Brian From catches up with his former college roommate Ben Reaoch and Ben’s wife, Stacy, about their new book, The Word in Our Home: A Family Plan for Exploring Every Book in the Bible. The project began as a vision of Ben’s mother, Barb, a Bible Study Fellowship children’s curriculum writer who had a book proposal ready when she was diagnosed with cancer. Before she died two years ago, she walked Ben through her files so he and Stacy could finish it. They describe how editing her work felt like hearing her voice again, and how they wrote new devotions in her style. The book offers 10-to-15-minute readings that walk families from Genesis to Revelation. To parents who feel guilty or unprepared, the Reaochs encourage them to start small, be honest, not worry about having every answer, and remember that God’s grace lets every family start fresh. Ben also shares what he loves about pastoring in the Pittsburgh area.

Brian From catches up with his former college roommate Ben Reaoch and Ben&rsquo;s wife, Stacy, about their new book, The Word in Our Home: A Family Plan for Exploring Every Book in the Bible. The project began as a vision of Ben&rsquo;s mother, Barb, a Bible Study Fellowship children&rsquo;s curriculum writer who had a book proposal ready when she was diagnosed with cancer. Before she died two years ago, she walked Ben through her files so he and Stacy could finish it. They describe how editing her work felt like hearing her voice again, and how they wrote new devotions in her style. The book offers 10-to-15-minute readings that walk families from Genesis to Revelation. To parents who feel guilty or unprepared, the Reaochs encourage them to start small, be honest, not worry about having every answer, and remember that God&rsquo;s grace lets every family start fresh. Ben also shares what he loves about pastoring in the Pittsburgh area.

The idea of “the common good” has a rich history within the Christian church. It’s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God’s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God’s design for all of us fulfilled.

The idea of &ldquo;the common good&rdquo; has a rich history within the Christian church. It&rsquo;s the notion that, as we pursue Jesus in our lives and in the lives of others, we are fulfilling God&rsquo;s purposes for His creation. This pursuit can be messy. It means rolling up our sleeves and creating space for hard conversations about real issues that impact our lives. Things like parenting, marriage, finances, politics, art, and culture. On The Common Good, Brian From creates space to have these conversations, to sit with the big questions that we all have, to sometimes disagree, but to always look for the chance to create common good, by following after Jesus. Brian welcome listeners to join them in these conversations, to bring their own questions, hopes, and struggles, and to ultimately share in a journey to see God&rsquo;s design for all of us fulfilled.

The Common Good Podcast

The Common Good

Ben and Stacy Reaoch Finish the Family Devotional Ben’s Late Mother Began

Brian From sits down with Susana Sharp of Impact Latin America, an interdenominational ministry that partners with more than 35 denominations in about 20 nations to train ordinary men and women to share the gospel outside church walls. Susana explains the ministry’s model of prayer-led outreach and “Houses of Peace,” informal gatherings in homes, gardens, basketball courts, and even beaches, where non-believers encounter Jesus and new leaders are raised up. Since 2019, more than 15,000 people have come to faith, and some gatherings have multiplied to a seventh generation. Susana, a native of the Dominican Republic, tells how a House of Peace helped transform Cienfuegos, once one of the country’s most dangerous neighborhoods. She also tells of a former drug user in Costa Rica who now leads a surfer house church that reaches tourists from around the world. She describes the ministry’s “head, heart, and hands” approach to training, mentoring, and accountability, and what American churches can learn from it. Brian invites listeners to give at 1160Hope.com, where $10 provides discipleship and Bible resources for one new believer.

Brian From sits down with Susana Sharp of Impact Latin America, an interdenominational ministry that partners with more than 35 denominations in about 20 nations to train ordinary men and women to share the gospel outside church walls. Susana explains the ministry&rsquo;s model of prayer-led outreach and &ldquo;Houses of Peace,&rdquo; informal gatherings in homes, gardens, basketball courts, and even beaches, where non-believers encounter Jesus and new leaders are raised up. Since 2019, more than 15,000 people have come to faith, and some gatherings have multiplied to a seventh generation. Susana, a native of the Dominican Republic, tells how a House of Peace helped transform Cienfuegos, once one of the country&rsquo;s most dangerous neighborhoods. She also tells of a former drug user in Costa Rica who now leads a surfer house church that reaches tourists from around the world. She describes the ministry&rsquo;s &ldquo;head, heart, and hands&rdquo; approach to training, mentoring, and accountability, and what American churches can learn from it. Brian invites listeners to give at 1160Hope.com, where $10 provides discipleship and Bible resources for one new believer.

