Influence Podcast

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. "The church is called to be a place of belonging for all people," writes Julie Pratt. "Paul reminded us in 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 that the body of Christ is made up of many different parts, each one valuable and necessary. In verse 22 he wrote, 'Some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary' (NLT)." Pratt goes on to write, "That means individuals with autism aren't just people we need to 'accommodate' out of obligation. They are essential to the life of the church. When we fail to make space for them, we're not just failing those individuals and their families. We're missing out on the fullness of the body of Christ." In this episode, I talk to Pratt about what churches need to know about people with autism in order better to include them in the life of the congregation. Julie Pratt is Kidmin Discipleship Director for the Assemblies of God and author of Autism in the Church, published by Salubris. My conversation with her begins after a brief word from our sponsor.   Sponsor Ad This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of A Disciple's Growth. Get a clear and practical roadmap for following Jesus with depth and purpose. Drawing from Scripture, the power of the Holy Spirit, and real-life examples, discover seven key dimensions of spiritual formation—Bible, Holy Spirit, missions, prayer, worship, service, and generosity—that shape believers into fully devoted disciples.   Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 02:27 — Let's start with your personal experience with autism then move to a more formal definition of autism and a description of its prevalence in the U.S. 09:00 — You ask, "Is autism also a part of Your image, God?" How do you answer that question? 15:29 — What are some of the challenges people with autism face in attending church, and how can leadership address those challenges? 21:10 — What are some of the things church leaders should keep in mind when it comes to discipling people with autism? 25:19 — How do we train volunteers throughout the congregation to minister more effectively to people with autism? 29:48 — We have been talking about ministry to people with autism, but what about ministry with and by people with autism? 35:32 — How can we support families who have a member with autism beyond the four ways of the church on Sunday morning? 40:59 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 42:21 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. "The doctrine of hell can be a powerful motivator," writes Allen Tennison. "Many believers initially responded to a salvation message for fear of going to hell. Christians have also dedicated themselves to prayer, evangelism, and global missions over the threat of hell." "Images of hell can also move people in the other direction," Tennison says. "Some reject Christianity because of its teaching on hell. They refuse to believe in a God who would allow people to suffer eternal torment or dismiss what they see as fear-based threats from preachers," "What some view as motivation, others consider manipulation," Tennison concludes. In this episode, I talk to Tennison about the problem of hell based on his article, "What We Believe About the Final Judgment," from the Winter 2026 issue of Influence. Allen Tennison is theological counsel to the General Council of the Assemblies of God and author of the long running What We Believe series in Influence magazine. He will conclude that series in the Spring 2026 issue with an article titled, "What We Believe About the New Heavens and New Earth." Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction 01:28 — What words does the Bible use both to name hell and to describe it? 09:12 — Why is hell a "problem" for believing Christians? 13:03 — Questions about annihilationism/conditional immortality 20:14 — Questions about universalism 26:26 — Questions about eternal conscious torment 35:33 — Advocates of the traditional doctrine of hell utilize use two apologetic strategies: retribution and choice. Does the AG have a position? 45:53 — How do we preach the doctrine of hell in a spiritual formative way? 49:10 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 58:02 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. "Most professions have ethical codes of conduct that govern the behavior of members," writes Brad Kesler. "If ethical behavior is important for other professions, how much more for ministers of the Lord Jesus Christ?" Kesler wrote a just-published book on ministerial ethics to "equip all God's people, and especially ministers, to conduct ministry in such a way that it glorifies God, protects and encourages the church, and sets up the minister for long-term, healthy ministry. Too many ministers have shipwrecked their ministries on the rocks of ignorance and sin." In this episode, I talk to Kesler about the importance of ministerial ethics generally as well as the issues of money, sex, and power specifically. Brad Kesler is general secretary of the Assemblies of God and (full disclosure) my boss. He is author of Trusted with Treasure: A Handbook of Ethics in Ministry, published by Gospel Publishing House.   