Candid Conversations with Dr. Jonathan Youssef

Latest Episodes:

Episode 115: How a Violent Klansman Came to Christ: Thomas A. Tarrants Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

A former white-supremacist and Klansman, once infamously called the "most dangerous man in Mississippi," sits with Jonathan and retells his incredible journey from a life of violence and hate to a life of radical love fueled by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

In high-school, Thomas was enticed by extremist ideology and became involved in the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. He was shot and wounded several times and arrested by police after an attempted bombing of the home of a Jewish leader. Thomas was sentenced to thirty years in the Mississippi State Penitentiary. He then escaped prison but was captured by the F.B.I. He was returned to prison where he would spend the next three years in a small, solitary cell.

During this time, Thomas began to search for truth. He started with the great philosophers and was then led to the Bible where he truly encountered Jesus Christ for the very first time.

This dramatic interview will have you in awe and on the edge of your seat as Thomas tells of his radical transformation that smacks of a live action movie. His complete change is evidence that the Gospel of Christ can transform even the hardest heart and mind.

Thomas A. Tarrants is President Emeritus of the C.S. Lewis Institute. After serving twelve years as president and nine years as vice President, he retired from his position as Vice President for Ministry and Director, Washington Area Fellows Program, with CSLI in June 2019. Tom holds a Master of Divinity Degree, as well as a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Christian Spirituality. He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Church Alliance and a member of the Evangelical Theological Society.

Get Your Copy of Consumed by Hate, Redeemed by Love

After you listen to this episode, you may have your own questions. We would love to hear from you! To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Also, join the conversation on our social media pages:

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For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 114: The #1 Question Young People Are Asking: David Robertson (Reprise) Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Do you know the #1 question young people worldwide are asking about the Christian faith? Why are only youth in the West asking about suffering? Do you feel equipped to answer questions about Christianity?

Join Jonathan Youssef as he welcomes David Robertson to Candid Conversations. David is an experienced minister and gifted apologist who can explain complex theological Truth in a simple and engaging way.

He has written several books including The Dawkins Letters, he has The Wea Flea blog, and he has recently released ASK: Real World Questions/ Real World Answers. In it, he takes questions from young people around the world about Christianity and provides simple but profound answers. As he shares, you will learn how to answer popular questions about the faith using Biblical Truth and insight.

ASK: Real World Questions/Real World Answers

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 113: The Reason for Forgiveness, Jonathan Youssef Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

How do you forgive when you feel deeply wronged and wounded? Is it important to ask for forgiveness when we have wronged someone else?

On today's episode of Candid, Jonathan Youssef unpacks the parable of the unmerciful servant in Matthew 18 and reveals how giving and receiving forgiveness are intertwined.

After you listen to this episode, you may have your own questions. We would love to hear from you! To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Also, join the conversation on our social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 112: How to Minister to Others During a Difficult Time: Stan Carder, Reprise Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

Your best friend just lost their job. Your co-worker is sick in the ICU. Your neighbor just lost their spouse. You want to help, but you don't want to say or do the wrong thing. Today's Candid Conversations guest, Stan Carder, is here to help.

For over 40 years, Stan has walked through fierce personal trials and has, in turn, walked countless others through difficult times. From a small rural church in the Midwest to a megachurch in California, Stan has faithfully ministered God's love and Truth to those who are suffering.

Stan joined the pastoral care staff at The Church of The Apostles in 2003 and became the Director of Congregational Care in 2006. He recently retired from this role, but he continues to serve on the Leading The Way pastoral care team—ministering to each person in a caring and compassionate way.

Allow Stan to guide and encourage you to minister to those in your life today!

To ask Jonathan a question or to connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 111: Who Are Our Real Enemies? Jonathan Youssef, Reprise Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

Jonathan shares a Biblical reflection from the book of James on who our real enemies are and how we can understand them in light of the Gospel. Take a deeper look at how the world, our flesh, and the devil work against us and how we can claim the promises of God and have daily victory over these enemies of our soul.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 110: Praying for Your Unsaved Loved Ones : Jonathan Youssef Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

The question that weighs heavily on so many hearts and minds is, "How do I pray for and reach my unsaved loved ones for Christ?"

