The Follower Podcast (followerpodcast)

In this once off episode I share some thoughts on Spiritual formation as an introduction to those interested in this stream of Christianity. 

This episode is an edited down version of a talk I recorded for Festival Church in the UK. I share it here in the hopes that it will serve you swell. 

For the video version you can go to www.mattlewis.co.za and find links to my YouTube account as well as other platforms.

In this episode, I share a little bit of my own journey over the last few months and speak about a new series on The Follower Podcast called Into the Deep.

The C.S Lewis quote on pain being God's megaphone can be found in his book, The problem of pain.  

The scripture passage I use is Luke 5:1-8

You can stay connected with all things Follower on our new Instagram Page

In the final episode of The Rough Cuts series, Matthew shares a few thoughts on the realities of Evil and our need for deliverance. 

This is the final episode in the Lord's prayer series. Please like, share, and leave a review if you find it helpful. 

In the second episode of our three-part series on prayer, Jill Weber gives us some valuable insight into the practice of intercessory prayer. 

Jill serves with 24/7 Prayer in several capacities including helping establish a community of prayer at Waverly Abbey. 

But, more than any of the roles that she fulfills, her greatest gift is the person she has become in a life given to prayer. It's from this rich resource that she serves us in this episode. We hope you find it helpful. 

As always, please like, share, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps us get the podcast to others. And, if you would like to support this work with a once-off or ongoing donation, you can go to www.wearefollower.com

This is the fourth in a Follower Podcast series called Saturate. Throughout the series I will be having conversations with people who are living out their faith in different spheres of society. We talk about their personal friendship with Jesus and about what they think it means to follow him in their Sphere in the wake of Covid 19. In this session I speak with Kenley Swart about the Sphere of creativity and the arts.

The resources that Kenley mentions in the chat can be found here:

Vergeet My Nie Movie

Falling upwards

Sex God

Guardians of the flame

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In this episode we sit down with two friends from very different world to discuss what reconciliation across the socio-economic divide that is so present in South Africa and many other parts of the world might look like. 

The gift of this conversation is that it's not purely theoretical. Both Dani and Brandon share insights on how we might become bridges in our divided societies that they have learned form participation in that holy, healing work. 

As always we pray that this conversation will help you follow Jesus to the depths of His heart and the ends of the earth, particularly into the lives of those who seem to be so different from you.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with your world. 

You can also help us make more episodes like this through a once off or ongoing donation at www.wearefollower.com

Afrika Mhlophe has been in ministry since 1998 and in 2002 he became the leading pastor of Good News Community Church in Port Elizabeth.

He ministers across South Africa with a primary focus on calling Christians to bring kingdom influence into every domain of life. This is why he speaks and writes on difficult subjects such as racism, corruption, and idolatry. 

In this conversation, we talk about culture and the importance of being defined by Christ alone. 

Afrika's books include:

• Christianity and the Veneration of the Dead
• Freed by God Imprisoned by Culture
• A Passion for Position

You can find Afrika on social media platforms or visit his website at www.afrikam.co.za to find his resources and get in touch with him. 

The final session in a four part series exploring the Gospel and why it brings hope even in the most difficult circumstances. In this session we explore the servant, his supper and what it means for those of us who live in its wake.

Carl Tinnion is an Englishman who has worked with YWAM (Youth With A Mission) since 1994. Trying to define him is a bit like trying to nail jelly to a wall. He is unconventional to say the least. 

Having ministered in over 45 countries, led a number of missionary training communities, served as the National Director for YWAM England for 6 years as well as the European Regional Chair for over 10 years, and completed his master's degree in Applied Theology and Reflective Practice, Carl comes with a wealth of knowledge and depth of insight that I found so encouraging. 

Carl now lives in New Zealand where he and his family serve in the Anglican Church exploring fresh expressions of church planting in the region.

We hope this conversation will help you as you grow in following Jesus each day and inspire you to think outside the box as you serve others in the love of God.  

To connect with more of what Carl is doing you can have a look at the following:

Heavenly Nosh on Youtube

Carl Tinnion blog

In this conversation with Langa Mbonambi from the We Will Worship Movement we hear his story of growing up in South Africa, his thoughts on reconciliation, the ways he is working to facilitate it in his context, and why (in the end) it all comes down to following Jesus. 

