Girls Gone Bible - BRYCE CRAWFORD | Girls Gone Bible

Episode Date: September 18, 2026

GGGGGBBBBB :)  we love this episode so much. our bestie Bryce Crawford is on the pod this week and man do we love this guy. we love you guys so much. Jesus loves you more. -Ang & Ari   Huge thank you to our sponsors! NOCD https://nocd.com Book a free 15-minute call BetterHelp https://betterhelp.com/GIRLSGONEBIBLE Sign up and get 10% off Olive & June https://oliveandjune.com/GGB Get 20% off your first System OSEA https://oseamalibu.com Get 10% off with code GGB   BetterHelp https://betterhelp.com/GIRLSGONEBIBLE Sign up and get 10% off   Dose https://dosedaily.co/GGB Get 35% off your first month with code GGB   GCU https://gcu.edu Learn more about online degree programs   Puori https://puori.com/GGB Get 32% off your first subscription order with code GGB + a free premium shake   GET OUR BOOK Out of the Wilderness: 31 Devotions to Walk with God Through Your Hardest Seasons Available wherever books are sold. https://GirlsGoneBible.com/book Follow Girls Gone Bible: Instagram: @girlsgonebible TikTok: @girlsgonebibleYouTube: @GirlsGoneBible

Hey guys, I'm Anj. And I'm Ari. And we're both wearing blue, and this was a non-planned. And this is Girls Gone Bible. And if I'm on the side of the table, you know, you already know. You know what it is. We have, I don't know what happened. You know what it is.

We got our brother on today. We have Bryce Crawford on. We have Mads over there watching. We love our girl. What's up, Bryce? Hey, thanks for having me. But, but two years later, we're still here. We're still friends.

The first time we had you on was two years ago. You had really just started Bryce Crawford Ministries, right? Yeah, it was kind of crazy. It was, yeah, I don't know, it's just fun to see the friendship flourish, you know? I'm glad that we're all still friends. You just never know what can happen in two years. But yeah, I love you guys done. Thanks for having me.

We're so proud of you. I called him the other day I go. every time I come across your clips I cry he goes would you stop crying I'm like I can't I just love you so much like my brother no we love you so proud of thanks guys yeah thanks for thanks for hanging out again for a little bit I'm pumped of course and it's always our favorite thing I feel like we always see you guys like on the road we always end up at the same events oh yeah and then we always link up afterwards and go to link up

who am I today what it is we link up we always go to either waffle house or get a Suzuki at BJ's or where did we go yard house and we got wings. Yep. That was the best. Where were we? That was, um, that was Arizona. Yeah. We were in Arizona.

And then forward conference was so fun. You guys crushed that. Thanks, right. You guys crushed that. You were you wearing Pastor Jensen's face on a shirt was so iconic. Yeah. Did you see him wear that? No.

It's like a, I saw someone back in the backstage that was working there. I was working there who had the shirt on. And Dylan, my assistant, he told the guy, he was like, don't let Bryce see the shirt. He'll ask to wear it tomorrow. And then I came in like five minutes later and I saw the guy wearing it. And I was like, can I wear that tomorrow? And he washed it for me. And it was the next morning.

They had it on a hanger for me. That's so sweet. I don't know. I just thought it was funny. Did you wear your crocs too? Of course. Every time I see a crock, I immediately think of you. Well, thank you.

You got to come out of a line of crocs. Oh my gosh, are you going to do a crock collab? You know, I wish that could happen. All right. They've sent me free crocs before. That's kind. They sent me some Batman ones. I love Batman and they sent me like some other stuff.

But. Which they were awesome. But yeah, I like the Lightning McQueen ones. They're fun. Can I tell you something so funny? So Ari and I, you've helped Ari and I, I think, break a little bit of like religious trauma maybe. Okay. Okay.

Because Ari and I have this thing where we're so like, If we're going to go preach, we are not listening, watching, doing anything other than being in the presence of God in a dark room with a candle lit. Like we have to be in the zone. And so we've been doing that for years now, like years. And then when we met up with you at, I think it was forward and we're like, what did you do on the plane? Like, did you read your Bible? You were like, I watched Scooby-Doo. And I said, you watch Scooby-Doo?

That broke everything for you. And I wouldn't even, I wouldn't even do a crossword puzzle because I thought it was like resisting the anointing. And you watched Scooby-Doo. That healed like our inner child. Oh, well, thank you guys. That actually means a lot. I mean, yeah, I take it serious. Like, I like to get alone for like a second.

No, of course. But, yeah. I'm saying that you don't. You for sure go alone with God. Yeah. I just, I don't know, God speaks to me a lot through movies. Yeah. And I don't know.

I like, I like Scooby-Doo. I've just been talking to Maddie about it. You know, have y'all seen the Scooby-Doo movie? No. Yes, which one? Well, both of them. But this one is they go to this Scooby and Shaggy sneak into this bar called the faux ghost. And it's like all the criminals are in there.

And they sneak in there in their disco costumes. And Scooby-Doo is like in this disco outfit in an Afro. And this lady comes and asks him to dance. And they're like dancing there. He's like, we're dancing. And he's like dancing. And I just like I like that scene. Okay, wait, hang on, I thought you were going to say God spoke to you through that.

I just like the scene. Oh, my gosh. And then, oh my gosh, that's so funny. But God does use movies to speak to that. Yeah, he does. I've been thinking about that movie, actually, the past couple days. Oh, I love it. Moving.

I love the Scooby-Doo one where it's like all of the lost souls or whatever. That's probably a little symbolic. Spooky Island. They go to spooky island. Yeah. Yeah, that one's awesome. That's a great one. Anyway, so I was not saying that you don't spend time with God.

I was just saying that you watch. No, no, no. I didn't think at all. I didn't think at all. No, that actually is very encouraging. Thank you for telling me that. No, because you are so, like, you are one of the most incredible anointed preachers of our generation.

Yeah. I know that makes you uncomfortable, but you know it's the truth. It doesn't know what to do with his hands. Yeah. I just moved the water bottle over here. I just moved the water bottle over here. You really. are. And like, you also, though, are so fun and lighthearted and, like, you take Jesus so

seriously and you don't take yourself in life too seriously. There's nothing. I listened to you with, I think, Jeff the other day. You were on Jeff's podcast, and we want to talk about all that. Okay. And you said something like you were breaking the stereotype of, like, the pastor who just talks about how, like, hot his wife is all day. And I just thought that was amazing. And you really are so unique and so in your own lane and so pure. Yeah, let's get into it. Recently you had J.D. Vance, Vice President J.D. Vance on your podcast. How we feeling? How was it? I feel good. I think that, you know, my biggest takeaway was I think it's fascinating that people draw the line of like, oh, this person is not worthy of a faith conversation because of whatever

political party they're a part of. And I genuinely think you lack the love of God if you feel that way. And that's just like straight up. And I remember thinking to myself, you know, that that may frustrate people. Oh, you're willing to sit down with the vice president. And if you're thinking to yourself, but this, but that, that's the problem. Like, but they've done this or but they've done that or like whatever. And it's like, okay, but you've also done a bunch of crap too. And if I started airing out your news, you would probably feel just as bad. And we're also thinking just in general, over the course of the years, like there's just like weird, just Christian, I don't know, like people bring up politics and people get weird about it. We should be praying for our leaders

regardless if, you know, we should just be praying for our leaders all the time and hoping that they're going to make wise decisions. Like that's just the reality of it. So, yeah, I just thought that was fascinating, but he was awesome. We, he was so laid back. He was, it was awesome. I mean, we just had the best time. And he was so fun to talk to. You know, it's funny if I, and I haven't seen any if like you, I don't know if you got backlash or like what the response was. But if anybody were to be mad at you specifically for having a Republican politician on, they actually can't be mad at you because you have spoken to people of every single, I mean liberal, Democrat, Republican, Christian, non-Christian, straight gay, like you have spoken to everybody. It's not out of the ordinary for you to sit down with a person that you might not. 100% align with in every single aspect of their life and beliefs. Like it wasn't even out of the

ordinary. And I'm sure if like a Democrat was in office, you would absolutely sit down with them and talk to them. Yeah, absolutely, no doubt. Like there's there's democratic candidates and stuff like that that we're like actively talking to to sit down with. That was like planned before totally the interview too. So in my mind, and it has nothing to do with just politics. It's just, you know, for some sometimes some people will be like, I can't believe you sat down with that person. And I mean, you sound exactly like the Pharisees to me. Yeah. I can't believe you sat down with them.