Sponsor Ad This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of The Third Voice. Students are surrounded by noise—voices that distract, entertain, and shape their beliefs—yet they feel more alone than ever. Anxiety, identity struggles, and hopelessness are rising. What's missing is a third voice: a mentor who speaks truth, hope, and biblical wisdom. The Third Voice equips youth pastors, leaders, and mentors to step into that gap. For more information about The Third Voice visit GospelPublishingHouse.   Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 01:55 — Why is ethics crucial to Pentecostal ministry? 02:55 — Chapter 3 outlines a process for ethical decision-making. Can you walk us through that process? 06:35 — Why do you focus on the issues of money, sex, and power. And what temptations does money pose to ministers. 11:30 — How should ministers face the temptations posed by sex outside of marriage? 14:39 — How should ministers navigate the dilemmas power poses to them? 16:38 — What are best practices for relationships on a church or ministry team? 24:13 — What are best practices for relating to the fellowship, whether at the sectional, district, or national level? 28:35 — What are some practical ways for ministers to use social media well? 33:18 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 34:47 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. "The so-called worship wars often consist of ill-suited judgments about worship," writes Steven Félix-Jäger. "The debates generally center around the question of what constitutes appropriate worship and can include issues such as the use of contemporary music versus traditional hymns, the role of preaching, the usual of visual aids and technology, and the role of personal experience in worship." In this episode, I talk to Félix-Jäger about how to assess the arguments in these debates and use good judgment when planning a worship service. Steven Félix-Jäger is associate professor and chair of Worship Arts and Media at Life Pacific University and a credentialed minister in the Foursquare Church. He is author of How to Worship for All Its Worth, published by Zondervan Academic. Sponsor Ad This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of A Disciple's Growth. Get a clear and practical roadmap for following Jesus with depth and purpose. Drawing from Scripture, the power of the Holy Spirit, and real-life examples, discover seven key dimensions of spiritual formation—Bible, Holy Spirit, missions, prayer, worship, service, and generosity—that shape believers into fully devoted disciples. For more information about A Disciple's Growth visit GospelPublishingHouse.com. Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 01:49 — How do you define "worship"? 06:20 — Should all churches adopt a common worship style or improve whatever style they currently utilize? Or both? 11:35 — What do you mean by "judgment," generally speaking, and what is good "biblical judgment"? 23:30 — What is aesthetics, and how do we exercise good aesthetic judgment? 31:58 — How is theological judgment different from biblical judgment, and how do you use it in the context of planning a worship service? 47:37 — What is pastoral judgment, and how do we use it? 53:18 — What is "flow," and how do we plan a worship service for better flow? 1:03:48 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 1:04:34 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. "Children's ministry is arguably one of the most difficult ministries to lead, but it is also the most rewarding," writes David Reneau. "We get the sacred opportunity to be some of the first people to tell little children — the next generation — about Jesus. We get to plant the seeds, tend and water the soil, and watch the first little tender sprouts peek out of the ground as our kids begin their faith journey and discover their calling." What are the best ways to maximize this opportunity? In this episode, I talk to David Reneau about how to make the most of your congregation's children's ministry. Reneau is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and lead pastor at Encounter Church in Toccoa, Georgia, with over 17 years of hands-on children's ministry experience. He is author of Next-Level Kidmin: The Children's Pastor's Practical Guide to Building a Thriving Ministry.   Sponsor Ad This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of The Heart of a Pathfinder. You're not just leading for now; you're building for what's next. How big would you dream if you saw your ministry through a generational lens? Melissa Alfaro challenges us to approach leadership through the lens of a pathfinder. She calls ministry leaders to do the hard work of clearing the path so future generations can step into their call. For more information about The Heart of a Pathfinder visit GospelPublishingHouse.com. ​ Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 02:05 — How do we keep the gospel central to our Kidmin leadership? 04:36 — What are the three fundamental elements of children's ministry? 16:51 — What are the best practices for recruiting, training, and even firing volunteers? 27:15 — How do you decide whether a Sunday school model or a small group model is the best fit for you congregation's children's ministry? 30:15 — How do you plan a children's church service that keeps the kids' energies at appropriate levels throughout the service? 