Sustaining Relational Apologetics: The Long View of InfluenceIn the grand finale of the five-part journey into Relational Apologetics on the Simple Faith Podcast, host Rusty George looks into how to sustain a relational approach to faith as a way of life. He recaps the series' highlights, emphasizing building genuine human connections, listening with empathy, and[...]

In this episode of the Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, Jessie Cruickshank talks with Jerry Lathan and Steven Manchester about their new book You Will Be Peter. They explore the life of Simon Peter - flawed, passionate, and deeply relatable - and how his story speaks to our own journey of following Jesus.You’ll hear:Why Peter’s failures matterHow[...]

Navigating Objections & QuestionsJoin Rusty George in episode four of the 'Relational Apologetics' series as he delves into the challenges of objections and difficult questions in relational apologetics. This episode shows the importance of viewing objections as opportunities for deeper engagement rather than signs of rejection. Rusty highlights strategies such as empathetic listening, asking clarifying[...]

Building Bridges: Finding Common Ground in Relational ApologeticsIn this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George discusses the vital role of finding common ground in a diverse world as part of relational apologetics. Key points include the significance of shared human longings, bridging cultural and political divides, and using pop culture references for meaningful discussions.[...]

3 mistakes to avoid with your Lead or Supervising PastorMistake #1: Wrong assumptionsIn the middle of a difficult moment with leadership relationships, it is very easy to assume the worst about them. A Christian counselor friend once said, “When we assume the motives of someone else we are wrong most of the time.” I have[...]

In this episode of the Ordinary Discipleship podcasy, Jessie sits down with Willie Robertson where the talk about his book Gospeller and discuss the tension between faith and control. They reflect on how easy it is to default to managing outcomes instead of trusting God, and they share how vulnerability is not weakness but the[...]

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute with Rusty! Have a minute of free time on your drive? Listen in for some encouragement!

Developing the Empathetic Ear: Listening with Heart in Relational ApologeticsIn this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George delves into the second installment of a five-part miniseries on relational apologetics. This episode emphasizes the importance of developing the empathetic ear, learning to truly hear the heart behind people's questions and objections about faith. Rusty and[...]

Listen in to Week One of our new series, "You Asked for It" where we answer questions YOU have asked! This week, tune in as we answer the question, "How can we trust the resurrection?". Join us as we hear from guest speaker J. Warner Wallace, a cold case detective who sought to disprove Christianity[...]

Relational Apologetics: Connecting Through CommunityIn this special five-part series from Simple Faith, we explore the concept of relational apologetics as an alternative to traditional approaches that can feel argumentative and challenging. Rusty George discusses how genuine human connection and community can make sharing your faith more approachable and effective. By examining historical and modern methods[...]

The weekly Monday Minute is here! Tune in to hear some encouragement from Rusty as you begin your week!

What if conflict isn't something to avoid—but something God actually designed for our growth? In this episode, Jessie, Chris and Jacob dive into the messiness of relationships, discipleship, and community. With stories ranging from roller derby and MMA training to awkward church staff meetings and theological tension, this conversation explores how conflict, when embraced and[...]

Happy Easter! He is Risen! Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 8 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.

Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 7 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.

Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 6 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.

Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 5 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.

Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 4 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.

Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 3 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.

This week at Church360, guest speaker Michael Hinton from Summit Church in Orlando, Florida continues our series “For God So Loved.” Listen in as he dives into what it truly means that Jesus died for us. This is a week you won’t want to miss!

Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 2 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.

Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 1 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.

In this episode of Leading Simple, host Rusty George sits down with Jesse DeYoung, the Executive Lead Pastor at Flatirons Church in Colorado, to explore the vital topic of organizational health. Together, they discuss how to create a culture of clarity, collaboration, and simplicity within any organization. Jesse shares practical insights from his experience leading[...]

