By Faith With Christine Hoover

Churches all over the world are dying and God longs to see His churches revitalized, brought back to life, thriving as lights for the Kingdom. But along with the excitement of revitalization can come burnout from the intense emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental work of revitalization. Today, Andrea Valenti shares how she has walked through the highs of revitalization and the lows of burnout, learning to ask others for help and asking Jesus to revitalize her heart.    SHOW NOTES Revitalization requires patience, active listening, and meeting people where they are. Burnout can look like numbness, mental and physical fatigue, irritated responses, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. Try to prevent burnout through healthy boundaries and habits, but if it hits, seek counsel from other ministry wives and resources like the SEND Network. QUOTES “Part of the issue is that sometimes there’s so much stigma in discussing the reality of burnout and other mental health concerns. There’s almost

Life as a church planter is rewarding and encouraging, but also spiritually, emotionally, and physically exhausting. It’s easy to completely burn out when we aren’t intentionally engaging in the rest Jesus commands us to take. Vance and Kristie Pitman share today how God brought them into a season of forced rest. What they found on the other side was trust in Jesus’ work in His church, stronger family rhythms, and freedom. SHOW NOTES Rest is as spiritual as work and a command that comes from Jesus Himself. Ask trusted believers to be gatekeepers in your life, protecting you from over-committing and forcing you to take times of rest. The primary call on our lives is not ministry; it’s intimacy with Jesus. QUOTES “We had to learn that rest is as spiritual as work. Jesus told the disciples to ‘Come away with me and rest for a while.’ In the Greek language, it’s an imperative, meaning rest is a matter of spiritual obedience.” -Vance Pitman “The primary call on our lives is intimacy a

The enemy hates any ministry that seeks to increase the kingdom of God. How do we recognize when we are in spiritual warfare, and how do we practically fight against it? James and Desiree Westbrook, planters of The Realm Church in Oakland, California experience immense spiritual warfare every day. They share with us how they battle warfare with Christ’s love, truth, and a right perspective, remaining dedicated to preaching the gospel no matter how the enemy attacks.  SHOW NOTES Spiritual warfare is anything designed by the enemy that seeks to derail, discourage, or destroy. Shift your perspective past what’s directly in front of you. There is a correlation between suffering and greatness in the kingdom of God. Fight warfare by gathering to pray, filling your mind with encouraging spiritual content, and intentionally taking time to rest. QUOTES “We have to be reminded that there is a correlation between suffering and service that leads to greatness in the kingdom of God. So when we are going throug

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, this episode of the Ministry Wives podcast is being released completely in Spanish. SEND Español is a branch of the North American Mission Board’s church planting ministry, the SEND Network. This ministry resources and helps support Spanish speaking church plants all over North America. Today’s episode features four Spanish speaking ministry wives sharing their heart for the Lord and their communities.  If you are a Spanish speaker, this episode is for you! If you are not, I encourage you to listen to the first few minutes, praising God for His mighty work in reaching every tribe and tongue and lifting up prayers for our sisters who are serving in Spanish speaking ministries.  Conmemorando el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, este episodio del pódcast Ministry Wives ha sido lanzado completamente en español. Send Español es una rama del ministerio de plantación de iglesias de la Junta de Misiones Internacionales de Norte América, Send Network. Este ministerio provee recursos y ap

Seeds of bitterness can grow in our hearts for a myriad of reasons. Our own insecurities, criticisms, and the sheer volume of tasks that need to be completed can harden our hearts towards those we’ve been called to serve. We can even be tempted to harden our hearts towards God in the midst of difficult ministry seasons. Author and Discipleship Director Amy Gannett shares the work God has done in her heart, teaching her to humble herself before Him and softening her heart for others and the work of ministry.  SHOW NOTES The enemy is the number one reason there is a fight against bitterness. He wants your heart to harden. God wants your heart to be tender, so pray confidently that He will soften it! When practicing forgiveness feels unfair, remember that God knows your story and fights for you and that you are held in the nail-pierced hand of a Savior who knows what you are feeling. QUOTES “So much of the weight we bear on our shoulders and carry in our hearts in ministry is unseen. Part of that is God

Sinful comparison and competition can creep quickly into our hearts when we aren’t focused on Jesus. It’s easy to look at what other women are doing (or even what our husband is doing) and begin to compare what is “lacking” in our own life and ministry. On today’s episode, pastor’s wife Carla Sibley explains how God has taught her to shut down the world and turn her eyes on Jesus, refusing to give a foothold to the division that comparison and competition create.  SHOW NOTES Put on blinders towards the world, turn your eyes on Jesus, and ask Him to give you new eyes for your life. There’s no comparison or competition in God’s eyes. He has specifically gifted you and placed you where He can use you. Combat competition with transparency and by cheering other believers on in their ministries. QUOTES “What was purchased for me through Christ is so much more than anything earthly, anything temporary. So I don’t have to cling to those things I think I need or want, the accomplishments or the recog

When we look around our communities, we so often see the suffering of those living in poverty and homelessness. The fear of not knowing what to do frequently keeps us from doing anything. Cassie Hammett, Executive Director of The Hub Urban Ministries, shares how Jesus radically changed her heart for those in distress in her city. She explains how we can engage in our own communities, building friendships, meeting needs and allowing God to steer our ministries. SHOW NOTES Radical ministry can start when you allow Jesus to radically transform your heart. The fuel of community ministry is friendship. Once you know someone, you will better know what their needs are and how to meet them. Remove fear from encounters with those in need by taking practical steps to be prepared. QUOTES “I think what keeps people from engaging with individuals in different socioeconomic levels is that there’s an assumption of, ‘We are so different. There’s this chasm between me and her.’ We also make

If we want to reach the culture around us with the good news of Jesus, we must first understand that culture and the motivations of those who live in it. Author Trevin Wax joins the podcast to explain how we as ministry wives can learn about the specific culture around us, enabling us to connect with and draw others to Christ.    SHOW NOTES As you get to know someone, ask deeper questions that help you understand how they narrate their life, where their desires lie, and what drives their anxiety. We must be reaching into the culture while building a strong culture within our homes and churches to invite others into. We are all leaders; we have all been given a sphere of influence. Determine what your sphere is and be intentional with how you cultivate it. QUOTES “Sometimes we think of culture as something out there that we are to engage with. But we don’t recognize that we are to make and create culture in our own families and churches. That in itself is a really powerful way of demonstratin

Sometimes God calls us into a new season of life and ministry when we least expect it. Navigating decisions about those new seasons can be scary and stressful, but ultimately, God wants us to lay it all at His feet. Emay Yeng shares today how she and her husband John navigated God calling them into vocational ministry from the corporate world. Emay and John learned to prayerfully walk into their new season, seeking unity of spirit and trusting that Jesus is better.

Life as a ministry wife doesn’t always look like radical revivals. Often it’s staying home while your husband leaves to minister to others or answers nonstop phone calls that interrupt family time. Unless you’re constantly lifting your eyes heavenward, it can be difficult to see eternal reward in the daily grind. Grace VanMaanen joins me today to share how prayer, intentionality, and a heavenly perspective protect her from bitterness as a ministry wife.  EPISODE GUIDE Praying for one another creates intimacy, even when physically separated. Be intentional about talking with your spouse about one another’s needs, both at home and apart. Use the time that your spouse is doing ministry to engage in kingdom work of your own. BEST QUOTES “I think that’s what we forget: there is eternal blessing in the sacrifice. It’s that John 12:24 principle of a kernel of wheat falls to ground and dies and it produces many seeds. There’s fruit that’s born from that death, Christ being th

Being a ministry wife is a vocation without a job description. So often, we know exactly what our husband’s roles will be within the church, but are uncertain about how we should be operating daily in our ministry roles. Tara Dew, Director of Thrive, a training program for ministry wives at New Orleans Seminary, joins me today to discuss the importance of being a lifelong learner and the joy that comes from learning to thrive. EPISODE GUIDE If God is encouraging you to pursue training, trust Him, even if you don’t know what the end result will be. Dedicate yourself to being a lifelong learner: utilize resources that help you thrive in the ministry God placed you. You are gifted and indispensable, essential to the work of the church. BEST QUOTES “I believe wholeheartedly that if we can encourage and equip ministry wives, then they’re going to help encourage their husbands, and their husbands will stay in ministry and the churches will stay as lighthouses in their communities.”  -T

The challenges of navigating friendship as a ministry wife can make us want to shrink back from forming these life-giving relationships. Clancey Garcia joins me today to talk about how we can identify and develop friendships with other women in the church, intentionally grow them, and manage the hurts that can arise from friendship in a broken world.

As ministry wives, we often find ourselves in situations where women come to us looking for counsel. It can be difficult to know how to point them to God while effectively journeying with them through struggles. Counselor Kristin Kellen joins the podcast today to share introductory How-To’s of counseling women. She shares when and how to speak, when to be silent, and when to seek outside intervention for the women in our lives.  SHOW NOTES You don’t have to have the right words. Sometimes you just need to sit and listen in silence. We cannot always provide a solution, but we can bring God’s Word into the midst of their struggle, reminding them of who He is, and that He sees them and is near. We help one another carry burdens for a season, with the intent to lay them at the feet of the One who has the answers. QUOTES “Give yourself the grace to not necessarily have to have the words, because it may be that this woman just needs to sit and process and think out loud. She may just need to h

The busyness of ministry and life’s ever-changing rhythms can make us feel like we are struggling not only to keep Jesus first but also meaningfully connect with our husband regularly. Today, author Jani Ortlund opens up about the rhythms and mindsets that have seen her through over 50 years of ministry and marriage.   SHOW NOTES Our life as a ministry wife is not a performance. We should minister because of Him, out of His fullness, not duty. Your relationship with Jesus must be first and most important. Be the type of woman who feels the lack in her life when you aren’t regularly connecting with the Lord. Rhythms constantly need adjusting as life and ministry change. Communicate with your spouse and look for creative ways to connect during those times. QUOTES “I’m not ministering for Jesus. I’m ministering because of Jesus. I’m not trying to return favors or earn anything from Him. It’s just because of who He is.” -Jani Ortlund “I think the thing that has

