Stay ConnectedWelcome to “Straight to the Heart,” a podcast from New Growth Press hosted by Rush Witt. Each episode includes thought-provoking conversations with leading Christian writers and thinkers. We hear who they are, what they believe, how they approach their work and ministry, and the moments and people who have changed their lives. In “Straight to the Heart,” we go beyond the books to connect with the remarkable people behind them.
Learn more about the podcast here.
Copyright: © 2023 New Growth Press. All rights reserved.
Joni Eareckson Tada discusses her life and ministry in the present moment, where she finds grace to persevere through difficult challenges, and how students can become involved in summer internships with her ministry called Joni and Friends.
JONI EARECKSON TADA ONLINE
Joni's Website
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Gospel for Hard Times
The Gospel for Hard Times (Students)
God Made Me Unique
For more about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
2:16 - Welcome
3:56 - How are things at Joni and Friends today?
6:01 - Joni and Rush Tell Their Stories
8:12 - A Powerful Shift Toward Joyfully Glorifying God.
13:42 - How has friendship help you through your suffering?
17:04 - What is making you happy in life now?
23:18 - Young people can serve in the Joni and Friends internship.
25:02 - What are some ways serving has helped students find joy in future ministry?
27:42 - How are you personally doing in daily life?
30:04 - What are some ways people can pray for you?
31:34 - Farewell
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with bestselling author Randy Alcorn about the recent death of his beloved wife, Nanci, and how his faith in Christ and familiarity with the Bible’s teaching on heaven has comforted him and deepened his walk with God. His testimony and encouragement is helpful to any one who faces serious loss and needs God's help to grieve with heaven in view.
RANDY ALCORN ONLINE
Randy's Website
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
God Made Me for Heaven
Someone I Know is Grieving
The Small Book Devotional Series
The Ask the Christian Counselor Series
More about the podcast at New Growth Press online.
Timestamps:
1:48 - Welcome
2:23 - Life Since Nanci's Death
6:09 - Tell me about Nancy
9:29 - How have heaven given you peace in Nanci's death?
15:51 - Randy paints a picture of the life to come.
21:42 - How has your relationship with Jesus grown over recent years?
24:58 - What surprised you in your grieving the loss of Nanci?
30:11 - The Story of Eternal Perspective Ministries
37:02 - How have Charles Spurgeon and C.S. Lewis influenced you?
41:13 - What's one big truth you gained from reading C.S. Lewis?
43:50 - How would you comfort someone who is grieving the loss of a loved one?
48:34 - Farewell
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Joe Hox, the talented illustrator behind the Good News for Little Hearts series. They discuss the struggle to find our worth in Christ, moving forward in usefulness to the Lord when the path is unclear, and how artistic world-building brings imaginations to life.
JOE HOX ONLINE
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Good News for Little Hearts Series
Who is Jesus? by Kate Hox (Illustrated by Joe Hox)
Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:40 - Intro
3:22 - Were you artistic as a child?
10:30 - Joe starts painting murals
14:00 - How were you shaped by a struggle to find your worth
18:36 - What was your breakout moment into successful illustrating
24:14 - The joy of working with NGP and the Good News for Little Hearts series
26:00 - A powerful perspective on finding worth in Christ
32:54 - Advice to aspiring artists and illustrators
34:36 - What's your process for building an imaginative world?
40:48 - Joe's joy of creating with his wife Kate
47:08 - Farewell
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Bob Lepine, an author, pastor, and radio host whose recent book, Build a Stronger Marriage helps married and engaged couples to apply the gospel to their relationship. They discuss resolutions to marital conflict, key problems couples face, and the signs of a healthy marriage.
BOB LEPINE ONLINE
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Build a Stronger Marriage
Reclaim Your Marriage by Jenny Solomon
Restore Your Marriage by Curtis Solomon
Table for Two by Dave and Krista Dunham
Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:35 - Intro
3:20 - What’s your advice to a couple moving toward marriage?
7:20 - Is there a common issue most couples face?
10:40 - How have you seen conflict at work in your marriage?
15:25 - The central goal of marriage
18:45 - Practical examples of building a stronger marriage
23:10 - How to know when to overlook or confront a marriage problem
28:05 - Habits are key in healthy marriages
35:35 - What have marriage taught you about yourself?
39:30 - How can we help or teach other married people when we have our own marriage problems?
43:30 - Farewell
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Camille Cates, a biblical counselor, speaker, and author who works with post-abortive women. Camille shares her story of hardship and suffering as a young woman, including her own history with abortion. From experience, she reaches out to those who are desperately seeking hope and healing from their own personal tragedies. Camille’s story is an incredible testimony to God’s grace and help in the face of sin and suffering.
CAMILLE CATES ONLINE
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Moving Forward After Abortion
Pregnancy Crisis (Minibook)
Ask the Christian Counselor Series Set
Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:35 - Intro and Camille’s upbringing and abortion story
7:13 - Camille’s experience in church before the abortion
8:34 - What was your understanding of abortion at that young age?
19:02 - We are all on even footing at the cross
22:16 - How Camille found healing in the Gospel
30:18 - The ministry of other Christians helped Camille heal
34:38 - How anyone can help post-abortive parents
39:47 - Comforting help from the Book of James
41:53 - What can churches do to help in the pro-life movement?
44:27 - How can listeners of this podcast be involved in the movement today?
50:30 - Farewell
Our host Rush Witt, sits down with Jonathan Holmes, a biblical counselor, author, and Director of Fieldstone Counseling Center in Cleveland, OH. Join them as they discuss Jonathan's adoption, his Korean heritage, growing up in the Deep South, and how these experiences shaped his life, counseling, and ministry.
JONATHAN HOLMES ONLINE
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Child Proof by Julie Lowe
The Life Counsel Bible
Helping Your Adopted Child by Paul David Tripp
Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
0:25 - Intro
0:55 - Jonathan talks about his new book on identity issues
6:05 - How have you gained such an appreciation for poetry?
10:15 - Jonathan shares how biblical counseling changed the course of life and ministry
16:15 - What's the most obvious lesson of counseling and ministry you couldn't learn from a book?
22:20 - The Holmes family finds comfort and growth in the kitchen together
24:30 - How would you describe your upbringing and the impact of adoption on your life?
39:00 - How does your culture/heritage influence your family now?
47:10 - Who have been your strongest influences?
50:55 - What makes you especially happy today?
55:45 - Farewell
Rush Witt spends the hour with Chris Moles, a leading pastor and biblical counselor who helps churches and families confront the evil of domestic violence and promote healthy, God-honoring, relationships. They talk about domestic abuse ministry, how pastors and church members can grow in this ministry, and whether or not abusers can really change.
CHRIS MOLES ONLINE
Website
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Caring for Families Caught in Domestic Abuse
Something Scary Happened by Darby Strickland
Miles the Lamb (Plushy)
Trauma and Abuse Minibook Sample Pack
Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:27 - Intro
3:28 - Chris shares his story of domestic abuse ministry
11:38 - How prevalent is domestic abuse?
19:40 - An abused person's experience provides a key entry gate for ministry
22:17 - How does abuse ministry look different in various situations?
26:36 - What does "safety plan" mean in domestic abuse ministry?
29:19 - What can a pastor do to begin growing in usefulness for abuse ministry?
38:53 - Christ coaches Rush
43:42 - Can abusers really change, and how often do you see change happen?
56:00 - How might other people help and encourage your ministry PeaceWorks University?
58:30 - Farewell
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, sits down with Sally Michael, co-founder of Truth78. They discuss how to help children know, love, and memorize God’s Word, and how her new Bible Verses to Remember series for children assists parents, teachers, and church leaders in this important ministry.
SALLY MICHAEL ONLINE
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Give God Your Worries
Good Gifts Come from God
Our Great God
The Treasure: Ancient Story Ever New of Jesus and His Church
Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:28 - Intro
2:19 - The Biggest Joy of Sally's Current Ministry Role
2:58 - Sally's New Children's Series, Bible Verses to Remember
5:27 - What are the best practices and goals of Scripture memorization?8:27 - How Memorizing Bible Passages Rescued Sally from Trouble
13:25 - What has been you path into developing so many resources for children?
21:11 - How can we help children across a broad age range love memorizing Scripture?
32:18 - Finding Moments to Emphasize Biblical Virtues in A Busy Family 36:35 - In what ways has John Piper influenced your time at Bethlehem Baptist Church?
39:51 - Farewell
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, enjoys a conversation with pastor, author, and blogger, Tim Challies. They talk about Tim’s prolific work, his family, and the death of his son Nick, which Tim discusses in his book, Seasons of Sorrow. Tim’s faith and hope in God shine as a comfort and example to all of us.
TIM CHALLIES ONLINE
Website
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God
Someone I Know Is Grieving by Edward T. Welch
A Small Book for the Hurting Heart by Paul Tautges
Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:35 - Intro
3:10 - Worship Around the World
7:30 - Tim Challies and Church Life
9:20 - Trusting God in The Death of Nick Challies
22:20 - How Seasons of Sorrow Helped Tim Challies Grieve and Hope in Christ
29:25 - How the Challies Family Stays Strong In Hope
33:00 - Tim Challies' Broader Life and Interests
37:55 - Farewell
In this episode of Straight to the Heart, our host Rush Witt, talks with Lifeway's Bible Publisher Andy McLean. They discuss how Bibles are developed, published, and printed. And they give special attention to a new edition called the Life Counsel Bible, which contains numerous articles and other tools for life and counseling. This episode provides an encouraging reminder of the invaluable ways the Bible speaks into daily life.
ANDY MCLEAN ONLINE
Website
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Facebook
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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
The Life Counsel Bible by Lifeway and New Growth Press
Personal Growth Minibook Sample Pack
Learn more about the podcast here.
Timestamps:
1:30 - Intro
5:46 - What exactly is a Bible Publisher?
6:44 - The Amazing Process of Bible Development
13:10 - How and where are Bibles created before they reach our hands?
16:24 - Why do we have so many different Bibles?
22:22 - The Life Counsel Bible
27:20 - What Andy McLean Hears from Readers of the Life Counsel Bible
30:06 - Gratitude and Farewell
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