Sign up for the Lobby Gathering: Small Group Conference May 13-15th in Southern California at https://smallgroupnetwork.com/conferences/Food and lodging are included! Spring Cleaning for Small Group Ministry: The 5 Ks with Steve GladenIn this episode of FG Squared, Steve Gladen, the global pastor of small groups from Saddleback Church, shares insights from his 25+ years of experience[...]

This week at Church360, guest speaker Mike Breaux kicks off our new series “For God so Loved.” Join us as we explore what it looks like to accept that we are loved by a God who desires to be in our lives. Watch more @Church360 on YouTube!

What does it mean to disciple people who carry unseen wounds? In this episode, Jessie Cruickshank explores trauma-informed discipleship—what it is, why it matters, and how it can transform the way we help others grow in Christ. Jessie shares how neuroscience and spiritual formation intersect, the importance of psychological safety in Christian community, and how[...]

In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George sits down with David Shivers, Associate Pastor of Local & Global Outreach at Prestonwood Baptist Church. With over 22 years of ministry experience, David brings a wealth of wisdom and insight into the heart of serving both locally and globally. He shares about his journey from[...]

This week at Church360, we continue in our series about our mission as a Church. Rusty speaks on the story of the prodigal son as we walk through what it looks like to be a Church seeking to find and follow Jesus. Tune in today!

This week’s Monday Minute is here! Tune in for some encouragement on your drive or as a mid-day break!

This week on Leading Simple, Rusty continues in his conversation with Cal Jernigan, leader at Central Christian Church in Arizona. Cal shares more wisdom on what healthy leadership looks like as the pastor of a large church. Listen in to part two of leadership gold from Cal Jernigan!Cal Jernigan Links:Facebook: Profile for Cal JerniganFacebook ·[...]

THIS WEEK at Church360 Rusty continues walking us through the mission of our church as we take on a new name and continue to live out the same mission. Listen in to hear more about what this mission is and how we can practically live it out in our daily lives to look more like[...]

Tune in to this week’s MONDAY MINUTE with Rusty! Have a free minute on your drive to/from work, or on your way to pick up the kids? Listen in for some encouragement today!

In this episode of the Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, Chris, Jacob, and Jessie dive into a topic many avoid—how to navigate the endings of discipleship relationships. While the beginning of a mentoring journey is often exciting, knowing when and how to conclude a season of discipleship can be challenging.Together, they explore these key questions:How do you[...]

In this episode of the Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, Chris, Jacob, and Jessie dive into a topic many avoid—how to navigate the endings of discipleship relationships. While the beginning of a mentoring journey is often exciting, knowing when and how to conclude a season of discipleship can be challenging.Together, they explore these key questions:How do you[...]

This week on Leading Simple, Rusty sits down with Cal Jernigan, leader at Central Christian Church in Arizona. He has served on the staff since 1987, and has been the Lead Pastor since the beginning of 1999. From his roots in youth ministry, Cal leads with a passion for communicating the Word of God in[...]

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute to hear about what “Vision Sunday” entailed. Don’t forget, you can watch the whole message on our YouTube!

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute to hear about what “Vision Sunday” entailed. Don’t forget, you can watch the whole message on our YouTube!

Part six of “Making Marriage Simple” is here! This week, Rusty sits down with Teejay and Britney Britton as they look at the blessing of their blended family. Teejay is an inspirational speaker, and alongside his wife Britney, the two lead an organization in southwest Missouri, “MO Legacy.” Here, the two work with athletes  to[...]

This week at Crossroads, join us as guest speaker Mike Breaux breaks down what a healthy marriage looks like, even when the spark seems to be burning out. As we continue in our series, “Explicit Lyrics,” tune in to learn more about a true love that has a sense of grateful destiny. 

In this episode of Ordinary Discipleship, Chris Johnson, Jacob, and Jessie Cruickshank dive into the critical balance between fun and faith in youth ministry. Are we simply entertaining young people, or are we truly discipling them? The discussion explores the power of mentorship, the need for spiritually mature leaders, and why young adults crave authentic[...]