You are the very thing that like you despise. You are being the Pharisee that you claim to despise. So I, you know, I had posted a video like two days later or something saying that. Like I think you lack the love of God if you think someone isn't. And it wasn't just because of the JD thing. I just think it's more so the overall premise of there are people out there that don't know Jesus. And if you are so passive to think that someone isn't worthy of a conversation because of what their race is or where they're from or what political party they support, then you genuinely

lack the love of God. And I wouldn't want someone to follow me that feels that way because I'm not going to preach a gospel that says, oh, you can tell everyone about Jesus unless they feel this way about beliefs or unless they feel this way or they're a part of this political party, then like I wouldn't want you to follow me anyway, you know, because I'm just, I'm not preaching that kind of gospel. It's great. So, yeah, I think that it shows that a lot of Christians care a lot more about politics than they do Jesus. And I thought that was interesting. But aside from that, like my stance on politics, it's like if you have a problem with like certain things on politics, you have to pray for the leaders that they're going to make wise decisions.

It breaks God's heart when leaders in general do stuff in cruel ways. They're not called to do cruel things, but God has given people in authority, authority for a reason. He's trusted them with authority. And if they abuse it or use it for the wise thing, that's up to them because God has given them that authority. And, you know, we just have to pray and trust that they're going to make wise decisions. It's beautiful. I think it's interesting, too, because you are in just such a different lane than anybody else. Because from the very beginning, you've been having conversations with people, not like,

it's your podcast and your ministry. It's not like this interview style where you bring people on who think exactly like you and you're essentially like platforming them in a way. You are having conversations on camera that we have to have with people in our everyday lives, but you're just doing it on camera. You speak to people who don't know Jesus, who do know Jesus, and you sit there and like get into people's hearts and ask them questions. And you are teaching a generation how to have conversations with people that aren't like

them. Nobody else is doing what you're doing. And you always do it with love. That's why I love so much. Oh, thank you. Yeah. That was the heart of the ministry at the beginning was like if someone could see me navigate a hard conversation with, you know, a Satanist and they could invite their friend of 10 years to church. And like the more, the more and more that we grow for some reason, like in society, I think the younger people are facing bigger problems because of the phone and because of, you know, separation. And oh, I hate you because of what you believe. I mean, that's just so stupid. But now that, like, people are doing that,

I feel somewhat responsible to, like, continue the dialogue up and in a respectful way. Yeah. Which I just think is fascinating. And, you know, I think the more that I've been having the conversations with non-Christians, the more it just makes me want to stand, I've been telling Maddie this like the past week, it just makes me want to stand 10 toes down even more. Yeah.

We went to the furry meetup at a Buckees. and and explain what that is to the hell I don't fully know what it is either you know it's just I think it's people

that have this you know they identify with this character this mascot furry character thing and they hide behind it I think it's a lot of escapism there's this weird

sexual undertone behind it too and you know stuff like that and I actually met someone there who was a Christian who was like

what most people feel about this I don't I don't feel this way and she like explained to me in an interesting way and I was like I've never heard anyone explain to me that boy before so it actually made me think a little bit more about it but just from her perspective but what was it what was her perspective she was saying how like that like being a furry for her she doesn't identify as an animal she doesn't do it it's just like this fun like it's like for her it's like dressing up as a mascot like it's fun for her and she just doesn't like think about it too too hard she doesn't like it doesn't consider it doesn't consume her life. It's just like, I can't remember like fully how she explained it, but she was just like, yeah, I'm a Christian. Like I think all this weird sexual stuff is weird. There's a lot of drug use and alcohol use is weird. And she was like, yeah, I get it. It's weird. But for me, it's just nothing like that. Like I just, and it made me have a little bit more of a heart for the community even more of going, like, there's people here that are just doing it to do it. But even still, like, I still want to reach

those people. Because who would have thought? But there came a point where that, that, night, so we had brought our Zion the Lion mascot to like be there because I thought it was going to help us have conversations with people if we were like in there. And he's it's not he's not a furrow our mascot is not a furry. But I brought him and had a friend in the suit because I thought it would help us start the conversations. And then some of the people that were like leaders of the group realized that we were all together. And I had a conversation with someone and it was interesting. They were like, you know, we're a part of this community because it is an inclusive. and we include things and blah, blah, blah.

And it's weird to have you come in here and, like, try to bring this exclusive side of things and just, like, push people away and blah, blah, blah. And then five minutes into that conversation, he was talking about how he put two and two together that we were all together and that he was going to kick us out of the group chat, which sucked because there were people that we had talked to the whole night. Everyone we had a great interaction with. No one had, I would say no one would have had anything negative to say that we had genuinely talked to. and had a sincere conversation with. And there were a couple of people that I wanted to follow up with afterwards that I knew we were in the group chat.

And he was talking about like, oh, yeah, that's good to know that you guys are all together. And I was like, what, are you guys going to kick us out? And he was like, well, I wasn't going to say that. And I just think it's funny how their bar is like, oh, we're all inclusive.

And we hate that you're trying to push this Christianity on us, even though we're inclusive, but we're going to kick you out of our inclusive group. And they ended up, they did end up kicking us out, which is just really ironic that, You claim to be an inclusive community, but you're willing to kick people out. And we did nothing but have sincere conversations. And a couple of people messaged us afterwards like on Instagram and we're like upset that we were there, which is fine.

But, you know, I think it, I think that idea is so fascinating. Yeah. We're inclusive. But the second you go against what we believe, we're exclusive. And it's a, you're just being a hypocrite. It's typically any, any sort of group that virtue signals and like proclaims to be something. like all inclusive that they're actually the ones who aren't inclusive. And you see that across the board between lots of different communities. But I think what's so fascinating is like just the

guest that you have on your podcast. We talked about this, but like this morning I was watching your interview with the Epstein survivor, Marina. And that was a phenomenal episode. And I was just like, I was wondering while I was watching, is it hard for you? Like you are a Christian. This is ministry for you. You know you have a Christian audience. You know you probably have a young audience. And she was divulging like really intimate, explicit details and using profanity that you like, you know, leap out and everything.

But what is your thought process and like, do you ever think, oh, is this too much? Is this something I don't want my audience hearing? Is this something that's important for them to hear? Yeah. I have a weird. I have a, it's like, it's a hard balance because at one point it's like, Like, do I want to accidentally introduce someone young to something that they shouldn't see? Absolutely not.

I don't want to do that. That's the beauty of a YouTube video is we can put in the title and thumbnail what it's about and you have the option to click on it or not. And that's like not my – it's not really my fault if you click on it or not. On the contrary, it's like either I can introduce it and say that it's negative or someone can get introduced to it in a negative way and think that it's positive through their phone. So it's like who do they want to be introduced to?

Do they want to get exploited to pornography and sexual stuff? through a meme like I did when I was in the fifth grade and it led to addiction until I was 17 years old or would they rather me come on there and be like this stuff is bad, stay away from it. And so I think that it's a combination of both. And it's kind of like I said earlier, it's the now as we keep growing on every day, kids are getting young. Kids are getting introduced to bigger, more complicated things younger.

Yeah. Because of the access to phones. And parents just don't want to parent their children. So they shove a phone in their face. So like get them to stop crying or shut up or whatever it may be. which is so sad. It's really sad. So, yeah, I do, I think about it a lot and I try to be really careful. But at the same time, I'm just going to say the truth. I don't, you know, I don't care in that regard. But I do think about those people. It's a weird balance. Yeah. Yeah. I think

it's so interesting because you're hitting so many different demographics, so many different topics, like your range is so broad. And so who I would want to know, like, who do you have in your life mentors, pastors, a board, like people that hold you accountable that like are your eyes who watch your back and say, hey, I don't think this is a good idea. Yeah, before we started the ministry and travel with a mentor for about a year, his name was Marcus McFalling. So he's like someone I talk to every day. I go to table church in Malibu. You used to be called Vintage Malibu. Pastor Chris is a great friend, a mentor. My pastor from back at home where I'm from, Pastor James Griffin, he's amazing.

