Provoke & Inspire Podcast

As AI-driven relationships become more common, what does this mean for faith, love, and human connection? Can a chatbot ever replace real intimacy, or is this trend only deepening the loneliness crisis?In this episode, the regulars dive deep into the rise of AI romances, wrestling with the spiritual and emotional implications of a world where people turn to artificial companionship. How should followers of Jesus respond? Can technology offer comfort without true connection? And most importantly—how can we share real hope in an increasingly artificial world?Your voice matters! Help shape the conversation by sharing your thoughts. Take our P&I feedback survey HERE!Want to join the conversation? Join our broadcast channel on Instagram!----------------------Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Why do many relationships seem doomed to fail despite initial love and commitment? Why are more and more people waiting to get married? Gary Thomas unpacks the hidden dynamics behind why relationships sometimes fail and explores the cultural and personal reasons behind why so many people are remaining single. Drawing from his acclaimed book Sacred Marriage, Gary offers practical, spiritually grounded strategies to build a love that endures and transforms. Whether you’re in a relationship or navigating the dating scene, this episode provides actionable advice to help you nurture a deeper, lasting connection and create a marriage that not only survives but thrives.Check out Gary's books HERE.----------------------Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Ben is joined by author, speaker, pastor, and former frontman of the Christian metalcore band "For Today", Mattie Montgomery!How do we live for what really matters - being faithful in the roles God has called us into, be that a pastor, parent, friend, and above all, follower of Jesus? Mattie also answers the question, "How does the vocalist of a metal-core band become the pastor of a church?"Learn more about Mattie Montgomery HERE.Click HERE to learn more about The Altar Fellowship Church.Do you ever struggle with how to share your faith with those who won't walk into a church?Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today!Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Do you ever struggle with how to share the love of Jesus with your friends, family, neighbors, or coworkers? Does it feel like an impossible task in today’s culture?You're not alone - but there’s hope!Ben has completely revised and updated his powerful book, Jesus in the Secular World: Reaching a Culture in Crisis—a must-read guide for anyone longing to reach those who may never step foot in a church. Packed with real-world insights and practical strategies, this book could be the breakthrough you’ve been searching for.Don’t wait—get your copy today! Click HERE to check it out on Amazon.For more information go to: jesusinthesecularworld.com------------------------ Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

What does the Bible really say about heaven? How has the hope and promise of eternity ignited faith, sparked movements, and reshaped history?  Atheists often accuse Christians of wasting their lives in anticipation of the afterlife, but the guys dive in to how, on the contrary, it has fueled faith, inspired movements, and shaped the course of history.After the podcast's release two weeks ago, there was much more to discuss, so the guys discuss heaven in part two of this faith-stretching conversation!Listen to the first part of this conversation by clicking here.------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Los Angeles influencer and speaker Elijah Lamb joins Ben on the podcast to discuss Gen Z's greatest obstacles to accepting the gospel, as well as the greatest opportunities that exist for it. Elijah shares his story of encountering God at an early age, along with his journey of having Jesus lead him to teaching, evangelizing, and better understanding the people God is calling him to reach.------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Instagrammer Kareem Rahma of "SubwayTakes" recently posted a reel of him talking with a guy who expresses that going to heaven would suck.Is there some truth in this misconception? Is heaven really going to be an eternal church service? If it's simply the best version of everything here on earth, wouldn't that eventually become a prison?The regulars weigh in on this contentious, complicated subject, recognizing that to grasp ideas of heaven is often like two-dimensional beings trying to grasp third-dimensional realities. ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Mark Zuckerberg, Founder and CEO of Facebook/Meta, recently went on the popular podcast The Joe Rogan Experience, to discuss his company's policy changes concerning freedom of speech and expression on their social media platforms.Amid Zuckerberg's admissions of deliberate pressure and interference from the Biden administration, especially regarding COVID-19, the regulars weigh in on the value of freedom of speech. What are its origins? Is it a biblical right? What do we make of our ability to speak in the first place? ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to, "Train up a child in the way he should go..."and goes on to say that, "even when he is old he will not depart from it."What about when those closest to us walk away from God? Was it our responsibility to prevent it?  How does this apply, when all around us we see the kids of pastors, missionaries, and Christians in general, departing from the faith they were raised in? Is there a Biblical formula that we all seem to be missing? The four regulars share their experience of raising kids, and the delicate balance one might aim to strike of not forcing religious views upon them, but also not letting them simply roam free without spiritual direction. ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text

Back in October, Theologian Wes Huff and ancient civilizations researcher Billy Carson recently had a debate on the Mark Minard podcast.Billy argues that biblical texts are inaccurate and that even the crucifixion did not happen, while Wes, a biblical scholar with expertise in ancient manuscripts, counters this position with evidence of the Bible’s historical reliability and unique origins.The aftermath of the viral debate then landed Wes on The Joe Rogan Experience, where Wes was able to share in detail on one of the world's most influential podcasts, why the bible can be trusted.The regulars react to the debate, the episode on Rogan, and how we should rightly celebrate the public dismantling of lies. ------------------------Questions, comments, or feedback? We'd love to hear what you think! Send them to provokeandinspire@steiger.org, or send us a message on Instagram.Click HERE to receive news, thought-provoking articles, and stories directly in your inbox from Ben, David, Luke, and Chad!Click below to follow the regulars on Instagram!Ben PierceDavid PierceChad JohnsonLuke GreenwoodSend us a text