Gardens in Babylon | Christian Faith Podcast

Kevin Minnett & Riley Toews | Christian Family & Discipleship
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Author: Kevin Minnett & Riley Toews | Christian Family & DiscipleshipDescription:In a world that often feels hostile to Christians, God calls His people to stop waiting for rescue and start planting gardens right where they are. Inspired by Jeremiah 29, this podcast is for ordinary Christian moms juggling laundry and schedules, dads looking over noisy dinner tables with hungry kids, and parents raising the next generation to love the Lord and find godly spouses. Hosted by Kevin Minnett and Pastor Riley Toews, each episode opens with historic Christian voices on family worship, then dives into real stories, practical wisdom, and joyful encouragement for the modern household. What We BelieveWe believe the home is a "nursery"—a greenhouse where parents act as gardeners, cultivating tender shoots into resilient, fruit-bearing adults. Whether you are navigating the early years of toddlers or the complex challenges of the teen years, we provide a roadmap for building a family that outlasts the cultural shift. Topics We TackleFamily Worship & Discipleship: Practical rhythms for the "Family Altar" (Read, Pray, Sing, Catechize).Biblical Manhood: What it looks like to become and cultivate faithful manhood.Home Education & Worldview: Raising kids to think biblically in a secular age.The Family Economy: Moving from a "consumer" home to a "productive" household through homesteading, thrift, and a biblical work ethic.Parenting Teens: Helping Christian teenagers navigate identity, mental health, and social media with a firm foundation.Legacy & Heritage: Wisdom for grandparents and parents on building a multi-generational legacy.A Resource for the Whole FamilyWhile we primarily target moms and dads, we aim to be a teen-friendly Christian podcast that the whole family can enjoy together. From our "Dad Joke" face-offs to deep dives into church history, we believe that family-friendly content should be both deep and delightful. You’ll hear from pastors raising big families, homesteaders building productive households, missionaries, and more—all choosing to build, worship, work, and multiply faithfulness in hard places. Connect With UsNew episodes dropping Spring/Summer 2026. Send us your best family dad jokes or stories of how you're cultivating faithfulness at home—we may share them on the show!Suggest a Guest: Let us know who is planting "gardens" in your community.About this show: Gardens in Babylon is a Christian parenting podcast for moms, dads, and teens interested in family discipleship, home education, and family worship. Keywords: Christian Parenting, Family Discipleship, Home Education, Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Family Worship, Christian Homesteading, Raising Godly Children, Teen Christian Faith, 1689 Baptist Theology, Family Economy.

  1. 6d ago ·  Bonus

    Have we Got the Gospel Wrong?

    The conversation delves into the essence of the gospel, emphasizing the importance of understanding and proclaiming it accurately. It explores the lordship of Christ, the nature of the human heart, and the need for a comprehensive gospel presentation. The discussion also touches on the role of believers in advancing the lordship of Christ and the portrayal of this concept in the New Testament. The conversation delves into the essence of the gospel, emphasizing the lordship of Christ and the comprehensive nature of the gospel message. It explores the atonement, the power of the gospel for salvation, and the need for a full proclamation of the gospel message. Takeaways Gospel AccuracyLordship of Christ Lordship of ChristComprehensive Gospel Message Chapters 00:00 The Essence of the Gospel05:30 Misconceptions in Gospel Presentations08:31 The Offensiveness of the Gospel10:05 Understanding Human Depravity13:43 The Lordship of Christ18:12 The Authority of Christ22:01 The Kingdom of Christ26:00 The Triumph of Christ30:03 The Lordship of Christ in the Gospel38:41 The Comprehensive Nature of the Gospel Message44:19 The Atonement and the Power of the Gospel

    Have we Got the Gospel Wrong?

  2. Sep 24

    The Thrift Ecomomy: Building a Home That Lasts

    The conversation covers topics such as church ministry, personal transformation, and the challenges of past experiences. It delves into the themes of redemption, grace, and the complexities of personal history within the context of faith and family life. The conversation delves into the themes of repentance, honesty, and responsibility in dealing with one's past, as well as the importance of thriftiness and building a home together as a couple. It also emphasizes the value of taking unhurried time to dream, plan, and celebrate as a family. The conversation explores the principles of thrift and its application in various aspects of life, including household management, financial stewardship, and family economics. It emphasizes the value of thrift in shaping a vision for beauty, contentment, and purpose within the home, as well as the generational impact of instilling thrift in children. Takeaways Redemption and graceChallenges of personal historyChurch ministry and family life Repentance, honesty, and responsibility are key in dealing with one's pastThriftiness and building a home together as a couple are important aspects of family life Thrift as a lifestyleGenerational impact of thrift Chapters 00:00 Church Ministry and Community Outreach09:13 Personal Transformation and Redemption17:06 Challenges of Past Experiences26:19 Repentance, Honesty, and Responsibility31:03 Building a Home Together50:37 The Value of Thriftiness55:47 The Principles of Thrift56:22 Investing in Household Essentials57:53 Creating Side Streams of Income01:00:50 Improving the Cosmic Household01:02:10 The Value of Thrift in Family Economics01:16:21 Instilling Thrift in the Next Generation

    The Thrift Ecomomy: Building a Home That Lasts

  3. Sep 16

    Always Grateful - Faith After Loosing Her Arms and Legs with Ciara Dierking

    In this deeply moving episode of the Gardens in Babylon Podcast, host Kevin Minnett sits down with Ciara Dierking to explore her journey of faith, strength, and gratitude after surviving a sudden, life-threatening medical crisis that resulted in the loss of her arms and legs. Episode Overview In late December 2023, what seemed like a routine viral illness quickly escalated into severe pneumonia, flu, and strep A, triggering sepsis and organ failure. Miraculously surviving cardiac arrest through ECMO support, Ciara woke up to a reality as a quadruple amputee. Transitioning from a self-described "Type A" perfectionist to leaning entirely on God's grace, Ciara shares how daily gratitude, scripture memorization, and family support sustained her through recovery and inspired a mission-driven life. Key Takeaways Surrendering Control in Crisis: How Ciara shifted from a perfectionist mindset to resting in God's sovereignty and goodness during extreme physical loss.The Discipline of Gratitude: How writing down three daily blessings—inspired by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth’s Choosing Gratitude—became a spiritual life preserver in the ICU.Family & Marriage Resilience: Re-anchoring family roles, encouraging independence in her two young sons, and highlighting her husband David's selfless caregiving.Osseointegration & PT Goals: Navigating advanced bone-anchored prosthetic surgeries and setting a courageous multi-year goal to walk independently.Creative Renewal: Discovering adaptive watercolor painting and running an inspirational apparel line using specialized mobile technology.Featured Resources & Partners Always Grateful Threads: Ciara’s apparel and gift line featuring scripture designs, watercolor prints, and hoodies made to encourage believers and support her daily care needs (alwaysgratefulthreads.com).Bohnet Music Academy: Proud partner dedicated to fostering music education, artistic expression, and creative growth within the community (https://bohnetma.com/).Keeping the Citadel: Featured partner encouraging and equipping believers to build resilient, faith-filled homes and strong family foundations (keepingthecitadel.com)Recommended Reading: Choosing Gratitude by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth and resources from Joni Eareckson Tada (Joni and Friends) and Catherine Wolf (Hope Heals). #GardensInBabylon #CiaraDierking #GratefulThreads #ChristianTestimony #GodsProvidence #Gratitude #FaithInSuffering #HopeInChrist

    Always Grateful - Faith After Loosing Her Arms and Legs with Ciara Dierking

  4. Sep 9 ·  Bonus

    You Are An Instrument

    In this conversation Kevin Minnett and Sean Bohnet the musical nature of creation and worship, the relationship between music and mathematics, the role of singing in worship, and the heavenly language of singing. They explore the idea that music is a reflection of God, the importance of the voice in worship, and the intercreatural language of singing. The conversation delves into the spiritual significance of music and its role as a battleground for spiritual influence. It also emphasizes the importance of musical excellence in the context of worship and spiritual growth. Takeaways Music as a Reflection of GodThe Importance of the Voice in WorshipThe Intercreatural Language of Singing Music as a Spiritual BattlegroundThe Importance of Musical Excellence Chapters 00:00 The Musical Nature of Creation and Worship12:06 The Relationship Between Music and Mathematics18:09 The Role of Singing in Worship24:03 The Heavenly Language of Singing29:39 The Spiritual Battle of Music

