Unfeigned Christianity

Brian Dye grew up in one of Chicago's more impoverished neighborhoods — Puerto Rican and African-American community, a mentally ill mom, an alcoholic dad, and a grandmother who was the spiritual anchor of the whole family. What changed the trajectory of his life wasn't a conference, a program, or a church event. It was a carpenter named Paul Terry who wasn't paid to do ministry — but who kept showing up on Saturdays to paint houses, move furniture, and bring a kid named Brian along for the ride. That's the heartbeat of everything Brian has built since. Brian is the founder of Legacy Disciple, a Chicago-based discipleship ministry that runs annual conferences in 5 cities, reaches 400 kids a year in Chicago's neighborhoods, and is launching Legacy University — accessible online Bible courses for everyday disciples and small groups. In this episode, I get to talk with Brian about: Why Jesus called us to make disciples, not find them — and why that distinction matters more than we think The Hebrew educational context that helps explain why Jesus chose fishermen and tax collectors nobody else wanted The orphanage vs. family model of church — and why one keeps people dependent while the other releases them His practical 3-year discipleship framework: formal Bible study + informal life-sharing with 3-4 people at a time Why discipleship doesn't mean adding things to your schedule — it means inviting people into your schedule His 20-year relationship with Preston Perry and what the early, unglamorous years of that looked like What he's building with Legacy Disciple now and where the conferences are going in 2025 If you've been in ministry long enough to feel the gap between what discipleship sounds like in sermons and what it actually looks like on a Tuesday morning — this conversation will give you something real to hold onto. Read the full blog post and show notes hereLearn more about Legacy Disciple at legacydisciple.org. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Discipleship and Legacy Disciple02:41 The Call to Make Disciples04:34 Brian Dye's Background and Cultural Context07:36 The Role of Mentorship in Discipleship10:26 The Importance of Community in Faith16:31 The Impact of Personal Relationships in Faith19:22 Jesus' Model of Discipleship25:21 The Challenge of Long-term Discipleship31:20 The Need for Depth Over Numbers40:59 The Importance of Proximity in Discipleship43:52 Incorporating Life Rhythms into Discipleship47:35 Vulnerability in the Discipleship Process53:39 Legacy Conferences and Community Engagement

Carita Witmer has been teaching elementary school in Lancaster City, PA for 10 years. Her school serves a student body that's 50% non-white — kids from immigrant families, unchurched homes, and backgrounds very different from the predominantly white Anabaptist staff that teaches them. She didn't arrive with a polished framework for cross-cultural discipleship. She arrived with a love for kids, a desire to serve the underserved, and a willingness to keep learning. In this episode, I sit down with my oldest sister to talk about: Her winding road into teaching (including a few false starts and one embarrassing sibling story) What it actually looks like to build trust and mutual respect across culture and ethnicity Why she's become more hesitant to demand eye contact from students What teaching in a public school taught her about what Christian education offers that secular SEL curriculum doesn't The quiet privilege most of us don't notice we carry And why she's become more and more convinced that "we all need Jesus" applies just as much — maybe more — to the church kids This isn't a high-energy interview with a platform-building influencer. It's a conversation with a faithful, thoughtful woman who has spent a decade doing the quiet, unglamorous work of discipleship in a classroom.  Read the full blog post and show notes here. Chapters 02:52 Carita's Journey into Teaching09:43 Early Teaching Experiences14:05 Transition to Pennsylvania and Way of Jesus Academy21:49 Understanding Student Diversity25:11 Fostering Respect and Kindness in the Classroom37:07 Building Trust with Diverse Families41:10 The Role of Faith in Education48:21 The Importance of Community Support52:18 The Journey of Personal Growth in Teaching

It’s easy to react to headlines. It’s harder to listen. In this episode, I talk with my cousin Sonya, who lives and works in Minneapolis, about the recent ICE activity and what it looks like from someone actually there. We discuss immigration enforcement, fear within immigrant communities, how local churches are responding, and how Christians can navigate these conversations without living in an echo chamber. This isn’t about outrage. It’s about proximity. If we want to love others well, we have to understand their lived experience. Also, if you would like to help provide rent support for people affected by the activity, you can do so through this GoFundMe campaign. Grace and peace. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Minneapolis Events04:49 Sonya's Journey to Minneapolis and Counseling Career07:48 Life in Minneapolis: Community and Environment10:43 Involvement with Immigrant Families and Community Support13:39 Understanding ICE Activities and Community Impact16:36 Personal Stories and Experiences with Detention19:45 Legal and Ethical Concerns Surrounding ICE Operations22:32 Fear and Anxiety Among Immigrant Families34:06 Understanding the Hostility of Immigration35:41 Demographics of Immigrants in Minnesota37:29 Fraud Cases and ICE Presence in Minneapolis42:05 Protests and Community Response to ICE45:58 Christian Community's Involvement and Support50:37 Misconceptions About Immigrants52:32 The Human Rights Crisis and Community Support57:17 Ways to Help Immigrants in Minneapolis

