In this episode, Jonathan shares about living a life of wholehearted worship and becoming a lover of God for the long-haul. King David cultivated a well-worn path of honest worship with the Lord throughout His whole life. Our dream is that you would be 80 years old, still clinging to Jesus, astonished at who He is. This podcast is full of stories and reflections from Jonathan about being steadfast, honest, and passionate in the lifelong pursuit of God’s presence. The introduction to this...

In this episode, Jonathan sits down with his longtime friend, Adam Cox. They reflect on their decades of friendship, and how Adam's passion for helping people encounter the unfailing love of God has impacted our community, and schools (The 18 Inch Journey). Adam's first book, "The God Story," (co-authored by Alain Emerson) is a compelling and creative retelling of the biblical story to help you move from familiar to fascinated. It is out now and available wherever books are sold! Get "The...

This episode was captured live at a recent 18 Inch Journey Fundraiser where Jonathan and Melissa shared on our vision for discipleship, the history and mission of the 18 Inch Journey, and how discipleship can transform the hearts of men and women. Learn more at: https://www.18inchjourney.com  If you’d like to be a part of what the Lord is doing through our ministry, go to https://www.cagelessbirds.com/donate  Thank you!

This episode is a special conversation between Melissa Helser and Chris Miller. Melissa shares about her song, Beautiful Jesus, and a worship moment from the 2023 18 Inch Journey that was recently shared on the Cageless Birds YouTube channel. She reflects on the season of her life during which that song was first written as well as what it’s like to lead worship within the context of our discipleship schools. At the end of this podcast, we play the full worship moment that Melissa is...

What kind of worshiper do you want to be in 40 years? In this episode, Jonathan unpacks the life of King Saul and King David, and what it means to live a life of radical worship before the Father. One of the most important things about David’s story is how he pursues honesty with God in the midst of the pressures of his life. This message was originally recorded in 2021 at Bethel Music Worship School. We have exciting news to share with you – we have completed our Audio Upgrade Campaign!...

This episode features an excerpt from a conversation Jonathan and Melissa recently had with our friend, Morgan Snyder. In it, the Helsers share song stories from their most recent album: The Land I’m Livin’ In. This episode features the stories behind the songs I Believe, and We Make Space! Morgan Snyder is an entrepreneur, teacher, writer, speaker, and friend of our community. His passion is to both be shaped by and shape the men and women who are shaping the kingdom of God. He is the...

In our previous episode, Melissa taught from 2 Corinthians 9 on living generous lives without reluctance or compulsion. In this episode she opens up James 1, unpacking the way perseverance produces maturity in us, and how the discipline of the Lord brings us true wisdom and discernment as we walk with him. This message was originally recorded in 2022 at Bethel Music Worship School. Six years ago, we finished building the Art Barn, a space that become such a gift to our campus: the home of...

In this episode Melissa unpacks the difference between growth and maturity, and how living a life of generosity is an integral part of maturing in friendship with God. This message was originally recorded in 2022 at Bethel Music Worship School. Our podcast is made possible by the generous support of people all over the world. If you were impacted by this episode, we’d like to invite you to partner with us to disciple a generation into wholehearted living! To support our non-profit ministry,...

We need the perspective of the Lord to overcome the lies that we face and realign us with the truth. In this episode, Jonathan teaches on living defined by the Father’s voice. He shares practical examples from his own life, and ends with a journaling exercise. This message was originally recorded in 2021 at Bethel Music Worship School. Our podcast is made possible by the generous support of people all over the world. If you were impacted by this episode, we’d like to invite you to partner...

In this episode, Melissa unpacks the maturity that comes through letting God reframe our understanding of pressure, especially in seasons of suffering.   This message was originally recorded in 2021 at Bethel Music Worship School.  Our podcast is made possible by the generous support of people all over the world. If you were impacted by this episode, we’d like to invite you to partner with us to disciple a generation into wholehearted living! To support our non-profit ministry, head to...

In this episode, Jonathan Helser and Jason Vallotton continue their conversation about living as powerful, healthy men. “Where are you?” This was the first question God asked in the Bible to Adam and Eve after they sinned and were hiding. It is so important for us all to grow in understanding our stories so that we can confess to God and others where we actually are and ask for help. This is where discipleship happens. Jason Vallotton is a pastor and counselor in Redding, CA. He is a...

In this episode, Jonathan Helser and Jason Vallotton dialogue about the work of living as a healthy man in today’s culture. Taking a season to slow down and strengthen our roots is a courageous and necessary step in the process of becoming who we were made to be.  Jason Vallotton is a pastor and counselor in Redding, CA. He is a longtime friend of Jonathan and Melissa who has made a significant impact on our community and our discipleship schools. (Learn more about Jason’s ministry and the...