This week on “Simple Faith,” Rusty continues the "Making Marriage Simple" series with part five, featuring guests Dave and Ashley Willis. With two decades of ministry focused on marriage, family, and mental health, the Willises share insights on building a strong marriage. Hosts of the *Marriage on the Line* podcast and authors of multiple books,[...]

Equipping Small Group Leaders: Insights from Saddleback ChurchIn this episode of SG Squared, Steve Gladen, the global pastor of small groups at Saddleback Church, shares his extensive experience to encourage and equip small group leaders. The episode includes the 'Saddleback Scoop,' highlighting the church's shift from fruitfulness to faithfulness, an approach to combat COVID-induced depletion[...]

It’s week four of our series “Explicit Lyrics” and this is a week you don’t want to miss! Tune in as Rusty walks us through what healthy conflict within marriage can look like. Communication can both honor God and your spouse, so listen in to gain wisdom on what that looks like. 

This week’s Monday Minute is here! Listen in as Rusty encourages us in what healthy conflict looks like in marriage - is it possible to honor God and others well even through conflict? Tune in to hear more!

Episode four of “Making Marriage Simple” is here! Join Rusty this week as he interviews Michael Jr. and his wife Ebony about how to have a healthy marriage, including having healthy arguments. This is a week you do not want to miss!

Join us this week as we continue in our series “Explicit Lyrics,” as Bryan Mrazek speaks on the topic of passion. What does passion look like in intimacy within one’s marriage? How can it improve? What does the Bible have to say about it? Listen in to learn more!

Join Pastor Bryan Mrazek for this week’s Monday Minute, where he shares encouraging insights from the latest sermon. Tune in for valuable wisdom on intimacy from the Song of Solomon as we dive into the Biblical perspective on marriage.

In this episode of The Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, we sit down with Reyna Martinez to discuss the challenges of finding mentorship and discipleship as a young adult. Reyna shares her deeply personal journey—growing up in youth group, experiencing the impact of intentional leadership, and then struggling to find discipleship after aging out of traditional church[...]

Tune in to part three of our series “Intentional Love,” Michael Hinton hosts as Rusty sits down with his wife Lorrie to talk about marriage and ministry. The two unpack tips and tricks to a healthy marriage even after years in ministry. Check out this episode!

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute, as Rusty recaps our sermon walking through the Song of Solomon. Listen in to hear about biblical marriage and relationships. 

Join host Rusty George as he sits down with Ted Cunningham for a fun and insightful conversation about marriage, faith, and life. Ted, a pastor and humorist, shares his journey from church planting in Branson to becoming a mentor to many, including the late Gary Smalley. Along the way, they explore the role of humor[...]

Listen in as we kick off a brand new series, “Explicit Lyrics” that walks through the book of Song of Solomon. This week, Rusty sets the scene for the next few weeks, introducing the characters of Solomon and his Beloved, using them as an example for marriage today. Don’t miss the start of this new[...]

Listen in to this week’s Monday Minute, as Rusty summarizes week one of Crossroads latest series, “Explicit Lyrics.” And if you missed the sermon, check it out on our channel!

In this episode of the Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, Chris Johnson, Jessie Cruickshank, and Jacob Hoyer discuss the complexities of relationships and the intentionality required in discipleship. They explore how friendships can serve as a foundation for discipleship, the importance of being open to relationships with those who are different from us, and the necessity of[...]

In this episode of the Ordinary Discipleship Podcast, Chris Johnson, Jessie Cruickshank, and Jacob Hoyer discuss the complexities of relationships and the intentionality required in discipleship. They explore how friendships can serve as a foundation for discipleship, the importance of being open to relationships with those who are different from us, and the necessity of[...]

In our new series, “Making Marriage Simple,” Rusty sits down to talk about the basics for a healthy marriage. Part one kicks off this journey with the number one reason marriages makes it, definitely an episode you do not want to miss!Check out Rusty’s latest book “Friend of God” here: Pastorrustygeorge.squaresite.com

This episode is a very special cross post from the Group Answers podcast. We are sharing in honor of the passing of Chris Surratt, a friend and brother in Christ who has impacted thousands of small group point people around the world. Thanks for taking the time to listen, and don't forget to check out[...]

