Ministry Wives Podcast

NAMB Podcast Network
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I’m Amy Petersen. Welcome to the Ministry Wives Podcast. Here we have honest conversations about the realities of the ministry wife life and how to keep our hearts tethered to Jesus as we serve Him. Whether you’re seeking encouragement or practical tips, don’t miss out on these heartfelt discussions with women in various ministry contexts about the joys and challenges of ministry life.

  1. 6H AGO

    “I Know I Shouldn’t Struggle with Doubt, But…” with Courtney Reissig

    If you’re a ministry wife, pastor’s wife, or woman in church leadership, you may feel like doubt is something you’re supposed to outgrow or at least keep quiet. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with author and Bible teacher Courtney Reissig for an honest conversation about faith and doubt in ministry. Together, they address the quiet tension many Christian women carry: I know I shouldn’t struggle with doubt… but I do. This episode explores how to navigate spiritual doubt while serving in ministry, why doubt is not a disqualifier for leadership, and how Jesus meets our questions with both truth and compassion. If you’ve ever felt embarrassed by your struggles, wrestled with uncertainty in your faith, or wondered how to lead while still processing your own questions, this conversation offers steady reassurance: Jesus is not fragile in the face of your doubt. He is trustworthy, present, and nearer than you know. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why doubt can feel especially threatening for women in ministry leadership How Jesus responds to spiritual doubt with both truth and tenderness How Scripture gives language to our honest prayers What wise, healthy vulnerability looks like for ministry wives Practical ways to support others wrestling with fear, suffering, and faith Resources Mentioned in This Episode Someone to Believe In: Embracing the Savior Who Stays the Same When Everything Else Changes Teach Me To Feel: Worshiping Through the Psalms in Every Season of Life Seth and the Very Scary Storm CONNECT Connect with CourtneyInstagram // Substack Connect with AmyFacebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMBFacebook // Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    25 min

  2. FEB 23

    "I Know I Should Engage My Neighbors, But..." with Amy-Jo Girardier

    We know we’re called to love our neighbors… but what happens when it feels awkward, inconvenient, or intimidating? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Amy-Jo Girardier—mom, women’s minister, author, and ministry wife—for an honest conversation about the tension behind the words, “I know I should engage my neighbors, but…” Together, they talk about the real barriers that keep ministry wives from stepping into meaningful relationships: busy schedules, fear of rejection, uncertainty about what to say, and the pressure to “do it right.” Amy-Jo shares practical encouragement for living out your faith in everyday spaces and reminds listeners that loving your neighbor doesn’t require a perfect strategy—just your availability and obedience. Their conversation highlights a simple but powerful initiative Amy-Jo started: a neighborhood prayer box. What began as a small step of faith became a bridge for connection, opening doors to deeper conversations and creating opportunities to pray for and serve others in tangible ways. If you’ve ever felt stuck between conviction and hesitation when it comes to community engagement, this episode will help you see that faithfulness often looks like small, intentional acts of love right where God has placed you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Amy-Jo Girardier: Why engaging our neighbors can feel intimidating (even when we know we “should”) Common barriers that keep ministry wives from building local relationships How everyday faithfulness can open doors for gospel conversations Why loving your neighbor begins with presence, not perfection And more! CONNECT Connect with Amy-Jo Instagram // Lifeway Bible Studies *For info and pictures of her neighborhood prayer box, search #prayerboxgatewayvillage on Instagram. Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    23 min

  3. FEB 16

    “I Know I Should Spend Time in the Word, But…” with Kelly Needham

    For many ministry wives, time in the Word can quietly shift from a life-giving invitation into a heavy obligation. In the first episode of season eight, host Amy Petersen welcomes Kelly Needham—Bible teacher, author, and fellow ministry wife—for an honest conversation about Bible study, identity, and the pressure of our spiritual “shoulds.” Kelly shares from her own faith journey and introduces her Bible study, See for Yourself: How to Study Your Bible with Confidence and Joy. Together, Amy and Kelly talk about how shame, comparison, and performance often creep into our relationship with Scripture—and how the gospel gently calls us back to grace. If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or discouraged when it comes to spending time in the Word, this episode will remind you that God’s delight in you is not earned by your quiet time. The Bible was never meant to be a checklist—it’s an invitation to know Jesus, no matter your season of life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Kelly Needham: Why the Bible was never meant to be a spiritual “should”How shame and comparison impact our approach to ScriptureWhy identity in Christ matters more than spiritual productivityHow to approach Bible study with curiosity, flexibility, and graceAnd more!Resources & Links Mentioned: See for Yourself: How to Study Your Bible with Confidence and Joy by Kelly NeedhamPurposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be EnoughFriend-ish: Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of ConfusionClearly PodcastJimmyAndKelly.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    22 min

  4. 11/10/2025

    Keeping Your Devotional Life Fresh with Gayle Rogers Foster

    Ministry life often pulls us in many directions—serving others, leading faithfully, and juggling family responsibilities. But what about our own walk with Jesus? How do we keep our devotional life fresh and alive when ministry itself can leave us weary? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Gayle Rogers Foster—daughter of the late Adrian Rogers and author of In His Footsteps: A 90-Day Devotional to Enjoy Jesus Daily. Gayle shares her personal story of growing up in a ministry family, navigating seasons of busyness, and learning the joy of abiding with Christ. With wisdom, honesty, and humor, Gayle encourages ministry wives to embrace margin, surrender what we cling to, and resist the temptation to simply “power through.” She reminds us that keeping our devotional lives vibrant isn’t about doing more—it’s about living with open hands, listening to the Spirit, and making space for God’s voice in the everyday. What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Gayle Rogers Foster: Why ministry wives can struggle with spending time with God while serving HimHow Gayle’s upbringing shaped her faith and the lessons she’s carried into adulthoodThe story behind her devotional In His Footsteps and how God called her to write itHow to release what you’re holding onto and walk in daily surrenderPractical ways to keep your quiet time fresh in every season of lifeWhether you feel spiritually “stuck” or simply need encouragement to keep going, this conversation will refresh your soul and remind you that God meets us in the quiet places. Resources & Links Mentioned: In His Footsteps: A 90-Day Devotional to Enjoy Jesus Daily (Featuring Daily Words of Wisdom from Adrian Rogers) by Gayle Rogers FosterLove Worth FindingOpportunity Leadership by Roger ParrottCONNECT Connect with Gayle Facebook // Instagram // Website Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    44 min

  5. 11/03/2025

    When Joy Feels Risky: A Biblical and Neuroscience Perspective with Nicole Zasowski

    Joy doesn’t always feel easy—it often feels vulnerable, even risky. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, Amy Petersen sits down with author and therapist Nicole Zasowski to talk about her new Bible study Daring Joy: What Six Women in the Bible Teach Us About the Power of Celebration When It Feels Risky, Complicated, and Even Impossible. Nicole shares how her own seasons of loss, transition, and disappointment led her to a deeper understanding of joy—not as a reward for when life goes well, but as a practice we can step into, even in life’s hardest seasons.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Nicole Zasowski: Why joy can seem like one of our most vulnerable emotionsThe difference between gratitude and thanksgiving (and why speaking it aloud doubles your joy!)Simple practices that retrain your brain toward joyWhat six women of Scripture—Eve, Sarah, Miriam, Mary, Elizabeth, and Mary Magdalene—teach us about daring joy in the middle of uncertaintyAnd more!Resources & Links Mentioned: Daring Joy: What Six Women in the Bible Teach Us About the Power of Celebration When It Feels Risky, Complicated, and Even Impossible by Nicole ZasowskiWhat If It's Wonderful?: Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate by Nicole ZasowskiFrom Lost to Found: Giving Up What You Think You Want for What Will Set You Free by Nicole ZasowskiCONNECT Connect with Nicole Instagram // Website Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    42 min

