Lead Pastors Isaac and Kari Maddox of Activate Church discuss hot topics and what it looks like to follow Jesus every day. The Try Jesus Podcast invites people to do one thing: try Jesus. Not religion, not rules, not perfection, just Jesus. Psalm 34:8 says "Taste and see that the Lord is good;" and that's the entire meaning behind Try Jesus.
Isaac and Kari have been married for 24 years and have 2 teenage boys, Jude and Trent. They planted Activate Church 12 years ago and their passion is to encounter Jesus and equip people.
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Try Jesus, we talk honestly about healing, communication, family patterns, and spiritual maturity. We begin with the lingering impact of Covid and the need to let God reveal what still needs to be restored. From there, the conversation moves into fathers, sons, marriage, and why men need discipleship, correction, engagement, and the courage to lead with love. We also continue the conversation around women in ministry, looking at Scripture, biblical co...
11 May 2026
Are We Getting Women in Ministry Wrong? - Part 2
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Try Jesus, we talk honestly about one of the church’s most debated questions: are we getting women in ministry wrong? From pastors and preaching to teaching and church leadership, we unpack the tension surrounding women in ministry and why this conversation impacts far more people than many realize. This is a thoughtful discussion about Scripture, context, calling, and the importance of approaching the Word of God with humility, wisdom, and the leadin...
27 Mar 2026
Are We Getting Women in Ministry Wrong?
Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Try Jesus, we talk honestly about one of the church’s most debated questions: can women lead, preach, pastor, and serve in every level of ministry? We look at Scripture, wrestle with common objections, and explore why this conversation matters more than many people think. This is a thoughtful, biblical discussion about calling, context, and making sure the Church does not miss the gifts God has given.
14 Mar 2026
Why Christians Are Falling in Love with the Bible Again
Send a text In this episode of Try Jesus, Isaac and Kari talk about the growing hunger for God’s Word, why so many people seem to be rediscovering the Bible, and what it looks like to truly fall in love with Scripture again. They also discuss reading the Bible in bigger sections, building consistency, and why physical Bibles still matter in a distracted world.
3 Feb 2026
Japan Mission Update and Sexual Purity
Send us a text In this episode, we share a brief update on our Japan missionaries and the importance of supporting a family stepping out to serve overseas. We reflect on the cross, the call to live beyond comfort, and a candid, biblical conversation about marriage, sex, holiness, and grace. The gospel shapes both our mission to the world and our life at home.
16 Jan 2026
Friendship, Offense, and Stewarding the People God Gave You
Send us a text In this episode of Try Jesus, Isaac and Kari talk about real friendship — navigating offense, staying loyal through different seasons, and learning how to communicate with honesty and maturity. They explore why friendships take work, how faith shapes healthy relationships, and what it looks like to steward the people God has placed in your life.
17 Dec 2025
"How to Talk to People / Church & Politics” with Isaac and Kari
Send us a text Honest conversation between husband and wife, Kari and Isaac. In this episode, they talk openly about what it takes to communicate with love, humility, and intention in marriage and in everyday life. This isn’t about having it all figured out, but about learning how to listen well, speak truth with grace, and grow together with Jesus at the center. A real, faith-filled conversation for anyone who wants healthier relationships and deeper connection.
9 Dec 2025
Soulmates, screens and saving your relationship.
Send us a text In this episode of Try Jesus, Isaac and Kari open up about relationships in a modern world full of distractions. From soulmates to conflict resolution to the grip our phones have on our attention, we talk honestly about what helps couples stay connected — and what quietly pulls them apart. This is a conversation about choosing each other, fighting for unity, and inviting Jesus into the middle of it all.
18 Nov 2025
Devotional Life and the Local Church with Nathan Finochio
Send us a text In this episode, Pastor Isaac Maddox sits down with author, theologian and founder of TheosU, Nathan Finochio, for an honest and insightful conversation about the heart of the local church, the importance of sound theology and the daily rhythms that shape a strong devotional life.
11 Nov 2025
Marriage, Mission and the Art of Laying Down Your Life.
Send us a text Listen as Pastors Isaac and Kari discuss marriage and the name behind the podcast "Try Jesus".
1 Dec 2022
Navigating different seasons
A look at different seasons in your life and how they make you hungry for Jesus and His presence.
1 Nov 2022
Banning Liebscher Leadership Talk
Founder and Pastor of Jesus Culture, Banning Liebscher, talks about how the gifts that God gives us are to equip the Church. You will be inspired to lead like never before.
20 Oct 2022
Is your marriage healthy?
How do you know if you have a healthy marriage? What is the meaning of a husband and wife and what does the Bible say about it? How can you inspire each other without being nit picky or annoying? What it takes to create a healthy environment for your marriage to grow.
12 Oct 2022
Marriage and Communication
Pastors Isaac and Kari Maddox share openly about what it means to be intoxicated by each others love as Proverbs 5:19 says "May you ever be intoxicated with her love".
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