In this episode, Steve Benham reflects on a lifelong journey of weaving music, faith, and service together through the work of Music in World Cultures. From the early days of the Ukraine Project to current outreach in Albania and beyond, Steve shares how music and missions can intersect to strengthen communities, encourage resilience, and provide hope in difficult places.

He explains the role of ethnomusicology in honoring local traditions of worship, and why empowering community leaders is central to lasting change. Along the way, Steve offers stories of faith, perseverance, and the ways music can bring healing where war and hardship have left deep scars.

Listeners will hear not only about the global reach of MIWC’s work, but also about the quiet, steady faithfulness that makes sustainable missions possible. This conversation is an invitation to consider how music, leadership, and support—whether through prayer, presence, or generosity—can transform lives and communities around the world.

Takeaways

• Music is a powerful tool for worship, healing, and outreach.
• Empowering local leaders is key to lasting impact in missions.
• Ethnomusicology helps honor and strengthen cultural identity in worship.
• Humanitarian aid meets both physical and spiritual needs.
• Faithfulness in missions often means perseverance through difficulty.
• Community support—through prayer, presence, and generosity—sustains the work.
• Stories from Ukraine, Albania, and beyond reveal resilience and transformation.

Get Involved

Serve on the Field: Consider joining MIWC on a short-term mission trip — as an intern, teacher, performer, or support team member — to work alongside local church leaders and communities, sharing your skills and heart for culturally-rooted worship. 

Join the Prayer Team: Committed prayer is foundational to MIWC’s work. You can join a growing team of prayer partners who intercede regularly for mission efforts in regions such as Eastern Europe, Africa, South Asia, and more. 

Communicate the Mission: Share the vision of MIWC by helping with communication—whether through storytelling, social media, or other channels—to raise awareness and support for culturally sensitive music ministries. 

Subscribe & Stay Connected: By signing up for email updates, you’ll receive the latest stories, prayer requests, and opportunities to connect with project developments across MIWC’s global network. 

Support Financially: Every gift matters. Whether supporting a regional project, an individual team member, or MIWC’s overall operations, your generosity helps bring culturally relevant worship and holistic care to communities worldwide.

About MIWC

Music in World Cultures (MIWC) is a Pennsylvania-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit equipping musicians, worship leaders, and pastors to strengthen local congregations and share the good news of Jesus through music. We believe music is one of the most powerful ways to communicate God’s love—breaking down barriers, building bridges, and giving people a voice to worship in their own cultural and musical “heart language.”

Through biblical training, leadership development, and the use of indigenous languages and art forms, MIWC partners with local churches and missionaries to support worship, church planting, discipleship, and humanitarian care. Our teams—teachers, musicians, ethnomusicologists, conductors, and pastors—serve across Europe, Africa, Asia, and beyond, preparing the next generation of leaders to carry God’s truth in their own voice and song.

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In this episode of The Grand Weaver, Eric sits down with Barry Meguiar, founder of Ignite America, to explore a powerful story of faith, purpose, and obedience. From growing up in a family deeply rooted in Christianity to leading a successful business in car care products, Barry’s journey reflects a life shaped by the voice of God and a calling greater than personal success.

Barry shares how his business became a pulpit for ministry, a platform to evangelize through everyday interactions. He explains the radical shift from entrepreneurship to nonprofit work, highlighting how obedience to God’s call—even when it disrupts comfort—can lead to eternal impact. Barry challenges listeners to see their own lives as ministry, where sharing faith isn’t just a role for pastors but a mission for all believers.

This conversation is a heartfelt call to love those both outside and inside the church, live boldly with purpose, and influence the next generation with the joy of redemption. With warmth and wisdom, Barry and Eric discuss the urgency of evangelism, the simplicity of sharing the gospel, and the lasting joy that comes from helping others move closer to Jesus.

Takeaways

• Obedience to God's calling can lead to unexpected paths.
• Love is a powerful tool in outreach and ministry.
• Every believer has a platform to share their faith.
• Sharing faith can happen in everyday conversations.
• Every moment is an opportunity to influence others for Christ.
• Engaging with young people can reignite joy and purpose.
• The urgency of sharing the gospel is greater than ever.
• Our influence on others has eternal significance.

