The Holiness Today Podcast

Stan Reeder and Nate Gilmore connect with Jeffrey Johnson, newly elected Regional Director for the USA and Canada region

On this episode of The Holiness Today Podcast, get to know Jeffrey Johnson as he reflects on his extensive family heritage within the Church of the Nazarene and his desire to impact future generations. Johnson outlines a vision for the region as a diverse mission field, focusing on multiplying leaders and planting churches. The conversation also highlights Johnson's personal life, including his Oklahoma roots and his passion for sports and community.
 
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Crystal Gibbons has a conversation with pastors Svitlana Kleschar and Serhii Akulenko about ministry in Ukraine

Today marks exactly four years since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022. Throughout this conflict, the role of local institutions has shifted dramatically, with communities often looking to spiritual leaders for more than just guidance.
In this interview, Crystal Gibbons speaks with two leaders within the Church of the Nazarene in Ukraine: Pastor Svetlana, the District Superintendent, and Pastor Sergei, who began his ministry at the onset of the war.
They discuss the evolving nature of the church as it transforms into a "warm place"—a literal and spiritual shelter that offers food, warmth, and hope to believers and non-believers alike. From the logistical hurdles posed by power outages to the deeply personal struggle of maintaining faith amid tragedy, Svetlana and Sergei offer an unfiltered look at leadership during a prolonged crisis.
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Stan Reeder and Nate Gilmore connect with Julie O'Hara, director of the Preaching Collaborative

This podcast episode features Julie O’Hara, director of the Preaching Collaborative. She details how the Collaborative fosters "effective evangelistic preachers" through peer cohorts and feedback, emphasizing that preaching should invite people to their "next yes" to Jesus.
 
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A Conversation with Cheryl Crouch, director of Nazarene Missions International

In this episode, Nate Gilmore talks with Cheryl Crouch about recent developments at Nazarene Missions International.
Nazarene Missions International Impact Awards
Purpose: Showcase and celebrate each individual church’s creative involvement in NMI, specifically through implementation of the Five Areas of Impact: Praying, Engaging Children & Youth, Care & Connection, Giving to Alabaster, Giving to WEF.
Goal: To receive video entries from many of our 30,000 Nazarene churches around the world. Submitted videos will be used on social media to encourage creativity and participation in NMI. Winning videos from each region will be featured at the 2027 Global NMI Convention.
How to Enter: Submit a one-minute vertical video showing how your church creatively participated in ONE of the Five Areas of Impact; Keep the emphasis on strong VISUALS; Words can be present but they will not be translated for our global audience.
Process: Local churches will submit videos in their region’s Nubo folder:
 
Africa: https://nubo.nazarene.org/index.php/s/wdP2zpESFZcMj5W
Asia-Pacific: https://nubo.nazarene.org/index.php/s/QTtArm6WJ3rRxSL
Eurasia: https://nubo.nazarene.org/index.php/s/asdBZ8mpPGgw9DW
Mesoamerica: https://nubo.nazarene.org/index.php/s/TCFj6GStQFx9sKc
South America: https://nubo.nazarene.org/index.php/s/ajzbMEwd3HcK8y5
USA/Canada: https://nubo.nazarene.org/index.php/s/fCryCp4XCGLSEN6
 
Videos must be entered under the correct region and labeled in this way: District – town and local church name (without Church of the Nazarene) – area of impact featured with NO dashes, slashes, or punctuation. (Ex: The Willowwood Church of the Nazarene in Denton, Texas, on the West Texas District would enter their video featuring WEF this way: WestTexasDentonWillowwoodWEF).
District Presidents will choose a committee (which could be the district council) to judge their district’s videos and select one winning video for each of the Five Areas of Impact. Winning videos will receive the District NMI Impact Award certificate. DPs will celebrate the five winning videos and submit them to their regional NMI coordinator via Nubo.
Regional Coordinators will work with Regional Global Council reps to choose a committee to judge the videos and select one winning video for each of the Five Areas of Impact. Winning videos will receive the Regional NMI Impact Award certificate. RCs will celebrate the five winning videos and submit them to Global NMI via Nubo.
Global NMI will work with Communications to format the winning videos for viewing at the 2027 Global Convention, where Global Convention delegates will vote for the top video in each category. The winning videos will receive the Global NMI Impact Award certificate and trophy and the local church, district, and region of each winning video will be recognized and celebrated during the Global Convention.
 
Timeline:
Promotion & Local churches create videos – January – May 2026
Local churches submit to their districts - June 2026
Districts submit winning videos (1 for each category – 5 videos) to their regions - July 2026
Regions submit winning videos (1 for each category – 5 videos) to Global NMI - August 2026 to be formatted for Global Convention  
Global Judging: by convention delegates during 2027 Global Convention
 
promotional video click here
promotional graphics for the creativity contest click here
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A Conversation with Bailey Friberg, Communications Partner Coordinator for the USA/Canada Region

In this episode, Nate Gilmore connects with Bailey Friberg, Communications Partner Coordinator for the USA/Canada Region. Bailey serves as a vital bridge, connecting local churches to regional resources through strategic partnerships. In this conversation, we discuss the impact of these partnerships, the encouraging revival currently taking place among Gen Z, and the unique challenges of navigating discipleship in the digital age.
 
To connect with these partnerships, click here
 
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REMASTERED: Nazarene Archives ep 3: Hymns by Charles Wesley - Carl Bangs

On today's episode, you'll hear Carl Bangs discuss the hymns of Charles Wesley.
Carl Bangs was a professor of historical theology at Olivet Nazarene College and at St. Paul School of Theology. He served as president of the American Theological Society and the American Society of Church History.
His work, Arminius - A Study in the Dutch Reformation, is a seminal contribution to Dutch church history and Wesleyan Arminian studies.
Bangs graduated from Pasadena College and Nazarene Theological Seminary and received a PHD from the University of Chicago.
This recording was featured on the Layman’s Tape Club in September of 1981.
 
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Stan Reeder and Nate Gilmore connect with Dave Anderson, Lead Pastor at Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene

In this Holiness Today podcast episode, host Nate Gilmore and regional director Stan Reeder interview Dave Anderson, lead pastor at Kankakee First Church. Anderson shares his testimony of transitioning from a high-powered law career to ministry after wrestling with a divine call for five years. He discusses his experience revitalizing churches in crisis, emphasizing prayer-first leadership and the "power of the text" in preaching. The conversation highlights his commitment to discipling young leaders and his belief in surrendering outcomes to God’s "resurrection power".
 
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Nazarene Archives ep 80: Eugene Stowe preaches on prayer

Eugene Stowe explores why specific prayers often go unanswered and refutes "prosperity" theology. He argues that effective prayer must align with God's sovereign will, which humans cannot fully grasp. By linking Philippians, 1 John, and Romans, Stowe posits that the Holy Spirit acts as both an "Intercessor" and "Interceptor." When believers offer "improper" prayers outside God’s plan, the Spirit intercepts and corrects them, substituting human desires with divine necessities. This process ensures God always supplies a believer’s true needs, allowing them to trust the outcome even when it differs from their original request.
 
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A Conversation with the HT Team: looking back and looking forward

On this episode, Nate, Jordan, and Dani discuss the Holiness Today podcast and where it's been and where it's going. 
Please connect with us on social media or email us at holinesstoday@nazarene.org 
 
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Nazarene Archives ep 79: Chic Shaver preaches on "Love Enough to Keep Them Warm"

Former evangelism professor Chick Shaver compares the local church to a hospital nursery, where new converts are "spiritual infants" requiring specialized care and warmth. He warns that without this intentional care, many converts perish spiritually within weeks. Shaver illustrates this through Dan and Judy, a couple who faced indifference at two churches before finding a welcoming community. The intentional outreach by laypeople and the pastor ultimately led to the couple’s conversion and to their own ministry to others, demonstrating that a warm congregational climate is vital for spiritual growth.
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Stan Reeder and Nate Gilmore have a conversation with Wendell Brown, District Superintendent of North Central Ohio

In this episode, Nate Gilmore and Stan Reeder interview Wendell Brown, District Superintendent of North Central Ohio. Brown shares his journey from military service and addiction to a miraculous call to ministry. He discusses "Tragedy into Triumph," a sixteen-year ministry sharing powerful stories of transformation regarding loss, crime, and addiction. Brown also details significant evangelistic growth in his district, emphasizing intentional accountability and a renewed focus on holiness and entire sanctification to raise up future missional leaders. 
 
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Nazarene Archives ep 78: VH Lewis, former General Superintendent on "Church Growth"

In this January 1981 recording for the Minister's Tape Club, Dr. V.H. Lewis outlines principles for intentional church growth within the Church of the Nazarene. He argues that progress—whether numerical, spiritual, or intellectual—is driven by healthy "personal relations" between pastors, staff, and congregants.
 
