ILI: History Makers Leadership Podcast

Ep. 65 | Awakened to Purpose

• International Leadership Institute

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In this powerful episode of the History Makers Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Pastor and Elder in the Global Methodist Church, April Briant, to hear her extraordinary story of surrender, calling, and transformation.

What to Expect:

  • April's journey from a successful career to answering God's call to full-time ministry
  • The life-changing moment at a prayer revival that shifted her destiny
  • Her passion for discipleship, global missions, and mentoring women leaders
  • Practical advice on time management, spiritual leadership, and embracing weakness as strength
  • Insightful reflections on women in ministry and scriptural foundations that guide her path


Whether you’re discerning a call to ministry, seeking spiritual encouragement, or simply love hearing about God’s work in people’s lives, this episode is full of wisdom, humility, and inspiration.

Tune in, be inspired, and share this message of purpose and obedience with someone who needs it.

When you begin ILI training, you will discover how the Eight Core Values will lead to the Seven Outcomes in your life and the lives of those you lead. Join a community of leaders who are ready to change history and make an impact in this world. Discover more at ILITeam.org/connect.


Speaker 1:

Hello and welcome to the HistoryMakers Leadership Podcast. We're excited to connect with leaders who are making a difference in their communities and areas of influence. Today we're honored to meet Pastor April Bryant, associate Pastor at Commerce First Methodist Church and also an elder in the Global Methodist Church North Georgia Conference. Pastor April, welcome to the show. We are looking forward to hearing about your journey, your passions and your vision for ministry. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what brings you joy in your role as a Christian leader and as a pastor?

Speaker 2:

Sure. Well, thank you for having me. It's just a privilege and honor to be with you this morning and it's a joy to see all that God's doing throughout the conference and just everywhere. I just see God is on the move and it's exciting. What brings me joy? The most joy, I think, is when so many people start to get it. Whenever someone I'm working with a person now in one-on-one counseling and she just lights up every time you talk to her she's talking about how God is restoring her and God is healing her and she cannot be contained. It's just bursting out of her and this is what the journey looks like. And she's saying I'm leaving behind these things and I'm never going back there. And I'm trying to explain it to my friends and they don't really get it. And the joy of discipleship. That's what true discipleship looks like. It's not a chore, it's a joy as we respond to his love. And so I just love to see when people get it and they're starting to walk in it and God is freeing them. It's contained. That's amazing.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that's amazing. I mean knowing you over the years and your passion and desire to just equip young believers to grow to maturity. I mean you've been consistent in that. Take us back to the beginning. I mean what really sparked your journey into ministry and how did you end up being a pastor and now an associate pastor at the Global Methodist Church?

Speaker 2:

Well, it's funny because I was, you know, thought I was very close to God. I was serving in my local church. I had my career. I was very successful in my career. I was a mom of young children two young girls and I served on various committees in my local church. Everyone except for trustees I have served on. I was over the programming for the Children's Sunday School. So I was doing a lot for God and I thought this is, yeah, I'm a great Christian and I'm living my life for Christ right, but I really was still in control of much and I was really really in a safe what I thought was a safe zone. It depends on April zone and that's really. I call it the April plan. I could count on myself and nobody else. Really.

Speaker 2:

I attended a week-long prayer revival from a pastor in New Zealand came to our local church and preached this week-long revival on prayer and at the end I went up and I did pray on one side of the stage for God to show me anything that was between me and him so that I could remove it.

Speaker 2:

But I didn't think there was anything, which is the hilarious part of that prayer. And then I went to the other side of the stage and I asked my home church pastor to pray, that I would be filled with the Holy Spirit, especially to have the opportunity to pray in the Spirit, if God would give that to me. And that moment changed my life forever, because God gave me this deep passion for His Word and I just wanted to read the Bible like it was the greatest thing ever written, even though I grew up in a family that always had the Bible. I always knew who God was, but it was just opening to me new and in that discipleship where God had put on my heart, give him the first hour of every day. And in that time, on a Saturday morning, the spirit said to me you know, you're called to full-time ministry and I said I am, and that was just the-.

