Send us a Text Message. Thea, Reggie & Vincent share and honest conversation about what matters most when it comes to understanding the identity of Christ and how it impacts our own self identity. Discussion Questions: Tell us about your journey to faith. What about your faith matters most? What aspect of our lives did Jesus come to claim? How does…

Send us a text This week, Thea has a conversation with Rev. Lataya Simpson who serves as Senior Pastor of St. Matthew's UMC. Thea and Lataya offer an honest conversations about the places they find differences, beauty and struggles as well as ways to move forward despite the differences that try to pull us apart. Discussion Topics: Tell us about yo…

Send us a Text Message. Thea talks with Rev. Michael Jarboe, Senior Associate Pastor at Memorial Drive UMC to discuss what happens when churches are willing to try new things, and what might happen if they don’t. Discussion Topics Tell us about your journey to faith. What brought you to church? Why have you stayed, and chosen to serve and lead the …

Send us a Text Message. Thea, Reggie & John discuss together what freedom means in relation to national freedom and Christ’s freedom that offers a truly new life. Discussion Questions How do you define freedom? Where do you see freedom in reality? How do you describe the opposite of freedom? Where do you see that reality? Is there freedom in faith,…

In this episode of "New People, New Ways," we are joined by Reverend Thea Curry-Fuson, an ordained elder in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. Reverend Thea's journey is a testament to transformative faith and ministry. Growing up unchurched with only a nominal faith and relational exposure to God overseas, she entered into…

Send us a Text Message. Episode Guests: Noble, Lincoln, Grace, Lennox & Shannon Garza Thea sits down with a couple of elementary and middle school kids the week of Vacation Bible School to listen to what they have to say about faith, church and why it all matters to them. Shannon Garza, Director of Pearland Kids Ministry also shares with Thea what …

In Episode 34, we are joined by Lori Jennings, Vice-President of American Baptist Churches of PA and DE (ABCOPAD), Head Coach of the Leadership Team, and Home Church leader for GraceCrossing Community Church in Phoenixville, PA. Lori also serves as a short-term missionary in Uganda, where she combats the prosperity gospel by sharing truth with past…

Send us a Text Message. Pastor Thea sits down with two FUMC Pearland partners to discuss the controversial topic of God and money, striving to answer the question “Can I be rich, and still love Jesus?” Discussion Topics: What does God think about money? Can I be rich and still love Jesus? Where do you see Chrisitans misusing their access to money? …

Send us a Text Message. Rev. Thea is joined by Rev. Reggie Clemons and City of Pearland Mayor Kevin Cole for an honest conversation about how faith and politics are hard to divide, and what might happen if more Christ followers let Jesus lead the way they view how to organize the chaos of humanity. Discussion Topics: When and how was faith introduc…

In Episode 33, we’re joined by Laceye Warner. Rev. Laceye C. Warner, PhD is Royce and Jane Reynolds, Associate Professor of the Practice of Evangelism and Methodist Studies and Associate Dean for Wesleyan Engagement at Duke University Divinity School. An elder in the Texas Conference, Dr. Warner was appointed to the faculty at Duke Divinity School …

Send us a Text Message. Thea is joined by fellow pastors, Kyle & Quinn to discuss where they see God doing new things, how those new things affect our current church realities and how the new things might reach those less interested in church today yet hungry for faith. Discussion Topics Include: When and how was faith introduced into your life? De…

Send us a text This week, host Rev. Thea Curry-Fuson is joined by fellow pastors, Rev. Hannah Terry and Rev. Ginny Griggs to discuss what it means to be hungry, for food and community, and how the body of believers can feed this need by being willing to share and receive what it is we have to bring. Discussion Topics: When and how was faith introdu…

In Episode 32, we’re joined by Danielle Buwon Kim. Danielle was born in South Korea and moved to the United States during her middle school years. She is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and is currently appointed as the Associate Director of Research and Development at the North Texas Annual Conference. She is the pastor of Ka:ll C…

Send us a Text Message. Real Talk Season Two kicks off with an honest conversation about the decisions made at General Conference (UMC International Voting Body) and what they might mean for the current and future of the United Methodist Church. Host Rev. Thea Curry-Fuson is joined by Rev. Reggie Clemons, FUMC Pearland, and Rev. Lindsay Kirkpatrick…

In Episode 31, we’re joined by Isaiah and Daniel Park. Isaiah and Daniel are pastors at Restoration Church in Reston, VA, a campus of Floris United Methodist Church where Isaiah also serves. At Restoration Reston, fresh expressions are being launched and cultivated as they actively mobilize and equip laity to co-create communities of faith that are…

In Episode 30, we’re joined by Matt Stout. Matt is an elder in the United Methodist Church serving Garden City UMC near Savannah, GA. He has a wife, three kids, and an elderly dachshund. Matt is a nerd who enjoys fantasy and sci fi, tabletop games, and playing the banjo. In this episode, we discuss gaming and spirituality, building community from o…

Send us a Text Message. “Podcast on the Patio”: Heaven, Hell & Eternity Guests: Mike Thompson, Lindsay Pulido, Lorenzo Hayes We took our Real Talk Podcast on the road to Grace Pizza & Shakes in Pearland, Texas for "Podcast on the Patio." Thea led a panel discussion on Heaven, Hell & Eternity with panelist Lorenzo Hayes, Lindsay Pulido and Mike Thom…

In Episode 29, we’re joined by Angelic Williams. Angelic is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and is currently bi-vocational, pastoring St. Luke UMC in Baltimore and working full-time in insurance investigations. She is also a seminary student at St Mary’s Seminary. She has served the church in administration, youth ministry, and prayer ministry, bu…

Send us a Text Message. Pastor Thea talks with two people who know the importance of seeing people around us, yet still struggle with how to see instead of save or always try to heal. Episode Discussion: When and how was faith introduced into your life? How does faith influence your understanding of how you see people today? What does it mean to be…

Send us a Text Message. Is Resurrection Real? w/ Rev. Reggie Cleamons & Arnold Arreaga Discuss the possibility and reality of resurrection today, in both a risen Christ and those dare to believe in the freedom his resurrection brings. Episode Discussion Includes When and how was faith introduced into your life? How does faith influence your underst…

Send us a text What do teens think about Christian community?” w/ Sydney Yates, Lexi Llenos & Cash Borden Pastor Thea welcomes an honest conversation with three teenagers about the joys, difficulty and beauty that lies within Christian community today. Episode Discussion Includes When and how was faith introduced into your life? How does faith infl…

Send us a Text Message. Episode Outline: Hard Stuff w/ Reggie Clemons & Bryan White Join into an honest conversation how we wrestle and reconcile the hard stuff in our lives, even daring to offer an authentic response to the difficult question “Why does God allow bad stuff to happen?” Episode Discussion Includes When and how was faith introduced in…

In Episode 28, we’re joined by Dr. Brian Russell. Brian is an award-winning professor of biblical studies and a transformational coach for pastors and spiritually-minded professionals. He is the author of multiple books including his latest, Astonished by the Word: Reading Scripture for Deep Transformation, and the host of the podcast, Deep Dive Sp…

Send us a Text Message. Together Pastor Reggie and Pastor Thea embark on an honest conversation about what Jesus says and models in regards to judgment, as well as how we are to live with and without judgment of others today. Episode Discussion Includes When and how was faith introduced into your life? How does faith influence your understanding of…

Send us a Text Message. Thea talks with two parents raising toddlers to teens with intentional faith upbringing. Together they discuss their goals, outcomes and what drives them to share their own faith with their children authentically. Episode Topics Include: When and how was faith introduced into your life? How does faith influence your parentin…

In Episode 27, our guest is Martyn Atkins. Martyn is a minister, professor, and leader within Methodism and the Fresh Expressions Movement. He has served in the Methodist Church of Great Britain in a variety of appointments for over 40 years. In this episode, we discuss the history of the Fresh Expressions, the future of the movement, and his new b…

Send us a Text Message. Thea is joined by fellow pastor and mentor Rev. Melody Kraus to discuss the errancy, authenticity and relevancy of the Bible as a guide to deeper understanding of both humanity and God’s reluctant pursuit of our salvation. Episode Topics Include: When and how was faith introduced into your life? When did you first start to b…

Send us a text Amidst the immense division that is running rampant in our world today, that division also arrives in the church. Join in for a conversation about the cause of division, Jesus’s alternative offering and how we might begin to live more unified today with Pastor Thea, Pastor Reggie and Bishop Harvey. This Episode Topics Include When an…

For Episode 26, our guest is Charles DiRico. Charles is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church who currently leads a network of meal-based fresh expressions of church that is known as Word on the Street, building community for persons who are experiencing homelessness and in a bilingual setting in a local mobile home community in the Char…

Send us a Text Message. Relationships play an integral role in the lives of many believers today. What is it about the authentic and vulnerable connection between two people that reveal God’s love? How might we lean into more relationships in an effort to understand ourselves and Christ’s work in us? Join Pastor Thea, Pastor Reggie and Pastor John …

In Episode 25, we are joined by Emma and Mark Cotterill. They work for the Salvation Army, planting spiritual communities and equipping leaders in Manchester, UK and now Helsingborg, Sweden. Emma and Mark founded a network for pioneer leaders called Venture12. Mark is a coach and consultant with 5Q, a resource for leaders that uses the ministry ass…

Send us a Text Message. Does being a Christian mean I have to believe every word of the Bible? Does it mean I have to go to church everyday? What does it mean to have faith and a relationship with Christ and Christian community? Join Pastor Thea and Pastor Reggie for an honest conversation about what it means to be a Christian, and what hope Christ…

In Episode 24, we are joined by Woo Kang. Woo is an Associate Pastor of the Nett Church, a multisite United Methodist Church located northwest of Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the Lead Pastor of At The Table, a dinner church in Historic Norcross, Georgia that was planted in February of 2023 as a campus of The Nett. In this episode, we discuss multic…

