The Church Around the World

Seen and Known: How By the Hand Club for Kids Is Forming the Next Generation

What happens when the Church shows up—not just with programs, but with people—in the lives of children growing up in under-resourced neighborhoods? This week, Dan is joined by guest co-host Caroline Curry (Development Specialist, Tyndale House Foundation) and two leaders from By the Hand Club for Kids: Peter Hanson, VP of Volunteer Development, and Stephen Fernandes, Chief Development Officer. By the Hand Club for Kids has been walking alongside children in some of Chicago's most challenged communities for over two decades—offering not just after-school programming, but something rarer: the sustained presence of caring adults who refuse to let a child's zip code define their ceiling. In this conversation, we explore: * Why diverse social connections matter enormously for kids growing up in geographic and economic isolation * The irreplaceable role of adult presence and attention in forming a child's sense of value and purpose—especially in our distracted, screen-saturated world * How By the Hand helps students see their own neighborhoods through the lens of God's abundance rather than human scarcity * What By the Hand's work says to the broader Church about what we truly value ---------------------------------------- Learn more about By the Hand Club for Kids: By The Hand History and Stories [https://bythehand.org/about-us/history/] Giving to By The Hand [https://bythehand.org/give/] Volunteer Interest Form [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJtkFGy4peWGnmGcx_YvZ2uC99sh9sfieZCe8kVPMWzb4VwA/viewform] ByTheHand.com [https://www.bythehand.com] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/ByTheHandClubForKids/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/by-the-hand-club-for-kids/] Church Connect Church Connect [https://Church-Connect.com] – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation [https://Tyndale.Foundation], funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World: Get email updates: Sign up here [https://church-connect.com/newsletter] Listen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now [https://church-connect.com/podcast]

Praying the Parables of Jesus for Lent

In this episode, Dan Ehrman sits down with Steve Macchia and S.K. "Suz" Skinner to explore their new book, Praying the Parables of Jesus: A 40-Day Devotional Journey in Word and Image (NavPress/Tyndale). Steve is the founder and president of Leadership Transformations, Inc. (LTI), an author of 17 books, and a leading voice in spiritual formation and discipleship for Christian leaders. Suz is an artist and spiritual director who serves on LTI's Emmaus faculty and helps others encounter Christ through Scripture and art. Together, Steve and Suz discuss their unique collaboration — pairing written devotional reflections with original artwork — and how the ancient practices of Lectio Divina (prayerful reading of Scripture) and Visio Divina (prayerful reflection on sacred art) can open fresh encounters with the parables of Jesus. They share about LTI's broader mission of cultivating vibrant spirituality and attentive discernment among Christian leaders and churches, and how this book grew naturally out of that discipleship work. With 40 devotions perfectly suited for the season of Lent, this conversation explores how believers can use the parables as a framework for slowing down, recalibrating their hearts, and drawing closer to Jesus during the 40 days leading to Easter. Whether used individually or in a small group, Praying the Parables of Jesus offers a rich, multisensory path into the Kingdom stories Jesus told — and an invitation to let those stories reshape how we live, pray, and follow. Lenten Prayer Experience [https://www.leadershiptransformations.org/lent2026] Steve Macchia [https://www.stevemacchia.com] S.K. Suz Skinner [https://www.skskinner.com/praying-the-the-parables-of-jesus] Godspeed Movie [https://www.livegodspeed.org/watchgodspeed] Church Connect Church Connect [https://Church-Connect.com] – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation [https://Tyndale.Foundation], funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. More from The Church Around the World: Get email updates: Sign up here [https://church-connect.com/newsletter] Listen to more episodes of The Church Around the World podcast: Listen now [https://church-connect.com/podcast]

Year Through the Bible: How Asbury Church Is Building Scripture-Shaped Disciples

How do you lead a congregation into deeper engagement with Scripture—and sustain it together? Pastor Andrew Forrest joins Dan Ehrman on The Church Around the World to share how Asbury Church in Tulsa is guiding the entire church through The One Year Bible in 2026 with a “Year Through the Bible” initiative built around shared rhythms, joy-filled discipleship, and practical tools pastors can adapt in their own contexts. Andrew also reflects on the difficult leadership transition of leaving the church he planted and pastored for over a decade to serve Asbury following its disaffiliation from a denomination. Along the way, he offers wisdom for shepherding people through change, grounding ministry identity in faithfulness rather than outcomes, and leading with love in an anxious and divided age. The conversation includes insights from Andrew’s book, Love Goes First, and practical ideas for cultivating spiritual habits that shape a church’s life together. Church Connect Church Connect [https://Church-Connect.com] – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation [https://Tyndale.Foundation], funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. Episode Links: Asbury Church - Tulsa [ https://www.yearthroughthebible.com/”> Year Through the Bible

Apologetics, Calling, and Identity — A Conversation with Alex McElroy

In this episode of The Church Around the World, host Dan Ehrman is joined by Alex McElroy—pastor, author, and founder of Proof For The Truth—for a thoughtful conversation on how apologetics strengthens local church ministry, shapes discipleship, and equips believers to engage culture with confidence and grace. Alex shares how apologetics is not merely an academic exercise, but a pastoral tool that helps congregations address doubt, disciple the next generation, and remain grounded in biblical truth amid cultural pressure. The conversation also explores the landscape of African-American apologetics, highlighting its unique voice, historical context, and growing influence within the broader evangelical church. In addition, Alex reflects personally on navigating vocational change, the challenges of redefining calling outside of traditional ministry roles, and the importance of rooting identity not in titles or platforms, but in who we are in Christ. His story offers encouragement to pastors, ministry leaders, and believers discerning new seasons of calling while remaining faithful to God’s purposes. This episode will resonate with anyone interested in: • Using apologetics as a discipleship and evangelism tool in the local church • Understanding the role and contribution of African-American voices in apologetics • Walking through vocational transition with spiritual clarity and confidence • Finding lasting identity and purpose grounded in God, not role or profession A timely and encouraging conversation for church leaders, educators, and believers seeking to lead faithfully in a changing world. Learn more about Alex McElroy: • https://www.proofforthetruth.org/ • https://www.alexrmcelroy.com/ • https://www.facebook.com/pastoralexmcelroy/ Church Connect Church Connect [https://Church-Connect.com] – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation [https://Tyndale.Foundation], funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. Episode Links: New Living Translation [https://www.regent-college.edu/faculty/hwang-jerry/ ”> Dr. Jerry Hwang

Ancient Languages, Global Transitions & Gospel Scholarship with Dr. Eric Tully

In this week’s episode, host Dan Ehrman sits down with Dr. Eric J. Tully, Director of the PhD in Theological Studies and Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Dr. Tully joins us to explore why ancient languages matter deeply for the life of the local church, not just the academy — from deepening biblical interpretation to enriching preaching and discipleship. We also dive into the significant transition unfolding at TEDS, as the historic seminary prepares to merge with Trinity Western University in Canada — a move that reflects broader shifts in theological education and mission in the 21st century. Dr. Tully shares insights on what this change means for faculty, students, and the global church community. Christian Post+1 Along the way we discuss: • The enduring value of studying the Bible in its original languages — Hebrew, Greek, and the ancient versions — for theological clarity and faithful ministry. Trinity International University • How ancient texts and language study equip pastors and lay leaders for deeper engagement with Scripture. Trinity International University • Dr. Tully’s academic work — including his books on prophetic literature, textual criticism, and biblical interpretation — and how these projects aim to connect rigorous scholarship with the life of the church. Trinity International University • The story behind TEDS’ evolving institutional identity and its future in Canada. Whether you’re a pastor, student, or curious follower of Jesus, this conversation will challenge the way you think about language, Scripture, and the global future of theological education. Church Connect Church Connect [https://Church-Connect.com] – Access trusted resources from leading Christian publishers to strengthen your church. Enjoy everyday bulk discounts of up to 45%, free shipping on orders over $50, and more. Every purchase supports the Tyndale Foundation [https://Tyndale.Foundation], funding Christian ministries and global mission organizations. Episode Links: Dr. Tully LinkedIn [ https://www.tiu.edu/divinity/faculty/eric-j-tully/”> Dr. Eric Tully - TEDS