By Faith With Christine Hoover

Wisely navigating relationships between men and women is a vital but sometimes difficult conversation we need to be having with one another and our husbands. In this follow-up episode, long-time ministry wife and Ministry Wife Ministry Partner Amy Petersen helps walk us through the specifics of wisely cultivating these relationships. She stresses the importance of open communication regarding boundaries and how personality and baggage play into those boundaries. Amy and Christine also discuss the role of spiritual health and how it is critical to employing wisdom and discernment in this area.   SHOW NOTES Create boundaries that both you and your husband are comfortable with. Assessing your spiritual health/maturity is critical for navigating these areas wisely.  If you do have concerns regarding a relationship, lay them out before the Lord and ask Him for wisdom and then have a conversation with your husband. QUOTES “There’s just really no set equation for how it should look. I think that it

The Lord gifts each of us and our spouses so differently, and sometimes those giftings require sacrifices of different kinds as we respond to the call of the Lord in a given season. Singer/songwriter Caroline Cobb joins me today to describe her husband’s volunteer position as a lay elder at their church and how she supports him and the local church through that ministry.  SHOW NOTES Though a lay elder is unpaid, their time is invaluable and vital to the health of the church.  As a lay elder’s wife, wisdom needs to be employed to balance supporting your husband as he counsels others but also maintaining privacy of those walking through trials.  You can support your elder husband and your church through consistent prayer. QUOTES “I think when he is sharing with me what he needs support in. So I might not know all the details of a marriage that’s falling apart or who it even is, but I know that there’s a marriage falling apart and that he’s ministering to them. He won’t share

Walking into a church for the first time can be a very scary experience for newcomers. Sometimes it feels just as scary for us to approach and invite them into our circle. Pastor’s wife, author, and podcaster Jen Oshman shares her practical tips for creating a culture of welcome within the church. Jen tells us how welcome helped draw her to Christ, reminds us who Jesus says our primary family truly is, and encourages us to embrace the awkward in welcome culture.  SHOW NOTES Treat those who are alone or new in your church with urgency. Stop what you’re doing and intentionally draw them in. Ask God during the week, “Who do you want me to have eyes to see this Sunday?” Set a tone of welcome among the leaders in your church, and make the hard choice to choose welcoming newcomers over spending time with friends on Sundays.  QUOTES “Welcome is so much more than a greeting. I need to genuinely go toward people and welcome them not just to Sunday morning, but maybe to my home after church, maybe to anothe

We live in a broken world full of pain and suffering. We are bound to suffer trauma and grief; how do we navigate that pain as believers? Pastor’s wife, writer and podcaster Danielle Kelly joins the show today to share how God invited her into biblical lament as a lifestyle and how choosing to trust God’s character in the process transformed her life and relationship with Him. SHOW NOTES Biblical lament is more than crying aloud with your grief; it’s grieving with a purpose that draws you into deeper trust in God.  On the other side of entering lament with Jesus is beauty, joy, and new growth. Embrace lament as a lifestyle that will ebb and flow throughout your life. Make space for it whenever it arrives.  QUOTES “One of the things that God started to show me is that lament is beautiful because I was scared of it. I said ‘Okay, I see you inviting me into this, but I feel like it’s a dark pit that I can’t see the other side of, and I don’t know what’s at the bottom of

On this special episode of the Ministry Wives Podcast, Christine hands the microphone over to Lynley and Ben Mandrell as special guest hosts. Christine and Kyle open up about a very vulnerable time in their life and marriage, the lessons God taught them, and the book that was born out of that season, “You Are Not Forgotten,” out April 23. QUOTES “I think the main thing I learned was that God really does see me, and that’s why I wrote this book. These truths are holding me now as we’re going through a whole different season of suffering. I have not doubted God in our current suffering because I know what He did for me when I felt so buried, He saw me and He pulled me out.” -Christine Hoover “One thing I learned in that time was that I often thought about ministry as outside of my home, meaning other people that are not in my family. I thought of my kids as part of my ministry, but I rarely thought about Kyle as my ministry, and we just did not carve out time for one another.  But

In theory, we should always desire to serve God in ministry to honor and obey him, but in practice, we may sometimes find ourselves struggling with our motivations in ministry. We struggle with what we think we “should” do, wanting to please others, even wanting recognition for our service. Pastor’s wife Krissie Inserra shares how God has worked on the motivations of her heart in the last 16 years of their Tallahassee church plant. Krissie explains how God has taught her who He created her to be and how she recognizes the different seasons of life God has placed her. She also shares the importance of frequent heart checks, ridding her heart of glory-seeking motivations.  SHOW NOTES Don’t fall prey to people pleasing behaviors. Ask God how He has gifted you and serve in those areas.  Be aware of what season you are in. You may be called to operate in a lot of ministry in church or you may be called to operate in ministry heavily within your home.  Regularly check your heart. Prideful motivations of wantin

God calls us to serve in so many different ministry contexts. Sometimes we’ll be called to serve in large spaces with hundreds of people, and sometimes God calls us into small environments with less than 10. Church planting wife Wendy Ortiz shares her experiences serving in small churches both in the US and Puerto Rico. She explains the joys and challenges of small environments, including God’s work in her heart regarding letting go of control.  SHOW NOTES Small churches allow a family-like atmosphere as well as an unearthing of gifts that may be overlooked in larger churches.  Don’t fall into the comparison trap. God will decide how big He wants your church to be. Focus on being a faithful steward.  Encourage your husband, celebrate every victory, and be intentional about connecting with other church planting wives.  QUOTES “What would I say to myself? God is going to do what He wants to do. Don’t worry. Just be obedient, do what He calls you to do and help your husband and don’t be a

As believers and ministry wives, we will experience times of spiritual dryness, times where we struggle to experience the truth of God’s presence in our daily lives, times where our spiritual walk feels stagnant and emotionless. We live in a world full of distraction and fatigue; the battle to focus on Christ is ever present.  Author, mother, and pastor’s wife Kristen Wetherell has experienced times of spiritual dryness in her own walk and joins us today to share her story. Kristen shines light on some symptoms of spiritual dryness to be on the alert for, as well as how to navigate those seasons with Christ and community at the forefront.  SHOW NOTES In times of spiritual dryness, choose community and confession rather than shame and isolation.  Symptoms of the beginnings of spiritual dryness can include distraction, discouragement, physical fatigue, ministry burnout, or temptation engagement. Discipline and desire go hand in hand. The more we discipline ourselves spiritually, the more we begin to desire

There is no escaping the reality that women within our church will experience the loss of their spouse at some point in their lives. The Bible instructs us to take care of widows, but how do we practically live that out? Melissa Swain lost her pastor husband Chris unexpectedly in 2021 and joins the podcast to tell her story. Melissa shares how specific help, inclusion, and an admission of the hard has helped her and her children navigate in their new world.   SHOW NOTES Try to be specific in your offers of help (mowing the lawn, picking up groceries) rather than asking “What can I do for you?” Even though they might not always be able to attend or give input, continue providing opportunities for fellowship and ministry as you did before.  When you don’t know what to say, don’t avoid reaching out. It’s okay to simply say, “I love you and I don’t know what to say.” QUOTES “I understand the statistic that 50% of widows leave their church. Their person that they walk in with, sit with, go to classes w

Sometimes unmet expectations seem to pop up everywhere in our lives. We experience hardship or failure in life and ministry over and over again. Today, author and pastor’s wife Lisa Hughes teaches us how to reshape our thinking regarding unmet expectations. She shares that we need to not only expect the hard things, but also accept that the Lord is always doing what seems good to Him. We can find joy in the hardship while drawing closer to Jesus when faced with unmet expectations, choosing to obey Him even when it’s hard.  SHOW NOTES Identifying an unmet expectation often means identifying a sin in your heart where you’re not thinking rightly about God or what He’s doing in your life.  Reshaping our thinking means letting the Lord do what seems good to Him and aligning our thoughts to match Scripture. You have to decide how to respond to unmet expectations: with despair or with belief and obedience to God.  QUOTES “It is the Lord, let Him do what seems good to Him. He’s given me this little

Life in a parachurch ministry often looks very different from life in other ministries, but the goal is always the same: live as a minister of the gospel. Rachel Shelton and her husband were called to minister full time at TBarM Camps in Texas. Rachel describes the joys and challenges of camp life, and how her family focuses on doing life with others as they point them to Christ.  SHOW NOTES Camp ministry allows campers to experience God in a unique environment where everyone is living outside their normal life.  Life at camp allows leadership to teach college students about pouring into others even when they feel completely empty.  No matter what ministry you serve in, strive to integrate the different areas of your life. You are called to minister the gospel everywhere.  QUOTES “We’re learning to be who we are as we relate to the students and share what the Lord is doing. They’re not looking for people older than them to try to connect and be real young and hip. They’re just lo

Ministry often stretches us to grow in ways we never imagined, some that are hard but many that can bring us deep joy. Raising children in a completely different culture for missions is no different. Missionary wife, author, and podcaster Keri Folmar joins me to shine light on the joys she experienced raising missionary children. She shares how God used their upbringing on a different continent to teach them about hospitality towards all and the unity that comes from Christ alone.  SHOW NOTES No matter what culture the Lord calls you to, parenting has joys and challenges. Embrace both and lean on Him.  One of the greatest joys in missions is allowing your children to see the unity that comes from Christ, not from culture.  The most important thing your children can see is you living for Christ and loving Him above all else, not living for your ministry.   QUOTES “The thing with being in a church like this, we don’t have any culture to unite us, but we’re united in the Lord Jesus Christ

Clint and Jennifer Clifton spent their lives planting churches as well as pouring themselves into training and encouraging planters and their wives all over the globe. Jennifer joins the podcast to talk about the legacy of her late husband and how she sees the Lord opening opportunities for her to continue to encourage ministry wives just like us. Jennifer also shares her unique perspective on helping marriage and family thrive within the framework of full-time ministry. QUOTES “What our roles are depends on what season we’re in. If we’ve got a bunch of little kids, it’s really hard to be super involved, but if your kids are older, it may be a little easier. Our roles change with seasons. It’s important for church planter wives to recognize that and be encouraged in that. And husbands need to recognize that about their wives and help them recognize what seasons they’re in and how they best can be used in that season.” -Jennifer Clifton “We just involved our kids

