Today on Karl and Crew Mornings, the team took off for Good Friday, but they left behind some excellent content for you. Ron and Jodi Zappia of Highpoint church join to talk about their testimonies. Also, Peter Worrall, professor at Moody Bible Institute, talks to us about what a genuine relationship with Jesus looks like. Finally, we discuss the three barriers to salvation and the parable of the prodigal son.

It’s Holy Week, and today, Karl and Crew discussed the impact of Christ-like compassion on others. Jesus was very compassionate to those around Him, and we saw this in Matthew 21:14-17 when He healed the blind and lame that came to the temple. As followers of Christ, we are to mirror Christ's actions in being compassionate towards others because that compassion could possibly be a blessing to them. We also had Dr. Alex McFarland join us to discuss the questions every Christian is asking or soon will be. Dr. McFarland is a Christian apologist, author, evangelist, religion and culture analyst, youth expert, and advocate for biblical truth. He also serves as the Director of Worldview for Charis Bible College and co-hosts the “Truth and Liberty” TV Broadcast. He has also authored several books and is a national contributing writer to various resources. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we started Holy Week by discussing how Christ cleansed the temple with Dr. Jim Coakley. Dr. Coakley is a professor at Moody Bible Institute in the Bible and Theology Department and an elder at the church, 180 Chicago. He has also authored several books, including "14 Fresh Ways to Enjoy the Bible.” We also turned to Mark 11 to see Jesus’s actions when clearing the temple and applied it to how we should clear ourselves of distractions and unclean things. As we walk with the Lord, we can’t allow just anything to enter our temples or fill our spirits because it can negatively affect our walk with Him. We also discussed how Resurrection Day can be considered a “Holy Reset.” Then, Pastor Karl answered some listener questions. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

It’s Freedom Friday, and we wrapped up the week by discussing our spiritual stance and heart posture toward the Lord. It’s easy to slip into an illusion of salvation when you don’t truly know who He is. We have to earnestly seek Him to get to know Him and be ready for when He returns. We looked at Matthew 7:21-23, which talks about how preachers, prophets, and teachers called out to the Lord because they thought they had taught and done wonders in His name. However, Jesus turned from them because they never came to know Him personally and spiritually despite their actions. Where do you stand with God? You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued in the Book of Esther as we discussed how Esther’s actions changed the outcome for the Jewish people. Esther took a leap of faith when she went before the king to save her people from persecution, and they were saved. Esther 9:1 tells us that the Jews overpowered their enemies in the end. What is the step of faith God is asking you to take today? We also had a stress-relieving conversation with Dr. Charles Stone, who shared some practices that help reduce stress with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Dr. Stone served in vocational ministry for 43 years and was a Senior Pastor for 30 years. He is now a coach consultant to pastors and leaders. Dr. Stone has authored numerous books, including Stress Less: 9 Habits from the Bible and Brain Science to Build Resilience and Reduce Anxiety. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we were knee-deep in our analysis of the Book of Esther as we discussed how God took what was meant for evil and made it good because of Esther’s faith. Esther took a leap of faith when she went before the king to advocate for her people, risking a potential death sentence. Esther had to stand up for her people because Haman, the king’s advisor, convinced the king to persecute all the Jews because a God-serving Jewish man, Mordecai, wouldn’t bow down to him. Esther turned to the Lord and relied on Him when taking this risk, and the king showed her favor. Are you turning to the Lord when taking risks? We also had some heartfelt laughter with our weekly segment of Ally Thinks It’s Funny. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our focus on the Book of Esther, discussing how taking a risk for others leaves room for God to show up. Esther was a young woman who stood up to prevent the persecution of her people. She put her life on the line unapoligetically, and in Esther 4:16, it says that she called for her people to fast while she took the risk and said, “If I perish, I perish.” Have you ever taken a stand or risk for others, not knowing the outcome? We also turned to Hebrews 11, which provides examples of biblical figures that took risks and had faith through it all. We even heard from the Boom Crew and their risky, faith-filled stories. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we began our weekly focus on the Book of Esther by discussing the importance of trusting the Lord over worldly securities and comforts. You may rely on specific daily amenities for stability or routine, such as cars, investments, insurance, etc, and you can quickly become dependent. We turned to Psalm 20:7, where we are encouraged to remember the name of the Lord our God over the chariots that may help alleviate daily needs or tasks. We can’t become dependent on the chariots that comfort us because sometimes we are called to disrupt that comfort for the good of others. In Esther 4:14, Esther was asked to risk her comfort in the palace to save her people from persecution, and she did. She jeopardized her chariot for the sake of her people. Are you willing to risk your chariot? Our special guest, Rob West, also joined us to discuss placing our trust in God instead of financial securities. Rob hosts the nationally syndicated radio program "Faith and Finance LIVE," which explores how faith and finance intersect. He also hosts the Faith and Finance podcast, which is connected to the app FaithFi. Rob also authored a 21-day devotional, "Look at the Sparrows.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

