The Joy Factor

From the Frontlines: Reflections on my time in South Sudan | Pastor Cary Duckett

Today on The Joy Factor, Christie Garland is joined by Pastor Cary Duckett to conclude our series “Stories Of Grace.”  In this episode, Pastor Cary discusses his recent mission trip to South Sudan with Ancient Promise International.  Cary shares his experiences training local pastors who lack access to formal biblical education, highlighting the challenges they face and shares about the ministry of Pastor Tobias who will continue their mentorship now. Cary shares some of the memorable moment from his time there, the cultural differences and some of the lessons he learned, as well as his hopes for the future of the church in South Sudan.  Tune in to learn about the resilience of these communities and how Cary's efforts are fostering spiritual growth and leadership in a region in need.  This is a powerful episode that you don’t want to miss! Thank you, Grace Bible Church, for your support of the pastors and making this mission possible!

Finding Financial Freedom | Ray & Dawn Durkee

Today on The Joy Factor, Christie Garland is joined by Ray and Dawn Durkee to continue in our series “Stories Of Grace.”  These episodes are testimonies of God’s goodness in the lives of people in and around Grace Bible Church, often with practical advice to help anyone who is experiencing similar things. Ray and Dawn come from very different backgrounds but after marrying, realized that they needed to fix things in their own life to avoid bankruptcy. In this inspiring episode they share their journey to financial freedom after paying off over $120,000 in non-mortgage debt.  The Durkee’s are passionate about empowering others to achieve similar goals, offering actionable tips and motivation to help you take control of your finances.  This is a helpful and practical episode that you don’t want to miss! If you have any questions or comments regarding this episode, please email us at thejoyfactor@gbcakron.org

Overcoming an Eating Disorder | Megan Fisher

Today on The Joy Factor, Christie Garland is joined by Megan Fisher to continue in our series “Stories Of Grace.” These episodes are testimonies of God’s goodness in the lives of people in and around Grace Bible Church, often with practical advice to help anyone who is experiencing similar things. In today’s episode, Megan shares her journey of overcoming an eating disorder. She opens up about how her spiral started and what her recovery process looked like, and offers hope, encouragement and practical advice for anyone who may be struggling with the same thing. Whether you're personally battling an eating disorder, know someone who is, or simply want to better understand this complex issue from a faith-based perspective, this episode offers valuable insights, compassion, and a message of hope. Join us as we explore how faith can be a powerful ally in the journey towards healing and self-acceptance. If you have any questions or comments regarding this episode, please email us at thejoyfactor@gbcakron.org

When Christians Let You Down | Stephen Humphreys

Today on The Joy Factor, Christie Garland is joined by Stephen Humphreys to continue in our series “Stories Of Grace.” These episodes are testimonies of God’s goodness in the lives of people in and around Grace Bible Church, often with practical advice to help anyone who is experiencing similar things. In today's episode, Stephen opens up about his painful experiences with other Christians and shares the discouragement and disillusionment he felt. He explains how he reconciled his personal relationship with God in light of his disappointment with other Christians. This is a powerful episode that you don't want to miss! If you have any questions or comments regarding this episode, please email us at thejoyfactor@gbcakron.org

Dealing With Depression | Star Ciptak

Today on The Joy Factor, Christie Garland is joined by Star Ciptak to continue in our series “Stories Of Grace.” These episodes are testimonies of God’s goodness in the lives of people in and around Grace Bible Church, often with practical advice to help anyone who is experiencing similar things. In today’s episode, Star shares how much of her life has been spent battling depression. From being a child without a good relationship with her mom, to joining the marine core, to breaking both of her hips, to postpartum depression, Star's testimony is truly a powerful testament to the fact that God is able to restore us and use our stories to help others. If you have any questions or comments regarding this episode, please email us at thejoyfactor@gbcakron.org