We also include a clip from the latest We Will Worship album, Izililo. You can find the full album here

As always please like, share, rate, comment and subscribe. It helps us get conversations like these to more people. 

If you would like to support the Ministry of Follower with a once-off or ongoing donation you can do so here

Few regions in the world are as historically contested and culturally contentious as Israel, Palestine and the surrounding areas.

It would be easier to avoid discussing the conflict that currently rages there, it would certainly be less risky, but a podcast on reconciliation at this moment in history would be remiss in avoiding this conversation for the sake of playing it safe. 

As a Jewish woman currently living in Jerusalem and inspired by her faith in Jesus (or Jeshua as she likes to call Him) Orna Grinman has been working for reconciliation between Jews and Arabs in this region for years. 

This podcast is far from the last word on the matter. It isn't trying to be. Instead, we hoped to have a discussion that wrestled with the tension of what has become a polarising conversation and to do so in such a way that ultimately pointed people to Jesus. 

I think we did that.

There were many questions I still had, and some of Orna's perspectives that I'm not sure I completely agree with, but overall I appreciated her humility and the very evident love she carries for Jesus and the people He has called her to serve. People that, without the love of Jesus it would have been easy for her to hate. 

If you would like to find out more about Orna's work you can go to Ot OoMofet Ministries to get connected.

As always, if this episode has been helpful to you, please subscribe, share and leave a review. 

If you would like to help us produce more podcasts like this you can give a once-off or ongoing donation www.werarefollower.com

Trevor Hudson is a Methodist minister, pastoral therapist, and retreat leader in South Africa. He is the author of several books and travels widely to conduct conferences, workshops, and retreats

In this episode Matthew speaks with Trevor about learning and practice in the way of Jesus. Among others things, Trevor reminds us in this conversation that we do not think or control our way into deeper friendship with Jesus. We interact our way there. 

To find Trevors' book Seeking God, you can follow this link 

To find out more about follower you can visit www.wearefollower.com

Life can sometimes be monotonous, perilous, and occasionally wondrous. In this conversation with Jill Weber, we unpack how we can reconnect with our Heavenly Father when life feels blurry, and look at the beautiful, powerful, invaluable gift of prayer.

Jill Weber serves on 24-7 Prayer’s International Leadership team and is the Director of Spiritual Formation at Emmaus Road Church in Guildford. She is also the Global Convenor of the Order of the Mustard Seed, a lay ecumenical religious order.

In this episode, she shares her gift of poetry with us, quoting extracts from her book, 'Even The Sparrow'.

Resources:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Even-Sparrow-Pilgrims-Prayer-Following/dp/1910012718/ref=asc_df_1910012718/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=344285135448&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5289844502207092978&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045957&hvtargid=pla-835433872503&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

In this second episode of the rough cuts Matthew shares a few thoughts about the Transcendent Immanence of God that is to be discovered in the reality of a Father who is in Heaven.

In this episode, I speak with Carolyn Arends about her own experience with suffering and some of the insights and perspectives she has gleaned along the way to follow Jesus into the deep. 

You can find out more about what Carolyn is doing in the following places. 

Renovare

Her Website

Instagram

In this episode, we sit down with Katia Adams and Terran Williams to discuss the role of women in The Church and explore why a wound of which we seldom speak is, in fact, an issue of reconciliation that needs to be considered in the Christlike Spirit of Love. 

Katia is an author, preacher, and the founding pastor of The Table Boston. Her book, Equal, explores what the bible says about Women, Men and authority and her online course called Her Voice is designed to equip women preachers. Katia is also married to Julian with whom she is the director of Frequentsee Inc. and is the mother of two children

Terran is an author, speaker, and pastor of Signal church in Cape Town, South Africa. In his book, How God Sees Women, Terran points to God's desire for the unity of men and women, in creation, in the church, and in Christ in what has been described as a landmark book for our generation. Terran is also married to Julie and is the father of five children.  

Both Katia and Terran engaged in this conversation with a rare combination of conviction and grace that made it as encouraging as it was challenging.