How to Get Involved

If you’ve been inspired by Barry Maguire’s story on The Grand Weaver, there are simple, intentional ways you can partner with Ignite America to live out your faith in everyday life. Ignite America exists to help believers across the country—just like you—share their faith naturally and lovingly in daily conversations, workplaces, and communities. Whether you’re in business, ministry, or simply walking through life, Ignite America provides tools, encouragement, and a national movement that equips you to reach the unchurched with love and purpose. Visit igniteamerica.com to access free resources, stories of transformation, and practical next steps to start sharing your faith where God has placed you. Join the conversation and become a catalyst for redemption, joy, and influence—because every day is an opportunity, and you represent a Holy and Loving God!

About Ignite America

IgniteAmerica is a ministry founded by Barry Meguiar with a mission to “Move Everyone, Every Day, Closer to Jesus.” Through its comprehensive platform, IgniteAmerica.com, the organization offers a wealth of free resources—including podcasts, videos, Bible studies, and daily inspiration—to equip and mobilize everyday Christians to confidently share their faith in daily life. A ministry of Revival Outside the Walls (ROTW), IgniteAmerica provides tools like the Ignite Your Life Bible Study and the Ignite ePrayer app, all designed to make faith-sharing accessible and joyful. Whether you’re new to evangelism or seeking to deepen your outreach, IgniteAmerica invites you to join a growing community committed to sparking revival across the nation. Discover how you can be part of this movement.

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In this episode, we sit down with Kaycee, founder of The Reel Hope Project, to explore how one powerful idea—creating compelling video profiles of children in foster care—has transformed adoption narratives across the U.S. Starting with just three videos in its first year, the organization has grown to serve nearly 200 children annually across eight states, with a bold vision to reach 1,000 kids each year.

Kaycee shares how personal conviction led to the birth of the project, and how her own adoption journey with her husband fueled their mission. The episode highlights the challenges and nuances of the foster care system, the transformational power of storytelling, and the often overlooked need for adoptive families for teenagers.

Listeners will gain insight into how each “Reel” not only introduces a child to potential families but also doubles their chance of being adopted. Kaycee highlights the financial realities of running a national nonprofit—with each video costing approximately $3,000—and emphasizes the role of community engagement, corporate sponsorship, and volunteerism in sustaining their work. In addition, Kaycee offers actionable ways for individuals, churches, and organizations to join the movement, support foster care adoption, and reshape futures through forever families.

Takeaways

• The organization started with three videos in its first year and has grown significantly since then.
• They are now active in eight states and aim to serve 1,000 kids a year.
• The complexity of the foster care system varies significantly from state to state and even county to county.
• The Reels created have doubled the likelihood of teenagers finding forever families.
• Families often start the adoption process because of a Reel, even if the specific child is matched with another family.
• The cost to create a Reel is about $3,000, and they aim to serve 1,000 kids with a budget of $4 million. 
• Community involvement is crucial, with opportunities for businesses and individuals to sponsor events or fund specific initiatives.
• There are 400,000 kids in foster care in the U.S., with many facing uncertain futures.
• Children who age out of foster care face significant challenges, including higher rates of incarceration and homelessness.
• Family support is essential for youth, even after they turn 18.
• Everyone can play a role in advocating for children in foster care, whether through financial support or sharing their stories.

Get Involved

Every child deserves a forever family. The Reel Hope Project creates short films (“Reels”) to help children in foster care find adoptive families. With more than 400,000 kids in foster care across the U.S., your involvement helps turn statistics into stories of family and hope.

We’ve already filmed hundreds of children, and many have found their forever families as a result. Each Reel costs about $3,000 to produce and can double a teenager’s chance of being adopted. Whether you give, adopt, or share a Reel, you’re helping change lives.

Ways You Can Help

• Adopt: Visit our Waiting Kids pages to meet children and sibling groups in need of families.
• Give: Make a one-time or monthly gift, or sponsor a Reel to directly fund filming and adoption recruitment.
• Volunteer & Advocate: Share Reels on social media, host a small info night, or join our newsletter for updates.
• Churches & Ministries: Invite our team to your service or leaders’ gathering to mobilize your community for foster care and adoption.
• Businesses & Sponsors: Partner with us through corporate gifts, event sponsorships, or in‑kind donations.
• Agencies & Social Workers: Refer chil

Justin Myers, Director of Programs at Show Hope, joins Rahn and Eric to share insights into the nonprofit’s deep commitment to helping families overcome barriers to adoption. They explore how Show Hope supports families, churches, and communities in caring for orphans and vulnerable children through financial aid, medical care, education, and community empowerment.

Justin traces the personal origins of Show Hope and illustrates its impact with transformational stories from families and youth engaged in their programs. Throughout the conversation, there is an emphasis on community engagement, the emotional and financial challenges of adoption, and the power of prayer and practical support in fostering long-term change.

Key Takeaways

• Show Hope was founded to help families adopt children in need.
• Show Hope has served nearly 9,300 children to date.
• Adoption aid grants are a key program of Show Hope.
• Hope for the Journey is a resource for families and educators.
• Community support is essential for families in the adoption process.
• Prayer is a powerful tool for those involved in adoption and supporting adoptive families.
• Instilling hope is vital for families in the adoption process.
• Engaging with adoptive families can provide much-needed support.
• Financial aid is crucial for families looking to adopt due to the average cost of adoption rising significantly.

How to Get Involved

Thousands of children are waiting for the love and stability of a forever family, and families are waiting for the support they need to make adoption possible. You can help bridge that gap.

• Pray for the children, the families, and the organizations walking this journey.
• Give to Show Hope or similar nonprofits providing crucial adoption aid.
• Advocate in your church, school, or community for vulnerable children.
• Learn more through resources like Hope for the Journey and share them widely.

Visit ShowHope.org to learn more, donate, and explore ways to get involved.

Because every child deserves a loving family—and hope starts with us.

Episode Webpage

In this episode, Eric sits down with Ryan Skoog—entrepreneur, faith leader, and co-founder of Venture—for a conversation about purpose, perseverance, and the transformative power of abiding in Christ. From his early passion to serve the global church to launching Venture—a humanitarian organization focused on serving in the most unsafe, unreached, and unresourced regions—Ryan shares his remarkable journey through seasons of bold action, hardship, and miraculous provision.

As the COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges, Ryan recounts how prayer, community, and a deepening relationship with God carried him through adversity, including personal trials and spiritual attacks on his family. Together, Ryan and Eric explore spiritual leadership, the power of daily prayer rhythms, and the explosive growth of the global church amidst suffering. Through honest stories and heartfelt wisdom, this episode invites listeners to consider what it means to craft a life of abiding presence with God, to find miracles in the midst of struggle, and to lead with courage born out of intimacy with Jesus.

Listen in and be encouraged to step into the adventure of faith, deepen your walk with God, and join the mission to serve the world’s most vulnerable.

Takeaways

• Ryan's journey began with a passion for the global church.
• He emphasizes the importance of serving in unsafe, unreached, and unresourced areas.
• The impact of COVID-19 challenged both his business and ministry.
• Venture has grown significantly, funding various projects and ministries in hard places.
• Prayer is foundational to effective leadership and ministry.
• Abiding in Christ leads to deeper relationships and understanding.
• Crafting a day with God transforms the approach to prayer.
• Following God is an adventure filled with unexpected turns.
• The global church is experiencing unprecedented growth.

Get Involved

There are several meaningful ways you can support the mission and vision of Venture. You can start by giving directly to their global initiatives, which provide food, education, trafficking rescue, and spiritual hope to communities in need. For those who love to move with purpose, consider joining a Venture Mission Team, where every mile powered by biking, running, hiking, or walking helps fund critical programs. 

You can also become a monthly partner to sustain ongoing impact, or explore church and business partnerships that connect your community or workplace to Venture’s transformative work. However you choose to engage, your involvement helps bring hope, healing, and the Gospel to places that need it most.

About Venture

Venture is a Christ-centered humanitarian organization dedicated to serving the world’s most vulnerable people in some of the toughest places on earth. With a mission rooted in justice and compassion, Venture provides food, education, and human trafficking rescue and prevention through partnerships with local leaders in areas of extreme poverty, oppression, and conflict. Every initiative is powered by a commitment to holistic transformation—meeting physical needs while sharing the hope of the Gospel. Join the movement to make a tangible impact where it’s needed most—learn more, get involved, and be a part of bringing hope to the hardest places.

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In this episode, Eric sits down with Vitaliy Andriiets, the founder of Wise Carpenter, a ministry in Ukraine dedicated to mentoring boys—especially those growing up without fathers. Vitaliy shares his own journey of growing up fatherless and how it shaped his passion for equipping young men with both practical skills and a strong foundation in faith.  

Through hands-on workshops, Wise Carpenter teaches boys not only how to work with their hands but also how to embrace their value and purpose. As the war in Ukraine continues, the need for mentorship has never been greater, with many boys facing life without their fathers due to military service or loss. Vitaliy discusses how the ministry has expanded—tripling in size—and the growing impact it has on families and communities.  

This conversation is a powerful reminder of the importance of discipleship, community, and stepping up for the next generation. Vitaliy also shares urgent needs, from financial support to prayer, as Wise Carpenter prepares for camps and continues its vital work.  

Tune in for an inspiring discussion about resilience, faith, and the role of mentorship in shaping young lives.

Takeaways

• Vitaliy grew up without a father and aims to provide mentorship to boys in similar situations.
• Wise Carpenter started as a local initiative to help boys learn practical skills and biblical principles.
• The workshops focus on hands-on activities, teaching boys to work with their hands and understand their value.
• Faith integration is key, with biblical teachings incorporated into the workshops.
• The ministry has expanded significantly, tripling its branches since the onset of the war in Ukraine.
• Families report positive changes in their boys, including increased responsibility and affection towards their parents.
• The ongoing war has created new challenges, with many boys losing their fathers or living without them due to military service.
• Vitaliy emphasizes the need for community support and the role of men in mentoring boys.
• Financial support is crucial for the ministry’s operations and upcoming camps for boys.
• Prayer is essential for the ministry’s success and the peace of families in Ukraine.

Get Involved

Wise Carpenter is stepping into the gap with practical mentorship, discipleship, and hope. The impact on boys and families has been transformational, but the need is great. With support from Josiah Venture and others, Wise Carpenter is tripling its reach—but they need partners to keep going. Whether through prayer, financial giving, or simply spreading the word, you can be part of mentoring a generation and rebuilding lives. Come build with us.

To support the ministry of Wise Carpenter, please visit their ministry support page through Josiah Venture.

About

Wise Carpenter was founded by Vitaliy, a Ukrainian missionary and disciple-maker, who, after being displaced by war in 2014, found new purpose in Cherkasy. Inspired by his faith and missionary work in Kenya, India, and Sierra Leone, Vitaliy launched Wise Carpenter in 2017—a workshop where Christian men mentor boys and young men through hands-on skills and biblical teaching. Today, Wise Carpenter operates 12 workshops across Ukraine, equipping churches to disciple the next generation. In partnership with Epokha, Vitaliy envisions expanding this movement throughout Ukraine and beyond, empowering men to raise godly young leaders across Central and Eastern Europe.

Episode Web Page

In this eye-opening episode, Rahn and Eric sit down with Stephanie Page from the Stories Foundation to dive deep into the realities of human trafficking. From breaking down myths to exploring the power of relationships in both exploitation and recovery, this conversation is full of insight, hope, and ways YOU can make a difference.

Stephanie shares her journey into advocacy, the urgent need for housing for survivors, and how the Stories Cafe will serve as both a community hub and job training space. Plus, they tackle the church’s role, the impact of social businesses, and the power of small actions in creating real change.