On this Freedom Friday, we concluded our weekly theme of fasting with a discussion on fasting the right way. Fasting is a time of intimacy and devotion to the Lord, so we must approach it with a humble and seeking heart. We turned to Isaiah 58, which instructs us that our fasting should be pleasing to God, not based on our expectations or motives. We also discussed the pressures of evangelizing to others, and   Andrew Steier joined us to share his insights about the evangelizing organization he works with. Andrew is the Director of Always Going, a Christian organization dedicated to teaching others how to evangelize with a focused worldview. The organization strives to reach others with the gospel in ways that go beyond general communication methods. Andrew has also authored and self-published a book called, “Always Going: The Joyful Overflow of Everday Evangelism.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of fasting with a discussion about the rewards, blessings, and intimacy with the Lord that come from fasting. We turned to Daniel 9:3-5, where Daniel tells us that the Lord heard him and honored his plea when he fasted and prayed. How often do you draw near to the Lord through fasting? Drew Dyck also joined us to discuss how God can transform ordinary things into extraordinary ones. Drew is an Acquisitions Editor with Moody Publishers and a contributing editor for Christianity Today's Pastors section. He has also authored several books, including “Generation Ex-Christian: Why Young Adults Are Leaving the Faith and How to Bring Them Back.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of fasting with a discussion about fasting for others. Dr. Sandra Glahn also joined us to discuss the upcoming Women’s Called Conference at Moody Bible Institute, scheduled for Saturday, April 12, at 9:30 a.m. CT, where she will be the keynote speaker.  Dr. Glahn is a professor of media arts and worship at Dallas Theological Seminary and an active journalist. She has also authored several books and coauthored over 20, including “Coffee Cup Bible Study.” We also had Franklin Graham as a special guest, who updated us on the happenings in Myanmar and Thailand. Franklin is a speaker, author, and evangelist. He is also the President and CEO ofSamaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization, as well as theBilly Graham Evangelistic Association. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of fasting with a discussion about turning back to the Lord. We all make mistakes, but we have a merciful Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally and will look past those mistakes because He wants us to return to Him. We are affirmed of His merciful embrace in Joel 2:12-13, where He is described as “gracious, merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness, and relents from doing harm.” Have you returned to the Lord? We were also joined by Dr. Drew Dickens, our special guest, who provided insight into the intersection of technology and spirituality. Dr. Dickens is a visionary leader, an AI expert, and a scholar who focuses on the intersection of technology, spirituality, and faith-based engagement. He also founded the Encountering Peace app and the Encouter Podcast, which provide biblical meditations, resources, and dialogue. Dr. Dickens has also authored the book, “Whispers of the Spirit: A 40-Day Guide to Intimate Prayer,” which was released today. We also had Franklin Graham as a special guest. Franklin is a speaker, author, and evangelist. He is also the President and CEO of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization, as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we kicked off the week with a discussion about identifying spiritual gifts and the impact of fasting. Spirtual gifts come from the Lord and can be identified and accessed when we lean into His direction. Fasting is an intimate way to lean into and seek His direction by denying our flesh and seeking Him over our desires. How often do you seek Him? We turned to Matthew 6:16-18 for some biblical guidance on how to go about fasting. Our special guest, Dr. Eric Redmond, also joined us to discuss resources that help pastors and spiritual leaders hone, train, and develop their spiritual gifts. Dr. Redmond is a Professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute and the Executive Director of Moody’s Theological Seminary Center for Compelling Biblical Preaching. He also serves as Associate Pastor of Preaching and Teaching at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL, and has authored several books. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