If you (or someone you know) are wrestling with what to think or how to pray around the role of women in the Church and why that matters for the world, we hope that you'll be helped by this episode. 

For more on either Katia or Terran and to get their books and other resources, you can visit their respective websites. 

Katiaadams.org

Terranwilliams.com

As always please subscribe, share and leave a review if you enjoyed this conversation and, if you would like to help us make more conversations like this available, you can give a once-off or ongoing donation at www.wearefollower.com

The technologies of our day are determined to keep us scrolling and swiping at all costs, plugged into a feedback loop of impatience, comparison, outrage, and contempt.

How are followers of Jesus supposed to respond? What would it feel like to acknowledge God's holy presence in that space?

Jay Kim, author of 'Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age' talks to us about how we can cultivate the contentment, resilience, and wisdom to not only survive but to thrive as we navigate the specific challenges of our age.

Source links:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Analog-Christian-Cultivating-Contentment-Resilience/dp/1514003163/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_w=C4j8A&content-id=amzn1.sym.2d229339-2f42-4596-a90d-b81a4f52d6d3&pf_rd_p=2d229339-2f42-4596-a90d-b81a4f52d6d3&pf_rd_r=NXPXE3G1RN5NP9AHWGSR&pd_rd_wg=KH9mY&pd_rd_r=965db7f6-fcb6-492f-8ec4-ead31cbac941&pd_rd_i=1514003163&psc=1

There are people who live the Gospel in such a compelling way that it inspires you to do the same. Pete Portal is one of those people. Having lived and ministered in Mannenberg, Cape Town for the past 15 years, Pete has many stories to tell about what it means to follow Jesus to the depths and the ends. Pete is a husband to his wife Sarah, father to his daughter Simi, servant at Tree of life Mannenberg, and author of the book No neutral ground. But above all that, he is a follower of Jesus. As always I hope this conversation helps you follow Jesus well.

All links mentioned in the conversation are below.

No Neutral ground  

Tree of life

Instagram

The Irresistible revolution

In this episode, we sit down with Amy Dinh to talk about what it means to live in deep intimacy with Jesus.

Amy is a missionary who has served in various regions worldwide from South Asia, to Southern Africa and beyond.

As a member of the Follower community, Amy carries the heart of what God has been building in our midst over the last few years with a passion that we hope will impact you as you listen to this conversation. 

For more information on Follower, you can visit www.wearefollower.com

I sit down with Trevor Hudson, writer, lecturer, and spiritual director, to discuss the realities of suffering and the choices that lay before us as we find Jesus and join Jesus in the midst of a broken world.

You can find Trevor's new book here. 

In this episode, Matthew shares some reflections on Matthew 11:28-30. He speaks about what it means to take the yoke of Jesus upon you, and how that relates to learning and practicing the way of Jesus. 

You can find a blog post that dives deeper into this idea and get more information about Follower by visiting www.wearefollower.com

In this session I reflect on my experience running ministry for little children in Nepal and how in choosing humility I discovered God's heart for others and his kingdom among us. 

To subscribe for the full video version follow this link

In this episode, we sit down with Edwin Arrison and Cornelis Janse van Rensburg to discuss the inspiring story of The Pilgrimage of Grace. A work of reconciliation between the Dutch Reformed Church and The Moravian Church in Genadendal, South Africa. 

We also discuss important concepts about unity and reconciliation that both of these men have learned through many years of working for reconciliation in the South African context. 

As always, if you found this conversation helpful please, subscribe, review, and share it with your world or consider giving a once-off or ongoing donation to help us create more podcasts like this. 

In this episode of the rough cuts, Matthew shares thoughts on the power of forgiveness. 

In particular, he speaks about acknowledging our need for forgiveness, rejoicing in God's desire to forgive us, forgiving ourselves, and forgiving others. 

We hope this episode serves you well. 

Please like, comment, share, and leave a review. It helps the podcast get in people's ears. 

In this episode, Matthew ends the three-part series in communion by pointing us forward to the marriage supper of the lamb and helping us understand the significance of our future hope and how it changes our present lives. 