Speaker 1:

How did you feel at that moment? Was it something of joy, did you? Is it something you looked forward to, or it just took you by surprise?

Speaker 2:

It took me by surprise and I thought immediately being the person who all has had a plan for everything, I was thinking of all the things I had to do.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

Finish my bachelor's, I was working in law firms. I didn't know if I would go to law school and do pro bono work or if I'd go to seminary and be a missionary or a pastor. And God interrupted me quickly and said in the spirit if you want a list, I'll give you a list. Write down these things. And I wrote down just the five things that came to my mind. And then I scoffed at this list because these things were so unimportant, not anything as important as an education. They were get six hours of sleep every night, exercise daily, get debt free, stay debt free, get counseling, wisdom. And the weirdest of all was humility. That was on the list. I was the humblest person I knew, so that one did not make any sense. And but I said, lord, if this list is from you, which one's first? And and I woke up two and a half hours later with my face on the list. So I knew sleep was the first. I was young. I never got a lot of sleep back then as a mother of two young girls, but that list has kept me so humble and so moving forward, because I still haven't mastered those five things. Because I still haven't mastered those five things and all the other things that I was thinking were the most important things God has brought about in the time, in his time and in his power. So it's just been a journey of me watching.

Speaker 2:

I always felt like in my career which I had several different careers corporate meeting planning, executive assistants. I was a sales and marketing analyst for a software development company. At one point I've done I was litigation paralegal. So I've done many things and I always felt I was proving myself, felt I was proving myself. And the moment that Saturday morning I began a new journey of watching God, watching what God's doing and just being amazed. It's not about me at all and so that's just a joy. I had no idea God only shows me the next step, because it would have been inconceivable what he was going to do in the years since then, had he told me any more than he told me. So he's gracious and kind to give us just the step we're on right now At least that's my experience and it's a kindness.

Speaker 1:

What a journey to where you are now. I mean fast forward from that moment to this point. What would you say is the driving force behind your leadership style? Is there or are there some particular scriptures or principles that guide you? I know, when it comes to scriptures, there's no compromise with you, so are there some certain scripture or a particular scripture that has been your guide?

Speaker 2:

I would say the most important thing about my leadership is to wake people up to their God purpose, because that was my journey. I thought I was living a purpose, I thought I was doing you know, but is that your God purpose? Because everybody has a God purpose. It's to know and show Christ. That's what we're here for. If it was just to know him when we received him, it'd be like Star Trek Beam me up, scotty. We wouldn't be here anymore. But we're still here. Why? To help others, see him, him. So everyone has that purpose. But I love that's. That's my main emphasis of my leadership is to help people along in that journey and that's why it's so personal to me, because that's my, my story. I love every. There's so many scriptures and I say they're all my favorite. As you know, you've been in Bible study with me.

Speaker 2:

Oh, this is my favorite. I just get excited and everybody says when I talk about the scriptures, my eyes twinkle and I just light up because it is the living word and there's such power in it and the spirit teaches us as we study it. But I love Matthew 22, 37 to 39, where Jesus said you know, said the greatest the laws, to love the Lord, your God, to love your neighbors yourself. Genesis 2 is huge for me, that God created every person out of his love, in his image, especially equipped for a role in his mission to restore all of creation to right relationship with God. To restore all of creation to right relationship with God. Exodus 19, 3-6,. After they had been delivered from Egypt, god said to Moses this is what you tell the people. You saw how I delivered you out of the land of Egypt and that was free. Basically I'm paraphrasing and now, if you will be my God, if you will be my people I'm sorry, I will be your God and this is what the journey is about.

