The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey

Happy Friday, friends! I’m thrilled to begin our Encounter Series today! This summer, we'll be focusing on stories of how a person encountered Christ, how they began living their life for Jesus, and what their life looks like now. Today I have the privilege of sitting down with JoAnn Doyle, author of Women Who Risk: Secret Agents for Jesus in the Muslim World.JoAnn was a pastor’s wife for 20 years before God called her family into full-time mission work in the Middle East. Together, she and her husband Tom launched Uncharted Ministries, which sounds the alarm and inspires believers to join God’s great harvest among Jews and Muslims. The women’s ministry of Uncharted, called Not Forgotten, encourages and equips Jesus-followers to engage these often-neglected women with the love of Christ—not only across the globe, but in our own backyards.JoAnn share with us stories of former Muslim women who literally risked it all to follow Jesus. My heart was convicted as I listened to these stories of women who gave up everything and I look at my own life as a Christ-follower here in America. JoAnn gives all of us encouragement in how we can walk in holy boldness wherever we live!Don't forget to click here to subscribe to our newsletter and share this episode with a friend!SHOW LINKS:Women Who Risk by Tom Doyle & JoAnn DoyleUncharted MinistriesI Found The TruthNot Forgotten MinistriesDreams and Visions by Tom DoyleThe Return of the Gods by Jonathan Cahn  Interested in partnership opportunities? Please reach out here!

Throughout our life, events take place that eventually become our past. How can these events, or “bread crumbs,” help us find purpose and meaning in our current life? Today I sit down with my dear friend Jami Nato as we discuss life, hospitality, talking about purity with our kids, and so much more! Jami Nato is one of the funniest Instagram follows you’ll have, as well as a new author! Jami’s new book, This Must Be the Place: Following the Breadcrumbs of Your Past to Discover Your Purpose Today, releases next week! Tucked in these pages is Jami’s way of helping readers discover their purpose by looking at their past and following the breadcrumbs God has left for you every step of the way. Jami is passionate about women being built up and seen and using their gifts inside the church. Head over to the link in the show notes to pre-order This Must Be the Place. I hope this episode encourages you and challenges you to reflect on your past and discover the bread crumbs God has left you to shape your purpose and future!SHOW LINKS:This Must Be the Place Interested in partnership opportunities? Please reach out here!

Shelby Houston was living her best life at college when she received a call from home that would change her life forever. On December 3, 2021 Shelby’s father, Richard Houston, was shot and killed in the line of duty. As Shelby and her family began to process their grief in the coming days, Shelby had a revelation from the Lord: Jesus died and forgave the man who killed her father, just like he did for her. If Jesus could forgive this man, Shelby believed she could too. As Shelby began this journey, she was able to express her forgiveness through her father’s eulogy and her victim impact statement in court. Through this process, God birthed in her a passion for ministry to men and women in prison.  Since then, Shelby has traveled internationally speaking at conferences, gatherings, and prisons, sharing her story of forgiveness. Her mission is for people not only to know, but truly understand the freedom and forgiveness found in Jesus. SHOW LINKS:San Quentin State PrisonThe Green Mile Wild At Heart Interested in partnership opportunities? Please reach out here!

After a series of unfortunate events newlyweds filled with hopes and dreams found themselves in a desperate situation and needing to provide for their family. Fox and Rob Richardson decided to take matters into their own hands and after a botched bank robbery this couple found themselves behind bars and separated from their children. Once Fox served her time and reunited with their boys, she began the long journey to fight for her husband who was facing a 60 years sentence. After her valiant charge, in June of 2018 Governor John Bel Edwards granted clemency to Rob and after 21 years apart their family was finally reunited. Their story is told in the acclaimed, award-winning documentary Time. They have also written a book together about their experience. Today Fox and Rob along with their sons continue their advocacy for incarcerated families through the NOLA chapter of the Participatory Defense Movement. They are dedicated to changing lives and laws through love and empowering families and marriages to thrive!In today’s episode we'll explore the aftermath of the 13th Amendment, the complexities of mass incarceration, and how these issues disproportionately affect the African-American community. I encourage you to check out the links in our show notes to learn more about this topic as we grow and learn together!  SHOW LINKS:13th FilmFox & Rob's WebsiteLouisiana State PenitentiaryTIME the bookTIME documentaryJesus Listens by Sarah Young

After enduring years of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse Lacey packed up her four children and ran to freedom while being chased by a knife. Ya’ll this is no movie script, this is real life! On Wednesday you heard from Branden Terrell, a man who spent 11 years in San Quentin State Prison for taking the life of another man. When I met Branden and asked him to come to the Happy Hour, his first words were, “you need to talk to my wife, she’s the real hero.”Today I sit down with Lacey Terrell as she shares how God freed her from her traumatic life and the role Branden played in her healing process. Lacy shares with us the trauma she’s overcome, the struggles she still faces today, and speaks hope to those who may currently be in an unsafe relationship. 1 in every 4 women in America have experienced physical violence by an intimate partner. Statistically, that means it’s likely that a woman in our Happy Hour community is hurting. If you or if someone you know would like more information on how to get help and reach safety, we encourage you to dial 1-800-799-7233 or visit The National Domestic Violence Hotline. SHOW NOTES:It Didn’t Start With Me

