The Overcomers with Matt Chandler

JP and Ashley Graves, longtime members of The Village Church, share their powerful journey of overcoming alcohol dependence. JP recounts how casual drinking spiraled into addiction, affecting both his marriage and family life. Ashley reflects on the challenges of living with addiction, the pain of deception, and the path to forgiveness. The turning point comes with a heartfelt confession before a pivotal baptism. Their story highlights the significance of community support, faith, and the transformative power of recovery.

Will Chung, a pastor focused on discipleship in North Orange County, and Luke Lezon, a young adults pastor in Orlando, dive into the identity challenges faced by Gen Z and Millennials. They discuss the dangers of comfort culture and emphasize the importance of self-denial in the journey of faith. Personal stories reveal struggles with burnout, depression, and the need for authentic ministry. The conversation highlights how transient cities provide unique opportunities for gospel engagement and the role of mentorship in fostering spiritual growth.

Join entrepreneur Marty Bryan, founder of the Christian-themed Marty B’s restaurant chain, and former tech executive Eric Loper, now a consultant launching faith-based ventures. They explore the intersection of faith and business, sharing how to maintain values in the workplace. Marty reveals insights on building a nine-restaurant empire centered on hospitality, while Eric discusses transitioning from tech to purpose-driven companies. The duo emphasizes bold faith, ambition, and integrity in professional environments, advocating for work as a spiritual act.

This is a sobering yet hope-filled episode. I sit down with Summer Vinson Berger and Adam Paa to discuss the pain, complexity, and redemptive potential of shepherding care in the local church. From owning massive failures in 2015 to building a robust, gospel-centered care framework at The Village Church, we discuss stories, strategies, and heartfelt convictions about what real, redemptive care looks like when the church chooses humility over image.Whether you’re walking through trauma, burnout, addiction, or just longing for your church to care better—you’ll find wisdom and honesty here. This episode is a call to take the mess seriously, to listen better, and to believe that Jesus still heals through His body.In This EpisodeThe Weight of Shepherding2015: Owning the Failures of CareIntroducing Summer Berger and Adam PaaBuilding a Comprehensive Care MinistryWhat Is Redemptive Care?Why Recovery Must Stay MessyThe Three Buckets of RecoveryMinistry through Recovery: A Front Door to the ChurchIntegrating Gospel and TherapyPsychology Catching Up to ScriptureGratitude, Paul, and NeuroscienceCommon Grace and CounselingWhen Churches Resist Therapeutic ToolsWhy Shepherding Is So ComplexTrust, Time, and Trauma RecoveryThe Risk of Mislabeling ProblemsThe Weight and Cost of Church HurtTraining Churches to Respond BetterA Call to Action for Pastors and the BrokenFOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Instagram | 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 SponsorsCovenant EyesVictory by Covenant Eyes is a powerful tool that helps Christians who are serious and want to quit porn for good or never start. Victory combines industry-leading technology with decades of experience and leadership in recovery content, accountability, and behavior change.The Victory app, with powerful accountability features built in and the optional blocking technology, makes it an unparalleled tool in the fight to live a porn-free life.Anyone can get started on their path to recovery for free by visiting: Covenanteyes.com/overcomers for 30 days free.Moody PublishersFind Grace Beyond Salvation and I Choose Joy wherever you get your books or at Moodypublishers.comActs 29This episode of The Overcomers is sponsored by Acts 29, with an invitation to the Acts 29 Conference this coming October in Dallas. To learn more and register, visit acts29.com/conference. Overcomers listeners will receive a special discount of $20 off registration prices using the code OVERCOMERS in all caps anytime before October 1.–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

Today I unpack the gritty, grace-filled realities of planting churches with three faithful men—Ronnie, Travis, and Spencer—who are living it right now. We talk about the surprising slowness of fruit, the wounds of unmet expectations, and the refining power of suffering. We also celebrate the deep friendships, family sacrifices, and the sacred calling of building from scratch. Whether you’re dreaming of planting, deep in the trenches, or a church member wondering how to help—this one will stir your heart and steady your hands.In This EpisodeWhy Church Planting Still MattersFirst-Year Surprises: Slow Growth, Big WorkVision Matters More Than You ThinkHeart Maintenance in the HustleQuestioning the Call: When Doubt Creeps InFamily and Friendship on the FrontlinesWhen Kids Feel the CostPaper Cuts and PerseveranceGod's Provision in ScarcityThe Power of Sending ChurchesPreaching and Leading from the TrenchesA Word for the Weary PlanterA Call to the Comfortable: Join the WorkResources MentionedBook: Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzer - https://a.co/d/dij4kT2 Organizations & Networks:NAMB (North American Mission Board) – namb.netSend Network – sendnetwork.comActs 29 Church Planting Network – acts29.comFOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE:Instagram | Youtube | Website | Newsletter–Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co. For sponsorship inquiries, email sponsor@thegoodpodcast.co

In this engaging conversation, Crawford Loritts and Ray Ortlund share their wisdom on navigating a lifelong commitment to ministry. Loritts, an esteemed speaker and author, discusses the struggles of maintaining humility and accountability. Ortlund, a respected pastor and author, emphasizes the sacred nature of pastoral work. They explore crucial topics like the rhythms that sustain faith, the call to vulnerability, and the importance of building strong marriages. Together, they inspire listeners to confront challenges with grace and stay faithful in their calling.

Zack Brown, an Army veteran and founder of Casualties of War, Kasey Brown, a Marine Corps vet and coordinator for the Military Veteran Peer Network, and PJ Kratohvil, also a Marine Corps veteran active in Therapeutic Recreation, share their powerful stories. They delve into the healing journey post-combat, emphasizing the significance of community and faith in overcoming isolation. Their candid discussions cover moral injury, the importance of genuine connections, and how veterans can find purpose and support in their transitions to civilian life.

Join Mason King and Nick Crawford, both elders at The Village Church, as they dive into the significance of plurality in church leadership. They discuss the biblical foundation for shared authority and why one-man leadership can be perilous. The conversation explores how collective decision-making fosters humility and accountability, enhancing church health. Their personal anecdotes illustrate the strength of camaraderie among elders, while practical insights shed light on choosing and mentoring leaders to prevent harm within the congregation.

In a heartfelt conversation, Michelle Bowman, an educator and spiritual mother, shares her transformative journey through hardship and divorce. She emphasizes the beauty of belonging to a supportive church community after feeling lost. Michelle discusses navigating singlehood while embracing her identity in Christ, the joy of spiritual motherhood, and the healing power of service. Her story reveals how resilience can emerge from pain, encouraging listeners to step into light and find purpose, joy, and connection in unexpected seasons.

Join Colleen Searcy, a dedicated Women's director at The Village Church, and Ryan Wester, a heartfelt Groups home director, as they share their contrasting journeys into ministry. Colleen’s upbringing in a faith-filled family shaped her calling, while Ryan found redemption from a turbulent past. They discuss the unique challenges women face in ministry, the importance of mentorship, and the transformative power of community. Their inspiring conversation advocates for recognizing and empowering women's gifts in the church, highlighting that when women thrive, the whole body flourishes.