The charis4’s Podcast

Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop is an overview of five different essential features of a sexually faithful church. Those features include moral integrity at the leadership level, the relational and spiritual culture of the church, proactive teaching and discipleship on matters of sexuality, redemptive ministry for those struggling with sexual sin or those impacted by it, and helping everyone in the church see how talking about sex is a theological and doxological matter that should lead to the worship of God. MARK SANDERS serves as the President of Harvest USA.

As ministry leaders, we’re always recruiting, and the health and effectiveness of our ministries are directly tied to the quality of our volunteer teams. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop helps to equip you with practical tools for attracting great volunteers and building teams so healthy, engaging, and mission-driven that they naturally attract others to serve alongside them. This dicussion explores proven strategies for identifying potential leaders, creating a positive volunteer culture, increasing engagement, and developing sustainable teams. ROTHEN BEDFORD serves as the Pastor of Student Ministry for Grace Fellowship in Pickerington, Ohio.

Strong churches are built on strong relationships — but fostering meaningful connection in today’s world can be challenging. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this roundtable discussion explores how digital tools can help churches strengthen communication, deepen engagement, build community, and create pathways for discipleship and connection. Discussion focuses on practical ways churches are using technology to connect people within their congregations, support ministry initiatives, and foster collaboration across groups, campuses, and networks. Whether your church is exploring new tools or looking to maximize existing platforms, this conversation will provide ideas, examples, and opportunities to learn from others seeking to build stronger, more connected ministry communities. PETE MONAST serves as a Ministry Consultant for Subsplash, a digital engagement platform built for ministries.

If we are to take the Scriptures seriously, we must have a plan to counter the enemy seeking to destroy us. But what exactly is the spiritual battle? Can Christians be influenced by demons? Where is the battle waged? And what about extremists who are out of line? Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop delineates a Scriptural perspective of spiritual warfare, as well as articulating the model one Charis church uses for discipling people toward inner healing and spiritual deliverance in partnership with Wellsprings of Freedom International. JEREMY WIKE serves at the Lead Pastor of Community of Hope in Columbia City, Ind. CHARLOTTE MOSIER leads the Wellsprings of Freedom ministry at Community of Hope in Columbia City, Ind.

Like a stone dropped into a pond, the events of the past continue to create ripples that shape who we are today. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this is an inspiring journey through the history of the Charis Fellowship — from the Protestant Reformation, Pietism, and the early Brethren movement to the defining moments that forged our identity. Discover how commitments to biblical truth, authentic relationships, local church vitality, and global mission have been woven into our spiritual DNA for more than 300 years. More than just a history lesson, this workshop will help you better understand who we are, why we exist, and how God continues to use the Charis Fellowship and the global Charis Alliance to impact lives around the world. TIM HODGE serves as the Charis Fellowship Coordinator.

What is really happening in rural ministry today — and how does your experience compare? Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this roundtable discussion draws on a landmark research study of more than 1,000 rural ministers while fostering honest conversation about the challenges, encouragements, and opportunities facing small-town churches. Discussion focuses on key findings from the research, explores common ministry realities, and seeks to help us learn from one another’s experiences in the field. DR. ADAM KIPP serves as the Executive Director of Rural Home Missionary Association.

Short-term mission trips can either create lasting gospel partnerships or become little more than meaningful memories. The difference often comes down to how we prepare, serve, and follow through. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop explores six simple but transformative mantras that help shape short-term missions around the Great Commission rather than the experience itself. Drawing from biblical principles and practical ministry experience, the focus is on how to maximize the long-term impact of a one-week trip for your team, your church, and your partners around the world. Whether you’re leading trips, serving on a team, or developing a missions strategy for your church, you will learn some about practical tools and a fresh vision for making disciples of all nations, one week at a time. TREVIN HOEKZEMA serves as the Pastor of Outreach for Calvert Grace Church in Owings, Md.

Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this workshop examines scriptural teaching on prayer, learning that a humble prayer and Bible-saturated life/marriage/family/church/ministry is the only path God has designed for His children to experience true joy and fruitfulness in the Christian life. Prayer is not viewed or presented as an activity but rather the expression of our human weakness and total dependence on God and our desire to walk in deep, obedient fellowship with Him. Urgency, consistency, and effectiveness of prayer are also discussed as well as practical guidance for fostering these. DR. NATE BOSCH serves as the Dean of the School of Science and Engineering at Grace College.

Preaching is part art and part science. For many of us, the Sunday morning service is the crown jewel of the ministry week. Ever since the Reformation (1517), congregational life has largely orbited around the preaching of God’s Word to the gathered church. Grace Seminary is committed to encouraging and equipping preachers in their calling. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, Grace Seminary leaders, Drs. Freddy Cardoza and Trent Lambert, and a select group of Charis Fellowship preachers, explore the theme, “Preaching with Spiritual Power.” Using key biblical passages about preaching, discussion focuses on how the preacher’s hermeneutics, homiletics, and spiritual formation help bring about a demonstration of the Spirit’s power in preaching by looking at three key passages of scripture as examples. DR. FREDDY CARDOZA serves as the Vice President for Grace Theological Seminary. DR. TRENT LAMBERT serves as the Director of the Center for Thriving Leaders at Grace Theological Seminary.

As Jesus departed, He gathered His men and entrusted them with an impossible mission: reach the world with His message. The command was staggering, but the Spirit’s power was greater still. Generation after generation has traced their footsteps, studied their labors, and stood in awe of their accomplishments. Recorded at the 2026 Charis Fellowship Conference, this is the story of the Church’s first days, overcoming huge hurdles and celebrating how God drew so many people to Himself through their witness. In one hour, we unpack their story and follow their footsteps through the Roman world. DR. RANDALL SMITH serves as the Director of Christian Travel Study Programs and served as a Charis Fellowship pastor.