He's someone that I would call and ask questions to and get some advice from. Assigned from those like immediate people, I mean, we do have a board of directors because like there's a sect of our ministry that's a nonprofit. And so like we do have a board of directors there that we're trying to expand like more just for the sake of it. And I just have great friends that are willing to like call me out. I have a ton of people that I would like say are mentors that I may not talk to you specifically. Pastor Jonathan Becluta like all the time.

I don't get to talk to him all the time. But when I talk to him, he's got great stuff to say. And it's such an encouragement. Pastor Jonathan McClut is a phenomenal leader. Pastor Miles Fidel from Auburn, he's a phenomenal leader. There's so many leaders that I just see constantly because I'm traveling and I bump into them or I'll text them or call them. And there's just good dudes that care about my soul. And they're one of the first few questions is how's your marriage?

how's this? And I'm like, man, you guys really care about me. Yeah. But, you know, what means the most to me is, like, these guys, if they tell me that they think something's off, I take it more serious than if someone online says something. Absolutely. But if I see a lot of something online, I will take it to them and be like, am I going crazy or, like, are they telling the truth?

Because they see me behind closed doors. They know what my life's like behind closed doors. And they actually have a voice of my life, not just a view of my life. A lot of people have a view of your life and they can be like, oh, you don't know you're doing this or you're doing that or, you know, whatever. It's so easy to get caught up in what people say online. That's hateful. But they only have a view of your life. They get a one minute, 30 second snippet of something and they think that they know everything about you.

But that's just not true. Do you think it's changed your whole walk, having all those mentors to back you out? Yeah. If I didn't, and it really all started with Marcus because I had been trying to find a mentor for a few years and couldn't find any way. one. And just even, even like, if I'm being completely honest, there were like people and leaders and mentors that my friends trusted that they were getting mentored by that I would try to get mentored by and they wouldn't give me the time of day. And then after we started the ministry, then it was like, all of a sudden they wanted to be buddy, buddy. And I'm like, you're not my friend. You just want

something for me. Yeah. Which was sad. So when I met Marcus, he just like became this father figure, the spiritual father figure to me. And I traveled with him for over a year. I would stay at his house. I would hold his Bible and pray in the altars for him as he's preaching at events and ask him hard questions and go in the street and share Jesus with him. And we'd be at meal. And we just did so much together. If I didn't do that, I would be an awful leader. And I think I would be the guy that people would look at and be like, dang.

Like, I can't believe. Like, should have known that guy that screwed up that bad. You know what I mean? So is that possibility true for anyone? Yeah. Like I could obviously screw up at any point. Yeah. But I really believe that.

if I didn't, you know, travel with Marcus for a year and meet more leaders and stuff like that, I wouldn't have my head on better. Yeah, I feel like that's the one thing that's lacking in the Christian community is mentorship. So what would you say to people who are looking for mentors or someone to walk with them? Because I feel like that's the one question we always get, especially for men trying to seek mentorship. Yeah, I think that, I mean, it's the back half of the Great Commission. It's just going to all the world, preach the gospel, all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the father, son of the Holy Spirit.

And then it says, and teach them everything that you know. But we like forget that part. We just like view it as like, oh, say this prayer. And then I'm going to go over here and brag that like you're now a statistic a part of my roll of decks of how awesome I am as a Christian. And so I would say a couple of things. I would say, number one, find, try to find a leader. If you're a woman, find a woman.

If you're a man, find a man. Because there's certain things that men can talk to men that they can't say in front of a lady, vice versa. Yeah. So I would say find someone that kind of fits the, the calling that you have. Like I didn't say to myself when I was 17, I followed Jesus. I'm an evangelist.

I just felt like God had given me a gift to communicate complicated things in a simple form. And so when I met Marcus and he had a passion teller to people about Jesus, and I had a passion teller to people about Jesus, it was a great fit. Yeah, totally. So I don't think it has to be as complicated as that. I will say that one of the biggest necessities that I've heard pastors talk about in the church is young men being leaders in the church. And that role is so popular among youth.

Like youth want a young man to look to. And so I just think that more Christians and more men need to stand up. We need to have like Paul and Barnabas relationships and Paul and Timothy relationships. Like who are you running with as a friend? And then who are you pouring into? Because if you're someone that's not willing to pass on the revelation that God's given you and you're just going to die with a baton, then you're no different than the leader on a power trip. So it's like I want to be able to pass the. to someone that can like continue to go forth because our my my mentor marcus would always say like

his revelation should be my foundation it shouldn't take me five years to learn what it took him to learn five years it should take me a year to to learn what it took him five years to learn because he's passing that down to me so i think people should look for people that they align with spiritually people that are going to understand if you're man find a man woman find a woman and then lastly it's so easy to just find it in the church like so many people are like oh my gosh i don't know where to find a mentor but they're not going to church. Just like go to church, go to church, plug in. Like when Galatians talks about bearing your burdens one another,

it's literally like that is what the body of the church is for. Celebrate the highs, weeping the lows, be there, bear each other's burdens. So find people in the local church. When I go home to Cartersville, there's plenty of leaders there that I'm like, man, these guys are awesome. They're solid. They love Jesus. I mean, that would just be my encouragement.

But it took me years to find Marcus. It did, which was hard. So, you know, I understand the struggle that people have. I really wanted to talk to you about the local church. What does the local church mean to you? Of what importance is it to you? Was there a time where you didn't want to go to church? Have you had church heard?

Let's just talk about all that. I think that the natural, like, the first couple of years of being a Christian was, oh, it's just about me and my relationship with Jesus and that's all I need. Yeah. We went through that too. Which is like there's like some child likeness about it. It's like, okay. Just me and dad.

Which is fun. It's fun. But it's also dangerous. Definitely. You know, I've only been a Christian for less than six years, which really isn't that long. And I've seen so many people fall away from the fate. Totally. A consistent theme I've seen as a lack for leadership in the local church.

God cared so much about the local church. He was willing to kill Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts. Like when they sold everything in the local church. lied about how much money that they had and they tried to keep some. People think it's cruel that God killed them, but he was trying to purify the birth of the early church because it was so important to him. And so to see that God cares about the local church means that I should care about the local church. So, you know, I think someone that isn't going to church is in some serious danger because they're not around a body of believers and they're not submitted to leadership. When you're going to

local church, you're submitted to leadership. You should begin to learn people's names and stuff like that. That has been a conviction. Like, Maddie and I go to church every Sunday that we're here. And you know, Pastor Chris is amazing. And we hang out with them and his family. But I've been more challenged like actually get to know people's names and that they know them. Because, you know, when you read Matthew 18 talking about kicking someone out of the church, it should like deeply affect their soul if they get kicked out of the church. Like it should be like, like, you know, your friends and everything knows all your business. And it is literally going to bring some deep conviction in your heart if you get kicked out of the church.

So, you know, if you're your church hopping and stuff like that, I would say, like, man, you're in some serious danger. Yeah. Yeah. I think my, I was like a chronic church hopper. I was like doing mosaic, then vintage Santa Monica and then one potter's house and then like Zoe church at night. In one day.

In one day, every Sunday. Like, Ari and I would literally go to three different church services and then probably Catholic Mass on the same Sunday because we just did not know. know what it meant to like truly plug in and submit yourself to one pat to a pastor to one church for me personally i've been going to garden um for the last two years and it has changed my life it has changed me as a believer it has humbled me Bryce like I can't even tell you like especially in ministry I am so deeply humbled being under pastoral leadership and being held accountable and knowing that I have not only my pastor, not like they monitor me or anything like that, but like I have my

pastors, the elders of my church, they follow me on Instagram, they watch my stuff, and they have no problem if anything were to arise to be like, hey, what's this? This is off. Don't love this. And it has changed my life. And it has like completely challenged that individualistic. It's just me and Jesus alone. It's just me, Ari and Jesus alone. Girls gone by. but we don't have a board. We don't have anybody above us. We make all the decisions. It is so important to be submitted to pastoral leadership.

Yeah. You know? And like what do you think about? Because there's probably like a generation of people who like there are a lot of Christian influencers, making Christian content. And it's amazing. And so many of them aren't submitted to like any sort of pastoral leadership. What do you think about that?

