What would happen if the church stopped talking about loving vulnerable people and started building a culture where compassion became part of everyday life?

I believe the local church has a unique calling: to recognize vulnerability, move toward people experiencing it, and respond with the mercy of Christ. But how do we turn that conviction into something practical? How do we help ordinary churches and ordinary people move beyond good intentions and become part of the solution?

On this episode of The MERCYCast, I bring together four perspectives from the Let My People Go community to explore what it looks like when compassion becomes more than an idea. You'll hear from me as the founder of Let My People Go, a board member who helps steward our mission, a pastor putting this work into practice in Oklahoma, and a church partner in New Jersey whose congregation supports and participates in this work.

Together, we share why Let My People Go exists to equip the local church to love its most vulnerable neighbors—and how churches can make that commitment part of their culture, relationships, and resources.

From Fighting Human Trafficking to Seeing Vulnerability

My own journey toward founding Let My People Go began in 2011, when God broke my heart for human trafficking. In 2012, I moved to New York City to become involved in the anti-trafficking movement. But as I learned more, I began to recognize that trafficking was not an isolated issue. It exploited vulnerability for commercial gain.

One moment changed how I understood the church's role. On my way to an anti-trafficking meeting, I remembered stepping over someone experiencing homelessness. I was working to fight exploitation, yet I had overlooked a vulnerable person right in front of me.

That conviction pushed me back into Scripture. From God's care for the widow, the orphan, and the sojourner to Jesus' words in Matthew 25, I began to see a consistent message: God identifies with those most vulnerable and invites his people to meet him there.

We don't have to bring God to vulnerable people. He's already there. He's inviting us to come.

That became the heart of Let My People Go.

Four Perspectives, One Shared Mission

1. Aaron Hembree: Building a Culture of Justice and Mercy in the Local Church

Aaron Hembree, pastor of Heritage Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, shares how his congregation moved from wanting to help vulnerable neighbors to building a practical structure to do so.

Through a Justice and Mercy Team, Heritage Church learned to assess community needs, connect with local nonprofits and schools, and identify where the church was uniquely equipped to serve. Aaron explains why giving a ministry a team, a budget, and a place in the church's structure helps make compassion part of the congregation's DNA.

2. Jenelle Gaynor: How Church Partnerships Create Local Impact

Jenelle Gaynor, project manager of the executive team at Evangel Church in New Jersey and leader of its human trafficking team, explains why her church began partnering with Let My People Go.

Evangel wanted to support local anti-trafficking work, not just organizations serving people worldwide. That partnership has grown into practical community engagement, including food assistance, survivor support, homelessness outreach, hotel outreach, and collaboration with organizations such as City Relief and the New Jersey Coalition Against Human Trafficking.

Jenelle shares how equipping church members to recognize vulnerability has helped people build relationships, respond to needs, and create opportunities for hope.

3. Tyler Gresham: Why the Church Must Love Without Expecting Anything in Return

Tyler Gresham, board chair of Let My People Go and administrative pastor of students at Fairhaven Baptist Church in Demopolis, Alabama, describes how the ministry has shaped his congregation's approach to missions and community outreach.

His church has partnered with a Spanish-speaking church to offer English as a Second Language classes for immigrant neighbors. It is also preparing to host a day program through United Cerebral Palsy for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Tyler highlights an important gospel principle: We are free in Christ to love people without requiring reciprocity. We may plant or water seeds of faithfulness without seeing the outcome, trusting God to bring the growth.

4. Raleigh Sadler: Why Let My People Go Exists

I share how Let My People Go helps churches move from awareness to action. Our goal isn't to convince every church to launch a new program or solve every problem in its community. It's to help congregations recognize and respond to their most vulnerable neighbors, understand the needs around them, and collaborate with people and organizations already doing the work.

We want to equip churches to build a lasting culture of compassion—one where vulnerability is seen, dignity is celebrated, and people are welcomed rather than overlooked.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

1. Why Human Trafficking Is Connected to Broader Vulnerability

Human trafficking involves the exploitation of vulnerability. Understanding its root causes helps churches recognize how homelessness, isolation, unmet needs, and other forms of vulnerability can put people at risk.

2. How to Identify Your Church's Most Vulnerable Neighbors

A community needs assessment helps churches listen to residents, schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. It also helps congregations recognize vulnerable people already within their own walls.

3. What a Justice and Mercy Team Can Do

A Justice and Mercy Team gives people who care about serving vulnerable neighbors a practical way to work together. It can help a church identify needs, build partnerships, establish priorities, and make compassion a lasting part of its mission.

4. Why Churches Need Collaborative Community Partnerships

Churches don't have to do everything themselves. Working alongside local nonprofits, schools, shelters, and anti-trafficking organizations helps congregations meet real needs without duplicating existing efforts or burning out volunteers.

5. How to Support Immigrants, Families Experiencing Homelessness, and Vulnerable Youth

Our guests share examples of churches responding to local needs—from English classes for immigrant families and support for families experiencing homelessness to helping parents recognize the risks young people face online.

6. Why Loving Vulnerable People Requires More Than Meeting Immediate Needs

Compassion involves more than handing someone a meal or providing emergency assistance. We discuss the importance of identifying, providing for, protecting, including, and empowering vulnerable neighbors.

7. How the Gospel Frees Us to Love Without Reciprocity

We aren't called to serve people only when they respond the way we hope. Tyler reminds us that we can be faithful in planting and watering, trusting God with the growth. Loving our neighbors means walking alongside them without demanding a particular outcome.

Why This Conversation Matters

Churches can easily feel overwhelmed by the needs around them. Human trafficking, homelessness, poverty, exploitation, immigration challenges, and isolation can seem like problems too large for one congregation to address.

But the answer isn't to do everything. It's to begin seeing the people God has already placed in front of us.

Throughout this conversation, our guests remind us that vulnerability exists in every community—and that every church has an opportunity to respond. Sometimes that response begins with a conversation. Sometimes it's a shared meal, an ESL class, a partnership with a local nonprofit, or a team of people committed to serving their neighbors.

The goal isn't to make people dependent on the church or require something in return for our help. It's to recognize their dignity, come alongside them, and create space for relationships that reflect Jesus' love.

At Let My People Go, we believe the local church can become a place where vulnerable people are seen, protected, included, and empowered. And that work doesn't belong to someone else. It's part of what it means to be the church.

Questions to Consider After Listening

• Who are the most vulnerable people in my church and my surrounding community?
• Do I know which local organizations are already serving those neighbors?
• What might change if my church listened to vulnerable people before deciding what they need?
• Could a Justice and Mercy Team help our congregation turn compassion into consistent action?
• Am I willing to love someone without expecting anything in return?
• What is one practical step I can take this week to move toward a vulnerable neighbor?

Take the Next Step

If you're a pastor, church leader, ministry volunteer, or someone who wants to make a difference in your community, I encourage you to start by looking at the people around you.

You don't have to solve every problem. You don't have to build something from scratch. Start by identifying an unmet need, listening to the people closest to it, and connecting with organizations already doing meaningful work.

To learn more about how Let My People Go equips churches to love vulnerable neighbors, visit LMPG.org. Sign up for our newsletter. On the website, you'll find resources, trainings, encouragement, ways to join LMPG on mission, and practical ways to respond to vulnerability—including ways to pray and take action against human trafficking.

You can also explore more conversations about compassion, faith, and adversity at MercyCast.com. Follow @MercyCastPod, and if this episode encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with a pastor, church leader, or friend who wants to put compassion into action.

Find more conversations about learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com. You can also connect with us on social media at @MercyCastPod. Explore more conversations about faith, suffering, and learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

The church doesn't have to wait for someone else to love the vulnerable. We can begin right where God has placed us.

You are loved.

For a deeper dive.

Learn more and how you can care for those most vulnerable in your community at LMPG.org.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What happens when Christianity becomes a tool for gaining political power instead of a way of following Jesus? How do we know when the name of Christ is used to justify things that contradict his teachings?

These are difficult questions, but I believe Christians need to ask them.

Chances are you were confronted with this at the polls yesterday. Over the years, well meaning believers have told me that I am not a Christian unless I vote Democrat, while others have told me that voting Republican is the Christian way. We live in a time when faith and politics are increasingly intertwined. We're told that if we're genuine Christians, we should hold certain political beliefs, support particular leaders, and see the world through a specific ideological lens. But what happens when political loyalty begins to shape our understanding of Jesus more than Jesus' teachings shape our politics?

