Episode 001 - Unfinished Flyover.

Unfinished People

#Religion #Christianity #Brandon Zieske & Chad Ellenburg #Brandon Zieske #Chad Ellenburg #Gospel Conversations

1:00:36

Do you have fond childhood memories of summer camp? For a chance at $250,000, campers must compete in a series of summer camp-themed challenges to prove that they are unbeatable, unhateable, and unbreakable. Host Chris Burns is joined by the multi-talented comedian Dana Moon to recap the first five episodes of season one of Battle Camp . Plus, Quori-Tyler (aka QT) joins the podcast to dish on the camp gossip, team dynamics, and the Watson to her Sherlock Holmes. Leave us a voice message at www.speakpipe.com/WeHaveTheReceipts Text us at (929) 487-3621 DM Chris @FatCarrieBradshaw on Instagram Follow We Have The Receipts wherever you listen, so you never miss an episode. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts.…

2 years ago 36:53

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Welcome to our very first episode. We introduce the idea of being unfinished followers of Jesus in a very broken world. How can we represent Jesus well in these jars of clay? We make the case for authenticity and a clear view of a heart that is led by Jesus.

39 episodes

Episode 001 - Unfinished Flyover.

Unfinished People

published 2 years ago

MP3•Episode home

39 episodes

#Religion #Christianity #Brandon Zieske & Chad Ellenburg #Brandon Zieske #Chad Ellenburg #Gospel Conversations

All episodes

1
The Battle Belongs to Jesus... and You? 47:06

5 weeks ago47:06

47:06

Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night thinking you are seeing some sort of spiritual presence in the corner of the room? We have! What is spiritual warfare? And if Jesus has already won the battle, then how are we supposed to engage? On today's episode we share our absolute discomfort with the subject, but also our very real experience of what the Bible describes as our warfare. Come join us as we grow together in this topic.…

1
Jesus, we've got a problem. 39:57

10 weeks ago39:57

39:57

In Luke's Gospel, Jesus tells a story about inviting people to a great feast, asking us to get out there and compel people to come to his table. So how are we doing with this mission? If you haven't noticed, we aren't doing a very good job. In fact, many would say that the only message they are getting from Christians is that they're angry. Today we hold up a mirror to ourselves and the church to see what kind of ugly we've been sharing. How can we reflect the beauty of Jesus? What needs to change in our hearts, words, and actions? Join us on today's episode to find out.…

1
Doubting your Doubts. 41:13

13 weeks ago41:13

41:13

If you have ever tried to keep doubt below the surface, it's a little like attempting to keep a beachball submerged in the ocean. It rises often and doesn't quite work as a life preserver either. But can it be a good thing? Or should you pop that monstrosity? Today we are tackling this subject again because doubt is on the rise in our culture. And in us at times! Some are even saying it's a virtue and should be celebrated. How should we talk about this? And yes, we know we've already done a couple of episodes on this. So let's welcome back our frequent guest, Doubt.…

1
Limping into the New Year 42:19

18 weeks ago42:19

42:19

We love the New Year and are suckers for setting resolutions and (most likely) breaking them. How does Jesus see the times and seasons of our lives? What new thing might he be planning for you this year? And what old thing has he been working in you before the beginning of time? Our sovereign and eternal God has good plans for our present here and now and somehow fit into his plan for an eternal Kingdom. What a thought! Brandon and Chad are eager to find out what is in store. Our prayer is that you are filled with hope and expectation for this new year.…

1
Jesus Conversations with Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing 53:15

24 weeks ago53:15

53:15

Brandon and Chad had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing. She is an incredible follower of Jesus whom we cannot wait for you to meet. She is an international author, speaker and theologian who addresses the deep questions of our day with meaningful answers found in the Christian Faith. She is the author of multiple books including ‘Where is God in All the Suffering?’ (runner up Michael Ramsay Prize, 2023), bestselling ‘Why Trust the Bible?’ and ‘Mary’s Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ.’ Over the last twenty five years, Amy has given talks and answered questions on university campuses around the world. She has also addressed Parliamentarians in the Speakers Rooms and Chapel at the UK Parliament and staffers on Capitol Hill, and at the West Wing of The White House. She regularly responds to invitations to speak in banks, businesses, and consultancy firms as well as churches and conferences and enjoys broadcasting in the media and giving public lectures. Amy is interested in the intersection of questions of meaning and faith within the marketplace, education and policymaking. Amy holds a doctorate (DPhil) in Theology from the University of Oxford, and serves as Honorary Lecturer in Divinity at the University Aberdeen. In recent years Amy Orr-Ewing has advocated significantly for transparency and justice working alongside and representing survivors of abuse and mistreatment. Her significant contribution was recognized by the Church of England in June 2023 at the Annual Lambeth Awards, where Orr-Ewing was awarded the Alphege Award for Evangelism and Witness, for exceptional dedication, skill and insight in her advocacy work. We were so challenged and blessed to be able to interview her on today's episode. Enjoy! Amy Orr-Ewing.com Do not be afraid. Luke 12:22-32 The Rage of Identity Politics VS The Beautiful Art of Forgiveness Why Trust the Bible? Where Is God in All the Suffering? Mary's Voice: Advent Reflections to Contemplate the Coming of Christ…

1
I need rest in Jesus... but I can't sleep. 47:14

26 weeks ago47:14

47:14

Jesus invites us to find true rest in Him. In Matthew's Gospel, He says: "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." (MSG translation) You probably know this already, but if you're like us, actually doing it can be challenging. Instead, we often find ourselves spiritually and physically exhausted. Why is it so hard to embrace this rest? Are we resisting what Jesus is trying to do for us? Are we discontent and missing His guidance in our lives? Or are we perhaps avoiding the tough questions He's asking us? In today's episode of Unfinished People, we dive into all of this and more. We explore our own struggles with rest and listen to the words of Jesus for help.…

1
We don't talk about Politics... or do we? - Episode 032 46:10

29 weeks ago46:10

46:10

It's almost here. The last election. The end of the world. The end of all things. At least... that's what "they" say. But what does Jesus say? How do we hold our hearts out in true form to the Eternal King of the Universe? The One who holds all things together and has sovereign control over all things that happen on our little blue planet might just have something to say to us in this moment. We also have some thoughts. Some of them are anxious. Some of them are trusting. Most of them are unfinished and in process. Come listen in to our conversation as we process what it means to be a follower of Jesus during this season and time of our country and world.…

1
Ripping off the Spiritual Band-Aid. 45:48

31 weeks ago45:48

45:48

What grade are you in with Jesus? How far along have you come? Are you stuck and wondering how to get to the next grade, stage, or moment? After stewing on our conversation dealing with spiritual bypassing, we pick it up again in this episode. Acknowledging that we have a propensity to spiritually bypass is crucial, but how do we move beyond it? How can we deepen our walk with Jesus? If spiritual bypassing is truly just a band-aid solution, then how do we rip it off and find true growth, healing, and wholeness in Jesus? Come and listen in to our conversation to find out.…

1
Struggling to connect with Jesus - Episode 030 58:23

32 weeks ago58:23

58:23

The Bible tells us that our connection to God through Jesus is critical to our well-being. Deep in our souls, we know this to be true. A hunger and thirst prompt us to reach out to God for connection. But what do we do when it doesn't work? In today's episode, Daniel Olson joins Chad to discuss the difficulties of connection and the surprising ways to move from a flicker to a roaring flame in our connection with Jesus.…

1
Spiritual Bypassing (The Jesus Band-Aid) - Episode 029 46:29

35 weeks ago46:29

46:29

What is Spiritual Bypassing and are you doing it? Or maybe someone else has tried it on you and you thought it was a good thing. We are learning that it has the potential to delay your growth as a follower of Jesus. And it happens all the time. Come join us as we scratch the surface this week and jump back into the podcast. (Thanks for your patience!)…

1
What just happened? - Episode 028. 37:50

44 weeks ago37:50

37:50

How should we respond as followers of Jesus when tragic things happen? We discuss this past Saturday's tragic events and give you an inside look at our process of sadness, grief, and our deep questions of how to be faithful witnesses of Jesus in such polarizing times.

