In this second part of our two-part conversation with Beth, a missionary in North Africa, we continue hearing her story of surrender in her friendship with Jesus.  Beth speaks openly about here abusive marriage, her painful divorce, her miraculous recovery, and the God who resurrected her through it all.  For more from Follower, you can visit www.wearefollower.com

In the first part of this two-part conversation, we speak with Beth. Beth is a missionary in North Africa sharing the Gospel in unreached and closed Islamic regions.  For her safety and the safety of her team, we can't use her real name or location, but we hope this conversation where she shares her story of surrender to Jesus through deep suffering will inspire you into a fully surrendered life of your own. 

In this episode, we discuss the first Follower value of being Jesus centered. Using Matthew 16:13-20 we look at what it means to live into the revelation of who Jesus is in the midst of a contested and confused culture. If this episode served you well please consider leaving a review and sharing it with your world. For more from Follower you can visit www.wearefollower.com  

In the episode, Matthew sits down with three people in the Follower community to discuss the call, the cost, and the gift of community in learning and practicing the way of Jesus.    For more from Follower including a blog post that digs deeper into this idea you can visit www.wearefollower.com    

Trevor Hudson is a Methodist minister, pastoral therapist, and retreat leader in South Africa. He is the author of several books and travels widely to conduct conferences, workshops, and retreats In this episode Matthew speaks with Trevor about learning and practice in the way of Jesus. Among others things, Trevor reminds us in this conversation that we do not think or control our way into deeper friendship with Jesus. We interact our way there.  To find Trevors' book Seeking God, you can...

In this episode, Matthew shares some reflections on Matthew 11:28-30. He speaks about what it means to take the yoke of Jesus upon you, and how that relates to learning and practicing the way of Jesus.  You can find a blog post that dives deeper into this idea and get more information about Follower by visiting www.wearefollower.com  

Mark Scandrette is an internationally recognized expert in practical Christian spirituality, and the founding director of ReIMAGINE: A center for integral Christian practice. He is the author of a number of books including, Practicing the way of Jesus, making him a great guest for this episode where we discuss what The Way of Jesus is and how it differs from contemporary Christianity. Mark also offers some helpful signposts as to how we live in Jesus' way in our everyday lives and encourages...

This is the first episode in a new series on the Follower Podcast called We Are Follower.  In this series, we will explore why Follower exists, what a community of learning and practice in the way of Jesus is, and who God has called us to be in His big story as we follow Him to the depths of his heart and the ends of the earth.  In this episode Matthew explores the parable of the hidden treasure to paint a picture of the why behind the what of the follower community.  For more information on...

Christine is the Author and developer of ReFraming the Prophetic, a biblical reflection course on the gift and purpose of the prophetic. She serves on the Int’l team for 24-7 Prayer and is the founder of Akouo Missions.  In this conversation, we talk about Christine's life, faith, and the many tensions she carries in walking that out. We also talk about the prophetic. What it is, what it isn't and how to learn to hear the voice of God and partner with Him to serve His purposes in the earth. 

This is the second in a two-part conversation with Craig Westhoff. In this episode, we talk about our transcendent need for God, moving from binary judgmentalism to compassionate co-investigation with Christ, and the importance of removing ourselves from the center of our stories.  If you would like to hear more from Craig and explore the work he does with Illuminated soul you can visit him on his website.  www.illuminatedsoul.org

This is the first in a two-part conversation with Craig Westhoff. In this conversation, we hear Craig's story of growing up with a father who was once a Franciscan friar and a mother who was once in a catholic convent. We talk about Craig's journey through new-age spirituality to Christ, His own experience of clinical depression, and how God has used that to lead him into the work that he does with illuminated soul.  Illuminated soul is a place where Craig offers spiritual direction &...

Afrika Mhlophe has been in ministry since 1998 and in 2002 he became the leading pastor of Good News Community Church in Port Elizabeth. He ministers across South Africa with a primary focus on calling Christians to bring kingdom influence into every domain of life. This is why he speaks and writes on difficult subjects such as racism, corruption, and idolatry.  In this conversation, we talk about culture and the importance of being defined by Christ alone.  Afrika's books...

Life can sometimes be monotonous, perilous, and occasionally wondrous. In this conversation with Jill Weber, we unpack how we can reconnect with our Heavenly Father when life feels blurry, and look at the beautiful, powerful, invaluable gift of prayer. Jill Weber serves on 24-7 Prayer’s International Leadership team and is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Emmaus Road Church in Guildford. She is also the Global Convenor of the Order of the Mustard Seed, a lay ecumenical religious...