Yeah. There's a there's a difference. Like undercovering does not mean you go to church every Sunday. and like that's what it means to be submitted to a local church. I'm like, does your pastor know you by name? Does he, you know, speak into your life? Do you let him speak into your life? The sign of a true friend is someone that can wound you with their words for the sake of your soul.

Like, do you let people in your church do that? Do they know you? Are you involved? I think that's, you know, a crucial, crucial marking of that. But even in the church, like you're having to trust that the senior leader is listening to Jesus and that the elders are. listening to Jesus. And if something happens within the church, they're going to deal with it. I mean, I don't know if you all have seen that documentary on Netflix about that pastor,

but the guy, the guy, the guy, the past my pastor's wife. Yeah, the pastor JP. He's in. So basically there comes a point where he had already been involved in infidelity and stuff like that. And there was a lady who was like some spiritual oversight at the church. And she tells him that if you don't tell the elders in 24 hours what you've done, I'm going to do it. And 24 hours later, he didn't say anything, she goes to them and says something and they don't do anything about it. Praise God for her being willing to stand up for it and bat on the elders for not doing anything. Like that is awful and that is wicked and something needs to change in there. And like I can acknowledge that as a Christian.

And, you know, Christians demand, you know, church leadership to be this perfect thing filled with integrity. And like, yes, church leadership should be that way. But you shouldn't be begging for that if you're not plugged in. Yeah. Like you should not say that if you're not plugged in. Yeah. Go get plugged in. It's, it has nothing but a net positive on her soul. 100%. And I think it just also, it develop it, you just enter into a new layer of a believer when you are serving on a team at church. And I remember people would always say that to me,

serve, get on a serve team, get on the prayer team, the hosting team, welcome team, whatever it is, do something at the church. It will change your life as a believer. And I just never understood until I set up chairs at Garden. And I was like, I felt the delight of the Lord in a way that I never had. No being on any stage has never given me the same revelation of God's delight as setting up chairs on a Sunday morning at 6 a.m. Because I was like, oh, this is so, this is like the Lord's humility of coming in early and saying, I'm going to be a part of the behind the scenes of like setting up the house of God. God. What an honor. Not that anybody like, it's not glamorous. It's not celebratized. It's not like

celebrated in that way. And it truly changes you as a believer. Like it just moves you from that selfish self-centeredness in your relationship with Jesus to like truly having a servant heart. For you, you have a ministry and you even said there's a part of your ministry that's non-profit. there's a part that's for profit. And I just want to know from you because we know as your friend, like you are a man of integrity, you and Maddie both, like you guys have so much integrity, the purest hearts when it comes to people in ministry. What is it like having a ministry and having a business at the same time? Yeah, you know, I think that I just laugh sometimes because I, you know, I still consider myself a missionary, and I know a lot of missionaries that, like, try to raise support, like, hey, I need support, I need support.

Then they spend that money on five coffees a day and they're asking for more money a week later. Just as bad as the senior pastor that misuses money that has a $20 million budget. That's just as bad. A thousand percent. You know, and you can't say that you're just siphling people at a coffee shop when you're just going with your buddies to go there multiple times a day. So, you know, I, like for us, it's just. I think a couple of things. Paul had a tent-making job.

Is it wrong to have a job and do it? No, not necessarily. Like, is it, God's called me to ministry, but you also have practical responsibility. It's like, go take care of those practical responsibilities. I don't take a salary from the nonprofit. Yeah. I don't take a salary.

I actually use personal money to fund the ministry because the mission is so much more important to me than money. Like, money just comes and goes. Like, I get full satisfaction, from Jesus and having a wife and having friends that love me and people that love me. So just like I just think it's silly that people push back on it. But like even with the money thing, if you ever think money's becoming a problem, just give it away. So good.

Just give it away. And if you can't give it away, I would say that there's a problem. But, you know, I also just being able to have people speak into us and, you know, tells, you know, how to use money wise and how to steward it because stewardship is also important. The Bible talks about stewarding what God has given us. And that's not just talents and gifts that God has given us. That's financial literacy as well. But, you know, just trying to be open and honest and generous, radically generous,

and not holding back if you feel the unction to give. I mean, Mani and I just had a conversation two weeks. It would go about giving to certain things. It's beautiful. And, you know, she trusts me when I'm like, I have this unction to give here. So, you know, I think that, yeah, I think that's, it's not weird to have a business. when it begins to matter more than Jesus, then that's a problem. Of course. And that's a problem. And I just, I love like my pastor and friend Michael, Pastor Michael Culeanos, he always will be like,

work is holy. Go to work. Yeah. Go to work. Jesus isn't going to just like magically drop an envelope at your doorstep because you say you're in ministry, you know what I mean? In the kindest way possible, like you're so right. There are so many. And I think like mostly in the charismatic space, you see a lot of situations where especially young men are just like, oh, I don't know, like, God, like, called me to quit my job so I could, like, join the ministry. And it's like, potentially, of course, maybe there are moments. But for the most part, I'm like, I don't think the Lord is asking you to quit your job and not have a job for years and be in transition.

Like, there are practical things that we lose. And I just think that, like, work and business and making a life for yourself and your self and your family is one of the most beautiful things in the world. You know what I mean? And it's practical and important and you have to do it. Yeah. I mean, you know, God asks faith from us and he gives us faith. And he also gives us common sense.

And it's like, yeah, let's just use some common sense. Like if you have bills to pay, like go put the fries in the bag and go literally make a check and pay the bill. Like why is it that complicated? I worked a job for years. I've done it before. I'm not afraid to work. I do stuff that I probably shouldn't do to this day.

Like, like, just random jobs that are just like, I just do it. Like, it's just, I don't know. And if you're a man,

like get up off the couch and go do something with your life. Like, go work, go do it. Don't be, you know, a lazy sack of nothing

sitting on the couch. Like, Proverbs would say, look at the life of an aunt. They have no leader. They have no boss and they're being diligent and hard working and discipline.

Go be like the aunt. Go do something hard. Go do that. Good for you. Don't take it from me. Take it from the Bible. It says it. I mean, I'm just repeating it. He said it not me. He said it, not me. He said it. You've said that Gen Z is tired of fake Christianity. What feels fake to them? I mean, I think that I think what feels fake to them is when Christians act like that they have it all together.

And I think people admire transparency. I think that's what they admire. So I think that one of the hardest things is like, yeah, you know, we can sit here and we can talk about some amazing ways that God has pulled through us. But I think sometimes people can compare our 30 second highlight reel of testimonies that God has done to like their private life. And they think like I know I have done that so many times in many areas of my life listening to people are trying to get advice in areas. And I'm like, your life sounds perfect and mine sounds really bad in this area. You know, and I think just being open and honest sets like, you know, you know, you know, you. Yeah, I remember like two years within being a Christian. I met this guy that was like, I've never had an argument with my wife from the moment that we met.

And I was like, well, that's what it looks like to have a successful relationship. Yeah, it's so tough. And, you know, quickly I realized that that's just not true. And it's like okay to have disagreements and work through them. You're two broken human beings like being put together from different walks of life with different personalities. So, you know, I think just honesty and sincerity is what people want. 100%. Hang on.

Where to go. Where to go? Where to go? I have a question. Marriage? No. Close. Oh, this is what I was going to ask you.

Because obviously we all love Jesus so much here. Our private lives with Jesus are so much more important than anything we could ever do on a podcast or a stage. That's 2% of what life with Jesus is. Has there ever been a time? where you feel like you were doing more ministry than you were intimacy with the Lord. And like you went out and you felt like, oh, man, I'm on empty right now. Oh, absolutely. Yeah. Like, it is so easy to fall under that. Totally. And any leader that says, no, it's not. They're just lying to you.

Like, I, I remember the first year we started the ministry. I felt like I had to say yes to every opportunity. Then I'd be places and I'm like, I know I'm not supposed to be here. But I wouldn't feel away until I got there. Yeah. And a no is just is arguably more important than a yes. I mean, Jesus is seen running from the crowds more than he is running to the crowds because he prioritized alone time with the father. So even as of late, it's like you get busy and things come across the schedule and you have disciplines for yourself and like, should I bend the needle here?

