Chasing Elephants Podcast

Dive into the deep end with Jody Livingston and discover the inspiration behind his latest book titled "Staying Power". slulead.com

In this episode of Chasing Elephants, Jeff sits down with author, speaker, and ministry leader Shane Pruitt to talk about his timely and thought-provoking new book, Not My Jesus. Shane challenges us to confront one of the most pressing issues in today’s culture: the tendency to reshape Jesus into an image that fits our personal preferences, cultural trends, and political categories. In a world where truth is often traded for comfort, many have crafted a version of Jesus who affirms their desires, aligns with their ideologies, and avoids making them uncomfortable. But the question remains…Is this the REAL Jesus of Scripture? You can purchase Not My Jesus at Lifeway.com or wherever books are sold.

Tune in as Brent Crowe and Jeff Wallace dissect the Biblical meaning of friendship. slulead.com

Tune in as Pastor Derwin Gray shares about his new book titled "Lit Up With Love" in this weeks episode of the Chasing Elephants Podcast.

Together, Jeff and Jason unpack the cultural tensions that young people face and explore the critical role of biblical worldview training in helping them navigate complex ethical and moral challenges. With clarity, conviction, and compassion, they tackle pressing questions:How can pastors and leaders respond to the moral confusion of our times?What strategies can churches adopt to disciple youth in truth and grace?Why is apologetics and worldview training more vital now than ever before?Whether you’re a pastor, parent, educator, or student ministry leader, this episode will both challenge and equip you to lead with conviction in the cultural trenches.Key Topics Covered:The growing gap in biblical worldview among Gen ZWhy ethics must be grounded in Scripture, not cultural trendsThe influence of media and progressive ideologies on youthTools for teaching biblical truth in a winsome and courageous wayPractical ways churches can disciple students in truth and loveFeatured Guest Bio:Jason Jimenezis the founder of Stand Strong Ministries and a nationally recognized voice on Christian worldview and ethics. He is the author of several books, includingChallenging Conversations,The Rapture Verdict, andStand Strong in Your Faith. Jason regularly speaks at churches, conferences, and universities equipping believers to stand firm in biblical truth with clarity and conviction.Resources & Mentions:Stand Strong Ministries:www.standstrongministries.orgBooks:Hijacking Jesus and Parenting Gen Z by Jason JimenezPodcast:Challenging Conversations with Jason JimenezQuote Worth Sharing:"We’re not just trying to win arguments; we’re trying to win people to the truth." Jason Jimenez 

Join Brent and Jeff as they celebrate and explore the spiritual significance of the father-child relationship through the lens of our Heavenly Father’s example.

Together, they dive deep into the practical and strategic aspects of volunteer ministry exploring proven principles for recruitment, effective training methods, and sustainable retention strategies. With a wealth of hands-on experience, Brian shares valuable insights that every church leader can apply, whether you’re leading a few volunteers or managing a large team.If you serve in a local church and want to better equip and empower your volunteers to thrive in ministry, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this episode of Chasing Elephants, Jeff sits down with LifeWay Students Specialist Chad Higgins to talk about the newly released book Define the Relationship: Growing a Parent Ministry that Brings Families and Churches Together, co-written by Higgins and Zac Workun. This conversation goes beyond strategy, it explores the heart of why the church must redefine how it partners with parents.Jeff and Chad dive into research-based insights showing that parents are ready for more, more connection, more guidance, more collaboration with the church. But often, leaders don't know how to initiate or sustain that relationship.

In this episode of the Chasing Elephants Podcast, Jeff continues his compelling series of conversations with influential voices and practitioners from around the globe. He sits down with Drew Worsham, author, church planter, and illusionist based in San Antonio, TX for an insightful discussion on Drew’s new book, The Art of Curiosity. Together, they explore how the Church has lost its sense of awe and wonder in engaging with God’s creativity and the grand narrative of Scripture. This episode is a must-listen, especially for anyone who communicates the gospel. From start to finish, it’s a thought-provoking and inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss. slulead.com

For this episode of the Chasing Elephants Podcast, Jeff continues his series of conversations with some of the leading voices and practitioners around the world. In this next conversation, he sits down with Dr. Ed Newton, Lead Pastor of Community Bible Church in San Antonio, TX. They discuss a wide range of topics, as it relates to how to navigate the many challenges and complexities of ministry and leadership. Pastor Ed shares so many insights that will help every leader. This is a conversation you want to hear from start to finish. Thank you for tuning into our Chasing Elephants Podcast. slulead.com

celebratekids.comslulead.com 

Today, we are slowing down to focus on what is most important — the cross and the empty tomb. As believers, Holy Week is not just a date on the calendar — it’s the very center of our faith. So today, we want to journey together from Palm Sunday to Good Friday to Easter Sunday, reflecting deeply on what these days truly mean for us.

As we approach Holy Week, we want to pause and reflect on two significant events—Passover and Palm Sunday—and how they connect in profound ways through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Our purpose in this episode is simple: to help prepare our hearts to fully embrace and understand the depth of Holy Week, as we look at Jesus as both King and Lamb.

Five years after the outbreak of COVID-19, the world has undergone significant and lasting changes in various aspects of culture, societal patterns, adolescent development, and human interaction. This episode discusses major shifts and emerging trends that continue to shape our world. Join Brent and Jeff as they discuss what this looks like for us now!