Some teachings sound biblical. They use Scripture. They feel familiar. They often come from trusted voices. But when you look closely… they aren’t rooted in Jesus as revealed through the Scriptures. In this episode, I walk through seven dangerous teachings quietly shaping the church right now—from Christian nationalism and Zionism to the Jezebel spirit, same-sex marriage, head coverings, racial myths, and how we address habitual sin. (You can read the article version here.) This is not about policing pastors. It’s not about hunting heresy. It’s about becoming theologically anchored. Because anything that distracts us from becoming like Jesus— even if it sounds spiritual— is dangerous. Grace and peace. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unfeigned Christianity02:19 The Importance of Theological Anchoring09:45 Seven Dangerous Teachings in the Church10:33 The United States as a Christian Nation22:02 The Head Covering and Submission29:12 Accountability to Christ29:15 The Curse of Ham Myth34:40 Consequences of the Curse of Ham Myth36:45 The Jezebel Spirit48:00 Understanding Rebellion and Authority

I almost quit. After a long season of health challenges, burnout, and disillusionment, I came close to walking away from writing, podcasting, and this work altogether. In this episode, I share what brought me to that edge—and what pulled me back. This episode marks a reset for Unfeigned Christianity as we begin 2026. We talk about why the church desperately needs to be theologically anchored, why emotional health is essential for discipleship, and how we are often being formed more by media and politics than by the way of Jesus. This isn’t a polished manifesto. It’s an honest conversation. If you’re longing for a faith that is grounded, emotionally healthy, and capable of loving others well—this journey is for you. *You can read the written version of this episode here.  Chapters 00:00 Welcome Back and Personal Updates01:18 Introducing Zara Aurielle02:47 Reflecting on the Past Year04:40 Upcoming Interviews and Themes09:06 The Importance of Theological Anchoring17:54 The Need for Emotional Health27:10 Loving and Discipling Others Well If you’re tired of shallow faith, reactive Christianity, or pretending everything is fine—this space is for you. Join the email list Become a member  Subscribe for upcoming interviews and teaching Grace and peace.

After Rewiring Desire, one question remains: Can I really change—and can I do it alone? In this episode, Asher shares an important announcement: enrollment is now open for the Live Free Mentorship Community—a 5-month guided journey toward sexual and spiritual wholeness. This isn’t another accountability group. It’s a safe, grace-filled space to process your story, rewire old patterns, and experience the connection your heart was made for. You’ll learn: Why isolation keeps you stuck What makes Live Free different What’s included inside the mentorship A special Black Friday offer for early members You don’t need to be perfect to begin—just willing. Join the community: https://www.asherwitmer.com/the-live-free-mentorship-community/ 

Freedom isn’t about a flawless record. It’s about connection in the moment of pain. In Part 3, we get practical: unblending from Exile/Manager/Firefighter, using simple daily practices to calm your nervous system, and building secure attachment with God and safe people. Learn why willpower fails, how neuroplasticity helps, and how to turn relapse into relationship—so your automatic response becomes “I’m hurting → I connect.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healing and Rewiring Desire00:48 Understanding Internal Parts and Their Roles02:20 Identifying the Root Causes of Pain03:37 Neuroscience of Healing and Rewiring the Brain05:18 Setbacks and the Journey to Wholeness06:10 Community and Support in the Healing Process Resources & updates: Join the email list for the next Live Free Mentorship Community cohort: asherwitmer.com/subscribe The “F” Word

What if porn is an emergency strategy—a frantic part of you chasing relief? In Part 2, Asher unpacks Internal Family Systems (Exile, Manager, Firefighter) alongside Romans 7 and Galatians 5 to name the war you feel inside—and to show how Jesus meets every part with safety, truth, and love. You’ll learn a simple prayer for the moment the urge hits, hear a real-life trigger story (the peach tree), and get a free 7-day Porn Recovery Journal to practice this work all week. Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Roots of Pornography Use01:52 The Internal Family Systems Model05:01 The Divided Self and Spiritual Conflict09:05 Integrating the Inner Parts with Christ12:30 Healing Through Connection and Presence Links: Free Porn Recovery Journal: www.asherwitmer.com/porn-recovery-journal  Subscribe for next steps: www.asherwitmer.com/subscribe  