35:37 — Give us a few ideas about how to pick the best curriculum. Also, how do we incorporate action — evangelism, missions, compassion — into our lesson planning? 41:41 — How do we do the work of ministry in a way that doesn't kill the work of God in us personally? 44:31 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 45:35 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Ministers hear a lot about church multiplication these days. Sometimes, the phrase is little more than a synonym for church planting. Other times, it refers to multisite ministry in which one church exists in many locations. "Multiplication isn't just about strategy or structure," Gerad Strong writes, however. "It's about Spirit-empowered imagination. When we lead through the power of the Holy Spirit, we're not simply managing what is — we're awakening to what could be." In this episode, I talk to Gerad Strong about how ministers can develop this Spirit-empowered imagination. Strong is director of Leadership and Training for the Church Multiplication Network of the Assemblies of God. His new book is Multiplication Mindset: How Spirit-Empowered Leaders Build People, Not Just Platforms, forthcoming from Gospel Publishing House.   Sponsor Ad This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of As In Heaven. This six-week study is designed to help you move beyond fear or formality and step into confident, life-giving prayer. Each week unpacks a portion of the Lord's Prayer, pairing Jesus' words with reflection questions, group discussion prompts, and a Bible memory verse to guide your journey. For more information about As In Heaven visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.   Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 02:04 — What is "multiplication," as you use the term in your book? 02:48 — Tell us a little about your own journey with multiplication, as this informs what you write about in the book. 07:48 — What are the essential elements of a multiplication mindset? 12:28 — What is the foundation of multiplication? 19:13 — How does growth begin with maximizing what you already have? And what role does strategic thinking play? 20:48 — What are the traditional metrics of ministry, and what should they be? 26:49 — What resources does CMN provide for ministers and churches that are considering church planting, church multiplication, church revitalization? 30:31 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 31:17 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. "In the last sixty years in the USA, some churches shifted strategies and adopted a model that focused almost exclusively on numerical expansion," writes Marroquin. "New sanctuaries and program adjustments were made with the goal of reaching the unchurched. And praise God, the model produced some good results." She goes to note that this model replaced Sunday school and discipleship groups to make room for more worship services. "Somehow, churches believed they would still be making disciples without intentionally placing emphasis on God's Word. The results are in: We have many churches filled with followers of Jesus who desperately need help." In this episode, I talk to Marroquin about what churches can do to refocus on discipleship, based on her new book, A Disciple's Growth: 7 Dimensions of Spiritual Formation. Elloy Marroquin is an ordained minister and national director of Christian Education, Discipleship, and Family Ministries for the Assemblies of God. My conversation with her begins after a brief word from our sponsor.   SPONSOR AD This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Europe 365 Daily Devotions. Europe 365 is a powerful year-long devotional written by Assemblies of God World Missions missionaries serving on the front lines of evangelism. You will be inspired by devotional thoughts and dynamic testimonies of the Holy Spirit in action, answers to prayer, miracles, divine protection, supernatural provision, the call to missions, and more. For more information about Europe 365 Daily Devotions, visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.   SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 02:12 — Why did an emphasis on numerical growth displace the emphasis on discipleship depth, and what have the consequences been for American churches? 04:07 — What are the seven dimensions? And how did you arrive at these seven dimensions? 10:53 — How do the seven dimensions relate to Jesus? 16:19 — How can pastors and other church leaders assess (1) how they're doing personally as disciples as well as (2) how their churches discipleship efforts are going? 25:18 — What advice would you give pastors and other church leaders for implementing new discipleship programs or revising existing ones? 28:10 — What are some of the resources the AG provides, whether in terms of curriculum, training, books, etc.? 36:49 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 38:12 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode, I talk to Melissa Alfaro about her new book, The Heart of a Pathfinder: Charting Paths for the Next Generation. "A pathfinder's greatest motivation is not the sustainability of their legacy but their ability to launch members of the next generation into their call," Alfaro writes. "Obstacles don't discourage pathfinders. They see obstacles as opportunities to clear a path so the next generation can step into their purpose. Pathfinders take risks. They path the price because they realize that their greatest legacy is not what they have built with their hands, but the paths that they have opened for others with their feet." Alfaro is senior pastor of Tab Church in Houston, Texas, along with her husband Jay. She is an executive presbyter of the Assemblies of God, as well as chair of the Network of Women Ministers.   SPONSOR AD This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of A Disciple's Growth. Get a clear and practical roadmap for following Jesus with depth and purpose. Drawing from Scripture, the power of the Holy Spirit, and real-life examples, discover seven key dimensions of spiritual formation—Bible, Holy Spirit, missions, prayer, worship, service, and generosity—that shape believers into fully devoted disciples. For more information about A Disciple's Growth visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.   SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 01:58 — W hat was the impetus for writing this book? 04:25 — What is a pathfinder, and how is a pathfinder different from other ways of describing leadership? 09:43 — You write, "There are three areas that the enemy uses to cause us to camp out in the shadows and stop the flow of God's presence in the life of a leader: comfort, fear, and offense." Expand on that insight. 15:02 — Talk about the kinds of things leaders need to think and do when bad stuff interrupts life. 20:15 — Are ministers embarrassed to admit they have personal things that interrupt their lives? 23:01 — What lessons should we take from Nehemiah during the seasons of ministry when we face obstacles in ministry? 28:50 — How do we use our unique voice for Kingdom purposes, and who are the "five people every leader needs in their life" that you mention? 37:08 — What types of resources does the Network of Women Ministers provide? 41:35 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 42:44 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. "The founders of the Assemblies of God believed they were experiencing a significant historical moment," writes Daniel Isgrigg. "They recognized God was moving by His Spirit to enable them to evangelize the world. Leaders were set apart by their understanding that this mission could not be accomplished without the Spirit and without each other." In this episode, I talk to Daniel Isgrigg about his new book, The Assemblies of God: Our Story, from which this quotation comes. Isgrigg is associate professor of the History of Spirit-empowered Christianity at Oral Roberts University and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. He is also author of Imagining the Future: The Origin, Development, and Future of Assemblies of God Eschatology and Aspects of Assemblies of God Origins. I interviewed him about these books in Episodes 277 and 359, respectively. My conversation with Daniel Isgrigg begins after a brief word from our sponsor.   SponsorThis episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, publishers of A Disciple's Growth: 7 Dimensions of Spiritual Formation. In A Disciple's Growth, Elly Marroquin provides a clear and practical roadmap for following Jesus with depth and purpose. Drawing from Scripture, the power of the Holy Spirit, and real-life examples, she outlines seven key dimensions of spiritual formation—Bible, Holy Spirit, missions, prayer, worship, service, and generosity—that shape believers into fully devoted disciples. For more information about A Disciple's Growth visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.   Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 03:13 — Why should Assemblies of God ministers be interested in church history generally and AG history specifically? 08:43 — How is your new history of the Assemblies of God similar to and different from previous AG histories? 14:27 — Along with Azusa Street, what are the various streams of Christianity that flowed into the AG. 21:35 — What are the three or four major theological controversies that helped refine AG identity? 32:48 — How does the commitment to evangelism and missions explain AG growth and diversification? 37:03 — What are three or four major ways in which the Assemblies of God has changed over the years? And how has it remained the same? 45:57 — What are some things that people routinely misunderstand about the AG, whether inside or outside the Movement? 50:32 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 52:58 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode, I talk to Mark Hausfeld about how ministers can move toward physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health — and why they should. Hausfeld is executive director of the Institute for Ministerial Wholeness and an ordained Assemblies of God minister, Ministry is demanding, even for Jesus. Matthew 8 tells us "large crowds followed him." Jesus goes on to heal a leper, resurrect a servant, cure Peter's mother-in-law, exorcize demonized persons, and calm a storm on the Sea of Galilee. The detail that strikes me is Jesus falling asleep during a storm (8:24). No wonder! He was tired. If ministry wore out Jesus, it will wear out us too. We need to be rested and ready to do God's work. I'll talk about how with Mark Hausfeld after a brief word from our sponsor.   SPONSOR This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.   SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 01:40 — Why is wholeness of body, mind, soul, and spirit necessary? 04:25 — How does physical health or illness impact our ministries, and how do we get healthier? 14:38 — Why should ministers commit to lifelong learning, and what are ways to do that? 23:39 — How does emotional messed-up-ness derail ministry, and how can ministers get back on track? 28:55 — What is spiritual formation? 34:34 — What is spiritual direction, and why is it necessary for pastors? 40:36 — Tell us a little about the certificate in spiritual direction offered by the Institute for Ministerial Wholeness through the auspices of Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. 44:54 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 49:15 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode, I talk to Doug Clay about the state of the Assemblies of God as the New Year begins. Clay is AG general superintendent and author of Conversations with My Younger Self and 13: Leadership Is More Than Luck, both published by Gospel Publishing House. This past year, the Assemblies of God received favorable notice in political scientist Ryan Burge's popular religious data Substack, Graphs About Religion. One post, titled "The Assemblies of God: A Denomination That May Be Growing," reported that the AG is bucking the trend of denominational decline. "Almost every major denomination is losing members at an incredibly rapid pace," he writes, with the exception of two small denominations. "But there is a major denomination that was on an upward trajectory for a very long time and stood as an aberration in the larger Protestant landscape: The Assemblies of God. They experienced very consistent growth over the last couple of decades." Burge focused on steady AG growth over several decades, but in his editorial for the Winter 2026 issue of Influence, Doug Clay notes that the AG experienced growth between 2023–24, the last year for which there is a complete statistical report. "From 2023–24, adherence rose 2.5%, Spirit baptisms 3.9%, membership 4.1%, in-person attendance 6.2%, conversions 10%, water baptisms 12.1%, and new church charters 33.6%," he writes. Every year, the President gives a State of the Union Address to Congress. Think of this podcast as an AG State of the Union for 2026.   SHOW NOTES 00:00 — Introduction 02:08 — Why is the Assemblies of God growing? 07:00 — How do we balance church growth with the fact that outward success isn't a reliable measure of the Church's strength? 10:16 — The AG in the United States is having a remarkable run, but what can you tell us about what's happening in AG churches around the world that don't share our experience? 13:47 — What new ministry initiatives is the AG pursuing this year? 20:33 — Update listeners on the progress of the building renovations of the national office. 24:10 — What headwinds are the AG facing, and what are the best Spirit-empowered practices for responding to them? 30:03 — Based on your recent sabbatical, make the case for ministers scheduling regular times for rest and recovery. 33:50 — What are you reading right now that's interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 36:03 — Conclusion

Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. In this episode, I talk to Allen Tennison about what Pentecostal ministers should read in 2026. Tennison serves as theological counsel to The General Counsel of the Assemblies of God. Reading may not be at or even near the top of many ministers' new year's resolutions, but it should be. In an August 1760 letter to John Premboth, John Wesley wrote: "What has exceedingly hurt you in time past, nay, and I fear to this day, is want of reading. "I scarce ever knew a preacher read so little. And perhaps, by neglecting it, you have lost the taste for it. Hence your talent in preaching does not increase. It is just the same as it was seven years ago. It is lively, but not deep; there is little variety, there is no compass of thought. Reading only can supply this, with meditation and daily prayer. You wrong yourself greatly by omitting this. You can never be a deep preacher without it, any more than a thorough Christian." Even if you agree with Wesley, questions remain: How long should I read every day? What should I read? How do I balance reading with my other pastoral responsibilities? Those are the questions Tennison and I discuss after a brief word from our sponsor.   IN THIS PODCAST 0:00:00 — Introduction 0:01:34 — Sponsor Copy 0:02:38 — How does reading help ministers deepen their preaching and spiritual formation? 0:07:18 — How much time should ministers devote to reading, and what's a realistic goal for how many books they should read? 0:14:43 — What kinds of knowledge should ministers seek in books? 0:20:00 — What Bible study books — commentaries, biblical theologies, reference works, etc. — would you recommend? 0:37:14 — What theology books would you recommend? 0:48:55 — What histories and biographies do you recommend? 1:03:10 — What books about ethics and pastoral theology would you recommend? 1:08:07 — What books on preaching and church administration would you recommend? 1:15:36 — Conclusion   SPONSOR COPY This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information visit GospelPublishingHouse.com.  