On this Freedom Friday, we discussed the urgency of living for the Lord today because He will return, and the day of His return is unknown. We turned to the parable of the 10 virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, which illustrates His return and how those who are ready will go with Him while those who are not will remain where they stand. Are you living for the Lord today and prepared for His return? We were also joined by our special guest, Simon Guillebaud, for the conversation. Simon was called to Burundi in 1998 and has been there since. He is now the Founder and International Director of Great Lakes Outreach. This organization partners with other Christian organizations to share the gospel and help build the spiritual and physical development of the people of Burundi. Simon has also authored several books, including his bestseller, “Choose Life-365 Readings for Radical Disciples.” He also hosts the podcast, “Inspired.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we discussed having the courage to identify idolization in your life and how to overcome it. Is there something or someone taking the place of God in your life? Bill Gaither also joined us as a special guest. Bill is an eight-time Grammy Award-winning gospel artist known for composing over 700 gospel songs. Bill and his wife, Gloria, have been ministering through music for years, doing so on their show, “Gaither Gospel Hour,” on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) every Saturday night from 8-11 p.m. Eastern Time. A special Easter programming event featuring other award-winning artists will air on TBN on Monday, April 7, and Wednesday, April 16, from 8-11 p.m. Eastern Time. Greg Dempster also joined us. Greg is the Founder and Director of ChristLife ministries, which is dedicated to helping Christian leaders. He has also served as a senior leader, elder, and ministry director. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today on Karl and Crew, we discussed Spiritual Warfare and shared some scriptures to help equip believers for the unseen battle. We were also joined by special guest, Stan Jantz. Stan is the CEO of Come and See Foundation, a nonprofit that supports and advances the television series, "The Chosen." The show has made headlines and has been translated into over 600 languages, captivating an audience of 250 million viewers. The show's fifth season, "The Chosen: Last Supper," will premiere in theaters in three parts, starting on March 28, 2025, with Part one. Stan has also authored numerous books including, “God is in the Small Stuff.”  Elizabeth Woodsen also discussed her ministry and an upcoming women’s conference at the Moody Bible Institute (MBI). Elizabeth founded the Woodsen Institute, which equips Christians to grow their faith. She will also be the keynote speaker for the Women’s Called Conference closing session on Saturday, April 12, at MBI in Chicago. The conference is also available online. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we chatted about God’s favor in the lives of His people. Where do you see God’s favor, and where do you need His favor? We were also joined by Jon Erwin, the Executive Producer and Director of the show “House of David.” Jon has extensive experience in the television and film industry and serves as the Chief Executive Officer at Kingdom Story Company, an independent Christian film and television studio. He also writes and co-directs feature films with his brother, Andrew. We also discussed the upcoming “Experience Moody” preview day for prospective students considering Moody Bible Institute (MBI) with Sydney Swenson. Sydney is the Admisisions Operatuons Manager for MBI in Chicago. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, the team was not here, but we left some great content just for you. Hear the salvation story of Moody Radio employee Kenz Weatherford, letting go of the pressure to save your relatives, and more! 

