The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

God is so good and so loving and we are blessed to be his children. In this episode of The Walk, Gatherhouse worship leader, pastor, and songwriter Ryan Kennedy talks us through the life-changing experience he had when he achieved his dream at 17 of getting a show produced Off-Broadway.At least, he thought it was his dream. So many of OUR dreams come from experience with what our culture tells us our dreams SHOULD be. There are few scriptures as powerful and as poignant as Galatians 2:20, which Ryan references in this episode.(ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.In our “me” culture, the idea of no longer having an identity that YOU control seems oppressive, but once you learn the truth of how good our God is and how much he loves us, it’s easier and easier to live a life of faith in the Son of God. Ryan’s testimony in this episode of The Walk is powerful and a great devotional to start off our year with. Let’s all commit to walking away from “flesh” and running toward “faith” in 2023. Happy New Year.- - - - - -Sponsored ByWorship Leader Institutehttps://www.worshipleaderinstitute.com/- - - - - -Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.Additional Linkshttps://www.wearegatherhouse.comhttps://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/https://authenticmedia.company/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Our God is good, all the time. In this episode Benjamin William Hastings asks the question, does God sometimes allow the storms to come? His question is linked to a journey through the streets of London during a literal storm, but the metaphor is relevant to us all. How many times have we cried out during a challenging season in life only to get to the other side and realize how much that season caused us to press in and build a deeper relationship with the Father?“The only way through it is to Hallelujah!” Is a lyric from Benjamin’s song that he sings with Blessing Offor called That’s The Thing About Praise. He couldn’t be more right…we just need to praise our way through the storm, even when we don’t feel like it’s making a difference. Today we say, “Hallelujah,” for those that are struggling with illness. We say, “Hallelujah,” for those that got laid off. We say, “Hallelujah,” for those dealing with the pain from the loss of a loved one. On it goes until we are singing praises to our King no matter the storms we face. Amen.- - - - - -Sponsor InformationWorship Leader Institutehttps://www.worshipleaderinstitute.com/- - - - - - Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.Additional Linkshttp://www.benjaminwilliamhastings.com/https://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/https://authenticmedia.company/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What Christian hasn’t asked the question, “did I not pray hard enough?” One of my first questions for God when I get to heaven will be, “what took you so long!?” God’s timing and our timing don’t often align in the exact way we would wish. Given the expectation we have in our culture of faster is better, waiting on the Lord to answer while enduring any sort of pain or discomfort is not something that we usually handle well.Justin Warren, a recording artist and worship leader, talks us through a journey he went on that made him doubt his calling. He was challenged by God to press in and wait on the Lord for an answer. Through that process a beautiful new song was written and spiritual growth happened and he’ll share his story with us on today’s episode.- - - - - -Sponsor InformationWorship Leader Institutehttps://www.worshipleaderinstitute.com/- - - - - - Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.Additional Linkshttps://www.justinwarrenmusic.net/https://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/https://authenticmedia.company/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There’s no question that walking through something as painful as watching your child suffer will cause you to question your faith in God. Jordan St. Cyr, Canadian Worship Leader and artist, tells us about his daughter, Emory, and the health trials she’s encountered since joining us here on this earth.Jordan’s testimony is actually one of encouragement for all of us who have or are currently walking through a time of testing. He addresses that difficult time frame right between the blessing or miracle and when we’re just believing in faith for that miracle. It’s a beautiful place to exist, but it can cause us to fall away or draw closer to our Creator.Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”- - - - - - Sponsor InformationWorship Leader Institutehttps://www.worshipleaderinstitute.com/Additional Linkshttps://www.jordanstcyr.com/https://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/https://authenticmedia.company/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/- - - - - - Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.Who is Jordan St. Cyr?Husband. Father of two boys and two girls. Singer. Songwriter. Storyteller. Sharer of God’s Word. It was when Jordan St. Cyr served with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) as a teen that he found the inspiration to pursue music as a career. He eventually released an EP, and in the years that have followed, he has received numerous and life-changing opportunities to work alongside so many talented songwriters, producers, and artists, all who have encouraged him along his journey. From playing numerous events of all sizes and meeting people from many different walks of life, humanity’s deep desire for meaningful connection has been revealed to him and the hope to find something more vibrant than our current reality. Now in 2022, after releasing more music along the way, Jordan St. Cyr has debuted his first full-length album with Seattle-based label BEC Recordings - a self-titled ten-song project that was released on March 4th. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