    You Are An Instrument

  5. Sep 2

    Keeping the Citadel - Recovering the Beauty of Biblical Womanhood

    Episode Title: Reclaiming Biblical Femininity & Homemaking with Heather Faria Episode Summary: In this episode of Gardens in Babylon, host Kevin Minnett sits down with Heather Faria, creator and founder of Keeping the Citadel magazine and podcast. Together, they discuss the shift away from modern feminism, the limitations of the "trad wife" trend, and how Christian women can cultivate true beauty and order in the home. Heather shares the story behind the name Keeping the Citadel, the importance of biblical womanhood, and practical advice for navigating difficult family dynamics while pursuing kingdom work within the home. Key Takeaways & Topics CoveredThe Story Behind "Keeping the Citadel": How Eowyn’s character arc in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings inspired the vision to redeem womanhood, moving from fighting cultural battles in the wrong arena to embracing the calling of a life-giver and nurturer. Feminism vs. Biblical Womanhood: Unpacking how cultural ideologies have impacted the church and why women are seeking a return to God's original design for the home. The Trad Wife Movement: Evaluating the cultural trend of "trad wives" through a scriptural lens, contrasting superficial or performative homemaking with gospel-rooted Christian stewardship. Practical Advice for Challenging Circumstances: Encouragement for women dealing with past regrets, passive leadership in the home, or the daily chaos of family life. Homemaking as Kingdom Work: Viewing daily household duties not as mundane chores, but as acts of taking dominion, pushing back the curse, and reflecting God’s beauty and order. Featured Links & ResourcesKeeping the Citadel – Official website for the magazine, subscriptions, and issue updates. Keeping the Citadel Podcast – Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Recommended Publishing Resources: Canon Press and New Christendom Press. Guest InformationHeather Faria is a wife of 15 years, mother of two, and the founder and editor-in-chief of Keeping the Citadel. Through her quarterly publication and podcast, she equips and encourages women in biblical femininity, Titus 2 discipleship, and Christian homemaking. #BiblicalWomanhood, #Homemaking, #ChristianMotherhood, #BiblicalFemininity, #Titus2, #KeepingTheCitadel, #GardensInBabylon, #ChristianHomemaker, #ChristianFamily, #TradWife, #ChristianPodcast, #LordOfTheRings, #KingdomWork, #CultureAndFaith

    Keeping the Citadel - Recovering the Beauty of Biblical Womanhood

  6. Aug 26

    Raising Godly Men: Education, Economy, and the Next Generation | John Moody

    What does it take to raise boys who become godly, capable, productive men? In this episode of Gardens in Babylon, Kevin Minnett and Riley Toews sit down with entrepreneur, homesteader, writer, and mentor John Moody for a wide-ranging conversation about biblical manhood, Christian education, raising boys, family economy, work, mentorship, and generational legacy. John argues that one of the truest measures of a man's success isn't simply what he builds during his lifetime—but whether he can faithfully reproduce that success through those who come after him. A farm without the next generation prepared to carry it forward can disappear. A business can collapse when its founder retires. A church can stumble when faithful leadership is not passed on. A man's accomplishments mean little if he has not cultivated faithful people who can preserve and build upon what he began. So what does this mean for Christian fathers? This conversation explores why raising godly sons requires more than protecting them from the world. Boys need meaningful work, responsibility, discipline, challenge, mentorship, and the opportunity to see their fathers live out faithful Christian manhood. John shares why fathers should be actively involved in their sons' education and why practical formation matters alongside academics. The conversation addresses the importance of teaching boys how to work, negotiate, solve problems, handle responsibility, and understand the relationship between labor, value, money, and stewardship. In This Episode• Why a man's success should be measured partly by what he reproduces in the next generation • The importance of raising godly men rather than merely successful boys • Why boys need meaningful work, physical challenge, responsibility, and real-world consequences • The role fathers play in their sons' education and development • How work and shared projects become opportunities for discipleship • Building a productive family economy • Teaching children about work, money, entrepreneurship, and responsibility • Why Christian families should think generationally rather than merely surviving the present • The dangers of both the prosperity gospel and what John calls the "poverty gospel" • Why success and wealth are not inherently opposed to Christian faithfulness • Preparing young men to navigate today's difficult economic environment • How fathers can prepare their sons to become husbands, fathers, providers, leaders, and faithful stewards At the heart of the conversation is a simple question: What are you doing with your sons today that will prepare them to become faithful men tomorrow? The goal isn't simply to produce successful men. It is to raise faithful men whose strength, skills, resources, and influence are submitted to Christ and used for the good of their families, churches, communities, and the generations that follow. That requires fathers who are willing to think beyond childhood—and beyond themselves. If you are a father, grandfather, homeschooler, pastor, or Christian man thinking seriously about the future of the next generation, this conversation is for you. Subscribe to Gardens in Babylon for more conversations about cultivating faithfulness, building strong families, recovering productive households, and faithfully living for Christ in hard places. Connect & EngageShare your thoughts in the comments, and send this episode to a father who needs to hear it. #RaisingGodlyMen #BiblicalManhood #ChristianFatherhood #ChristianParenting #RaisingBoys #ChristianEducation #Homeschooling #FamilyEconomy #BiblicalStewardship #GenerationalLegacy #ChristianMen #JohnMoody #GardensInBabylon