On today's episode of Candid, Jonathan Youssef unpacks this question and provides Biblical insight into why we pray, the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility, as well as the blessing we have in bearing witness to and praying for our unsaved loved ones.

After you listen to this episode, you may have your own questions. We would love to hear from you! To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Also, join the conversation on our social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 109: Persecuted Christians Flee Their Homeland: Rami and Zaina Rizk Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

We’ve heard and seen a lot about the hardship and devastation people are facing who are desperate to flee Taliban in Afghanistan. It is utterly heartbreaking. Among those in danger are Christians who will face persecution and possibly death for their faith.

It is hard to comprehend what they are facing. Today, you will hear a powerful testimony of a Christian couple caught in similar circumstances when Isis took over portions of Syria. They endured death threats, attempted kidnappings, the loss of personal freedom, and lived under a constant threat of imprisonment or death.

Rami and Zaina Rizk are from Syria. They lived in Syria when ISIS took control of certain regions in 2011 and they endured death threats, attempted kidnappings, the loss of personal freedom, and a lack of basic necessities. They fled Syria in 2013 with their young daughters – escaping ISIS rule. They first went to Lebanon and then the United States. This was not only a scary time for them and their family, but also a time when our Lord provided for them. In the face of their greatest trial, the Lord strengthened their faith and led them to safety and freedom.

Join us as we discover how to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ who are enduring great persecution today--and be reminded that our greatest gift, our faith in Christ, is refined by fire.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 108: Michael Kruger, Surviving College Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Fall is right around the corner and students are back in school. Many are heading to College for the first time. These students will be faced with so much more than the next step in their education. They will navigate new relationships, new social experiences, and a new found freedom that can be a challenge to the spiritual lives of many students. College is not known for encouraging students to grow their relationship with Christ or teaching them how to stand firm in the faith.

Join Jonathan as he welcomes Dr. Michael Kruger to discuss the challenges of holding firm to the Christian faith in college. Together they unpack some general apologetics questions like, “How was the Bible written?” and “Why do we need the Bible? What makes it authentic?” They also talk about why it’s important to stay connected to the body of Christ in college, as well as how we can empower parents to prepare students to stand firm in an academic culture of doubt and disbelief.

Dr. Kruger serves as President and Samuel C. Patterson Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary.

In addition to his duties as president, he is one of today’s leading scholars in the study of the origins of the New Testament, particularly the development of the New Testament canon. He is the author of eleven books, most recently Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College.

In this episode, we hope to encourage you to consider the challenges that may await you as a college student (or your child if you are the parent of a college student) and how you can be prepared with a gentle and respectful defense of the hope we have in Christ.

Read Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College when you purchase your copy now.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 107: Coach Mark Richt: Make The Call Aug 31, 2021

Show notes

Fall is just around the corner. Leaves are changing. Grills are being fired up. That can only mean one thing. It’s time for football! This week's Candid Conversations guest is a fan favorite around here—Coach Mark Richt.

Coach Richt played football at Miami and coached at some of the top football schools in the Southeast, including Florida State, the University of Georgia, and the University of Miami. He was a three-time Coach of the Year and led his teams to two SEC Championships, five SEC division titles, and one ACC division title. Most importantly, he has impacted countless young men for Christ by coaching and mentoring his players not only in how to play great football, but also how to be better leaders in their homes, careers, and as Christ followers.

Join us today as we talk football, his journey to faith, his passion for the younger generation, the setbacks he’s endured, and his new book, Make the Call: Game Day Wisdom for Life’s Defining Moments.

Make the Call releases today. Get your copy now.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 106: Laura Perry: Transgender to Transformed, Part 2 Aug 24, 2021

Show notes

Last week we started an in-depth conversation with Laura Perry about her path from transgender to transformed. If you missed it, I encourage you to go back and listen to the first part of this conversation when Laura and I discussed the wounds of her past and her gradual physical transformation from female to male. Though all her outward physical dreams were coming true, she was spiritually empty and aching on the inside.

Today, we will finish this conversation. Join us to hear how the Lord drew Laura back to Himself and how His love radically transformed every area of her life.

Get a Copy of Laura Perry's book, Transgender to Transformed

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions