The EFCA Network Podcast

EFCA Pastor Matthew Hickok shares his story of needing and taking a sabbatical and how the Lord called him to make that opportunity available to other pastors, free of charge! Be reminded of the Biblical basis for sabbath and rest and the wisdom for pastors in particular to make it a priority to get away every 5-6 years for soul and relationship refreshment in the Lord. 

Reach Global missionary and ministry leader Laura Carter discusses a practical and life-changing training tool with Samantha Frykholm of the EFCA Network. Often we read the Bible asking the question, "How does this apply to me?" It's a great question but needs to come after the question, "What did this mean to the original audience?" Check out Laura's website at https://www.trainingtrainers.org/ or email her at Laura.Carter@efca.org to schedule a training!

In this episode of the EFCA Network podcast Darin and Tammy are joined by Michael Whalen, long time CPA and tax preparer for pastors in the Chicago area. Mike shares the basics of 1) who qualifies as clergy; 2) how to estimate your housing allowance and what that means; 3) how to estimate your quarterly tax payments; 4) some key tax credits to take advantage of and; 5) opting out of social security and what's at stake if you do.  

Tammy Medders interviews Gloria Grell about this new opportunity for women in the EFCA. Prepared is a gospel-centered, affordable, accessible and systematic two-year equipping program for women in ministry leadership or preparing to serve in ministry leadership, locally or globally. 

In 1990 the EFCA Ministerial Association started a program to help pastors who had fallen into sin or experienced burnout in ministry, as a place to help them recover. Greg Strand, Linton Lundeen (Des Moines, IA) and Jason Harms (Tampa, FL) join Darin to share their perspectives and experience on this life-changing ministry. Click here to learn more or to start your process of recovery!

Kevin Watterson joins Darin along with Glen Schrieber (Southeast District Superintendent) and John Secrest (pastor in Naples, FL) to share the history and heartbeat of EFCA's Crisis Response ministry. Step into the devastation of Hurricane Ian in SW Florida and be inspired by the opportunity events like this can be for calling believers to outreach ministry and multiplying transformational churches!

An interview with the Dean of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Dr. David Pao with Chieng Yuan, former President of the Chinese Evangelical Free Church and current board member with the EFCA Network. The two discuss the convictions and distinctions of TEDS that make it a stronghold of evangelical truth while remaining a practical training ground for 21st century pastors and leaders.

The foundation and fuel of our movement is theological truth. As leaders in the EFCA we are commissioned to "guard the deposit" entrusted to us. Why is credentialing important? How has it helped you? How have you seen it serve the movement and beyond? The Network Board has a discussion with Dr. Greg Strand, our Director of Theology and Credentialing. We conclude with a brief description of how the licensing and ordination process works. What is your next step? How can you encourage someone else?

Global Fingerprints is the child sponsorship program of the EFCA. GF founder, Greg Norwine, shares the story of how this ministry started in 2004 and how it has spread into 11 countries, sponsoring 5,000 children (and growing). Maria Cariaga is the site coordinator for GF in Manila, Philippines. She shares what the ministry looks like there in  Manila as part of their partnership with an EFCA church!

The Network board presents some of our favorite programs and ministries within the EFCA, which we plan to highlight in this first season of our podcast. We will interview EFCA leaders and ministry teams to hear what they are doing, how the Lord is using them and how others could get involved. Plan on episodes highlighting credentialing, Global Fingerprints, Reach Global's Global Equipping, Crisis Response; TIU and TEDS updates and more!