are more open to asking why Christmas is celebrated at all.For many of us, this includes our own unsaved family members—those we love deeply but often find it difficult to share our faith with. During Christmas gatherings, shared traditions, and moments of reflection, doors open that are usually closed. Invitations to church services or simple Gospel conversations are often received with a willingness that doesn’t exist the rest of the year.In this podcast, we’ll explore how the Christmas season gives us a unique and powerful opportunity to lovingly share our faith, invite others to encounter the message of Jesus, and point hearts toward the true reason for Christmas—God with us.

Intercession is one of the most powerful yet often overlooked callings in a believer’s life. It goes beyond personal prayer—intercession shifts our focus from ourselves to standing before God on behalf of others. It is spiritual advocacy, partnership with Heaven, and a willingness to carry someone else’s burden in prayer.Scripture gives us a clear picture in Daniel, a man who confessed the sins of his nation and sought God’s mercy even when he personally wasn’t at fault. His intercession moved Heaven, released revelation, and impacted the future of his people. Daniel shows us that intercession is persistent, sacrificial, and aligned with God’s heart.The greatest example, though, is Jesus Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us. He stands at the right hand of the Father as our Advocate and High Priest. And as His followers, we are invited into that same ministry—to join Jesus in standing in the gap for families, communities, and nations. Intercession isn’t for a select few; it’s a calling for every believer.

In this episode we step back in time to better understand our faith today and explore the rich and often overlooked story of church history—why it matters, how it shapes what we believe, and why knowing our roots is essential for guarding truth.Throughout the centuries, the church has wrestled with questions, challenges, and controversies. These moments didn’t just fill textbooks—they forged the doctrines we hold today. Understanding that journey equips us to recognize sound teaching, stand firm against heresy, and appreciate the wisdom passed down through generations. Because in the end, truth isn’t new, and what’s new isn’t truth. While some doctrines have been rediscovered over time, none are waiting to be invented.So join Dylan Jones and Luke Hulley, both elders in the life of JoshGen, as they help us explore how the past impacts the present—and strengthens our faith for the future.