Joe & Betsy Pittenger, Lead Pastors at Uplift Church | What is our Identity?
What if one of the biggest mistakes Christians make is confusing their assignment with their identity?In this episode of the Be Bold For Jesus Podcast, we sit down with Joe and Betsy Pittenger, pastors of Uplift Church in Spokane Valley, to talk about ministry, worship, church planting, and the lifelong journey of discovering who we are in Christ. Their story spans decades of worship ministry, Bible college, church leadership, business ownership, and church planting, but through every season God continued teaching them the same lesson: our identity isn't found in what we do, but in who we belong to.Joe and Betsy share how a simple act of serving in youth ministry led them into worship leadership, Bible college, and eventually planting Uplift Church. Along the way, they experienced incredible victories, painful setbacks, unexpected transitions, and moments when God asked them to surrender things they never thought they'd let go of. Through it all, they learned what it means to give God their "yes" and trust Him with the outcome.We dive deep into topics like purpose, identity, church planting, worship, calling, and why so many believers struggle when they place their worth in a title, position, ministry, or accomplishment. Joe and Betsy explain why every believer has an assignment from God, but those assignments should never define us. Instead, they point us back to the truth that we are sons and daughters of God first.This conversation is filled with wisdom, authenticity, and decades of ministry experience. Whether you're a pastor, business owner, volunteer, parent, or simply someone questioning your purpose, this episode will encourage you to find freedom, peace, and joy in your identity in Christ rather than the roles you fill.✝️ Be Bold For Jesus Conference ✝️https://bebold4jesus.org/spokane/✌️ Stay Connected with Be Bold For Jesus ✌️https://bebold4jesus.org Instagram: @bebold4jesusministries⛪ Learn More About Uplift Church ⛪Uplift Church Spokane Valley, WA Sunday Service: 10:00 AM🏠 Sponsors 🏠https://cogocapital.comhttps://patriotmobile.com/bb4jhttps://thesaviorbrand.com/?ref=bb4j🎥 Chapters 🎥(0:00) Meet Joe & Betsy Pittenger(0:54) Moving to Spokane & Early Ministry(2:11) The Story of Uplift Church(2:39) How Worship Ministry Began(3:02) A Chaperone Trip That Changed Everything(4:09) Singing Together for the First Time(4:58) Bible College & Chapel Ministry(6:40) From California Back to Spokane(7:21) Traveling in Worship Ministry(8:22) Helping Other Church Plants(9:03) When God Calls You Back Into Ministry(9:43) Giving God Your Yes(10:52) Leaving Comfort Behind(11:57) God's Call to Plant a Church(13:57) Saying Yes to Church Planting(14:23) God Provides a Building(14:47) Starting in a Warehouse(15:22) The Vision Behind Uplift Church(15:55) Thirteen Years of God's Faithfulness(16:37) Identity, Calling & Ministry(18:02) When God Takes Away What You Built(19:24) Success vs Faithfulness(20:20) A Heart for Revival in Spokane(21:03) Experiences Over Possessions(21:47) The Faithfulness of God(23:09) Freedom Through Knowing Christ(24:11) Anxiety, Trust & Letting Go(25:14) Identity Is Not What You Do(26:26) What Is Our Purpose?(27:15) Reflecting Christ to the World(28:50) Knowing God Above Everything Else(30:22) Created to Glorify the Creator(31:11) Finding Purpose Through Worship(32:07) Joe's Adoption Story & Identity Journey(33:16) Assignments vs Identity(34:24) Lessons from Philippians(35:35) Contentment in Every Season(36:36) Dying to Self & Living for Christ(38:03) Everyday Ministry Opportunities(39:10) Crucified With Christ(41:11) God's Presence in Every Valley(41:49) How to Support Uplift Church(42:21) An Invitation to Visit(43:05) Be Bold For Jesus Conference(43:52) Closing Thoughts