Rusty George Podcast

Tune in as Simple Faith host Rusty George talks about how we can find God in the midst of films, joining alongside Church360 in their series "At the Movies." This week Rusty looks at what movies can tell us about the nature of God. Don't miss this special series!

In this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George sits down with Jimmy Dodd — author, speaker, and founder of PastorServe — to talk about something every churchgoer needs to hear: how to support your pastor well. With decades of experience walking alongside ministry leaders, Jimmy shares powerful insights into the challenges pastors face and how simple acts of encouragement can make a lasting impact.You’ll hear about the mission of PastorServe, stories from the front lines of pastoral care, and practical ways you can help your church thrive by helping your pastor thrive. Whether you're in ministry or part of a congregation, this conversation will deepen your understanding of leadership, support, and simple faith in action.Link to purchase booksWebsiteYouTube | Apple | Spotify | Online

In this insightful episode of Simple Faith, Pastor Rusty George is joined by Dave Dummitt, an innovative church leader and former Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. With decades of experience leading thriving churches like 2|42 Community Church—one of the fastest-growing in the country—Dave brings a wealth of wisdom to the conversation.Together, Rusty and Dave dive into a topic every leader, pastor, and believer grapples with: criticism. In a world full of opinions, how do we know which voices to pay attention to and which to tune out? Dave shares personal experiences from his journey in ministry, offering practical tools for discerning feedback, protecting your calling, and leading with clarity and confidence.Whether you're leading a church, a team, or simply trying to live out your faith in a noisy world, this episode will encourage you to develop the spiritual and emotional maturity to handle critique—and grow because of it.Dave Dummitt Social Media:Instagram: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&a

The June 23rd Monday Minute is here! This week at Church360, we begin a new series called "Money Talks." Tune in during an extra minute of your day to listen to some thoughts that didn't make it into the message!

In this episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with the ever-inspiring Annie F. Downs—New York Times bestselling author, speaker, and host of the wildly popular That Sounds Fun podcast. With her signature warmth and authenticity, Annie shares how reading the Gospels doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Together, they explore practical ways to connect with Jesus through Scripture, what it looks like to read the Bible with fresh eyes, and how to find joy in simple spiritual rhythms. Whether you’re a longtime believer or just starting out, Annie’s wisdom and humor will leave you encouraged to dive deeper into God’s Word.Learn more about Annie at anniefdowns.com and follow her on socials @anniefdowns.

Happy Monday! The June 16th Monday Minute is here! Tune in to hear some encouragement inspired by this week’s sermon at Church360. 

Part Two with John Ortberg is here! In this episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg to explore practical, meaningful ways to connect with God in everyday life. Known for The Life You’ve Always Wanted and Soul Keeping, John shares insights on slowing down, noticing God’s presence, and simplifying your spiritual journey. Tune in to hear them wrap up their conversation!

The June 9th Monday Minute is here! Tune in to hear some thoughts and wisdom that didn't make it into the Sunday sermon.

In this episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg to explore practical, meaningful ways to connect with God in everyday life. Known for The Life You’ve Always Wanted and Soul Keeping, John shares insights on slowing down, noticing God’s presence, and simplifying your spiritual journey. Don’t miss Part 1 of this encouraging conversation.

Tune in to this weeks’ Monday Minute! This week, Bryan Mrazek adds some key points to his message from this Sunday in a simple one minute video! Listen in on your drive home from work or to pickup the kids!

In this powerful episode of Simple Faith, Rusty George sits down with Zia Hassan, a former Sunni Muslim born in Pakistan who spent over five decades faithfully practicing Islam. After moving to the United States in the early 1980s and building a successful life as a restaurant executive, husband, and father, Zia experienced a profound transformation in 2004—one that would lead him to explore the Christian faith of his ancestors.Zia shares his remarkable story of how a life-changing moment sparked a spiritual journey toward Jesus Christ, ultimately leading him to embrace a new faith. Now a devoted follower of Christ and active member of Church360 in Grand Prairie, Zia opens up about the challenges, revelations, and deep peace he's found along the way.Join us for an inspiring conversation about courage, conviction, and the simple yet profound power of faith.