Speaker 2:

Exodus 19, 3 to 6 summarizes all of scripture. It's just three verses that summarize everything. I also am very passionate about Malachi 3, 16 to 18. The whole book of Malachi is people that are basically the leaders are doing the wrong thing. And then there's these few verses towards the end and God said but there were those who knew who I was and spoke to one another about me and they were recorded as being those who served the Lord and they're permanently recorded in front of God's face. We call that, we translate that as the book of life. But it's not hard, it's not complicated to show people Christ. It's just talking to your friends and neighbors about who he's been in your life and who he is, and living the life actually, you know.

Speaker 2:

And living it, but we make it more complicated than it is. And then, of course, I love Galatians 5, 22 and 23, the fruit of the Spirit. If disciples of Christ understand the fruit of the Spirit, it makes it much easier for us to navigate life. Is that idea from the Lord, or is that from my flesh or from the enemy of God? And if it's in line with the fruit of the Spirit and it comes to you, even if it comes out of your mama's mouth, if it doesn't bring the fruit of the Spirit and grow you in the fruit of the Spirit, then God might not be behind that idea, that statement, that thought so discerning is really greatly enabled by knowing the fruit of the Spirit. Those are some of my passions, oh that's interesting yeah.

Speaker 2:

I also love John 4, which is the Samaritan woman at the well. She's a perfect example for all of us. When she spent that time with Christ, it changed her forever. And when she went back into her hometown to tell them about him, it wasn't how good she is, it wasn't all her accomplishments that she shared, it was. I want to introduce you to the one he told me everything I ever did, and this is the journey for all of us, and if we're genuine about it and we're not trying to get people to know us, but we're trying to help people know Him, I don't need to have all the answers. I know the one who has all the answers. Let me introduce you.

Speaker 1:

We point them to Him.

Speaker 2:

We point. My greatest desire is that when anybody looks at me, I'm just a mirror that holds up. They see Christ. Not that I'm Christ, but that everything I do points to him and guides them and shows them Christ. You don't need a human in between you and God. You don't need a pastor telling you what God is saying to your life. Now we get together as a group and we, we study our understanding and we strengthen one another, but God is speaking to each person individually, and I love. One of my great passions as a pastor is to help people, not listen to me, but if they listen to me, that's one thing. But if I can help them get into the Word of God and hear God speak and listen to God speak directly through His Word, that changes everything. And that is why I'm so passionate about Bible study, about giving people the tools to be able to read the Word of God and know what God is speaking to them personally, about their individual lives as well as corporately individual lives as well as corporately.

Speaker 1:

So, yeah, I've had the. I've had the privilege to be in a Bible study with you. You know, just going through scriptures verse by verse by verse and just applying those scriptures in our lives was was a very good experience for me when we had to go through that study. Now I know that you're very, very passionate also about missions. I know you want to invest in leaders. I know you want to see believers grow to maturity in Christ. I know you want to see believers get into the Word for themselves, understand what the Word is saying within the context of which it's saying, and then find applicable truths to their life. Context of which he's saying, and then find applicable truths to their life. Is there a specific mission, trip or experience that really ignited that fire on you, or how did it?

Speaker 2:

where did it come from? So I, my family, we always were taught that everyone is of equal value to God, and I did not grow up with money, so I saw inequalities, how some people think they're less valuable because of their monetary situation or their status. And I just have this deep passion for again, it goes back to Genesis 2, that everybody is created to reflect God's image. Every single person has that mission, whether they know it or not, and we are meant to be learning from each other. We're meant to be walking side by side in this journey. I just became very passionate about it because, growing up, many people did not understand that. Many of my friends didn't understand that and they didn't look at people that way. There's not a specific mission trip. It's just something that was kind of ingrained in me and something I'm passionate about.

Speaker 2:

People get wrapped up in what I call toxic charity, where we're saving you because we're giving you this food or we're giving you this, and I took a study in seminary about community leadership and we really focused on a book Helping Without Hurting and it was all about you know, people don't really need money, they don't really need stuff. What heals them is relationship and being treated like there's someone of worth, like there's someone who has a solution when they're lined up with God, somebody that, when they're lined up with God, has the power to make the world a better place. And I think missions is huge for that and I've seen it misused so many times where it's not healthy, if it's not done to facilitate relationship, and I'm just very passionate about that, whether it's local missions. I'm not mad at food pantries, but many of them just become people throwing food at somebody from across the room and we're not going to pray because we got this food from a public source and we're not allowed to talk about God. I mean, we just have to remember that that's the one thing the church can do, that the world can't do and we shouldn't do anything that doesn't lift up Christ.

