Speak The Truth

Michael interviews Tim St. John about his “Freedom in Christ” session, “Building Churches that Honor and Protect,” concluding a hidden abuse track focused on identifying abuse in churches and then rebuilding healthy culture. Using a termite-damage metaphor, St. John explains that removing abuse isn’t enough; churches must reinstall “beams” like sound theology of suffering and identity in Christ to promote healing and exalt Christ. He defines church hurt as unrepentant sin normalized or protected by leadership and describes three waves of pain: the direct wound, failure to address it, and loss of community. Discussing his book After Church Hurt, he addresses both sheep hurt and shepherd hurt, urges looking to Christ as the Good Shepherd, and offers practical steps including diagnosing what happened, seeking legal counsel when crimes are involved, finding experienced counseling, easing back into church, planning conversations, and evaluating church accountability and culture.00:00 Conference Intro00:41 Meet Tim St John01:24 Workshop Overview03:11 Church Hurt Defined06:11 Three Waves of Pain08:16 After Church Hurt Book08:34 Sheep and Shepherd Hurt11:30 Hope in the Good Shepherd14:53 Practical Steps Forward18:11 Closing and ResourcesEpisode ResourcesAfter Church Hurt - Tim St. John

In this bonus episode of Speak the Truth, Michael introduces John Henderson to preview the Trauma Track for the Call to Counsel Conference 2026, led by Henderson alongside Darby Strickland and Curtis Solomon. They describe the track’s aim of equipping counselors to bring compassionate, patient, gospel-centered ministry to men and women suffering trauma, emphasizing deep healing that requires biblical wisdom and a robust view of the person as an embodied soul made in God’s image. The eight sessions include biblical anthropology of trauma, defining trauma and its development, describing and entering the sufferer’s world, remembering/reliving/retelling and reinterpreting through Scripture, grief and lament, guilt and shame and God’s covering in Christ, and a closing Q&A. The track is presented as culturally and personally relevant and intended to demystify trauma while fostering dependence on God’s grace, Spirit, and Word.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:19 Bonus Episode Setup00:33 Trauma Track Purpose01:38 Session 1 Biblical Anthropology01:55 Session 2 Defining Trauma02:12 Sessions 3-4 Entering Their World02:44 Session 5 Retelling the Story03:23 Sessions 6-7 Lament and Shame04:17 Session 8 Q&A Wrap Up04:34 Why This Track Matters05:56 Demystifying Trauma Counseling06:55 Hope in Christ and Scripture07:32 Final Invitation to 2026Register Now

