In this special episode of Leading Simple, we honor the life and legacy of Tony Morgan—Founder of The Unstuck Group, Pastor, and Podcast Host. Tony went home to be with Jesus on September 4th, 2024. Recorded earlier this summer, this conversation highlights Tony’s infectious sense of humor, deep love for his family, and passion for helping churches and young pastors break free from barriers. Listen in as we celebrate his impact and continue his mission of helping others grow in their faith....

Welcome to the Monday Minute! Today, we're diving into a key point from yesterday’s message. Proverbs says, "As a man thinks, so he is." Our thoughts shape our identity and how we live. In 1 Peter, he reminds believers—though they may feel scattered or persecuted—they are a royal nation, a holy priesthood. This identity isn’t just for others; it's for youtoo. So, what if this week you saw yourself as a child of the King? That’s your Monday Minute—see you next week for more! Did you know that...

We're excited to start a new series called Different, exploring how the word "different" can be both positive and negative. Sometimes different means better, exceeding expectations, while other times it feels isolating. In a world that’s increasingly chaotic and overwhelming, we all crave something different—something better. Through this series, we’ll dive into 1 Peter, a letter written to early Christians facing persecution, to find guidance on living differently in a crazy world. Join us...

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Schrage from Good News Productions International (GNPI), and we dive into a pretty sobering reality—6 billion people in the world don’t know Jesus. That’s right, 6 billion. Even more staggering, 3 billion of them have never even heard His name. Mike shares not only these shocking stats but also his own journey from being a directionless college student to becoming a missionary in Kenya, where he worked with an unreached people group. Mike’s story is...

John Burke shares extraordinary near-death experiences (NDEs) from people he has interviewed around the world. These individuals were clinically dead—no heartbeat, no brain activity—yet were revived through medical intervention or miraculous means. Upon their return, they describe being more alive than ever, often in the presence of a God of light and love they never wanted to leave. Starting as a skeptic and an engineer, John spent over 35 years researching how these experiences align with...

In this episode, Rusty chats with Scott Pederson—owner of "Celebrate Positive," a business dedicated to spreading positivity. A proud graduate of the University of Nebraska (Go Big Red!), Scott has an impressive background in sports, including working with the late Rush Limbaugh at the Kansas City Royals, serving as the Recruiting Director for Oklahoma State University, and collaborating with former Super Bowl MVP Hines Ward to recognize positive athletes. This engaging conversation is a...

In this week’s Monday Minute, we reflect on the powerful message from our recent sermon: Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People? While we addressed many tough questions, there’s one verse we didn’t get to dive into — Hebrews 4:15. This verse reminds us that our High Priest, Jesus, understands our weaknesses and has faced the same trials we do. Unlike other religions that teach how to reach God, following Jesus shows us how God came to us, walked with us, and suffered for us. We encourage you...

In this message from the series Is God Good?, Rusty George addresses the challenging question many people face: if God is good and great, why do bad things happen? He acknowledges that many of us grow up believing in certain versions of God that don’t hold up when we face real-life struggles, such as suffering or unanswered prayers. Rusty explores the false images of God, like the "Bodyguard God," the "On-Demand God," and the "Guilt God," and encourages us to let go of these misconceptions....

In this episode, Rusty welcomes John Burke, the founding pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas, as well as a speaker and author known for his works on heaven and near-death experiences. John shares a collection of incredible and often harrowing stories from around the world, shedding light on what he has learned through these experiences. This episode is truly one you need to hear—or see—to believe! Social Media:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnburkeofficial/X:...

In this Monday Minute, Rusty George reflects on the recent weekend message at Crossroads, where he discussed the different versions of God that people often believe in but shouldn't. He highlights the story of a man who asked Jesus to heal his daughter, saying, "I believe, but help my unbelief." Rusty encourages listeners to adopt this prayer in their own lives, especially when struggling with doubt or skepticism about a version of God they were taught as a child that may not hold up in...

Rusty George engages his audience with humor and relatable stories, discussing his football allegiances and his family's experiences with prayer, while addressing the deep questions people often have about God's nature. Through a series of anecdotes, he challenges common misconceptions of God, such as the "on-demand" God, the "boyfriend" God, and the "guilt" God, which can lead to a distorted faith experience. Rusty invites listeners to rethink these false views and explore a new...

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Lee Coate, the co-founder of "Growmentum," author of the book "Being Peter," and Executive Pastor at The Crossing Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. They discuss the importance of aligning church vision, strategies for encouraging impulsive volunteers, and the unique challenges of working with the often unpredictable personalities in worship ministry, particularly musicians. Join them for an insightful and entertaining conversation on navigating the...