Most men think their problem is lust. But what if it’s pain? In this opening episode of Unfeigned Christianity, Asher talks about the hidden shame beneath pornography—the exhaustion, the self-protection, and the ache for connection we rarely admit. You’ll hear: Why porn is more about pain than pleasure How our attachment wounds drive unwanted behavior Why Jesus doesn’t shame us—He meets us A simple practice called The “Where Are You?” Pause to begin healing If you’re ready to move from willpower to wholeness, this episode is for you.   Chapters 00:00 Confronting the Shame of Pornography 01:23 Understanding the Emotional Roots of Porn Use 03:37 The Path to Healing and Wholeness Join me as we talk about the pain beneath the porn—and how the gospel meets us there. Join the conversation & go deeper: http://asherwitmer.com/what-if-your-porn-struggle-isnt-about-lust  Subscribe & join the journey: asherwitmer.com/subscribe

We’re not called to win an empire. We’re called to make disciples. In this episode, I respond to an email about Charlie Kirk, “common sense” politics, and whether America was founded on Christian values. We unpack Jeremiah 29:7 in context, ask what actually reduces harm (from abortion to gender transitions), and confront a hard truth: politics is downstream of culture. If laws can’t change hearts, then discipleship—slow, messy, neighbor-level discipleship—must lead the way. I also talk frankly about Trump, calling out evil on both sides, and why I don’t vote so I’m free to pastor people rather than defend a party. Agree or not, I’d love your feedback and stories from your community. Chapters 00:00 Context to an Email I Received 08:56 Exploring American Culture and Christian Values17:13 The Role of Political Ideologies in Christian Values28:11 Evaluating Leadership and Moral Integrity in Politics29:55 Engaging with Compassion and Conviction35:54 Politics and Culture: The Interconnectedness40:40 The Role of Christians in Cultural Impact47:31 Discipleship Over Political Activism52:35 The Call to Make Disciples

In this episode, I discuss the recent scandal involving two executives from the company Astronomer who were caught in an affair at a Coldplay concert. The conversation explores the implications of infidelity, the public's reaction on social media, and the importance of maintaining intimacy in marriage. Intimacy requires effort and sin can destroy connections between spouses. What if instead of mocking or defending people during this time we chose instead to reflect on our own relationships and the importance of emotional health?     Referenced in this episode is the Esau McCaulley Podcast.     Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have six different tiers of membership with different resources available depending on what you're looking for. Check it out here.     Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes.     Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | @unfeignedchristianity X | AsherWitmer Threads | @asher.witmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com Chapters (00:00:00) - Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot Caught in Affair(00:02:34) - Public Reaction and Social Commentary(00:05:20) - The Impact of Infidelity on Relationships(00:08:10) - The Battlefield of Love and Intimacy(00:10:37) - The Importance of Emotional Health(00:13:09) - Understanding Sin and Its Consequences(00:16:06) - The Role of Shame in Sin(00:18:21) - Pursuing Intimacy and Connection(00:21:03) - Reflection on How to Go Deeper

Many people wonder why I speak out about immigration. Some ask, “Why didn’t you speak up about abortion or LGBTQ+ issues?”   Here’s the truth: I believe in legal immigration. I care deeply about obeying Jesus. And I’ve spent most of my adult life among immigrants—so this isn’t just politics to me. It’s personal.   In this video, I share: -Why undocumented doesn’t always mean “illegal” -What we’re missing when we label immigrants as “criminals” -How our politics have shaped us more than the Gospel -And what it really looks like to follow Jesus in this moment This isn’t about siding with Trump or Biden. It’s about being faithful to Christ.   Watch now. Think deeply. Let’s grow in being theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, and loving others well. Chapters: 01:12 Personal Context and Cross-Cultural Experiences 04:02 Navigating the Abortion Debate and Christian Responses 08:49 Discipleship and Political Engagement 10:34 Legal vs. Illegal Immigration: A Personal Perspective 16:47 Understanding the Complexity of Immigration Issues 20:36 The Human Side of Immigration: Empathy and Understanding