Leadership is more than a title—it’s a calling to influence, inspire, and impact those around us. As ministry leaders, our responsibility isn’t just to know what Jesus says in Matthew 5:13-16 about being salt and light—it’s to live it out in every aspect of our leadership and ministry.  Today, we’re diving into the question: Why and how do we influence? This is a crucial topic that will be explored at YPS by leaders like Pastor Eugene Cho and Dr. Kathy Koch, who bring deep wisdom and insight into what it means to lead with purpose. Why do you believe this topic is so important for leaders today? When we look at Matthew 5:13-16, how should we apply Jesus’ words to our own leadership and influence? What are some key leadership insights you would share with leaders on how to maximize their personal leadership and influence?  Key Takeaways from Today’s Discussion: Salt speaks to how we shouldn’t compromise. Light speaks to the action of pointing others to Jesus—the decision is up to us. Leadership is not just positional—it’s influential. We must lead with integrity, purpose, and a heart for serving others. The greatest leaders don’t just develop strategies—they develop people.  Join Us at YPS! Are you a youth leader, educator, or volunteer? Youth Pastor Summit is for you! It’s an opportunity to be equipped, encouraged, and connected with others in ministry. Register today and join us for impactful sessions, practical leadership labs, and an incredible time of community.  That wraps up this special YPS series on Chasing Elephants! We’ll see you next time!

This conversation will be a major focus at YPS, where we’ll hear from powerful voices like Pastor Derwin Gray and Shane Pruitt, who are passionate about seeing this generation step into the greater narrative of God’s redemptive work.Why do you believe this topic is so important for leaders today?Do you sense a movement of revival in this generation? What are some of the indicators you’ve seen?How can ministry leaders actively foster and align with God’s mission in their own contexts?Conclusion & Call to ActionKey Takeaways from Today’s Discussion:Revival isn’t just something that happens around us—it must first begin within us.God’s mission is already unfolding; our role is to join Him in what He’s doing.Ministry leaders play a key part in guiding students toward a greater understanding of God’s redemptive story.Looking Ahead:Next up, we’ll be diving into Leadership—how and why we influence the next generation. Stay tuned!Join Us at YPS!Are you a youth leader, educator, or volunteer? Youth Pastor Summit is for you! It’s an opportunity to be equipped, encouraged, and connected with other ministry leaders.Register today and join us for impactful sessions, practical leadership labs, and an incredible time of community. We’ll see you next time on Chasing Elephants!slulead.comyouthpastorsummit.com

The Question of Spiritual Formation: Who Are We Becoming?To help us explore this crucial topic, we’re honored to have voices like Dr. Robert Smith and Megan Fate Marshman joining us at YPS. Their wisdom and insight will challenge us to deepen our walk with Christ and lead from a place of spiritual health.Questions asked on today's episode:Why do you believe spiritual formation is such an important conversation for leaders today? How have you personally practiced spiritual disciplines in your life and leadership?What are some practical ways leaders can assess their spiritual growth and identify opportunities for development?Conclusion & Call to ActionKey Takeaways from Today’s Discussion:Spiritual formation is about who we are becoming, not just what we do.As leaders, we can’t give what we don’t have—our personal walk with Jesus matters.Spiritual formation isn’t about behavior modification; it’s a lifelong commitment to following Jesus in a healthy, holistic way.Join Us at YPS!Are you a youth leader, educator, or volunteer? Youth Pastor Summit is for you! It’s a place to be equipped, encouraged, and connected with others in student ministry.Register today and join us for impactful sessions, practical leadership labs, and an incredible time of community. We’ll see you next time on Chasing ElephantsLooking Ahead:In the next episodes, we’ll dive into topics like God’s Mission and Leadership—you won’t want to miss it!youthpastorsummit.comslulead.com

At YPS, we focus on four foundational questions that shape the event’s content:Spiritual Formation – Who are we becoming?God’s Mission – What story is God telling?Ethics – How should we think?Leadership – Why and how do we influence?At its core, YPS provides:A Community – A network of like-minded leaders passionate about investing in students.A Place of Learning – Engaging discussions led by experienced ministry practitioners.A Moment of Understanding – A space to reflect, recalibrate, and gain fresh perspective.The Question of Ethics: How Should We Think?In this episode, we continue our discussion on ethical decision-making, particularly how to think biblically about pressing moral and cultural issues.youthpastorsummit.comslulead.com

Todd Mullins is the son of Tom Mullins, the founding pastor of Christ Fellowship, which was established in 1984. Todd and his wife, Julie, are the senior pastors of Christ Fellowship, leading the church into new seasons of growth and ministry. They have one son, Jefferson Todd Mullins Jr., who is married to Cassie Mullins. In addition to his leadership at Christ Fellowship, Pastor Todd co-founded Church United, a movement uniting churches from different denominations to share faith, offer hope, and extend love throughout South Florida. His latest book, Don't Let Doubt Take You Out, explores how doubt, rather than being an obstacle, can serve as a pathway to stronger faith, deeper relationships, and a fuller life. Book Overview: Don't Let Doubt Take You Out Pastor Todd’s latest book, Don't Let Doubt Take You Out: Replacing Fear and Doubt with Faith and Truth, was just released. This book delves into the challenge of doubt and its potential to hinder people from fulfilling their God-given purpose. Instead of allowing doubt to derail us, Pastor Todd emphasizes how it can serve as a catalyst for growth in faith and personal development. Key Takeaways from the Book: Recognizing doubt before it undermines your aspirations. Transforming anxiety into faith-driven action. Using daily affirmations to reinforce one's identity in Christ. Understanding how facing doubt can strengthen faith in God. Connect with Pastor Todd Mullins: Website: Christ Fellowship Social Media: @ToddMullins (Instagram) | @PastorToddMullins (Twitter) Book: Don't Let Doubt Take You Out Stay Connected with the Chasing Elephants Podcast: Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Follow us on social media @slulead for updates and behind-the-scenes content. Thanks for tuning in! Until next time!