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Stephanie Johnson preaches on Love, week four of Advent

This sermon for the fourth Sunday of Advent focuses on love, emphasizing that God enters the "messy" and imperfect realities of life. By examining the genealogy in Matthew 1, the speaker highlights God’s faithfulness through forty-two generations of flawed individuals. The story of Joseph illustrates a "costly commitment" to trust God’s plan over societal expectations or fear. Ultimately, the message of "Emmanuel" assures believers that God is present in their struggles and invites them to surrender their pursuit of perfection to Jesus.
 
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Nate Gilmore has a conversation with Bryan Koopmans - producer for the Everyday Eurasia Podcast

In this episode, we travel to the Netherlands to speak with Brian Koopmans, a validation engineer and media volunteer for the Church of the Nazarene’s Eurasia Region. Brian discusses the launch of the "Everyday Eurasia" podcast and the unique challenges of producing content for a region spanning numerous languages. We also delve into Dutch history, exploring the legacy of theologian Jacobus Arminius and Brian’s upcoming documentary project. Finally, hear Brian’s heart for missions and his desire to serve the church full-time through media.
 
Everyday Eurasia Podcast
 
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David Gilmour preaches on Joy, week three of Advent

This sermon declares that God's people possess an unstoppable joy that flourishes even in life’s most barren "deserts". Rooted in Isaiah 35, the message distinguishes true joy from fleeting happiness, describing it as a "living reality" that does not wait for perfect circumstances. Instead, this joy audaciously erupts amidst brokenness, just as a botanical "superbloom" transforms a wilderness with radiant life. The speaker assures listeners that God is actively turning their sorrow into everlasting gladness, promising that joy will ultimately triumph and drive all sorrow away.
 
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Stan Reeder and Nate Gilmore have a conversation with Steve Estep, Lead Pastor at Marion Naz Church

Nate Gilmore and Stan Reeder interview Steve Estep, pastor of Marion First Church of the Nazarene. Estep recounts his call to ministry and details the church's evangelistic culture, which focuses on the "Big Yes" to Jesus and the "Next Yes" of ongoing discipleship. The church actively revitalizes its inner-city neighborhood through housing initiatives and a "Love Your City" campaign adopted by local officials. They also host a large recovery ministry addressing local addiction. Estep highlights his family's involvement in ministry and the importance of Sabbath rest.
 
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Stephen Willis preaches on Peace, week two of Advent

This Advent sermon focuses on the theme of peace, illustrated as a "two-sided coin". The first side is "peace with God," established through the birth of Jesus and salvation. The second side is the "peace of God," which requires believers to trust God rather than leaning on their own understanding. The speaker emphasizes that biblical peace is not the absence of conflict, but rather the presence of God amidst life's struggles. The message concludes by inviting listeners to find this peace through prayer and faith.
 
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Nazarene Archives ep 77: Jerald Johnson, former General Superintendent on "Dealing with Opposition in Ministry"

General Superintendent Jerald Johnson offers guidance on how pastors can creatively face opposition in their work for Christ. Pastors, like political leaders, must present programs and budgets and convince others. Johnson discusses the right to dissent within the Church of the Nazarene and how opposition allows a pastor to test their ideas. He advises against reacting to opposition and instead suggests letting proposals be tested by time. Ultimately, a pastor must stand tall as a leader, minister to the church, and rely on God's help for every difficult situation.
 
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Scott Sherwood preaches on Hope, week one of Advent

In this Advent episode, Dr. Scott Sherwood of Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene explores the theme of Hope. Describing the season as an "adventure," he invites listeners to look back at the Incarnation and forward to the Second Coming. Sherwood contrasts wishful thinking with biblical hope, which Romans 5 describes as the product of suffering, perseverance, and character. Ultimately, he challenges us to realize that hope isn't just something we find, but something we become through the presence of Christ.
 
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REMASTERED: Nazarene Archives Ep 24: Talmadge Johnson on "How to Increase Your Gratitude"

On this episode, listen to Talmadge Johnson preach a short sermon on gratitude.
Dr. Johnson served as the 33rd General Superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene. Prior to becoming GS, he was an evangelist, pastor, district superintendent, and global director of Sunday School ministries (now Nazarene Discipleship International).
This recording was featured on the Layman’s Tape Club in November of 1982.
 
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