On this episode of The MercyCast, I sit down with Dr. Matthew D. Taylor, a visiting scholar at Georgetown University's Center on Faith and Justice and author of Defying Tyrants: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists. Matthew has spent years studying Christian nationalism, religious extremism, and the ways religious ideas can be used to justify political power.

In our conversation, we explore one of the most pressing questions facing American Christianity today: What does it mean to follow Jesus faithfully in a world increasingly shaped by the pursuit of power?

Matthew explains how Christian nationalism connects national identity with religious identity, often elevating one religious group above others. We discuss how Christian symbols, biblical language, and worship can advance political agendas—and why Christians need to recognize theological propaganda rather than accept messages simply because they sound religious.

But this conversation goes deeper than today's headlines.

Matthew takes us back to the fourth century, when Emperor Constantine's conversion to Christianity helped transform the relationship between Christianity and political power. He traces how the merging of church and empire influenced Christian history, including the Crusades, religious persecution, and colonialism. His argument challenges us to consider whether some assumptions we have inherited about Christian power are consistent with the way of Jesus.

I was especially struck by Matthew's distinction between the power the world celebrates and the kind of life Jesus calls us to live. Jesus challenged hierarchies of human value, welcomed people on the margins, and taught his followers to love their neighbors—even their enemies. He didn't invite his disciples to dominate others in his name. He invited them to take up their crosses.

That distinction matters when we consider how Christians respond to immigrants, refugees, religious minorities, and others who are often pushed to society's margins. If we're serious about following Jesus, we have to ask whether our political convictions help us see our neighbors more clearly—or make it easier to dismiss them.

Matthew also shares the personal cost of challenging Christian nationalism. He discusses losing his job because of the controversy surrounding his book. He reflects on what it means to speak honestly when institutions and individuals may feel pressure to remain silent.

I'm not bringing Matthew onto the show to tell you how to vote or hand you another political checklist. I'm inviting you into a conversation that asks us to think more carefully about our faith, our sources of authority, and the people whose voices shape our understanding of Jesus.

Because if we allow political power to define our Christianity, we may end up defending the very things Jesus came to challenge.

What if the way forward isn't to make Christianity more powerful, but to recover the compassion, humility, courage, and concern for the vulnerable at the heart of Jesus' teachings?

What You'll Discover in This Episode

1. What Is Christian Nationalism?

Matthew defines Christian nationalism as an effort to establish a privileged connection between Christianity and American national identity, giving Christians a preferred place in public life and citizenship. We discuss how religious identity can become a tool for political belonging, exclusion, and control—and why it's important to distinguish Christian faith from the political agendas that claim to represent it.

2. How Religious Propaganda Shapes American Christianity

Religious propaganda doesn't always look like propaganda. It can appear through familiar Bible verses, Christian symbols, worship music, social media influencers, and messages from respected leaders. Matthew explains why Christians need discernment when religious language advances political power, conspiracy theories, or authoritarian ideas.

3. What Constantine Can Teach Us About Christianity and Political Power

The relationship between Christianity and political power didn't begin with modern American politics. Matthew traces an important turning point to Emperor Constantine in the fourth century, when Christianity became increasingly connected to the Roman Empire. We explore how this shift helped shape Christendom and influenced later histories of religious coercion, persecution, and colonialism.

4. Why Jesus Challenges Our Obsession With Power

Jesus lived under Roman imperial rule and challenged the abuse of authority, the elevation of some people over others, and the exclusion of society's outcasts. Matthew argues that following Jesus means resisting coercive control and embracing a cross-shaped way of life—marked by humility, love of enemies, and care for vulnerable people.

5. How Christian Nationalism Affects Marginalized Communities

Our beliefs about power influence how we treat people. We discuss the implications of Christian nationalism for immigrants, refugees, religious minorities, LGBTQ people, and others who experience exclusion. This conversation challenges me—and I hope it challenges you—to consider whether our public convictions reflect Jesus' concern for the people society often overlooks.

6. Why Christians Need to Think Critically About Politics and Faith

What happens when political leaders tell us what faithful Christians should believe? Matthew and I explore the danger of allowing partisan identity to become a test of Christian authenticity. We talk about asking difficult questions, listening across disagreement, and returning to Scripture rather than accepting political messaging without examination.

7. How to Resist Authoritarianism Through the Teachings of Jesus

Matthew offers a hopeful reminder that democracy can be fragile yet resilient, and that the Christian tradition contains resources for resisting tyranny. He points to the New Testament's accounts of Christians living faithfully under the Roman Empire, caring for the vulnerable, and refusing to make domination the measure of success.

Why This Conversation Matters

Christian nationalism, religion and politics, authoritarianism, and the relationship between church and state can be difficult subjects to discuss. For many people, these issues touch deeply held convictions about faith, family, identity, and the future of our country.

But avoiding difficult conversations doesn't help us become more discerning or more compassionate.

One reason I started The MercyCast was to create space for honest conversations about the things that shape us—including the things that challenge us. I don't want to tell you what to think. But I want to start a conversation. I want to invite you to think more deeply, listen carefully, and consider how your faith shapes the way you treat your neighbor.

Matthew's work asks us to look beyond political labels and examine the theology underneath them. Who is defining what Christianity means? How are religious symbols being used? Who benefits when faith becomes a tool of political control? And what happens to the people pushed to the margins when Christians begin to believe they're entitled to power over others?

These aren't just political questions. They're questions about discipleship, human dignity, compassion, and what it means to follow Jesus.

Questions to Consider After Listening

• How do I distinguish Jesus' teachings from political messages delivered in his name?
• Have I ever assumed that being a faithful Christian requires supporting a particular political party or leader?
• When religious language is used to justify power, exclusion, or control, what questions should I ask?
• Does my understanding of Jesus lead me toward people on the margins—or away from them?
• How can I remain in meaningful conversation with someone whose political beliefs differ from mine?
• What would a cross-shaped approach to power, leadership, and public life look like in my own community?

Take the Next Step

I encourage you to listen to this full conversation with Dr. Matthew D. Taylor, especially if you're wrestling with the relationship between Christianity and American politics, trying to understand Christian nationalism, or wondering how to follow Jesus faithfully in a polarized society.

As you listen, resist the temptation to hear only what confirms what you already believe. Consider the history. Examine the arguments. Return to the teachings of Jesus. And ask yourself whether the way you understand power is helping you love your neighbor more fully.

You don't have to agree with every point in this conversation to benefit from engaging it honestly. Sometimes growth begins when we become willing to ask questions we would rather avoid.

Listen to The MercyCast for more conversations about Christian faith, compassion, social issues, and learning from the adversity that shapes us. If this episode challenges or encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

Find more episodes and learn about our mission of learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com. You can also connect with us on social media at @MercyCastPod.

If this conversation encourages you, like, subscribe, and share the episode with someone who needs a reminder that their story isn't over.

Find more conversations about learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com. You can also connect with us on social media at @MercyCastPod. Explore more conversations about faith, suffering, and learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Because following Jesus isn't about proving our side deserves power; it's about learning to love our neighbors, care for the vulnerable, and live out the way of Christ—even when the world tells us power matters most.

You are loved.

For a deeper dive.

Learn more about Matthew D. Taylor and his book.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if the thing you thought would destroy your life became the very thing God used to help you bring hope to others?

Addiction rarely begins with one dramatic decision. Sometimes, it starts with a small step—a party, a new crowd, a way to escape the pain. Before long, the thing you thought would bring freedom becomes the thing controlling your life.

I've seen how adversity can shape us, but I've also seen how compassion, faith, and the right community can help people discover a new way forward. In this episode of The MercyCast, I sit down with Wesley Martin, a client advocate at the Potter's House, part of Atlanta Mission, to hear his powerful story of drug addiction, incarceration, Christian recovery, and restoration.

Wesley grew up in Georgia with the pain of an absent father and a longing for direction. What began as partying and experimenting with drugs eventually led him into methamphetamine and heroin addiction, drug dealing, and nearly four years in federal prison. His life had taken him far from the future he once imagined.

But even in prison, God was not finished with Wesley.

A Bible beneath a prison bunk became a reminder that God had not abandoned him. His journey toward recovery wasn't immediate or easy. Wesley experienced setbacks, struggled to maintain sobriety, and had to confront the choices and relationships that kept pulling him back toward addiction. Eventually, a Christ-centered rehabilitation program helped him begin a deeper relationship with Jesus.

