Lessons from 60 Years in Ministry: A Conversation with Jack Graham and Pastor Greg Laurie
Is ministry really worth it? In this episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg Laurie sits down with legendary pastor Jack Graham, Senior Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church and host of the wildly popular “Bible in a Year” podcast, for a raw, heartfelt conversation about calling, leadership, and navigating life’s toughest storms.
Together, Jack Graham and Pastor Greg Laurie reflect on decades of ministry, sharing wisdom for both young and seasoned leaders. From the highs of spiritual revival and generational impact, to the personal lows of tragedy and burnout, their candid discussion offers practical wisdom and refreshing encouragement drawn from real experience.
Key moments include Jack Graham's touching account of how tragedy shaped his ministry, the enduring power of forgiveness, and a behind-the-scenes look at how a simple act of reading Bible stories as a child sparked a movement reaching millions worldwide. Their conversation also tackles urgent issues like the rise of antisemitism, the role of the local church in a culture driven by media influencers, and essential principles for finishing well—both in marriage and in ministry.
Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or someone longing for purpose and hope in your own calling, you’ll find yourself inspired by deep biblical truths, practical advice, and a joyful reminder that “it’s worth it”—no matter the cost.
Subscribe for more conversations like this—where faith, culture, and real life meet.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 Wisdom from Age: "It's Worth It"
01:56 Bible in a Year: Reaching 100 Million Downloads
03:05 Childhood Roots: Grandfather’s Influence with Bible Stories
04:03 Signs of Revival: Bible Sales Up Among Gen Z
05:07 Lasting Impact of the Jesus Movement
08:02 Mentorship Over Seminary: Best Preparation for Ministry
10:08 Overcoming Burnout: Spiritual Resilience and Church Support
12:23 Handling Criticism: "No Attack, No Defense"
16:25 Broadening the Tent: Unity and Doctrinal Depth
18:44 Life Verses and Finishing with Joy
20:01 "When I Run, I Feel His Pleasure": Loving Preaching
23:13 Managing Distractions and Social Media in Ministry
25:48 Why Local Church Matters: Jesus’ Only Institution
29:01 Regrets & Advice: "It's Going to Be Okay"
30:19 Final Sermon: "Jesus Christ is Lord"
36:01 Family Tragedy: Coping with Father’s Murder
41:31 Forgiving the Unforgivable: Freedom from Bitterness
47:00 Angels in Scripture: Surprising Biblical Discoveries
50:37 Do We Have Guardian Angels?
52:01 Rise of Antisemitism: Biblical Perspective and Prophecy
59:29 Supporting Israel: "To the Jew First"
01:03:07 Closing Thanks & Reflections
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In 1990, Laurie founded the Harvest Crusades, a series of large-scale evangelistic events designed to present the gospel to broad audiences. These events have since drawn more than 11.5 million participants in person and online. In 2012, he launched Harvest America, a nationwide outreach event that utilized HD livestreaming to broadcast to thousands of venues across the United States. Collectively, these efforts have resulted in over 700,000 documented professions of faith.
A prolific author, Laurie has written over 70 books, including House of David, Billy Graham: The Man I Knew, Steve McQueen: The Salvation of an American Icon, Revelation: A Book of Promises, and Jesus Revolution.
His filmography includes Lost Boy: The Next Chapter, Hope for Hurting Hearts, Steve McQueen: American Icon, and Johnny Cash: The Redemption of an American Icon. In 2023, Greg and Cathe Laurie’s life and conversion during the Jesus Movement of the 1960s and ‘70s were depicted in the Lionsgate film Jesus Revolution, starring Kelsey Grammer and Jonathan Roumie.
Greg Laurie has been married to Cathe Laurie for over 51 years. They have two sons and five grandchildren.
Want more from Greg Laurie? Visit harvest.org
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