Key Takeaways:

• Human trafficking is closer to home than you think.
• Awareness is power—understanding the issue is the first step.
• Relationships can either trap or empower people.
• There’s a huge need for housing & support for survivors.
• Social impact businesses can change lives.

Get Involved

Join Stories Foundation as a partner in justice and healing. You can give financially—whether it’s a recurring monthly gift, a one-time donation, or even a stock donation—to fuel prevention education and survivor support . Host a Connected event, book a speaker, or enroll in their online curriculum to bring awareness and equip your community with tangible steps to prevent trafficking . Visit the Storyteller Café in Blaine, MN to volunteer, attend community gatherings like Justice Jam or Makers Night, or shop their purposeful retail items—every purchase and volunteer hour contributes to change . Follow them on social media, sign up for updates, and share their message to help amplify their mission. Together, we can build a culture where every person’s story is valued—and exploitation has no place.

About

Stories was born out of the belief that when people learned about human trafficking and how it affects our communities they would want to do something to fight against it. We create opportunities for people to do just that by empowering them to take the first step through education and purposeful purchasing.

When Sherrill Thurston and her daughter Steph Page read Passport through the Darkness in July of 2012 they knew that they had to do something about the issue of human trafficking. They knew that when others became aware they would feel the same. This is the beginning of our story as an organization, we are honored that you would join our story to yours and choose to make fighting human trafficking a part your next chapter.

Live your story, it matters. Share your story with others, it will make a difference. And when we do this we will see all of our stories change for the better.

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What if your church had the power to keep families together and support vulnerable children—right in your own community? In this episode, Joseph Knittig shares how Care Portal is bridging the gap between churches and social workers, helping meet real needs for families in crisis.

With over 330,000 children served, Care Portal proves that when churches unite, lives and communities are transformed. Joseph unpacks the overwhelmed foster care system, the critical role of trust, and how faith-driven service can shift the spiritual climate of entire cities. He also shares his personal journey, revealing the impact of grassroots efforts and radical generosity.

If you're looking for practical ways to make a difference, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about technology, community, and the power of the local church to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

In this episode, Tim Bisagno shares his journey from being a preacher's kid to founding Mission X Mission, a nonprofit dedicated to creating opportunities for young people to find Jesus. He discusses the importance of adapting methods while keeping the gospel message unchanged, the various ministries under Mission X Mission, and the disruptive power of digital evangelism. Tim shares the story of God’s prompting to start A Safe Place Online, a ministry launched during the pandemic that has reached millions of young people. He highlights the transformative power of digital evangelism and discipleship, and how a significant number of young people are making faith commitments through online platforms. Tim also highlights the importance of outreach in marginalized communities, and the innovative strategies being employed to connect with individuals across the world. If you want to hear more about how ministries are leveraging social media to spread the message of Jesus, or find out how you can support digital evangelism efforts globally, check it out!

In this episode, Justin Unger shares his journey from frosted-tip touring musician to worship pastor and the challenges he faced along the way. He reminds us of the critical role corporate worship plays in church unity, and the awesome responsibility our worship leaders bear as they serve on the front lines.  Justin also unpacks his personal story of burnout, the impact ministry life had on his family, and how Likewise Worship was created to support and equip worship leaders as they navigate ministry life. Listen now to learn more about how Likewise serves and preserves worship leaders by providing community, care, and competency.

In this episode, Eric speaks with Nita, the country leader for MomCo in Albania, about her journey to Albania, the challenges faced by women in a shame-based culture, and the transformative power of love and support. Nita shares her personal story of overcoming shame and how it has shaped her mission to empower Albanian mothers. She highlights the importance of building trust, the role of mothers in family transformation, and the need for community support. Nita's heart for the women of Albania is moving, and the MomCo team's commitment to changing future generations of families through faithfully serving and loving the moms is beautiful.