If you would like to explore the practices mentioned in the podcast you can visit www.wearefollower.com

Alan Frow joins us for a conversation on the wellbeing of our souls, spiritual depression, discovering comfort in the Psalms, and finding peace in a relationship of surrender with our Heavenly Father. 

“Our souls are not downcast because they are empty, but because they are full. So often we fill them with the wrong things… but in the Psalms we see how we can pour out our soul. In doing that, we are plunged into a waterfall of God’s love.”

Links to resources referenced:

‘Psalms for a Saturated Soul’ Alan Frow

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Psalms-Saturated-Soul-Ancient-Emotional-ebook/dp/B09YFXF8Y7

‘Emotionally Healthy Leadership’ Pete Scazero

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/The-Emotionally-Healthy-Leader-Audiobook/B012BZ0KWE?source_code=M2M30DFT1BkSH11221601A7&&ipRedirectOverride=true&overrideBaseCountry=true&gclid=CjwKCAjwzNOaBhAcEiwAD7Tb6KvFhoG5IFv0DUBJu6i_HWTINnyjbs4BkvF2XLOcor_CRmg5mEBs8BoCZAQQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

‘Spiritual Depression’ Martyn Lloyd-Jones

https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/personal-life/anxiety-stress-and-depression/spiritual-depression/?site_id=162595&adtype=pla&device=c&product_id=24824&gclid=CjwKCAjwzNOaBhAcEiwAD7Tb6EiclwdHIoQSTBSvBo2IKID-2sCW2GC9F2iLZVQEPakMkFioSRHKSBoC9DIQAvD_BwE

‘My Heart - Christ’s Home’ Robert Munger

https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Christs-Home-Robert-Boyd-Munger/dp/087784075X

In this episode, we talk with John Lennox. A professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, an internationally renowned speaker, and author of several books on the interface of science, philosophy, and religion.

John helps us critically think through the value and validity of the Christian faith in the midst of the many ideologies that fill the narrative of our time. 

Resources mentioned in this podcast include the following.

- Determined to believe, John Lennox

- Against the flow, John Lennox

- Where is God in a Coronavirus world, John Lennox

- The Matter with Things, Iain McGilchrist

- Have no Fear, John Lennox

For more about John Lennox visit his website here.

This is the first in a new Follower Podcast series called Saturate. Throughout the series I will be having conversations with people who are living out their faith in different spheres of society. We talk about their personal friendship with Jesus and about what they think it means to follow him in their Sphere in the wake of Covid 19. In this session I speak with Trevor Hudson about the Sphere of Church.

The resources Trevor mentions in the Chat can be found here:

Renovare Podcast

Things above Podcast

Friendship with God book

Follow Trevor on Twitter here

The 3rd in a four part series of teachings exploring what the Gospel is and why it offers us hope even in the most difficult of times. In this episode we discuss the significance of the empty tomb and how it changed the world.

In the session I speak with my friend Hannah as we reflect on what, for us, was the most significant lesson of our time on mission. That Jesus is everything. That as we pursue him, he is faithful with everything else. 

To subscribe to the full video version of this episode you can follow this link.

In this episode, we explore another thought from Psalm 27:4. "That I may dwell in the house of the Lord, all the days of my life."

I draw on wisdom from John Mark Comer's "Ruthless Elimination of Hurry", as we look at what it means to truly dwell with God and live as mini temples carrying the Spirit into a chaotically busy culture.

As always please subscribe, share and leave a review of this episode. It helps us get these ideas into the ears of those who need to hear them. 

Also, I would love to hear your questions around following Jesus in the world today and, where I am able, to offer some thoughts that might help you do just that. Please head over to www.mattlewis.co.za and send your questions through, or email askus@wearefollower.com

This is the seventh in a Follower Podcast series called Saturate. Throughout the series I will be having conversations with people who are living out their faith in different spheres of society. We talk about their personal friendship with Jesus and about what they think it means to follow him in their Sphere in the wake of Covid 19. In this session I speak with my friend Buffy about her involvement in the sphere of Governance.

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In this second part of our two-part conversation with Beth, a missionary in North Africa, we continue hearing her story of surrender in her friendship with Jesus. 

