CityRise Network Podcasts

Allison Finch shares with us some incredible tips and tricks she and her husband have learned parenting for the past 16 years, working to help their 5 kids grow in the faith and move toward independence. Summer is an especially difficult time to parent, and she provides incredible insight for overcoming the millions of questions kids ask on summer …

Jennifer and Justin talk about the things they love most and the things they don't really care for about the pool, vacations, amusement parks, and more classic summer activities. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!By CityRise Network

Regina Nolan is a VP of HR at HP, a wife, mother, and Christ follower who shares a fun story about her connection with her father over his vast collection of books. We talk about her unique way of sharing his collection after his passing, advice for people looking for a job, and her work getting the speed limit on a portion of road near her home lo…

Justo Robinson is the pastor of CityRise Emmanuel, a CityRise Network spanish language congregation located in Missouri City, TX. Justo shares with us his story of growing up in Colombia, his career in public education, and his calling as a minister of the gospel. To learn more about CityRise Emmanuel, visit https://cityrise.org/locations/cremc/ Pl…

Lauren Grossman and Anna Lauren Nelson are members of the CityRise Kidstuff team focusing on helping children and families grow in the faith. They share some behind the scene stories and words of encouragement for parents seeking to lead their children to better know Jesus. For more information on our Kidstuff Ministry visit https://cityrise.org/ki…

Carol Sotier and Robynn Estrada have been friends at our West U Baptist Church Campus since their (now grown) children were small. Through church involvement, and a monthly double date at burger restaurants around Houston, Carol and Robynn show us how our church family plays an important role in our faith. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!…

John Litzler is an attorney focused on guiding churches and Christian non-profits through legal issues and questions. John shares with us incredible insight about the workings of the Supreme Court, the implications of the recent leak, and the importance of voting. For more information on John's work with the Texas Baptists, check out https://www.te…

Shawn Shannon is the Minister of Spiritual Formation at Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, TX. Shawn shares with us the concept of classic, personal, and unchosen spiritual disciplines, helping us understand how each plays a role in making our faith more vibrant. For more information about Shawn's ministry at Tallowood, visit https://tallowood.or…

Ashley Miksch is a Student Associate at the CityRise Network, focused on loving and leading teenage girls into a growing relationship with Christ. Ashley shares with us unique insight into what girls are facing. To get your student involved in the Houston area, visit https://cityrise.org/students Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!…

Jennifer and Justin work through a few different topics, including a Barna research finding that many Christians feel that it's wrong to share our faith, the tendency for people to keep their spritual life private, doubt, powerlessness, and prayer. The Barna article can be found here: https://www.barna.com/research/millennials-oppose-evangelism/ Ma…

Robert Underwood is the Associate Pastor of Discipleship and Community Impact at CityRise Missouri City. Robert shares with us his heart for church planting and mental health in the black community. For more information on CityRise Missouri City, visit https://cityrise.org/locations/cityrise-missouri-city/ Please make sure to rate, review, and subs…

Kristen Campbell is the new Women's Ministry Director of the CityRise Network, focused on loving and leading women of all ages in their faith. Kristen shares her heart for ministry and thoughts on struggles and concerns unique to women. For more information on our Women's Ministry visit https://cityrise.org/ministries/adults/women/ Please make sure…

Kate Shellnutt is the Senior News Editor for Christianity Today, which seeks to demonstrate through all its media how the true, good, and beautiful gospel can not only transform lives but bring hope and flourishing to individuals, cultures, and communities. She shares with us her heart to inspire people to worship with the stories of God's people. …

Rynie Badenhorst is an active member of West U Baptist, a CityRise Network Campus, and has found many ways to serve those in need both on his and own and with his family. He shares with us his heart for serving and the story of how he came to value helping others. For more information on Houston Welcomes Refugees, visit https://www.houstonwelcomesr…

Randy Guttenberger is the author of "Managing Your Crazy Self" and founder and president of Rhino Insights. Randy shares how better understanding our emotions and reflexes to tough situations can help us manage our reactions and behaviors in a positive way. To learn more about Randy and his non-profit, visit https://managingyourcrazy.com/ Please ma…

Lori Morrow is a Worldview Coach creating resources to help people grow their faith, find their voice, and maximize their impact. She shares how she became passionate about Apologetics, and encouarages us all to better understand our faith for the sake of our walk with Jesus and the next generation. To learn more, visit https://www.thespoonfedsoul.…

Laura Seifert is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and founder of Yes Ministries, focused on drawing women closer to Jesus through teaching His truth and sharing our lives. For more information on Laura's book and ministry, check out https://www.yesministries.net/ Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!…