Like just because like this is a cool opportunity and I know I'm typically a stickler on this, but like maybe I should bend the needle. And I would definitely say these past few months, I've become more like of a stickler of a schedule and stuff like that because it, what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Like it is not worth my spiritual sanity, my physical sanity and emotional sanity. Yeah. To give more people my time than to give the Lord and my wife my time. And I just heard this yesterday on a drive back from my Bucky's furry meetup I went to. And- Is there Buckees in California?

No. There's not. At least not to my knowledge. This was in Arizona. We went to Arizona. I was listening and as pastor was saying like, at the end of your life, your resume is your family. And I was like, dang, like I want to make sure that I have more time. And like Maddie and I went on date night last week. And it was so fun. And we had a marriage meeting. It's like, I don't even know what the heck that is. But we had a marriage meeting and it was awesome and it was fun. And then I'm like a meeting with a life coach like by myself, like figuring out how to be better. at like being a leader and being a man for Maddie and being a better friend and it's you know all these things so like I I've just I don't know the things that you care about just change when you become a Christian and your priorities change which is good but the temptation

absolutely real and I think the biggest thing for me was getting social media off my phone like I deleted it for a little bit social media off so I deleted the apps for a little bit And then I re-downloaded them back. And then, like, I just deleted it again last night on, like, Instagram. Instagram's the main one, TikTok. Like, I just, like, I, like, have a, what is that, a time limit? Because I don't want to delete the drafts. There's some of my funny stuff in there from years ago that I just don't want to lose.

But, like, Instagram, I deleted again last night because I'm just like, man, like, this thing is so damaging to my soul. It is. And it's so easy to substitute, you know, if you don't feed your spirit, you're going to feed something else. And it's going to get four. And I've found myself getting full so many times off social media. Oh my gosh, absolutely. Has there been a time? I remember, I think we're like in Michigan or something.

We're having a Girls Gone Bible tour. And I remember I was like on E. I was just so like I had been spending time with Jesus. But I remember being like, man, I'm at like my limit right now of we've been putting out so much. And just like doing so many events and so many speaking things. and I like yeah there's a time where like his power is made perfect in our weakness for sure but I remember having just getting off stage and having the fear of God hit me because I was like I feel like I just relied like of course the Lord is with me but there was also part of me that was like I almost feel like I relied

a little bit on like charisma and knowledge and like what I know of the word when and I remember feeling like oh I never want that to be the case I never want to get to a point where I'm like I could do this with my eyes closed. You know what I mean? Have you ever, and that's like the blessing and the curse with talents and gifts is that like the Lord gave them to you, but you can also rely on them more than you rely on him. So has there ever been a time for you where like you were had to check yourself and be like, because you're so smart, you're so knowledgeable.

You're such a great like natural preacher. Has there ever been a time where you were like, oh, I can't rely on that? Yeah, a couple of months ago I was on my balcony and I was saying it started. with the social media thing. I was talking to Maddie and one of my really good friends. And I was like, you know, I find myself just mindlessly scrolling online and I don't know why. I hate the way that I feel. I just don't like it. I don't like that. I'm like picking on my phone every five seconds and going back after I just got off and going on the same app. And it's just like, I don't know. I don't like that. I don't know why I'm doing that. And after talking with them for about 30 minutes, I got to a point where subconsciously I didn't realize I thought God couldn't do it with that.

me. And the second I felt that way, I was like, I got to delete this immediately. And it wasn't even just that. It's even with things, it's like when I was saying earlier, like I would do small tasks that, like I probably shouldn't do or my time would be better spent somewhere else. It's like, there's a part of me that will do that because I don't trust somebody else to do it for me. And that's the reason why God has given other people gifts and talents. And it's so hard to trust people. And I think it takes time to like, you know, train people up and let them understand you and stuff like that. But building a team has been one of the greatest things. I mean, this is why were trusting my guy in the sound booth right now to control the cameras and control the sound

and edit it and like make sure it gets out because you know you guys if you guys were being control freaks over this and you guys maybe would lose intimacy or lose this or lose that and so that was like a big indicator for me and a big reflection I remember just like texting uh divij that night and was going like man I really need to build a team like we really need to do this and get this going and so like we're always trying to like learn and grow and stuff like that but you know having people around and surrounding myself with smarter people than I am has just been such a blessing to learn and grow and trust other people. And it is hard to let go sometimes. But when I do, it is, it is so great. It's kind of like the Sabbath, you know? Yeah. It feels uncomfortable to rest,

but then once you rest that Monday following, you're just like, wow, I'm so glad that I did that because now I feel like I have more energy and fuel to do things that I'm called to do. 100%. To me, it's like the same concept. Yeah. Does anxiety or dark thoughts ever still come? And if so, how do you walk through them? Because I know that you talk a lot about being delivered from anxiety. But does it ever still come? And how do you walk through that if so?

I have my first anxiety attack from the moment I got saved late last year. I'd like seen someone that had just said some things that weren't true about me and they didn't know that I knew and they had hurt me and I'd seen them in public. And they acted like that, you know, everything was fine. Totally. And I treated them like everything was fine. but for some reason it just like jacked me up. And I remember I was like bedridden for 24 hours and just couldn't get out of bed.

And then finally I was able to get up and go on a run. And when I went on a run, I'm just like kind of crying and just feeling guilty. And the whole time just Satan is in my ear going, oh, you can't preach. You're a hypocrite. God didn't set you free. Blah, blah, blah. Look at you now. And I'm going on a run.

And I just like cried to God. I'm like, you know, Jesus, what's going on? This feels weird. I feel like a hypocrite. I can never talk about you ever again. And I just heard this quiet still voice. You're not a hypocrite. You're just human.

And that totally set me free in that moment of going, even though I had been set free and I still believe Jesus has set me free from anxiety and oppression, it was a reminder to continue to lean on him. Even if you've been set free from someone, you haven't drank alcohol in 10 years or whatever, you still have to lean on him to get through that, you know? There's a deeper spiritual transformation that comes when leaning on Jesus versus leaning on your own will,

hour. And that happened and that was a big heart check, but a great one. And then just, you know, even nowadays, like, do I have dark thoughts? Absolutely. Like, I had had nightmares for two weeks straight, like a month ago. And, you know, it's like, it's easy to get lost in the sauce in that way. But leaning on Jesus has been, you know, a reminder, easy to fall out of, right? Because it's like you want to try to find a practical solution. Like, maybe I need to go to bed. earlier or maybe I need to do this or do that. But there are sometimes practical things that we can do to help ourselves, right? Yeah, for sure.

Yeah. For sure. Yeah. And, you know, it's like I don't want to like take Jesus out of it and be like, oh, this isn't spiritual at all. Yeah. But it's like, you know, trying to find that balance too. So, I mean, it absolutely happens.

But I think that just makes me human. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, when I was when I was younger, I like got delivered from alcohol. all, I, um, the Lord healed me from anxiety and OCD. I had this really like torturous like health anxiety in OCD where I always thought like I was dying. Something was wrong with me.

I'd go to the doctor. I'd like get my blood check, get my heart check like cardiac stuff. All of that like I started following Jesus, started reading the Bible. Every bit of that left. Like no health anxiety, nothing. And so I always have said like the Lord delivered me from anxiety, which he did. I go through something like a year ago, pretty traumatic, triggered some really hard OCD stuff. And so I had to walk through what with the Lord, like, what does this mean when I was delivered,

but now it's back? What do I say to people? Because you did deliver me, but it's like it's back. So did you actually deliver me? And so it's something really interesting that we have to walk through as believers where like, yes, Jesus is a healer can heal you in an instant deliver you. and then life also happens. And so I walked through something where I was able to rely on when I was 23 and God healed

my anxiety where now I get to look back on that and be like he did it before he's going to do it again. Yeah, yeah. And I know he's going to do it again. And I'm currently actively still waiting for him to do that again. And so life with Jesus isn't this like super linear thing where it's like you get saved. He heals everything. You never struggle again.

Yeah. That's just a it's never going to be like that. don't know what's going to happen in life that might trigger something again. You see someone that hurt you. You go through something and it brings things up. We are human. We're spiritual beings and we're psychological beings. Like you also can't like take out the psychological part of what it is to be a human, you know, that you can get triggered, traumas come up, things happen, and Jesus is the healer.

