Pursue Holiness

Kimberly Kiefer - Walking with First Responders

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489409/fan_mail/new] Kimberly Kiefer is about to culminate a long journey with Jesus by being ordained in the North Carolina Global Methodist Conference on June 20, 2026. Listen to her story and the unique ways in which God is using her to help the Church better understand the particular needs of first responders and ways to minister to them. She is publishing her first book based on her doctoral thesis on this topic: Walking Life With First Responders: The Church's Vital Role in Ministering to the Law Enforcement Community (available for pre-order now!) and releasing on Kim's ordination day - June 20, 2026. To learn more about Dr. Kiefer's ministry, send email to walkinglifewithfirstresponders@gmail.com [ walkinglifewithfirstresponders@gmail.com].

Holy Leadership: Thanking David Banks for his Ministry

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489409/fan_mail/new] A conference gets built with spreadsheets and meetings, sure, but it only becomes a living body when people listen for God’s voice and obey it. Host Kerry Wood sat down with David Banks, conference superintendent of the North Carolina Global Methodist Conference, as he prepares to move into senior status. He shares the surprising way he felt called into leadership, the moments that made him weep with gratitude, and the friendships that carried a young annual conference through a season of change. We also dig into a Wesleyan vision of what annual conference is supposed to be. David lays out the historic Methodist order that keeps us grounded: revival of the soul first, connection with one another second, then governance and policy. When we get that order right, conference stops feeling like politics and starts feeling like worship, renewal, and mission. We talk about why the local church must remain central in the Global Methodist Church, with conference structures serving congregations instead of competing with them. Then David leaves us with the kind of practical “last words” that are hard to ignore: know your Bible, practice forgiveness and reconciliation, become intentional evangelists, elevate lay ministry as the main work of the kingdom, and bring children back into worship for real intergenerational formation. He also names self-denial as a missing ingredient in church life, not as gloom, but as the freedom to follow Jesus with clarity and courage. Subscribe for more conversations on scriptural holiness, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the podcast. What’s one change you want to see in your church this year?

Episode 9: Christ for ALL, Conversation with Ryan Barnett and Matt Reynolds on Evangelism

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489409/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Pursue Holiness, host Kerry Wood speaks with Ryan Barnett and Matt Reynolds about Christ for ALL: Every Methodist an Evangelist. This book is all about the responsibility, desirability and capability Jesus Christ has given to every one of his followers to share their faith with others. In short, evangelism doesn't need to be scary! And it can't be shunted to only clergy or "the church" as a generic, unaccountable task.  Growing in grace and faith means growing in the willingness to simply tell people about what Jesus has done for us and in us, being intentional in looking for opportunities right in front of us to pray with people, share in their burdens, and offer the hope found only in Jesus. Christ for ALL brings Scripture, culture and practical exercises together in a simple yet comprehensive toolset.  Ryan and Matt share the background of how the book came to be, the results of what this type of faith will bring, and encourage us all to be true disciples of Jesus Christ and Methodists through and through!

Episode 8: Certified Lay Ministry with Steve Wellman

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489409/fan_mail/new] The Certified Lay Ministry (CLM) training in North Carolina is available for anyone who desires to grow deeper in understanding, applying and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. The Rev. Steve Wellman heads up the program for North Carolina and today he joins host Kerry Wood in describing the ministry, offering details of the upcoming course offerings, the challenges and opportunities that come through the CLM program, and more! Find information about the NC GMC CLM program: https://ncglobalmethodist.org/certified-lay-ministry/ [https://ncglobalmethodist.org/certified-lay-ministry/] NC GMC YouTube videos: https://www.youtube.com/@NCGlobalMethodist/playlists [https://www.youtube.com/@NCGlobalMethodist/playlists]

Episode 7: Earl Bradshaw - Christmas Light Show Leads to Jesus as the Light!

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2489409/fan_mail/new] Earl Bradshaw, pastor of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Methodist Church in Mount Pleasant, NC, puts on an award-winning light show at his home every year. In today's episode, we learn more about how he builds a light show with thousands of lights, animations, music and more! Take a break from the Christmas-prep craziness and focus on the real reason for the reason for the season! Find videos of the light show on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/reel/758726206050209]. You can also follow Earl on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/earl.bradshaw.12] to see more videos as he changes out the show weekly!