Let's Talk with Sanctuary

In today's episode host Bridgette Tomlin welcomes Casey Gibbons of Mothergood to return to the podcast and talk about S-E-X. How do we talk to our children, teens, and young adults about God's plan for sexuality? In the midst of a gender identity crisis, how should today's ministry leaders and parents broach these otherwise touchy subjects according to God's Word? Casey, mother of six, offers sound counsel with practical tools on how to start the conversation, and keep it going in an effort to raise up a generation of Christ-followers who understand how to please God in every area of their lives.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------Casey Gibbons is all about leading people to Jesus within the home and in the local church. She is an author/speaker and a homeschooling mother to her six creative children. Casey serves alongside her husband, Scotty, as Lead Pastors in Oklahoma City and in their extra time they enjoy speaking on the topics of marriage and family. Fun Fact: Casey loves taking a power nap and eating dark chocolate in the afternoons. Connect with today's guest, Casey Gibbons:IG:  @Mothergood.usFB: @Mothergood.usWeb:  scottygibbons.comBONUS: Casey's daughter Candice Gibbons is an Oxford University graduate and recently released her first two books for teen girls. Please checkout IG @authorCandiceGibbons, website candicegibbons.com. Featured:Let’s Retreat Registration is OPEN!Let’s Connect | Widows Online CommunityMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

While there are many seasons in the life of a ministry wife, undoubtedly there are seasons where it may feel like she's silently bleeding--isolated with no one who seems to understand the life she leads. In this episode, host Bridgette Tomlin welcomes her guest Jan McIntyre to share candidly about her own journey as a ministry wife, the nudge from the Holy Spirit to create community for ministry wives, and the practical decisions she's made to break out of isolation and shake off the sabotage that can come with church hurt. You'll be encouraged by her sweet, southern spirit and the tenacity with which she has forged through challenging times to love and serve Jesus faithfully.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jan McIntyre is an ordained minister and a short term missionary. She is married to her best friend, Tim. They serve as the pastors of Marion Oaks Assembly of God in Ocala, FL and have been there for 19 years. They have two precious daughters and three beautiful granddaughters. Jan is the founder of Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s Wife, an online ministry for pastors’ wives. Jan’s motto is “Love God, love people.”Connect with today's featured guest, Jan McIntyre:Facebook:  Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s WifeSilently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s WidowSilently Bleeding: Hope for the Retired Pastor’s WifeSilently Bleeding: Hope for the Broken Hearted (for abused & or abandoned pastors’ wives)Web:  silentlybleeding.comPodcast: Silently Bleeding | Apple, Google Play, and SpotifyYouTube: Silently Bleeding: Hope for the Pastor’s WifeRadio: WNWR The Word in Philadelphia, PA [7:15 PM | Sat]Featured:Let’s Retreat Registration is NOW OPEN for FIRST-TIME GUESTS!Find Sanctuary on FacebookFind Sanctuary on InstagramMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

While we don’t want to believe it, public perception or image definitely matter. As a general rule, there are two camps, perhaps three, within the ministerial community when it comes to public persona. One ascribes to that of the Influencer in every way--focusing on high fashion, promoting all their latest finds on social media, maybe they’re in the extreme fitness realm. And then there are those in the camp who deem attention to such things as vain, self-serving, prideful, and even deflecting attention away from Christ altogether. And among those in the middle are those who are giving it their best shot, while others are battling that legendary battle of self-value to the point of even loathing the mirror. Today's featured guest Maranda Rains, a bi-vocational pastor's wife and personal stylist, comes on board to school us on how to effectively tend to our public perception without pride, but also with grace, holiness, and an attitude that pleases the Lord. She might bring a perspective that challenges your own, but take a listen with an open mind, a surrendered heart, and a desire to hear some fun and fresh ideas about spring fashion!