It’s so easy in our world of social media to fall into the comparison trap. Sarah Kroger, an accomplished worship songwriter and performer, gives a personal testimony of walking through that trap and stepping out into the freedom that comes when we embrace God’s love. Her personal story will translate to all of us as no human has ever walked this earth and not had the thought that someone else has it better. We’ve all said, “I wish I were more like her/him,” or “I wish I had what they had,” or “My life isn’t good enough without what they have.” But God says…Psalms 139 13-16For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.- - - - - -Sponsor InformationPlanning Centerhttps://www.planningcenter.com/Additional Linkshttps://www.sarahkroger.com/https://amzn.to/3EjBrra - The Life of the Belovedhttps://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/https://authenticmedia.company/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/- - - - - - Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of The Walk; a devotionals podcast led by worship leaders, Steven Fry addresses one of the most common side effects of full-time ministry. We enter with passion for the ministry, but in our human failure that passion turns those serving into slaves of the ministry instead of servants of the almighty God.Steve is a pastor, worship leader, artist, playwright, and author. In his 50 years in ministry he has served in almost every role you can imagine. His wisdom for how to stay focused on what’s important, which is his personal relationship with Jesus, over what’s tangible and feels important, the daily work of the ministry, has been the key to sustaining him for those 50+ years.He pulls from a story that isn’t often preached and comes from Ezekiel 44 and surrounds the Levitical Priests called the Sons of Zadok. This episode is sure to challenge and encourage anyone, whether you serve in full-time ministry or not. In essence, we are all ministers in whatever role we fill our daily lives with, so listen and please respond with comments and shares. We would love to see this amazing message reach more and more people who are falling into the temptation of striving for the world instead of abiding with Jesus.- - - - - -Sponsor InformationPlanning Centerhttps://www.planningcenter.com/Additional Linkshttps://www.thegate.cc/https://Stevenfry.orghttps://amzn.to/3UOyCF4https://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/https://authenticmedia.company/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.Who is Steven Fry?Steve Fry serves as Senior Pastor of The Gate Community Church, located in Franklin, Tennessee and is the President of Messenger Fellowship. Steve received his Masters Degree in Theology from Wesley Institute, a member college of the Sydney College of Divinity.As a pastor, best-selling author (I AM: The Unveiling of God), composer, and recording artist, Steve blends worship and scriptural teaching in a way that is relevant and revelatory. His well known songs include Oh the glory of His Presence and I Want To Know You More. Steve has traveled the globe speaking at churches, conferences, leading missions teams and touring with his musicals (We are Called, Thy Kingdom Come). He and his wife, Nancy, have three children. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

There are so many times we mistake “greatness” for something that we as humans do and achieve instead of realizing what it really is; the “anointing” of the Holy Spirit on someone operating within their God-given gifting.In this episode, Gospel artist, songwriter, worship leader, and co-writer and performer of Rapha, Jason Clayborn, tells a story of his first encounter with “greatness” and how he learned that those who carry a higher calling on their life and submit to the will and authority of Jesus are able to carry his presence in the form of a Holy Spirit anointing.Once we recognize that all Christians carry some form of this, how do we reconcile our differences and how does this calling on our lives draw us closer to Jesus, while also introducing others to Jesus through us? These questions and more are touched on in this exciting podcast episode from this seasoned artist and worship leader in Jason.We’re thrilled to have him as a guest and we encourage you to comment below, review our podcast, subscribe to our show, and please share our content as we believe this show is “anointed” with the purpose of equipping and building up those on worship teams and who volunteer in churches all over the world.- - - - - -Sponsor InformationPlanning Centerhttps://www.planningcenter.com/Additional Linkshttps://bio.site/smjchttps://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/https://authenticmedia.company/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.Who is Jason Clayborn?https://bio.site/smjcTyscot recording artist Jason Clayborn is a GRAMMY® and Stellar Award nominee and former member of the renowned hip-hop/gospel group The Righteous Riders. He has toured around the world with numerous artists, including iconic worship leader Dr. Ron Kenoly. Clayborn and his choir, The Atmosphere Changers, were nominated for four 2022 Stellar Awards, including Male Artist of the Year and Praise & Worship Song of the Year. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

We’ve all walked through experiences where we’ve been asked to do something that we didn’t feel prepared for. Those situations often cause us to be stretched beyond what we believe we’re capable of. The U.S. Navy SEALs have a saying: "Get comfortable being uncomfortable." Now, we’re not all called to become Navy SEALs, but as followers of Jesus we are automatically members of the Lord’s army. That means we’re faced with embracing the uncomfortable situations of life that Jesus puts us in.In this episode, we travel back with Dustin Smith to his early days of ministry and learn about how he became a worship leader that could also play the piano. That led to an anointed career as a songwriter, musician, worship pastor, and now senior pastor at Hope UC in Nashville.Dustin’s encouragement to step out and not let insecurities get in the way of what Jesus has for you makes for a great episode of our devotional podcast, The Walk.- - - - - -Sponsor InformationPlanning Centerhttps://www.planningcenter.com/Additional Linkshttps://www.herebelions.org/https://www.instagram.com/worshipleader/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/https://authenticmedia.company/https://worshipleader.com/all-podcasts/our-host/Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Sw anson cand the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.Who is Dustin Smith?Dustin Smith is a worship leader, songwriter and fourth-generation pastor, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Dustin is also the founder of Here Be Lions, a ministry collective that focuses on discipleship, music and community not only through their songwriting and worship but through additional outreaches such as: Be Fierce, a discipleship resource for families, and Healing Is Right, a resource for the sick and hurting.With vulnerability, humor and an unyielding love for God and His people, Dustin crosses denominational, cultural and generational lines to share the Gospel through preaching, teaching and music. His songs, which range from adoration to warfare, include " I Speak Jesus", “God Who Moves The Mountains,” “Miracles,” “Belong To You (Enemy Can’t),” “Praise The King,” “Rushing Waters” and “Chaotic Love (The One That Really Matters).”Most recently Dustin has partnered with world renowned pastors Mark & Darlene Czech of Hope Unlimited Church Australia in expanding their reach to the US. Dustin & his wife Jeanna launched HopeUC Nashville in October of 2019 and just celebrated their 3rd year church anniversary. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Romans 3:23 (NKJV) says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” That includes Pastors and those in full time ministry. We are all sinners and constantly need salvation, grace, repentance, and realignment with the way of Jesus.Worship Leader, songwriter, and worship artist Stephen Mcwhirter has a story that may seem “extreme” to some of us, but to God is just another example of a lost sheep finding its way back home to the Father. It started with abuse, which led to a lifestyle of seeking to escape the pain of that abuse, then to radical salvation, and to an even more radical transformation.This episode is inspiring, to say the least, but it also includes a roadmap that all of us can be encouraged by, which surrounds learning to love Jesus when nobody else is watching. Psalm 91:1 (NKJV) says, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most HighShall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” A daily practice of visiting with Jesus and building that intimate relationship with the Creator leads to a life that can reshape a radical transformation that starts with a one-time event, but sustains through an entire life.Matthew 6:1 (NIV) “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.- - - - - -Please subscribe to our social channels for more information and great content surrounding building a lifestyle of worship. This podcast is brought to you by Authentic Media and Worship Leader Magazine. Our host is Joshua Swanson and the show’s co-producer and editor is Matt McCartie. More episodes can be found here.Who is Stephen Mcwhirter?Stephen McWhirter is a touring wor ship leader, producer, speaker and author whose powerful testimony of divine deliverance from addiction is the cornerstone of his ministry platform. A founding member of the former worship collective Iron Bell Music, he is also a songwriter with Essential Music Publishing/Sony PLG and a Lula Street (Integrity Music) recording artist. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Here at Worship Leader we consistently see artists and worship leaders referencing a mentor or a coach that steps in at just the right moment and gives us a piece of advice or drops some scripturally based wisdom on us that changes our lives forever. In this episode of our devotionals podcast, The Walk, artist and songwriter Evan Craft tells a story of his first tour of South America, how it all “fell apart,” but how God used the chaos and the struggle to realign Evan’s heart with his true purpose in ministry. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.