The Kanakuk Podcast

What does it mean when Kamp doesn’t just change the kids, but the counselors too? Paul Jackson reflects on how serving at Kamp refined his character, strengthened his faith, and taught him the kind of morals he now pours into his own children. He shares personal stories that reveal the depth of what God does through the counselor experience. With Joe White and Rachel Sparks leading the conversation, the episode paints a clear picture of discipleship, growth, and legacy. Give it a listen, and may Paul’s story encourage you to see Kamp as a place where Christ shapes entire families.

In a very special episode, Joe White and Rachel Sparks are joined by Stacy Elliot. Stacy was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and knows that her time is coming soon to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus. Considering what life will look like for your family when your time on earth comes to an end is a very sobering thought, one Stacy knows well. However, coming face to face with death is not a dark and dreary thought, but rather, one of peace. Death is just a door to come face-to-face with Jesus in glory. So, with death waiting in the wings, what do you do with your family in the time you have left? In this episode, we will have a conversation about death from the Christian perspective, how death affects family in the present, and ultimately how Jesus gives believers hope beyond the grave. We hope that you will be encouraged by today's episode.

What happens when a summer camp experience doesn’t just entertain a kid but genuinely reshapes who they’re becoming? Mark shares how Kanakuk sparked deep spiritual formation and character growth in his children, far beyond anything he expected. His perspective as a dad highlights the kind of transformation that sticks long after Kamp is over. With hosts Joe White and Rachel Sparks, the conversation brings warmth, clarity, and a clear picture of God’s work in young lives. We hope this episode encourages you and shows just how powerful a Christ-centered summer camp can be.

What makes a godly mom such a powerful force in a family’s story? Jenny McClendon joins us again to talk honestly about motherhood, faith, and the quiet sacrifices that rarely get the spotlight. She opens up about how Christ anchors the highs and lows, and why moms often carry spiritual influence they don’t even notice. With our hosts, Joe White and Rachel Sparks, the conversation stays grounded in Scripture, personal experience, and encouragement. Give it a listen, and may this episode lift your view of motherhood and the God who equips every mom.

There are moments in our lives that we may not feel prepared for, but when we look back, we see all the ways in which God has prepared us along the way. Today, Joe White and Beth Ann are honored to welcome Kanakuk Alumni, Jenny McClendon, as she tells her story of her sextuplets and how God sustained her along the way. Stay tuned for Part 2 of Jenny's story coming early December!

Leadership is not all smiles and perfect pictures. It is often messy, humbling, and imperfect. And whether you are leading a Fortune 500 company or just leading your family around the dinner table, leaders are all works in progress. Today, our hosts Joe White and Rachel Sparks are joined by Joe's two sons, Brady and Cooper White. We hope our conversation about Christ-centered servant leadership will be inspiring to you and give you something to think about for your own day-to-day life. Enjoy!

Meet Chase Rackley. If you talk with him for more than a few minutes, you'll learn a few things about him. He's a husband and father, he's a realtor and long time member of the Kanakuk family; but most of all, Chase is a follower of Jesus Christ. At Kanakuk, Chase learned more about Jesus and what it means to follow him. And the things Chase learned at Kanakuk have translated to every aspect of his life. On this episode, Joe and Chase talk about Kanakuk, parenting, discipleship, family, and a life lived for Jesus. We hope you are encouraged by today's episode!

One of the best parts of community is sharing life with others. In community, we get to reminisce about all the memories made together. We laugh and cry, rejoice and mourn, together. Today, Joe White and Beth Ann enjoy an incredible conversation with Kanakuk legend, Larry Hamner. The inventor of "FUAGNEM (Fired Up And Going Nuts Every Minute)", Dr. Hamner has made many memories here at Kanakuk, and the things that he learned while at Kamp have translated to well beyond the gates. We hope you are encouraged by today's conversation and hope you have a meaningful conversation with one of your good friends today!

If you were to ask Rick Cua what he wanted to be known for, it wouldn't be being a part of the southern rock band the Outlaws, it wouldn't be having six No.1 Christian radio songs, and it wouldn't be for the awards and accolades. What Rick Cua ultimately wants to be known for is that he is a follower of Jesus who pointed other people to God through his music. Join our conversation today as Joe White and Beth Ann talk with Rick Cua about music, ministry, and using your gifts and passions to glorify Jesus Christ.

55 minutes. That is how long Amy Otteson's son, Gore, had gone without a heartbeat. Doctors said that IF he survived, he would never be able to walk or talk again. Amy's world was crumbling around her. And in the midst of all the chaos and unknown, Amy felt God ask her, "Do you trust me?" Joe White and Beth Ann are joined today by Amy Otteson, as she tells her story of how God saved her son's life, defying all medical explanation. Amy hopes that by sharing her story of how she learned to trust God and watch God answer prayers, that others would be encouraged to trust God too. Even if your story doesn't end in a miracle, God is worth trusting because "[He] will never desert you, nor will [He] ever forsake you... Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." - Hebrews 13: 5 and 8.