Today, after more than sixteen years in recovery, Wesley uses his experience to walk alongside men facing addiction and other challenges. Through his work at the Potter's House, he helps men pursue recovery through faith, accountability, meaningful relationships, exercise, and the twelve steps.

What stands out to me about Wesley's story is that recovery isn't simply about stopping a behavior. It's about discovering where true freedom comes from, learning to depend on Christ daily, and finding a community that will welcome you back when you stumble.

In our conversation, we talk honestly about the slow drift into addiction, the importance of accountability, the role of Christian community in recovery, and how God can redeem the very experiences we wish had never happened.

Because sometimes the adversity we thought would stop us becomes the story we use to encourage someone else.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

1. Addiction can begin with small steps.

Wesley's story reminds us that life can change direction gradually. What begins as experimentation or a desire to belong can become a destructive cycle. We talk about recognizing the patterns, choices, and relationships that can pull us away from the life we hoped to live.

2. The pain we don't address can shape our choices.

Growing up without a consistent father figure left Wesley struggling with a sense of direction. His story invites us to consider how unresolved pain, loneliness, and the search for belonging can influence our decisions—and why compassion matters when we hear someone else's story.

3. Prison and relapse don't have to be the end of the story.

Wesley's journey included incarceration, rehabilitation, and setbacks after he thought he was moving forward. His experience challenges the idea that one failure defines a person's future. Recovery is a journey that calls for honesty, support, accountability, and the courage to begin again.

4. Christian recovery is about more than changing your behavior.

Wesley found lasting transformation when he began depending on Jesus Christ rather than relying on willpower alone. Exercise, healthy routines, and recovery tools can all play a role, but Wesley emphasizes that his relationship with Christ is at the center of his freedom.

5. The right community can help you keep going.

After a relapse, Wesley returned to Celebrate Recovery and was welcomed with open arms. Instead of being shamed for stumbling, he was encouraged to keep fighting. That kind of community—one that combines accountability with grace—can make a profound difference for people navigating addiction and recovery.

6. Your mess can become a message of hope.

Today, Wesley draws on his own experiences to encourage men who are beginning recovery. Through his work at the Potter's House, he helps others find support, build healthier lives, and explore a relationship with Christ. Our hardest experiences don't have to be wasted; God can use them to help us meet others with greater compassion.

Why Men's Recovery Needs Community

Men struggling with addiction, depression, anxiety, shame, or isolation may feel pressure to suffer in silence. Wesley's story shows why connection matters. Recovery is not simply a private battle fought through determination. It can involve trusted relationships, structured support, healthy boundaries, spiritual growth, and people who understand the road you're walking.

For Wesley, community became especially important when he returned after a relapse and was met with encouragement instead of rejection. Now he offers that same kind of presence to other men.

His story is a reminder that compassion doesn't mean ignoring destructive choices. It means helping people take responsibility while still believing their lives can change.

A Different Definition of Freedom

One of the most powerful things Wesley shares is that he once thought freedom was a destination—a certain number of years sober, a milestone he could finally reach.

Over time, he came to understand freedom differently: it's learning to depend on Christ daily.

That doesn't mean recovery is effortless or that practical tools don't matter. Wesley uses exercise and other healthy practices as part of his routine. But he has learned that those tools cannot replace the foundation of his faith.

His encouragement is simple: you don't have to figure everything out today. You can take one small step toward Christ, toward help, or toward a healthier community.

You may feel that your past has disqualified you. You may have tried to change before and fallen back into old patterns. But a setback doesn't have to be the final chapter.

Questions to Reflect On

• What small choices or relationships are shaping the direction of my life?
• Is there pain I've been trying to escape instead of facing?
• Where do I need accountability, support, or a healthier community?
• Have shame or fear kept me from asking for help?
• What would it look like to depend on Christ one day at a time?
• How might God use my experiences to help someone else?

Take the Next Step

If you're struggling with addiction, supporting someone in recovery, or trying to understand how faith and community can help people rebuild their lives, I hope you'll listen to this conversation with Wesley Martin.

You don't have to wait until everything is fixed to reach out for help. Consider connecting with a trusted person, a recovery community, a qualified professional, or a faith-based recovery program. If you're exploring Christian recovery, ask about the support, accountability, and resources available to you.

And if you feel far from God, start small. Take one step toward him. You don't have to have all the answers before you begin.

Listen to this episode of The MercyCast to hear how Wesley moved from addiction and incarceration toward a life of faith, recovery, and service—and how he now helps other men find hope through the Potter's House and Atlanta Mission.

If this conversation encourages you, like, subscribe, and share the episode with someone who needs a reminder that their story isn't over.

Find more conversations about learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com. You can also connect with us on social media at @MercyCastPod. Explore more conversations about faith, suffering, and learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Because the things we thought would stop us can become the places where compassion grows, community takes root, and new life begins.

You are loved.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if the heaviness you're carrying isn't a sign that God is far away—but an invitation to discover He's closer than you think?

Life is messy. Grief doesn't always make sense. Doubt can linger. Ordinary responsibilities pile up, and sometimes we wonder where God is in the middle of it all.

But what if the holy isn't separate from the hard? What if God is meeting you right in the middle of your unanswered questions, unfinished work, and everyday struggles?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with Laura Wifler, poet, bestselling author, and co-founder of Risen Motherhood, to explore Christian faith, grief, creativity, identity in Christ, emotional honesty, and finding hope in everyday life. Laura's debut poetry collection, This Side of the Sky: 101 Poems and Scriptures for the Hungry, Hopeful, and Homesick, gives voice to the complicated places where longing, sorrow, beauty, and hope meet.

Laura knows the heart sometimes feels things the mind can't fully explain. That's part of what drew her to poetry—a form of writing that can name our deepest aches, help us feel seen, and give language to emotions we may struggle to express. In this conversation, she explains why we need art that doesn't always tie everything up neatly, but instead invites us to sit with the tension and discover meaning along the way.

This isn't a conversation about pretending life is easy. It's about learning to recognize God's presence when it isn't.

Laura and Raleigh discuss how the gospel frees us from the exhausting pressure to prove ourselves, manage our reputations, or earn approval through success. When our identity is secure in Christ, we can take creative risks, receive criticism with humility, and pursue meaningful work without making our achievements the measure of our worth.

Laura also opens up about disability, parenting, grief, and the tension of loving someone while facing an uncertain future. Some experiences are meant to be shared publicly; others deserve the privacy of trusted relationships. Wisdom means knowing the difference.

Laura offers a simple question that can reshape the way we spend our time, make decisions, care for others, and navigate difficult seasons:

“What does love require of me in this moment?”

If you've been wrestling with perfectionism, fear of failure, grief, creative insecurity, or the feeling that your life is too ordinary to matter, this conversation will remind you that God is at work right where you are.

6 Key Takeaways

1. Poetry can give words to what your heart already feels.

Sometimes we don't need another explanation. We need language that helps us recognize our own pain, longing, and hope. Laura explains how poetry can make us feel seen and help truth move from our heads into our hearts.

2. You can be honest about grief without giving up hope.

Christian hope doesn't require you to minimize suffering or rush through sadness. Laura discusses lament, the reality of grief, and the promise of a future when God will wipe away every tear. We can acknowledge what hurts while trusting that sorrow won't have the final word.

3. Your identity in Christ frees you from perfectionism.

You don't have to earn God's love through your accomplishments, reputation, creativity, or success. When your identity is rooted in Christ, you can take risks, make mistakes, learn from criticism, and keep moving forward without letting other people's opinions define you.

4. Faith gives you the courage to create and take risks.

Whether you're a writer, artist, parent, entrepreneur, or simply someone trying something new, meaningful work requires a willingness to be vulnerable. Laura explains why creativity is an act of stewardship—and why we can offer our work to God without controlling how everyone receives it.

5. You don't owe the internet every detail of your pain.

Vulnerability matters, but so do boundaries. Laura and Raleigh discuss the pressure to share personal struggles publicly and the importance of protecting the stories of the people we love. Before sharing, ask yourself: Am I serving others, or am I leveraging their pain?

6. Ask what love requires of you today.

You may not know what the next five years will demand of you, but you can often recognize the loving thing to do right now. Sometimes it's creating something meaningful. Sometimes it's accepting correction. And sometimes it's simply welcoming your child home, listening to a friend, or being fully present in an ordinary moment.