This podcast episode continues the conversation between Melissa Helser, Justina Stevens, Jessie Miller & Phyllis Unkefer about living as rooted and empowered women in this day and age. This part of the conversation focuses on the work of being a powerful woman and what that work requires for the long haul of life. Through stories and examples from their own lives, they unpack what it means to walk in wholeness by growing in self-awareness and yielding to their neediness for the Lord. Our...

What does it mean to be a powerful woman? In this podcast episode, Melissa Helser dialogues with Justina Stevens, Jessie Miller, & Phyllis Unkefer (three core leaders in our community) about living as rooted, powerful women in this day and age. This conversation centers around personal stories from each of the women about the process and reward of tending to their hearts, minds, and souls with the Lord. Our discipleship programs are centered around learning and receiving the rest and...

In this podcast episode, Jonathan Helser dialogues with Chris Miller, Jake Stevens & John David Gravitt (three leaders in our community) about living as wholehearted men in this day and age. This conversation centers around personal stories from each of the men about learning to press pause in the race of life, and reaching out with these simple yet challenging words: "I need help".  **This month, applications are open for our 18 Inch Journey Phase One discipleship school! Applications...

This is the third episode in a brand new three-part series.  Featuring Jonathan and Melissa with Chris Miller and Phyllis Unkefer, this conversation focuses on doing the hard work of growing and maturing in community, through practicing honesty with the Lord and with others, and finding balance in the rhythms of life. **This month, applications are open for our 18 Inch Journey Phase One discipleship school and Becoming Wholehearted Men’s Retreat! Phase One Apps close 2/1, Men's Retreat Apps...

This is the second episode in a brand new three-part series.  Featuring Jonathan and Melissa with Chris Miller and Phyllis Unkefer, this conversation centers around staying with God in the tension of life. They unpack why we teach creative rhythms in our discipleship schools and how discovering God in the ordinary is possible. He desires to offer us true rest in the valleys and mountains of life. **This month, applications are open for our 18 Inch Journey Phase One discipleship school and...

This is the first episode in a brand new three-part series. Featuring Jonathan and Melissa with Chris Miller and Phyllis Unkefer, this conversation centers around what it means to do the work of tending to your heart, and embrace the posture of a lifelong learner. ***This month, applications are open for our Men’s Retreat, Women’s Retreat, and our 18 Inch Journey discipleship school! All of our discipleship programs are centered around doing the good work of building friendship with Jesus,...

In this podcast, Jonathan shares a message about the way that Mary, the mother of Jesus, courageously prayed and changed history. This prayer of Mary: “Let it be unto me according to your word” is a prayer we can say in just a breath—yet, it’s one of those prayers we could explore the rest of our lives. We never come to the end of discovering more of God. This message is from our Cageless Birds community night—our weekly gathering where we worship and fellowship together as a group of...

This podcast episode features a recent conversation between Jonathan Helser and Kris Vallotton about fathering, discipleship, and pouring into the next generation.   To learn more about Kris and his ministry, go to www.krisvallotton.com, and make sure to check out his new book, "Uprising: The Epic Battle for the Most Fatherless Generation in History” https://theuprisingbook.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kvministries/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kvministries/   ...

“Our emotions are the language that our hearts speak. I believe that they are a gift from God that help us understand what is going on inside of us.” In this episode, Jonathan teaches on The Head to Heart Journey. This teaching is from the first lesson of Engaging Sound—an online workshop by the Helsers and Cageless Birds on connecting with God through instrumental music. Jonathan will lead you in a prompt to make your own journey from your head to your heart. Jonathan and Melissa also...

“God has been writing our story, and it is a miracle that we’re in the room right now. One day when we get to heaven we’re going to read this story, and be absolutely astonished at how He's been writing it all along.” In this episode, Jonathan shares stories from his life and Scripture that illustrate this truth, that Jesus is the most wonderful Author of our stories in the big, and all of the inbetween moments. Click HERE to learn more about Hydrating Humanity, an organization that exists...

DAY ONE of “The Land I’m Livin’ In” is now available everywhere you stream and download music! In celebration of the first installment of this release, we are continuing our series of album-focused episodes with Jonathan & Melissa Helser. The two of them sat down with Chris Miller of Cageless Birds to unpack the stories connected to the first tracks from the DAY ONE release. This episode features “We Make Space” and “Father of Jesus.” Recorded in three days and releasing in three...

DAY ONE of “The Land I’m Livin’ In” is now available everywhere you stream and download music! In celebration of the first installment of this release, we are continuing our series of album-focused episodes with Jonathan & Melissa Helser. The two of them sat down with Chris Miller of Cageless Birds to unpack the stories connected to the first tracks from the DAY ONE release. This episode features "I Am Your Beloved" "Running Back Home (Spontaneous)" and "I Lose My Ability." Recorded in...