Fuel For The Harvest: The Forge Podcast Network

Nathan
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Christianity
  • Weekly

Fuel For The Harvest podcast host Nathan, is coming to you from all around the world (here, there, and everywhere) with wild testimonies, tips, and talks. The mission: equipping "ordinary" Christians around the globe to become everyday Kingdom laborers in their harvest fields (Matthew 9:35-38). It's all about living with hearts on fire and lives on purpose! Check Out Our Podcast Page: FuelForTheHarvest.com Contact us at: FuelForTheHarvest@gmail.com Check out more of what we do at: ForgeForward.org

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 312: Laborers, Not Just Leaders (from Missions Pulse with David Joannes)

    This week, I'm sharing a conversation I had as a guest on David Joannes' Missions Pulse podcast. David and I sat down in Chiang Mai, Thailand to talk about something simple: Jesus didn't ask us to pray for more leaders. He asked for laborers. I share how a shy, socially anxious kid who dreamed of being an engineer surrendered his plans, met Jesus on the floor of his bedroom closet, and later learned the difference between wanting what God does for you and wanting God himself. From there, David and I talk about: why so many ordinary believers think they aren't "special enough" for God to usehow one WhatsApp call with three men in South Sudan grew into thousands of new believersthe 3.28 billion people with little or no access to the gospelwhat Jesus might affirm and confront in the average church todayIf you've ever felt stuck, unqualified, or too awkward to share your faith, this one's for you. Thank you to David and Missions Pulse for letting me share this episode here. Learn more about Forge at forgeforward.org, and check out Missions Pulse at missionspulse.com. (This Episode can be found at: https://davidjoannes.com/112nathanburd/)

    Episode 312: Laborers, Not Just Leaders (from Missions Pulse with David Joannes)

  2. Oct 20

    Episode 311: Barnabas - The Most Important New Testament Character No One Talks About

    He sold his land, gave away the money, vouched for a former persecutor of the church, and stepped aside so someone else could lead. Meet Barnabas — the most underrated man in the New Testament.In part two of this character study series, host Nathan and Forge Speaker Santiago Fuentes continue where last week's episode on John Mark left off, this time turning to the man behind the transformation: Barnabas, the "son of encouragement."Tracing his story from Acts 4 through Galatians 2, Santiago and Nathan uncover:✅ Why Barnabas, as a Levite, likely owned land in Cyprus — and the fascinating theory that it may have contained a copper mine✅ What his radical generosity reveals about a heart transformed by Jesus✅ How Barnabas was the only one willing to vouch for Saul (later Paul) when the entire church was terrified of him✅ How he led the Gentile church in Antioch and personally sought Paul out to disciple alongside him✅ Why Barnabas willingly stepped back and let Paul become the more prominent leader✅ The surprising moment Barnabas got swept up in Peter's hypocrisy in Galatians 2 — and why the Bible doesn't hide it✅ How his investment in both Paul and John Mark helped give the church a huge portion of the New TestamentThis episode is a powerful reminder that behind many of Scripture's biggest names is someone who chose to encourage, invest, and get out of the way — and that even flawed, ordinary people can carry the character of Jesus in remarkable ways.🔔 Subscribe to Fuel for the Harvest for more in-depth Bible character studies and conversations on following Jesus in the real world.Note: This episode builds directly on last week's study of John Mark — we recommend watching that one first for full context.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro1:17 – Meet Barnabas: son of encouragement2:47 – Acts 4: Barnabas the Levite from Cyprus6:12 – Numbers 18:20 and the mystery of his land7:37 – The copper mine theory10:05 – Was Barnabas already known for generosity before this gift?17:12 – Christian life is about pursuing Jesus, not character traits18:23 – Barnabas vouches for Saul when no one else would22:10 – Sent to Antioch: "he saw the grace of God and was glad"26:51 – Searching for Saul in Tarsus30:56 – Set apart for the first missionary journey33:59 – Called Jupiter: the humility of stepping back36:11 – The split over John Mark (recap from last episode)39:07 – Galatians 2: Barnabas led astray by Peter's hypocrisy42:08 – Closing encouragement: God is the true restorer#FuelForTheHarvest #BibleStudy #Barnabas #BookOfActs #ApostlePaul #JohnMark #ChristianPodcast #BibleCharacterStudy #SonOfEncouragement #GospelOfMark

    Episode 311: Barnabas - The Most Important New Testament Character No One Talks About