In this episode, Eric is joined by his wife, Heather, as a special guest host for an endearing conversation with Randy from Wilderness Fellowship. Together, they explore the origins, growth, and mission of this beautiful ministry that has been serving as a place of refuge and spiritual restoration for over 52 years. Randy shares how the vision for Wilderness Fellowship began with his father’s calling at a young age and the journey that inspired the ministry’s commitment to providing spaces where individuals can encounter God without barriers.  Remarkably, they’ve maintained their commitment to operate debt free throughout their history, trusting God, and relying on donations and the dedication of volunteers.

Tune in to hear how Wilderness Fellowship is creating a lasting impact by connecting people with God in the midst of His creation. how you can encounter God in the wilderness, and how you can get involved.

In this episode, Ty Bryant shares the heart behind Promise686, a ministry dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and families, inspired by Psalm 68:6. Ty, adopted himself, was drawn to the ministry due to his personal experiences and the desire to help others in similar situations. Originally founded as a ministry to support adoption, they have evolved into equipping churches to serve vulnerable families. The ministry provides training and resources to churches, enabling them to establish family advocacy ministries that address various needs through volunteer teams and care communities. 

This approach fosters a multiplier effect, empowering over 2,100 churches to build supportive networks for families in crisis. They provide support and resources to foster families, biological families, and young adults aging out of the foster care system. Through care communities and curriculum development, they aim to prevent children from entering foster care and empower those in need to succeed.

Bruce Koblish and Mark Heimermann share stories of Reggie White on Jesus Freak night, a tiny house on Amy Grant's farm, and other fascinating tales as they reminisce about their journeys through the Christian music industry.  They reflect on their past collaborations, the evolution of the Gravity Foundation, and the journey of loss and healing that became the foundation of Unwavering Resolve, a non-profit focused on helping individuals struggling with addiction and homelessness through storytelling and community connection. Bruce explains the retreat model, the power of personal stories in recovery, and the importance of serving others with authenticity. He also emphasizes the collaborative nature of their work and the vision for expanding their impact, particularly among young people and across college campuses.

In this heartfelt episode of The Grand Weaver, we sit down with Dick Wildeman, a former Catholic priest who shares his journey from a reluctant participant in a parish meeting to a lifelong advocate for the people of Haiti.

From his first trip to Haiti in 1984, where he encountered armed soldiers at the airport, bumpy rides on overcrowded buses, and profound culture shock, Dick found himself captivated by the resilience, joy, and faith of the Haitian people.

Through touching anecdotes, he describes the immense challenges and rewards of working with remote villages, where simple requests for a roof, a cemetery, and basic medical care transformed into tangible acts of service. Dick reflects on how these experiences deepened his faith, reshaped his understanding of mission work, and revealed the true meaning of Christian service.

This episode is a powerful reminder of how God can use unexpected moments and reluctant hearts to create lasting change. Tune in to hear how Dick’s unwavering commitment has impacted countless lives in Haiti—and how Haiti, in turn, transformed his own. 

In this episode of The Grand Weaver, we visit Selah Worship Arts in Tirana, Albania, and hear from father–son leaders Benny and Sam about God’s surprising work in a nation once called “the North Korea of Europe,” where belief in God was outlawed until the early 1990s. Benny shares how he came to Christ through music and sensed a clear call: raise a second generation of worshipers. What began in 2009 with weekend seminars grew into worship camps (now 10+ years running), a three-year pilot school, and today a six-month residential program that forms worship leaders spiritually, theologically, and musically—then sends them back to serve their local churches across the Balkans.

We talk about the region’s unique need: few mentors, few native-language worship songs, and many churches without trained worship leaders. Selah’s vision is to help the Church find its own voice—not just translating songs, but writing from the heart and history of Albania and neighboring nations. God’s provision threads through the story, including a last-minute 2023 gift that opened doors for their current space. The episode closes with a faith-filled invitation to join the work: prayer, mentorship, financial partnership, recording studio equipment, and even coming to serve on-site.

