Enjoying the Journey RISE Ministries

On today's episode of "Enjoying the Journey", we are so honored and blessed to be joined by our friends Steve and Celestia Tracy, founders of "Mending the Soul"! Mending the Soul was conceived in 2003 when Steve and Celestia Tracy and a handful of men and women met with a passion to comfort those broken by abuse. Because there were few resources available to address the complexities of abuse and neglect, Steve and Celestia published Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse to educate on the nature and effects of abuse, and the Mending the Soul Workbook to guide survivors through an interactive and integrated process of healing and forgiveness in community with each other. Together, the Tracys co-founded and co-direct Mending the Soul, mentoring and supervising collaborative teams of writers, artists, musicians, educators, students, mental health providers, and business professionals who create the sustainable healing models and curricula for Mending the Soul Ministries for global application. Steve and Celestia have three grown children, who, with their families, partner with them in ministries of justice and mercy. Listen in to hear Rob talk to Steve and Celestia about how their individual journeys, what they bring to Mending the Soul, and how that works as a couple as well! There are so many amazing moments in this episode covering a range of tough topics, and we're so happy you're here to listen in! We love you!

On episode 33 of "Enjoying the Journey" we are so honored to be joined by our new friend Jordan Whitmer! Jordan is the founder and executive director of "HowtoLifeMovement", is a graduate of Liberty University, with a Bachelor’s in Religion: Biblical and Theological Studies, and is an ordained reverend (all before the age of 23!!!!)! Jordan is passionate about mobilizing student leaders around the world to impact their generation for Christ. He is the host of the "Gen Z Today" podacst, travels frequently, and can often be seen at Starbucks mentoring and encouraging young people to boldly lead for Jesus. Jordan challenges both young people and adults to join Jesus in fulfilling His Great Commission. Listen in to hear Rob ask about the way Jordan formed "HowtoLifeMovement" in high school, and has grown in from a single event to global events, to digital media to a digital conference! More things are on the horizon for Jordan and his ministry, and we're so excited for you to hear about it!!!

On today's episode of "Enjoying the Journey", we are honored and blessed to be joined by Pastor Ebony Small! Pastor Ebony is a dynamic woman of faith, impassioned by her strong conviction in Christ alone. Born in New York City, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at the age of eleven, yet it wouldn’t be until she became a young adult that the reality of Jesus Christ as Lord took up root and cemented her walk with God. Pastor Ebony is vice president of global ministries at Pulse Movement, a ministry committed to awaken culture to the reality of Jesus. She was formerly the director of Movement Day Expressions at MOVEMENT.ORG, where she was dedicated to catalyzing leaders to affect cities across the globe. We loved making this episode so much, and Rob and Ebony had a great time talking about her work at Pulse while still being a pastor in Harlem, the transformation of her job/life in the past year, and where her passions (and, of course, the Lord😊) are taking her next!!!

Today’s episode (#31) was a fun and emotional one to make, as our guest is our own intern/Rob’s assistant, Parker Nissen! Parker started the podcast last year, and we found it only fitting that he be the guest during his last week at RISE ministries, before he leaves to start law school at the University of Iowa next week! Listen in to hear Rob and Parker talk about their last year and a half together, Parker’s faith journey, and what this experience means to him going forward.
A note from Parker: “I was so honored to be interviewed on our own podcast this week, and had so much fun coming to the mic😊. This has probably been the most influential and impactful year of my life, and, as strange as it is to say, being sent home because of COVID last March was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. My time at RISE has been beyond special, and our mission is one that I’ll be trying to live out for the rest of my life. I have seen teamwork, selflessness, faith, and community demonstrated here in a way that I will never forget, and this organization and community are truly unique. Ellie Waring is the hardest working, kindest hearted, most selfless person I have ever met, and I have learned so much just getting to work beside her. Rob and I got close very quickly, and I am so proud to now call him one of my very best friends, my mentor/role model, and an extra parent. Being trusted by him is one of the greatest honors I have ever been given, one that I can’t describe in words. I will forever live my life trying to “see a need, meet a need”. To all who listen to the podcast, support RISE, and have been so kind and loving to me: THANK YOU. I love all of you so much, and am always just an email/message away.

On episode 30 of “Enjoying the Journey” (WOAH 30 episodes!!!🎉😊) we are so excited to chat with our new friend, Taylor Turkington, founder of BibleEquipping! Taylor has a passion for training and supporting Bible teachers so they are able to serve even better equipped in the Scriptures. She launched BibleEquipping to continue the work she had been doing for more than a decade training women to study and teach the Bible, and to do it with people she loved. Today she enjoys teaching, leading, and coaching she gets to do through BibleEquipping. Still, she continues dreaming and praying for new ways to equip women to serve the Church.
Previously, Taylor launched and directed the Women’s Training Network for The Gospel Coalition and co-founded The Verity Fellowship for Western Seminary. Her experience includes living overseas, training women internationally, and working in the local church. Taylor has an MA and Doctor of Ministry from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, where she lives with her family.
Listen in to hear Taylor and Rob talk about the mission of BibleEquipping. Whether you are just learning to read the Bible or have attended seminary, they have designed content to serve you in your next steps of studying and teaching the Word. “It is our heart that you would feel humbly “equipped for every good work” to speak the truth of the Scriptures to others with competence and joy.” Rob and Taylor also discuss her experience living with constant chronic pain, and the role that plays in her life and faith. We’re so glad you’re with us!!!

On episode 29 of "Enjoying the Journey", we are so blessed and excited to be joined by our friend, bestselling author and keynote speaker, Jon Gordon!!! Jon's best-selling books and talks have inspired readers and audiences around the world, and his principles have been put to the test by numerous Fortune 500 companies, professional and college sports teams, school districts, hospitals, and non-profits. He is the author of 23 books including 10 best sellers and 5 children’s books, including the timeless classic "The Energy Bus" which has sold over 2 million copies, "The Carpenter" which was a top 5 business book of the year, "Training Camp", "The Power of Positive Leadership", "The Power of a Positive Team", "The Coffee Bean", "Stay Positive", and "The Garden". Jon and his tips have been featured on The Today Show, CNN, CNBC, The Golf Channel, Fox and Friends and in numerous magazines and newspapers. His clients include The Los Angeles Dodgers, Campbell’s Soup, Dell, Publix, Southwest Airlines, Miami Heat, The Los Angeles Rams, Snapchat, Truist Bank, Clemson Football, Northwestern Mutual, West Point Academy and more. Jon is a graduate of Cornell University and holds a Masters in Teaching from Emory University. He and his training/consulting company are passionate about developing positive leaders, organizations and teams. We were so blessed to hear Jon speak in Sheldon a few months back, and were even more excited to get to have a personal conversation about his faith journey, why the foundation of our faith is so essential in our lives, and so many other quotes that we can't wait for you to hear! We're so glad you're here!