Welcome to the podcast where pastors you don’t know from churches you don’t attend tell true stories of good news from right here on planet Earth.
💡 Connect & Support Learn more about Activated: https://activatedteams.org/contact (https://activatedteams.org/contact)
In this episode, Tim sits down with David, a pastor from Wisconsin, to discuss his family’s emotional journey through infertility. David opens up about the spiritual and ethical struggles of navigating IVF, dealing with disappointment, and finding God's provision in the midst of it all. David's story is a beautiful testament to trusting God's faithfulness.
Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction & Welcome
[04:27] The Start of the Infertility Journey
[08:55] The Ethics and Costs of IVF
[14:31] A Miraculous Provision
[19:00] Finding God in the Wait & Defining Suffering
[26:20] The Foster-to-Adopt Process
[28:34] Dealing with Pain and Unhelpful Comments in Ministry
[35:14] Foster-to-Adopt and Loving Open-Handedly
[37:50] Becoming a Family: Adopting Three Children
[39:49] The Surprise
[42:35] Joy vs. Happiness: Finding True Delight in Christ
[51:42] Ministry, Discipleship, and the Family
[55:18] David's Prayer
17 Jul 2026
How I Worship With Chronic Pain
Join us on this episode of Grace in the Gravity as we sit down with Ben, a worship leader from Kansas City, Missouri. Ben shares his powerful and emotional journey from aspiring to flip homes and lead worship, to suffering a life-altering workplace accident that left him with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)—widely known as the most painful chronic pain condition in the world.
Throughout the episode, Ben opens up about the physical and emotional toll of chronic pain, navigating church hurt and difficult ministry transitions, and ultimately finding profound purpose and a redefined understanding of worship amidst the fire.
Episode Breakdown
[00:39] Welcome to Grace in the Gravity and introducing Ben
[02:00] Ben's background in ministry and construction
[05:00] The countertop accident that changed everything
[06:54] Diagnosed with CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome)
[10:20] Finding pain relief: The H-Wave unit and dropping heavy medications
[14:14] Managing symptoms with whole foods and the Mediterranean diet
[16:00] Church hurt: Navigating an unexpected termination
[25:00] Transitioning to a new church and handling leadership conflicts
[37:00] Dropping the mask: The importance of honesty in ministry
[43:00] Redefining worship: Why doing the dishes counts
[48:47] "Tried by Fire": The realization that sparked a book and podcast
[51:00] Finding purpose in the pain: Ministering to others with CRPS
[55:40] Closing prayer
19 Jun 2026
What God Showed Me in Depression…
15 May 2026
He Resigned Himself to God…LITERALLY!
17 Apr 2026
Sharing a Jail Cell with Jesus
20 Mar 2026
Pastoring Through an Impossible Pregnancy
20 Feb 2026
He took the “L” for The Church
23 Jan 2026
God Called Him Away From the Pulpit
19 Dec 2025
Can God Use a Pastor on Antidepressants?
21 Nov 2025
She Chose to Bless a Toxic Leader
27 Oct 2025
What God Does in our Distress
19 Sept 2025
He Almost Didn’t Make it, But God…
3 Sept 2025
Losing My Job Was Part of God's Plan?!
https://activatedteams.org/courage (https://activatedteams.org/courage) - Dive Deeper, Connect With Us, and Get Resources!
ACTIVATE(D) is team of donor-supported coaches who champion Gospel-motivated, disciple-making pastors and church leaders. It's our aim to see Christ glorified in whole neighborhoods and networks of new disciples through their courageous faithfulness and dependence on Christ! Because we believe in the church and her leaders, we give our lives to helping them thrive through the relationships and resources we offer. How may we help you?
For more info, visit: https://activatedteams.org (https://activatedteams.org)
IG - @activatedteams
11 Jul 2025
Surviving a Stolen Church Plant
6 Jun 2025
God’s Purpose in a Total Breakdown
30 May 2025
Grace in the Gravity // Coming June 2025
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