Between Sundays with The Chandlers

Jon Thompson, a Canadian pastor, author, and ministry leader, explores resilient Christian witness in a complex culture. He discusses revival, relational presence, loving people who think differently, and moving beyond fear and retreat. The conversation examines how love, word, and power work together in evangelism, plus the natural bridges that connect faith with spirituality, beauty, ethics, and life’s deepest questions.

Matt and Lauren Chandler share the raw story of their daughter’s years away from Jesus and her eventual return. They explore parenting in a digital age, releasing control, grieving disappointment, confronting shame, and praying through spiritual warfare. Along the way, they discuss finding community, recognizing God’s quiet encouragement, and holding onto hope for prodigals.

Creativity can surface in sermons, songs, writing, design, meals, and even spreadsheets. Matt explores a Scripture-soaked approach to preaching and finding an authentic voice, while Lauren reflects on songwriting, books, design, comparison, and the feeling of bringing an idea to life. They discuss influence, practice, perfectionism, and discovering the many ways God-given gifts can serve others.

We had the pleasure of sitting down with Chad Wright—former Navy SEAL, ultrarunner, founder of 3 of 7 Project, husband to Brooke, and brand-new dad—to talk less about the accomplishments people know him for and more about what following Jesus looks like in the ordinary places of life.Chad shares what the SEAL teams taught him about patience, endurance, and staying in the fight when things get hard—and what he’s had to unlearn about pride and self-sufficiency. We talk about the ways marriage and fatherhood expose our illusion of control, why weakness can actually be a gift, and the difference between asking God to give us strength and asking Him to be our strength.We also get into sanctification and why becoming like Jesus is fundamentally different from another self-improvement project. Chad opens up about the dangers of building a platform, the temptation to protect an image, and the importance of repentance when we get it wrong. And as new parents, Chad and Brooke are learning in real time how to remain husband and wife while becoming mom and dad—a conversation that takes us back into some of the hardest years of our own marriage.This conversation is a reminder that sometimes the Lord’s deepest work doesn’t happen through extraordinary achievement. Sometimes it happens in weakness, interrupted plans, sleepless nights, repentance, and the slow work of being conformed into the image of Christ.Mentioned Resources3 of 7 ProjectFollow Chadd 🎧 Listen ORDER MY LATEST BOOKBecoming Like Jesus is a book about “progressive sanctification” that takes it beyond church words into the honest conversation so many Christians have navigated. Rooted in the Beatitudes, this book unpacks the lifelong series of highs and lows that the Holy Spirit uses to shape us into a person who looks like Jesus.FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our SponsorsGlobal Christian ReliefGCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit  https://bit.ly/GCRMatt  to learn more.The UnimaginableSome questions only suffering can teach us to ask, and only God can meet us in.If you or someone you love is walking through devastating loss, The Unimaginable is a faithful companion for the journey...reminding you that while grief may never fully disappear, you never have to carry it alone.Available at MoodyPublishers.com or wherever books are sold.Cozy Earth Head to cozyearth.com and use our code BETWEEN for an exclusive 20% off. That’s code Between for an exclusive 20% off. And if you see a post-purchase survey, mention that you heard about Cozy Earth right here!–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Sara Keene, neighbor and co-founder of Storied Provisions who brought operations and community-focused leadership, joins the conversation. They recount a chance salsa visit that sparked a partnership. They discuss creating dignified local jobs, balancing vision with execution, navigating vulnerabilities in partnership, and how the project reshaped their dreams and leadership.

Brooke Ledbetter, author and church member who writes about friendship and faith, shares her journey through depression, anxiety, and the surprising rescue of Christian friendship. She discusses a college breakup that led to isolation, the role of Scripture, counseling, and medication, and a worship moment that shifted her story. Conversation covers how faithful presence, vulnerability, and repair create sustaining community.

We sat down with our friend Mike McCalley, whose story both challenged and encouraged us. Mike shares how a simple conversation with his son exposed a deeper spiritual and physical drift that had quietly settled into his life. What began as an inability to run a quarter mile became a journey of repentance, renewed stewardship, and ultimately completing the Leadville 100—a grueling 100-mile mountain race.Along the way, we talk about the connection between physical discipline and spiritual vitality, the dangers of settling for “good enough,” and how God often uses small acts of obedience to awaken us to bigger things. Mike also shares powerful lessons about failure, perseverance, community, marriage, and the importance of telling ourselves the truth without getting trapped in shame.More than a story about fitness, this is a conversation about stewardship, sanctification, and what it looks like to pursue all that God has for us—one faithful step at a time.Mentioned ResourcesThe Pursuit of God by A.W. TozerLeadville Trail 100 Run ORDER MY LATEST BOOKBecoming Like Jesus is a book about “progressive sanctification” that takes it beyond church words into the honest conversation so many Christians have navigated. Rooted in the Beatitudes, this book unpacks the lifelong series of highs and lows that the Holy Spirit uses to shape us into a person who looks like Jesus.FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Follow Lauren | Follow Matt | Youtube | Website | NewsletterIf you’ve enjoyed this episode, one of the best ways to support the show and make sure others find it, is to subscribe and leave a review. Thank You!Thank you to our SponsorsGlobal Christian ReliefGCR comes alongside persecuted Christians with prayer, Bibles, and real help so the church can endure and shine as a light for the Gospel. Stand with the persecuted Church and be a lifeline of prayer and support. — visit  https://bit.ly/GCRMatt  to learn more.Psalms of TrustIn Psalms of Trust, H. B. Charles walks through ten Psalms, including Psalm 27, Psalm 42, Psalm 73, and Psalm 91, helping readers discover fresh confidence in God's character and care.You can find it at MoodyPublishers.com  or wherever you get good books.Authentic MasculinityIf you want clarity around the topic of masculinity, or you want to help the men in your life find it, pick up Authentic Masculinity.You can find it at MoodyPublishers.com  or wherever you get good books.–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email [email protected]

Thoughtful parenting questions drive candid chats about loving the child you actually have. They explore discipline as grace, choosing schools, and protecting without smothering. Conversations cover neurodivergence, anxiety, age-appropriate talks about sex and dating, and making gospel-centered family rhythms. The tone is honest, tender, and freeing for imperfect parents.

A full chapter reading explores honest grieving as a spiritual practice rather than avoidance. Conversations touch on repentance as ongoing mourning and the Puritan plea for the gift of tears. They warn about comfort idols, cultural numbing, and how sin warps our souls. The narrative points to compassionate presence, praying with the hurting, and the comforts of Christ in sorrow.

A candid conversation about progressive sanctification and why spiritual growth is a long, messy journey. They explore suffering’s shaping role and how perseverance matters more than perfection. The Beatitudes are used as a practical roadmap for everyday holiness. Honest stories and pastoral care highlight that struggle does not equal disqualification.