Today, on Karl and Crew,  we discussed how the Lord takes enemy ground when we submit to Him. Has the enemy taken anything that the Lord is calling you to take back? We also had Pastor John Hannah join us and speak about how the Lord led him to take enemy ground by purchasing and renovating a liquor store for community outreach. Pastor Hannah is the Founder and Lead Pastor of New Life Covenant Church Southeast. He is also a speaker and author who has impacted thousands through his ministry, prayer, and service. He has authored several best-selling books, including “What To Do While You’re Waiting.” Then, questions were answered during our weekly Monday segment of Ask Pastor Karl, and we heard a testimony from football quarterback Baker Mayfield. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we wrapped up our “Hands and Feet” weekly theme with a discussion about enduring, embracing, and testifying on the Lord’s deliverance through trials and tribulations. As followers of Christ, we should embrace trials and tribulations as part of our walk with the Lord and share our testimonies so others can see how He works. James 1 affirms this by saying to have joy during trials because the testing of our faith produces patience. Revelations 12:11 also confirms that the defeat of the enemy is done by the believers’ faith in Jesus, the believers’ willingness to sacrifice their lives for Jesus, and the power of their testimony. Our special guest, Dr. Hormoz Shariat, echoed this as he spoke about how many in Iran chose to live for Jesus. Dr. Shariat is the Founder and President of Iran Alive Ministries (IAM), a satellite broadcasting and internet platform that reaches Iranians with the gospel. He is also known as “the Billy Graham of Iran” and “the most influential Iranian American” by Christianity Today. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our “Hands and Feet” weekly theme with a chat about risk-taking for the Lord. Often, the Lord will call us to do things we aren’t comfortable with, but as devoted followers, we must obey His direction. Have you been a risk-taker for the Lord? We turned to Ecclesiastes 11, where Solomon encourages us to live life to the fullest for the Lord. Our special guest, Phil Kwiatkowski, joined the conversation and shared about the rescue mission organization he works with, Pacific Garden Mission (PGM). Phil is the President of PGM and was once Vice President of ministries and a counselor. He is also a graduate of Moody Bible Institute. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly “Hands and Feet” theme by discussing the importance of patience and guidance for younger, newer, and weaker Christians. As followers of Christ, we are called to pour into those more spiritually vulnerable so we can help build them up in Christ. Do you exercise patience and understanding with those weaker or younger than you? We turned to Romans 15:1, which affirms our duty of helping those who are weaker. We also had a special guest, Chris Baker, join the conversation and tell us how his tattoo ministry provides guidance and patience to those in need. Chris founded INK 180, a tattoo ministry that serves “the invisible, forgotten, and discarded.” Before founding INK 180, Chris was a youth leader who encouraged kids to cover gang graffiti with artistic murals. We also had Dr. Michael Rydelnik join us to discuss the spiritual battles across the world. Dr. Rydelnik is a professor of Jewish Studies and the Bible and Academic Dean at Moody Bible Institute. He also hosts the radio show Open Line, which airs every Saturday from 9-11 am CT on WMBI. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we discussed the importance of helping and serving our brothers and sisters in need. As followers of Christ, we are called to be the hands and feet in God’s mission, and part of that mission is to help and love one another. We turn to Matthew 25:35-40, in which Jesus affirms that serving others is how we ultimately serve Him. Also, in Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV), we are told that we are designed for good works that were prepared by Him. Have you been a servant to others or a servant to yourself? Our special guest, Brandon Stiver, shared his experience serving orphans internationally. Brandon is a leader in global care for children, a professor, and a podcaster, and he has vast experience leading nonprofits based in the U.S. and Tanzania. He is the Principal and Chief Community Builder atCanopy International, a community of nonprofit professionals, missionaries, and leaders worldwide. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we brought some Freedom Friday to this early morning Monday with a testimony from Ally’s Snapshot Testimony Podcast. We heard from a man named Dexter who was set free from 20 years of alcoholism. Karl also answered a listener's question and offered some spiritual advice. The power of Dexter’s testimony and the intentional listener questions have amped up the crew for the Spring SHARE week ahead! We will be spending Tuesday through Saturday inviting old and new listeners to support God’s mission through Moody Radio. The highlights of today’s programcan be heard on Karl and Crew Showcast.

On this Freedom Friday, we wrapped up our “Be the Church” theme with a discussion about surrendering to Jesus. Have you fully surrendered to Him, or are you still holding onto the things of the world? Our special guest, Dr. Ryan Cook, also joined us to discuss the importance of a relationship with God. Dr. Cook is an Old Testament and Hebrew professor at Moody Theological Seminary. Dr. Cook is also a key writer for Today in the Word, Moody Bible Institute’s free daily devotional, and a contributor to the Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy, the One Volume Seminary, and several other academic publications. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we dove deeper into our “Be the Church” theme by discussing using our God-given gifts in the church. As followers of Christ, we should strive to be more than just a face at church because membership is more than attending a class; it’s spiritually engaging with our church family. Would the church body notice your absence if you missed a few Sundays? We also had special guest Jonathan Griffiths join the conversation. Jonathan is the lead pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Chuch in Ottawa, Canada. He also leads Encounter the Truth, a broadcasting ministry that produces religious programming on radio and podcasts across the United States and Canada. Jonathan has also written several books, including “Gathered for Good: God’s Good Design for the Local Church.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our “Be the Church” theme by discussing intentionality and proper heart posture when fasting and praying. We also had a special guest, Dr. Ronnie Floyd, share some insight into the importance of fasting. Dr. Floyd is a speaker, author, and encourager dedicated to uplifting and helping others become tomorrow’s leaders. He is also the host of the weekly podcast, “For Leaders Podcast with Ronnie Floyd.” He has also authored several books, including his latest, “The Supernatural Power of Prayer and Fasting: 12 Ways God Will Change Your Life- Live a Righteous and Fulfilled Life.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly “Be the Church” theme with a discussion that compared the biblical learning style of discipleship with a didactic or Socratic learning style. A didactic learning style is acquiring information from a single source/teacher through a teaching method that delivers information in a direct and structured manner, such as lectures. On the other hand, Discipleship is more of a personable, interactive, and application-based learning style mirrored from Jesus’s actions. We turned to Mark 1:35-39 to analyze Jesus’s first choice of action before starting His day. We also had our special guest, Ricky Brown, join the conversation. Ricky is the President and Founder of Speak Life. He is also a luminary, storyteller, speaker, and author. He has written the book, “The Five Hazardous Attitudes: Ways to Win the War Within.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