Transforming Lives: A Deep Dive into the 1 Million More Bible Initiative for ChurchesIn this episode, Jason Williams, the Executive Pastor of Ministries at Saddleback Church, introduces the '1 Million More' initiative aimed at engaging an additional million people in the transformative power of God's Word. Jason discusses the benefits of communal Bible reading and[...]

This week at Crossroads, Christian comedian and leader Michael Jr. shared his testimony of how he came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Tune in for a good laugh and empowering message of how Jesus transforms!

Tune in to day 23 of Pray On The Way! No matter where you are at in your faith journey, take a few minutes out of your day to be encouraged through prayer.

Tune in to day 22 of Pray On The Way! No matter where you are at in your faith journey, take a few minutes out of your day to be encouraged through prayer.

Tune in to day 21 of Pray On The Way! No matter where you are at in your faith journey, take a few minutes out of your day to be encouraged through prayer.

Tune in to day 20 of Pray On The Way! No matter where you are at in your faith journey, take a few minutes out of your day to be encouraged through prayer.

This week at Crossroads, we wrap up our series “I Declare” with the topic of joy. Choosing joy in each and every circumstance is essential in reflecting Jesus. Tune in this week as guest speaker Cam Huxford speaks about what this looks like!

Tune in to day 19 of Pray On The Way! No matter where you are at in your faith journey, take a few minutes out of your day to be encouraged through prayer.

Tune in to day 18 of “Pray On The Way!” Rusty provides some encouragement wherever you might be on your faith journey, so listen in on your drive to work, school, or even your lunch break!

Tune in to day 17 of “Pray On The Way!” Rusty provides some encouragement wherever you might be on your faith journey, so listen in on your drive to work, school, or even your lunch break!

Tune in to day 16 of “Pray On The Way!” Rusty provides some encouragement wherever you might be on your faith journey, so listen in on your drive to work, school, or even your lunch break!

This week at Crossroads, Rusty continues in our series “I Declare” by speaking on the topic of forgiveness. Jesus calls us to forgive others as he has forgiven us, so tune in to hear what this looks like and how we can live freely when we forgive.

Tune in to day 15 of “Pray On The Way!” Rusty provides some encouragement wherever you might be on your faith journey, so listen in on your drive to work, school, or even your lunch break!

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute for a quick recap on forgiveness. This is a week you don’t want to miss!

Tune in to day 14 of “Pray On The Way!” Rusty provides some encouragement wherever you might be on your faith journey, so listen in on your drive to work, school, or even your lunch break!

Day 13 of “Pray On The Way” is here! Tune in for some daily encouragement as we kick off the New Year through prayer.

Day 12 of “Pray On The Way” is here! Tune in for some daily encouragement as we kick off the New Year through prayer.

Day 11 of “Pray On The Way” is here! Tune in for some daily encouragement as we kick off the New Year through prayer.

Day 10 of “Pray On The Way” is here! Tune in for some daily encouragement as we kick off the New Year through prayer.

This week Rusty continues our series “I Declare” with the topic of responsibility. Tune in to hear what it means to own up to our mistakes in life. Rusty shares the importance found in taking responsibility as it can change our futures as individuals. Listen in today!

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute as Rusty encourages us in what it means to take responsibility of our lives. This is a week you don’t want to miss!

Day 9 of “Pray On The Way” is here! Tune in for some daily encouragement as we kick off the New Year through prayer.

Have a free minute on the drive to work? Tune in here for day 8 of “Pray On The Way” with Rusty to start off the day with some encouragement.

Have a free minute on the drive to work? Tune in here for day 7 of “Pray On The Way” with Rusty to start off the day with some encouragement.

Have a free minute on the drive to work? Tune in here for day 6 of “Pray On The Way” with Rusty to start off the day with some encouragement.