Jennifer and Justin set up at Dinner and Deploy, an incredible gathering where our church family can connect with our local and international partners, learning about their ministries and how to serve with them. To learn more about the partners featured in this episode and all of our other partners, check out https://cityrise.org/partners/ Make sur…

Brent Gallagher and his wife own Avenu Fitness in Houston, TX, focusing on creating community as they seek to provide quality coaching towards overall health. Brent shares with us about taking small steps toward healthy sleeping and eating habits. To learn more about Avenu Fit, visit https://avenufit.com/ Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!…

Lacey Moses is the leader of Mercy House Ministries, a wife, and a mother who has face difficult seasons in life, and learned a great deal about praying for God's will when things aren't going the way you expect. To learn more about Mercy House Ministries, visit https://cityrise.org/forms/forms-mercy-house-ministries-info-request/ Make sure to rate…

Erin Santos is a managing director of Casa de Luz Mexico, a ministry working to keep families together and lift up the name of Jesus in Primo Tapia, Mexico. Erin shares about the journey that she, her husband, and their children embarked on together over 10 years ago to start this ministry, sharing the biggest lessons she's learned from God along t…

Kim Hudson is a Christ follower grappling with a new normal after suffering a major stroke in 2019. She shares what she has learned on this journey, and offers insight into how we can all weather the chaos that sometimes comes our way in this life. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!By CityRise Network

Mary Ann Bridgwater is the founder of Pray the Word Ministries, focused on helping believers grow in their relationship with Christ through prayer. Mary Ann shares her journey to cultivate her own prayer life, and encourages us to go to God's Word when we need guidance on how to pray. To learn more about Pray the Word Ministries, visit https://www.…

Ben and Kelli Hays are Christ followers in Houston, TX focusing on building meaningful relationships with young adults in college, the med center, and in the work force. By opening their home to guests and adoptive children, they are sharing their lives in a way that shows off the love of Christ. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!…

Karen Oak is an author, former missionary, and speaker who has dedicated her life to loving and leading people to Jesus. Karen shares with us the story behind her book, A Warm Place in the Sun, describing some of the things she's learned through hard times, and encouraging those who are facing difficulties. To purchase her book, visit https://www.a…

Jennifer and Justin announce a brief break for the holidays and share an assortment of confessions and grievances about the podcast and life. For Christmas, all we want is a review and/or rating in your podcast app!By CityRise Network

Julissa Chappell is the Director of Operations at Casa El Buen Samaritano, creating events that minister to and reach communities all throughout Houston with the gospel and medical assistance. Julissa shares the incredible story of how God brought her and her husband their three boys according to His plan and His timing. To learn more about Casa El…

Tassy Beasley is the Owner/Creator of FindItGirl, an online retailer of high quality and unique home goods. Tassy shares about starting a new endeavor after many years in upper level retail and raising four boys to love and follow Jesus. To learn more, visit https://finditgirl.com. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!…

Angelina Hudson is the Executive Director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness for the Greater Houston area. Focusing on providing education and resources for those struggling with mental illness and their loved ones, Angelina shares about her work with NAMI and her personal story of navigating the mental health issues of her family. To lear…

Richard and Sheri Bright are comedians, speakers, authors, and pastors focused on helping couples grow their faith and marriages through laughter. They share their story, their heart for couples seeking to strengthen their marriages, and give great insight into how we can all grow closer to God with our spouse. To learn more about their ministry, l…

Stephanie Whitfield is a Multi-Skill Journalist for KHOU11 News in Houston, TX . She shares with us the joy she finds in her career, and the way she has found a role that allows her the flexibility to partner with her husband to raise children that love Jesus. We talk about her history in journalism, what kinds of news stories that get her excited,…

Kathleen Yarborough is the Community Ministries Director for the CityRise Network, focusing on partnering with local ministries to meet needs and share the love of Jesus. Kathleen shares some opportunities to serve in Houston, and also talks about her journey toward developing a heart for partnering with local ministries. Visit https://cityrise.org…

Philip Yancey is an author writing primarily about spiritual issues. His books have sold more than fifteen million copies in English and have been translated into forty languages, making him one of the best-selling contemporary Christian authors. Philip shares the story of his faith journey recovering from a toxic church experience, and offers enco…

Sonya DeArman is a Christ follower, wife, mother, and thrift shopper. Being married to a pastor, Sonya offers insight on parenting a senior, helping guests at church feel welcome, and managing anxiety with all of life's ups and downs. Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!By CityRise Network