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Maranda Rains resides in Tyler, TX with her husband Paul of 22 years, daughters Bella Gray and Bristol Fay, plus two white fur people, Casper and Cotton. Maranda has enjoyed a 23-year career as a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant/Sales Director. She has had the privilege to drive 14 free cars, earn copious amounts of diamonds, travel around the world, and lead women of excellence. However, her most treasured gifts have been the valuable friendships she has collected along the way.Maranda enjoys volunteering for organizations in her community, and mostly serving at her church, Lakeview Community Church, where she and her husband serve as lead pastors while also working in secular fields outside the church.During college and as a former Miss Northeast Texas USA and Miss East Texas USA, Maranda’s passion for style and fashion drew her into the closets of friends to help boost their confidence and excitement to look and feel their very best. She's still having a blast even 25+ years later.Connect with today's featured guest, Maranda Rains:Facebook:  Maranda’s Closet ClientsFacebook:  @maranda.rainsInstagram: @marandarainsFeatured:Let’s Retreat Registration is NOW OPEN for FIRST-TIME GUESTS!Find Sanctuary on FacebookFind Sanctuary on InstagramMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Bridgette Tomlin, your host, welcomed her husband Chresten Tomlin to the podcast for Episode 78! In our most recent episode, Episode 77, we featured the incomparable Pam King and dug into her insights about the combo of marriage and ministry. This week we want to come at the same topic but from a slightly different angle. Chresten and Bridgette recently celebrated their 26th anniversary of marriage and ministry. In this episode they share a little bit of their own love story and journey, as well as some of the lessons they either learned early on in their marriage and ministry journey or wish they would have learned earlier! You'll enjoy their candor, up-front honesty, and recognize that somebody out there may have walked some of the same roads on which you find yourself today.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Reverend Chresten Tomlin has been involved in full-time preaching and music evangelism for the past 26 years. His travels have taken him across the nation and around the world, ministering in concerts, special services, and revival meetings. Having been raised in the fire of Pentecost, Chresten knows the value of living a Spirit-led life. God has placed a call upon him and his wife to bridge the generational gap, which will propel the Church into the future.  Chresten is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He combines a passionate burden for the lost and a fervent hunger for holiness to produce powerful, Pentecostal preaching. His message drives home basic principles for living the overcoming, joy-filled Christian life. Chresten is also a soulful singer who produces powerful and anointed Gospel music. His repertoire covers everything from black Gospel to southern Gospel and everything in between! This couple's desire is to raise up a new generation of Pentecostals, filled with the Spirit and driven by conviction. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's featured guest, Chresten Tomlin:Facebook: @tomlinministriesSite:  www.ctministries.comEmail:  ctministries98@gmail.comFeatured:Hear more from Chresten on #letstalksanctuary [Ep 7, 8, 42, 55]Marriage + Ministry Podcast Episodes [Ep 7, 8, 32, 36, 55, 77]Learn about Let’s Connect.The Love List by Drs. Les & Leslie ParrottMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Throughout the month of February we will feature content that focuses on the dynamic of marriage + ministry. First up, we welcome Sanctuary lead team member Pam King back to the podcast as she shares about the TOP THREE areas of concern for many married couples, especially those who serve in leadership. You'll draw loads of wisdom from her 45+ years of marriage and ministry experience, find out why sex in marriage is so important, walk away with practical tools you can actually use, and learn how she and her husband Jim keep their marriage operating a peak performance, regardless of the season they're in.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Born into a pastor’s home, Pam King has been in full time ministry her entire life. Alongside her husband, Jim, Pam has traveled around the world in ministry for over 40 years in missionary evangelism. Their ministry has taken them around the world with Ukraine and Israel as their primary focus. They have been involved in mobilizing pastors, Bible school students and lay people in various endeavors. They have lead scores of ministry teams from local churches across America on international crusades and conferences to Russia, Ukraine and China. Their ministry, Awaking Hope, has started or sponsored over 300 Bible schools in video format and over 200 new churches in the nations of Ukraine, Russia, Romania, China, Kyrgyzstan and Israel. One of the most fulfilling endeavors of their ministry has been House of Joy Orphanage that the Kings established in 1995 in Kahovka, Ukraine.Jim and Pam love teaching on marriage and family as they see this as a great need in the Body of Christ today and especially among ministry couples and families. Ministry can bring challenges even to the strongest of marriages.After her love and passion for God, her husband and her children are the love of Pam’s life. Pam finds great joy in fulfilling the call that God has placed on her life as a wife, mother, and minister. She has a passion to encourage people to live to their full potential and to live out their God-given purpose.