Jesus and... Everything

This is a space for those of us who want a faith that is deeply spiritually alive, but also rooted in the big framing issues of the world. Every week, Pete Portal sits down with a guest, and has an honest conversation exploring how faith in Jesus can help us navigate big issues and topics, but also how real life in the real world can challenge our own perspectives that we may have held without much thought. There'll be no easy answers here; just some honest wrestling. So, if you're looking for a podcast that doesn't ask you to leave your mind or your faith at the door, then pull up a chair

Episodes

  1. 1d ago

    Jesus and... Success with Tim Hughes

    In this episode, Tim Hughes, the songwriter behind “Here I Am to Worship” and a church leader in Birmingham, sits down with Pete Portal to talk about what happens when a song travels further than its writer ever planned. Tim reflects on being both blessed and broken by the leaders who formed him, on the comparison that robs joy, and on why the fruit of the Spirit says more about God’s work in a life than gifting or a crowd ever could. They discuss worship that refuses escapism, measuring church health without counting heads, and listening across the culture wars. It’s a conversation about faithfulness over fame, and the slow work of becoming more like Jesus. Tim Hughes is a worship leader, songwriter and pastor whose music has shaped contemporary worship across the globe. Best known for songs such as “Here I Am to Worship”, “Happy Day”, “The Way”, and “Spirit Break Out”, Tim’s songwriting and melodies inspire the church to encounter God in fresh and authentic way, seeking the presence and power of God all rooted in biblical principles.  As the Senior Pastor of Gas Street Church in Birmingham, Tim leads a thriving community passionate about creativity, evangelism, and the presence of God. He also heads up Gas Street Music, the church’s worship expression dedicated to resourcing the wider Church with new songs and sounds of worship. Before founding Gas Street Church, Tim played a key role as the founder and visionary behind Worship Central, a movement and training hub that has equipped thousands of worship leaders and musicians around the world. Follow Pete Portal:  Instagram Pete's Books: How to Be (Un)Successful No Neutral Ground Contact Pete Jesus and... Everything is a part of the Shifting Culture Podcast Network Produced and Edited by Joshua Johnson Support the show

  2. Oct 22

    Jesus and... Encounter with Jay Pathak

    In this episode, Jay Pathak joins Pete Portal to talk about encountering the Holy Spirit without striving for it, and why that encounter doesn’t excuse anyone from the slow work of being formed. They talk about how leadership and marriage expose the places we were wounded, why so many caregivers are quietly trying to fix themselves by fixing others, and what it might mean to stay connected to the people who push our buttons most. Jay also offers an unexpected answer for anyone whose faith has gone flat, one that points away from bigger moments and toward the people we most often overlook. Jay Pathak is the Lead Pastor of the Arvada Vineyard. He and his wife, Danielle, planted the church in 2001. Jay strategically guides the mission and vision of our church as a whole and is the main teaching pastor. Over the last 20 years, he has spoken nationally and internationally for Vineyard and other church networks. Committed to engaging and impacting those outside the church, Jay co-wrote the book, The Art of Neighboring, with Dave Runyon. His passion for sharing his faith with the people around him is at the center of his calling. Jay is a humble, empowering leader who is passionate about raising up leaders around him; his strengths, in particular, lie in strategically placing people on teams where they thrive. Additionally, he regularly thinks of ministry in the city and developing relationships and partnerships in the city, government and across denominational lines. Jay has a BA in Philosophy from The Ohio State University and is a graduate of the Vineyard Leadership Institute. He served on the Vineyard executive team for 5 years and helped lead the ReOrg team for the Vineyard. He is currently serving as the National Director for Vineyard USA. Jay met his wife, Danielle, in high school and they were married in 1998; they have two beautiful daughters, Jasmine and Sofia. Whenever possible, you’ll find him on the golf course, hanging out with his friends and family or enjoying a nice scotch. Maybe all together! Follow Pete Portal:  Instagram Pete's Books: How to Be (Un)Successful No Neutral Ground Contact Pete Jesus and... Everything is a part of the Shifting Culture Podcast Network Produced and Edited by Joshua Johnson Support the show