After returning from a fruitful week at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) conference, Karl and Crew started the new month by discussing the importance of being spiritually engaged in the church. As followers of Christ, we are called to be more than bodies that show up once a week. This time of shared fellowship, worship, and teaching is to be spiritually intentional. Do you go to church to be the church or to show up? We also had a special guest, R. York Moore, share some insight on ways church leaders can make service more spiritually engaging. R. York is a speaker, revivalist, and abolitionist. R. York is also the President, CEO, and National Evangelist for the interdenominational college ministry, Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO). He has also authored several books, including “Do Something Beautiful: The Story of Everything and a Guide to Finding Your Place In It.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today on Karl and Crew, we are airing the “Best of” from our week at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) conference in Dallas, Texas. We have compiled a few of the interviews from our guests this week. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast. The following guests joined us this week: Dr. Erwin Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago and an author. Dr. Lutzer has authored several books including, “Eclipse of God: Our Nation’s Disastrous Search for a More Inclusive Deity (and What We Must Do About It.)”  Lana Silk is the Chief Executive Officer for Transform Iran, a Christian organization that shares the gospel in Iran. Lana passionately works to help bring freedom to the people of Iran through ministry and humanitarian aid.  Jonathan Griffiths is a lead pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Church in Canada. Jonathan also leads Encounter the Truth, a media ministry that shares the gospel through radio and podcasts in the United States and Canada. He is also an author and has written several books including, “Gathered for Good: God’s Good Design for the Local Church.” Christopher Beth is the founder, Chief Storyteller and Director of the Bucket Ministry, a nonprofit organization that shares the good news of Jesus along with clean water for in-need communities around the world. Christopher used to be a business consultant until he felt the call to ministry after going on a mission trip to the Brazilian Amazon with his then-high school daughter in 2012. 

Today, on Karl and Crew, we were broadcasting LIVE from Texas at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) conference. We had some special guests on the show today as they shared their ministry origin stories, how God is moving through the ministry now and some helpful resources. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast. The following guests joined us this morning: Jonathan Griffiths is a lead pastor of the Metropolitan Bible Church in Canada. Jonathan also leads Encounter the Truth, a media ministry that shares the gospel through radio and podcasts in the United States and Canada. He is also an author and has written several books including, “Gathered for Good: God’s Good Design for the Local Church.” Christopher Beth is the founder, Chief Storyteller and Director of the Bucket Ministry, a nonprofit organization that shares the good news of Jesus along with clean water for in-need communities around the world. Christopher used to be a business consultant until he felt the call to ministry after going on a mission trip to the Brazilian Amazon with his then-high school daughter in 2012.  Marc Harper is the Director of Special Projects at Revelation Media Inc., a Christian media ministry that secures partners to create, produce and translate biblical films like The Pilgrim’s Progress. Prior to his current position, Marc was the Vice President of Development, helping to lead the launch of The Pilgrim’s Progress and iBible, a visual and interactive Bible app through Revelation Media.  Dr. Drew Dickens is a leader, AI expert, and scholar who has contributed to the integration of technology, spirituality and faith-based engagement. He was able to combine those things when he founded Encountering Peace, an app that provides guided meditations in the Bible, and the Encounter Podcast. Dr. Dickens has also written a book called “Whispers of the Spirit: A 40-Day Guide to Intimate Prayer,” which will be available April 1, 2025. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician, an international speaker, a podcast host, and the CEO of Restorasis, a health and wellness consulting agency. Dr. Dalton-Smith is also an award-winning author and just released her book, “Being Fully Known: The Joyful Satisfaction of Beholding, Becoming, and Belonging.” She also is the host of the podcast, “I Choose My Best Life.” Keisha Toni Russell is a constitutional lawyer with First Liberty Institute, a legal organization that defends religious liberty. Keisha is a sought-after speaker who delivers commentaries on several TV stations and she writes op-eds for various national news outlets. She has also written a new book called, “Uncommon Courage.”