  6. 10/27/2025

    How to Walk with Jesus in Seasons of Pain with Vaneetha Risner

    Suffering is something every believer will face—but what do we do when it feels relentless, unfair, or overwhelming? In this powerful episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with author and speaker Vaneetha Risner to talk about walking with Jesus through seasons of deep pain. Vaneetha’s story is marked by challenges: childhood polio, the heartbreaking loss of her infant son, a painful divorce, and the ongoing struggles of post-polio syndrome. Yet, through every valley, she has discovered the nearness of Christ—not through quick fixes or easy answers, but through honest lament and raw dependence on God. Together, Amy and Vaneetha explore common misconceptions about suffering, the beauty of biblical lament, and how to come alongside others who are hurting with both truth and tenderness. If you’ve ever felt like your faith faltered under the weight of pain—or if you’ve walked with someone in the midst of grief—this conversation will remind you that your hope is not in an outcome, but in a Savior who draws near. What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Vaneetha Risner: Why there is no “quota” for suffering—and how to reframe hardship as a means of drawing closer to ChristThe false belief that obedience keeps us from pain, and what Scripture really teaches about sufferingHow lament gives language to our grief and creates deeper intimacy with GodPractical ways to walk with others in their pain without minimizing or sermonizingWhy our ultimate hope is not found in changed circumstances, but in Jesus HimselfResources & Links Mentioned: Watching for the Morning: 90 Devotionals for When Hope is Hard to Find by Vaneetha RisnerCONNECT Connect with Vaneetha Facebook // Instagram // Website Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    41 min

  7. 10/20/2025

    God’s Faithfulness in Every "Yes": Lynette Ezell on Ministry and Motherhood

    When you put your “yes” on the table, you never know where God might lead. For Lynette Ezell, that yes has looked like navigating miscarriage, parenting biological children, adopting internationally, fostering locally, and supporting her grown daughters as they walk the same road. Through every season, God has proven faithful in both the joys and the struggles of ministry and motherhood. In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, Amy Petersen sits down with Lynette Ezell—wife, mom of six, grandmother, and ministry leader. Together, they talk candidly about the highs and lows of adoption and foster care, what it means to parent through trauma, and how to keep saying yes to God even when the road is long and hard. Whether you’re considering adoption, already walking that journey, or simply want to support foster and adoptive families in your church or community, this conversation will encourage and equip you to take the next step of experiencing God’s faithfulness. What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Lynette Ezell: How God shaped Lynette’s family story through both loss and adoptionWhat it means to keep your “yes” on the table—even when doors closeThe reality of parenting kids from hard places and why trauma-informed care mattersPractical ways churches and ministry wives can support foster and adoptive familiesWhy your “yes” may look different than someone else’s, but God’s faithfulness remains the sameResources & Links Mentioned: The Adopting and Fostering Home PodcastFamily Advocacy Ministry (FAM)Duffel Bags for Foster Care: Launching a Restoring Dignity Ministry in Your ChurchBackpack Ministry GuideThe Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family by Karyn B. PurvisCONNECT Connect with Lynette Instagram // Email Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    37 min

  8. 10/13/2025

    Hopeful Sorrow: Lament, Faith, and the Journey towards Healing with Julie Busler

    Life in ministry brings both joy and heartache. But what do you do when the grief feels overwhelming? Can you still hold on to hope? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, host Amy Petersen sits down with Julie Busler—author, speaker, and Bible teacher—for an honest conversation about grief, mental health, and the sustaining hope we have in Christ. Julie shares her powerful story of walking through depression, trauma, and mental health struggles, and how God faithfully met her in the darkest valleys. Together, Amy and Julie talk about what it means to grieve with honesty, find strength in Scripture, and walk alongside others who are hurting. If you’ve ever wrestled with how to reconcile sorrow and faith—or how to care for loved ones who are suffering—this conversation will remind you that grief does not erase hope. In Christ, both can coexist as we hold fast to the promise of eternity. What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Julie Busler: How grief and hope can coexist within the Christian lifeBiblical encouragement for navigating depression and sufferingWhy lament is a vital part of spiritual growthPractical ways to support others in seasons of loss and painAnd more!Resources & Links Mentioned: Hopeful Sorrow by Julie BuslerJoyful Sorrow by Julie BuslerMental Illness and the Ministry Wife (an interview with Julie Busler)CONNECT Connect with Julie Facebook // Instagram // Website Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    52 min
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About

I’m Amy Petersen. Welcome to the Ministry Wives Podcast. Here we have honest conversations about the realities of the ministry wife life and how to keep our hearts tethered to Jesus as we serve Him. Whether you’re seeking encouragement or practical tips, don’t miss out on these heartfelt discussions with women in various ministry contexts about the joys and challenges of ministry life.

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