Biblical Counseling Africa: Equipping the Church for Gospel-Centered Care in South Africa and BeyondRecorded on the road at the Biblical Counseling Coalition Global Summit, this Speak the Truth podcast episode features interviews with Kyle Johnston and Jane Kratz from Cape Town, South Africa, about their ministry contexts and the growth of Biblical Counseling Africa. Jane shares how her husband’s death in 2012 led her to pursue a theologically rich approach to grief and loss, moving from prior psychology studies to biblical counseling training through ABC’s Equipped to Counsel material and later studying at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with additional church experience in Texas before returning to South Africa. Kyle, an ordained minister at Gracefield Church in Fish Hoek, explains how pastoral ministry exposed a gap between confident pulpit preaching and applying Scripture in complex, conversational counseling situations; this led him to training through Wayne Mack’s curriculum in South Africa and a master’s degree at The Master’s University in Los Angeles (2012), while continuing to prioritize pastoral care and counseling in church life.They discuss why they remain committed to serving in Africa despite opportunities elsewhere, noting both the significant needs in Cape Town and South Africa and the mission field created by migration from other African nations. They describe cultural observations, including hospitality and the value of contextual ministry shaped by South Africa’s historical experience, including navigating multicultural ministry after apartheid.Kyle outlines how Biblical Counseling Africa began in part to make CCEF training more accessible and affordable in their context and to expand beyond South Africa through online courses. The organization’s aim is to equip local churches across Africa to provide wise, loving, gospel-centered pastoral care that restores Christ to counseling. They describe a three-level approach: (1) grassroots seminars, talks, and workshops (including using ABC conference resources with local case studies and courses such as Jane’s nine-week grief care course); (2) training such as ABC’s Equipped to Counsel offered during COVID and in-person; and (3) advanced CCEF courses, with growing enrollment. Future focus includes helping pastors develop a church-wide culture of care, vulnerability, and mutual ministry beyond sermon-centered expectations.They explain that Biblical Counseling Africa is a nonprofit and invite listeners to support the work through prayer, financial giving, and volunteering. They emphasize the need for resources to sustain operations, relieve volunteer load, and provide scholarships for students from poorer African contexts. They express gratitude for support from American partners including CCEF, ABC, BCC, and others, noting that courses are offered at about a quarter of the normal cost, and direct listeners to biblicalcounsellingafrica.com for more information and contact.00:00 Welcome to Speak the Truth (Podcast Intro)01:09 Meet Jane: From Grief & Loss to Biblical Counseling02:30 Texas Culture Shock & Accent Stories03:39 Meet Kyle: Pastoral Ministry Path into Counseling06:12 Why Stay & Serve in Africa? Calling, Need, and Gifts08:23 Jane’s Perspective: Returning Home, Mission Field in South Africa10:56 Culture Notes: Hospitality, Affection, and Multicultural Ministry12:53 What Is Biblical Counseling Africa? Origins, Partnerships, Vision15:20 Equipping the Church: Training Levels & Accessible Resources16:35 Level 1 Training: Seminars, Consultations & Explaining Biblical Counseling17:16 Grief Care Course & Topic-Based Workshops (Burnout, Anxiety, Depression, etc.)17:53 Using ABC Conference Content: Videos, Workshops & Local Case Studies18:41 Advanced Training: Equipped to Counsel & CCEF Courses19:14 Next Step: Building a Churchwide Culture of Care (Pastors + One-Another Ministry)20:31 Beyond the Pulpit: Equipping the Saints & How Counseling Shapes Preaching24:10 How to Support Biblical Counseling Africa: Prayer, Giving & Website Info26:08 Funding Needs: Affordable Training, Supporting Students & Volunteer Capacity29:04 Volunteering with BCA: Gifts, Admin Help & Partnering via Email30:05 Wrap-Up: Invitation to Visit South Africa, Gratitude & Final ThanksEpisode MentionsBiblical Counselling Africa The Comfort of God in Grief - A Nine Week Grief Care Course by Jane

In this episode of Speak the Truth, Michael interviews Kike Torres, a pastor dedicated to church planting and biblical counseling. Kike shares his journey, ministry background, and his approach to evangelism and pastoral care. He discusses planting churches in Mexico and internationally, including recent efforts in Panama and the United States. Kike also highlights the importance of training and equipping leaders through a culturally sensitive approach that emphasizes mutual care and biblical counseling. Listeners are encouraged to support his ministry through prayer, financial contributions, and active involvement.00:00 Introduction to Speak the Truth Podcast00:33 Meet Kike Torres: A New Brother in Ministry01:36 Kike's Journey in Ministry02:57 Church Planting and Global Missions05:24 Implementing Biblical Counseling in Church Planting09:41 Cultural Differences in Ministry11:41 Equipping and Certification in Biblical Counseling14:28 Future Plans and How to Support18:58 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsEpisode MentionsCristo es Mejor - Kike's Ministry Check out Kike's books

In this episode of 'Speak the Truth,' Michael returns with guest Kristin Silva Linder, an author and biblical counselor from Portland. The conversation delves into the theme, 'Wisdom Adorns the Shamed,' focusing on how wisdom and scriptural truths can address the impacts of trauma and shame. Kristin shares personal experiences and insights into helping individuals who feel unworthy or dirty on the inside by showing how God's promises beautify them. She discusses the importance of holding onto steadfast love and faithfulness to trust God's narrative over feelings of shame. The episode underscores that through leaning on Jesus and embodying His words, one can experience radiance, beautification, and joy despite the burdens of shame.00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Introduction01:23 Kristin Silva Linder's Background and Current Work02:47 Exploring the Concept of Shame and Trauma06:49 God's Response to Shame and Trauma13:33 Practical Wisdom from Proverbs18:17 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement