The Walk: Real Stories of Faith

Most Christians would say they know Jesus. But what if we’ve misunderstood who He really is? In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Mark E. Moore—teaching pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley and bestselling author of Core 52—challenges one of the most foundational assumptions in modern faith: not whether we believe in Jesus, but whether we actually understand Him. From his years as a New Testament professor to leading at one of the largest churches in the country, Mark brings clarity to a question that reshapes everything: Have we reduced Jesus to something smaller than who He really is? This conversation explores the tension between seeing Jesus as Savior versus recognizing Him as Messiah and King—and why that distinction changes how we live, lead, and follow Him today. Guest Bio Mark E. Moore is the teaching pastor at Christ’s Church of the Valley in Peoria, Arizona—one of the fastest-growing churches in the United States. He previously spent over 20 years as a New Testament professor at Ozark Christian College and is the bestselling author of Core 52. Mark is passionate about making Scripture accessible, clear, and transformative for everyday life. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Phoenix. Episode Highlights Are we missing the real Jesus?How modern Christianity can unintentionally reshape Jesus into our own image Savior vs. King: why it mattersWhat happens when we embrace Jesus as Savior but ignore His authority as Messiah Why “personal faith” might be incompleteRecovering the power of a shared, lived-out faith in community The danger of a customized JesusHow culture influences the way we interpret Scripture and identity What it actually means to follow Jesus todayMoving from comfort to surrender—and from belief to embodied faith Pull Quote “IF YOU SEE JESUS ONLY AS SAVIOR, YOU’LL WAIT FOR HEAVEN SOMEDAY—INSTEAD OF LIVING ETERNAL LIFE RIGHT NOW.” Helpful Links Mark E. Moore Books: https://www.markmoore.org/ Christ’s Church of the Valley: https://ccv.church Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The cross is central to everything we believe.So why does it sometimes feel… familiar? In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Cade Thompson opens up about a tension many Christians quietly carry—what happens when the message of the cross stops feeling powerful and starts feeling routine. Growing up in church and now touring as a Christian artist, Cade shares how easy it is to lose the wonder of what Jesus has done—and how to find it again. From a life-changing moment at summer camp to a simple conversation in an airport that sparked his song “That’s What the Cross Is For,” this episode is a reminder that the gospel was never meant to become background noise—it was meant to transform everything. Guest Bio Cade Thompson is a Christian artist and songwriter based in Franklin, Tennessee. Originally from South Dakota, Cade has over 121 million lifetime streams and has toured with artists like Chris Tomlin, TobyMac, Newsboys, and Michael W. Smith. He is signed to Red Street Records and leads worship weekly at his local church, writing songs that reflect his passion for Jesus and the power of the gospel. Episode Highlights Why the message of the cross can lose its meaningAnd how to rediscover the wonder of what Jesus has done The story behind “That’s What the Cross Is For”How a simple airport conversation became a defining song How to stay spiritually fresh in worship and everyday lifeWhy your private time with God matters more than the platform Fighting comparison as a Christian creativeChoosing kingdom perspective over personal success What Gen Z is really looking for in worshipA shift toward authenticity, simplicity, and real encounters with God Pull Quote “WHEN YOU’VE BEEN WITH GOD IN PRIVATE, YOU DON’T HAVE TO TURN IT ON IN PUBLIC—IT JUST OVERFLOWS.” Helpful Links Instagram: https://instagram.com/cadethompson Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This episode gets honest about something many worship leaders feel—but rarely say out loud. Dan Rivera has led on big stages, written songs heard around the world, and helped shape worship culture in the Church. But in this conversation, he pulls things back to what actually sustains a life in ministry: humility, real relationships, and a faith that doesn’t depend on the platform. Because the truth is—what people see on stage is only a window… not the whole life. Guest Bio Dan Rivera lives just outside New Orleans, Louisiana, where he serves as Worship Pastor at Church of the King. A songwriter, leader, and pastor, Dan is passionate about building healthy worship cultures that reach people and reflect the heart of the local church. He and his wife have been married for over 12 years and have three kids. Episode Highlights “Worship leading is a window—not the whole house”Why what people see on stage doesn’t define your spiritual health The hidden loneliness many worship leaders faceAnd how real relationships—not platforms—keep you grounded Why your closest friends shouldn’t all be worship leadersBreaking out of the “echo chamber” of ministry culture The most important trait for anyone on a worship team(Hint: it’s not talent) How to lead with faith in an uncertain worldA simple but powerful framework: Is God real? Then His promises are too. Pull Quote “Worship leading is a window into your life—it’s not the whole picture.” Helpful Links Church of the King: https://churchoftheking.com Listen to For The One album (search “Church of the King Worship”) Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it free today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

This episode is about the quiet tension every worship leader feels—but doesn’t always say out loud. Clayton Brooks has spent over 20 years in worship ministry, and in this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on what it really looks like to lead when no one’s responding, when insecurity creeps in, and when the line between worship and performance starts to blur. From leading in highly produced environments to moments where everything stripped away, Clayton shares why the greatest danger in worship isn’t getting it wrong—it’s slowly shifting who you’re doing it for. Guest Bio Clayton Brooks lives in Stokesdale, North Carolina, where he serves as Worship Pastor at Calvary Church of Greensboro. He’s a songwriter, producer, and pastor with over two decades of experience in worship ministry. Clayton is passionate about helping the Church—especially worship leaders—live what they sing. He’s married to Aunie, and they have three sons: Connor, Cayden, and Asher. Episode Highlights “Who are you leading for?”The subtle shift from leading people to God… to leading for people’s approval Why crowd response can quietly shape your leadershipAnd how to stay grounded when the room feels disengaged The tension between production and presenceAre we creating moments—or making space for God to move? What worship really is (and what it’s not)A needed reset for leaders navigating modern church culture The power of simple, unfiltered worshipWhy some of the most impactful moments happen when everything else falls away Pull Quote “Don’t let the room determine your leadership—lead from what God is doing in you.” Helpful Links Instagram: https://instagram.com/claytonbrooks Calvary Church Greensboro: https://calvarychurch.com Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it free today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Chris Clayton: Writing Worship Songs That Shape the Church What does it really mean to write songs for the Church—not just for a moment, but for generations? In this episode of The Walk, Chris Clayton shares his journey from a dream in Texas to becoming a trusted voice in worship songwriting and production in Nashville. With honesty and depth, Chris opens up about family, faith, discipline, and the responsibility of writing songs that don’t just sound good—but actually form people. Guest Bio Chris Clayton is a Nashville-based worship and CCM producer and songwriter signed to Story House Publishing, a creative venture led by Matthew West in partnership with Essential Music Publishing (Sony Music Entertainment). Originally from Beaumont, Texas, Chris has worked with artists including Chris Tomlin, Keith & Kristyn Getty, Shane & Shane, Bethel Music, Meredith Andrews, and more. He is passionate about helping churches and artists create songs that are theologically grounded, musically strong, and built to serve the Church for generations. Chris lives in the Nashville area with his wife Kara and their five children. Episode Highlights What does it mean to write a “legacy” worship song?Chris explains the difference between songs that trend and songs that endure. How do you balance calling, creativity, and family?A real look at discipline, boundaries, and staying faithful in every season. Are we writing for the Church—or for platforms?A needed challenge to refocus on shepherding people through song. Why does Scripture have to be the foundation of songwriting?“Songwriting doesn’t start with vibes—it starts with Scripture.” What is the Church missing in worship music today?Chris shares why we need more songs about God’s character, the cross, and His faithfulness. Pull Quote “Songwriting doesn’t start with vibes—it starts with Scripture.” Helpful Links Website: https://www.chrisclaytonmusic.com/Instagram: http://instagram.com/chrisclaytonmusicFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/chrismclayton78 Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it free today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=thewalk&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=wlm Listen Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon Music Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if your biggest project wasn’t just creative—but deeply spiritual? In this episode, Tommee Profitt shares how The Resurrection of a King was born out of surrender, obedience, and a powerful encounter with God that reshaped how he creates music. About This EpisodeTommee Profitt is known for cinematic music that reaches billions—but behind the success is a story of calling, tension, and rediscovering worship. From producing chart-topping hits to creating faith-centered orchestral albums, Tommee opens up about the moment everything shifted—and why this project feels more important than anything he’s ever done. What You’ll Hear in This Episode How a 2AM moment led to The Resurrection of a King Why Tommee says this project felt “downloaded from God” The tension between mainstream success and spiritual calling How he chooses the right voice for every song His honest thoughts on AI, creativity, and staying grounded Why obedience matters more than platform or recognition Key TakeawayTommee reminds us that creativity isn’t just expression—it can be an act of surrender. When God is at the center, the goal shifts from success to impact. Standout Moment“It felt like these songs were downloaded to me—and I just got to hear them before everyone else.” About Tommee ProfittTommee Profitt is a Nashville-based producer, songwriter, and composer whose work spans film, television, and mainstream music. With over 100 billion streams globally and collaborations with artists like NF, Avril Lavigne, and Josh Groban, Tommee is known for his cinematic sound. A former worship leader, his recent projects—including The Birth of a King and The Resurrection of a King—reflect a deep return to faith-driven creativity. Links & Resources Tommee Profitt: https://www.tommeeprofitt.com Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommeeprofitt SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it free today at https://www.planningcenter.com Listen & SubscribeListen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you stream podcasts. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Real worship leadership begins long before the stage. In this episode of The Walk, Kurtis Parks sits down with worship pastor, mentor, and founder of The Worship Life, Amber Peairs, to talk about identity, leadership health, and why so many worship leaders quietly struggle behind the scenes. Amber shares wisdom from more than three decades in worship ministry—along with hard-won lessons about calling, comparison, feedback culture, and learning to lead from a place of sonship rather than performance. Guest Bio Amber Peairs is a worship pastor, vocal coach, speaker, and mentor with more than 30 years of experience in full-time ministry. She is the founder of The Worship Life, an international training hub equipping worship pastors and teams to lead with clarity, excellence, and Kingdom impact. Amber provides coaching, courses, and resources for worship leaders while consulting with churches around the world. She is also a songwriter with five English albums and one Spanish album. Episode Highlights Why do worship teams struggle with culture?Amber explains that one of the biggest challenges globally is helping teams rediscover their why and building a healthy culture rooted in biblical worship. What is the biblical definition of worship?Amber simplifies it powerfully: worship is love expressed. When teams understand this, it shifts the focus from performance to devotion. How can leaders help volunteers grow in skill?Develop a culture of feedback, mentorship, and intentional coaching so musicians continually “skill up” instead of coasting. How should worship leaders handle comparison?Amber encourages leaders to stay focused on their God-given assignment and resist measuring their calling against someone else’s platform. What’s the biggest issue facing young worship leaders today?Identity. When creatives tie their worth to their gifting instead of their identity in Christ, it leads to burnout, insecurity, and striving. Pull Quote “Your gifting is what you do — but your identity is who you are. When worship leaders confuse the two, ministry becomes striving instead of worship.” Helpful Links Amber PeairsWebsite: https://www.theworshiplife.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberpeairsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amberpeairsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theworshiplifeofficialSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Ub2M2bxb3xjiz20qZuWUf?si=lkAqGSesQPmzJ1v83IuIAQ Sponsor This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized.Learn more at: https://planningcenter.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

When God disrupts what’s familiar, He’s often inviting us into deeper trust.In this episode of The Walk, Kurtis Parks sits down with Jeff Deyo to talk about calling, pain, faithfulness, and what it really means to shepherd people—not just lead platforms. In this conversation, you’ll hear Jeff and Kurtis talk about: Why pastoring is less about performance and more about guiding people to God How pain and disappointment often precede clarity in our calling What it looks like to be “comfortable in the uncomfortable” as a follower of Jesus Why the church doesn’t need more spectators—it needs more shepherded disciples The difference between feeding sheep and teaching them how to graze Staying rooted when it would be easier to walk away Guest Bio Jeff Deyo is the lead pastor of Trinity Church Waxahachie in Waxahachie, Texas, near Dallas. He is an author, speaker, leadership coach, and longtime worship leader best known as the former lead singer of the Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning band Sonicflood. Jeff has written and recorded over 75 songs, authored several books on worship and leadership, and served for 14 years as a professor at North Central University in Minneapolis. Today, Jeff’s heart is centered on pastoring people into deeper intimacy with God, raising up disciples, and helping leaders live rooted, Spirit-led lives. Pull Quote “The only place God wants you to be comfortable is in the uncomfortable—because that’s where faith actually grows.” Helpful Links https://www.jeffdeyo.comhttps://www.instagram.com/jeffdeyo Sponsor: Planning Center This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software that helps churches plan services, schedule volunteers, and stay organized so ministry can thrive.Try it free today at:https://planningcenter.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In a divided and distracted age, what does it really mean for the Church to be the hope of the world? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Kurtis Parks sits down with theologian, worship pastor, and author Steven Félix-Jäger to rediscover the Church’s calling to live as a people of Jubilee. Episode 160Hosted by Kurtis Parks Steven invites us to zoom out—beyond our local context, beyond our political moment—and see the global, Spirit-filled movement of God through His Church. In This Episode, We Talk About: What Scripture really says about the Church as the “hope of the world” The biblical meaning of Jubilee—and how it shapes Christian generosity Why being rooted in a local church still matters in a post-2020 world The danger of interpreting ancient Scripture through a narrow modern lens How worship unites the global Church across cultures and denominations Writing songs from the real stories happening in your congregation Major on the majors: how to lead worship with theological clarity and unity About Steven Félix-Jäger Steven Félix-Jäger is Associate Professor of Theology & Worship, Chair of Worship & Media, and Director of Academic Research at Life Pacific University in Southern California. A theologian, exhibiting artist, songwriter, and producer, he is the author or co-author of eight books exploring worship, aesthetics, theology, and culture. Born on the mission field in Schillingsfürst, Germany to a Puerto Rican and German family, Steven brings a deeply global perspective to his work in the Church. He serves as a worship pastor at Pasadena Foursquare Church and lives in Southern California with his wife Connie, daughter Mila, and their dog Biggie. His latest book, How to Worship for All Its Worth: A Guide for Pastors, Worship Leaders, and Students, is available now. Helpful Links How to Worship for All Its Worth (Book):https://www.amazon.com/How-Worship-All-Its-Worth/dp/0310172667 Life Pacific University:https://lifepacific.edu Pasadena Foursquare Church:https://pasadenafoursquare.com This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software built to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized without the chaos. Whether you're leading worship, managing teams, or planning Sunday morning, Planning Center keeps everything in one place so you can focus on ministry. Try it free today by clicking here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of The Walk, Kurtis Parks sits down with pastor-turned-maker Derek Welborn to tell a story that starts with loss, wrestles through identity, and unfolds into unexpected calling. What began as a painful journey through alopecia became the soil God used to birth Saints Western—and a deeper trust in His timing. Episode 159Host: Kurtis Parks In This Episode, You’ll Hear: How losing his hair forced Derek to confront identity, fear, and faith Why unanswered prayers can still become sacred turning points The role community plays when God invites us to step out in faith How Saints Western was born from pain, craftsmanship, and obedience What it looks like to follow God when the next step feels unclear Guest Bio Derek Welborn lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Jill and their daughters, Jaymes and Gray. After 15 years in full-time ministry, Derek stepped into a new season when a battle with severe alopecia disrupted everything he thought he knew about calling and identity. What began as a deeply personal loss became the birthplace of Saints Western, a brand rooted in craftsmanship, legacy, and faith. Today, Derek continues to tell redemptive stories—through community, creativity, and a life surrendered to God’s leading. Pull Quote “WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE END OF MY STORY WAS ACTUALLY THE PLACE GOD STARTED WRITING A NEW ONE.” Helpful Links https://www.saintswestern.comhttps://www.instagram.com/derekwelbornhttps://www.instagram.com/saintswestern Sponsor — Planning Center This episode is brought to you by Planning Center, the all-in-one software built to help churches stay organized and care for people well. From scheduling volunteers to planning services, Planning Center frees church leaders to focus on ministry instead of logistics.Try it free today at:https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=thewalk&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode159 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.