Questions Worth Sitting With

• Where in your life are you struggling to see God's presence?
• Are you measuring your worth by your performance, reputation, or other people's approval?
• Is there grief you need to acknowledge rather than rush past?
• What would change if you approached your work as an offering to God instead of a way to prove yourself?
• What does love require of you right now?

Take the Next Step

You don't have to solve your whole life today. You don't have to understand every hardship, prove your worth, or make every part of your story make sense.

Start with the moment in front of you.

Make space for the grief you've been avoiding. Create something without demanding perfection. Reach out to someone you trust. Notice the beauty hidden in an ordinary day. And when you're unsure what to do next, ask God for the wisdom to see what love requires right now.

Listen to the full episode of The MercyCast for an honest conversation about faith, grief, poetry, creativity, disability, and the hope of Christ in everyday life. If this episode encourages you, follow The MercyCast, like and subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that God is near in the heaviness.

Explore more conversations about faith, suffering, and learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Find more conversations about learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at , and explore Laura Wifler's poetry collection, This Side of the Sky.

Life doesn't have to be polished for God to meet you in it.

You are loved.

For a deeper dive.

Learn more about Laura Wifler and her book.‍ Follow her on Instagram.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What do you do when life doesn't turn out the way you hoped? When healing doesn't come, suffering continues, and God seems silent? How do you hold on to faith when you can't understand the why?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with Nadia Ibrahim Mossburg, disability advocate, ministry leader, and author of the forthcoming book Divinely Disabled, for an honest, moving conversation about disability, faith, suffering, unconditional love, grief, and hope in Jesus.

Born with cerebral palsy, Nadia spent years wondering why God had allowed her disability. As a teenager, the emotional weight became so overwhelming that she struggled with depression and nearly ended her life. But through the faithful example of a camp counselor, conversations about Scripture, and a growing relationship with Jesus, Nadia began to see her story differently.

One passage that deeply shaped her perspective was John 9, where Jesus rejects the assumption that a man's disability was caused by his sin or his parents' sin. This encounter with Scripture challenged Nadia's belief that her disability meant God was disappointed in her—and helped her discover a deeper understanding of God's character.

Nadia and Raleigh explore a powerful shift that can change how we navigate life's hardest seasons: moving from asking “Why?” to asking “Who?” We may never receive the explanations we want, but we can learn to trust who God is even when our circumstances remain painful and uncertain.

The conversation takes an especially personal turn as Raleigh shares about the recent loss of his mother, who lived with a disability for more than two decades. Reflecting on her life, he describes how suffering shaped their family, deepened his understanding of unconditional love, and taught him that love can reach people even when circumstances limit what we can do.

Together, Nadia and Raleigh discuss Christian disability advocacy, caregiving, depression, grief, marriage, sacrificial love, lament, and emotional healing. Nadia reminds us that people with disabilities are more than the inspiration their stories may provide others—and that God is working in ways we cannot always see.

Her message for anyone walking through a difficult season is simple but powerful: Don't believe the lie that today's circumstances are the end of your story. Jesus rose on the third day. The story isn't over.

Key Takeaways

1. Ask “Who?” when you can't answer “Why?”

Suffering naturally leads us to search for explanations. But we may never connect all the dots or understand why certain things happen. Nadia and Raleigh encourage listeners to turn their attention toward God's character and trust His love, goodness, and faithfulness even when answers remain elusive.

2. Disability does not diminish a person's worth or purpose.

Nadia's story challenges assumptions about disability and suffering. People with disabilities are not defined by their limitations or by how their experiences inspire others. They are whole people with relationships, gifts, struggles, faith, and purpose.

3. God can work through suffering in ways we cannot see.

Our hardships affect more than ourselves. Raleigh reflects on how his mother's experience with disability shaped his character and taught him about love. Even when we cannot see the full picture, God can use our lives and relationships to encourage, strengthen, and transform others.

4. Unconditional love is lived out in the messy moments.

Love isn't always easy or joyful. Sometimes it means showing up when you're tired, helping when you've had an argument, sacrificing for someone you love, and choosing humility when your feelings pull you in another direction. Nadia explains how caregiving and marriage have taught her that genuine love is often revealed in ordinary, difficult moments.

5. You don't have to rush through grief and difficult emotions.

Moving forward doesn't mean pretending you're okay or pushing painful feelings aside. Nadia points to the Psalms as a model for lament—bringing our questions, sadness, and struggles honestly before God. Sometimes growth comes not from escaping hardship quickly, but from allowing God to meet us in the middle of it.

6. Remember: it's still day two.

When life feels hopeless, it can seem as though your current circumstances will define your future. Nadia points listeners back to the resurrection of Jesus as the foundation of Christian hope. If you're struggling to imagine what comes next, focus on the next five minutes or the next hour. Your story isn't over, and you are not alone.

Take the Next Step

What if you stopped trying to solve every “why” and started remembering who God is?

If you're facing grief, disability, depression, caregiving challenges, or unanswered prayers, give yourself permission to be honest about what hurts. Bring your questions to God. Let yourself lament. Reach out to someone who can walk alongside you, and take the next small step in front of you.

And if someone you love is suffering, remember that you don't have to fix their circumstances to make a difference. Sometimes compassion means listening, showing up, offering practical help, and reminding them that they are loved.

Listen to the full episode of The MercyCast, and share it with someone who needs encouragement in a difficult season. Explore more conversations about faith, suffering, and learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

You may not know why you're walking through this. But you can hold on to who God is—and trust that your story isn't over.

You are loved.

For a deeper dive.

Learn more about Nadia and how to get her new book, Divinely Disabled. 

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if the way you handle your money reveals more about your heart than you realize?

Money is something we all deal with—but it's not something we always talk about openly. It can create stress, anxiety, conflict, and even pain in our relationships. But what if our finances could become more than a source of worry? What if they could become an opportunity for worship, generosity, compassion, and kingdom impact?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with Mike Poirier, Chief Lending Officer and Senior Vice President of Ministry Relationships at AdelFi Christian Banking, for an honest conversation about money, financial stewardship, Christian money management, generosity, budgeting, debt, and faith.

Mike shares how growing up in a home where financial strain created conflict shaped his understanding of money. Later, he discovered a radically different perspective: God owns everything, and we are called to steward what He has entrusted to us. That shift changed the way he viewed finances and became a passion he now brings into his work with others.

Together, Raleigh and Mike explore why financial stewardship is an often-overlooked part of Christian discipleship and why ignoring money doesn't make financial problems disappear. From social media comparison and “treat yourself” culture to subscriptions, credit card debt, budgeting, giving, and planning for the future, this conversation offers practical wisdom for anyone who wants to handle their finances more intentionally.

But this episode isn't simply about numbers.

Mike makes a powerful observation: “Most financial problems are not math problems; they're heart problems.”Changing how we think about money begins with changing our perspective—from "What can my money do for me?" to "How can I use what God has entrusted to me for His purposes?"

You'll also hear practical encouragement about reviewing your spending, creating a budget, seeking wise counsel, reducing financial anxiety, and making room for generosity. Sometimes financial freedom begins with simply opening your bank statements and honestly looking at where your money is going.

Key Takeaways

1. God owns it all—we are stewards.

Seeing ourselves as stewards rather than owners can fundamentally change the way we think about spending, saving, giving, and planning.

2. Financial problems aren't always math problems.

Money decisions are often connected to our hearts, desires, priorities, and attitudes. Addressing the heart can be the first step toward making healthier financial decisions.

3. Your spending reveals your priorities.

Taking an honest look at your bank statements can reveal what you actually value—not necessarily what you say you value.

4. Financial stewardship is discipleship.

Money is part of everyday life, so learning to manage it faithfully should be part of how Christians grow in wisdom and obedience.

5. Financial freedom creates opportunities to give.

When we become intentional with our resources, we can create room to care for our neighbors, support ministries, give generously, and pursue kingdom impact.

6. Don't let financial anxiety keep you frozen.

If you're overwhelmed, start by seeking wise counsel, writing down what you actually earn and spend, creating priorities, and bringing the process before God in prayer.

Take the Next Step

Look at where your money is going.

Open your bank account. Review your subscriptions. Look at your spending. Ask yourself: Does the way I'm using my money reflect what I say matters most?

Then take it one step further. Pray over your finances. Ask God for wisdom. Seek trustworthy counsel. Create a plan. And remember that financial stewardship isn't ultimately about having more—it's about faithfully managing what you've already been given.

Listen to the full episode of The MercyCast, share it with someone who is wrestling with financial stress, debt, budgeting, generosity, or money in marriage, and discover more conversations about learning the art of compassion through life's adversity at MercyCast.com.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

You can also learn more about your financial stewardship at AdelFI Christian Banking.