For sure. You know? Yeah. Let's talk about marriage because I'm really excited and really wanted to talk to you about this. Let's talk about marriage because I'm really excited and really wanting to talk to you about this. I think we're living in a generation where people don't want to get married till they're older because they're like, no, I have so much time. I need to experience life. And it's just been so admirable to see such a young man take the step and get engaged and get married.

And I just want you to speak a little bit about your marriage and what it's been like. Well, I found my good thing. I'm obsessed. How cute she is. And okay, so I think that, yeah, I think that people should just get married young. And I have so many thoughts on this. I've seen Christians get married quick, not for the right reasons. And if I'm just being blunt, it's because I want to have sex.

And that is such a shallow reason to get married. Like, Paul says, yeah, it's better to get married than fall into sexual immorality, but self-control is also fruit of the spirit. Like, it is okay to date. and go through hard things with people and see their heart and stuff like that. So I know people that have met their person, got married in three months, and got pregnant in the same year, and they have kids, and they have a phenomenal marriage. It's great.

But, you know, we want to use common sense here. And it's like, okay, am I marrying this person because I love them or am I marrying them because I lack self-control and I'm impatient? Am I marrying them because I'm lacking self-control, but I'm not financially ready to, you know, support a family because he who neglects his family is worse than the unbeliever. I want to be able to lead my wife. You're a man. You're a leader.

So, you know, for us, it was like, I want to honor God. I remember proposing to Maddie. And it was just the best. And I was excited. And I was like, man, two years date and Maddie, I got a grip on what it means to be humble. And then two weeks into marriage, I'm like, man, I'm so selfish. I'm like, not humble. And that, like, partially came from, you know, never having lived together to then living

together and now you have to consider someone's thoughts, feelings, and emotions because you're one with them. But also just, it was just like funny for me to be like, man, I thought I had a grip on serving Maddie, and I totally didn't. And I'm still learning. And you know, I also think that the stereotype that people are like, oh, first year marriage was awful. Like, it was just awful. I think that's so stupid. I think people just say that because they argue over stupid stuff. But I'm having so much fun with Maddie. I enjoy it. I love being married to Maddie. We definitely had an unconventional year marriage with like tons of travel and tons of things. But it's been fun to get to do it with her and not without her. And I just love being married. I think it's freaking awesome. It's so awesome.

Yeah. And you guys just, you're young, you have fun. You're lighthearted. And I love even what you just said actually. People say the first year of marriage is like so awful. But it's like, yeah, you're fighting over stupid stuff. Say sorry, get over it, eat a piece of pizza together, have a good time. You know what I mean? I think like there's a way you can go through life that doesn't have to be so dark and so heavy and so like, oh, we're like working through all this stuff. When it's just like, yeah, we've gone to an argument. Why do you think people don't want to settle? What do you think this like epidemic is?

The dating epidemic? Yeah. Oh, I have so many thoughts on this. Can we hear it? Yeah, I'm going to get really blunt and it might get me in trouble, but it's whatever. I hear so many people and maybe, maybe, and before I'll go on my rant, I want to hear, do you feel like that the dating pool is watered down in Christianity with feminine men? Yes or no?

You do. Do you feel this way? Do you? Sometimes. I hear this a lot. I hear a ton of women, Christian women be like, man, I just want a grizzly bear of a man. And like, I want a man that's going to lead me and blah, blah, blah. And, you know, and the dating pool sucks because there's a bunch of feminine men and all this other stuff.

Well, not like that, but there is, I wouldn't say it like that. Okay, sure. There are men, but I would say that there is, you know. There are a lot of feminine men in Christianity that I like. I think I just want to, what are we saying? Feminine, like, appearing feminine. Like, feminine appearance or emotionally feminine. It's like a combination of it all, which is like, I don't think it's just like, just physically.

Yeah, I think it's a combination of all, which I think that is a problem. I think men need to learn to be men. I think that that's just a fact. Yeah. I think we should stop selling tight baby teas to men. Like, why are men wearing baby teas? So many people in men wear it. Like, I'm just going to say it right now.

Do we know a guy who wears baby teeth? That is just my opinion. I think we need to stop doing that. They have plenty of other sizes and other options out there. We need a man to speak on this. But at the same time, I've seen a lot of Christian women who complain about that, but they settle for the feminine man. So it's like you have no right to complain when you're settling and you're making the conscious decision. And it's like just because you find someone attractive,

and that's why you're settling for the feminine man, is no reason because there's plenty of other masculine men that you may not be immediately physically attracted to. Does God care about aesthetics? Yes, that's why he made the world. That's why we have colors. Can you know someone's heart from across the room by just looking at them?

No, like aesthetics are fine, but it is superficial because when we're 80 years old, we're both going to look like a trash bag filled with water. So it's like, you know, what matters most in that moment? I think that's why people are settling because they think that that's as good as it's going to get. But it's okay to wait. It's okay to wait and look and check out the options. It's okay to date and go, yeah, maybe we're not a good fit or maybe we are a good fit.

Let's go on another date and let's do that. It is totally fine. I think that there is an epidemic. I think men need to learn what it means to be biblically a man. I think they need to stand firm, be bold, work with their hands, be strong, stand for truth. They don't need to be passive. There's too many passive men in the church. And that's going to overflow.

And yeah, all the men complain about not finding a wife, I bet you'd find a wife by doing that. And I would challenge the women. Like, don't settle for the feminine men just because you may feel more physically or emotionally attracted to them. There's plenty of Christian men out there that are ready to date and that are ready for it that have good character. Because in the same conversation, women are like, you know, not saying you guys, just in general, people are like, I need a masculine man. I need a grizzly bear with some facial hair and this. And it's like, okay, but what about good character? Yeah.

What about a man that is willing to do the hard thing and lead you well? What about all of these characteristics, we like throw out the window. And it's like, I want a Christian man, but really what I want is I want someone that fits my aesthetic pleasures. And if they don't, then I'm not going to give them a chance. Yeah. Okay. Well, I think that that's a problem too. So what what responsibility do you feel like women have in during dating or going on dates?

It's like, for example, I have been on a couple dates in the last year where afterwards, maybe not after the first date, but if there were more than one date where I would, when there was a conversation to be had about like not moving forward, I would be really honest in the kindest, most loving way about a couple of things that I've, that I had seen in a certain man. And they were so grateful for it and so appreciative of it. And I've had multiple situations like that. and it was so well received because they knew that it was like coming from a good place.

And I have actually been wanting to talk about this for a while. Like as girls, as women, we have the ability to pull out really great things for men who aren't even like our boyfriends or our husbands just by having honest conversations. So do you feel like women have a responsibility or even the ability to do that? I'm so glad you said that because I think more women should do that. If you were complaining, like it's, and I mean this in the most gentle way, It's like you're complaining about the feminine men in the dating pool, but you're okay with treating them like a gay best friend. Yeah.

And it's like that is not okay. You are affirming the very thing that you're complaining about. And so if you were complaining about there being feminine men out there in the Christian dating pool, then tell them. And men need to be a better example of being men and standing up and calling men higher at the same time, women, if you see it, because women are going to go on dates with men and they need to be able to call it out and be like, look, like, you know, you're a very nice person. This isn't that. but like just as a Christian woman, I'm not attracted to the fact that like you have this behavior and, you know, just say it like it is. Yeah.

Men are logical. They want to know. They want to, if they're really a man, they want to learn, they want to grow and they want to change because that's just like this part of a man's nature that you just can't rip out of them. It's like I'm down to grow, learn, change and things like that. So I'm so glad you said that because I think, yeah, I think you guys definitely need to tell the men what they can step up in. Yeah. in the most loving way possible. I think one of the, one of the best experiences I've had dating

this past year. And this guy is like a friend of mine now. He's awesome. But like I wish that more guys would do this. We had like dated for a little bit. And it was kind of like, yeah, this isn't the right fit, but like adore you, whatever. And when we had that last conversation, he was kind of, he said the words, like, do you have any feedback for me? And I was like, I'm I'm obsessed with you. No, I'm reconsidering everything because that is such a great response. And I was able to give this guy great feedback and he really received it. And I was like, why don't guys have the confidence to be like, do you have any feedback for me?

Even if we only went on three days, like, do you have any feedback? I think that's awesome, you know? Yeah, I like that response. I think more men should do that. You know, I mean, again, you're going to deal with men and men have this, like, you know, weird ego sometimes where it's like hard to admit that we're wrong, you know, so that, I mean, that's always going to be a run-in, but man, good on that dude. He was awesome.