Takeaways

• First-generation faith: Albania had no legal worship for decades; many current leaders are first-generation believers without mentors or tradition.
• Formation before performance: Selah is not just a music school; it’s a pastoral/theological formation community with music as a tool, not the goal.
• Six-month residential school: Two blocks—Discipleship (life with God) and Leadership & Musicianship (theory, songwriting, arranging, tech/audio, leading in varied contexts).
• Regional impact: Training now spans the Balkans (Greece, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Bosnia, Romania), multiplying leaders who serve their home churches.
• Finding their local voice: The Church needs original songs in native languages, shaped by local story and culture—not only translations.
• By faith, together: The team operates with a small staff and limited resources, yet God keeps providing. The vision includes a recording studio and, long-term, a permanent home that stands as a Christian landmark for future generations.

Get Involved

Pray

• For a deep move of God among first- and second-generation believers.
• For stamina, unity, and protection for the Selah team and students.
• For original worship to arise in Albanian and other Balkan languages.

Give

• Monthly support to sustain the six-month school (scholarships, housing, meals, utilities).
• Studio build-out: audio interfaces, microphones, monitors, headphones, sound treatment, instruments; mixing/mastering support, technical training.
• Facility fund: toward a permanent training center that removes time/space limits and becomes a generational landmark.

Serve

• Short- or long-term on-site: administration, hospitality, media/AV, teaching (Bible/theology, music theory, songwriting, arrangement, live sound).
• Mentor remotely: coach a worship leader or team over video (spiritual care, set planning, songwriting feedback).
• Network & share: introduce Selah to churches, worship communities, and donors; host vision nights or worship/prayer gatherings.

Share

• Spread the story: play the episode in your church/team meeting, post on socials, and invite others to pray and partner.

About

Selah Worship Arts exists to equip worshipers who know and love God to serve the Church in Albania and across the Balkans. Since 2009, what began with weekend seminars has grown into camps, a pilot school, and now a six-month residenti

In this episode, Rahn and Eric talk with Jenni Lord, founder and CEO of Chosen.  She shares the heart behind Chosen, how it started, and the evolution of their mission to what it is today.  Jenni shares her personal journey and experience with the adoption of her brother which ultimately led to the founding of Chosen over 15 years ago. Today, Chosen focuses on supporting families in the foster care and adoption system, addressing the trauma experienced by children and the challenges faced by caregivers. Jenni emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to healing, emotional safety, and practical tools for families to build healthy connections as part of a call for systemic changes in our approach to child welfare. 

While Chosen has experienced remarkable success keeping families together, Jenni reminds us that the need is far greater than we realize, and the challenges facing families is likely much deeper than we imagine. Raising awareness and providing access to desperately needed resources to support families is paramount. They have launched their 100,000 strong initiative as part of their aerial strategy to help fundamentally shift child welfare in the U.S., and invite us to support their mission through prayer coverage, helping raise awareness of the services and training they provide, and through financial support.  Above all, Jenni reminds us all that no child is beyond hope and healing, so we invite you to join us in support of Chosen’s mission to change the trajectory of families for generations.

Diane Brask shares how two questions from the chief in a remote village on the other side of the globe profoundly shaped her life, ultimately leading to forming Global Seed Planters.  She shares how the humble roots on the farm shaped a ministry with hallmarks of sustainability and multiplication across the three main pillars of their ministry in dozens of countries around the world.  She concludes with an amazing story of sustainable farming that is transforming churches and communities in Northern Uganda.  Learn about the ways you can help support Global Seed Planters to the ends of the Earth.

From humble beginnings as a farm girl in rural Wisconsin to serving people in the most remote parts of the globe, Diane Brask shares stories about the experiences that led her to a village in the Philippines, her encounter with a hairy dead guy named LoLo Jose, and the two questions the local chief asked that would shape the rest of her life.  Join us for part 1 of Global Seed Planters.

Rahn and Eric share the story of how God inspired the launch of the podcast, weaving their lives together over a week unlike any they had ever experienced. Early morning encounters with God, a ROAR day promo, a PBS show, and Eric’s mother-in-law all playing significant roles in the unfolding story of the Grand Weaver.