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's featured guest, Pam King:Facebook: @awakinghopeInstagram: @awaking_hopeSite:  www.awakinghope.comFeatured:Marriage + Ministry Podcast Episodes [Ep 7, 8, 32, 36, 55]Featured ScripturesLearn about Let’s Connect.The Love List by Drs. Les & Leslie ParrottMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Understanding who we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are, how we communicate, but then also all of the above about the people we are working with can help diffuse a lot of tension or unnecessary conflict when you’re working on a pastoral staff, a lead team, or even in your marriage. In this episode we welcome guest Vanessa McGee of McGee, Inc to educate us about the value of knowing yourself well, and then being able to identify and appreciate differences in others. You'll love Vanessa's sense of humor, her willingness to shoot straight, and perhaps identify with her own experience of being married to her total opposite!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Vanessa McGee has a passion to inspire and encourage others to discover and value the way that they have been uniquely formed and fashioned by God. Having worked with churches, non-profits and businesses for over 25 years, she understands the blessings and unique challenges that each of these types of environments bring. She has a diversified background, having worked in the areas of lay counseling, individual coaching, conference speaking and teaching within the local church. Vanessa has a distinctive style of speaking, utilizing humor and real life experience. This combination is sure to leave you laughing and entertained, but most importantly, challenged to go and live out God's purpose for your life and celebrate who you were created you to be! Vanessa has been married to her husband Robby for 38 years, and is known as Sessa to her three amazing grandkids. She was born and raised in Texas, and currently resides in Frisco, Texas where she can almost always be found with a book in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other!--------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's featured guest, Vanessa McGee:Facebook: Vanessa McNeel McGeeInstagram: @vanmcgeeWebsite: www.mcgeeinc.comFeatured:                                                                                      Share Sanctuary!InstagramFacebookSanctuary SiteLearn about Let's Retreat.Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

We are launching Season Four of Let's Talk with Sanctuary today & welcome a return visit with our friend, Sheila Harper of SaveOne. As we sit in the first month of the year 2024, the very definition of identity is up for grabs. In the past, the term ‘identity’ meant your name, your job, your role in a family or a business, how you were known as a human. In years past, jokes were made about having “an identity crisis”. But we are undoubtedly in one of the greatest identity crises the world has ever seen.How does this identity crisis affect the 21st century woman in ministry and leadership? How does this impact the next generation? And what does God say about the subject of identity? You'll draw immeasurable wisdom & be better equipped to shape the next generation on the other side of this insightful conversation with LTS host Bridgette Tomlin & her guest Sheila Harper. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sheila Harper is the Founder and President of SaveOne, a global outreach ministry helping men, women, & families recover after abortion. She holds a Master’s degree in Biblical counseling, is a certified mental health coach with the American Association of Christian Counselors, & is the author of 10 books. Her first book, SaveOne-A Guide to Emotional Healing after Abortion, has been translated & distributed in 23 languages.SaveOne currently has close to 400 chapters in 27 countries. Sheila has traveled the world speaking on the topic of abortion recovery, as well as training abortion recovery leaders. After enduring seven years of personal anguish over choosing abortion, she  found restoration & forgiveness through Jesus Christ.