That's so cool. I wanted to ask you one more thing. Okay. So my favorite thing about you is the way you approach people in love. Like, I love your videos where you go up to these people in West Hollywood and you just see beyond them. Like, you see the brokenness, you see, you just see them. And I know that they feel that.

And it's just the most beautiful thing about you. Like, that's what brings me to tears every time I watch your videos. But we get so many questions. How do I approach people in love and spread the gospel? And I just, you are the representation that you do it perfectly. So how do you approach these people who feel lost, who struggle with identity and love? Yeah. I think the biggest thing for me is I know that going into a pride parade or a furry meetup or whatever it may be that I'm going to be the minority in beliefs.

Of course. And so it's, you know, I'm not going to walk on eggshells. If someone asks me a question, I'm going to call a spade a spade. The bout, it's like this weird balance. Jesus came full of grace and truth. And it's that, you know, if you have all grace, no truth, you just compromise for people's sin. Yeah. And that's probably a red flag that you're compromising for sin in your own life.

And then all truth, no grace is you just crush people and no one likes that. And I think the balance is love. And I think you're like, well, how do we lead in love? It's just loving people. Like from the jump, the ministry or whatever people see today, they've never seen the get go where I was just like, I was impacted by the love of God. So that led me to love people. And, you know, people may think it's, you know, your government plant or whatever, you know, like stupid stuff. But this is all an overflow.

They call you a government plant? Yeah. That's such a compliment. Like government plant. Thanks, guys. Yeah, I appreciate it. I can't believe the gospel is going forth that much you guys think I'm a government plant.

But it's just, it all started with love. It's just loving people and being impacted by God's love for me and thinking that, I mean, I genuinely felt like I was the worst human being on the planet. Yeah. And so I was like, if God can do it for me, he sure as heck can do it for anyone else. That mentality has led to the conversations you see today. And even like when we're meeting someone in West Hollywood, I'm thinking about the person watching the video that is too scared to invite their friend of church. So it's like, I'm doing this not out of love for that person, but out of love for the person listening right now.

Yeah. That can hopefully feel the courage to go do the same because the harvest is ripe that Jesus says. So I think it's just like always rescindering like anyone who does not know love does not know God because God is love. Yes. So if you're lacking on leading and love, then I would reflect on like your relationship with God. Do you know God? Are you being intimate with him, spending time with him? Yeah.

And love doesn't look like compromise. I'll call a spade a spade. I don't mind. I mean, literally just five seconds ago, I said female women need to stop treating feminine men like a gay best friend. Like some person that sounds polarizing, but I'll call a spade a spate. I don't mind doing that. So, yeah, it's just we got to, we can't forget and lose sight of that. I was talking to the survivor of 9-11, who's a Christian.

It's named Sujo. He was on the 81st floor of, I think the North Tower and it got hit. He made it all the way down. The building crushed on him. And he made it out of the rebel. And he looked at me after we sat down and had a conversation. He said, Bryce, I relive that day every day. Because if I lose that, I lose sight of Jesus.

Because he saved me that day. And I love what he said because it's like, I have to relive Waffle House in my mind. and go like me, God, God really saved me. This is why I'm doing this today. And God sees my heart. You know, if I do something and it will, like, you know, I want God to call me out or bring me a conviction or he's going to deal with it one day. One of the things I love the most about the videos that you make is that like if you watch

them, like especially like your street videos, like there are awkward moments. Like there are moments where someone says something and you kind of have to just pause and figure. And like you've, and I think it just gives people so much permission that like, yeah, go on to talk to your neighbor who's like doing witchcraft might be a little awkward and that's okay. Like and I think it just has given all of us so much permission to just like go and have conversations that are awkward, not perfect, not polish and just like get the gospel out and that's okay. I think one of my favorite things personally is watching you talk to like the boys.

Like you talk to Mike Maylach, you talk to Jeff. It's so sweet to watch you like you just you see these guys who are kind of like in the industry. They're in like Hollywood-ish type of spaces. And they're not churched. They're not like living like a totally sanctified life. But you see them like try to figure out who God is. And just the way that you interact truly in love, like they'll say something that's potentially, not those guys specifically, but anyone, they might say something that could be ignorant or just like a little off putting.

And the way you respond is so inviting. You don't get uncomfortable. They might say something so insane and you, you know, you'll chuckle and then kind of just like steer the correction in the right way. And I just think it's it's so impressive. And like, yeah, you're gifted. But you also are just like a guy who is willing to engage in these conversations. And I think if more people had the confidence to just simply engage and it's okay if it's a little awkward. It doesn't need to be perfect.

I think it's really cool. You never get angry a combative. Yes. That's what I love. that's such a good point actually because I have someone who's really close in my life who the I mean we have conversations about faith all the time and I do my best to be patient but then sometimes when people are close to you you can be a little bit like yeah your chat is biased stop chat chippy teeing of course it says that the Bible isn't real like you know what I mean and my friend

literally goes she's my best friend she literally goes do you think that reaction was normal I said no I don't But is that like fully wrong to do that? I don't think so. Like I have like hometown friends that, you know, if I were to meet someone on the street and I talk to them the same way, I talked to like some of my hometown friends. Like, yeah, I don't think it's necessarily wrong. I actually think that's really funny because, yeah. It was so funny.

I mean, yeah, like I have a friend who, you know, is a close friend of mine. And he still, like, struggles with, like, getting drunk sometimes and one time. I just straight up send him a screenshot. this verse, like no context on a random Tuesday. That was like the drunkard and glutton come to poverty. And I'm like, you wonder why you're broke on the weekends. And he didn't get mad at me, you know? Because we're friends.

We grew up with each other. Like, that was cool. And like what I said to someone random, no. But yeah, I get it. That's a kind compliment, though. Thank you for saying that. Of course. I think what you said it was interesting, though, about the mic and, like, Jeff.

Yeah. stuff like that because, you know, what I, what I notice is like when I sit down with people that aren't Christian, they like cuss less and they do all the stuff, which is like partial conviction, right? And then there's another part of them that's like, I don't want to offend you. Yeah. And I think you made such a great point. And it's if we let people bring their walls up and they're not fully honest with us, would they then be fully honest with God because they're afraid of offending him? Yeah. And it's like, you know, if someone's worried about blaspheming God, they're probably not blaspheming God.

If you're actually concerned about blasphemy and God, you're probably not doing it. And so, like, that's why I'm like, you can say whatever you want. It's not going to offend me. You can say anything about me. It's not going to offend me. I'm here to answer any questions. And I think that just, like, lets people like, off the table. And I think if we just had that perspective, I can't tell you how many times I'll be in the street and meet people that watch the videos.

And they cuss up a storm when they see me. Holy F! I can't believe your effort like this and that. Yeah, yeah. And, uh, and in my mind, I'm just like, I hope they keep watching the videos. You know what I mean? Like, I'm not going to be the Pharisee that's like, hey, bro, don't say the F word to me. That's not cool. Yeah. It's like, do I think people should cuss? No, I don't think they should cuss. But it's like, I'm not going to be the Pharisee in that moment. I want them to come to me. And that oftentimes leads to like, hey, and it's like, hey, dude, I actually got a question like while you're here. Yeah. It's like if I was like, well, well, before you talk to me, stop cussing at me. Okay. Yeah. Actually, I'm good. I just want to say hey. It's like, okay. Yeah, I'm not going to be that guy.

It's so much less about the cussing and the behavioral sin as it is, like, how's your heart? Is your soul right before God? Like, are you whole? That's everything else is a symptom. Everything else we can take care of that later. That's not what matters. I think that's really important for people to hear because I think as Christianity is on the rise and it's very trendy. And thank you, Jesus, like truly the harvest is ripe.

People are getting saved. And it's also, we're all being disciples online. And I think as we go out and make more disciples, like leading with, hey, you have to stop cussing, stop drinking, stop this, stop sex, stop everything. Dress modestly. Don't dress like that. When it's like, dude, let this person's relationship with the Lord, like even settle, like, let them even like dip their toes in before we start trying to change everything about them.