Today, on Karl and Crew, we were broadcasting LIVE from Texas at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) conference. We had some special guests on the show today as we discussed enduring adversity as followers of Christ.  You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast. The following guests joined us this morning: Todd Nettleton is the Vice President of Message Integration for The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. He is also the host of the nonprofit’s radio program, The Voice of the Martyrs Radio. He has also been a part of the writing team for several VOM books including, “When Faith is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians.” Ricky Dickson is the recently retired CEO and President of Blue Bell Creameries, an ice cream company. Ricky also has a best-selling book called, “One Scoop at a Time: Lessons from Fear to Faith,” where he reflects on the highs and lows of his 43-year career in the ice cream business. Colin Smith is the Founder and Teaching Pastor for Open the Bible, a national radio program. Colin is also the Senior Pastor of The Orchard Evangelical Free Church and an author. He has authored several books including, “Heaven, How I Got Here.”  Dannette Joy Crawford is a speaker, author, TV host and evangelist. Dannette is also the founder of Danette Crawford Ministries and its outreach, Joy Ministries. She has also authored several books including her upcoming book called, “The Power of Joy for Women,” which will be released in March 2025.  Captain Guy Barak is an Israel Naval Attache to the U.S. and Military Attache to the UN. Capt. Barak is at NRB today on behalf of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), a nonprofit that serves the soldiers who protect Israel and Jews worldwide. Lana Silk is the Chief Executive Officer for Transform Iran, a Christian organization that shares the gospel in Iran. Lana passionately works to help bring freedom to the people of Iran through ministry and humanitarian aid. 

Today, on Karl and Crew, we were LIVE at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Conference in Texas. We had some special guests on the show today and heard stories of how they came to God and how He is still working in their lives now through ministry. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast. The following guests joined us this morning:  Max McLean is an award-winning actor, founder and artistic director of the New York City-based Fellowship for Performing Arts. Max also stars in the Fellowship for Performing Arts’ most recent play, C.S. Lewis On Stage: Further Up & Further In.  Raymond Harris is an architect, executive movie producer, venture capitalist in God’s kingdom and author. Raymond has authored the book, “Enduring Wealth, Being Rich in this World and the Next.” Larry Huch was once an addict but is now Pastor, advocate for Israel and Jewish people, and an author. Larry has spoken at the White House, in violent prisons, and to world leaders. He also authored the book, “From Junkie to Jerusalem-A Journey of Destiny.” Dr. Erwin Lutzer is Pastor Emeritus of the Moody Church in Chicago and an author. Dr. Lutzer has authored several books including, “Eclipse of God: Our Nation’s Disastrous Search for a More Inclusive Deity (and What We Must Do About It.)”  June Hunt is the founder and Chief Servant Officer of the award-winning radio program, Hope for the Heart, where they provide guidance on the Bible and how to apply it in life. June is also a biblical counselor, speaker, singer and broadcaster. 

Today, on Karl and Crew, we were LIVE at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) Conference in Texas. We had a couple of guests join us today to discuss how to engage the culture with Jesus. Our first guest was Natasha Crain. Natasha is a national speaker, author and blogger. She authored several books including “When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square.” We also had Phil Cooke join in on the conversation. Phil is a media producer, writer, speaker, author and coach who helps creative leaders influence the world! He has authored the book, “Church on Trial: How to Protect Your Congregation, Mission, and Reputation During a Crisis.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.  

On this Freedom Friday, we wrapped up our weekly theme of Faith and Culture with a discussion on how transformative faith grows a deeper relationship with the Lord. Transformative faith is believing and knowing that Jesus saved us from sin which then ignites a spiritual transformation. Has your faith in Jesus changed your life? We then discussed the three barriers that keep us from salvation: Rebellion, Blindness, and Deception. Peter Worrall joined the conversation with some insight into the importance of knowing and having a passion for God. Peter is an associate professor of Educational Ministries with MBI and an author. He wrote the book, “20 Things We’d Tell Our Twentysomething Selves.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of Faith and Culture with a discussion of the impact that culture has on society and how behind the curtain there’s a spiritual root. We had Janet Parshall join the conversation to discuss biblical boldness when confronting the culture’s impact on Christianity. Janet is the host of the national program, “In the Market with Janet Parshall” and is a national speaker on issues impacting Christians. She has also been broadcasting from the nation’s capital for over three decades. We also had Dr. Andy Bannister join us and provide some insight into the spiritual side of culture's impact on society. Dr. Bannister is the Director of Solas, a Christian charity that shares the gospel, and the host of two podcasts, “PEP Talk” and “Pod of the Gaps.” He has also authored several books including, “Have You Ever Wondered?- Finding the Everyday Clues to Meaning, Purpose, and Spirituality.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our deep dive into Faith and Culture as we discussed a few of the cultural trends that deviate from Biblical-based Faith. We also had Dr. Alex McFarland provide some insight into the importance of maintaining a faith-based mindset when practicing Christianity. Dr. McFarland is a religion and culture analyst and is the Director of Worldview for Charis Bible College. He has also spoken worldwide and preached in over 2,200 churches throughout North America and globally. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we kicked off our weekly theme of Faith and Culture by examining how today’s church and culture align and stray from the biblical framework. We also had Dr. Adam Rasmussen join us to share statistics on faith and cultural trends. Dr. Rasmussen is a dean at Arizona Christian University and a fellow at the Cultural Research Center. His work with the culture center focuses on advancing God’s Kingdom through research and studies on cultural and biblical worldviews. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