Many people have "goals" in life. But how many times do we have an idea of a goal we would like to meet and never meet it? For Jeff Reeter, he finds that many people's goals are simply ambiguous ideas and not concrete plans. And concrete plans often start with daily disciplines. Joe White and Beth Ann are joined today by Jeff Reeter, author of the book, "Do Life Differently: A Strategic Path Towards Extraordinary." In today's conversation, Jeff talks about what he has learned over the years and how he has seen daily disciplines move him from success to significance. We hope you are inspired by today's episode!

In the blink of an eye, Jason Mirikitani's world shattered. A devastating car accident left him and his family in pieces. Suddenly, Jason found himself in recovery, physically, mentally, and spiritually. And yet, God was there with him. And God was putting Jason's life back together, taking the brokenness and making a beautiful mosaic- a testament to God's handiwork. Joe and Beth Ann welcome author and speaker Jason Mirikitani to hear his story and learn how in the darkest night, God's light is our comfort and hope. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." - Psalm 23:4

Adoption. Adopting is beautiful, giving homes and parents to those who do not. Adoption is messy, with all the baggage everyone brings to the table. Adoption is redemptive, reminding us how God adopts us and grafts us into his eternal family through Jesus Christ. Adoption is a demonstration of love, with the love of Jesus lived out in a very real and very raw way. Joe is joined today by Jamie Jo to have a deeply meaningful and vulnerable conversation about the journey God has led her on, through adoption. We hope, whether you are adopting or not, that this conversation is eye opening and an encouragement to you. "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:18

Although listening may seem like an endangered species in today's culture, it's not a lost art. For parents, the act of listening to your children is a sometimes challenging endeavor. But as Joe and Jamie Jo discuss, it is one of the most worth-while, relationship building things parents can do with their kids. Today's episode is a conversation about how asking questions is a bridge to growth and healing, not just for children, but for parents as well. We hope you are encouraged today!

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13. There are several verses in the Bible that talk about friendship, many of which are found in the book of Proverbs. Take a look at Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, 27:6, 27:9, or 27:17, and you'll learn more about what makes a good friend. But woven throughout each of those verses are not just the qualities of a good friend, but also the VALUE of a good friend. Today, Joe and Beth Ann are joined by two of our beloved Kanakuk staff, Sharon Smith and Carrie Youngblood. These #KampBestFriends have been friends for a long time, and it all started with a genuine conversation. We hope you are encouraged by today's episode; be sure to let your best friend know that you appreciate them!

If you've been to Kanakuk before, you have heard the phrase "I'm Third". If you've heard the phrase, then you've probably heard the story of Johnny Ferrier. Johnny was a pilot who's legacy of ultimate sacrifice is told to thousands of Kampers every Summer at Kanakuk. Today, we get a rare opportunity to hear from one of Johnny's children, his son, Zach. Zach joins our hosts, Joe and Beth Ann, to recount his side of Johnny's story. In his retelling, we learn about God's faithfulness and the beauty of Jesus's sacrifice. We hope today's episode, like Johnny's life, points you to the One who truly lived out "I'm Third".

There's no shortage of pain in this world. Two seconds on any news station or a couple of scrolls on social media will tell you that. But for followers of Jesus, while pain is still a guarantee in this life, Jesus offers us HOPE. "And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5). For our conversation about hope, Joe is joined by his daughter, Jamie Jo, and special guest Missy Ritchie Nicholas. Missy is a counselor, author and motivational speaker, who's main passion is spreading the hope found in a relationship with Jesus to all she comes in contact with. May today's conversation be an encouragement to you and may it inspire you to find your hope in the only One who will never disappoint. Link to Books: Love and Pain - https://a.co/d/fg0kYN8 Letters to Love - https://a.co/d/gaFFhJ4 https://riseanyway.com

Dreams are funny things. They can spring up on you. Dreams can be so intriguing, so inspiring, so life-giving, you can't help but pursue them. And when God is in them, when you invite Him into your dreams, there's no telling what God will do with them. Today Joe and his daughter, Jamie Jo, share with Beth Ann and all of us the stories of how God has worked through their dreams. We hope you are encouraged and inspired today!

Gymnastics is truly an incredible sport to watch. Athletes who have put in thousands of hours of work and practice to pull off the perfect routine. However, it is that word, "perfect", that can cause havoc in the lives of athletes and ourselves. Perfectionism is a struggle not just isolated to athletics, but to parenting, school, work, and other areas of our lives. But for anyone struggling with perfectionism, there is hope found in the unconditional love of Jesus! Joe and Beth Ann are joined today by LSU gymnastics legend Jeanie Staples to discuss perfectionism and its cure. We hope you are encouraged by our discussion today on how surrendering perfectionism and receiving the grace of God frees us from the chains of perfectionism.

Sometimes, overcoming inertia, whether that be starting a new book or taking a first step towards a goal, can be so difficult. With 2024 fading into the sunset, 2025 is a new year and a new opportunity to take that step out in faith. Our guest today, Calvin "Gilla" Miller, knows a thing or two about stepping out in faith! Joe, Beth Ann, and Calvin are so excited to start the New Year off with some encouragement; God is going before you, so let's step out in faith and follow His footsteps!