  3. Oct 13

    Episode 310: John Mark - The Deserter Who Became A Gospel Writer

    He abandoned Paul and Barnabas mid-mission trip. Decades later, Paul's dying wish was to see him one more time. This is the story of John Mark.In this episode of Fuel for the Harvest, host Nathan sits down with Bible teacher and Forge speaker Santiago Fuentes for a deep character study on John Mark — the young assistant who deserted Paul's first missionary journey, caused a rift so sharp it split Paul and Barnabas apart, and yet went on to become a trusted coworker, a source of comfort to Paul in prison, and the author of the Gospel of Mark.Tracing John Mark's story from Acts 12 all the way through 2 Timothy and 1 Peter, Santiago and Nathan unpack:✅ The fascinating theory linking John Mark's mother's house to the Upper Room of the Last Supper✅ What it meant for John Mark to serve as a "hyperetes" (assistant) — and why humble, behind-the-scenes service matters in the Kingdom✅ The real story behind why John Mark deserted the mission trip in Pamphylia✅ The heated disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over giving him a second chance✅ Why Barnabas, the "son of encouragement," is one of the most Christ-like figures in Scripture✅ How John Mark's reputation transformed from "deserter" to a man Paul called "useful to me in the ministry"✅ What this 2,000-year-old story teaches us about restoration, patience, and not writing people offThis conversation is a powerful reminder that Bible characters weren't superheroes — they were ordinary people navigating failure, conflict, and grace, just like us. And it shows that no failure is final when God is writing the story.🔔 Subscribe to Fuel for the Harvest for more in-depth Bible character studies and conversations on following Jesus in the real world.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro1:17 – Meet John Mark: the character study begins3:03 – Acts 12: Peter's rescue and the house of Mary5:56 – Was this the house of the Last Supper?11:00 – John Mark's name meaning: mercy and "hammer"13:31 – A mother's sacrifice: her house, then her son15:00 – Serving as an "assistant" (hyperetes) on the mission field21:22 – Chapter 13: John Mark deserts the mission27:24 – Why did he really turn back?30:00 – The heated dispute between Paul and Barnabas37:51 – Barnabas: the "son of encouragement"47:33 – Was the relationship really broken forever?52:33 – Colossians 4:10 — Mark, a "comfort" to Paul58:43 – Philemon and 2 Timothy: "Bring Mark, for he is useful"1:02:00 – 1 Peter 5:13 — "Mark, my son"1:04:03 – Closing thoughts: it's not about being like John Mark, but like Jesus#FuelForTheHarvest #BibleStudy #JohnMark #BookOfActs #ApostlePaul #Barnabas #ChristianPodcast #BibleCharacterStudy #Redemption #GospelOfMark

    Episode 310: John Mark - The Deserter Who Became A Gospel Writer

  4. Oct 6

    Episode 309: A Survivor's Story of Hope After Tragedy - Finding God In Hardship

    Where is God when life falls apart? What do you do in the middle of the "little while" — that unbearable waiting between the pain and the promise?In this deeply moving episode of Fuel for the Harvest, host Nathan sits down with his friend and Forge teammate Justin Davis — filmmaker, storyteller, and survivor of the 2012 Aurora, Colorado theater shooting — to wrestle honestly with suffering, waiting, and where God actually is in the midst of it.Walking through John 16 and the story of Job, Justin and Nathan unpack why Scripture is so consistent about God's presence in pain, even when it doesn't make sense in the moment. Then Justin shares his own raw, personal story: surviving the Aurora shooting at 16 years old, the years of depression, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts that followed — and the exact moment Jesus met him in the darkest place of his life.You'll hear:✅ What Jesus meant by "a little while" — and why every believer eventually lives in that in-between space✅ How Job's suffering became the very thing that brought him face-to-face with God✅ Justin's testimony of surviving the Aurora theater shooting and the still, small voice that changed everything✅ How his own pain later became the exact comfort another young survivor needed✅ Practical, honest encouragement for anyone in the middle of a hard season right now✅ Why "the only way through suffering is to go through it" — and how God delivers us through our affliction, not around itThis conversation doesn't offer easy answers — it offers something better: the truth that Jesus is present, near, and at work even when everything feels uncertain.🔔 Subscribe to Fuel for the Harvest for more honest conversations about faith, mission, and following Jesus in the real world.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro1:24 – Today's question: where is God in our suffering?1:54 – Meet Justin Davis: storytelling, film, and Forge4:33 – John 16 and the disciples' confusion about "a little while"6:59 – Job's suffering and his questions to God10:59 – Getting "tunnel vision" in pain14:00 – Job 9:33 — the cry for a mediator16:26 – Jesus as the mediator Job was longing for18:01 – Justin's testimony: surviving the Aurora theater shooting21:00 – Meeting Colton: comforting others with the comfort we've received23:01 – 2 Corinthians 1: suffering that becomes ministry to others24:33 – Encouragement for those in the middle of the pain29:56 – Knowing about God vs. actually knowing Him33:59 – Job 36:15 — delivered through our affliction36:47 – Closing encouragement#FuelForTheHarvest #ChristianPodcast #Suffering #JohnGospel #BookOfJob #AuroraTheaterShooting #Testimony #FaithAndTrauma #ChristianEncouragement #PTSDRecovery⚠️ Sensitive content note: This episode includes discussion of suicidal thoughts and gun violence.

