Inside Redemption

Very fun episode today! We are literally… switching things up. Inside Redemption’s very own host is instead the guest today. Luke Simmons is being interviewed by Aaron Dailey (Redemption Alhambra). Luke is the Lead Pastor of Redemption Gateway. He also wears a few hats in helping to lead Redemption Arizona. So much of Redemption’s culture is bred from genuine friendships between leaders - and that’s exactly what you’ll hear in this interview. Also happens to be one our funniest episodes yet. During this episode we talk about: * his family, upbringing, and church background * meeting Tyler Johnson in high school * coming to faith in Jesus * the significant role sports played in his life, faith, and family * the transition from pursuing professional baseball to working in ministry * his wife, Molly, and their four kids - and his favorite things about them * being a part of East Valley Bible Church (now Redemption Gilbert) and their Training Center * planting Second Mile (now Redemption Gateway) * the beginning of Redemption Church Arizona * his favorite things about Redemption Gateway * why are we doing “this Redemption thing”? why are we better together?

Today we’re joined by the Redemption Arcadia Worship Team: Tyler Thompson (Pastor of Communities and Worship) Caleb Wiseman (Worship Director) Malia Rodgers (Worship Director) In August 2021, the worship staff from Redemption Arcadia began writing songs together. Through this process Arcadia Worship was formed as they experienced the Lord moving in these songs even as they were being written and recorded. Their debut album will release this year and is intended to capture what God has done specifically at Redemption Arcadia through this season. You can find their first singles on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/0cL2qm2ONaZOyd5f7I35eD?si=H3rUT-95Q-2AqciuJqFwQg] or Apple. [https://music.apple.com/us/artist/arcadia-worship/1540448618] During this episode we talk about: * tensions between contemporary worship music and church traditions around music * the beauty of differences on worship team * different ways to gauge a “successful” Sunday when it comes to worship * what makes a good song? * the process of writing a good song * should worship music sound like the popular music in culture?

Today we’re talking to Josh Watt, the Lead Pastor of Redemption North Mountain. Watt was the Next Generation pastor at Redemption Gateway and planted Redemption North Mountain which launched January 2021. During this episode we talk about: * growing up in Arizona * the spiritual temperature of his childhood home * finding out he’s adopted and being told the Gospel by his birth mom * how his parents’ divorce shaped him * Grand Canyon University, Baylor University and being a teacher * meeting his wife, Aubrey, at college group at Redemption Gilbert (formerly East Valley Bible Church) * his transition from being a math teacher to a pastor including moving from Texas back to Arizona * leading students at Redemption Gateway and somehow convincing new volunteers to commit to student ministry for seven years * starting the process of planting the next Redemption congregation * how the decision to plant in North Phoenix came to be * planting a church at the start of the 2020 pandemic * what has been hard, surprising and good about church planting

Today’s guest is Sandy. He is the Director of Pastoral Care for Redemption Church. He functions as a “pastor to the pastors” to give - especially Lead Pastors - support and encouragement. He has a long history pastoring in Arizona and the “scars” to prove it. We’re very thankful for the ways he uses his wisdom to bless Redemption. During this episode we talk about: * being an Arizona native * growing up the oldest of four boys in a complicated family * growing up Lutheran and meeting Jesus at Arizona State University * going all in on Jesus in college and his girlfriend (now wife) becoming a Christian too * working for YoungLife, going to seminary and becoming a Youth Pastor * leading a church in Pennsylvania * the challenges of being a young lead pastor of a fast growing church * planting Desert View (with Scottsdale Bible Church) * his role in Redemption - “being a pastor to pastors” * what encourages him about this generation of Church leaders - and what concerns him * what’s fun about his ministry right now

Today’s guest is Kiersten Traina. She is a part of the central operation team as the Director of Foster Care, Kinship and Adoption for Redemption Church. Every other year, all ten congregations include Foster Care, Kinship and Adoption ministry as a part of their Christmas offering. In this episode, we talk about how this ministry is a long-standing part of Redemption's vision and DNA. During this episode we talk about: * growing up in Montana * her dad’s work ethic and support and how it shaped her * how having a stable, loving family prepared her to work in foster care * the funeral that introduced her to East Valley Bible Church (Redemption Gilbert) * her and her husband (a chef) opening and owning Liberty Market in Gilbert * is Liberty Market a “christian restaurant”? * how she semi-accidentally became the Director of Foster Care, Kinship & Adoption at Redemption * a snapshot of Foster Care, Kinship & Adoption ministry - support groups, orientations, trainings * Is there a typical foster care situation? * the many ways you can be involved in supporting families besides fostering a child