"Jesus is up front with us that there is a cost to following him," writes Craig Keener. "From God's side, the gift of him in him is free—or rather, already paid for by what Christ suffered for us. But we live in a world that challenges our faith, so from the world's side our faith is bound to cost us hardships. Yet God empowers us by his Spirit to maintain our witness for Christ in this world no matter what." In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Keener about how Pentecostal Christians should think about suffering. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Craig Keener is F.M. and Ada Thompson Professor of Biblical Studies at Asbury Theological Seminary, an ordained Assemblies of God minister, and author of Suffering: Its Meaning for the Spirit-Filled Life, published by Baker Academic. NOTE: This will be the final Influence Podcast of 2025. Episode 411 — the first podcast of 2026 — will drop on Thursday, January 8.   ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Open When . . . Parenting through Everyday Moments. In Open When . . . Parenting through Everyday Moments, child development professionals and Christian education experts discuss the most common parenting scenarios faced by families today. Readers will be empowered with knowledge, tools, and strategies for navigating the complexities of each issue while also nurturing the child's spirit through scriptural application. For more information about Open When . . . Parenting through Everyday Moments visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Donna Barrett is retiring at the end of this year from her position as general secretary of the Assemblies of God. Elected unanimously by the executive presbytery in 2018 to fill the unexpired term of her predecessor, Jim Bradford, then elected twice by the General Council in 2019 and 2023, she is the first woman to hold executive office at the national level in the history of the AG. Full disclosure: I am one of Barrett's direct reports. But I can honestly say that she is universally regarded by her employees, fellow executives, district officials, and ministry peers as a woman of God, conscientious leader, good friend, and great boss. In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Barrett about her unique perspective on topics such as women's leadership, the grind of ministry, and the necessity of prayer. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Barrett is the 11th general secretary of The General Council of the Assemblies of God. Her final day in office is December 31, 2025. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

"Young men are leading a religious resurgence," wrote Erica Pandey in a May 10, 2025 report on Axios.com. "Within older generations, there's a consistent gender gap among Christians, with women more likely to be religious than men," she explained. "Within Gen Z, the gap has closed, as young men join the church and young women leave it. If the current trajectory sticks, the gender gap will flip." Are churches ready to minister to the young men returning to church? Are they ready to minister to men at all? And if they are, what are the best ways to do so? Those are the kinds of question I discuss with Rick Allen in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Rick Allen is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and national director of Men's Ministries and Light for the Lost. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 30 Under 30. In 30 Under 30: Young Adults in Scripture Who Heard from God, you'll meet 30 young adults from the Bible who had their own defining moments. Heroes or cautionary tales—they all had a choice. This isn't just a history lesson. It's a call to action. God still speaks, and if you're willing to listen, He's got something to say to you. For more information about the 30 Under 30, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

The season of Advent begins this Sunday, November 30, and ends, appropriately enough, on Christmas Eve — Sunday, December 24. No doubt many churches will sing Isaac Watts' "Joy to the World" throughout this season, especially on Christmas Eve. But did you know that Watts wrote that song to celebrate the Second Coming, not the birth of Jesus Christ? Advent celebrates both in the Christian tradition. It looks backward to the First Coming and forward to the Second Coming. It is a thoroughly historical and end-times holiday season. In this episode of the podcast, I talk to Allen Tennison about the relationship between Advent and eschatology. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Tennison is theological counsel of The General Council of the Assemblies of God. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards. Strengthen your family's relationships with God and each other with these easy-to-use Conversation Cards. Each card is uniquely designed with a question, faith builder statement, and a Bible verse to spark meaningful conversations that cultivate an open and nurturing environment in your home. For more information about the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

