Addiction, Desire, and Ministry // Greg Oliver

Cathy Loerzel is the co-founder and Executive Vice President of The Allender Center, an organization focused on healing trauma through the power of story, psychology, and theology. She works closely with Dr. Dan Allender to train therapists, pastors, and leaders in narrative-focused care. Cathy is also the co-author of Redeeming Heartache: How Past Suffering Reveals True Calling, which explores how pain and trauma can become sources of purpose and restoration. With a background in counseling and community development, she is known for her compassionate, insightful approach to helping people understand their stories and reclaim their identities. Beyond her leadership and writing, Cathy is a frequent speaker and teacher on topics of redemption, identity, and relational wholeness. http://www.worshipcircle.com

In this podcast, we are honored to dive into a subject that can be filled with shame and contempt. Our friend, Greg Oliver of Awaken Ministries in Birmingham, AL, shares the story of how his worst days turned into a ministry that now helps many who struggle with sexual addiction move toward recovery and healing. http://www.worshipcircle.com

In this podcast, we are honored to hear from Bill and Kristi Gaultiere, leaders of Soul Shepherding, a ministry to bring health and healing to ministry leaders. They were both mentored by Dallas Willard and his wife, Jane, and trained in psychotherapy and spiritual direction. Their new book, Deeply Loved, is out now and helps us all understand God’s deep empathy for us, which in turn allows us to offer it to others.  http://www.worshipcircle.com

In this podcast, we are honored to have friend, prolific songwriter, and Worship Circle small group leader, Andy Gullahorn, share about his continued journey of following God in this world of grief and joy. Andy shares insights about his new project, “Winning Streak,” and his approach to songwriting. Head to the Worship Circle Podcast YouTube channel for the video version.  http://www.worshipcircle.com

In this podcast, we are honored to sit down with one of our dear coaches, Kristene Dimarco. Kristene’s passion for music, art, and decorating is a part of the way she’s bringing beauty and life into her home spaces and ministry spaces, all while taking ground against the enemy with her life.  http://www.worshipcircle.com

In this podcast, we are joined by three Worship Circle group leaders who began their journey with the ministry by taking the first step of attending the annual online SUMMIT! Cristabelle Braden, Jayden Stanley, and Seth Hardy are with us to share what it was like for them to take that first step, and also what God has done in their lives since.  http://www.worshipcircle.com

Our guest on this podcast has remained faithful through every season—as a friend, husband, father, drummer, and pastor. From the early days of 7:22 in Atlanta, GA, to serving on church staff for many years, and now in his role as a Working Genius Coach, Elliott shares how God has used his passion for being behind the band as a drummer to shepherd and guide teams toward greater health and wholeness. http://www.worshipcircle.com

Are you feeling hurt, tired, lonely, and yearning for a safe community that offers presence and love? Our REST Retreat, scheduled for October 20-22 this coming fall, could be an ideal starting point for you to embark on the Worship Circle journey! In this episode, we are delighted to have Aaron and Janie Hoskins share their inspiring story of how God met them and continues to meet them through their deep connection to this family.   http://www.worshipcircle.com

In this podcast, we hear from Jala Tass and Demi Dodds from Christ Chapel Bible Church in Fort Worth, TX, as well as Meridith Parker and Sabrina Dillard from New Life Church in Denton, TX, following our time at the first-ever Worship Circle Story Conference in Dallas, TX. They each share a bit about their journey in ministry and also how God revealed His love and presence to them at the story conference.  http://www.worshipcircle.com

We often struggle to sit with others in their pain and sorrow because we haven’t fully faced our own. Instead, we offer verses or spiritual-sounding one-liners—sometimes without realizing they signal our discomfort with being truly present in suffering. But Jesus knew how.In this podcast, our friend Karrie Scott Garcia helps us understand why our past stories matter and how, through community, our brains can be rewired and healed http://www.worshipcircle.com