In Episode 23, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand. Previously an executive for a Fortune 500 company, Stephanie is a United Methodist minister and Vitality Strategist for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church Metro district service 126 churches. She has launched innovative ministries, developed new faith c…

In Episode 22, we are joined by Chris and Jaidy Smith. Chris and Jaidy are a pastoral team serving in central North Carolina at Jordan Memorial UMC and La Luz De Cristo IMU. Jaidy was born and raised in Puerto Rico while Chris is a native to North Carolina. They met in Puerto Rico and began a life together nearly 14 years ago. Their marriage reflec…

In Episode 21, we are joined by Amie Martin. Amie is an ordained elder in the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church and planting pastor of 80-Twenty United Methodist Church in O’Fallon, MO. In this episode, we discuss the unique structure of 80-Twenty, communal care, church in community spaces, and the role of the church in society. Le…

Our guest for Episode 20 is Brett Dehart. Brett is the Senior Pastor of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia. Through his passion for reaching new people, community engagement and missional outreach increase in each congregation he has served throughout his 20 years as a pastor. In this episode, we discuss the blended ecology, Fre…

In Ep. 19, our guest is Tiffany McCall. Tiffany is the senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church in downtown Jacksonville. Rev. McCall has an extensive background in leadership development and is a practitioner of Fresh Expressions. In the last year, she has established Pillars Plus Foundation Inc. to help connect the church with the community…

In Ep. 18, our guest is Andrés Pérez González. Andrés is a Latinx fellow at Duke Divinity School and the founder of a bilingual latino/a faith community called Brazos Abiertos UMC based in Greensboro, NC. In the episode, we discuss cultural differences around the Americas, the beauty of bilingual worship, creating communities of belonging before be…

In Ep. 17, we are joined by Tracy Rose. Tracy is the Lay Leader at Good Samaritan UMC in Tallahassee, FL, a fresh expressions practitioner, and a recent graduate of the Adventurers Leadership Academy. In the episode, we discuss church hurt, the importance of lay people in innovative ministry, the Adventurers Leadership Academy, and creating an incl…

In this episode, we are joined by Susan Arnold. Susan is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, currently serving in the Holston Conference in Kingsport, TN. She is also a wife, mom, grandmother, educator, and loves spending time in prayer. In the episode, we discuss the blended ecology, the circuit riders of today, living in a network s…

For Episode 15 we are joined by Tiffania Icaza Willetts. Tiffania is a former missionary, ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, and pastor of Seminole Heights UMC in Tampa, FL, where the church connects with their community through shared meals, family fun, and more. In the episode, we discuss the importance of listening in mission, cultur…

In Ep. 14, we are joined by Luke Edwards. Luke is the Associate Director of Church Development for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, a trainer for Fresh Expressions North America and Fresh Expressions United Methodist, and a professionally trained ministry coach. He is the author of “Becoming Church: A Trail Guid…

For Ep. 13 of New People // New Ways, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Heather Jallad. Heather is the Pastor of Community Engagement at Cannon United Methodist Church outside of Atlanta, GA. She serves as Fresh Expressions Specialist for the North Georgia Conference as well as a Missions Strategist and Trainer for Fresh Expressions NA. She recently earned…

Ep. 12 of New People // New Ways is available now! Our guest is Rosario “Roz” Picardo. Roz grew up in western New York as a first-generation Sicilian-American. In 2003, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Houghton College and in 2007 a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He graduated with a Doctor of Ministry from Unite…

Episode 11 of New People // New Ways is out now! We are joined by guest, Romal Tune. Romal is an author, speaker, and minister who lives by this six-word sentence: “he helps people heal their stories.” Romal is an ordained minister, Magna Cum Laude honor graduate from Howard University and Duke University School of Divinity. As a speaker, he travel…

Check out Episode 10 of New People // New Ways! Our guest today is Micah Blanks. Micah is the Director of Adult Ministries at Trinity UMC in Gainesville, Florida. Micah has a BA in Humanities/Pre-Law from Bluefield State College and a M.Div from United Theological Seminary. Prior to Trinity he served as a Licensed Local Pastor in The West Virginia …

In this episode of New People // New Ways, we are joined by Justin Cason, Online Campus Pastor of Monticello UMC in Monticello, Indiana. He believes that the church's future lies in “phygital” ministry, where we are bringing people into a deepening relationship with Jesus leveraging technology and community. The conversation explores creating sacre…

In episode 8 of New People // New Ways, we are joined by Kris Sledge, lead and founding pastor of The Journey Church in urban Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The Journey celebrates both its ability to connect with young adults and its diversity. They believe that through the empowerment and love of the Holy Spirit and make a space where all are welcome. …

In this episode, Charles Kiser and Elaine Heath join us to discuss their new book, Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers, which will be released April 11, 2023. Charles is a pastor and theologian with Storyline Christian Community in Dallas, Texas. Kiser has a D.Min. in Contextual Theology from Northern Seminary and…