Lead Defend

What does it look like for women to fulfill the call to serve the body of Christ? Today, we get to hear from two special guests - Carmen Lane and Nicole Courson - as they share how God called them and continues to encourage them as they serve the Lord.

Joining the podcast today is Pastor John Meador! In this episode, John encourages listeners to embrace their calling and trust in God’s ongoing work in their lives. John is a longtime pastor from Texas who has served at Cross City Church (formerly First Baptist Church, Euless) for over 20 years, with a total ministry spanning 40 years. His new book, "God's Not Done With You" reflects on biblical examples such as David, Peter, and Paul to emphasize that no one is beyond God’s grace, regardless of past failures. Learn more about Pastor John at johnmeador.com

Andy Pettigrew joins the podcast today to share about missions in his own life and opportunities for you to join the global effort to fulfill the Great Commission. Learn more at imb.org About our guest: Andy and his family served as missionaries to sub-Saharan Africa with IMB for 13 years. Andy now leads NextGen Mobilization for the IMB with a passion to serve local churches and NextGen ministries in carrying out the Great Commission. Andy speaks often throughout the country in mobilizing young people to serve on mission as well as in training leaders to that end. Andy is a PhD candidate at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Christian Leadership. When not on the road or in front of a computer, you may find Andy looking for birds, throwing a frisbee, or anticipating the next adventure with his family. Editor's note: Did you know there is one country in Africa that speaks Spanish as it's official language? Equatorial Guinea! Our podcast editor has a missionary friend currently ministering to the people living in the small, relatively unknown country of Equatorial Guinea. If you're a Spanish speaker, or you've had some Spanish classes in school, there may be a place for you in Africa to use your language skills to share the good news about Jesus! And for more info about the many places you can serve, visit imb.org

In this episode of the Lead Defend Podcast, Bill and Brock welcome back renowned author and apologist Lee Strobel to discuss his latest book, "Seeing The Supernatural." Unlike his famous "Case for" series, this book takes a different approach, focusing not just on proving the supernatural exists but helping readers experience and understand it from a biblical perspective.

Some areas in the Bible are addressed clearly. But there other areas where thing are a little more "grey." In this episode, Pastor and speaker Tom Richter shares a method for discerning those grey areas using principles found in the book of 1 Corinthians.

How would you know if God was calling you? In this episode of Lead Defend, special guest Jeff Iorg helps us unpack God's call for our lives by sharing his own experience of God's initial call to ministry and then how he later revisited it throughout his life. If you need help exploring your own call to ministry, please connect with us! absc.org/ministries/explore-your-call/ Also, the Lead Defend Conference is coming so soon! Make sure you are ready: absc.org/leaddefend Jeff Iorg has written a book that might be helpful for further study: "Is God Calling Me?: Answering the Question Every Believer Asks"

Happy New Year! In this first episode of 2025, Bill, Hannah and Ryan sit down together to discuss the history of the Lead Defend podcast, reflect on various seasons of ministry, and celebrate the new things the Lord is doing. Ryan Scantling is the Lead Pastor at East Side Baptist Church in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He formerly worked as the campus minister at Arkansas BCM and also at Conway BCM. He has been a key component of the Lead Defend podcast since it began and his legacy as podcast host will continue to make ripples in the lives of students. Hannah Guinee is a part of the Evangelism + Church Health Team at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. As ministry coordinator, she helps keep things running! She and her husband Thomas are committed to loving Jesus and ministering to His church. If you would like to grow more in leadership skills or apologetics, please sign up for the Lead Defend Conference coming up soon: absc.org/leaddefend

Ryan & Bill sit down with Jarrett Stephens, the pastor of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, TX to discuss his testimony and his ministry. In this episode, Jarrett presents 3 practical words of wisdom to help guide your thought process when making big life decisions. If you are wanting to explore a call to ministry: https://exploreyourcall.com/

The Gospel is for everyone - and Roger Sherrer is here to share his story from fervent atheism to mormonism to Christ. Brock and Roger discuss the importance of doctrine in our lives and how somebody might talk with someone who identifies as a Mormon.

Brock and Bill get to chat with Shannan Inman about the need for every christian to be an apologist. Shannan is a stay at home mom, professional calligrapher and a follower of Jesus who is passionate about apologetics.

In this episode, Bill Newton steps in with Brock Caldwell to talk with Brett and Erin Kunkle. They discuss the importance of learning how to share the Gospel as a teen. They also delve into their work with their ministry, MAVEN.

This episode of Lead Defend was recorded with Ryan and Brock at the 2024 Statewide Conference on Evangelism + Church Health. They talked with Shane Pruitt and Catherine Renfro, both from the North American Mission Board, about revival and how the next generation can become involved in spreading the Gospel in mighty ways.