Welcome to the Unfinished People podcast. I'm Chad Ellenburg and my co-host is Brandon Zieske. We are both pastors who love and follow Jesus. And we are both very aware of how unfinished we are.
Each week, we will talk about the struggle and the beauty of living and breathing in these unfinished vessels. The apostle Paul describes this as carrying around the Treasure of Jesus in mere "jars of clay." Don't we know it.
At the coronation of Jesus on the cross, when he punched death in the mouth, he said "it is finished." So why doesn't it feel like it?
If you connect with that sentiment, come have a listen. Thanks.
Long time friend, pastor, and missionary, Doug Jones sits down with Chad to talk all things Jesus. As a fellow "unfinished follower" we talk about the essential model of leading from brokenness. We also ask: what is true revival? Hint: it has nothing to do with filling stadiums. How should followers of Jesus think about difficult cultural subjects like systemic racism, CRT, and injustice? And after we think about them, what should we be doing? How are these two things connected? We're going there on this episode of Unfinished People.
Book Mentioned: Slavery by Another Name (https://a.co/d/2Knln3S)
16 Oct 2025
The Edge of the Kingdom with Mike Edwards
www.liveproxima.org
Chad is thrilled to sit down with his long time friend, Mike Edwards to talk about living near the edge of the Kingdom of God. They discuss the mission of Proxima, a nonprofit aimed at helping Christians express the gospel in challenging environments. They explore the importance of listening, understanding cultural differences, and personalizing the gospel experience. The discussion emphasizes love as the core of evangelism and the need to shift from precepts to personal relationships. They also address the complexities of spirituality in secular contexts and the metrics of personal faithfulness versus organizational success. In this conversation, Mike Edwards discusses the evolution of teaching and influence in the context of spirituality and evangelism. He emphasizes the importance of listening to others, understanding different spiritual beliefs, and reframing the gospel to focus on love rather than being right. Mike shares insights on how to live out the gospel in everyday life, the role of grace in salvation, and the significance of community in faith. He introduces Proxima, an initiative aimed at fostering dialogue and understanding in a diverse world, and highlights the broader impact of the gospel beyond individual salvation.Chapters00:00 Personal Experiences and Relationships02:20 Living in San Francisco: A Personal Journey05:21 Fear and Misconceptions about Urban Areas08:11 The Importance of Personal Relationships11:22 Transformation and Calling16:16 Understanding Cultural Context in Evangelism20:02 The Challenge of Evangelism in Secular Spaces23:45 Metrics vs. Personal Effectiveness in Ministry27:56 Reframing the Gospel Beyond Salvation32:24 Listening and Engaging with Spiritual Seekers35:52 Living Out the Gospel in Everyday Life42:13 The Glory of God in Salvation44:34 Proxima's Mission and Community Engagement47:50 Evangelism as a Collective Effort50:38 The Ripple Effect of the Gospel53:26 Changing Perspectives on the Gospel58:30 Hope in the Kingdom of God
24 Sept 2025
Agents of Peace with Sammy Gondola
Chad sits down with his long-time friend, Sammy Gondola, to explore the profound journey of faith, identity, and cultural transition. From the vivid memories of growing up in Panama to leaving his home to follow Jesus's heart, Sammy shares his experiences as a pastor, immigrant, and peacemaker. Join us for an inspiring conversation about listening to Jesus, embracing the beauty of the diverse body of Christ, understanding and learning from history, and living as ambassadors of the Kingdom of God.
Chapters
(00:00) The Power of Friendship and Faith
(01:56) A Night of Chaos: The Invasion of Panama
(07:44) Understanding the Historical Context of the US Invasion of Panama
(10:40) The Aftermath: Changes in Panama Post-Invasion
(13:37) Personal Journey: From a Pastor's Kid to a Faithful Follower
(18:31) Cultural Shifts: Worship and Expression in Different Contexts
(28:36) A Call to Missions: Leaving Panama for the U.S.
(32:17) Hearing from the Lord
(37:15) Identifying with Joseph and Moses
(39:48) Citizenship and Identity in Christ
(45:21) Navigating American History and Personal Identity
(50:54) Peacemaking in a Divided Society
(56:22) Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
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