Whatever you're facing financially, you don't have to face it alone.

You are loved.

Listen to the full episode:

About Mike Poirier.

Learn more about Mike and AdelFi here.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if men aren't asking for less love—but for love to be communicated in a language they understand?

What does respect mean to men? Why can feeling disrespected affect a man's relationships, emotions, and willingness to be vulnerable? How can husbands and wives learn to communicate in ways that build trust, safety, healing, and deeper connection?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with Pastor Jerome Gay Jr., author of How to Speak Man: Discovering the Respect Languages Men Need, for a powerful conversation about men, marriage, respect, vulnerability, emotional health, relationships, and Christian leadership.

Jerome draws from more than 20 years of pastoral ministry—and his own experience growing up with the effects of his father's drug addiction—to explain why unresolved pain can shape the way men respond to disrespect. He challenges men to stop burying their emotions and learn how to process pain purposefully instead of destructively.

The conversation goes deeper than simply asking women to “respect men.” Jerome explains why both men and women have a role in building healthier relationships. Men need to learn how to communicate what respect looks like for them, while women can learn how to understand better and respond to those needs.

You'll also hear an honest conversation about vulnerability, masculinity, emotions, childhood wounds, marriage, parenting, forgiveness, and healing. Jerome shares why emotions aren't weakness, why men need healthy ways to process what they feel, and how learning to communicate can prevent internalized disrespect from becoming bitterness, distance, or relational breakdown.

5 Key Takeaways

1. Respect can be a pathway to vulnerability.

Jerome describes respect as something that can help men feel safe enough to become vulnerable and communicate honestly in their relationships.

2. Unprocessed pain doesn't simply disappear.

Past wounds can influence present relationships. Jerome encourages men to process their pain rather than allowing it to become anger, bitterness, addiction, withdrawal, or unhealthy behavior.

3. Emotions aren't weakness.

Men don't have to deny sadness, tears, or difficult emotions to be strong. Jerome argues that acknowledging emotions can bring clarity while still requiring wisdom in how you act on them.

4. Healthy relationships require communication.

Whether it's asking for space, setting boundaries, or explaining what makes you feel respected, communication can keep assumptions from turning into resentment. Jerome uses his own marriage and parenting experiences to illustrate this.

5. Your brokenness doesn't have to define you.

Jerome's message is ultimately one of hope: failures and painful experiences don't have to be the final word. They can become part of a process of healing, growth, and refinement.

Start the Conversation

What does respect look like to you?

Ask your spouse, friend, son, daughter, or someone you trust that question—and then listen. Sometimes the first step toward healing a relationship isn't solving the problem. It's finally finding the words to talk about it.

Want to go deeper? Listen to the full episode and discover more resources at MercyCast.com. Pick up Jerome Gay Jr.'s How to Speak Man and use the conversation questions to begin talking about respect, vulnerability, pain, and healing in your own relationships.

Listen. Subscribe. Share this episode with someone who needs it—and keep learning the art of compassion through life's adversity with The MercyCast. Find more episodes at MercyCast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

You are loved.

About Jerome Gay, Jr.

Learn about Jerome and Vision Church. Buy his newest book!

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if the words you’re most afraid to say are the very words that could bring freedom, healing, and deeper relationships?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with longtime friend Erick Sorensen, reverend and Director of Church Partnerships for 1517, to explore the transformative power of two simple words: “I’m sorry.”

Why can an apology feel so vulnerable? What happens when we take responsibility without making excuses, blaming others, or demanding forgiveness in return? Raleigh and Erick discuss vulnerability, confession, forgiveness, reconciliation, Christian community, trust, and spiritual growth, showing how a genuine apology can change not only our relationships but also our posture before God.

Erick explains why Christians have an opportunity to model something countercultural: being willing to admit when we've messed up. True apology means relinquishing control, owning our part, and trusting God with the outcome. It doesn't guarantee someone will forgive us or that a relationship will be restored—but it can bring freedom by letting us carry less of the weight we've been holding.

The conversation also explores how confession and forgiveness build trust, why healthy community requires vulnerability, and how regularly practicing repentance can reshape the way we live with God and others. As Erick puts it, we are free enough to say, “I’m sorry.”

5 Key Takeaways

1. A real apology takes vulnerability.

Saying “I’m sorry” means taking off the armor, owning your actions, and letting go of the need to control how the other person responds.

2. Skip the non-apology.

“I’m sorry you were hurt” isn't the same as “I’m sorry I did this.” Genuine confession identifies what we did and takes responsibility for our part.

3. You can’t control the response.

An apology doesn't guarantee forgiveness, reconciliation, or the outcome you want. It means you've done your part and placed the rest in someone else's hands.

4. Vulnerability builds trust and community.

Real community isn't about avoiding conflict. It's about having the humility to acknowledge when we've hurt someone and being willing to repair what we can.

5. Grace makes honesty possible.

Christian confession begins with the recognition that we are imperfect and that our identity is ultimately rooted in God's forgiveness through Jesus—not in appearing perfect before others.

Take the Next Step

Is there someone you need to apologize to? Don't wait for the perfect moment or the perfect words. Own your specific part, say “I’m sorry,” and release the outcome.

Then listen, Like, Follow, and Subscribe to The MercyCast, and share this episode with someone who could use a reminder that vulnerability, confession, forgiveness, and grace can lead to healthier relationships and deeper community. Find more episodes at MercyCast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

You don't have to have it all together. And that's okay. You are loved.

About Erick Sorensen

Learn about Erick, his ministry and his podcasts.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if grief doesn’t get smaller—but you can learn to carry it while still finding hope, joy, and God’s goodness?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with author Johanna Rojas Vann to talk honestly about grief, miscarriage, suffering, faith, friendship, and hope. Johanna shares the deeply personal story behind her novel Where Wilted Flowers Bloom—a story she wrote about a mother experiencing loss before unexpectedly experiencing miscarriage herself just seven days after completing the book.

Together, Raleigh and Johanna explore what it means to grieve without pretending everything is okay, trust God when life doesn’t make sense, and discover joy in the middle of sorrow.

Johanna shares how her faith helped her reject the pressure to believe that if we simply do everything “right,” suffering can be avoided. Instead, she learned to surrender the illusion of control and trust God with the results.

This conversation also explores Christian grief, miscarriage recovery, unanswered prayer, emotional healing, spiritual growth, and the discipline of looking for God’s goodness in everyday life. Sometimes hope doesn't mean the pain disappears. Sometimes hope means learning to worship, love, laugh, and live fully—even while carrying grief.

Key Takeaways

• Grief and joy can coexist. You don't have to choose between acknowledging sorrow and experiencing gratitude.
• We don't have control over every outcome. Releasing that pressure can create space for deeper trust in God.
• It's okay to grieve. Continuing to feel sadness doesn't mean you've lost your faith or hope.
• Look for God's goodness. Seeing everyday gifts can become a spiritual discipline, even in seasons of suffering.
• Faith doesn't promise an easy life. Christians can experience loss, brokenness, and unanswered questions while still trusting God.
• Stories can help us carry pain. Johanna's novel became a source of encouragement for others—and unexpectedly became part of her own journey through grief.
• Hope doesn't require a perfect ending. Healing and hope can exist even when circumstances remain painful.

3 Ways to Take the Next Step

1. Look for One Good Thing

Today, ask God to help you notice one small gift or glimpse of goodness in the middle of whatever you're carrying.

2. Read Where Wilted Flowers Bloom

If this conversation resonated with you, explore Johanna Vann's novel and its honest portrayal of grief, friendship, faith, loss, and hope.

3. Follow The MercyCast

Follow @MercyCastPod on social media and join the conversation as we continue learning the art of compassion through life's adversity.

Remember: You don't have to deny your pain to experience hope. You can grieve, worship, laugh, love, and look for God's goodness—all at the same time.

And no matter what you're carrying this week, you are loved.

Listen, like, subscribe, and share The MercyCast with someone who could use encouragement in their marriage, faith, or prayer life. Find more episodes at MercyCast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

About Johanna Rojas Vann

Learn more about Christy Award winning author, Johanna Rojas Vann. Buy Where Wilted Flowers Bloom.

You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if one of the simplest ways to strengthen your marriage is also one of the easiest to overlook?