    Raising Godly Men: Education, Economy, and the Next Generation | John Moody

  7. Aug 20 ·  Bonus

    Deceived - The Ruin of Modern Women with Les Lanphere

    Deceived: Exposing Feminism & Restoring Biblical Womanhood with Les Lanphere Filmmaker Les Lanphere joins Kevin Minnett on Gardens in Babylon to discuss his upcoming documentary Deceived: The Ruin of the Modern Woman, examining the theological, cultural, and relational impact of modern feminism on both the church and the family. Support the Deceived Kickstarter The campaign for Deceived needs your support to reach its funding goal before time runs out. Help bring this project to life by backing the campaign today: 👉 Back Deceived: The Ruin of the Modern Woman on Kickstarter Episode Highlights From Calvinist to Deceived: Les Lanfear reflects on a decade of Christian filmmaking (Calvinist, Spirit and Truth, Cessationist) and what compelled him to tackle the topic of feminism. The Root of the Crisis: How modern cultural shifts have eroded distinct God-given roles, leading to widespread dissatisfaction in marriage and society. Theology of Deception: A deep dive into Genesis 3 and 1 Timothy 2, exploring traditional versus contemporary interpretations of Eve’s deception and God's created order. Masculine & Feminine Spheres: Why erasing the distinct complementary strengths of men and women harms both sexes, and why celebrating biblical womanhood is essential for flourishing homes. Male Responsibility: How male passivity helped enable cultural decay and what biblical fatherhood and leadership require today.