Life can sometimes be monotonous, perilous, and occasionally wondrous. In this conversation with Jill Weber, we unpack how we can reconnect with our Heavenly Father when life feels blurry, and look at the beautiful, powerful, invaluable gift of prayer. Jill Weber serves on 24-7 Prayer’s International Leadership team, and is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Emmaus Road Church in Guildford. She   is also the Global Convenor of the Order of the Mustard Seed, a lay ecumenical religious...

The technologies of our day are determined to keep us scrolling and swiping at all costs, plugged into a feedback loop of impatience, comparison, outrage, and contempt.   How are followers of Jesus supposed to respond? What would it feel like to acknowledge God's holy presence in that space?   Jay Kim, author of 'Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age' talks to us about how we can cultivate the contentment, resilience, and wisdom to not only...

Alan Frow joins us for a conversation on the wellbeing of our souls, spiritual depression, discovering comfort in the Psalms, and finding peace in a relationship of surrender with our Heavenly Father.    “Our souls are not downcast because they are empty, but because they are full. So often we fill them with the wrong things… but in the Psalms we see how we can pour out our soul. In doing that, we are plunged into a waterfall of God’s love.”   Links to resources referenced:   ‘Psalms...

There are people who live the Gospel in such a compelling way that it inspires you to do the same. Pete Portal is one of those people. Having lived and ministered in Mannenberg, Cape Town for the past 15 years, Pete has many stories to tell about what it means to follow Jesus to the depths and the ends. Pete is a husband to his wife Sarah, father to his daughter Simi, servant at Tree of life Mannenberg, and author of the book No neutral ground. But above all that, he is a follower of Jesus....

Langa Mbonambi is a founder and member of the We Will Worship movement. You might be familiar with We Will Worship through songs like Malibongwe, Come Holy Spirit, and more. What you might not know is that Langa is also a husband and father to 4 children, a pastor, a teacher, and a businessman running a clothing label called Sinkwa Sethu. In this episode, we hear Langa's story. What it was like growing up in the back end of Apartheid through the tensions of township life and private school...

Carl Tinnion is an Englishman who has worked with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) since 1994. Trying to define him is a bit like trying to nail jelly to a wall. He is unconventional to say the least.  Having ministered in over 45 countries, led a number of missionary training communities, served as the National Director for YWAM England for 6 years as well as the European Regional Chair for over 10 years, and completed his master's degree in Applied Theology and Reflective Practice, Carl comes...

Madz Deyzel is the founder of an organization called Edify that seeks to partner with local churches in order to offer hope to communities struggling with mental health needs.  Madz has an BA Hons degree in Theology & Counselling through Brunel University UK & London School of Theology In this conversation, we speak about her own story of healing and how that has led her to the work she does now. We also talk about the importance of knowing our identity in Christ and living in the...

In this episode, we talk with John Lennox. A professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, an internationally renowned speaker, and author of several books on the interface of science, philosophy, and religion. John helps us critically think through the value and validity of the Christian faith in the midst of the many ideologies that fill the narrative of our time.  Resources mentioned in this podcast include the following. - Determined to believe, John Lennox - Against the flow, John...

In this episode, we sit down with Os Guinness for a brain-teasing, faith-stirring discussion on a broad range of subjects including worldview, secularism, and what it might mean to be a person of faith in the midst of a rapidly changing world.  You can find more from Os on his website

In this episode, we speak with Nathan Foster about the paradox of a good God, a hurting world, and how we can move into the beauty of mystery.  If you are wanting to find more of Nathan's work you can do so here: Podcasts The making of an ordinary saint Wisdom Chaser  

In this episode, we sit down with Rich Hodge as he shares what he has learned over a lifetime of walking through storms with Jesus. We hear his heart as a grieving grandfather and glean his courage as a faithful follower even in the midst of his own pain.  If you would like Rich to come and minister in your community you can get hold of him here: [email protected] To get hold of the book Rich mentions by Skye Jethani, you can follow this link.

In this episode, I speak with long-time friend Xavier Moran about his journey through personal reformation and the challenges and joys of caring for his mother in her time of need.    For more of Xavier's work and to listen to his podcast you can visit his website here.