I just feel like God is okay with playing the long game with people, you know, like where he's like, he works in, Ari always says this, he works in process. Like it doesn't, things don't need to change all overnight. Is there anybody in your life that you're like, that you play the long game with that you, they're not saved or they are saved, but they're, they question and you kind of, you know that your call to like walk through life with them and. I mean, absolutely. There's like a handful of people.

But there comes a point where I think sometimes a temptation with the long game is you say to yourself, oh, it's my fault that this person doesn't know Jesus because it's been so long. long. And actually, if you've preached the gospel of them and your life is a light to them, then shake the dust off your feet, not literally leaving them, but like keeping a light to them, but don't put the pressure on your shoulders. Yeah. Like I don't, like something just happened where some people had told me some stuff that was happening was someone that we know, like some sin that they were struggling with. And I don't even, I didn't even, I'm not even like super close with them, but I scheduled like a sit down with them just to check on their heart.

because for me it was I know something so now like I have to do something and if they don't change I'm I've I've done my part and I'm like I'm out you know what I mean and and and you know it was great and I think we just need need more of that but the pressure is like off our shoulders if you step in that's why I just hate passivity it's passivity is just slapping God in the face for the life he's given you even even when you're like preaching the gospel the greatest form of gratitude is to preach gospel. And so if you're not preaching the gospel and you're passive, you lack gratitude for what God's done in your life. And so like if you're if you're interacting with people and you think you're playing the long game, it's like that's just a part of it. That's what discipleship looks like.

You know, there's probably a ton of people that don't realize that they're being disciple that or, you know, one day they're just like this juggernaut believer because they've spent so much time learning about it. But yeah, the long game is a beautiful game and it shows the commitment that you have to Jesus. And if you're not playing the long game with someone, find someone to play the long game with. It's so great. It challenges you and makes you grown in patience.

Impatience. I feel like those relationships that you play the long game with someone who either doesn't believe or just questions everything, those are the relationships where I have grown the most in my own character, in my own patience, in my own ego and just like, how, like, what are you talking about? Yeah. Obviously, this is the truth. But it is so humbling.

And sometimes I've had moments of being like, Jesus, are you, is this more about me than even the other person of like what you're doing in me to not be like a steamrolling control freak? So that's so interesting. Yeah. Who was the hardest, what was the hardest podcast you've ever been on? Oh, that's good. Hardest podcasts I've ever been on. I think I know what you're going to say. Wait, what do you think I'm going to say?

Howie Mendel. That was not that. To me, that wasn't that hard. I loved it. It was unbelievable. It was my favorite you've ever been on. You know what's so crazy? So many people were like, oh my gosh, like, how he was this?

How was that? Like, I did not feel that way at all. Like, he is so, such a great guy to be around. He seemed really kind. I loved him. Yeah. I saw so many people being like, oh my gosh, like, how is this, how is that? I'm coming to fence to Howie.

I did not feel that way from him or his daughter. I love them. I saw him three weeks in a row. Wow. And just, like, loved getting to hang with him. He's so kind. He's so hospitable. Like genuinely.

a great guy. I love Howie. I'll defend that all day. But that wasn't like the hardest. I guess like I guess it just depends what you define as hard. Like do you define the most challenging for you to answer questions? I think that I think that I don't know and I'm not saying because it's like, oh, I knew the answer to every question. It was just, just like, I don't know. Like, to me, if, to me, it's just like, I care more about what's happening off camera than, you know, on camera. So, like, even, even like the before and after is so important to me.

I can't think of one that I've been on that was hard, but I can think of a podcast that we've recorded that we will never air. Nisa. That was, uh, well, actually, we did not, we did not air that one. Which one? Nisa. Do you remember? I'll show you.

Yeah, Nisa, he, he was, uh, a trans woman, then detransitioned, then re-transitioned back and left the faith. We did not air that one. We filmed one with a gang member. Oh, wow. And it was just like, he was just really inappropriate and graphic. And we haven't, we never, we never aired it because I was just like, this is really inappropriate and graphic. And he was just like, you know, promoting porn.

And like, it was weird. His fiancee was in the room. And she, like, had a problem with him watching porn. and he like wouldn't he was like no it's good it's good and it was just it was just so weird and uh you know god bless that dude but it was just an interesting episode i'm like i didn't do what you thought it would do going into yeah i thought that it was going to be a great conversation it was going to be helpful to him and it was just like so all over the place and i was like i can't i can't i can't put this out didn't you interview um not bonnie blue but who's the who is the other girl oh sophy rain

yeah she does only fans yeah so we did her we did that literally 24 hours before the vice president. Wow. So that was, it was like two opposite ends of the spectrum of people, like literally a political world leader and then the top earning only fans

creator on the platform. Yeah, I mean, she was very respectful. We were respectful. I was trying to be careful how to like talk to her because I was talking to a lady and I can't be as blunt to her. And I kept saying her multiple times like on the episode. I was like, you know, I'm trying to be careful because you're a lady.

I'm trying to be respectful. Halfway through I was like, do you feel like I'm judging you? She said no to me, so I kept going. So good. Yeah, you talking to a girl in general is always going to be in that position. It's going to be so hard. Yeah. Like you, I haven't seen that.

Is that out? No, it's not out yet. Okay. What was the most fascinating thing to me is afterwards, like I got a text that she was like upset how it went. No way. And I was like, what? And I was so confused. And DeVij told me that, you know, it had been communicated to him that she was upset.

And I was like, when did that happen? And he gave me a timestamp. And we were, like, in the middle of recording. So I don't know how that was possible. It was really interesting. But, you know, we had a great conversation off camera as well. Interesting. Me and Sophie did.

And I asked her even off camera. I was like, look, Maddie and I care about you if you need anything. Like, Maddie's an incredible woman. You can get plugged into, like, you know, that kind of thing. And then I was just like, you can, you're more than welcome to come to. church with us anytime you're in LA and she was like you gave me a lot to think about like I feel good about so I was definitely thrown off by that but did you ever figure out what it was like no you know I think I think at the end of the day it's just like well I do I do know what it is I think

that there was like a I think that they were expecting me to co-sign the lifestyle that she was living yeah and I think that they were just confused as to why verbatim it was like they know his podcast are going on. Verbatim, verbatim, it was like, which I don't even know how this was possible because we were literally recording when this was communicated to Divage.

But verbatim, they said, they were upset because I said that they were leading people into temptation. But it's like, do you expect me to, you know, co-sign that behavior? No, I'm not going to co-sign that behavior. I love you as a human being, but I'm not going to co-sign the behavior.

Yeah. But is Sophie a kind, sweet human? Absolutely. Do more women need to step up and be alike to her. Absolutely. Yeah. You know, so I enjoyed it. She told me to my face on the episode and afterwards that she felt good about it.

Are you going to release it? Yeah, yeah, absolutely. We're going to release it. It's a good episode. It's encouraging. I can't wait to watch it. We're so proud of you. Maddie, we love you so much.

We love you guys. I'm just so grateful that you guys are a family outside of this table and outside of being on camera. You guys are the best. We love you. I don't think that there's many people like in the, this space that you truly just like get to run with all these years. So we feel that way about you guys. We love you all a ton. We love you so much. Would you pray for people? Yeah, absolutely. What I imagine, I'm like, no. No, I'm not. No. Yeah, I'll pray for us. Jesus, thank you for today, God.

Thank you for Ange and Ari and just the incredible ministry that you've trusted them with. And thank you for everyone watching and listening. God, would you just bless the listeners? Would you bring conviction in their lives, Lord, would you give them a hunger to read the word and a hunger for prayer and a hunger for you above a hunger for the things of the world? And God, would you just bless Anjanari as they continue to travel and minister? Would you keep their hearts aligned with yours? God, would you allow them to listen to your still calm voice? And, Lord, would you protect them and guide them and lead them.

Jesus, we love you. And we thank you. And I'm so grateful for their lives in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. We love you so much. I love you guys too. Thank you.

God bless you. Wow. Thank you. God bless you. Wow. Do a thumbnail. Oh, let's finish really quick. Guys, we thought you ended it.

Hey, do a. Hey, Ari. I'm going to need you to do a thumbnail for us really quick. Guys, we love you so much. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he turn his face towards you and give you peace. Shalom, shalom.

Now we do a thumbnail. Is that going to say you? I hope that stays dead. Okay. That was awesome.