Christian parents do everything they can to help their children come to faith and follow in that faith, but statistically we are failing miserably—most children raised in church and Christian homes leave the faith by age twenty-two and often before that. It's time for a change. It's time to flip the script. Stand Firm Parents is doing just that. Pastor and author Jake McCandless has been on a unique journey of helping believers across the world stand firm in their faith for the past ten years. Before the radical changes to life and especially church in 2020, Jake had been encouraging believers to prepare so that they would just survive but strive in difficulty. This journey has led to relationships around the world, learning from the persecuted church, and learning from the leading experts on the topic. Jake now brings that unexpected journey full circle to help families have a faith that lasts. Stand Firm Parents goes against the grain presenting parenting with a fresh perspective that has the end game in mind. Join the community and embark on a journey of seeking the answers that will help our children develop a faith that lasts as new episodes drop bi-monthly.
Marriage doesn't drift toward strength — it drifts toward survival.
In this episode of Stand Firm Parents, Jake sits down with Jamie and Lisa Castro, married for over 45 years, to explore why shared purpose is essential for a thriving marriage.
Drawing from decades of experience mentoring couples and hosting intimate marriage retreats, the Castros explain why couples must define a shared vision instead of simply reacting to life. A marriage without purpose slowly drifts. A marriage with purpose aligns, grows, and endures.
This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation focused on the why behind purposeful marriage. In Part 2, they'll unpack practical tools for building and living out that vision together.
If you want your marriage to move from maintenance to mission, this episode sets the foundation.
👉 Take your next step as a family:
https://parentscommit.standfirmjake.com/
1 Feb 2026
Set the Spiritual Tone for Your Family
Families don't drift into faith — they drift into busyness.
In this episode of Stand Firm Parents, Jake McCandless challenges parents to intentionally set the spiritual tone for their family before schedules, pressure, and noise take over. Drawing from years of ministry experience and real family rhythms, Jake explains why simple pauses, presence, and shared moments matter more than perfect plans or packed calendars.
This conversation isn't about adding another spiritual task to your week. It's about creating space — through a meal, a quiet reset, or intentional time together — where faith can actually take root and endure.
If you want to help your kids develop a faith that lasts, this episode will encourage you to slow down, lead with clarity, and be present where it matters most.
👉 Take a simple next step as a parent:
Parents Commit
https://parentscommit.standfirmjake.com/
9 Dec 2025
When You Feel Too Overwhelmed to Be Spiritual — 3 Simple Steps
Life doesn't slow down just because you're trying to be spiritual. Kids, schedules, work, emotions, relationships — it piles up fast. And when you're running on fumes, your quiet time can start feeling more like a guilt trip than an anchor.
In this episode, Jake McCandless gets honest about the seasons when you're too overwhelmed, too busy, or too emotionally drained to even know where to start spiritually. Not a failure. Not a crisis. Just real life.
Jake shares three simple, realistic steps that helped him reconnect with God in the middle of chaos — not by doing more, but by doing less:
1️⃣ Change the scenery
2️⃣ Do something simple
3️⃣ Go vertical — focus on who God is
This episode is hope for the parent who's spiritually dry but still wants their home to be rooted in faith. Small steps count. And they build momentum.
👣 Take your next step as a parent:
Parents Commit Challenge
https://parentscommit.standfirmjake.com/
#StandFirmParents #ChristianParenting #FaithWhenTired #SpiritualDryness #OverwhelmedButFaithful #ParentsCommit #StandFirmMinistries
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