1
Digital Discipleship Stinks (Part 2) - Episode 027 42:59

46 weeks ago42:59

42:59

When it comes to following Jesus the digital world presents an endless library of opportunities to listen, read, interact, watch, create, and connect. Brandon and Chad are joyful participants, but we are also assessing our hearts and have discovered mixed results. Are we going deep? Are our relationships made meaningful through our tweets, posts, scrolls, and likes? Are the sources we are tapping into making us more like Jesus? We have some thoughts and questions. How can we do better? How can we steward our time with digital resources so that we are embodied disciples? Join us on Episode 027 for part 2 of our discussion on Digital Discipleship.…

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Digital Discipleship - Episode 026 48:27

48 weeks ago48:27

48:27

We feel like something has happened to us. We are more easily distracted. Our pursuit of Jesus and the ability to hear his voice has been short-circuited by the wonderful digital world around us. Don't get us wrong... we love technology and the ability to grow and learn through hundreds of resources online. But another side of us senses that something is wrong. We can't get out of the shallow end of spiritual growth. This week, we are asking big questions and hope we can find our way back to the depth of an embodied and present form of following Jesus.…

1
We're Back! Episode 025. 52:49

51 weeks ago52:49

52:49

Hello again! Yes, we are back. After a much needed break over the last few months, we have lots to catch up on and talk about. Let's get right into it and talk about dealing with difficult things in life and how we are processing and trusting Jesus through them... or, in some cases, we are working on trusting him. We also talk a little about the warm and fuzzy book of Revelation and its relevance to our current headlines. Most of all, we are just hanging out as brothers and spurring each other on in Jesus. Come on back in and listen to today's episode number 025. ACLED | Bringing Clarity to Crisis - The Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) is a disaggregated data collection, analysis, and crisis mapping project. ACLED collects information on the dates, actors, locations, fatalities, and types of all reported political violence and protest events around the world. The ACLED team conducts analysis to describe, explore, and test conflict scenarios, and makes both data and analysis open for free use by the public.…

1
Our Pastor Joe - Episode 024 1:06:05

1 year ago1:06:05

1:06:05

Brandon and Chad have one individual whom we would say has faithfully been our pastor over the last 10+ years and we are thrilled to have him as a guest on the podcast today. His name is Joe McConkey and he has just "finished" his career as a pastor in local church ministry and we have lots of questions! We talk about transformation and growth, what he sees in the church - both good and bad, the highs and lows of ministry, what really matters to Jesus in the church, where he has seen it go wrong, and how Jesus has faithfully led anyway. We think you will love our conversation. Come join us for Episode 024 of Unfinished People.…

Unfinished People

1
Loving Jesus after Failure - Episode 023 45:15

1 year ago45:15

45:15

Of all the "fails" in the Bible, there are some that stand out more than others. Today we tread into the deep waters of Peter's denial of Jesus. How Jesus responds with love and grace is astonishing. He is relentless in his pursuit. So what does it look like to get back up from failure and choose to keep loving Him well? If you are needing some encouragement to get back up and hear his voice again, come and listen in to our conversation on Episode 023 of Unfinished People.…

Unfinished People

1
My Kingdom is not of this world - Part 2. 39:34

1 year ago39:34

39:34

Today, we dive back into thinking about our citizenship in Heaven versus our exile in the current kingdoms of this world. We freely admit that we are in process here. We are absolutely committed to listening to Jesus (especially this election year!) and doing what He says. But it's going to be a difficult year. What might it look like for you to be faithful to Jesus and His Kingdom, while living, caring, and participating in the kingdom where you currently reside? How can we love those with whom we disagree? What kinds of idols in our lives need to crumble under the authority of Jesus? Let's go. Episode 022.…

Unfinished People

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Friends in the Fire - Episode 021 47:33