In 2012 Branden found himself alone in a prison cell facing life in prison after murdering his close friend. After battling years of anger, addiction, and living a life of rebellion, in a solitary confinement cell in a maximum security prison, Branden met Jesus. It was in that cell that the course and purpose of his life was forever changed. I’m thrilled to welcome Branden Terrell to The Happy Hour today. I first met Branden when I visited San Quentin State Prison for the first time. On today’s show Branden shares with us how his life has transformed over the last decade in prison and how he strives to overcome the barriers and labels that he faces as a free man today. Branden emphasizes the need for rehabilitation programs and redeeming systems in place for prisoners. With over 92% of prisoners returning home after a served sentence, it’s important to remember that “today’s prisoners are tomorrow’s neighbors” and their redemption matters! Branden’s story was a great reminder to me of the redemptive nature of our loving Father. You’ll want to join us for Friday’s episode as we hear from his wife, Lacy Terrell. Thanks for listening and as always, we’d love for you to share with a friend! SHOW LINKS:Friends of San Quentin NewsCoaching 4 LifeForwardThis ProductionsSan Quentin Incarcerated Baseball Team

In a post Roe Vs. Wade society the question remains, “Now what?” How will christians in America continue fighting for every life made in the image of God? How can churches and christians have a womb to tomb pro-life ethic? Is it possible to break through political barriers and culture wars to love and serve those in need?I am thrilled to have this conversation with former NFL player Benjamin Watson. Along with being a former tight end, Benjamin is a writer, a speaker, and an activist. He is a college football studio analyst with the SEC Network, and he serves as VP of strategic relationships with the Human Coalition, one of the largest pro-life and pro-women organizations in the country. Along with his wife, Kirsten, he is the founder of The Watson 7 Foundation, a nonprofit focused on strengthening families. They currently reside in Georgia with their seven children.On today’s episode Benjamin and I discuss his new book, The New Fight For Life. Abortions in America disproportionately affect African-American women with 76% of abortion-determined women saying they would prefer to parent if their circumstances were different. You’ll hear practical ways churches and christians can serve women facing unplanned pregnancies, and the importance of churches providing post-abortion counseling and care. Friends, as we look through scriptures it’s easy to see that God has called us to have a pro-life commitment to justice for His image bearers. I pray you lean in and listen and respond to how God moves your heart.

Hey friends, Mother’s Day is right around the corner and today’s conversation with Katie Faris is an important conversation about the hardships, sorrows, and grief that can come with motherhood. Katie Faris is an author, married to a pastor, and mother to five children. Katie lives with her family in New Jersey. Her most recent book, God Is Still Good: Gospel Hope and Comfort for the Unexpected Sorrows of Motherhood acknowledges that while there is so much joy and love that comes with motherhood, there are also challenges that can bring pain and heartbreak. Katie encourages mothers to embrace the grief that comes from motherhood and experience God’s comfort as you put your hope in Christ during the unexpected trials of parenting. God is Still Good offers a biblical context for suffering and hope, addresses common questions, and addresses temptations and lies that mothers likely face. Today Katie reminded me that God is still good even when life feels hard. With today’s conversation, I hope you know that there is hope and you are not alone. Share this episode with a mother that needs to hear that today! SHOW LINKS:God Is Still GoodLittle WomenMarmee

​​Hey friends! Today’s episode is a conversation I’ve been wanting to have for a long time. Today’s guest is Tish Harrison Warren. If you’ve been around since 2021 I guarantee you’ve heard me talk about her book Prayer in the Night. Tish Harrison Warren is a priest in the Anglican Church. She is an author of several books, as well as contributes to the New York Times in a weekly newsletter and is a columnist for Christianity Today. For over a decade Tish has worked in ministry settings as a campus minister with InterVarsity Graduate and Faculty Ministries. Through various churches and non-profit organizations Tish has passionately served the marginalized. She lives with her husband and three children in the Austin, Texas area.On today’s episode we focus heavily on grief and suffering. I pray you listen with care and find encouragement in our conversation today.  SHOW LINKS:Liturgy in the OrdinaryPrayer in the Night Tish Harrison Warren

Hi friends! Today on the show we have a Happy Hour first-timer, Bethany Barnard. Bethany is a contemporary Christian music artist who was signed to Sparrow Records in Nashville, TN, under the stage name Bethany Dillon at just 14 years old! For the last 15 years, Bethany has been a Dallas resident and married to her best friend, Shane. They have four daughters and live in the Richardson area. Bethany continues to lead worship and songwrite and enjoys being a stay-at-home mom. She is passionate about sharing her story of how Jesus set her free and seeing Him do the same in others’ lives.Today we dive into Bethany’s new album, All My Questions. She shares what inspired her songs, mental health, her battle with OCD and depression, and how we have freedom in Christ! We wrap up our conversation with Bethany sharing what the body of Christ can do to help those in dark seasons.Too often shame is attached with mental health and getting the help needed. I truly appreciate how open Bethany was about how she can walk in freedom in Christ while also having OCD and depression be part of her story!  Make sure to check out her website, Bethanybarnard.com and share this episode with a friend who could use the encouragement!SHOW LINKS:All My QuestionsYou KnowEverything Sad Is UntrueSermons of Charles SpurgeonLord of the Rings