Influence Podcast

According to 2020 Assemblies of God statistics, approximately one in five AG adherents is a kid 12 years old or younger. In a Fellowship with three million adherents, that amounts to roughly 600,000 kids who cycle through churches’ ministries on a regular basis. Does your church have a discipleship strategy in place to help these kids become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ? KidminRoadmap was designed to help your church answer that question with an enthusiastic and well-prepared “Yes”! In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Julie Pratt about how KidminRoadmap can help kids in your church take next steps in their walk with Christ. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Julie Pratt is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and serves as the National Kidmin Discipleship Director for the AG national office. She has authored articles for Influence, including “Abused and Neglected Kids,”  “Telling the Greatest Story,” and “Partnering with Parents.” ————— This e

In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus gave the Great Commission to the Church: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus’ words are well known, but how well is the Church carrying out His commission? The Lausanne Movementexamines that question in depth in its State of the Great Commission Report.  In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Dr. Matthew Niermann about that report. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Dr. Niermann has served the Lausanne Movement since 2010 in a variety of roles, including research and operations. He is currently director of the State of the Great Commission Report. In addition, he serves as a dean and professor of architectural design at California Baptist University, where

“God is infinitely powerful; people are not. Your physical, emotional, and spiritual health affect the well-being of those Jesus has called you to serve. In this way, doing your part to care for yourself is not an act of selfishness — it is a necessary component of selflessness.” So writes Hal Donaldson in his new book, What Really Matters: How to Care for Yourself and Serve a Hurting World, cowritten with his daughter, Lindsay Donaldson-Kring and published in June by Baker Books. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Donaldson about serving others without hurting yourself. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Hal Donaldson is founder, president, and CEO of Convoy of Hope, a global faith-based nonprofit organization that works with communities to address root causes of poverty and hunger. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Captivated. There is a difference between knowing the Word of God and kno

“As ones who have been shown mercy, may we [Christians] demonstrate God’s compassion toward those who embrace all things LGBTQ” writes Linda Seiler in Transformation. “At the same time, may we hold fast to God’s Word, refusing to compromise on His sacred design for sexuality that images the gospel. Such compassion without compromise reflects God’s heart and leads to transformation.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Seiler about her former desire to become a man, and how Jesus Christ transformed her from the inside out. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Linda Seiler, Ph.D., is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, a Chi Alpha missionary, and executive director of ReStory ministries. She is author of Transformation: A Former Transgender Responds to LGBTQ. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Captivated. There is a difference between knowing the Word of God and knowing the God of the Word.

On June 3, 2024, Rick Ross began serving as general treasurer of the Assemblies of God, succeeding Choco De Jésus, who became executive director of AG U.S. Missions. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk with Ross about what the general treasurer does and how well the AG is doing financially, as well as financial advice for AG congregations and ministers. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Rick Ross, D.Min., has deep roots in the AG, and comes to this office with a wide variety of ministry experiences, including as a pastor, district leader, university board chair, and executive presbyter. He has served churches in Illinois, Washington, and North Carolina, most recently as district superintendent in that state. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of NextGen High Scores. Grounded in research and illustrated with real-life experience, NextGen High Scores explains in practical language the most common b

“Crisis communication is a crucial aspect of managing any organization’s reputation and maintaining public trust during a time of great challenge,” writes Phil Cooke in Church on Trial. “For churches and Christian ministries, crisis communication is particularly important because they are often viewed as trusted institutions in their communities, and their responses to calamity can significantly impact their church members, donors, supporters, and the public’s perception.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Cooke about what churches should do in a crisis. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Phil Cooke, Ph.D., is co-founder and CEO of Cooke Media Group in Los Angeles, as well as the nonprofit organization, The Influence Lab. He has produced media programming and commercials in nearly 70 countries for clients includingπ Hollywood studios, major nonprofits, and faith-based organizations around the world. He is author of Church on Trial: How to Protect Your C

“Do you find your inner life compromised by repeated yielding to sexual temptation?” So asked Arnold Fleagle and Don Lichi in their book, Broken Windows of the Soul. They went on to say: “You are not alone. The moral fabric of our culture is being ripped apart as large numbers of men and women are indulging in infidelity, perverted sexuality and pornography. … It is becoming increasingly difficult to find any individuals who are healthy and whole in their lifestyle.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Lichi about the baleful impact of pornography and what Christians can do when they’re affected by it. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Don Lichi, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in the State of Ohio and vice president emeritus of EMERGE Counseling Ministries, where he served for nearly 30 years. He is coauthor, with Arnold Fleagle, of Broken Windows of the Soul: A Pastor and a Christian Psychologist Discuss Sexual Sins and the Prescription to Heal Them,

