This episode is part of a series we're calling Black Voices In The Vineyard, which will feature interviews with Black leaders from around the Vineyard movement.    On this episode our host Adam Russell sits down with Geno Olison, leader of Vineyard USA's Diversity Initiative, to discuss how the Church should respond in times of crisis and in the aftermath of events like the killing of George Floyd and subsequent protests.

Paul Baloche has written hundreds of worship songs that are sung by thousands of churches each week. “Open The Eyes Of My Heart,” “Above All,”“Hosanna (Praise Is Rising),” “Your Name,” and countless others are congregational favorites throughout the world.    A three-time Dove Award-winning songwriter, Paul has recorded 12 albums for Integrity Music and travels the globe teaching and leading others in worship. Through Leadworship.com, he developed a series of Master Classes designed to equip and train leaders and worship teams.  He also served as the Worship Pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, TX for over 25 years, is an ordained minister, and received an MDiv from the Methodist Episcopal Church.   He currently resides in New York City with his wife Rita. They have three grown children and three grand children.   On this episode, Paul and our host Adam Russell explore the practical, philosophical, and spiritual sides of the art of worship songwriting. Paul is a deep well providing many nuggets of wisdom from his vast experience.  Don’t miss this interview!

A native of Northwest Indiana, Corey Voss is now a Tennessee-based worship leader and songwriter who serves as Worship Pastor for Gateway Church.   He is also an artist and songwriter with Integrity Music and the founder of Madison Street Worship. His songs include “I Got Saved” and “Praise The King,” along with “Psalm 92 (O Most High)” and “We Come To You Jesus,” both of which he co-wrote with Paul Baloche. Corey has also written and recorded with Michael Farren, Lauren Daigle, Jennie Lee Riddle, Jared Anderson, and Dustin Smith.   On this episode, Corey and our host Adam Russell explore Corey's background growing up Catholic. As a teen Corey encountered Jesus in a new way, and this encounter changed the course of his life and called him into worship leadership.  Adam and Corey then unpack Corey's songwriting journey, providing both practical and inspirational insight for those who feel the call to write songs for their local churches.

Putty Putman is a member of the senior leadership team at Vineyard Church of Central Illinois and co-leads the preaching team.  He also oversees the School of Kingdom Ministry, a supernatural training and discipleship school hosted by local churches around the world.  As a gifted communicator and passionate equipper, Putty loves to see people grow in the conviction of who they are in Christ and be released to live a naturally supernatural lifestyle empowered by the Holy Spirit.   Putty, in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. in theoretical quantum physics, ran headlong into the power and reality of the Holy Spirit during a supernatural encounter in China.  Following the leading of Jesus to sell everything he had to purchase the “pearl of great price,” Putty terminated a successful career in physics to pursue learning, leading, and training others to move in the power of the Holy Spirit.   On this episode Putty and our host Adam Russell unpack what it means to follow the voice of the Holy Spirit, not only in the Kairos moments of visible power but also in what Putty calls "Seinfeld" times, which are those moments where nothing seems to be happening but God is at work in more ways than we understand.

This is the next edition of a special series we're calling the COVID Check-In. In this series we get an on-the-ground look at how faith leaders and churches are dealing with the global pandemic.    In this episode we talk with Jay Pathak, lead pastor of the Mile High Vineyard in Denver, CO.  With states starting to ease restrictions and re-open, Jay and Adam tackle the pressing questions facing the Church in this post-quarantine new normal.

Harmony Smith is the Director of Worship for Vineyard UK/Ireland.  In addition to this role, she co-pastors Belfast City Vineyard in Northern Ireland alongside her husband, Andy.    On this episode Harmony unpacks her personal journey, specifically focusing on the role of the Holy Spirit in moments of encounter and in discovering practices of spiritual discipline.  Harmony also shares a word from the Lord about raising up a generation of worship leaders who resemble the priest and prophet Samuel in knowing how to discern the voice of God in their lives and leadership.

This is the next edition of a special series we're calling the COVID Check-In. In this series we get an on-the-ground look at how faith leaders and churches are dealing with the global pandemic.    In this episode we talk with Dr. Elizabeth O. Pierre, licensed professional counselor and assistant professor of Pastoral Care and Counseling & Counseling Psychology at North Park University in Chicago, IL.  Adam and Dr. Pierre tackle the layers of new issues facing church leaders in the time of quarantine, specifically addressing the topic of burnout.

Worship leader and songwriter Matt Redman has penned some of the most-beloved worship anthems in the modern Church. Songs such as “The Heart of Worship,” “10,000 Reasons,” “Blessed Be Your Name,” and “Build My Life” are sung around the world and will continue to be sung for many years to come. In early 2020, Matt released his 14th album,Let There Be Wonder.   On this episode, Matt and our host Adam Russell mine Matt's wisdom on the role of worship leaders as servants who not only lead people in singing to God, but who help people see God. From there, they delve into the challenges faced by worship leaders in this time of quarantine and virtual church.    This is a rich conversation, as Matt’s words have resonance and relevance now more than ever.

This is the next edition of a special series we're calling the COVID Check-In. In this series we get an on-the-ground look at how faith leaders and churches are dealing with the global pandemic.    In this episode we talk with Phil Chorlian, senior pastor of the North Jersey Vineyard in South Hackensack, NJ.  Phil and his entire family tested positive for COVID-19 back in March.  Being so close to the NYC area, Phil and his church have been directly affected by the virus, including tragically losing a member of their congregation to the disease.

Cody Carnes is a worship leader and songwriter whose recent collaboration with his wife, Kari Jobe Carnes, and Elevation Worship resulted in the timely song "The Blessing."  Cody's new album Run To The Father released on March 13, 2020, just as the US was moving into quarantine.    On this episode, Adam and Cody dive into the idea of "keeping your antenna up" as a songwriter, listening for the voice of the Lord and what He is speaking to the Church today. They explore the back story of "The Blessing,” an example of God's hand at work through a simple song that found its way into the Church at large on the cusp of a global pandemic.      Cody's bio: Cody Carnes is a worship leader and songwriter whose passion is to create a meeting place for God and people with music. He spends most of his time traveling and leading worship with his wife, Kari Jobe Carnes. The couple has co-written numerous songs together, including “Closer To Your Heart,” “The Garden” and “Lover Of My Soul” from her album The Garden, and “Let The Heavens Open” from her album Majestic.