    Episode 309: A Survivor's Story of Hope After Tragedy - Finding God In Hardship

  5. Sep 29

    Episode 308: Inside The Horn - The Stories of Christians in the World's 2nd Most Dangerous Country

    What does it actually cost to follow Jesus in the world's second most dangerous country to be a Christian?In this powerful and rare episode of Fuel for the Harvest, host Nathan sits down with Warfa, FORGE's ambassador in Somalia (face concealed for his protection), for an unfiltered look at what life and ministry look like on the ground in one of the most hostile places on earth for believers.Warfa shares the real history behind Somalia's decades of civil war, the rise of Al-Shabaab, and how the country's identity became inseparable from Islam — plus astonishing evidence that Christianity may have existed there long before Islam ever arrived.But this episode isn't just about danger — it's about hope. You'll hear:✅ Why Somalia ranks #2 on the world's most dangerous countries to be a Christian (just behind North Korea)✅ The incredible story of a widow who now leads multiple underground fellowships despite immense loss✅ How "rehabilitation centers" are used to torture young believers back into Islam — and a current, ongoing story of a brother in that exact situation✅ How a simple act of listening saved one man from suicide and another from joining a terrorist group✅ Creative, Spirit-led ways believers are gathering safely to worship and grow✅ Practical ways YOU can pray for and support the underground church in SomaliaThis is a raw, real, and deeply moving conversation about what it means to follow Jesus when it could cost you everything — and why the light of the gospel shines brightest in the darkest places.🙏 How you can help:Pray for protection, provision, and open doors for the gospel in SomaliaGive directly to support believers on the ground at forgeforward.org → Give Now → Support a Ministry Initiative → Ambassador Somalia Fund (100% goes directly to the mission)🔔 Subscribe to Fuel for the Harvest for more stories of what God is doing around the world.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro & meeting Warfa1:18 – Life and ministry in Somalia3:37 – Somalia's civil war, Al-Shabaab, and political chaos9:09 – Why the international community is pulling out10:26 – Somalia: the #2 most dangerous country to be a Christian12:02 – Ancient evidence of Christianity in Somali history16:49 – Stories of transformation among widows and outcasts23:02 – Rehabilitation centers: torture for turning to Christ28:10 – A life saved from suicide through one act of listening31:41 – A life saved from joining a terrorist organization38:00 – How to pray and give#FuelForTheHarvest #Somalia #Persecution #ChristianPodcast #Missions #OpenDoors #WorldWatchList #FORGE #FaithUnderFire #GreatCommission

    Episode 308: Inside The Horn - The Stories of Christians in the World's 2nd Most Dangerous Country

  6. Sep 22

    Episode 307: The Language of Heaven - Why Encouragement & Exhortation Change Everything

    What is the "language of heaven," and how do we speak it fluently in our everyday lives?In this episode of Fuel for the Harvest, host Nathan sits down with pastor, speaker, and Forge team member Paul Epperson to unpack the biblical practice of encouragement and exhortation — straight from Hebrews 3. Paul shares why he believes this is not just a "nice to have," but the actual need of the hour for the church in a culture saturated with negativity.Together they dig into:✅ The real biblical difference between encouragement and exhortation✅ Why true encouragement is more than "seeing the gold" in someone — it can also mean a loving, hard truth✅ How to encourage the people closest to you (spouse, kids, best friends) when it feels hardest✅ The "30-second rule" — a simple, practical habit to build daily encouragement into your life✅ Why staying rooted in Jesus is the only way this becomes sustainable, not performative✅ A powerful illustration about a 100K race that shows the power of the right words at the right timeWhether you're a parent, a leader, a friend, or just someone who wants to grow in speaking life over others, this conversation will equip you to become a vessel of the Holy Spirit's encouragement — starting today.🔔 Subscribe for more episodes of Fuel for the Harvest, where we equip everyday believers to live on mission for Jesus.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro1:16 – What is the language of heaven?2:07 – Hebrews 3 and the need of the hour3:23 – Encouragement vs. correction — where's the line?5:14 – More than "seeing gold": encouragement as loving rebuke9:34 – Encouraging the people closest to you13:14 – Removing the log before the splinter18:32 – Practical habits: prayer, scripture, and the 30-second rule22:35 – Staying connected to the root: why fake fruit doesn't last25:38 – The 100K race illustration#FuelForTheHarvest #ChristianPodcast #Encouragement #Hebrews3 #Exhortation #ChristianLiving #Discipleship #BiblicalEncouragement #FaithPodcast #PaulEpperson

    Episode 307: The Language of Heaven - Why Encouragement & Exhortation Change Everything