“Christian Nationalism has garnered significant attention in recent years, owing to the potential dangers it poses for American democracy. Its specter has spurred newfound interest in the role of religion in American public life with fresh considerations of familiar questions: Is religion resurging as a force in politics? Will America’s Christian majority restrict the rights of religious minorities? Is Christian nationalism a real threat, or a small, extreme faction with outsized press coverage?” So asks Christian Nationalism: A New Approach, a December 2023 report by Neighborly Faith. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Kevin Singer, Ryan Burge, and Mark David Hall about that report and the questions it raises. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Kevin Singer is president of Neighborly Faith, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide “research and events introducing Christians to neighbors of every faith.” Ryan Burge is associate professor of political scie

On May 2, 1870, a baby was born in Centerville, Louisiana, to formerly enslaved parents. Raised in poverty, segregated by a white supremacist society, he nonetheless went on to lead one of the most significant revival movements of the twentieth century. I’m talking about William J. Seymour, of course, and the Azusa Street Revival he led from 1906–1909. This revival was a critical node in the social network of early Pentecostalism. Today is the 154th anniversary of Seymour’s birth; in honor of which, I’ve invited Dr. Larry Martin to talk about the significance of his life and ministry. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Martin is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, founder of River of Revival Ministries, and Pentecostal historian. His most recent book is William J. Seymour: Pentecostal Trailblazer and Revered Pastor of the Azusa Street Revival, published this year by Whitaker House. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, di

“God didn’t call the perfect version of you, the version that has years of experience or the version that has it all figured out.” writes John Zick. “In fact, He has no desire for a version of you that does not desperately need him. Paul understood this when he said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 [NLT], ‘I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.’” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Zick about being called into ministry, recognizing personal imperfections, and learning from others on the leadership journey. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. John Zick is an ordained Assemblies of God minister, director of the AG’s Called initiative, and editor of From Leaders For Leaders: A Guide for Those Called Into Ministry, published by GPH. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Guided Student Devotional. Guided Student Devotional will help youth develop a habit of spen

“Church size matters to us far more than it should. From the pride it brings when the numbers are up to the shame and frustration it causes when the numbers are static or down, none of this provides a healthy foundation on which to build a healthy church body,” writes Karl Vaters. He goes on to suggest a solution: “We need to de-size the church.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Vaters about why bigness is a problem, why de-sizing the church is a solution, and how to do it. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Karl Vaters has served in small-church ministry for over 40 years, so he speaks and writes from decades of hands-on pastoral experience. An ordained Assemblies of God minister, he is author most recently of De-Sizing the Church: How Church Growth Became a Science, Then an Obsession, and What’s Next, published this month by Moody Press. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Momentum Train

“To invest one’s life in the next generation for the sake of the kingdom of God is to do the work that Jesus did,” writes Lee Rogers. “Few will notice the nobility and spiritual richness of the work, yet for those who minister to the next generation, the value is high — and the impact is eternal.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Rogers about what NextGen ministry is, why it’s important, and what factors contribute to long-term effectiveness. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Lee Rogers is a NextGen ministry veteran with over 25 years of experience working with young people. He serves as director of Student Evangelism for Assemblies of God Youth Ministries and is author of NextGen High Scores: How to Win at Ministry to the Next Generation, published by GPH. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for presc

“The entire second half of 1 Samuel is the story of an abuser hunting down a victim,” according to Jim Bradford. The abuser is King Saul, and his intended victim is David. “Saul literally threw spears,” Bradford notes; “abusive leaders do so figuratively. I recently heard Bradford preach a sermon about responding to abusive authority based on 1 Samuel and thought it would make an excellent podcast. After all, it seems that every few weeks news breaks about a pastor who has used their position trust for selfish gain. Christians — whether church leaders or laypeople — need to know how to respond. So, I’ve invited Bradford onto the podcast today to talk about how to deal with spiritual abusers. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Jim Bradford, Ph.D., is an ordained Assemblies of God minister; lead pastor at Central Assembly in Springfield, Missouri; former AG general secretary; and a longtime mentor and friend. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by

“There has never been a better day to plant churches than now in the Assemblies of God.” Mike McCrary recently made that statement in a presentation to the employees of the AG national office. I was so impressed by the presentation that I invited him to join me on the Influence Podcast. So, in this episode, I talk to him about why he thinks that’s the case. Along the way, we also talk about why America needs more churches, church planting myths, and how every church — even already existing churches — can support church multiplication. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Mike McCrary, D.Min., is national director of Funding and Strategic Partnerships for the Church Multiplication Network of the Assemblies of God, an ordained AG minister, and a longtime friend. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. Bible Engagement Project equips churches with free curriculum for preschool, kids, youth,

“The first Christians were weird,” writes Nijay Gupta. “I am not talking about their clothing, music preferences, or hobbies. When I say ‘weird’ or ‘strange,’ I am talking about deviation from cultural norms and society’s expectations for how things ought to be done. Especially when it came to religion … the Christians were as backwards and as odd as you could be.” Well, that’s how the Romans viewed them anyway. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Gupta about how Christianity deviated from Roman cultural norms and expectations, and why Romans viewed them as weird and dangerous — but also compelling. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Nijay Gupta, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, a Pauline scholar, and most recently author of Strange Religion: How the First Christians Were Weird, Dangerous, and Compelling, published by Brazos Press. We talked about his previous book, Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Ea

“The complex challenges and demands faced by today’s leaders will not be overcome by simply applying administrative techniques or business best practices,” writes Justin A. Irving. “Today’s leaders need something more — they need wisdom to lead their communities through complex times.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Irving about what that wisdom looks like in terms of self-leadership; people and teams; organizational dynamics, especially culture; and external dynamics, including crises and change. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Justin Irving, Ph.D., is Duke K. McCall Professor of Christian Leadership and chair of the department of Leadership and Discipleship at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, as well as author of Healthy Leadership for Thriving Organizations, published in 2023 by Baker Academic. He and Mark Strauss wrote “Humility and the Celebrity Leader,” the cover story of the November/December 2019 issue o

On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe v. Wade, effectively overturning numerous state laws against abortion and legalizing the practice throughout the land. That decision stood until June 24, 2022, when the Supreme Court reversed itself in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and overturned Roe. This didn’t end the abortion debate, however. Rather, it returned the debates about whether and how to restrict abortion to the states. Ever since, Americans have engaged in a renewed, vigorous debate about what the law should say about abortion. This past Monday was the 51st anniversary of Roe, and therefore a good occasion to talk about abortion from a Christian perspective. So, in this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking to Allen Tennison about the Assemblies of God’s stance on the sanctity of life, which begins in the womb. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. (Influence is published by the Assemblies of God.) Allen Tennis

In their new book, Faith Beyond Youth Group, Kara Powell, Jen Bradbury and Brad M. Griffin offer this startling statistic about students’ faith after high school graduation: “While spiritual and religious activity under age eighteen seems to slightly increase the odds of faith lasting after youth group, a compilation of studies indicates that about 40 to 50 percent of youth group kids drift from God and the faith community after graduation.” In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking to Kara Powell about how churches can address this problem by cultivating lifelong faith in youth. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Kara Powell, Ph.D., is executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute, a faculty member at Fuller Theological Seminary, where she also serves as Fuller’s chief of leadership formation. A credentialed Assemblies of God minister, she is author or coauthor of numerous books about ministry to youth. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is broug

“An intentional prayer life is the nonnegotiable constant of lasting, fruitful Christian life and ministry,” write Ryan Skoog, Peter Greer and Cameron Doolittle in Lead with Prayer. Unfortunately, most Christian leaders report having lackluster prayer lives. A 2005 study by Lifeway Resources found that just 16% of pastors are “very satisfied” with their prayer lives. A 2021 Lifeway study found that 72% percent struggle with consistent personal prayer. Lead with Prayer aims to help Christian leaders narrow the gap between what they aspire to do and what they actually do by showing them how to prioritize prayer, grow in prayerfulness, and build a culture of prayer in their organizations. Those are also the topics I’m talking to Ryan Skoog about in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Ryan Skoog is cofounder and president of Venture, a Christian ministry to “the least reached and least resourced” parts of the world that partners with “lo

William E. Vaughan once wrote, “An optimist stays up until midnight to see the new year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.” There’s a lot of truth in Vaughan’s statement. Opportunities abound in 2024. What are we doing to welcome them? No doubt there will also be challenges to face, however. The crucial question is how do we face them both and make progress at the same time? In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I’m talking to Doug Clay about big events, challenges opportunities the Assemblies of God faces in the coming year. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Doug Clay is general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. ————— This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of MEGA Sports Camp. The MEGA Sports Camp theme for 2024 is Blaze a Trail. This vacation Bible school program invites kids to live an adventure with Jesus. Kids will learn that Jesus blazed the trail for our salvation, and as they