Prayer is more than a conversation about God—it’s an invitation to talk with God. On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler welcomes back Genee Francis, Assistant Director for Content and Programming at Winshape Marriage, to explore the power of praying together as a couple.

Genee shares how developing a daily rhythm of prayer with her husband helped them understand each other’s deepest thoughts, fears, hopes, and concerns. Together, Raleigh and Genee unpack why couples can struggle to pray together, how vulnerability and boundaries play a role, and why learning to rely on God can transform the way we communicate and connect.

From personal prayer time to praying as a couple, this conversation offers a practical reminder: you don’t have to be perfect at prayer—you just have to begin.

Key Takeaways

• Prayer deepens intimacy. Praying together can strengthen emotional and spiritual connection between spouses.
• Start small. You don’t need an hour-long prayer session. Genee encourages couples to begin with just seven minutes of prayer and devotion together.
• Practice makes prayer easier. Like any habit, praying with others becomes more natural as you do it consistently.
• Personal and shared prayer both matter. Couples can maintain individual time with God while also creating intentional time to pray together.
• Healthy boundaries are important. Marriage doesn’t eliminate the need for a personal relationship with God.
• Prayer changes your posture. Instead of trying to control or solve everything ourselves, prayer teaches us to trust and rely on God.
• God belongs at the center. Like a three-stranded cord, a marriage strengthened by husband, wife, and God can withstand adversity.
• Just try it. You don’t have to know the perfect words. Start the conversation and bring your real life to God.

Take the next step: If you’re married, set aside seven minutes today to pray with your spouse. And if praying together feels uncomfortable, remember: you don’t have to be good at it to begin. Remember, You are loved.

Listen, like, subscribe, and share The MercyCast with someone who could use encouragement in their marriage, faith, or prayer life. Find more episodes at MercyCast.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if the content your kids consume could do more than entertain them—it could help shape who they become?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with Christian storyteller Debbie A. Thomas, creator of King Kenny, to explore faith-based children’s content, parenting, creativity, and the power of telling stories that point kids toward faith and positive values.

Debbie shares how a simple, God-given idea grew into books, songs, videos, characters, and live experiences that reach children through schools, churches, healthcare institutions, and youth organizations. Her story also reminds us that meaningful work often starts small—with an idea, a willingness to step out in faith, and a community willing to help bring the vision to life.

Key Takeaways

• Kids need content that entertains and builds character. Wholesome stories and songs can help children learn faith, responsibility, confidence, and positive values.
• Start with what God has placed in your hands. Debbie’s journey shows how one simple idea can grow when you’re willing to take the next step.
• Authenticity matters. Creating for people—not simply for algorithms—can lead to deeper and more meaningful connections.
• You don’t have to do it alone. Debbie emphasizes the “whole village” of family and friends who helped bring King Kenny to life.
• Your gifts have a purpose. Everyone has a story, testimony, or ability that can encourage and impact others.

Take the next step: Share this episode with a parent, grandparent, teacher, or ministry leader looking for better content for kids. Then subscribe to The MercyCast for more conversations about faith, purpose, compassion, and living out your God-given calling.

You are loved.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

About Debbie A. Thomas

Follow Ms. Debbie on Instagram. Watch songs with Ms. Debbie and King Kenny on YOUTUBE,

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if the goal isn’t to escape suffering, but to learn how to walk through it with God?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler welcomes back Karis Meier, author of Suffering Redeemed, for an honest conversation about chronic illness, unanswered prayer, faith, and finding purpose when the pain doesn’t go away.

Karis shares how years of illness, medical challenges, and uncertainty have reshaped her understanding of God’s goodness. Together, Raleigh and Karis explore why suffering doesn't always have an easy explanation—and how faith can help us hold joy and suffering at the same time.

In This Episode

• Finding faith when suffering continues
• What to do when prayers seem unanswered
• Why suffering isn't necessarily a sign of weak faith
• Learning to trust God when you can't control the outcome
• The importance of daily dependence on God
• How worship can transform our perspective in dark moments
• Why we need Christian community when life gets hard
• How suffering can equip us to comfort others
• Choosing vulnerability instead of suffering alone

A Powerful Reminder

You don't have to understand your suffering to trust God in the middle of it.

Karis shares how her relationship with Jesus became a foundation long before chronic illness entered her life—and how that foundation continues to sustain her one day at a time.

Don't Walk Alone

Suffering can make us want to isolate, but we're not meant to carry it alone. Karis encourages listeners to invite trusted people in, ask for prayer, and allow the body of Christ to offer encouragement and support.

If you're walking through suffering—or know someone who is—share this episode with them. Then subscribe to The MercyCast and join us for more conversations about faith, compassion, and finding hope amid life's adversity.

You are loved.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

About Karis Meier

Karis is back to give a part two to our conversation on redeeming suffering. You can connect with Karis on Facebook,Instagram, and her website. Also, if you haven’t read her book, Suffering Redeemed, you can find it here.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if the hardest thing you're carrying could teach you how to carry someone else?

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with pastor and author Tomy Cummins to talk honestly about trauma, mental health, emotional health, suffering, and what it means to care like Christ when someone is hurting.

Tomy shares his deeply personal journey of confronting childhood trauma, seeking healing, and learning how his own suffering equipped him to shepherd others better. Together, Raleigh and Tomy explore how the Church can create safer spaces for difficult conversations—and why we don't need perfect words to show up for someone in pain.

In This Episode

• Breaking the silence around mental health and emotional health
• Tomy's journey through childhood trauma and healing
• How to become a safe person for someone who is suffering
• Setting healthy boundaries while caring for others
• The difference between carrying someone's burden and carrying it for them
• Compassion fatigue and secondary trauma
• Why shepherds need shepherding, too
• Practical ways to respond when someone shares something difficult
• How the Church can create greater psychological safety

A Powerful Reminder

You don't have to fix someone's pain to love them well.

Sometimes the most Christlike thing you can do is sit with someone, listen, and remind them they're not alone.

Tomy also offers a practical challenge: practice how you'll respond before you're in a crisis. Learn to listen. Check your face. Know your boundaries. Build your own support system. And don't be afraid to point someone toward professional help when the weight is beyond what you can carry.

Take the Next Step

Who in your life might need someone to sit with them in the midst of a difficult season?

Share this episode with a pastor, parent, friend, ministry leader, or anyone who wants to learn how to care for people experiencing mental health struggles and emotional pain.

Subscribe to The MercyCast and help create a Church where people can bring their suffering into the light—and meet the hands and feet of Jesus.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Tomy Cummins is a longtime student pastor and author of Shepherds of the Mind: Caring Like Christ in an Age of Silent Suffering. See what people are saying about it! His work focuses on helping Christians respond to mental and emotional health challenges with biblical truth, compassion, wisdom, and hope. Follow on Instagram.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Remember, You are loved.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

Imagine never having read the Bible because it doesn't exist in a language you understand.

On this episode of The MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler talks with Stephanie de Oliveira, Director of Church Relations at Wycliffe Bible Translators, about the urgent global mission of Bible translation and reaching communities still waiting for Scripture.

Stephanie shares her journey into missions and explains why Bible translation is a ministry of the global Church—including the growing need for oral, audio, visual, and sign-language Scripture.

In This Episode

• Why Bible translation is still needed
• The challenges of reaching remote and persecuted communities
• How local churches are leading translation efforts
• Why Scripture must be accessible in the language people understand
• How churches can participate through prayer, giving, advocacy, sending, and going
• The Adopt a Verse initiative connecting churches with translation projects

The Bigger Picture

Bible translation isn't simply about putting words on a page. It's about giving people the opportunity to encounter God's Word, hear the Gospel, and see themselves as part of God's story.

The global Church has a role to play.

Take the Next Step

How is God calling you to participate? Pray. Give. Advocate. Send. Go.

Share this episode with your church, missions team, or small group and help others discover why Bible translation is foundational to the Great Commission.

Subscribe to The MercyCast and join the conversation about faith, compassion, and God's work around the world.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Remember, You are loved.

Follow Stephanie on Instagram. Learn more about Wycliffe Bible Translators.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What happens when a child turns 18... and has no one to call?

Every year, nearly 25,000 young adults age out of the U.S. foster care system without the lifelong support of a family. Many face homelessness, incarceration, poverty, or isolation—not because they lack potential, but because they lack belonging.

In this powerful episode of The Mercy Cast, I welcome Dr. Kimberly Offutt, Executive Branch Director of Bethany Christian Services in Atlanta, a foster and adoptive mom, and a child welfare leader. Together, we explore what it means to move beyond programs and systems to become the kind of people who offer hope, community, and lasting relationships.