  3. Oct 1

    Jesus and... Justice & The Spirit with Danielle Strickland

    In this episode, Danielle Strickland joins Pete Portal to ask why the charismatic and justice streams of the church so often stand apart. Danielle argues the divide says less about theology than about our reluctance to live the kingdom now rather than later. They talk about wealth, privilege, and power as things we steward rather than own, what the gifts of the Spirit are actually for, and how an encounter with Jesus in a Toronto holding cell changed the direction of her life. They also discuss why justice work without the Holy Spirit rarely lasts. Danielle lets Love lead her to inspire, challenge, provoke and disrupt the present, and to live in the future now. Having lived in different cultures and contexts around the world she celebrates diversity and deeply longs for wrong things to be made right. Danielle practises following Jesus daily. This pursuit has led to exciting entrepreneurial exploits (like co-founding multiple charities and non-profits) and a whole host of failures (that we don’t as often talk about). All of this has convinced her of the deep need we all have for hope, faith, and love. Her deepest longing is to demonstrate what living that boundless life looks like.  Danielle has written seven books (the latest is Need to Know), has a podcast called The Right Side Up (which recently celebrated half-a-million downloads), and speaks to people at events all over the world. Danielle leads Boundless Communications Inc. which launches creative exploits like Women Speakers Collective (liberating voices of women around the globe), IMBY (a tiny home movement IN MY BACKYARD), Brave Global (preventing human trafficking), Infinitum (a way of living deeply), and Hagar’s Voice (support and advocacy for survivors of abuse). She lives in Vancouver, Canada with her three sons and husband Steve. Danielle loves getting outside, doing new things, physical adventures, and she can’t seem to turn down a free lunch.  Follow Pete Portal:  Instagram Pete's Books: How to Be (Un)Successful No Neutral Ground Contact Pete Jesus and... Everything is a part of the Shifting Culture Podcast Network Produced and Edited by Joshua Johnson Support the show

  4. Sep 24

    Jesus and... The Prophetic with Christine Westhoff

    In this episode, Christine Westhoff joins Pete to talk about what the prophetic is actually for. Tracing the prophetic from Genesis to Revelation, she argues the church doesn't have a gift problem but a purpose problem, and that much of what passes for prophecy today (stage performances, personal flattery, political predictions) has little to do with what the prophetic does in Scripture. They talk about power, money, and fame, emotional health in leadership, and how our stages of faith mirror the stages of life. Christine Westhoff is a seasoned pastor, teacher, and writer with over 30 years of ministry experience across a wide range of cultural and denominational lines. She is deeply involved with the global 24-7 Prayer movement and is passionate about the voice of God, the Prophetic, and building healthy communities. Christine is the author of ReFraming the Prophetic and About the Voice of God. She serves as President of The MESH Objective and trains spiritual directors in Tulsa, OK. Christine has also faithfully served the persecuted church in the Middle East since 2007. She lives in Tulsa with her husband and delights in sharing life with their two adult sons, their wives, and two cherished grandchildren. Follow Pete Portal:  Instagram Pete's Books: How to Be (Un)Successful No Neutral Ground Contact Pete Jesus and... Everything is a part of the Shifting Culture Podcast Network Produced and Edited by Joshua Johnson Support the show

  5. Sep 10

    Jesus and… Mercy & Miracles with Julian Adams

    In this episode Julian Adams joins Pete Portal to talk about what the Spirit actually does in a broken world. They cover racism and the ongoing work of forgiveness, why Azusa Street ended where it did, and they work out a Holy Spirit infused activism. Julian makes the case for mercy and miracles together and for prophetic ministry that stays accountable to a real community rather than a TikTok account, and they talk about hell and what the real question is when people ask about hell. Julian is an author, pastor, and internationally recognized prophetic voice with the mission to help ordinary people discover God’s preferred future for their lives. He is also a founding pastor of The Table Churches - The Table Boston (est. 2020) and The Table Cape Town (est. 2026). As a director of Frequentsee Inc, he resources people through creative media, events, and mentorship. He's also the author of  Terra Nova : Fulfilling Your Call to Redeem the Earth and Make All Things  New. My online course, Vox Dei, has helped hundreds of people confidently communicate God’s heart, step out in greater accuracy in the prophetic.   Having spent the last 20 years living in the UK and USA, Julian now joyfully resides in his home-city of Cape Town, South Africa, with his wife, Katia, and their two children. Follow Pete Portal:  Instagram Pete's Books: How to Be (Un)Successful No Neutral Ground Contact Pete Jesus and... Everything is a part of the Shifting Culture Podcast Network Produced and Edited by Joshua Johnson Support the show

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About

This is a space for those of us who want a faith that is deeply spiritually alive, but also rooted in the big framing issues of the world. Every week, Pete Portal sits down with a guest, and has an honest conversation exploring how faith in Jesus can help us navigate big issues and topics, but also how real life in the real world can challenge our own perspectives that we may have held without much thought. There'll be no easy answers here; just some honest wrestling. So, if you're looking for a podcast that doesn't ask you to leave your mind or your faith at the door, then pull up a chair

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