Damian Boyd opens with a powerful prayer, calling the congregation to surrender to God and listen for His voice. He intercedes specifically for those who are deeply wounded and wrestling with offense, asking God to bring healing and hope to their hearts. Damian highlights that being "unoffendable" is central to the Beatitudes, the culture of God's Kingdom, and the very essence of the cross. Approaching his message with humility, Damian sets the foundation by focusing first on who God is, then...

In this episode, Rusty sits down with Jan, an author, professor, and spiritual director who currently chairs the Dallas Willard Ministries. Together, they explore the concept of "Kingdom Living," discuss the unique weather of Southern California, and delve into the writing process. Jan also shares insights on how to discern when God is speaking to us versus other influences. Join them for a thought-provoking conversation that blends faith and practical wisdom. Social Media:Website:...

Monday Minute is here!  We just wrapped up a powerful discussion on church hurt—a topic that hits home for so many. If you missed the message, don't worry—you can catch it on Crossroads or through our podcast. This week’s episode dives deep into what happens when the hurt comes from within the church.  Here’s a thought-provoking quote from Stanley Hauerwas: "The most creative social strategy we have to offer is the church. We serve the world by showing it something that is not—namely, a place...

In today's sermon, we explore the topic of "Church Hurt," addressing the all-too-common experience of feeling offended or let down by the church. Drawing from Philippians 4:2-3, where Paul addresses a conflict between two members of the early church, we examine how unresolved personal issues can escalate into community-wide drama. The key takeaway is that true Christian community is not about avoiding conflict but embracing a spirit of reconciliation. Whether it's unresolved issues from a...

Kirk Freeman, a former country music writer, now serves as the preacher at CrossBridge Community Church in San Antonio, Texas. He’s also the author of "Threads," a book that explores how everyone can become a disciple. In this episode, Kirk shares a memorable story about discovering the essence of disciple-making during his daughter’s wedding. The conversation also dives into Kirk and Rusty's shared passion for country music, making for an engaging and heartfelt discussion. Social...

Did you miss this weekend's sermon?  Clay Scroggins, a familiar face at Crossroads, shares his excitement about returning after a few months away and dives into the theme of being "Unoffendable." He humorously recounts a personal story of inadvertently taking a long nap on his kids' first day of school, leading to an amusing but slightly embarrassing encounter with the school principal. Clay explores how easily we get offended, especially when relationships become competitive. He emphasizes...

Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in! This segment is all about diving deeper into what we didn’t have time to cover in our weekend message. And here’s something crucial I didn’t get to mention: Why should we strive to live unoffendable? Well, one of the key reasons is because Jesus absorbed our offenses on the cross.  Let’s reflect on Romans 4:25: “Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses and was raised because of our justification.” In other words, every offense we’ve ever committed or...

We have all been OFFENDED by someone or something. This message uses common mousetraps and bug zappers as metaphors to illustrate how easy it is to fall into life’s various "traps," such as consumerism, sweets, gossip, and digital distractions. Pastor Rusty recounts personal experiences, leading to a deeper discussion about the ultimate trap laid by the enemy: offense. Rusty urges listeners not to take the bait of offense, which can lead to bitterness and distraction from what truly matters....

Brian Dodd, author of "Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices of Apex Leaders," has spent the past 19 years assisting churches and pastors in funding their visions and missions. In this episode, Rusty and Brian discuss a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, emphasizing its importance through examples from movies, sports, and other books. Stay tuned until the end, where Brian gets Rusty to share his thoughts on soccer. Social Media:Website: https://briandoddonleadership.com/Facebook:...

Today, I'm excited to have Dino Rizzo with us. Dino serves as the Executive Director of ARC (Association of Related Churches) and is an Associate Pastor at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. He's also the author of "Servolution." Dino and I will be discussing church planting, exploring innovative ways and new locations where churches are starting, and how ARC supports these endeavors. If you're interested in planting a church or starting a new one, this episode is for you! Dino...

I'm excited to bring you this episode featuring Jon Acuff. Together, we explore the journey of rewriting the soundtracks in your head. Jon shares invaluable insights into transforming our inner narratives and breaking free from self-limiting beliefs. Join us for an inspiring conversation that will empower you to take control of your thoughts and live a more fulfilling life. Don't miss it! Social Media:Website: https://jonacuff.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjonacuffX:...

I'm thrilled to have Chad Veach on the podcast this week. Chad is an author, speaker, and the lead pastor of ZOE Church in Los Angeles. He shared some incredible stories from his journey as a founding pastor and father. We also discussed his new book, "Worried About Everything Because I Pray About Nothing." Chad's insights on authenticity and overcoming anxiety are truly invaluable. I know you'll gain a lot from our conversation. Social Media:Website: https://chadveach.orgInstagram:...