1 year ago47:33

47:33

This week, Brandon and Chad are thrilled to be joined by Sammy Gondola, Daniel Olson, and Karl Hanson. They are dear friends and pastors, who help us unpack friendship, adversity, unmet expectations in relationships, how vital it is to push through the desert place of friendship, the blessing of being spurred on and sharpened by others, and more. This episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at our friendships, how difficult it can be to go deep, and how crucial it has been to our development as followers of Jesus.…

Unfinished People

1
My Kingdom is not of this world - Episode 020 41:27

1 year ago41:27

41:27

"Are you a King?" Pilate's question to a beaten and bloody Messiah hung uncomfortably in the air. Under incredible pressure and facing a brutal, oppressive government, Jesus responded with absolute calm and complete control. (By the way, have you ever wondered why we have a record of this conversation?) The sovereign creator of the world did not need to panic as the plan set before the world's creation was right on time. Our salvation was being accomplished, and not even a temporary prefect of Rome could stop it. Jesus' words should bother us (and then some) as we look at how we have interacted with the political powers of our world. So... yeah, we are going there. We hope that by now, we have earned your trust to talk about the kingdoms of this world. How should we think about them? What does it look like to love Jesus well in an election year? Come and listen in to our conversation on Episode 020 of Unfinished People.…

Unfinished People

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Have you ever prayed an earnest prayer? - Episode 19 52:54

1 year ago52:54

52:54

This week, we continue our theme of the difficulty and beauty of prayer. Is there such a thing as a deeper level of prayer, an earnestness, or a place of travail (rare word alert)not achieved by human capacity but fueled by the holy Spirit? We also dive into the importance and frustration of repetitive prayer. If God already knows, what is He up to? How can we find a sweet place of rest and depth as we speak with our Father in Heaven? As we dig for answers and sharpen each other, come listen in. We both agreed that this was one of our favorite conversations. We hope you enjoy! UP #019. Let's go.…

Unfinished People

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Prayer isn't supposed to be this difficult. - Episode 018 44:37

1 year ago44:37

44:37

If there's one thing we have struggled through, it is our journey with prayer. The desire to be close to Jesus, hear his voice, and speak as a friend keeps us coming back, but it hasn't been easy. If you relate and are hungry for more in your prayer life, come listen in to our conversation this week on Unfinished People.…

Unfinished People

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How Jesus Makes Things New in 2024 - Episode 017 31:40

1 year ago31:40

31:40

How does an eternal God unbound by time and space help those of us who feel that clock ticking every day? Some of us love the new year and resolve to do something better this year or to make some significant changes. Others dislike the idea of making any promises because we all know we will probably break them anyway. We talk this week about Jesus and his ability to take any moment - past, present, or future and make it new. We have great hope for this year and are expectant that Jesus is up[ to some great stuff in your life as well. Come listen in as we talk about 2024 and our hope in the beautiful work of Jesus.…

Unfinished People

1
Loneliness & Friendship - Episode 016 51:27

1 year ago51:27

51:27

In our final episode of 2023, we talk about one of the most pervasive issues in our world: Loneliness. The Surgeon General considers it priority number one and says it's as deadly as smoking. What does Jesus, the friend who sticks closer than a brother, have to say about it? And how does our place in the community of God give us hope? Come and listen as we discuss our own struggles with loneliness and the hard work of deep, authentic friendship. ‎The Place Where I Belong (feat. Davy Flowers) - Song by Housefires - Apple Music…

Unfinished People

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No, Really... How are you? Episode 015 39:40

1 year ago39:40

39:40

This week, we do another flyby to check in on each other. It's easy to answer the question "How are you?" with "Fine." But if we are to step into the things God has for us, we need to go to a level of authenticity and candidness that might just be uncomfortable. This show will remind you that we are definitely unfinished, but it will also (hopefully) give you room to be okay with your own growth process. Some highlights: We are both pretty tired and weary, but Jesus is speaking in that place significantly. We are also learning to pay attention to the more difficult and deep truths of walking closely with Him. Come listen in to our latest conversation on Unfinished People. The Chosen - Jesus trusts James with his suffering. ‎Lord Remind Me - Song by Praytell & Jon Guerra - Apple Music ‎Something Bright, Something Shining - Song by Praytell & Jon Guerra - Apple Music…