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's featured guest:Sheila Harper [Episodes 5, 38]Linktree:  @saveoneFeatured:Share Sanctuary!InstagramFacebookSanctuary SiteLearn about Let's Retreat.What does God say about your identity?Eph 2:10 | You are a masterpiece. Gen 1:27 | You’re created in HIS IMAGE! 1 Pet 2:9 | You’re part of a royal family. Col 3:12 | He chose you.Eph 1:11 | You have an inheritance.Gal 3:26| You’re a child of God. Eph 2:8 | You’re saved by His grace.John 15:15 | You’re God’s friend.Is 49:16 | You’re engraved on the palm of His hand. Ps 139:14 | You’re wonderfully made.Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Despite the fact that Sanctuary, our ministry for ministry wives, was launched by an annual event we host call Let’s Retreat, we have never done an entire episode on what it is, why it’s important, who should go, all the things. So, today we are talking about Let's Retreat! And in order to do this episode justice, we had to introduce you to so many of our dear friends at Sanctuary who serve on the Let’s Retreat team, as well as one of our favorite Let’s Retreat guests. Today we are welcoming a few of the key players who make this two-day, two-night retreat as impactful as it is. You are in for a treat! Let's Talk about Let's Retreat. Proceed with caution: On the other side of this conversation, you'll be ready to register for 2024's events!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's featured guests:Lisa Goins [Episodes 1, 29, 63]IG: @lisajgoinsFacebook: Lisa Freeman GoinsPam King [Episodes 7, 8, 25, 26, 49]IG:  @pamkingFacebook: Pam KingMaranda RainsIG:  @marandarainsFacebook: Maranda RainsBridgette Tomlin [Featured Episodes 42, 44, 61]IG:  @bridgiecarolFacebook:  Bridgette Greene TomlinKelly Woods [Episodes 6, 60]IG:  @kellyewoods Facebook: Kelly Grizzle WoodsFeatured:Share Sanctuary!InstagramFacebookSanctuary SiteLearn about Let's Retreat.Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Whether you’re actively engaged in leading a women’s ministry, personally involved in a local church women’s ministry, or simply a woman yourself, let me encourage you to lean into this content. And to our male listeners who are married, or even pastoring women, this is gonna be a great resource for you, as well. Today we welcome women's ministries expert Ashley Simmons of Coastal Church (Daphne, AL) to share her heart for women's ministries, why it's all the more important for the 21st-century church, and the practical tools every women's ministries director needs to form a lead team, facilitate discipleship and so much more!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ashley Simmons lives in Fairhope, AL and serves on staff at Coastal Church in Daphne, AL as the Counseling Coordinator and Women's Director. She is a mom to Cole (21), a Pre-Med student in his senior year at Mississippi College and Kennedy (20), who is serving on a worship internship at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. She celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary this summer with her wonderful husband Tim who also serves at Coastal Church as the executive pastor. Tim and Ashley have been in ministry for 25 years.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Ashley Simmons:Ashley Simmons | Instagram | FacebookFeatured:Share Sanctuary!InstagramFacebookSanctuary SiteLearn about Let's Retreat.Ashley Simmons' episode: Episode 36 "Married to Strength + Weakness"Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

In the case of a tapestry, it starts as an idea. The weaver gathers the raw materials and the tools to work, prepares them, weaves them, and tamps them. Slowly, bit by bit, an image starts to appear; however, it's not until completion that the designer's vision is apparent.Randy Valimont wasn't sure what to make of the raw materials of his life. At first, he couldn't see how anything beautiful could be woven from some of the threads that made up his life:  a birth mother who abandoned him without looking at his face and birth father who didn't even know he existed. However, in the hands of his heavenly Father, the Master Weaver, he saw the threads of his adoptive family's unwavering support and his own faith, natural talents, training, and perseverance intersect into an intricately woven tapestry.Author Jelly Valimont, widow of the late Dr. Randy Valimont, joins host Bridgette Tomlin to share his beautifully broken adoption story, the lessons she has learned in widowhood, and hope for women who are navigating to find their place in the work of the ministry.