Good News For The City's Podcast

Pastor Jorge Pina joined the show to discuss his journey from drug dealer to Pastor and talk about his church, Jesus Church.

Rev. Mark Barnard talked about Blessing Point Ministries, a ministry that aims to be a blessing to churches by helping to restore God’s blessing on them, and in doing so, spark a movement that transforms the Church and the culture at large. Rev. Mark Barnard grew up in Morristown, NJ and came to know the Lord at the age of fifteen. He holds a BA in Bible from Nyack College and an MA in Pastoral Studies from the International School of Theology (CRU). He has served in various pastoral and teaching capacities across a spectrum of evangelical denominations. Mark is the author or co-author of ten books including The Path of Revival, Diagnosing the Heart of Your Church, The Eighth Letter, and the soon-to-be-released Getting Our House in Order. Mark is the father of four and the grandfather of two. He and his wife, Jeannie, reside in the Atlanta area.

Mark David Kennerly and his daughter Madison Kennerly joined the show to talk about using creative gifts in filmmaking to influence unacceptable social realities like racism to make our world better and to disciple people to know and follow Jesus. Mark David Kennerly is a Pastor, Filmmaker & Author. He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC) and has worked as a professional actor and writer in NYC and Hollywood. He became a Christian in 1994. In 2004, he founded Impact Christian Church (formerly Impact Christian Center) in Stephens City, VA (near Winchester) where he currently serves as senior pastor. Under his leadership many generations of individuals and families are being discipled. Mark David took a 23-year hiatus from the entertainment industry and has returned to focus on Christ-centered and family-friendly filmmaking, television, and multimedia under the umbrella of 1922 Productions that he and Kimberley, his wife of 28 years, founded,. In 2020, along with their daughter Madison Kennerly, they produced the feature film …”if My People”… aimed at uniting the Body of Christ through racial reconciliation. Mark David has recently released two books related to the movie, …if My People… 40 Day Transformation and …if My People… 40 Day Devotional. He will soon launch a video podcast entitled …if My People… Reconcile. Madison Kennerly, daughter of Mark David Kennerly, was a Producer on the film “If My People”. Madison graduated from Liberty University’s Cinematic Arts program in 2020, and has since worked as a Producer on another faith-based feature film, Mount Hideaway Mysteries: Exes and Oh No’s, which was also filmed in Northern Virginia. She currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia and works as a Production Coordinator on several projects each year. Madison is an active member of Victory Church in Atlanta & believes that in the film industry, one of the most valuable places that a believer can be is working alongside cast and crew members who do not know the Lord and sharing the gospel through engagement and relationships.

Tony Alany talked about HouseRight, a team of ministry leaders from across the country focused on helping the local church use smart and innovative technology to communicate the most important message the world has ever known. Tony Alany is a pastor and a musician who has experience as a worship leader, singer/songwriter, audio engineer, and record producer. After 24 years of volunteering, time as a part time staff member, culminating with 10 years of full time ministry at McLean Bible Church, Tony embarked on a new journey, seeking to invest his experience into the capital C Church.

Bishop Derek Grier joined the show to discuss National Unity Weekend, a nation-wide initiative in pursuit of unify the church and break racial barriers. National Unity Weekend Next Action Steps 1. Go- to the website unityweekend.com 2. Sign- Statement of Change 3. Register- yourself, your church or Christ-centered organization to support the vision and mission of National Unity Weekend 4. Participate- by preaching on unity on June 11 and serving during the Community Day outreaches on June 10. 5. Stay actively involved- being an advocate for the vision and mission of National Unity Weekend by helping your church and the Church at large build unity across all lines of division inside the Church and affecting the communities you serve (particularly along racial and ethnic lines). Bishop Derek Grier currently serves as the founding pastor of Grace Church in Dumfries, Virginia. Grace Church began in 1998 with 12 people and has grown to more than 6,000 members. Grace was listed in Outreach Magazine's annual Fastest Growing Churches in America; as the 7th fastest growing church in the United States. His radio and television programs are heard and viewed by millions in the United States and around the globe. Grier was ordained a bishop in 2008 by the late Dr. Myles Munroe. He currently mentors hundreds of Christian leaders and business owners through the Renaissance Leadership Network (RLN). He serves on several boards – including the Board of Directors for the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which provides accreditation to leading Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate standards for financial accountability and transparency. He has also served as an associate trainer for Equip, founded by John Maxwell. In 2011, he founded the now fully accredited Virginia Bible College, a world-class Christian learning institute, where he serves as Chancellor. Grier studied business administration at Howard University and earned a Master of Education degree from Regent University, and a Doctorate in Practical Ministry from Wagner University. He has received numerous awards and was honored in the United States Congressional Record on several occasions. He is the author of several books, including his latest release, When God Stops, published by Thomas Nelson Publishing in August of 2019. Derek and his wife, Yeromitou, reside in northern Virginia and have two adult sons: Derek Jr. and David.

Manny Jennings (along with mom and dad) joined the show to discuss his book, It's Ok To Be Me, that inspires everyone to embrace what makes you who you are! “Manny,” Claude Jennings III, is a 10 year old native of Silver Spring, Maryland. Manny is a YouTuber and has a YouTube channel called “Manny Time.” He’s a big sports fan. His favorite athlete is Steph Curry! Manny plays in the PGA Junior League in PG George's County where he was his team's MVP in 2021 and a part of the championship team in 2022. He loves to help and inspire people, which is why he decided to write the book "It's OK to Be Me" and start the Confident K.I.D.S. movement. Manny’s father Claude Jennings, Jr. is a Washington, DC area native and a veteran broadcast media expert. He has worked for Christian music station WGTS 91.9 for the past 21 years a producer and on air personality on the WGTS 91.9 morning show with the morning show. Claude also produces the Saturday morning program “Breakaway”. He runs his own media production and consulting company – Hope Line Media. Claude is a big football and and golf fan. If he is not in a studio behind a mic or editing, you will probably find him on a local golf course. Claude has done so much for our community including leading the Impact Fellowship which is a church ministry that mobilizes Christians to engage and impact the DMV in the name of Jesus Christ. Manny’s mother, Cierra Jennings is also a native Washingtonian. She is a human resource benefits specialist by profession and a singer by passion. Cierra has sung in the DMV on various occasions as a worship leader, solo artist and have graced the stages of the Kennedy Center, the Strathmore and other venues. Cierra has performed with Gospel icon Richard Smallwood, the Washington Performing Arts Society, Men and Women of the Gospel to name a few.

VA State Trooper and motivational speaker Michael McSellers discussed how to discern and align with how God is providentially and sovereignly working in our lives. Michael McSellers is a mentor, leader in his community who also travels the country as a motivational speaker. Growing up in a fatherless home in the inner city of East St. Louis. Michael desired to beat the odds of what society would paint as his future. As a young boy he always dreamed of one day being a police officer. This passion was driven by his desire to help and serve others. Michael was first given the opportunity to serve our country as a United States Marine and has served as a VA State Trooper for nineteen years. Michael passionately speaks about godly marriages, families, relationships, overcoming trauma, hardships, and also speaks to first responders. He's spoken at conferences for marriages, faith, men, youth and first responders. He’s been interviewed on podcasts, local radio stations, as well as local and national news media outlets discussing numerous topics on several occasions. Michael resides in Northern Virginia with his beautiful and talented wife Arianne and son.

This Easter weekend we focus on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Good News of the Gospel with Pastor Chris Sicks. Chris Sicks is the pastor of One Voice Fellowship, a multilingual church in Falls Church, Virginia with members from 16 countries. He is founder and president of ‘For the Nations DC’, offering English classes to refugees and immigrants so our new neighbors can learn English and experience the love of Jesus. Chris served on staff at Alexandria Presbyterian Church for 20 years. As Pastor of Mercy, he labored to show compassion in Word and deed to the congregation and community. Previously, he worked at Gospel Rescue Mission (homeless shelter and drug treatment program in Washington, DC) and ran a scholarship/mentoring program for inner-city youth. He’s been a newspaper editor, restaurant manager, and Army officer. Chris is a graduate of Reformed Theological Seminary DC. Chris is the author of Tangible: Making God Known through Deeds of Mercy and Words of Truth (NavPress 2013). Chris lost his first wife, Sara, to breast cancer. Now married to Naomi, they have four teenagers.

Tom Moyer shared how God started WAVA, Good News For The City and has worked through him to advance the Gospel in metro Washington DC and beyond. Tom Moyer recently moved on to new Kingdom assignments after serving for 31 years with the Salem Media Group, most recently as the General Manager overseeing this station WAVA 105.1 FM and several other stations. Salem Media is America’s leading radio broadcaster, digital and print content provider - targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. Salem owns and operates 115 radio stations, with 72 stations in the nation’s top 25 markets – and 30 in the top 10. Salem is publicly traded (SALM) with over 1600 employees. Tom grew up here in the DMV and currently resides in our Maryland suburbs. He is married to Sharon and they have 4 grown children.

Brooke Ackerman joined the show to talk about Blueprint Mental Health Coaching (blueprintmhc.com). Brooke Ackerman is a former middle/high school English teacher and youth pastor who now owns Blueprint Mental Health Coaching (blueprintmhc.com). She blends Christian life coaching and inner healing prayer to help clients uncover the unique, original design God has placed in each of us. She is also an experienced presenter for local conferences and small groups in the Northern Virginia area on those same topics. Brooke and her husband, Jon, live on a small but slowly expanding farm in Purcellville, VA.

Pastor Mark Batterson joined the show to talk about Easter Sunrise Service 2023. Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC, one church with multiple locations. NCC also owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, the DC Dream Center, and Capital Turnaround as gathering places for the community and funding for Kingdom causes. Mark serves as lead visionary for The Dream Collective, which equips and supports dreamers who long for revival in the church, reformation in the kingdom, and renaissance in culture. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the author of 23 books including the New York Times bestselling The Circle Maker as well as In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Double Blessing, Whisper, and, most recently, Win the Day and Do it for a Day. Mark is married to Lora and they live on Capitol Hill. They have three children: Parker, Summer (married to Austin), and Josiah.

Randy Newman talked about the 3rd edition of “Questioning Evangelism” and introduced the way of engaging non-believers in spiritual conversations by asking questions, much as Jesus did. Randy Newman is the Senior Fellow for Apologetics and Evangelism at The C. S. Lewis Institute in the Washington, DC area. He has taught at several evangelical seminaries, Patrick Henry College in Loudoun County, VA, and is currently an adjunct professor at Reformed Theological Seminary. His background as a Jewish believer uniquely informs his perspectives and teaching. After serving for over 30 years with Campus Crusade for Christ, he established Connection Points, a ministry to help Christians engage people’s hearts the way Jesus did. He has written several books, including the award winning Questioning Evangelism (that we are discussing today) as well as numerous articles about evangelism and other ways our lives intertwine with God’s creation. Randy has been our guest on this show discussing his books Mere Evangelism and Bringing the Gospel Home, witnessing to family members and close friends. If you missed these shows, please check out www.goodnewsforthecity.com or your favorite podcast platforms to listen.

Kim Luckubaugh joined the show to update us on the wok happening at Reset 180, a Christian organization dedicated to eradicating sex trafficking through prevention, disruption and restoration. Kim Luckabaugh became executive director of Reset180 in May of 2022. She is a passionate servant, seeking to work wherever God places her. He has given her a heart to care for those who are overlooked by our community and desperately needing to know someone cares. God placed a tenderness in her heart for victims and survivors of trafficking at a women’s conference at her church, Reston Bible. Ever since, she has been seeking for ways to support these special women when God called her to this role leading Reset180. Kim previously was a senior program manager at Volunteer Fairfax, a dedicated volunteer in the community, and a stay at home mom when her children were young. In the fall of 2022, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin appointed her to serve on his Advisory Board for Service and Volunteerism. She also serves on the Averett University Alumni Board and other local boards. A native of Northern Virginia, Kim and her husband, Dan, live in the City of Fairfax, where their three adult children have been raised. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, visiting the beach, and helping others.

Sarah Herndon joined the show to talk about Five Talents, a ministry focused on eradicating extreme poverty and creating sustainable communities in nine countries by partnering with local churches to provide programs for business and literacy training. Sarah Herndon joined the Five Talents team in March 2019. Her work centers on finding meaningful ways to more deeply involve Five Talents' local church partners into their mission. Sarah comes with a media and communications background. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts and Design and Sports Communication from James Madison University. During her senior year, Sarah caught the news bug while working as a morning production assistant for the ABC affiliate in Harrisonburg and went on to report, produce and anchor at a small station in Winchester where she also met her husband. Two years later, she traded in her high heels for flip flops to report for WINK News in sunny Southwest Florida. When she moved back to the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia a few years later, she worked in marketing and eventually joined the Five Talents team as the Church Engagement and Events Coordinator. Sarah never totally gave up her microphone though, as she also teaches group fitness classes several days a week at two local gyms. In her spare time, you can find Sarah and her husband, Mason chasing around their 17-month-old son, MJ. They attend Christ Church Vienna where Sarah sings in the worship band.

Rabbi Aaron Allsbrook shared the significance of the celebration of Passover for Christians and Jews alike and shared an opportunity to participate at a Seder at the Museum of the Bible and of ongoing opportunities to reach Jewish people with the Gospel. Born and raised in Southern California, Rabbi Aaron has known Yeshua (or Jesus) his whole life. He shared about Yeshua to his Jewish and non-Jewish friends in high school. At the end of high school Rabbi Aaron began to feel that there was more to his Jewishness than just Passover and Hanukkah at his grandparents. At this time he made his first visit to a messianic synagogue in Philadelphia, his first trip to Israel, and then his first visit to an Orthodox synagogue. God certainly was moving in his life, revealing to him that his Jewishness was something central to his identity. He went so far as to begin to live like an Orthodox Jew, including getting Orthodox rabbinic ordination. Not longer after that Rabbi Aaron knew there was something missing, something more. While the traditions were great, he craved for more of the Spirit of God and the love of Yeshua. He left the Orthodox world, and began to seek a way of living an authentic Jewish life under the leading of the Spirit. His travels brought him to Israel, where he lived for four years, and then to New York, where he met his beautiful wife, Brooke, with whom he has three children. It was in New York that he was a special education teacher and an assistant rabbi at a Messianic synagogue on Long Island. After several years of serving in this capacity, he wanted to pursue being a full-time Messianic rabbi, which is what led him to congregation Ohev Yisrael. He desires to see Jewish people come to know Yeshua, their Messiah, and live their life in service of our Master as Jews full of the Spirit of God.

Brad Hill provided an update on the ongoing campaign “He Gets Us”, which is saturating the US with messages focused on the person and message of Jesus. Brad Hill joins us again on the show to provide some exciting updates (was on previously July 30-31, https://goodnewsforthecity.com/he-gets-us/). Brad serves as the Chief Success Officer for Gloo, an organization that helps extend the Church's capacity to reach, know and move every person it serves. They are a partner in the biggest faith campaign in history, “He Gets Us” (i.e., Jesus “gets us”). Brad has been deeply involved in solving technology challenges for the Church for over 20 years. He serves on the executive team at Gloo (www.gloo.us), and is responsible for marketing, sales, success, and all facets of growing and serving Gloo’s network of churches, networks, and faith partners. Prior to Gloo, Brad co-founded Ministry Brands, which is the world's largest church/ministry technology company, As President, he completed over 40+ roll-up acquisitions and led the company to win Private Equity deal of the year for 2017. In addition to his experience starting, building and coaching companies for Kingdom and business impact, Brad has also served in lay leadership at several churches across multiple denominations. Brad currently lives in the Denver, CO area with his wife and two kids. He is a native of the DMV with family still living in the area.

Jim Dempsey joined the show to discuss the benefits and best methods of ministry development and fundraising. Mr. Dempsey is a graduate of both New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico and California State University in San Bernardino, California. After working in the private sector, Mr. Dempsey joined the staff of Cru, formerly Campus Crusade for Christ in 1984, soon rising to become the Director of Development Administration and Direct Marketing. Within his first four years with Cru, he helped design the first internationally oriented pledge program. His experience also included supervision and administration of foundation and major donor field representatives in pledge fulfillment of Campus Crusade's Billion Dollar "Here's Life" Capital Campaign and the applicable events. In addition, he served for eighteen months working with CCC Founder and President Bill Bright to create “the President’s Strategy” major donor relationship effort. In 1998, Mr. Dempsey became the Associate Director of Development for the Campus Ministry -- the position he currently holds -- where he directs all global, national and local development efforts for that division which includes funding a $26 million budget -- having taken them from under $1 million per year in revenue to more than $16 million annually in less than 20 years. He also serves as an internal consultant for ministries within Cru. Mr. Dempsey is a frequent lecturer on development and management and creates content for a successful YouTube channel, "Jim Dempsey - Fundraising.” The channel includes a library of more than 225 training videos. Additionally, he has created a curriculum featured through Fundraising Masterminds. Mr. Dempsey serves on the board of numerous non-profit organizations such as Arts for Relief in Missions (IL) and Connection Points (VA) and has served as Board President for Sanctity of Life Ministries in Fairfax, VA and Assist Crisis Pregnancy Center in Annandale, VA. Mr. Dempsey lives in Orlando, FL with his wife Diane and is active in his local church. Prior to that, he attended Knollwood Community Church in Burke, VA for 30 years, where he chaired various committees and served as Chairman of the Deacon Board and served as an Elder.

Ryan Chew shared his story of how a diverse group of Christ followers are coming together here in the DMV and beyond , and how you can get involved. Ryan Chew is a Christian artist and the worship pastor at New Life Alexandria. He was born in Silver Spring, MD. From a very young age, Ryan has had been heavily involved in music in the church. This has allowed him the opportunity to share the stage with some popular worship groups/artists like Circuit Riders, Black Voices Movement, Maverick City Music, UPPER ROOM, Kierra Sheard, Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, Kierra Sheard & Tye Tribbett, along with other local DMV artists including The Blessing DMV worship video project produced by OneHeartDC. Along with his growing career in music, Ryan is leading a movement called Unity Nights which is a growing worship gathering for bringing together local churches. Unity Nights has gained attention across other states, and will be soon bringing churches together in other regions outside the DMV.

Dr. Jessica Moerman is a scientist and a Pastor. Today she shared her passion for educating the church and spurring us on to action in the area of creation care. Dr. Jessica Moerman is a climate scientist, pastor, educator, and advocate. She serves as Vice President of Science and Policy at the Evangelical Environmental Network and is co-founding pastor at Grace Capital City, which she planted in 2016 with her husband Chris in Washington, DC. Jessica is a Board Member of the National Association of Evangelicals and a research associate at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. She has testified before Congress and appeared on major media outlets, including the NBC TODAY Show, Good Morning America, Christian Broadcasting Network, and Newsmax. She has served as a Policy Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy and researcher at Johns Hopkins University. She received her Ph.D. in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Jessica is passionate about leading church communities towards positive solutions to safeguard our cities, neighborhoods, and the next generation from the effects of a warming world and life-threatening pollution, and leads the Creation Care Justice Ministry at her church, Grace Capital City. Jessica originally hails from East Tennessee and remains a southern girl at heart. She is married to Chris and has two young boys. FOR MORE INFORMATION Evangelical Environmental Network website, CLICK HERE. Loving the Least of These: Addressing a Changing Environment, A report by the National Association of Evangelicals https://www.nae.org/loving-the-least-of-these/ Evangelicals Magazine by the National Association of Evangelicals 2022 Spring/Summer Issue "When Recycling Isn't Enough" https://www.nae.org/when-recycling-isnt-enough/ Grace Capital City Generations Campaign; https://www.gracecapitalcity.com/generations With All Creation: A Weekend of Worship, Service, and Celebration of our Creator God. April 21-22 at Grace Capital City in Washington, DC

Reverend Christian B. Aaron joined us to talk about RISE (Reclaiming Identity through Self-Empowerment). A movement focused on allowing believers to overcome their challenges, follow their passion and purpose, and strengthen and revive their faith. To understand holistic wellness, the avenue by which RISE achieves its mission. Christian B. Aaron is a faith-driven millennial native of Birmingham, Alabama and graduate of Howard University, where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She is a registered nurse and graduate of Wesley Theological Seminary, where she obtained a Master’s of Divinity. She daily combines both nursing and ministry by creating platforms through holistic wellness. Christian is the owner of RISE Enterprises LLC, a Certified Life and Health Coach, Motivational Speaker, Retreat Host, and author of two daily devotional books entitled, “Rise and Shine” and “Single is not a Sin.” She has also extended her ministry beyond the borders of the United States while journeying to Capetown, South Africa and El Salvador on mission trips. She is a 2019 Black Alumni Influencer, 2019 Howard University Move-maker, and featured on WYCB Radio. Christian considers her faith and family as her foundation and is honored to be the only girl of six boys. She was ordained at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, where she served as the Youth Minister. She is the proud wife to Mr. Matt Aaron and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.