Speaker 2:

But that's, I think, where I got passionate about it, because I have seen how important it is to walk in relationship and I want to learn. I want to learn what my brothers and sisters around the world have to teach me and show me about who God is. I'm just desperate to learn from my brothers and sisters. I'm excited to learn and I have so much to learn, and the more that I learn, the more I realize I know nothing. I need more. That's right. So that really excites me and I think when we grow in community, globally, like that, when we teach each other, when we walk in relationship with each other from other cultures, other settings, other situations, we will grow closer to God.

Speaker 1:

It's beautiful, yeah, now how do you think the church can better support and empower women in leadership roles, and do you have any example of a woman in the Bible that has been an inspiration to you, and why, and maybe you could share that with some of the women who are, you know, in a dilemma. They are sensing God is calling them into ministry. They are afraid to step up into that leadership role, but yet they have the passion. And do you have any inspiration in that direction that is going to inspire up into that leadership role? But yet they have the passion. And do you have any inspiration in that direction that is going to inspire the women that are listening to you now?

Speaker 2:

I want to share about the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4.

Speaker 2:

It was revolutionary what happened in that encounter, because I know how the world again, that's one of those situations where people in power don't want to share that, and it's all part of the fallenness of this world that some male leaders may think there's only so much authority in the scripture and if I give women that, if I let them have that, then I'm losing some.

Speaker 2:

That's a false choice. There's no limitations on God's power flowing through his people, and so when we invite other people to be great leaders for Christ to share his power to speak what he's put on their heart, we're not losing any of our own platforms. We're actually growing our platform to be his witnesses. So that's something I would invite current leaders in situations where women aren't included to consider. But for women that are called and they're not sure I've talked to many women who just didn't grow up in an environment where women were allowed to be leaders in that way, and so they hear this call from God, but it confuses them because their society around them taught them God wouldn't ask a woman to do that. Again, this is why it's important to know what God is speaking to you through the scripture, because when he's placed this call on your life, you cannot outrun it. You cannot the house of heaven.

Speaker 1:

You just need to step up in obedience.

Speaker 2:

You step up in obedience. And does it cost you something? Yes, discipleship always costs you everything. That morning, when God called me to ministry and I'm not claiming that I've got the corner on the market or that I've arrived anywhere, but I'm just telling you that that morning, that Saturday morning, every single thing about my life and I mean everything about my life, every single thing about my life, and I mean everything about my life is completely different now. Everything, it cost me everything. But it was a privilege, and what I let go of could not even begin to compare to what God is giving me. And at the time it feels like a lot. Your reputation, your family, whatever, let it go. If he says, let it go. He said if you don't love him more than your mother, your father, your life, you're not worthy of being his disciple. So at the end of the day, do you want to walk in your purpose or not?

Speaker 2:

And John 4 was Christ encountering this woman in public. Everything about it was opposite of the norms of that day, everything about it. And even the rabbinical code said don't talk to women about theology, they're not capable of understanding it. The rabbinical code said don't talk to women in public, even your own wife. And here Jesus is talking to a woman who's a Samaritan woman, who has done something to be outcast even in that society. That city was a sanctuary city, so we don't know exactly why she was there, but she obviously was feeling separated from even the Samaritan women in that town.

Speaker 2:

And what did Jesus say to her? He told her first before he told any other person the most important theological truth, which is that he is the Messiah. So he told that to her first and she ran and told it to everybody she could. And that's what we do when we really understand who he is we just run. It's not a chore, we don't have to learn how to do it, we just go and do it. And then I also love love that it was Mary, who saw the tomb was empty, who Jesus chose to speak with first after his resurrection, and he told her go and tell, go and tell the disciples, go and tell them. So she is by his appointment. She is the first Christian preacher Right, and that was his she obeyed. She is the first Christian preacher Right, and that was his.