This conversation will challenge the way you think about foster care, compassion, and the Church's role in caring for vulnerable children.

In This Episode

• Why foster care was never designed to raise children
• What really happens when youth age out of foster care
• The hidden crisis facing thousands of young adults every year.
• Why belonging matters more than programs
• How one caring adult can change a child's future
• The power of mentoring, community, and showing up
• Why empowerment is more effective than rescue
• How churches can support foster families before crises happen
• The importance of listening to people with lived experience
• Why healing often happens while helping others
• Practical ways anyone can support children and families impacted by foster care

Key Takeaways

Children don't need a perfect system—they need people who won't leave.

Dr. Offutt explains that foster care is meant to be temporary, yet thousands of children spend years in the system before aging out without the support many of us take for granted.

One trusted adult.

One emergency contact.

One mentor.

One family willing to say, "I'm here for you."

Sometimes that's enough to change the trajectory of a life.

Empowerment Over Rescue

Rather than approaching vulnerable neighbors with a savior mentality, Dr. Offutt encourages us to walk with people instead of trying to fix them.

Real transformation happens when we:

• Listen before leading.
• Empower instead of rescuing.
• Value lived experience.
• Build relationships instead of programs.
• Create community instead of dependency.

Memorable Quotes

"Systems weren't designed to raise children."

"Children don't need another program. They need belonging."

"You are the hero of your own story."

"We're not called to be saviors—we're called to walk alongside people."

"Sometimes all it takes is one person willing to say yes."

Practical Next Steps

If you've ever wondered how you can help children in foster care, Dr. Offutt offers simple encouragement:

• Learn about foster care in your community.
• Attend an informational meeting or orientation.
• Support foster families through your local church.
• Become a mentor to a young person.
• Listen to those with lived experience.
• Say yes to opportunities to serve.
• Remember that you don't have to be perfect to make a difference.

Share This Episode

If this conversation challenged or encouraged you, share it with a pastor, foster parent, social worker, teacher, ministry leader, or anyone passionate about caring for vulnerable children.

One conversation can inspire one "yes."

And one "yes" can change a life.

Subscribe to The Mercy Cast for more conversations that inspire compassion, challenge assumptions, and equip you to love your most vulnerable neighbors well.

• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Remember, You are loved.

About Dr. Kimberly Offutt

Dr. Kimberly Offutt serves as the Executive Branch Director for Bethany Christian Services in Atlanta and has spent decades serving children and families through foster care, adoption, and child welfare. As both a leader and an adoptive mother, she brings professional expertise and deeply personal insight into what children need most: lasting relationships, hope, and belonging.

Learn more about Bethany.org and find resources for helping you care for your neighbors in and through foster care.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

What if the thing your family needs most is less screen time—and more presence?

In this episode of The MercyCast, host Raleigh Sadler sits down with Amy Lowe, director of Winshape Camps for Girls, for a timely conversation about kids, smartphones, social media, anxiety, parenting, faith, and the lost art of being present.

In a world where children can swipe a screen before they can tie their shoes, Amy has witnessed what happens when kids step away from technology and into nature, community, and meaningful relationships. At Winshape Camps, children spend time without phones, notifications, and the pressure to perform online—and parents often report something remarkable when they come home: “I got my daughter back.”

Amy and Raleigh explore why disconnecting from technology can actually help us connect more deeply with our families, our neighbors, God, and creation.

In This Episode, we learn about:

• The cost of constant digital distraction for children—and adults.
• How smartphones and social media can impact our levels of attention, anxiety, and relationships
• The importance of the camp slogan “disconnect to connect”
• What happens when children spend a week without phones
• Why parents say they feel like they “got their kids back” after camp
• The connection between technology, anxiety, and the pressure children face today
• How Christian camps create space for kids to develop faith, friendship, and spiritual growth
• How nature and quiet can help us become more present
• Why doing something difficult can build confidence and grit
• Practical ways families can create healthier technology rhythms at home
• How parents can overcome mom guilt and give themselves grace
• The importance of Sabbath and intentional technology-free time
• Why sometimes stepping away is the best way to rediscover what really matters

Disconnect to Connect

One of the central ideas in this conversation is simple but counterintuitive:

Sometimes we have to disconnect in order to truly connect.

When phones disappear, children have the opportunity to look at the person sitting across from them. They tell stories. They play. They explore nature. They have deeper conversations. They learn to be uncomfortable, try new things, and discover that they are capable of more than they thought.

And the same principle applies to adults.

Raleigh and Amy discuss how putting down our phones can create space to reconnect with God, family, community, nature, and our own thoughts.

What Can Parents Do Today?

You don't have to send your child to camp—or completely abandon technology—to start creating healthier rhythms.

Amy shares several practical ideas:

• Try a 24-hour technology Sabbath as a family.
• Keep phones away from the dinner table.
• Put your phone down when you're talking with your children.
• Create technology-free moments before bed.
• Spend intentional time outside.
• Look for opportunities for your children to experience healthy discomfort and independence.
• Give yourself grace when changing family rhythms is difficult.
• Remember that small changes can create meaningful connection over time.

A Word of Encouragement for Parents

If you've ever felt guilty about your child's screen time, you're not alone.

Amy offers a powerful reminder: if you're listening and looking for ways to love and parent your kids well, you're already taking a meaningful step.

Changing habits can be difficult at first. But new rhythms become easier with time—and the benefits can be worth the discomfort.

You don't have to be a perfect parent. You can start with one small step toward being more present.

Why Christian Camp Matters

Amy explains how Christian camps can create a unique environment for spiritual formation. Kids have the opportunity to step away from screens, spend time in creation, build meaningful friendships, learn from older mentors, and talk about what God is teaching them.

For families who aren't ready for overnight camp, Amy also discusses day camps and family camp as accessible ways to experience the benefits of unplugging and reconnecting.

Key Takeaways

1. Attention is a limited resource.

Constant notifications compete for our attention, emotions, and relationships.

2. Quiet isn't necessarily empty.

When the noise disappears, we can begin to notice God, creation, other people, and what is happening inside us.

3. Disconnection can create deeper connection.

Putting away technology can help families rediscover conversation, laughter, presence, and intimacy.

4. Kids need real relationships.

Mentors, counselors, parents, friends, and faith communities can provide something a screen never can: genuine human connection.

5. Confidence often comes through discomfort.

Trying something new, being away from parents, meeting new people, and navigating challenges can help children discover that they are capable.

6. Parents need grace, too.

Healthy technology habits aren't built overnight. Families can experiment, reset, and try again.

Questions to Consider

• What is technology taking your attention away from?
• When was the last time your family experienced a truly technology-free day?
• Are your children seeing you model the screen habits you want them to develop?
• What might happen if you created more space for quiet?
• Where could your family disconnect to connect this week?

Listen, Share & Subscribe

If this conversation encouraged you, share The MercyCast with a parent, grandparent, pastor, youth leader, or friend who could use the reminder that being present is one of the greatest gifts we can give the people we love.

Subscribe & Share

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to:

• Subscribe to The Mercy Cast
• Leave a 5-star review.
• Share this episode with someone navigating a season of change.
• Follow for more conversations that inspire faith, leadership, and Kingdom impact.
• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Sometimes the thing we fear most—disconnecting—is exactly what makes the connection we've been craving possible.

You are loved.

About Amy Lowe

Amy Lowe is the director of Winshape Camps for Girls, a Christian camping ministry focused on helping children and families experience community, adventure, faith, leadership, and life beyond the screen.

Amy's own passion for camp began during college when she worked at a Christian camp and experienced firsthand the impact that a week of intentional community and ministry could have on young people.

Learn more about Winshape Camps and find resources for helping your family build healthier rhythms around technology and connection.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

How do you know when God is calling you into something bigger than your own plans?

In this powerful episode of The Mercy Cast, James Barnett shares the remarkable story of leaving a successful business career to become CEO of Come and See, the nonprofit ministry committed to translating The Chosen into 600 languages and making the story of Jesus accessible to billions of people around the world.

James opens up about navigating uncertainty, trusting God's timing, and learning to surrender control—even when the path ahead doesn't make sense. From leading DaySpring to helping one of the most impactful Christian media projects in history reach every nation, this conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone facing a season of transition.

Whether you're wrestling with your calling, leading through change, or looking for encouragement in your faith journey, this episode will remind you that God often writes the best stories through unexpected detours.