------------------------------------------------------------------------------Jelly Valimont is the widow of Dr. Randy Valimont, former pastor of Griffin First Assembly (GFA), an Encounter Life Network church. She was born in McMinnville, Tennessee into the home of a pastor and spent her PK life growing up in a Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia. While attending Southeastern University, she met and married the love of her life, Randy Valimont. The couple served in various ministerial roles in Arkansas and Georgia. In 1993, Randy and Jelly relocated to Griffin, Georgia, where Jelly continues to live. During their time in Griffin, Jelly has been involved in the local church in women's ministry, Celebration Choir, worship teams, and the ministry of costumes. She was also an administrative consultant for GFA during Dr. Valimont’s tenure.Jelly has been used by God to speak in the local church and at conferences throughout the United States and internationally. She has written two books: I Have Issues and Tapestry: a Story of Adoption, Acceptance, and Destiny. Jelly’s heart’s cry is to do the will of the Father, wherever and whatever that might be, to bring souls into the Kingdom, and to facilitate spiritual health and well-being to the Body of Christ. If she can do it while laughing, so much the better!------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Jelly Valimont:Instagram: @jellyvalimontFacebook: @jelly.jordan.valimontEmail: jelly@valimontministries.orgPurchase the Books: www.valimontministries.orgFeatured:August Let’s Connect EventsSeptember 2023 EpisodesWomen’s MinistriesLet’s Talk about Let’s Retreat!Sanctuary Social | Monday MythbustersMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

All of us have experiences, tough moments, hopefully some great memories, through the evolution from childhood to adolescence, and on into young adulthood. It can be tough growing up! But children being raised in today’s culture are facing challenges that previous generations may have never encountered, especially at the ages that our children are being required to address them. In today's conversation, guest Casey Gibbons of Mothergood.us will bring us fresh insights and timely reminders as we launch into a new school year as parents, pastors, coaches, and mentors.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Casey Gibbons loves leading people to Jesus in the local church and strengthening others in marriage and family life! She has six creative children in the elementary, junior high, high school, and college ages and serves alongside her husband Scotty as Lead Pastors at Peoples Church in the OKC Metro area.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Casey Gibbons:Personal Instagram: @CaseyGibbonsPersonal Facebook: @Casey.Gibbons7Mothergood IG: @mothergood.us Mothergood Facebook: @mothergood.us-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Featured:Next up>>Jelly Valimont's new book, Tapestry: A Story of Adoption, Acceptance, and DestinyLet’s Connect August’23 eventsSanctuary Book Club InfoLTS Episodes featuring Casey Gibbons or Parenting:  Ep 4, 12, 21, 28, 31, 50, 53, 59Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Often times grief is exclusively defined as the loss of a friend or loved one to death. But there's actually a form of grief that comes when someone hasn't died, but something has died. You feel a sense of loss. Perhaps it's the death of a dream, the loss of a friendship, or your expectations have been shattered. Licensed professional counselor and pastor's wife Karen Blandino joins us at Let's Talk with Sanctuary today to talk about what ambiguous grief is, how to recognize it, and what steps to take forward to move through this unique journey of grief.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Karen Blandino is a pastor's wife, mother and LPC. She holds a Master's Degree in Counseling from TCU and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Education from UTA. She and her husband planted 7 City Church in the cultural arts district of Fort Worth, Texas where they serve as lead pastors. Karen has spent the last 20 years in education and counseling. In addition, she and her husband Stephen have been in full-time ministry for 30 years. With this combined experience, she works with people in diverse situations including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, and ministry or spiritual hurts.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Karen Blandino:Email: karen@karenblandino.comPhone: 817.213.6224Website: karenblandino.comFacebook:  @karenblandinocounselingInstagram:  @blandino_counseling-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Featured:Sanctuary Virtual Book Club Meeting | September 14, 2023 | 7pm CSTLet’s Connect August’23 eventsSanctuary Book Club InfoLTS Episodes on Grief (Ep 52, 51, 33, 18, 17, 5)Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Today we welcome author Kelly Balarie to Let's Talk with Sanctuary as we launch Quarter Three of the Sanctuary Book Club. This quarter's featured book is Kelly's latest book, Take Every Thought Captive. Regardless of how long you've been serving God or leading in a ministerial role, managing your own personal thought life requires lifelong diligence and a refresher course in the 'how-to's' now and again. We also talk about how to handle all the "triggered" people in your day-to-day! You'll be drawn in by Kelly's passion on this subject and be inspired to pick up the book, absorb its content, and then join the virtual book club meeting on Thursday, September 14. Learn more meeting details here.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kelly Balarie is the author of Fear Fighting, Battle Ready, and Rest Now. When speaking at women's conferences around the nation, Kelly delights in joining hands with women as they go through life's ups and downs. To see marriages restored, hope recovered, and prayers of faith lifted up to a God on the move are some of her greatest joys. Beyond this, Kelly has led spiritual growth Bible study groups and has been seen on TODAY, The 700 Club, Crosswalk.com, iBelieve.com, and (in)courage. Her work has also been featured by Relevant and Today's Christian Woman. She lives with her husband and two kiddos on the East Coast.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Kelly Balarie:Instagram: @kellybalarieTwitter: @kellybalarieBlog:  https://www.purposefulfaith.com/Book Site:  https://www.itakethoughtscaptive.com/----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Featured:Sanctuary Virtual Book Club Meeting | September 14, 2023 | 7pm CSTLet’s Connect August’23 eventsSanctuary Book Club InfoMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

We often quote the well-known verse in Revelation 12, stating that “they overcame him (the adversary or Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,…" It is vital as we pray and seek the Lord to intervene in our lives that we make room for the testimony when He answers. As believers, we want to be known for boldly declaring all that God has done and all He is doing so that we can continue to believe He will do greater things in our future. And this is what our ministry wife friend Rhonda Anzivino is here today to do. Take a listen as Rhonda, ministry wife and writer, shares her dynamic perspective of God's divine, sustaining strength in the midst of tragedy.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Rhonda Anzivino was raised in a pastor's home in northern Louisiana. Her heart was always for ministry. She and husband Raphael have served in various ministerial roles throughout Louisiana, as well as a church-planting effort just south of Saint Louis, Missouri, a church that is still thriving. In 2014, God brought the couple back to Baton Rouge and today they are lead pastors at Hosanna First Assembly of God. The Anzivino family has also launched an orphanage in Haiti, a partnership with their three adult children and five grandchildren. Rhonda is a speaker and blogs frequently from her site, insecretstrength.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Rhonda Anzivino:Email:  rhondavino@gmail.comInstagram: @strengthswhisperFacebook:  @rhonda.anzivino Blog: insecretstrength.com-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Featured:Stop by SanctuaryLet’s Retreat | November 2023Subscribe + Stars | Subscribe to Let's Talk with Sanctuary on your preferred podcast app and give us the gift of your rating + review.Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

For the Kingdom of God to be sustainable, fulfilling its mission until Jesus comes, every generation must raise up men and women of God who are called to give their lives for His cause. What does it look like for 21st century believers to acknowledge and answer the call of God for full-time ministry, receive training and mentoring, and then be launched into their calling? Elise Wood of Ripple Effect, Inc is passionate about challenging and mentoring young adults to all the above. Young adults and those who love and mentor them should tune in to learn more about the movement that is Ripple Effect.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Elise Wood is a pastor, speaker, writer, and an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. In October 2022, Elise and her husband Blare launched Ripple Effect, a nonprofit ministry to serve college-age students who are called to vocational ministry. Elise has almost a decade of experience founding and directing next-generation leadership and ministry training programs in the local church, and she has trained over 100 students called into vocational ministry through those. Elise and Blare were married in 2011, and they have a four-year-old daughter named Jensen Jae. Elise is passionate about seeing people walk in the fullness of the call that God has placed on their lives to go and make disciples of all nations.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Elise Wood:Ripple Effect Site: www.rippleffect.meFacebook:  @elise.gabrielle.woodInstagram: @elisewoodRippleffect IG: @rippleffect.me----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Featured:Stop by SanctuaryLet’s Retreat | November 2023Subscribe + Stars | Subscribe to Let's Talk with Sanctuary on your preferred podcast app and give us the gift of your rating + review.Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

In today's episode we welcome Pastor Brian Dollar, a 25+ year veteran of ministry to children. Pastor Brian talks about the value of children's ministries, from its foundations in Jesus's earthly ministry to its validity in today's 21st century culture. We ask the questions like "what should pastors know about children's ministries?" and "how do I get more people to volunteer for kid's min?" Every member of the local church needs to hear the profound insight Pastor Brian brings to this growing, invaluable facet of local church ministry for the family and for the communities they serve.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Brian began in ministry in 1992 and has served his current church for over 23 years. He is the author of several books: “I Blew It!”, “Kidminnovation”, and “Talk Now And Later.” “Talk Now And Later: How To Lead Kids Through Life’s Tough Topics” was the #1 New Release in Amazon’s Christian Families category (both in English and Spanish). Outreach Magazine named “Talk Now And Later” their Children’s Resource of the Year.Brian founded High Voltage Kids Ministry Resources in 1998, which creates and provides Kids Church Curriculum, Music, Games, Videos, and more to churches around the world. Over 10,000 churches have used High Voltage Kids Ministry materials!Brian and his wife, Cherith, have two amazing children – Ashton (son-in-law, Nick) and Jordan. He loves running, hiking, and watching his favorite sports teams: the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys!----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Brian Dollar:Facebook:  @briandollarPurchase: Talk Now and Later on AmazonTwitter: @briandollar1----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Featured:Find a Let's Connect near you!Catch up on Sanctuary's Book Club for Q2 2023 by listening to the launch review of Jennie Allen's Find Your People in Episode 63.Sanctuary's spring blog series, Hello! I'm the Preacher's WifeGive Let's Talk with Sanctuary a rating + review on your preferred podcast app.Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

As we head into Mother’s Day weekend, we can’t think of a better way to focus our thoughts than to acknowledge the powerful role that women play in shaping the lives of those around us. Today you may be grieving the loss of your own mother or perhaps you’re struggling in your role as a momma. Many of our listeners may be disappointed and hurt because their heart’s desire is to become a mother, but that hasn’t come to fruition just yet. And still, many of you may be relishing in all that God is doing in and through your life and your children. Wherever you’re coming from today, you can know that today’s story is going to refresh your soul, inspire your faith, and renew your ability to believe that God is the God of miracles. Today's guest Johanna Garrison shares the made-for-a-movie, but real-life story of her own family's journey from war-torn Holland to America. Johanna's heartwarming accounts of her mother's faith in God carried their entire family through multiple tragedies. And as Johanna herself celebrates her first Mother's Day without her sweet Chinese momma, she provides a measure of hope for those who are asking, "If God really loved me, why did this happen?"---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Johanna Garrison has served as a teacher, administrator, conference speaker, and mentor. She is a graduate of Evangel University. In addition, she has partnered with her husband, Alton, in multiple ministry positions including evangelist and pastor, as well as serving with him in his offices of Executive Director of US Missions and Assistant General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God. The Garrisons have one daughter, Lizette. They reside in SW Missouri. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Johanna Garrison:FB:  @jorijgarrisonPurchase Tangled Destinies on Amazon.com----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Featured:Find a Let's Connect near you!Catch up on Sanctuary's Book Club for Q2 2023 by listening to the launch review of Jennie Allen's Find Your People in Episode 63.Sanctuary's spring blog series, Hello! I'm the Preacher's WifeGive Let's Talk with Sanctuary a rating + review on your preferred podcast app.Many thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Today we are going to visit a topic that has been written about, talked about, prayed about so very often, but it’s something we can’t possibly write, talk, or pray about enough, and that is the lie of comparison. Church planter + Sanctuary Lead Team member Casey Graves joins the conversation today and openly shares of her own personal struggle with the lie of comparison, why it took her 25 years to discover her own value in God's kingdom work, and why her heart beats for the upcoming generation's victory over comparison and so much more. Let's talk about comparison. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Casey Graves is a pastor's wife, church planter, and momma in the Tulsa, OK area. This year she celebrates 25 years of ministry and marriage. She loves spending time with her husband and two teenage daughters.Casey enjoys the remarkable people she gets to pastor at Foundations Church and leading the FC Women's ministry. She has found God has facilitated healing in her life from hurts in ministry through the process of planting Foundations Church.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Casey Graves:FB:  @caseyboydgravesIG:  @cgraves6Featured LTS Episodes:  Ep 2, Ep 25, Ep 26 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Featured:Give Let's Talk with Sanctuary a rating + review on your preferred podcast app.Let's Talk with Sanctuary | Episode 62 | Grace for the Growth TrackCatch up on Sanctuary's Book Club for Q2 2023 by listening to the launch review of Jennie Allen's Find Your People in Episode 63.Sanctuary's spring blog series, Hello! I'm the Preacher's WifeMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Today we welcome podguest Lisa Goins back to Let's Talk with Sanctuary for the THIRD time (yes, she's one of your favorites!) as we launch Quarter Two of the Sanctuary Book Club. This quarter's featured book is Jennie Allen's most recent bestseller, Find Your People. Join host Bridgette Tomlin and the Sanctuary team in reading this book throughout the quarter, listen to today's podcast review, and then later attend our virtual book club meeting in the month of June. Check out the details at the link below. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Lisa is a national speaker and author of the award-winning book, Courageously Uncomfortable: when the real woman you want to be is on the other side of fear. Lisa shares her heart in a motivational way that both encourages and engages others to believe that with Jesus, all things are possible. She is also a business owner, co-lead pastor at Faith Church Tulsa and founder of She Knew Ministries. Lisa is a mom of four and now serves in her most favorite role as JoJo to her two grandbabies.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with today's guest, Lisa Goins:FB:  @lisagoinsauthorWebsite:  www.lisajgoins.comIG:  @lisajgoinsFeatured LTS Episodes:  Ep 29, Ep 1Featured:Give Let's Talk with Sanctuary a rating + review on your preferred podcast app.Catch up on Sanctuary's Book Club for 2023 by listening to the launch review of Carey Nieuwhof's At Your Best in Episode 57.Sanctuary's spring blog series, Hello! I'm the Preacher's WifeSanctuary Book Club Q2 | Featured Book:  Find Your People by Jennie AllenMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!

Let's Talk host Bridgette Tomlin steps away from the show's typical fare of an interview alongside a featured guest to deliver a timely message to women in ministry of all generations. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and sip slowly as you take in the mentorship Bridgette is bringing to the listener, whether you're in your 20s and just getting started in vocational ministry, or if you're proudly waving the banner of Middle Age + More, balancing the roles of active duty and intentional mentor to the generations coming up behind you. She will cover ground of life and growth before social media, the exciting opportunities for today's generation + the hurdles they'll face, and three big things she thinks every woman in ministry should learn and teach to someone else.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about #letstalksanctuary host Bridgette Tomlin by clicking here.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Featured:Sanctuary Let’s Retreats 2023 (Registration is NOW OPEN!)Sanctuary Book Club Q2 | Featured Book:  Find Your People by Jennie AllenLTS Episode 44 "Finish the Race" | Bridgette TomlinMany thanks to our host, Bridgette Tomlin, and engineer Justin Lynn of Justin Lynn Music. Learn how you can capitalize on all Justin can do for your small business, church, or ministry by clicking here!