On this Freedom Friday, we wrapped up our weekly theme of marriage with a powerful testimony from Ron and Jody Zappia, about how they were set free from their sin and how God used infidelity in their marriage to do it. Ron is the founding and lead pastor at Highpoint Church, a Chicagoland multi-site church, and a church planting organization, Highpoint Send Network. Ron and Jodie Zappia are marriage conference speakers and authors. They authored the book, “The Marriage Knot: 7 Choices That Keep Couples Together.” We also had Dr. Bill Thrasher talk about God’s love and how His love is sufficient. Dr. Thrasher oversees the Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Master's Program at MBI, he is an interim pastor, a professor of Bible and Theology at Moody Graduate School, and a frequent conference and retreat speaker. He also has authored several books including a Valentine’s Day Devotional called, “Putting God Back Into the Holidays.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we went straight to the root of our weekly theme of marriage, with a discussion about looking beyond the surface when addressing issues within your marriage. Do you and your spouse ever have explosive arguments over little things? Those little things may be rooted in a deeper issue that hasn’t been openly addressed or resolved. God wants us to go to the root of the problem and create a new foundation with Him so that healing can begin. Dr. Dan Allender joined the conversation as he provided insight into how those small arguments stem from deeper and bigger issues. Dr. Allender is a counseling psychologist who focuses on marriage, trauma and sexual abuse. Dr. Allender also is the co-founder of The Allender Center and an author. He has authored several books including, “The Deep-Rooted Marriage.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of marriage with a discussion about the importance of loving communication within your marital relationship. Are you communicating with your spouse in a way that is loving or is your communication method causing more conflict? We had Dr. Gary Chapman join the conversation to provide some insight on how to recognize your partner’s love language and how to resolve conflict without arguing. Dr. Chapman is a well-known marriage counselor, speaker, pastor and author. He has authored many books including, “A Simple Guide for a Better Marriage: Quick, Practical Insights Every Couple Needs to Thrive.” We also had a special performance from Young Thunder as he sang along with Nat King Cole in the song “L-O-V-E.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.  

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our weekly theme of marriage with a discussion about how the words you say and the little things you do affect your spouse. Are you building up your spouse with your words or tearing them down? The power of the tongue is made evident in scripture, we turned to James 3:3-5 to see that despite the minuteness of the tongue it has a big impact and must be controlled. We also had marriage and parenting expert, Arlene Pellicane, join us today and share some ways to not only love your spouse but also enjoy and appreciate them in your marriage. Arlene is also the host of the Happy Home podcast and an author. She has authored several books including “Making Marriage Easier: How to Love (and Like) Your Spouse for Life.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we celebrated National Marriage Week by discussing how to revive the sparks of marriage with Jesus. Have you and your spouse lost that spark and have become glorified roommates? The crew discussed the necessity of including God in your marriage and being intentional with even the little things. We were also joined by America’s Family Coaches, Dr. Gary and Barb Rosberg, to hear the three steps they took with Jesus to bring back their flame. The Rosbergs are founding members of the International Christian Coaching Institute, life and marriage coaches, international marriage conference speakers, and award-winning authors. They also have a podcast called “The Rosberg’s-Your Marriage Coaches.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

