Ministry Wives Podcast

North American Mission Board
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  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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. 5D AGO

    “I Know I Should Live Set Apart, But…” with Tasha Calvert

    What does it really mean to live set apart as a ministry wife? In this episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, Amy Petersen sits down with wife, (grand)mom, author, and women’s minister Tasha Calvert to talk honestly about holiness, sanctification, and the pressure that so many ministry wives feel to “have it all together.” If you’re a pastor’s wife or ministry wife who has ever thought, I know I should be more holy… but I’m exhausted, struggling, or just trying to survive, then this conversation is for you. Tasha shares her personal journey of moving from a checklist-driven view of holiness to a relationship-centered understanding of what it means to follow a holy God. Together, she and Amy explore the unique expectations placed on women in church leadership, the importance of biblical community, and why vulnerability isn’t weakness—but a pathway to real spiritual growth. Instead of striving to look set apart, this episode invites you to surrender, rest in Christ, and pursue the personal holiness that’s rooted in grace alone. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What it truly means for a ministry wife to live “set apart” Why holiness is about relationship with God—not performance How Scripture shapes your pursuit of personal holiness The vital role of biblical community in spiritual growth And more! Resources Mentioned in This Episode Set Apart for More: The Transformative Power of Living Your Whole Life for a Holy God CONNECT Connect with Tasha Instagram // Facebook // Website // Prestonwood Women’s Bible Study Resources Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram

    23 min

  2. MAR 2

    “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 Courtney Instagram // Substack Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram

    25 min

  3. FEB 23

    "I Know I Should Engage With 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

    23 min

  4. 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 Scripture Why identity in Christ matters more than spiritual productivity How to approach Bible study with curiosity, flexibility, and grace And more! Resources & Links Mentioned: See for Yourself: How to Study Your Bible with Confidence and Joy by Kelly Needham Friend-ish: Reclaiming Real Friendship in a Culture of Confusion Purposefooled: Why Chasing Your Dreams, Finding Your Calling, and Reaching for Greatness Will Never Be Enough Clearly Podcast JimmyAndKelly.com CONNECT Connect with Kelly Instagram // Website // Teach Equip Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram

    22 min

  5. 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 Him How Gayle’s upbringing shaped her faith and the lessons she’s carried into adulthood The story behind her devotional In His Footsteps and how God called her to write it How to release what you’re holding onto and walk in daily surrender Practical ways to keep your quiet time fresh in every season of life Whether 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 Foster Love Worth Finding Opportunity Leadership by Roger Parrott CONNECT Connect with Gayle Facebook // Instagram // Website Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram

    44 min

  6. 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 emotions The difference between gratitude and thanksgiving (and why speaking it aloud doubles your joy!) Simple practices that retrain your brain toward joy What six women of Scripture—Eve, Sarah, Miriam, Mary, Elizabeth, and Mary Magdalene—teach us about daring joy in the middle of uncertainty And 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 Zasowski What If It’s Wonderful?: Release Your Fears, Choose Joy, and Find the Courage to Celebrate by Nicole Zasowski From Lost to Found: Giving Up What You Think You Want for What Will Set You Free by Nicole Zasowski CONNECT Connect with Nicole Instagram // Website Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram

    42 min

  7. 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 Christ The false belief that obedience keeps us from pain, and what Scripture really teaches about suffering How lament gives language to our grief and creates deeper intimacy with God Practical ways to walk with others in their pain without minimizing or sermonizing Why our ultimate hope is not found in changed circumstances, but in Jesus Himself Resources & Links Mentioned: Watching for the Morning: 90 Devotionals for When Hope is Hard to Find by Vaneetha Risner CONNECT Connect with Vaneetha Facebook // Instagram // Website Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram

    41 min

  8. 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 adoption What it means to keep your “yes” on the table—even when doors close The reality of parenting kids from hard places and why trauma-informed care matters Practical ways churches and ministry wives can support foster and adoptive families Why your “yes” may look different than someone else’s, but God’s faithfulness remains the same Resources & Links Mentioned: The Adopting and Fostering Home Podcast Family Advocacy Ministry (FAM) Duffel Bags for Foster Care: Launching a Restoring Dignity Ministry in Your Church Backpack Ministry Guide The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family by Karyn B. Purvis CONNECT Connect with Lynette Instagram // Email Connect with Amy Facebook // Instagram // Podcast Connect with NAMB Facebook // Instagram

    37 min
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4.8
out of 5
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    North American Mission Board
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    200
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 North American Mission Board
  • Show Website
    Ministry Wives Podcast

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