When God calls you to a new place, it won’t always be a smooth transition. There may be hurt and heartbreak over who or what you have to leave behind. Lynley Mandrell joins me today to share her story of a tough ministry transition, what she and her husband did well, what they did poorly, and how much the Lord taught them in the midst of the mess.  SHOW NOTES Just because the Lord calls you to something doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. Find the balance between seeking counsel and allowing too many voices to pollute what God is saying to your family. Ministry is hard, no matter how healthy you think you are. Check-in with a Christian counselor on a regular basis. QUOTES “You take the things people say very heavily and then it makes you question, ‘Is that God speaking through this person? Are we doing the right thing or are we doing the wrong thing?’ This is when trust and faith in God comes in.”  -Lynley Mandrell “There’s a sense of ownership, right or wrong, that p

We long to have deep friendships with other pastors’ wives in our church. But how do we go about initiating and building those relationships amidst the busyness of ministry? Pastors’ wives Meredith Miller and Bailey Leitch share today how they have cultivated a deep friendship with one another by focusing on trust, honor, and Jesus.    SHOW NOTES Cultivate a culture of honor in the way you speak to and about one another. Building a team of ministry wives in your church requires safety, security, and support. Center your relationship around Jesus and loving each other as friends, not the church. QUOTES “It is a huge blessing because there’s mutual encouragement. We are experiencing the same things as pastor’s wives, both of our husbands are on staff and there’s a uniqueness to that that we get to go through and encourage one another and pray for one another. I think having this relationship and getting to go through the seasons of ministry together has been really sweet.” -M

The responsibility of ministry drains us emotionally, spiritually, and mentally. Rest is a vital component for our overall health, as well as the health of our ministry. Pastor Gregg Matte and his wife Kelly explain how they have created individual and family rest rhythms through scheduling their days, Sabbaths, and sabbaticals. SHOW NOTES Dedicate a portion of your day to the Lord, a portion to your ministry, and a portion to family and rest. Create an environment of peace and rest by allowing the peace of Christ to rule in your heart. Taking time for rest moves your ministry from fatigue to fired up with renewal. QUOTES “Responsibility is stressful, and this is one of the challenges of having a job with responsibility, and it happens to be ministry. I’m going to blame responsibility, not God for putting me in ministry. That’s where you end up with that spiritual burnout where people are at the end of their ministry,  and they don’t like their Christianity. I tell our staff all

If God calls you to work outside the home or church, you may experience guilt or fear because you are filling a role that looks different from the traditional ministry wife “mold.” Pastor’s wife and business owner Macy English explains how she overcomes these misgivings by communicating with her husband and practicing open-handed stewardship before the Lord. SHOW NOTES Scripture teaches that all work is sacred, whether it’s inside the church walls or outside the church. Don’t allow the guilt or fear of being different from the “mold” keep you from being a faithful steward of what He has gifted and called you to do. Practice open-handed stewardship by regularly going before the Lord with your spouse, laying down your life, work and ministry before Him. QUOTES “When we start to look at all of work as sacred, the Lord can redeem and birth something really beautiful out of the Excel spreadsheet I’m building. In conversations around being gospel centered in our homes, there̵

The weight of ministry can be heavy. We are often journeying with others through hardship and disappointment. But amid the hard, the Lord gifts us with sweet spots of lightness and fun. Pastor’s wife and teacher Tanya York joins the podcast today to share how she finds joy and fun even when circumstances are hard. Tanya intentionally pursues the buckets of joy and wins the Lord gives, and gives practical tips on how we can do the same.   SHOW NOTES Take your sin seriously, but don’t take yourself too seriously. You cannot change the character of people who are giving you hard, but you can change the way you perceive them. Choose to see their uniqueness and have fun with them. Don’t use personality as an excuse to live negatively. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the wins and pursue life with a God who is as good as He says He is. QUOTES “I take sin very seriously, confronting sin in my own life and heart, but I don’t take myself too seriously. I’ve learned to laugh about thi

Mental illness can be very confusing as a Christian. We are followers of Christ, we know Scripture, so how could we feel hopeless? Today, Julie Busler candidly shares her journey through depression and PTSD. Julie has learned that medicine and faith go hand in hand, and that a mental illness diagnosis does not disqualify you for ministry.  SHOW NOTES Being a Christian does not mean you have to be happy all the time. Joy and sorrow can coexist. Telling someone your struggles may feel overwhelming, but until we bring things into the light, healing cannot happen. Medicine and faith go hand in hand. You may truly need medical intervention, but you also need Jesus every minute of every day to bring your soul to life. QUOTES “I actually went to another missionary and told her enough that she knew I needed help. This was so important because I think sometimes in ministry it can be pretty lonely, and it’s hard to find safe friends who you can be real with, because you feel like you have to have it a