In This Episode

• James Barnett's transition from business leadership to global ministry
• The mission behind Come and See
• Why The Chosen is being translated into 600 languages
• How storytelling is transforming modern evangelism
• Trusting God's plan when life feels uncertain
• Living with "open hands" instead of tightly held plans
• Why perseverance matters during seasons of waiting
• Lessons on leadership, faith, and obedience
• The power of community and spiritual mentorship
• Encouragement for anyone questioning God's direction

Memorable Takeaways

"Don't give up on God—even when you can't see what He's doing."

"God's plan is often better than the one we would have written ourselves."

"The greatest stories are the ones where God gets the glory."

Who This Episode Is For

If you're interested in:

• Christian leadership
• Faith and purpose
• The Chosen
• Christian podcasts
• Evangelism and missions
• Spiritual growth
• Leadership transitions
• Trusting God through uncertainty
• Gospel-centered storytelling

...this conversation is for you.

Don't Miss These Moments

• James' unexpected journey from DaySpring to Come and See
• The vision to reach billions through The Chosen
• Why uncertainty is often where faith grows the most
• How God redirects careers for Kingdom impact
• Practical encouragement for anyone in a season of waiting

Subscribe & Share

If this episode encouraged you, be sure to:

• Subscribe to The Mercy Cast
• Leave a 5-star review.
• Share this episode with someone navigating a season of change.
• Follow for more conversations that inspire faith, leadership, and Kingdom impact.
• Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.
• Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Faith grows when we trust God's plan more than our own.

About James Barnett

James Barnett serves as the CEO of Come and See, the global nonprofit dedicated to making The Chosen available in 600 languages so every person can experience the life of Jesus through authentic storytelling. His leadership combines decades of business experience with a deep passion for sharing the Gospel around the world. Read Blue Skies.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

Money shapes more than bank accounts—it shapes anxiety, generosity, discipleship, and the way we love our neighbors. In this episode of the MercyCast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with Aaron Caid to explore why financial literacy is ultimately a spiritual conversation.

From scarcity mindsets and family finances to stewardship, gratitude, and generosity, Aaron Caid, Chief Marketing Officer of Adelphi Christian Banking, shares how Christians can rethink money not as a master but as a tool for God’s kingdom. Together, Raleigh and Aaron discuss why Gen Z is struggling financially, why churches often avoid conversations about money, and how modeling healthy stewardship can become a form of discipleship.

This conversation also dives into emotional health, anxiety, exploitation, and how financial stress impacts our ability to see and serve others well. If you’ve ever wrestled with fear, debt, comparison, or the pressure to “have enough,” this episode offers practical wisdom and gospel-centered hope.

In This Episode

• Why financial literacy matters spiritually and emotionally
• How scarcity mindsets shape anxiety and decision-making
• What the Bible teaches about money and stewardship
• Why parents should openly model healthy financial habits
• The connection between generosity and gratitude
• How churches can disciple people through conversations about finances
• Why money is a tool—not an identity or savior
• The role of stewardship in caring for vulnerable neighbors

Key Quotes

“Financial decisions are truly spiritual decisions.”

“Money becomes dangerous when it becomes an idol instead of a tool.”

“Generosity rooted in gratitude changes the way we see everything.”

“Stewardship begins by remembering that everything belongs to God.”

Resources & Links

• Adelphi Christian Banking Official Website
• Learn more about Let My People Go and anti-trafficking advocacy through Raleigh Sadler.

Connect with MercyCast

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to The Mercycast, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need a reminder that they are loved. The gospel speaks a better word—one of mercy, presence, and hope.

Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

Fear is one of the most common human experiences, yet it's often the one we work hardest to hide. We disguise it as stress, overthinking, perfectionism, or simply "being responsible." For many Christians, fear carries an added burden: the belief that being afraid somehow means we're failing at faith.

In this episode of The Mercycast, Raleigh Sadler sits down with pastor and author Luke Kjolhaug to discuss his new book, Fear Not: How the Gospel Disrupts Our Deepest Anxieties. Together they explore how fear quietly shapes our decisions, relationships, and spiritual lives, and why God's repeated command to "fear not" is less about demanding courage and more about offering comfort.

Luke shares openly about his own struggles with anxiety and depression, his journey from engineering to pastoral ministry, and the ways God met him in seasons of uncertainty. Their conversation challenges the idea that maturity means becoming fearless and instead points to a deeper dependence on Christ.

Whether you're carrying anxiety about your family, finances, future, health, or faith, this episode offers a hopeful reminder: the gospel doesn't require you to conquer your fears before God meets you. He meets you in the middle of them.

Topics Discussed

• Why fear is often hidden beneath busyness, perfectionism, and control
• Understanding "fear not" as a promise rather than a shame-filled command
• The relationship between faith, anxiety, and trust
• Luke's journey from civil engineering to pastoral ministry
• How fear thrives in uncertainty and the unknown
• The difference between conquering fear and having fear disrupted by the gospel
• The role of counseling, community, and practical help in addressing anxiety
• Spiritual warfare and the lies fear tells us.
• The importance of hearing the gospel from outside ourselves
• What it means to be clothed in Christ when fear feels overwhelming

Memorable Quotes

"Fear not is less a demand shouted at trembling people and more a promise spoken to them."

"The gospel doesn't always conquer our fears in this life, but it absolutely disrupts them."

"Growth and maturity looked less like standing on my own and more like being willing to accept help."

"Fear is another voice at the table, but it doesn't have to be the loudest one."

"The more we recognize how perfectly loved we are by our Heavenly Father, the less fear gets to define us."

About Luke Kjolhaug

Luke Kjolhaug is a pastor, author, and former civil engineer serving in Minnesota. He is the author of Fear Not: How the Gospel Disrupts Our Deepest Anxieties, a book that explores how Christ's promises speak directly to the fears, anxieties, and uncertainties that shape everyday life.

Resources Mentioned

• Fear Not: How the Gospel Disrupts Our Deepest Anxieties by Luke Kjolhaug
• Read an article by Luke on 1517.org.

Connect with MercyCast

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe to The Mercycast, leave a review, and share it with someone who may need a reminder that fear does not get the final word. The gospel speaks a better word—one of mercy, presence, and hope.

Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content

There are cities built on illusion. Places where people chase escape, reinvention, and distraction while quietly carrying wounds they hope no one sees. Las Vegas is one of them.

This week, Raleigh Sadler sits down with Lex Lutheran—vicar, teacher, and co-host of the Study Boys podcast through Extra Nos Academy—to discuss authenticity, grace, suffering, and why the gospel speaks most clearly in a world obsessed with image management.

Together, they explore how the law exposes our need for Christ, why perfectionism is exhausting, and how the gospel frees us from the burden of trying to save ourselves. From social media personas to ministry among society's most vulnerable, this conversation challenges listeners to abandon the masks they wear and embrace the freedom found in Jesus.

Lex shares his journey into confessional Lutheranism, the origins of his online presence, and what it means to proclaim Christ in a city known as Sin City. Along the way, Raleigh and Lex wrestle with Messiah complexes, discuss ministry among people experiencing homelessness, and remind us that God's grace flows to the deepest places of human brokenness.

The result is a conversation about honesty, humility, and the comfort of knowing that Christ meets us not after we've climbed out of the pit—but in the pit itself.

In This Episode

• Why authenticity matters more than image management
• How the law exposes our need for grace
• The danger of the modern Messiah complex
• Finding freedom from perfectionism
• What Las Vegas reveals about human brokenness
• Why Christians don't work for approval, but from it
• Lessons learned from ministry among people experiencing homelessness
• The relationship between orthodoxy and loving your neighbor
• How confession and absolution reshape the Christian life
• Why Christ meets us in our deepest struggles

Memorable Quotes

"The law calls a thing what it is."

"What ultimately matters is not what you do, but what was done."

"Now that you don't have to do anything, what are you going to do?"

"Grace flows downhill."

"Christ doesn't simply throw a rope into the pit. He climbs into the pit with us."

"The gospel isn't keeping us from people. It's opening us up to love them."

Resources & Links

• Learn more about Extra Nos Academy and the Study Boys podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
• Learn more about Let My People Go and anti-human trafficking initiatives.

Connect with MercyCast

If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend, leave a review, and subscribe so you never miss a conversation exploring justice, mercy, faith, and the gospel's impact on our world.

Because mercy changes everything.

Subscribe and rate on Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe and rate on Spotify.

Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!

Email us at info@mercycast.com.

You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content