Susan Thomas and Pastor Holly Wagner have an honest conversation about walking through prolonged seasons of hardship. Holly shares her story of loss, betrayal, illness, and leadership under pressure and how God met her in the idle of it all. This episode explores spiritual resilience, standing firm in spiritual battles, and trusting God through life’s unexpected detours. Hard seasons are not the end of the story, but they are often the place where faith is forged.

QUESTIONS:

1. How do you guard your heart against bitterness or isolation when pressure piles up?
2. What small, practical act of gratitude could help shift your focus in this season?
3. Are you grounding yourself in God’s truth, or do you find yourself being pulled by other voices?

READ MORE:

• “Though I walk through the valley” in Psalm 23:4
• Choosing gratitude in all circumstances in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
• Standing firm with the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10–18
• God working through suffering in Romans 8:18–28
• Faith being refined through trials in James 1:2–4

Brandon and Susan unpack one of the most foundational values of the Christian faith and the church: Jesus changes lives. Through Scripture, stories, and honest reflection, they explore why real change is necessary, why the world is broken apart from Christ, and why evangelism is not optional for believers or the church.

The conversation addresses the tension between evangelism and discipleship, responding to cynicism around baptism and church growth, and clarifying that salvation is a gift of grace—not a work to be earned. Brandon and Susan also share practical, real-life examples of sharing faith in everyday moments, reminding listeners that transformation flows from relationship with Jesus, not behavior modification. Ultimately, this episode calls believers to live on mission, trust God with the harvest, and remain faithful to the truth that only Jesus can truly change lives.

QUESTIONS:

1. How has Jesus changed your life, and how clearly can you articulate that story to someone else?
2. In what ways might you be relying on self-improvement or partial fixes instead of full surrender to Jesus?
3. Are you actively praying for God to place people in your path so you can share your faith with courage and compassion?

READ MORE:

• Jesus’ compassion for a broken and hurting world (Matthew 9:35–38)
• The mission of Jesus to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)
• Salvation as a gift of grace, not works (Ephesians 2:8–9; Acts 2:38–41)
• The call to make disciples and live on mission (Matthew 28:19–20; Romans 10:14–15)
• True life change through Christ, not self-effort (2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 1:6)

Brandon and his brother Dr. Eric Thomas discuss the power of Scripture, prayer, and long-term faithfulness in the life of the church. Eric shares why memorizing God’s Word matters, how repetition forms spiritual reflexes, and why preparation must come before crisis. Together they explore courageous leadership, protecting church culture, and building multi-generational vision. The conversation highlights faith that endures, pastors who stay rooted, and churches that faithfully serve their communities over time together faithfully.

QUESTIONS

1. How intentional are you about memorizing Scripture? How does knowing God’s Word affect the way you respond to temptation or pressure?
2. In what areas of your life or leadership are you preparing in advance rather than reacting in the moment?
3. What kind of faith legacy are you helping build for the next generation through your consistency, obedience, and commitment?

READ MORE

• The importance of hiding God’s Word in your heart (Psalm 119:9–11)
• Scripture as a weapon against temptation (Matthew 4:1–11; Ephesians 6:17)
• Preparing spiritually before crisis hits (Proverbs 21:31; Luke 6:46–49)
• Faithfulness and longevity in leadership (1 Corinthians 4:2; Galatians 6:9)
• Passing faith to the next generation (Psalm 78:4–7; 2 Timothy 2:2)