  7. Sep 15

    Episode 306: Christ-Haunted, Not Christ-Hungry - How Familiarity Kills Faith

    Why does living in a "Christian" culture sometimes make it HARDER to actually hunger for Jesus?In this episode of Fuel for the Harvest, host Nathan sits down with pastor and Forge speaker Chris Prather to unpack a phrase from writer Flannery O'Connor: the South (and much of American culture) isn't "Christ-centered" — it's "Christ-haunted." Jesus is everywhere — on billboards, in hotel drawers, woven into politics and small talk — but that overexposure can leave us inoculated against ever truly encountering Him.Chris shares the conversation that changed how he pastors, the story of the woman who touched Jesus's garment in a crowd of people all "touching" Him but not seeking Him, and three practical postures — fasting, denial, and community — for cultivating real desperation for God in a culture that's overfamiliar with Him.🔑 In this episode:0:00 – Intro2:01 – Growing up in the "buckle of the Bible Belt"5:04 – Why planting a church in LA is "a dumb thing to do" (and why that's the point)9:06 – Is Denver more like LA or Mississippi?12:03 – Flannery O'Connor's idea of a "Christ-haunted" culture15:01 – The woman who touched Jesus's garment: touching vs. reaching for healing21:02 – Trading intimacy with God for sermons, podcasts, and social gatherings25:25 – Building hunger for Jesus: fasting, denial, and community26:00 – The "snack before supper" analogy34:00 – Denying yourself: Dallas Willard's challenge to the church37:44 – Acts 1:8 and what it really means to be a "witness" (martys)41:21 – Closing thoughtsWhether you grew up in a place where "everyone" goes to church or in a post-Christian city where almost no one does, this episode will challenge you to move from familiarity with Jesus to real hunger for Him.🎙️ Guest: Chris Prather, pastor and Forge speaker🎧 Host: Nathan👉 Subscribe for more episodes of Fuel for the Harvest, where we equip everyday believers to become laborers in God's harvest.#FuelForTheHarvest #ChristianPodcast #Discipleship #Fasting #SpiritualHunger #ChrisPrather #BibleBelt #FlanneryOConnor #Acts1_8 #ChurchCulture #Christianity #FaithPodcast

    Episode 306: Christ-Haunted, Not Christ-Hungry - How Familiarity Kills Faith

  8. Sep 8

    Episode 305: Thirty-Three Unreached People Groups - Reports of Reaching South Asia’s Hidden Villages

    What does it look like when the book of Acts happens again, right now, in 2026? In this episode of Fuel for the Harvest, Nathan talks with Kashif (not his real name, for his protection), a ministry leader working to reach unreached people groups across South Asia, about what God is doing in some of the most spiritually dark and physically dangerous regions on earth.Since 2018, Kashif's team has grown from reaching just one unreached people group to thirty-three, planting organic house churches, baptizing new believers in ponds and plastic swimming pools, and raising up local kingdom laborers who disciple their own communities. Kashif shares real, documented stories of persecution, arrest, and violence faced by his team, alongside powerful testimonies of Muslim and Hindu background believers publicly renouncing protective amulets and false idols after putting their faith in Jesus.Nathan and Kashif also talk about the scale of impact: over 30,000 Bibles distributed in partnership with Voice of the Martyrs, and how a single audio Bible given to one woman can ripple out to reach an entire family and community.In this episode you'll discover:-How one unreached people group in 2018 grew into thirty-three today-What house churches and baptisms look like in remote, unreached regions-Real stories of persecution, arrest, and God's protection over local believers-Why Muslim and Hindu background believers are publicly removing protective threads and idols after coming to Christ-How Bible distribution multiplies far beyond the number of physical Bibles given out-Specific ways to pray for and financially support this workWhether you want a front-row seat to what God is doing in one of the hardest places to be a Christian, or you're looking for a way to practically support persecuted believers and unreached communities, this conversation will move you.📖 Scripture: Matthew 9:37 | Acts (the early church)👇 If this episode gave you a front-row seat to what God is doing in Pakistan, like, share, and leave a comment. It helps more people find this content.#FuelForTheHarvest #Persecution #ChristianPodcast #Missions #GlobalChurch #Evangelism #BookOfActs

    Episode 305: Thirty-Three Unreached People Groups - Reports of Reaching South Asia’s Hidden Villages
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About

Fuel For The Harvest podcast host Nathan, is coming to you from all around the world (here, there, and everywhere) with wild testimonies, tips, and talks. The mission: equipping "ordinary" Christians around the globe to become everyday Kingdom laborers in their harvest fields (Matthew 9:35-38). It's all about living with hearts on fire and lives on purpose! Check Out Our Podcast Page: FuelForTheHarvest.com Contact us at: FuelForTheHarvest@gmail.com Check out more of what we do at: ForgeForward.org

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