Finding your place in ministry as a pastor’s wife or ministry wife can leave you feeling frustrated and stuck. You might feel constrained by expectations in your church, confused about where you are being called, or feeling stuck because a role you used to fulfill is no longer needed. Pastor’s wife and podcaster Angie Brown Elkins joins me today to share how she has reinvented herself in ministry over the years and how changing her thoughts around “calling” has allowed her to always find ways to serve God.   SHOW NOTES Sometimes finding your place means saying “yes” to God, even if it means reinventing yourself and starting something new. Your calling is ultimately to make disciples and love your neighbors. There is always a way to minister in those areas. If you feel stuck, challenge yourself to do something you’ve never done before and commit to it. QUOTES “God will let you serve him if you will just say yes to whatever He’s asking, and maybe it will look completely different at times. You

As ministry wives, it’s far too easy to put ourselves inside a glass bubble with expectations that God does not desire for us. First and foremost, God calls us to be faithful Christians and church members. Pastor’s wife Jeanine Sanchez shares how she teaches other ministry wives to examine the motivations behind their internal and external expectations, focusing on God’s intentions for them in ministry, and how to walk in the inevitable disappointment of others.  SHOW NOTES Examine internal and external expectations through prayer and intentionality, asking God to reveal the true intentions of your heart, always seeking the counsel of your husband. There will be seasons where God’s expectations will stretch you beyond comfort, but He won’t keep you there forever. People will have unmet expectations of you. Disciple them by responding with humility and help them think rightly. QUOTES “At the end of it, you can’t be all things to all people. Think back to the Messiah complex. You are one

It can be difficult to fully understand the life of a pastor’s wife without being a pastor’s wife. But understanding this role can help us not only be more compassionate with one another as ministry wives, but also show us how we can better serve one another. Caroline Saunders has been a pastor’s wife for the last 14 years and shares with us the difficulties, the joys, and even some of the hilarious moments she’s encountered along the way. SHOW NOTES Pastors’ wives have to learn to endure and persevere in building up the church even when they don’t agree with the decisions being made by their husbands or the elders. Relationships are harder to navigate because of the nature of their husband’s job and the complexities that go along with the areas of overlap. Bless your pastor’s wife by asking God to help you see ways that she is unseen, and encourage her in those areas. QUOTES “This is the thing that’s teaching me faithfulness, the beauty of the body of Christ and how I must not let secondary

When Covid hit, none of us could have imagined how far reaching its effects would be, nor for how long we would be grappling with the various issues raised by its influence in our lives. Toronto Send Relief Ministry Centre Director and church planter’s wife Kimberley McGibbon shares how Covid forever changed her life and ministry. She explains how God used Covid to return her identity to Christ, pushed her to reach out to others amidst isolation, and opened her eyes to the new opportunities for discipleship within her city. SHOW NOTES Isolation is deadly. Humble yourself and be willing to be welcomed by other ministry wives for much needed love and support. Allow yourself to grieve when people leave, but take that grief to Jesus. He knows better than anyone what it’s like to be left. Covid has made unchurched people question life like never before. The harvest is ripe for the church to minister in their cities! QUOTES “In the past 20 years, lots of times people have left for different reasons. Som

In its most basic form, Women’s Ministry isn’t about fancy events or complicated Bible studies; it’s about meeting women’s needs where they are. Lifeway Women’s Ministry Specialist Kelly King shares how we can create a lifestyle of women’s ministry that helps get women in the Word, providing encouragement and creating a deeply desired community. Kelly also gives us some practical ideas for troubleshooting challenges that may arise, along with basic leadership principles to help us grow as ministry wives in leadership.  SHOW NOTES Successful women’s ministries are centered on God’s Word and create an atmosphere of friendship and authenticity. When trying to start a new women’s ministry, look at the needs of the women in your church and community. How can you encourage them and lead them towards Jesus? If you are willing to listen to feedback, the Lord can help change you to love and lead others better. QUOTES “Number one, women need encouragement. So start there. How are we encouraging women, but a

Love one another. Serve one another. The New Testament is full of commandments instructing us to engage in relationships with one another, including those of the opposite sex. The church must battle against the lie that men and women cannot operate as friends and recover brother-sister relationships within the body of Christ. Close friends and colleagues Jen Wilkin and JT English share today how their friendship is based on mutual respect and trust, the importance of spiritual maturity in this area, and how the church can become stronger and more effective by embracing biblical male/female friendships. SHOW NOTES We need to recover friendship between brothers and sisters in the church, encouraging one another, celebrating each other, and elevating one another’s gifts. Biblical friendship is dependent upon trust, respect, and spiritual maturity. Continue to offer the hand of friendship even in spaces where you don’t feel entirely welcome. QUOTES “The lie that has been told to a generation, not just

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