This past Tuesday, the Executive Presbytery of the Assemblies of God announced that Brad Kesler will succeed Donna Barrett as general secretary of the Fellowship. Kesler's first day in office is January 1, 2026. He will serve the remainder of Barrett's unexpired term. Kesler has been an ordained AG minister since 2000. He has served as a youth pastor in Sitka, Alaska, and a senior pastor in Juneau. For 15 years, he worked as business administrator in the Alaska Ministry Network and nine years as district secretary. Since 2024, he has served as assistant to the general secretary, providing that office with administrative and technical support. In Episode 406 of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Kesler about his life, ministry, and the duties of his new office, as well as his forthcoming book on ministerial ethics, Trusted with Treasure, published by Gospel Publishing House early next year. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards. Strengthen your family's relationships with God and each other with these easy-to-use Conversation Cards. Each card is uniquely designed with a question, faith builder statement, and a Bible verse to spark meaningful conversations that cultivate an open and nurturing environment in your home. For more information about the Ignite Parenting Conversation Cards visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

The goal of the Church Health Partners is clear. "To foster healthy, vibrant churches by equipping pastors and their teams with the tools, strategies, and support they need to lead effectively and fulfill their unique calling. We want to see a healthy church in every community, led by empowered and passionate leaders, making a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God." In Episode 405 of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Gerad Strong about what a healthy church is, why churches become unhealthy, and what to do to get them back to health. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Gerad Strong is director of Church Health Partners, a ministry of the Assemblies of God. He is author of Multiplication Mindset, forthcoming in [month, year] from [GPH?]. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 13: Leadership is More Than Luck. As the thirteenth general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Doug Clay reflects on the powerful legacy of twelve spiritual pioneers who came before him. Through personal stories, timeless principles, and the Spirit-led wisdom of these men, 13: Leadership is More Than Luck invites readers into a heritage of leadership that has shaped a Movement and impacted the world. For more information about the 13: Leadership is More Than Luck, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

"In many Christian theological circles, especially in Pentecostal circles, the person who has the role of pastor is the one who is supposed to have the spiritual answers, and so this [spiritual and social] shutdown [due to trauma] is counterintuitive to the position they hold," writes Dale Sanger. "The challenge for Pentecostal pastors is that they have an underlying theology of glory which does not appropriately consider personal trauma." In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Dale Sanger about the reality of clergy trauma, and what Pentecostal ministers should do in response. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Dale Sanger is adjunct professor at Bridges Christian College in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Vanguard College in Edmonton, Alberta, as well as chaplain at a homeless men's shelter. He is author of When Ministry Hurts: Triumphalism and the Crisis of Trauma among Clergy, published by Wipf & Stock. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler. The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit. For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

"How did you go bankrupt?" one character asks another in Ernest Hemingway's The Son Also Rises. "Two ways," the other character responds. "Gradually and then suddenly." But as Mark Batterson points out in his new book, "That's also how you get out of debt. That's how you start a business, write a book, or run a marathon — and a thousand other things." "Regardless of craft or career, dreams don't become reality overnight," he writes. "Reverse engineer any success story, and I daresay it happened two ways — gradually then suddenly." In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Mark Batterson about how to succeed in ministry, based on insights from his new book. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Mark Batterson is lead pastor at National Community Church in Washington, DC, and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. A New York Times-bestselling author, his newest book is Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy, published by Multnomah. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 13: Leadership is More Than Luck. As the thirteenth general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Doug Clay reflects on the powerful legacy of twelve spiritual pioneers who came before him. Through personal stories, timeless principles, and the Spirit-led wisdom of these men, 13: Leadership is More Than Luck invites readers into a heritage of leadership that has shaped a Movement and impacted the world. For more information about the 13: Leadership is More Than Luck, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.