Finding Hope in the Hard: Eric Palmer on Identity in Christ and Reaching the Next Generation

Marriage, Ministry, and the Power of a Shared Calling - Part 2 (with Melissa Wayne)

In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Pastor Luke Bilberry sits down with Melissa Wayne for an honest and encouraging conversation about faith, business, marriage, leadership, and raising a family while staying centered on Christ. Melissa shares her journey from working in marketing and corporate business to becoming a business owner, consultant, COO, and licensed residential builder — all while serving alongside her husband in ministry and raising four kids. Together, they unpack the tension of balancing calling, work, and family life, what it means to lead with humility and servant-heartedness, and how faith shapes the way we navigate pressure, leadership, and success. They also discuss the importance of intentional living, creating margin for spiritual conversations at home, leading in high-pressure environments without chaos, and why “faithfulness is the reward” in both ministry and the marketplace. Whether you’re leading a business, serving in ministry, raising a family, or simply trying to follow Jesus faithfully in a busy world, this episode will encourage you to trust God’s plan, steward your gifts well, and live with purpose wherever He has placed you. In this episode, you’ll learn: *  How to follow Jesus faithfully in the marketplace  *  Why servant leadership matters in business and ministry  *  How Melissa balances leadership, family, and faith  *  What it looks like to lead with peace instead of chaos  *  Why intentionality is essential in parenting and marriage  *  How to trust God when your plans and dreams change  *  The importance of building margin for spiritual conversations  *  Why faithfulness matters more than platform or success  *  How to navigate pressure and responsibility with a biblical perspective  *  What it means to use your gifts and career for the Kingdom of God Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ [https://bethechurch.org/podcast/] Leave a Review and Subscribe * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1lB8pnN6bhexbvj5KRGTRq] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-church-with-joel-wayne/id1845408311] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI] Connect With Us * Website: https://bethechurch.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGVpUEJxMnM4ZFdZR2Z3QUxhQjhFc2paYXJRQXxBQ3Jtc0ttYkxmYUlhaHpzandSNThXUEoyT2YxQ3o4M3ZqejZGdERCSFNLUFJGUEU0VFdXMW44WXFLbWxWbTBZbU1DWGFaRGIydWczaG5DSnlhVlc0cHZlei02UGNvR3JuZHVVdTJnY3lqS3ZQQk12bmZBY3dZOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbethechurch.org%2F&v=JX0e5yF_sM8] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI]

Marriage, Ministry, and the Power of a Shared Calling - Part 1 (with Melissa Wayne)

In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Pastor Luke Bilberry sits down with Pastor Joel Wayne and his wife, Melissa Wayne, for an honest, heartfelt conversation about marriage, ministry, sacrifice, and the refining work of God through every season of life. Together, they unpack the realities of serving in ministry as a married couple—from criticism, unmet expectations, and difficult transitions to the beauty of shared calling, mutual encouragement, and spiritual growth through surrender. Melissa shares candidly about stepping outside her comfort zone, navigating seasons of brokenness, and learning to embrace God’s plan even when it looked far different than what she imagined for her life. From the challenges of being a pastor’s wife to the importance of speaking life into your spouse, this episode offers practical wisdom and gospel-centered encouragement for couples, parents, ministry leaders, and anyone seeking to faithfully follow Jesus in the everyday moments of life. What you’ll learn: *  Why a shared calling is essential for navigating marriage and ministry together  *  How criticism, preferences, and expectations can challenge ministry families  *  The importance of prioritizing Christ, marriage, and family in the right order  *  What it looks like to move from striving for self to fully relying on Christ  *  How God uses hard seasons, transitions, and brokenness to refine and strengthen us  *  Why words of encouragement and affirmation deeply matter in marriage  *  How healthy marriages sharpen, strengthen, and sanctify both spouses  *  Practical encouragement for young moms and wives navigating exhausting seasons  *  Why obedience often requires stepping outside your comfort zone  *  The danger of prioritizing success, ministry, or achievement over serving your spouse  *  How surrender and faithfulness can lead to lasting spiritual impact and transformation  *  Why embracing the season God has you in can change everything Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ [https://bethechurch.org/podcast/] Leave a Review and Subscribe * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1lB8pnN6bhexbvj5KRGTRq] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-church-with-joel-wayne/id1845408311] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI] Connect With Us * Website: https://bethechurch.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGVpUEJxMnM4ZFdZR2Z3QUxhQjhFc2paYXJRQXxBQ3Jtc0ttYkxmYUlhaHpzandSNThXUEoyT2YxQ3o4M3ZqejZGdERCSFNLUFJGUEU0VFdXMW44WXFLbWxWbTBZbU1DWGFaRGIydWczaG5DSnlhVlc0cHZlei02UGNvR3JuZHVVdTJnY3lqS3ZQQk12bmZBY3dZOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbethechurch.org%2F&v=JX0e5yF_sM8] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI]