Sustaining Relational Apologetics: The Long View of InfluenceIn the grand finale of the five-part journey into Relational Apologetics on the Simple Faith Podcast, host Rusty George looks into how to sustain a relational approach to faith as a way of life. He recaps the series' highlights, emphasizing building genuine human connections, listening with empathy, and creating a loving community. Through personal stories and practical advice, Rusty illustrates that true faith isn't built on winning arguments but on meaningful relationships and long-term perseverance. Join us to learn the art of nurturing relational apologetics effectively in your daily life.00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith00:20 Recap of Relational Apologetics Series00:41 Sustaining Relational Apologetics01:57 Challenges of Relationships03:42 The Importance of Patience and Perseverance04:18 A Personal Testimony06:48 The Power of Community07:56 Living Out Relational Apologetics10:41 The Long View of Influence12:24 Conclusion and Encouragement13:35

Navigating Objections & QuestionsJoin Rusty George in episode four of the 'Relational Apologetics' series as he delves into the challenges of objections and difficult questions in relational apologetics. This episode shows the importance of viewing objections as opportunities for deeper engagement rather than signs of rejection. Rusty highlights strategies such as empathetic listening, asking clarifying questions, and building personal connections to foster meaningful conversations about faith. Reflect on practical ways to show respect and empathy while navigating intellectual, emotional, and practical objections, and prepare to explore the long-term approach of relational faith in the upcoming final episode.00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith00:20 Recap of Previous Episodes00:38 Addressing Objections in Faith Conversations01:31 The Power of Questions and Empathy07:52 The Role of Personal Stories and Testimonies09:20 Dealing with Intellectual and Emotional Objections10:30 Maintaining Relationships Despite

Building Bridges: Finding Common Ground in Relational ApologeticsIn this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George discusses the vital role of finding common ground in a diverse world as part of relational apologetics. Key points include the significance of shared human longings, bridging cultural and political divides, and using pop culture references for meaningful discussions. Rusty emphasizes the importance of listening, understanding other perspectives, and sharing personal faith stories to create connections without compromising core Christian beliefs. The episode also touches on historical examples like St. Patrick’s use of symbols to communicate the gospel and explores the balance needed to address theological differences respectfully.00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith00:36 The Importance of Finding Common Ground01:43 Shared Human Longings as Bridges05:30 The Role of Cultural References08:54 The Power of Personal Stories12:18 Understanding Other Perspectives14:33 Conclusion and Next Steps

Tune in to this week’s Monday Minute with Rusty! Have a minute of free time on your drive? Listen in for some encouragement!

Developing the Empathetic Ear: Listening with Heart in Relational ApologeticsIn this episode of Simple Faith, host Rusty George delves into the second installment of a five-part miniseries on relational apologetics. This episode emphasizes the importance of developing the empathetic ear, learning to truly hear the heart behind people's questions and objections about faith. Rusty and his guests explore stories and practical strategies for effective listening, including the wisdom of Jesus' interactions, insights from negotiation experts, and the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding conversations. Tune in to discover how empathetic listening can create meaningful connections and open doors for sharing the gospel.00:00 Introduction to Simple Faith00:35 Developing the Empathetic Ear03:46 The Power of Listening: A Story from Venezuela07:13 Emptying the Bucket: Simon Sinek's Approach08:57 Asking Good Questions in Relational Apologetics12:20 The Role of the Holy Spirit in Community17:29 Preparing the Ground for the Go

Listen in to Week One of our new series, "You Asked for It" where we answer questions YOU have asked! This week, tune in as we answer the question, "How can we trust the resurrection?". Join us as we hear from guest speaker J. Warner Wallace, a cold case detective who sought to disprove Christianity but instead did just the opposite. This is a week you don't want to miss!

Relational Apologetics: Connecting Through CommunityIn this special five-part series from Simple Faith, we explore the concept of relational apologetics as an alternative to traditional approaches that can feel argumentative and challenging. Rusty George discusses how genuine human connection and community can make sharing your faith more approachable and effective. By examining historical and modern methods of evangelism, featuring insights from experts, and sharing real-life examples, this series redefines evangelism for those who feel uncomfortable with conventional apologetics. Discover how cultivating trust and understanding can create fertile ground for faith to flourish and make sharing your beliefs a more collective and less daunting endeavor.00:00 Introduction to Apologetics01:47 The Challenge of Sharing Faith03:24 Relational Apologetics: A New Approach03:47 Historical Perspectives on Evangelism04:47 The Celtic Model of Community08:00 Modern Applications of Relational Apologetics09:12 Personal Storie

The weekly Monday Minute is here! Tune in to hear some encouragement from Rusty as you begin your week!

Happy Easter! He is Risen! Got an extra minute while driving to work or dropping the kids off at school? Join us for day 8 of “Pray On The Way to Easter” as we begin each morning with a prayer going into this upcoming Easter Sunday.