Unfinished People

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Doubt (Part 2) Episode 014 43:58

1 year ago43:58

43:58

Admitting to doubt is a crucial first step, but what next? How does Jesus help us move through our doubts to a deeper relationship with Him? We won't say we have it all figured out. It's why we call it Unfinished People. But we have grown through some of our doubts, and we sense the Lord pulling us close on those that are more current. Listen in as we continue our discussion on doubt. Rembrant's "Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee" Caravaggio's "The Incredulity of Thomas"…

Unfinished People

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Doubt (Part 1) Episode 013 36:46

2 years ago36:46

36:46

If you have ever struggled with doubt, you are in good company. We have and continue to wrestle with doubt. But is that necessarily a bad thing? In our own "unfinished" way, we explore this ever-present reality and talk about how Jesus is the one to bring your doubt. We don't hide from ours in this episode. You just might be surprised to hear that it is a crucial part of your growth in Jesus. Come listen in.…

Unfinished People

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Eternity is coming... So what? (Episode 012) 31:38

2 years ago31:38

31:38

Why should we care about eternity and how does it relate to the lives we live now? In our final episode of this series on eternal life, we talk quite a bit about the here and now. For example: What are we still doing here if we already know Jesus? If getting saved is all about going to Heaven, why wait? Should we care about the world we inhabit and the people who live next to us? What does all of this have to do with Heaven and Hell? Why not just hide in a Christian bubble and wait out the craziness of the world? Listen in to our conversation to find out.…

Unfinished People

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Heaven & New Creation (Episode 011) 42:25

2 years ago42:25

42:25

If this life is only the dress rehearsal, what will the show be like? We believe in a future life with Jesus in a physical and spiritual Kingdom that will absolutely be more than anything we could ever think or imagine. So what will it be like? What will we be doing? How does one spend an endless amount of time? We dig into Scripture and talk about our future home and the New Creation on this week's episode of Unfinished People.…

Unfinished People

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The Bad Place (Episode 010) 39:30

2 years ago39:30

39:30

You may have heard someone say their experience was "a living Hell" or "Hell on earth." It's a word (and place) that has found its way into our everyday vocabulary, but do we really understand it? Should the thought of going there (or not) motivate us? What does the Bible say about it, and how did Jesus talk about it? It's Hell Week on Unfinished People. We're talking fire and burning, outer darkness, and why Jesus wants to keep you from it.…

Unfinished People

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"Eternity sure sounds like a long time." (Episode 009) 33:18

2 years ago33:18

33:18

Eternal life. Heaven & Hell. The Good Place or the Bad Place? These crucial matters affect all of us, but do we understand them well? How have we understood them, and how do they motivate us? Are we motivated by the fear of going "down there," or are we compelled by the love of Jesus? This is part one of several unfinished conversations on the afterlife... or is it the now and afterlife? Come find out on this week's episode of Unfinished People.…

Unfinished People

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Episode 008 - Gospel Conversations #5 34:35

2 years ago34:35

34:35

In our final Gospel Conversation, we talk about the impact the Gospel of Jesus should be having in our churches, and we are asking big questions. What is his plan, and how does it run contrary to our plans? How do broken and bruised pastors move past false desires and hopes that have been formed through worldly ways? What might it look like to be led by the Spirit and dream with our hearts wide open to His Kingdom? What would happen if we asked God what he wanted to do and didn't just continue with business as usual? We're stepping off the beach and wading into the deep on today’s episode of Unfinished People.…

Unfinished People

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Episode 007 - Gospel Conversations #4 35:04

