Trusting God Through the Hardest Seasons // Carrie Leake (Ep. 42)

Trusting God Through the Hardest Seasons // Carrie Leake (Ep. 42)

Pastor Jeff welcomes Carrie Leake, wife of Rolling Hills Student Pastor, Dane Leake, for a heartfelt conversation on this episode of Every Day Matters. Carrie shares a glimpse into their family life, three young kids, a backyard full of chickens, and a home filled with gardening and homeschooling. She also opens up about growing up in a pastor's home and the moment in college when she truly surrendered her life to Christ, setting the foundation for everything that came next. Carrie reflects on two of the hardest seasons of her life. Just weeks after she and Dane got engaged, her father was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer. She moved home to help care for him, leaning on Psalm 42 as her lifeline through his decline and eventual passing. Years later, she and Dane walked through his battle with severe depression, a season that stripped away their plans and forced them to trust God with Dane's healing above their calling to ministry. Through it all, Carrie learned that God's past faithfulness fuels our hope for the future. Now on the other side of both seasons, Carrie and Dane have rebuilt their family rhythms around Sabbath, healthy boundaries, and deep community. Her encouragement is simple: stay rooted in God's word, and don't be afraid to invite others into your hardest moments. Because when we live surrendered, every day really does matter. --  Resources from the episode: Rolling Hills Community Church [https://rollinghills.church/]

Faith, Service, and Hope for America // Pat Moore (Ep. 41)

In this episode of Every Day Matters, Pastor Jeff sits down with longtime friend, decorated Air Force pilot, and financial advisor, Pat Moore, for a conversation about a lifetime of faith. Pat shares how he came to know Christ as a young boy and how his faith deepened through marriage, military service, and the influence of mentors and community. Then, in his early fifties, an unexpected encounter with The Purpose Driven Life challenged him to surrender a longtime struggle and embrace God's purpose in a new way. Pat reflects on his years flying F-106 fighter jets, sharing the near misses and high-stakes moments that strengthened his trust in God's protection. Rather than looking for God only ahead, he learned to see His faithfulness in the "rearview mirror" and "side windows"—recognizing His presence in every season. That perspective carried him from the cockpit into a career in financial planning and eventually into full-time evangelism, fueled by a passion to share the peace only Jesus can give. Now in his seventies, Pat co-founded Hope for America, a digital evangelism ministry that uses online advertising to connect with people searching for hope in the midst of loneliness, anxiety, grief, and more. The ministry has generated more than 1.5 million impressions and helped lead hundreds of thousands of people to pray to receive Christ. Pat's story is a powerful reminder that God never stops calling us, and that every day is an opportunity to point someone to Jesus. --  Resources from the episode: Rolling Hills Community Church [https://rollinghills.church/] Purpose Driven Life [https://www.amazon.com/Purpose-Driven-Life-Rick-Warren/dp/0310205719] by Rick Warren Hope 4 America [https://hope4america.us/]

Faith Built from the Ground Up // Eric Rojas (Ep. 40)

Pastor Jeff sits down with Rolling Hills Executive Pastor, Eric Rojas, to discuss the faith that shaped his life. Raised by a single mom in South Elgin, Illinois, Eric faced financial hardship and an absent father, but his mother introduced him to Jesus, a foundation that would guide his life and ministry. Eric shares how a college rededication led to a clear call to ministry and how he and his wife, Rachel, intentionally discipled their three children through everyday moments. Now a grandfather of seven, he reflects on the joy of seeing generations of his family walking with the Lord. He also opens up about a difficult season marked by chronic pain, multiple back surgeries, and depression. Through prayer, biblical counsel, and the support of his wife, Eric experienced God's faithfulness in the darkness. His story is a powerful reminder that surrender to Christ matters in every season of life. --  Resources from the episode: Rolling Hills Community Church [https://rollinghills.church] Care & Counseling Ministry [https://rollinghills.church/ministries/care-and-counseling/] Serve at Rolling Hills [https://rollinghills.church/ways-to-connect/#serve] Join A Group [https://rollinghills.church/ways-to-connect/#find-a-group] Watch Online [https://www.youtube.com/@rollinghillscommunity]  [https://rollinghills.church/ministries/care-and-counseling/]

Living Every Day in the Kingdom of God // Kelly Minter (Ep. 39)

What does it actually look like to follow Jesus in everyday life—not just on Sundays? Pastor Jeff and Kelly Minter explore that question on this episode of Every Day Matters. Kelly shares updates from her life and ministry, including finishing seminary, working on a new Bible study in Acts, and revising her Amazon ministry book. She reflects on how being stretched and supported through different seasons has deepened her conviction that real life is found in surrender and serving others. They also talk through the Gospel of Matthew and how it shows Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament story. Kelly highlights the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ miracles, and the message of the kingdom of heaven, showing how Jesus transforms hearts, not just behavior. Together, they emphasize that God’s kingdom is already breaking in through Jesus as He heals, restores, and calls ordinary people into meaningful purpose. Jeff and Kelly remind listeners that the church is meant for every believer to use their gifts in God’s mission. Whether teaching, serving, encouraging, or simply loving the people in front of us, everyone has a place in the harvest field. With the promise of Jesus’ presence, the invitation is simple: live surrendered, live sent, and trust that every day really does matter. --  Resources from the episode: To pre-order Kelly's new Bible study through the book of Acts, click here [https://www.lifeway.com/en/product/acts-bible-study-book-with-video-access-P005853976] To follow along with our Matthew sermon series, click here [https://rollinghills.church/media/?_topics=the-gospel-of-matthew] Listen to Kelly's sermon in our Matthew sermon series! [https://rollinghills.church/the-gospel-of-matthew-gods-sovereignty-in-jesus/] Click here if you're interested in a Rolling Hills Group [https://rollinghillscommunity.churchcenter.com/pages/groups-page-for-nav/] Learn more about Rolling Hills Community Church [https://rollinghills.church/]

Friendship, Faith, and Everyday Discipleship // Wayne Williams (Ep. 38)

In this episode of Every Day Matters, Pastor Jeff talks with his longtime friend and college roommate, Wayne Williams, a pastor in Waco, Texas. Wayne shares how his faith began at Baylor University through the influence of Christ-centered friendships and a personal moment of surrender to Jesus. That decision reshaped his future, leading him into ministry and a lifelong commitment to following God in everyday life. Jeff and Wayne reflect on how relationships shape who we become. Marriage, friendship, and family all grow through intentional connection and shared faith. Wayne shares about his marriage to Beth, their shared values, and the joy of watching their children walk with the Lord. Both highlight how community and spiritual friendship are not optional but essential to a life of faith. They also discuss the church as a spiritual family where people are formed and sent out. From Renew Church in Waco to everyday friendships, the message is clear: we become like the people we walk with, and walking with Jesus leads to a fuller, more grounded life. Because when we live surrendered, every day really does matter. --  Resources from the episode: Learn more about Rolling Hills Community Church [https://rollinghills.church/]