As a dad of five, I've been thinking a lot about how to nurture strong mental health in my kids. In this video, I share three essential truths that children need to hear every day—truths that shape their identity, sense of belonging, and purpose. These insights come from my own journey, my studies in emotional health, and what I wish I had known earlier. If you're a parent or mentor, I hope this encourages you! Let’s raise emotionally healthy kids together. Subscribe to join the journey in becoming Christians who are theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, and loving others well! #childmentalhealth #emotionalhealth Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Mental Health in Children 02:37 Three Essential Truths for Children 11:32 Fostering Identity and Contribution in Kids

Hello friends! It's been nearly a year since I published anything. Today, I share my personal journey through a mysterious health crisis and the challenges of seeking medical help for it. I reflect on the impact of this experience on my life, work, and relationships, which has helped me realize the importance of understanding and empathy in the face of chronic health issues. Then I look at the interplay between physical health, emotional stability, and God's grace during difficult times. Finally, I wanted to share the renewed vision God has given me for this work, focusing on being theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, able to love others well. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update02:59 Health Struggles and Mysterious Symptoms05:51 The Impact of Illness on Daily Life08:46 Seeking Medical Help and Testing12:11 Navigating Uncertainty and Mental Health15:00 The Role of Family and Community Support17:54 Exploring Possible Diagnoses20:52 The Neurologist's Insights and Diagnosis24:13 Reflections on Recovery and Ongoing Challenges40:23 Navigating Health Challenges and Spiritual Insights45:09 The Impact of Physical Health on Mental Well-being51:42 Understanding God's Grace in Suffering56:24 Reflections on Blogging and Podcasting Journey01:01:51 Reawakening Vision for Church Engagement

Hey friends, I just wanted to pop in here and say "Thank you!" to all of you who've reached out and expressed that you're praying for me and my family with the health issues that have come up in the last couple of months. I'm grateful that I am feeling better. My energy is recovering and the last several weeks have been quite a bit better all around. Here's a bit of an update. Please continue to pray for us as you think about it.

Hello friends,   This month has been a pretty difficult month for us as a family. I've been hit with some fairly significant health issues and it has led us to put pretty much everything on hold as we seek out some answers. Here's an update on everything.   We envy your prayers and thank you for your participation in this work!   Grace and peace. Asher

Sometimes we mistakenly center ourselves in the story of the Bible, as though the Bible is all about answering our questions and giving us direction for life. But the Bible is not simply about helping us navigate through life successfully.  It could be said the Bible is about God—who he is, what he has done, and what he is doing. More specifically, the Bible is Messianic literature. It’s about the Messiah: the God who became human. Therefore, it’s about US—God and Man. Following Jesus is about becoming him, becoming a part of His body. Why might it be important for us to see the Bible as a story of humanity becoming the body of Christ as we read it? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. To access the early-bird enrollment of the Live Free video series, click here. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

I recently published an article, Is It Sinful to Use “Transgender Pronouns”? In the article, I explored how Rosaria Butterfield recently “repented” from using what she calls, “transgender pronouns.” Why is she doing that? Should you feel the same way? A few people responded with some questions that I thought were worth responding to in a specific episode. So that's what we dive into today. How do you think we can best build bridges with folks choosing to identify as transgender? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

How does the rest of the world view the Christianity that comes from the West? David Swartz does a wonderful job giving us reminding us that evangelical networks not only go out to, but also come from, the ends of the earth as he shares stories of resistance, accommodation, and cooperation in his book Facing West. Then we dive into the third paradigm shift that helps us better understand the story of the Bible. That is that Jesus saw himself embedded within a large story. Why is it important to understand that the Old and New Testaments are not separate messages but one continuous message climaxing in Jesus? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com

God Doesn't Waste a Thing! That's the book I talk about at the beginning of this episode. Even when life has changed in inconvenient ways, God will use it to further his purposes, as Luke Chance shares in his beautiful testimony of redemption. After the blurb about the book, we dive into the second paradigm shift that helps us better understand the story of the Bible: it's made up of many pieces of writings written by many different authors.  Since the Bible was written by many different people, what implications does this have for how we read and study the Bible? You can send your feedback to podcast@asherwitmer.com. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you think. Become a Member: Become a member of Unfeigned Christianity on Patreon for as little as $5/month and take your journey deeper. We have five different tiers of membership with a variety of bonus content resources available. Check it out here.  Subscribe to our email list: Be sure and at least subscribe to our email list as well as the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Connect with Asher: Facebook | @asherwitmer Instagram | asher.witmer YouTube | Asher Witmer Twitter | AsherWitmer Email | podcast@asherwitmer.com