Impact Latin America Is Equipping Ordinary Believers to Plant ‘Houses of Peace’ Across the Region

Brian From comes off a beautiful homecoming weekend reflecting on his church’s Bible reading class, where the cycle of judgment and hope in Isaiah pointed him to the grace of Ephesians 2 and a God who doesn’t give up on us. He encourages married couples never to stop dating each other. He discusses a Christianity Today review of the PBS documentary Christianity at the Crossroads, including a projection that nearly 100,000 U.S. churches may close in the next decade, and argues that churches’ greatest need is a laser focus on preaching the gospel. He shares Randy Alcorn’s reflection that how we handle criticism is a test of our humility, then considers the complicated history behind Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day. In the second hour, Brian walks through Philippians 1: Paul’s prayer for the church and his conviction that “to live is Christ and to die is gain.” He shares Alan Noble’s thoughts on what the good life means for a Christian, and closes with a Charles Stanley devotional on how gratitude refocuses our attention, relieves anxiety, and strengthens our faith.

Brian From comes off a beautiful homecoming weekend reflecting on his church&rsquo;s Bible reading class, where the cycle of judgment and hope in Isaiah pointed him to the grace of Ephesians 2 and a God who doesn&rsquo;t give up on us. He encourages married couples never to stop dating each other. He discusses a Christianity Today review of the PBS documentary Christianity at the Crossroads, including a projection that nearly 100,000 U.S. churches may close in the next decade, and argues that churches&rsquo; greatest need is a laser focus on preaching the gospel. He shares Randy Alcorn&rsquo;s reflection that how we handle criticism is a test of our humility, then considers the complicated history behind Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples&rsquo; Day. In the second hour, Brian walks through Philippians 1: Paul&rsquo;s prayer for the church and his conviction that &ldquo;to live is Christ and to die is gain.&rdquo; He shares Alan Noble&rsquo;s thoughts on what the good life means for a Christian, and closes with a Charles Stanley devotional on how gratitude refocuses our attention, relieves anxiety, and strengthens our faith.

Nearly 100,000 Churches Could Close in the Next Decade, the Answer Is the Gospel.

Brian From talks with Pastors Warren Schilf and Donald Antor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine. Warren shares how he grew up in the church and its school, spent 20 years in business, and then answered a call to ministry. He returned as associate pastor before becoming senior pastor. He describes the joy of baptizing and marrying the children of families he’s known all his life, along with the challenge of leading people who still see him as “good old Warren.” Donald, who has served there for over a decade, describes a congregation founded in 1869 that is now baptizing a fifth or sixth generation of one family, and its outreach through community meals, a youth baseball and softball camp, and outdoor summer worship. Both pastors share their hope that members will make disciples naturally in everyday life. They also highlight the church’s volunteer-run Good Samaritan Ministry, which offers crisis financial help, a food and clothing pantry, and guidance to neighbors who are struggling.

Brian From talks with Pastors Warren Schilf and Donald Antor of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Palatine. Warren shares how he grew up in the church and its school, spent 20 years in business, and then answered a call to ministry. He returned as associate pastor before becoming senior pastor. He describes the joy of baptizing and marrying the children of families he&rsquo;s known all his life, along with the challenge of leading people who still see him as &ldquo;good old Warren.&rdquo; Donald, who has served there for over a decade, describes a congregation founded in 1869 that is now baptizing a fifth or sixth generation of one family, and its outreach through community meals, a youth baseball and softball camp, and outdoor summer worship. Both pastors share their hope that members will make disciples naturally in everyday life. They also highlight the church&rsquo;s volunteer-run Good Samaritan Ministry, which offers crisis financial help, a food and clothing pantry, and guidance to neighbors who are struggling.

Ben and Stacy Reaoch Finish the Family Devotional Ben’s Late Mother Began

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