Speaker 1:

She obeyed and she went and she told them.

Speaker 2:

And she ran and she told them. She was excited to tell them. So I think of these two women as a great inspiration. And what was the message? It was just who Christ is.

Speaker 1:

That's right, it was repeating the word, not theological background, just the message, the simple message, the transformational message, and that's what the world is waiting for. That's what people are hungry and wanting to hear, to know that God loves them and to know that he has a plan for their lives. Now, okay, go ahead.

Speaker 2:

Oh, I was just going to say every broken moment, every victory, your worst mistake, the deepest, hardest day you've had, all of your weaknesses, that's your story, that's his story, and so don't try to hide. The path to leading in his name is not being stronger than every man you know I say this to the women it's not being having everything perfectly together. It's seeing your weakness and letting him shine through your weakness and being vulnerable enough to go and tell someone like the Samaritan woman is, it's not. She didn't say I'm perfect, he made me excellent. She said this is the one who showed me everything I ever did. So in our weakness he is strong and we as women have got to just kind of embrace that vulnerability and not be afraid.

Speaker 1:

Those are two powerful stories that should inspire any woman that is feeling called into the ministry and has been stuck in her skin. You're feeling God wants to use you but you feel that you're not equipped. You feel ill-equipped and not ready for that assignment. These stories should motivate everyone to just step out in faith and do what God has laid on your heart. Now, you and I believe that investing in women today is so crucial for the church and for missions and for the fulfillment of the Great Commission, because God has called a lot of women into ministry. They need to step out in faith and contribute their quota towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission. How do you think, or in what ways can we or the church or other women in ministry can create that culture of mutual support and encouragement you know, among women?

Speaker 2:

This is such an important question because, sadly, one of the things that keeps women out of leadership in the church is other women. I've encountered that so many times. It's women also don't want to see another woman having a powerful impact, and it's not every woman. But it's a part of our fallen nature to again believe that there's only a small pie and I've got to protect my peace or I'm threatened if I see another woman. We have got to stop that and we've got to say what are our God-given talents and abilities? Let's use them to encourage one another and support one another.

Speaker 2:

That's why God gave us those gifts not to cut each other down and compete with each other. Each person is created to reflect God, so there's room for every person, male and female, to be representatives of our Lord and Savior. And one thing that's very important to think about is that you can do this in a way that doesn't take anything away from a man's leadership. We're meant to partner together. I believe that you and I have partnered together in many ways and hope that continues to grow. There are many people that would, I think, embrace the women's leadership if they realize that it's a partnership and we're stronger together.

Speaker 1:

Amen, that's powerful, powerful. Now you're currently in a doctoral program at Regent University, coupled with your pastoral responsibilities. Family, beautiful grandkids I got to see their picture, by the way, a few days ago and one of your hobbies that you did not mention your love for animals. You know you got a whole lot of different animals that you did not mention, your love for animals. You know you got a whole lot of different animals that you you keep at home, I mean in your, in your compound, right there. How do you prioritize your time and your energy as a Christian leader, especially when faced with multiple demands and responsibilities? And every time I I meet you, you're glowing, you're on point, you're just. How do you do it?

Speaker 2:

That is an excellent question, because that's one of the things God had to teach me through. But between the time I was called and the time that he mobilized me to ministry, I used to be a great multitasker and put a lot of. I felt proud of what I was doing for God. And then God showed me a new way, which is let him put everything in front of me and I don't focus on putting anything in front of myself. I let him put the things in front of me and then I give all my attention to what he's placed in front of me. So it's really a life of surrender.