2 years ago35:04

35:04

Misunderstanding what Jesus came to do wasn't uncommon in the stories of the New Testament. Some of our favorite characters said and did some of the most bizarre things in response to Jesus' Gospel. (Ahem... Peter, we're talking about you, brother.) But this is also what gives us great hope because we have said and done similar things. And yet Jesus is still coming after us. The Spirit is still revealing Jesus. He is faithful to continue until we get it. In today's episode, we discuss how we are beginning to get it. We dig into our own personal experience of the Gospel. And... it's been amazing. He's amazing. We hope and pray that Jesus is doing the same in you. 15 year old Emma Kok sings "Voila." (Song Chad referenced)…

Unfinished People

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Episode 006 - Gospel Conversations #3 41:34

2 years ago41:34

41:34

Over the last few episodes, we've uncovered our shallow understanding of the Gospel and found an amazing, deep well of treasure in the life, death, resurrection, ascension, and eventual return of Jesus. Now, all we have to do is tell people about it. But how do we do that well? How do we know that we've delivered the good news? Is it a one-time thing, or does it require more from us? How do we live this Kingdom of God thing and allow it to shape our every move? How can we incarnate His truth into the lives of others? That's a lot of questions and, hopefully, some answers in today's episode of Unfinished People.…

Unfinished People

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Episode 005 - Gospel Conversations #2 46:53

2 years ago46:53

46:53

We continue our conversation on the Gospel. What is it? What does it do? What are some of the false gospels that draw us every day? It's easy to get confused or to take shortcuts. Maybe you were drawn by the grace and love of Jesus, but when it comes to making it in this world, you would rather do some of your own saving. The disciples knew all about this tendency. We talk about Peter's big moment when he took up the sword as Jesus was about to let the sword of Rome consume him. But if we dig into Scripture and allow the Spirit to mess with us, there is a beautiful path forward. Our own hearts have been lit up by Jesus as we are discovering the breadth and depth of the Gospel. It transcends our Western thinking categories and blows our pithy understanding of power and kingdom out of the water. We pray it will do the same for you.…

Unfinished People

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Episode 004 - Gospel Conversations #1 42:07

2 years ago42:07

42:07

On today's episode, we begin a series called Gospel Conversations. Sounds simple, right? Not in the least. We thought we knew what that word... Gospel... meant. Nope. Our understanding was so shallow, reductionistic. We've been swimming in the kiddie pool when we could have been sailing a vast ocean of grace. But that's ok. It's part of being unfinished... even as pastors. It's the truth that Jesus is always working on us. And friends... he's really good at it. We frame today's Gospel Conversation with the first time the Gospel is ever mentioned in the Bible. And surprise... it's not the New Testament. Are you ready for this? It's in the first few pages of the Bible. A couple of naked humans are cowering behind some fig leaves and they hear the Gospel.…

Unfinished People

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Episode 003 - Friendship in Jesus. 38:18

2 years ago38:18

38:18

In this episode, we talk about the amazing reality of a God who actually wants to be friends with us. Jesus even said this: I do not call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn’t know what his master is doing. I have called you friends. Abraham was called God's friend. But we don't just wanna just throw some Bible at you. We want to continue to be honest about the struggle, the incomplete nature, that straddling walk between this world and another. And... since Jesus is calling us friends, wouldn't it be nice to know how to enjoy this invisible friendship? We dig in on Episode 003 of Unfinished People. Thanks for joining us.…

Unfinished People

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Episode 002 - An encounter with Jesus inside a Roman prison. 40:08

2 years ago40:08

40:08

We jump right into the deep end this week as we give you an inside look at what happens when pastors feel like quitting. We discuss our experience in an obscure prison in Rome that floored us both. Standing in the place where Paul “finished” his race for Jesus left us with big questions about true success in the Kingdom of God. The answers couldn’t have been more surprising. Come along as we marvel at the beauty of reaching the end of ourselves and discovering a path straight to the heart of Jesus. Mamertine Prison - Wikipedia Mammertine Prison…

Unfinished People

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Episode 001 - Unfinished Flyover. 36:53

2 years ago36:53

36:53

Unfinished People

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Unfinished People Trailer 0:50

2 years ago0:50