Leading Through Crisis: How to Stay Faithful When Life Gets Hard

In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Pastor Luke Bilberry sits down with Pastor Joel for an honest, Scripture-rooted conversation on what it means to lead through hardship, crisis, and seasons of deep difficulty without losing sight of Jesus. Together, they unpack how spiritual leaders can navigate suffering with integrity, gratitude, and a deep dependence on God rather than falling into self-reliance, distraction, or the pressure to “fix” everything themselves. Through personal stories, biblical wisdom, and practical leadership insights, they explore how hardship often exposes the true condition of our hearts—and how God uses those moments to shape us into faithful leaders. From battling cynicism and unhealthy coping mechanisms to learning the difference between building something and simply being with Jesus, this episode challenges listeners to pursue spiritual leadership rooted in abiding with Christ, not performance or control. What you’ll learn: *  Why trials and hardship are unavoidable parts of spiritual leadership  *  How “keeping yourself clean” spiritually prepares you to endure difficult seasons  *  The danger of treating symptoms instead of addressing root heart issues  *  Why staying focused on Jesus changes how you navigate crisis and conflict  *  The connection between gratitude and spiritual health during suffering  *  How grumbling, bitterness, and cynicism quietly erode spiritual leadership  *  Why many leaders idolize fixing problems—and how surrender changes everything  *  The difference between building something for God and simply being with Him  *  How authentic community and friendship help leaders endure hardship faithfully  *  Why spiritual leadership was never meant to be carried alone  *  Practical ways to lead through crisis with integrity, humility, and dependence on Christ  *  How getting a clearer view of Jesus transforms your perspective in hard seasons Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ [https://bethechurch.org/podcast/] Leave a Review and Subscribe * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1lB8pnN6bhexbvj5KRGTRq] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-church-with-joel-wayne/id1845408311] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI] Connect With Us * Website: https://bethechurch.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGVpUEJxMnM4ZFdZR2Z3QUxhQjhFc2paYXJRQXxBQ3Jtc0ttYkxmYUlhaHpzandSNThXUEoyT2YxQ3o4M3ZqejZGdERCSFNLUFJGUEU0VFdXMW44WXFLbWxWbTBZbU1DWGFaRGIydWczaG5DSnlhVlc0cHZlei02UGNvR3JuZHVVdTJnY3lqS3ZQQk12bmZBY3dZOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbethechurch.org%2F&v=JX0e5yF_sM8] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI]

The Cost of Distraction: Living a Disciplined Life in a Distracted World (with Tyler Perrott)

In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Pastor Luke Bilberry sits down with Pastor Tyler Perrott and Pastor Joel for a practical, Scripture-rooted conversation on discipline, distraction, and what it really means to live a spiritually focused life in a distracted world. Together, they unpack how modern technology and constant urgency are quietly shaping us into spiritually fragmented people, why discipline often drifts from faithfulness into control, and how true discipleship is built through intentional, relational investment with God and others. From the tension between physical and spiritual discipline to the everyday challenge of leading our families well, this episode calls leaders to move beyond information and into transformation—choosing presence over distraction and surrender over control. What you’ll learn: * Why distraction is one of the greatest barriers to spiritual growth today * How discipline can shift from self-control to unhealthy control—and how to correct it * Why relationships (with God and others) are at the center of true discipleship * The connection between distraction, lack of discipline, and feeling like you don’t have enough time * How to pursue spiritual discipline without falling into perfectionism or performance * Practical ways to lead your family with intentional, consistent spiritual investment * Why progress—not perfection—is the goal of a faithful, disciplined life * How surrender, not control, leads to bold faith and lasting transformation Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ [https://bethechurch.org/podcast/] Leave a Review and Subscribe * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1lB8pnN6bhexbvj5KRGTRq] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-church-with-joel-wayne/id1845408311] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI] Connect With Us * Website: https://bethechurch.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGVpUEJxMnM4ZFdZR2Z3QUxhQjhFc2paYXJRQXxBQ3Jtc0ttYkxmYUlhaHpzandSNThXUEoyT2YxQ3o4M3ZqejZGdERCSFNLUFJGUEU0VFdXMW44WXFLbWxWbTBZbU1DWGFaRGIydWczaG5DSnlhVlc0cHZlei02UGNvR3JuZHVVdTJnY3lqS3ZQQk12bmZBY3dZOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbethechurch.org%2F&v=JX0e5yF_sM8] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI]

Finding Hope in the Hard: Eric Palmer on Identity in Christ and Reaching the Next Generation

In this episode of the Be The Church Podcast, Pastor Luke and Pastor Joel sit down with Eric Palmer for a powerful conversation on identity, resilience, and what it means to lead from a place of being fully known and loved by God. Eric shares his deeply personal story of loss, redemption, and the defining truth that now anchors his life: “hope in spite of.” From losing both parents at a young age to wrestling with identity, purpose, and calling, his journey reveals how the goodness of God is not found in the absence of hardship—but in His faithful presence through it. They also explore the heart of the next generation—why young adults are desperate for authenticity, hungry for truth, and longing for spiritual leaders who are both honest and anchored in Scripture. This episode is both a story of God’s redeeming work and a call to lead others from a place of a deep, abiding relationship with Him. What you’ll learn: * Why your identity must be rooted in being loved by God—not your past, performance, or pain * How to reframe your story through the lens of “hope in spite of” and see God’s goodness in every season * The danger of building your identity around ministry instead of intimacy with Christ * Why abiding in Jesus (John 15) is essential for lasting fruit and spiritual leadership * What today’s young adults are looking for: authenticity, truth, and spiritual family * How to lead others through hardship with both compassion and a clear vision of future hope * Practical ways to cultivate resilience and a deeper relationship with God in your everyday life Get each episode to your inbox -> https://bethechurch.org/podcast/ [https://bethechurch.org/podcast/] Leave a Review and Subscribe * Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1lB8pnN6bhexbvj5KRGTRq] * Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-the-church-with-joel-wayne/id1845408311] * YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI] Connect With Us * Website: https://bethechurch.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGVpUEJxMnM4ZFdZR2Z3QUxhQjhFc2paYXJRQXxBQ3Jtc0ttYkxmYUlhaHpzandSNThXUEoyT2YxQ3o4M3ZqejZGdERCSFNLUFJGUEU0VFdXMW44WXFLbWxWbTBZbU1DWGFaRGIydWczaG5DSnlhVlc0cHZlei02UGNvR3JuZHVVdTJnY3lqS3ZQQk12bmZBY3dZOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbethechurch.org%2F&v=JX0e5yF_sM8] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/ [https://www.instagram.com/bethechurchmi/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI [https://www.youtube.com/@BeTheChurchMI]