Speaker 2:

I'm always praying, Lord. If that's not what you want me doing today, remove it from my plate in a way that doesn't harm your witness. And so I just go in prayer for everything that's on my plate and I just hold it all loosely. Remove it, Lord. If it's not what you want me doing today, remove it. I try to live like the Israelites in the wilderness look out the window and see where's that pillar cloud taking me today. But if you are surrendering it to him, he's going to work through you and get done what is his priorities and you will be consistent.

Speaker 2:

You cannot overcommit yourself. So before you say yes, you check in, Lord, is this what you want me to be involved in right now? And I ask that God shows me, directs me in ways that it makes it clear as what he wants me doing Now. That makes things more difficult, because nothing really happens in my life the easy way. It always happens in a way where I'm like man, only God could have done that. Then I remember that's what I pray for all the time. And when those are the things that are on your plate, you move with boldness and certainty. There's no hesitation. God put this here in front of me and he will help me see it through so you can move with a steady stride. And I also put Sabbath time, a 24 hour, Sabbath time every week, and that for me is I don't drive anywhere, I don't leave my property and I spend time with my animals, so everybody might have such a discipline that everyone needs to, you know, apply in his life too.

Speaker 1:

Now we can't talk about leadership without talking about mentoring or mentorship. We know that mentorship plays a very vital role in developing younger leaders and even established leaders. At some point they also need some mentors. Younger leaders and even established leaders at some point they also need some mentors. In your own journey, have you had any influential mentor that has helped to shape you into, to shape you in totality or to shape you in a specific area of your calling that has been helpful and you think will be helpful to the women out there, and not just the women, to all the leaders out there?

Speaker 2:

I've had my mom as an excellent role model. She just such a strong woman of faith. But through the ups and downs of her life she always talked of Christ being her rock, and we saw that he was. And she went to seminary when she was 55, left her teaching career and, just as a beautiful pastor and has a beautiful heart, the kind of woman leader that I want to be not one with a chip on the shoulder, not trying to prove something, but simply a person who's a witness to what God has done, who happens to be a woman.

Speaker 2:

But I do think it is important for every person, male or female, to find a mentor of their own sex that has moved in ways they want to move, especially in their discipleship. If you want to get somewhere, start talking to people who are already in that space and listening to what they say, and you will move in that direction too. And also, you should always be mentoring someone who's where you used to be. So, whatever God brought you from, find a way to let him use that experience to pull someone else forward and, at the same time, be intentionally cultivating a relationship with someone who will pull you forward.

Speaker 2:

So there were several clergy that did that and they were men. They were men clergy Because sadly in my journey at the time, time in the conference that I was in, the women were more of competing with each other and not in that space to really support one another. And it was just the environment can make you feel you must compete to move forward and it's a false dichotomy. But now there are many female clergy in our conference that just cheer for each other and are excited about each other's ministry and it's so refreshing and beautiful this new work that God is doing in the last two years in North Georgia. It is life-giving.

Speaker 1:

It's amazing to be a witness of what God is doing in North Georgia in the Global Methodist Church and just in the life of your mom. I mean, I got to meet her, 84 years old, still kicking, fighting a stage four cancer and still pastoring a church. She just got employed in quotes. Do you want to share in a minute or two just how that happened? You're transitioning over a position, a small church that you were pastoring, to another church and she took up that leadership. Can you tell us that in a minute or two?

Speaker 2:

Yes, yes, I just felt God about October of last year. I felt God pushing on me to add another church. I didn't know that there would be a move coming and the Spirit said, just put on my heart, this next time I move churches it would be for mom. And so I thought, well, he's going to move me to a church where I can be home with her more, or I can you know. Just just I didn't know what it was. She can be more comfortable in some way.

Speaker 2:

And five months later I got a call from a church and they interviewed me and they really wanted me to come help grow discipleship there, especially with the children, the youth and the families, the young families. And God just made it clear this is definitely what I'm to do. So I told mom and I thought she'd be so sad she was very involved in one of the churches I was serving here in Toccoa, and she smiled and I said well, I gotta say I thought you'd be a little bit sad. And she said you don't know it, but for months I've been praying that God would give me a chance to serve a small church again and I'm going to ask St James Methodist in Toccoa if I can be their next pastor, and we did up her resume.

Speaker 2:

They interviewed her and they hired her as their interim pastor.

Speaker 1:

So 84.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, she's just amazing. She's just incredible, incredible.

Speaker 1:

She just loves Jesus. I mean just talking with her. You don't need no one to tell you anything. He just exudes out of her her love for God, love for people, and even at 84, she's still visiting people in homes and just encouraging them. What a blessing that is. Now you're heading to Nigeria in 2026. It's a few months away with a team from the International Leadership Institute and you will be participating in the faculty to teach women in a leadership conference. What are you most excited about and how do you think this will impact your ministry and also shape your perspective on global missions? When you return, amin, you're going to Africa for the first time.

Speaker 2:

I could not be more excited. I can't even contain my joy. You and I have been talking about going to Africa for several years and, as I said, I just you know you wait for God's timing. Even if you're passionate about something, wait for God's timing, and this is his timing. He's brought it in front of me and I couldn't be more excited. I'm looking forward to learning, to learning and to finding sisters to walk alongside and to grow from that experience in ways that I cannot. I have learned to. I can't even anticipate what God has for us in that experience, but I know it's going to be phenomenal and I know it's going to be transformational. And I don't know. It's like my PhD program that I'm in. I don't know where God's going to. What is God equipping me for? I don't know. I'm just having fun letting him do that work. I'm really excited.

Speaker 2:

I used to be the person that knew what was ahead, and now I'm just not even. I say I didn't even ask people for directions. That's how much the driver of my life I was, and now I'm not even in the car. God is driving and I'm hanging on the back bumper saying can't wait to see what's around the next bend. That's how I feel about this trip Very, very excited to go with the clergy, with the ladies that are going and learn from them, and I know we're going to do some of that work ahead of time. I'm excited beyond belief to meet new women in Nigeria. I have been praying for Nigeria for so many years. It has been on my heart for so many years and that's the most important gift we can give one another is to pray for one another. But it's just a privilege to be and be there and I'm very excited about it.

Speaker 1:

I can assure you you're going to make some lifelong relationships there. You're going to meet some great women that share the same passion, that love Jesus and are ready to just jump in and do whatever it is that God is calling them to do. Well, we're looking forward to that and I know it's going to be a transformational experience for all those that will be there. They're going to get the best of it and you have a great team that will be going from here. Now, as we conclude this podcast, what's been your highlight for the week? Any fun stories, any encouraging moments? What has been going on this past week with you?

Speaker 2:

Well, as I'm working with the youth. This is so, so funny. At the new church I just started the day after Easter and we've already gone on a mission trip. We've done VBS, we've done a kayaking trip, we've done all these different things and one of the cool things that I've seen is the youth go from. They just want to see what God is doing. We started giving an adult coming and giving a testimony every Sunday school for the kids this summer and then teaching them a skill that they do together for service in the community, and the kids love it, the teens love it.

Speaker 2:

And when one of these young men, he said to his dad he wanted to do what we were doing we were going on a kayaking trip that day and he said, please, I want to go. And his dad said, now, we already have plans. You're supposed to hang out with a friend. And he said, well, he can go too. And then he said, well, it's a pool party, there's going to be a lot of people there. And this young man said, well, everyone at the pool party can come, change all the plans. He wants to be with the people of God, and that blessed my heart.

Speaker 2:

This young man is on the spectrum and it just blessed my heart his passion to be with God's people, doing what God has placed in front of him. So that just touched me. That was a cute story about the parents. They just were surprised that he's becoming that passionate about things happening at church when that used to be not the case. But just getting on fire for the Lord is contagious and people around you will want to be a part of it too the young, the old, the in-between and I just see that every day, day, and it delights my heart. That's one small example.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that's interesting. How do you unwind and prioritize self-care? Any favorite books or podcasts you're into right now?

Speaker 2:

Well, I love the Bible, I know.

Speaker 1:

You're inseparable with the Bible. That I can attest.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I love quiet time and journaling. So reading the Word of God and journaling is my most important way to unwind and recenter, how can we know we're moving in the way God wants us to move if we're not spending that quiet time with God? But there are, of course, many authors, there's many great podcasts, there's many great opportunities to grow and we need to be connecting to those on the regular too. Right now, with my schooling, that basically takes up all of my spare time. I don't have the luxury of voluntary reading, but I am reading a lot of books and I'm revisiting. I'm revisiting mere Christianity right now for my youth this if you're wondering how to talk to people who aren't believers, this is a great tool for you to read, and then it gives you the things to share.

Speaker 2:

I'm really focused right now on apologetics when I'm dealing with the youth and trying to equip them for encountering Christ and sharing Christ with their atheist friends. So I invite people to revisit those books from CS Lewis. Think about and read maybe even A Case for Christ. Watch the movie. Get into apologetics right now. Because it used to be. You had to go somewhere to encounter all the different faiths of the world, including atheism, but that's not the case anymore. I promise every person listening to this has almost every religions around you and a lot of people I want to say about 50% of the population in the US right now probably has very little idea of who God is and who Christ is. They just haven't been taught.

Speaker 1:

Statistics.

Speaker 2:

yeah, I didn't do a research study. That's just my casual observation as a pastor and being involved in the community. But I encourage every believer to get into an apologetics book and put your think about what it would be like if you didn't know these basic elements and truths of Christianity elements and truths of Christianity and then go and find ways to share them, like Paul did whenever he went to Athens and said I see, you are religious people, and he spoke of Christ in a language they would understand, and he didn't thump them on the head with it. He spoke in a way that was inviting them and just get into those things and equip yourself. It's the time is now. I feel the time is now for us to be able every Christian needs to be able to have that conversation with non-believers. And if you tell me you don't know any non-believers, that's a problem, because we're to be the one we're surrounded.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, we're surrounded by so many of them every day. We meet them on the stores, we see them on the streets, they're in the corner, in the departmental stores, they are all around us. But again, sometimes we become invisible to the people that are right before us, you know. So we need to open our eyes, we need to believe what the word of God says and we need to just go out and share with them. Now, you don't see this next question coming. If you were to have coffee with any biblical figure.

Speaker 2:

Who would that be and why?

Speaker 1:

Is Jesus an option?

Speaker 2:

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, aside from Jesus, I don't know. I think it would be very, very interesting. I would love to have coffee with Moses and say look, look, I know you got discouraged, but I just want you to know that even your biggest mistakes as a leader helped me grow as a leader, helped me, shaped me. God used every single thing you went through to help all who would come after you. So be encouraged. I just love how he said God, what am I supposed to do with these people? As a pastor, I can relate. I just think there's no bad person to have coffee with, but I think it would be really cool to sit down with Moses and encourage him a little bit.

Speaker 1:

You know, I just picture having you know, paul on the table, peter on the table, you know, and just reflect on some of the things they did in the Bible time. It will just be such an amazing thing. I mean, Pastor April is okay. It's been such a blessing to have you, you know, on the podcast today. Thank you so very much for creating time to be with us. Thank you for your heart, your passion and your insights that you shared with us today. Your story is inspiring and your commitment for ministry and for God and for biblical discipleship is evident. We're so grateful for your time and your willingness to be with us today. But before we go, is there a final message or encouragement you would like to leave our listeners with?

Speaker 2:

Yes, to leave our listeners with. Yes, god is sending you to someone, to someone, and he has equipped you to go and share His name with someone and think back on your life, think back on what makes you unique, what is part of your journey that others haven't walked through, and then pray to see the one that he is sending you to, and it is a bold move, but he will honor that prayer. And that's just the beginning. Just start with one and go from there.

Speaker 1:

Thank you again, pastor April, for being with us today. We pray that God will continue to use you mightily in your ministry and to our listeners. Thank you for tuning in, until next time. May God bless and guide you.

Speaker 2:

Amen.