Have a free minute on the drive to work? Tune in here for day 5 of “Pray On The Way” with Rusty to start off the day with some encouragement.

Missed the first week of our new series “I Declare” in person? No worries! Catch up here! Rusty walks us through what it looks like to be consistent in our faith and the benefits of doing this in the life of a Christian. Listen in for a powerful message!

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute for some quick encouragement! Hear from Rusty today about the power of consistency in our faith.

Day four of “Pray On The Way” is here! Don’t miss out on today’s episode as Rusty’s walks us through this daily encouragement.

Tune in to day three of our series “Pray On The Way” as we kick off the new year! No matter where you are, listen in for some encouragement during your day.

Tune in to day 2 of our series “Pray On The Way” with Rusty! Driving to work, commuting to school, or picking up the kids from practice, listen in for some daily encouragement throughout the month of January.

Steve Gladen, Small Groups Pastor at Saddleback Church, pulls from his 25 plus years of small group ministry experience to encourage and equip listeners to lead healthier, growing and more effective small groups and small group ministries. In this episode, Steve shares the four key steps that you will want to follow for a successful[...]

Get ready for a fun and unexpected twist in the final episode of Simple Faith for 2024! In this special edition, Michael Hinton takes the reins and interviews Simple Faith host Rusty. From stories about Rusty’s surprising basketball career in college to some lighthearted and thought-provoking questions, this episode is packed with laughs, insights, and[...]

Join Rusty in day one of the 31 days of prayer! If you are looking for some encouragement or prayer this winter season, tune in Monday-Friday for the entire month of January!

In this episode of “Simple Faith,” Rusty sits down with Ken Adams, pastor of Crossroads Church in Newnan, Georgia, as he shares his journey of building a church centered on disciple-making. Drawing from over 35 years of ministry, Ken discusses how churches can move beyond programs to become true disciple-making movements, emphasizing the importance of[...]

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute as Rusty encourages us to sit in the presence of God this holiday season and focus on being present with others rather than being perfect.

This week at Crossroads, Rusty speaks about the presence of Jesus and how it is a very powerful thing. As he looks at the narrative of the first Christmas, Rusty explores the idea that it was nothing close to perfect, meaning we do not have to strive for perfection in our own lives this holiday[...]

Former player for the Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers, Dr. Derwin Gray sits down with Rusty George in this episode of Leading Simple to. The now founder of Transformation Church in South Carolina, Dr. Gray discuss the importance of diversity in churches and how churches can achieve true diversity Listen in as Derwin shares words[...]

This week at Crossroads, guest speaker Drew Sherman from “Compass Church” in Colleyville, Texas speaks on the topic of possibilities. God often reveals himself in ways that may seem confusing to us but are really His divine invitations. Listen in to hear more about what possibilities Christians might encounter when it comes to experiencing God. 

This week on “Simple Faith,” Rusty sits down with Peter Ostapko, the founder and publisher of Kinsmen Journal. Through Kinsman Ministries, Peter has been able to share his voice that God is good, and each of us have a story to tell because of a Savior that redeems. Tune in to hear Peter encourage listeners[...]

Join us this week as we dive into the Christmas season with humor, heartfelt moments, and a challenge to embrace the true meaning of the holidays. From the chaos of awkward family gatherings to the anxiety of Christmas expectations, we’ll explore how to navigate the season with grace. Discover how inviting someone to experience the[...]

In this Monday Minute, I’m reflecting on what it means to have a "blue Christmas" and how we can find peace during the holiday season. This past weekend at Crossroads, we talked about grieving the past to prepare for the future. I want to encourage you to take a moment to remember those you’ve lost,[...]

Rusty George sits down with Matt Chandler this week on “Leading Simple” as they talk through what it looks like to overcome challenges and mistakes in ministry. Matt Chandler, senior pastor of Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas, talks from personal experience in leadership about how mistakes within ministry can be mended in a healthy[...]