    Deceived - The Ruin of Modern Women with Les Lanphere

  8. Aug 19

    Get Out of the Metaphor - Fight the Real War

    What happens when Christian men become so immersed in the stories, fantasies, and metaphors of our culture that they forget the real battle happening around them? In this episode of Gardens in Babylon, Kevin Minnett sits down with Kevin Swanson, author of Strong, for a wide-ranging conversation about biblical manhood, Christian masculinity, the fear of God, family discipleship, generational faith, and the responsibility of Christian men to stand firm in a hostile culture. Swanson argues that one of the great problems facing the modern church is not simply bad strategy or bad politics—it is weakening faith. What the church needs is stronger faith, a stronger grasp of the gospel, stronger Christian men, and a renewed fear of God. But what does that strength actually look like? It means fathers who disciple their children. It means men who are willing to stand alone when truth is at stake. It means Christians who understand that history is real, sin is real, judgment is real, redemption is real, and Jesus Christ is real. And it means getting out of the metaphor. Swanson uses a memorable picture from The Lord of the Rings: imagine a young man sitting in the back of Helm's Deep playing a video game about the battle of Helm's Deep while the real battle is happening around him. That, Swanson argues, is a picture of modern manhood. We can become so absorbed in fictional battles that we fail to recognize the real spiritual, cultural, familial, and generational battles taking place in front of us. This conversation explores what it means for Christian men to stop playing at war and faithfully engage the real war God has actually given them. Swanson argues that fantasy can point us toward reality, but we can also become so immersed in fantasy that we escape from reality altogether. Instead of confronting God, sin, judgment, redemption, history, and responsibility, modern man can retreat into an endless stream of entertainment and fictional conflict. The result is a generation of men who may know everything about fictional heroes while lacking the courage to stand for truth in their own homes, churches, communities, and generation. The answer isn't to abandon stories. Strong Men Build Strong FamiliesSwanson also emphasizes that Christian strength isn't merely about individual toughness. It is fundamentally connected to discipleship and generational faith. He calls fathers to teach their children God's Word "line upon line, precept upon precept," including through daily family worship and relational discipleship. He also describes his own decades of discipling young men in his home. The goal is not simply to produce boys who know Christian ideas. It is to raise men who know God, fear God, love Christ, understand Scripture, recognize reality, and are willing to stand when the pressure comes. As Swanson puts it, our sons need to see their fathers engage the battle—not as perfect men, but as men who repent, confess their sins, oppose evil, trust Christ, and continue standing in faith. About Kevin SwansonKevin Swanson has spent decades working in Christian education, homeschooling, family discipleship, and generational ministry. Raised as a missionary kid in Japan, Swanson comes from a family deeply shaped by the early homeschooling movement and has emphasized the importance of generational faith throughout his ministry. #KevinSwanson #ChristianMen #BiblicalManhood #ChristianManhood #StrongMen #FearOfGod #ChristianFatherhood #FamilyDiscipleship #GenerationalFaith #BiblicalMasculinity #ChristianFamily #ChristianWorldview #ChristianDiscipleship #GardensInBabylon #StrongMenOfGod

    Get Out of the Metaphor - Fight the Real War
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About

Author: Kevin Minnett & Riley Toews | Christian Family & DiscipleshipDescription:In a world that often feels hostile to Christians, God calls His people to stop waiting for rescue and start planting gardens right where they are. Inspired by Jeremiah 29, this podcast is for ordinary Christian moms juggling laundry and schedules, dads looking over noisy dinner tables with hungry kids, and parents raising the next generation to love the Lord and find godly spouses. Hosted by Kevin Minnett and Pastor Riley Toews, each episode opens with historic Christian voices on family worship, then dives into real stories, practical wisdom, and joyful encouragement for the modern household. What We BelieveWe believe the home is a "nursery"—a greenhouse where parents act as gardeners, cultivating tender shoots into resilient, fruit-bearing adults. Whether you are navigating the early years of toddlers or the complex challenges of the teen years, we provide a roadmap for building a family that outlasts the cultural shift. Topics We TackleFamily Worship & Discipleship: Practical rhythms for the "Family Altar" (Read, Pray, Sing, Catechize).Biblical Manhood: What it looks like to become and cultivate faithful manhood.Home Education & Worldview: Raising kids to think biblically in a secular age.The Family Economy: Moving from a "consumer" home to a "productive" household through homesteading, thrift, and a biblical work ethic.Parenting Teens: Helping Christian teenagers navigate identity, mental health, and social media with a firm foundation.Legacy & Heritage: Wisdom for grandparents and parents on building a multi-generational legacy.A Resource for the Whole FamilyWhile we primarily target moms and dads, we aim to be a teen-friendly Christian podcast that the whole family can enjoy together. From our "Dad Joke" face-offs to deep dives into church history, we believe that family-friendly content should be both deep and delightful. You’ll hear from pastors raising big families, homesteaders building productive households, missionaries, and more—all choosing to build, worship, work, and multiply faithfulness in hard places. Connect With UsNew episodes dropping Spring/Summer 2026. Send us your best family dad jokes or stories of how you're cultivating faithfulness at home—we may share them on the show!Suggest a Guest: Let us know who is planting "gardens" in your community.About this show: Gardens in Babylon is a Christian parenting podcast for moms, dads, and teens interested in family discipleship, home education, and family worship. Keywords: Christian Parenting, Family Discipleship, Home Education, Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, Family Worship, Christian Homesteading, Raising Godly Children, Teen Christian Faith, 1689 Baptist Theology, Family Economy.

Information

  • Creator
    Kevin Minnett & Riley Toews | Christian Family & Discipleship
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kevin Minnett & Riley Toews | Christian Family & Discipleship

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