On this Freedom Friday, we wrapped up our weekly mindset theme by discussing the barriers that keep us from salvation. We have to choose whether or not we want to surrender to Jesus and allow Him to help us break down those barriers. We flipped to Romans 18:21, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 and Matthew 7:21-23 to see the barriers. When we can identify the barriers in our lives, we can surrender them to Him, and God will open our hearts to change. We saw this in Acts 16 with Lydia and how God opened her heart to hear and commit to the Lord. We also announced Karl Clauson’s free book signing event next month for his book, “Killing Sin.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we continued our conversation on mindset as we discussed how influential our thoughts are and the importance of keeping our thoughts aligned with God. Our minds are a free space for thoughts to roam, and if we aren’t careful about the thoughts we keep, it can lead to different forms of spiritual struggle such as temptation. We turned to 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 where Paul tells us to sift through those thoughts and take captive and cast out those thoughts that aren’t obedient to God. Our special guest, Dr. Brad Baurain, joined in on the conversation and provided some insight on ways to seek the Lord so we can resist temptation. Dr. Baurain is a professor and Program Head of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Moody Bible Institute and the author of the book, “On Waiting Well.” We also announced Karl Clauson’s free book signing event next month for his book, “Killing Sin: Conquer The One Thing That Is Defeating You.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we dove deeper into our weekly theme of mindset, discussing breaking free from a victimized mindset. We can sometimes develop a victim mentality when we experience traumatic or life-changing events, but instead of dwelling on those experiences, scripture encourages us to shift our focus to the blessings that God has given us. We turned to Colossians 3:2 where Paul tells us to devote our hearts to the things above, rather than the things of this earth. Have you been more focused on the enemy's distractions rather than God's blessings? Our special guest, Susie Larson, shared how she shifted her focus to God when the enemy was attempting to distract her. Susie is a bestselling author and national speaker; she’s authored several books, including “Waking Up to the Goodness of God.” She also hosts the radio show Susie Larson Live. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we discussed reframing the mind to endure the trials past and ahead. Oftentimes, it can be easy to have certain expectations for our lives, but as followers of Jesus, we must let go of our expectations and embrace what’s ahead on the walk with Him. Through those trials, we can be confident that God is with us every step of the way and will guide us. We turned to James 1:2-8 to confirm that, and it tells us to “count it all joy” when faced with trials because it's a test of our faith and that we are not alone in it; God is our guidance. Our special guest, Melissa Huray, shared her reframing and deliverance process through her trial of alcohol addiction. Melissa is now an addiction counselor and speaker. She has also authored a couple of books, including “Radical Freedom: Breaking the Chains of Addiction for Good.” You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we took an inward approach as we kicked off our weekly theme of "Mindset" with a discussion on mind renewal. As followers of Jesus, our minds are renewed as we draw nearer to Him because we shed our worldly thought processes to have Spirit-led thoughts. This transformation is necessary for believers because it allows us to mentally align with God’s will.  We learned in Romans 12:2 that the Lord doesn’t want us to conform to the world but to be set apart, and to do this; we have to get rid of those ungodly thoughts.  One of our guests, Asheritah Ciuciu, shared with us how she cast down those thoughts and replaced them with the delight of the Lord. Asheritah founded One Thing Alone Ministries and has authored several books, including “Delighting in Jesus- Rhythms to Restore Joy When You Feel Burdened, Broken, or Burned-Out.” Pastor Dr. Erwin Lutzer also shared insight on shifting our thinking to biblical thoughts. Pastor Lutzer is an award-winning author of numerous books, pastor, and speaker.  He also is a featured speaker on two radio programs with Moody Church Media. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.

Today, on Karl and Crew, we broadcasted live from MorningStar Mission Ministries in Joliet, Illinois!  MorningStar is a non-denominational organization dedicated to relieving the spiritual and physical hunger of the poor.  They do this by providing food for the hungry, clothing for the needy, shelter for the homeless, and, most importantly, the Gospel of Jesus Christ for all.  Your generosity helps provide food, shelter, and recovery services to those in need. Join us in transforming lives through love, care, and compassion.  

Today, on Karl and Crew, we discussed the importance of not only aligning our Spirit with God but also our bodies. Our bodies are an extension of our Spirit and should be treated with just as much intentionality and devotion. Paul tells us our bodies are temples, so we should take care of them and not subject them to spiritually harmful things such as sexual immorality or idolatry. We turned to Romans 8:13 and Romans 12:1 where we read that we need to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God and live through the Spirit and not the flesh because the ways of the flesh lead to death. We need to feed our bodies spiritual nourishment. Have you been spiritually nourishing your body? We also shared a sermon by Karl that goes more in-depth on how to align our bodies with God’s will and plan. You can hear the highlights of today’s program on Karl and Crew Showcast.