Zac McCray is the Assistant Chapter Director for Ratio Christi at Rice University, an organization dedicated to answering big questions about our faith and educating Christians on the tenets of our faith. Zac shares his personal story of coming to know Jesus, and the role apologetics play in his current walk with Christ. For more information on Rat…

Melissa Patin retired last year from Houston ISD after 10 years as a principal, with a career as a school counselor and teacher before that. She shares her philosophy on taking care of those that we lead, and also her heart for putting the students' best interests first and foremost in education. Please make sure to rate, review, and subscribe!…

Jeny Cortez is the Director of Development for STCH Ministries, focused on raising funds to support their ministry to children and families in South Texas and beyond. She shares with us the incredible things that STCH does, and also offers insight into trusting God in our parenting journey as we seek to raise children that love and follow Jesus. To…

Denise Glenn is an author and co-founder of Kardo Ministries, focused on helping believers connect with God to develop as spouses and parents. She shares her story of coming through a difficult season in her marriage, and how that developed into a ministry to love and lead people into healthy relationships. For more information on her ministry and …

Keith Browning is the evening news producer for ABC 13 in Houston, TX and a strong follower of Jesus. He shares his experience with avoiding burnout in the workplace, surviving cancer, staying true to God, and making sure your family remains a top priority in a world obsessed with work success. To check out ABC 13, visit https://abc13.com/watch/liv…

Dr. Roger Patterson is the Senior Pastor and founder of the CityRise Network, providing direct oversight to 6 different congregations, and offering support and networking for several other congregations, non-profits, and missionaries. Roger shares some of the major lessons he's learned in ministry, as well as his heart for everyone to see their fam…

Dr. Stephen Spann is a primary care physician and founding Dean of the University of Houston School of Medicine. He shares some encouraging words about the power of doctors to heal through meaningful relationships, and articulates the inspiration he finds in Jesus as the Great Physician. For more information on the free medical clinic that Dr. Span…

On Sunday August 29 the CityRise Network gathered our volunteers from all our campuses for a night of celebration and empowerment. Jennifer and Justin set up a booth right by the check in table and had the opportunity to talk to several incredible people about serving. If you're interested in serving at one of our CityRise Network campuses, visit h…

Matt Dockall is a certified financial planner who coaches people on ways to manage their wealth toward the goals that matter most to them. He shares insight on investing, godly views on money, and basic financial principles. For more information on Matt's financial planning business, visit https://presidiofinancial.us/ Make sure to rate, review, an…

Kristen Kellough is a worship leader at the CityRise West U Baptist Church Campus, a preschool teacher, a wife, and a mother of two young children. With the birth of her second child, Kristen faced a battle with depression that made parenting a daily struggle. She shares her story, as well as insight on what helped her during that tough season. Don…

Jaime Obando is the Associate Director of Community Ministries at CityRise, seeking to connect with those who need Jesus by meeting their needs. As a parent of two teenage boys, Jaime offered a wealth of insight about shepherding children during the toughest season of adolescence. Visit https://cityrise.org/communityministries to learn more about J…

Sammy Ramos is a church planter leading Cistern Church, located in the Westbury community of Houston, TX. In this chat we talk about why church planting is important, the great things that can happen in camp ministry, and how vital Christ-centered community is for someone to grow in their faith. For more information on Cistern visit https://cistern…

Kirby Follis, Executive Pastor of the CityRise Network, shares his personal journey in ministry, big lessons he's learned a husband, his experience with seasons of faith, and reflections on grief and the death of his father. Please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the podcast!By CityRise Network

Christy Sylvester, Executive Director of Casa El Buen Samaritano, shares her path to becoming part of one of the last free medical clinics in Houston, serving families from hundreds of zip codes in need of medical care. Christy shares her heart for reaching the nations right here in Houston, and gives information on how medical professionals and th…

Jennifer and Justin talk with Tim Wainright, principal of Westlake Preparatory Academy, about a variety of topics regarding education. Choosing the best school for your children, supporting teachers, and clinging to God through the ups and downs of the education roller coaster are just a few of the things that come up in our conversation. Visit htt…

We took a week off from recording, but wanted to share some fun with you to hold you over until the next Almost Amazing Dinner Party! Check out this deleted content from episodes 10-17 featuring Kevin Dean, Jenny Johnson, Jess Madden, Kristen Maxfield, Mark Krimm, Tricia Blackford, Stephanie Frey, and Chris DeArman. Make sure rate, review, and subs…