Beth speaks openly about here abusive marriage, her painful divorce, her miraculous recovery, and the God who resurrected her through it all. 

For more from Follower, you can visit www.wearefollower.com

This is the sixth in a Follower Podcast series called Saturate. Throughout the series I will be having conversations with people who are living out their faith in different spheres of society. We talk about their personal friendship with Jesus and about what they think it means to follow him in their Sphere in the wake of Covid 19. In this session I speak with Kevin and Rebeca Clark and Kelsey van der Merwe about the sphere of business.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN OUR CONVERSATION

1. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
2. Accidental creative
3. Shoe Dog
4. Double Blessing
5. Beginners Pluck
6. This Cultural Moment
7. Bridgetown Church
8. Vintage Coffee
9. Bishops Coffee
10. Untamed Creative Society

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In this episode, we sit down with Os Guinness for a brain-teasing, faith-stirring discussion on a broad range of subjects including worldview, secularism, and what it might mean to be a person of faith in the midst of a rapidly changing world. 

You can find more from Os on his website

Mark Scandrette is an internationally recognized expert in practical Christian spirituality, and the founding director of ReIMAGINE: A center for integral Christian practice.

He is the author of a number of books including, Practicing the way of Jesus, making him a great guest for this episode where we discuss what The Way of Jesus is and how it differs from contemporary Christianity. Mark also offers some helpful signposts as to how we live in Jesus' way in our everyday lives and encourages us to ask important questions of our own faith journeys and how they do or do not look like the Jesus we claim to follow.

• If you found this episode helpful please leave a review and share it with your world. 
• If you would like to do further reading around this topic you can visit the Follower Blog and subscribe to receive articles, stories, and more on how we follow Jesus to the depths of His heart and the ends of the earth. 

In this episode, we speak with Nathan Foster about the paradox of a good God, a hurting world, and how we can move into the beauty of mystery. 

If you are wanting to find more of Nathan's work you can do so here:

Podcasts

The making of an ordinary saint

Wisdom Chaser

In this episode, we sit down with Lambert Bariho and Bruno Iradukunda.

As men who have every reason to hate one another having been on opposite sides of the Rwandan genocide, they have found a place in Jesus not only to come together but to work together for the healing of their nation.

You can learn more about Ellel ministries in Rwanda here

As always, if you found this conversation helpful please leave a review, make sure you are subscribed and share with your world.

If you would like to help us create more conversations like this with a once-off or ongoing donation you can do so at www.wearefollower.com 

In the third episode of the rough cuts, Matthew shares thoughts on what Jesus means by inviting us to pray that The Father's name would be kept Holy in our lives. In particular, he invites us to consider the call to have our lives rightly ordered under the rule and reign of God.

In this episode, we sit down with Rich Hodge as he shares what he has learned over a lifetime of walking through storms with Jesus. We hear his heart as a grieving grandfather and glean his courage as a faithful follower even in the midst of his own pain. 

If you would like Rich to come and minister in your community you can get hold of him here: richlynnspeaker@gmail.com

To get hold of the book Rich mentions by Skye Jethani, you can follow this link.

In this episode I speak about the challenging of facing reality when it doesn't match up with fantasy, and the Kingdom of God that is to be found in the process. 

For the full video episode you can subscribe to YouTube here. 

In this episode, I speak about what it means to inquire of the Lord. I discuss the two lies of our assumed competence and Jesus' assumed ignorance. And, I call us to the kind of repentance that hanging on every word from the mouth of god in the midst of a world that is trusting in everything else. 

I also answer a question from a freind of the show around Christ-centered preaching and making room to gaze at the beauty of God in our gatherings. 

As always, it's fully loaded. I hope it helps you follow Jesus well.

The article I quote from Dallas Willard can be found here...

https://dwillard.org/articles/who-is-your-teacher

In this episode, I reflect on the first line of Psalm 27:4.

"One thing I have desired".

For me, the key issues around this involve understanding who we are and how we work and allowing The Spirit to lead us to deep repentance around what we actually want.

Don't forget to send us your questions at ASK FOLLOWER ANYTHING 

I would love to hear what's on your mind.

You can look at the books I referenced in the podcast here:

You are What You Love

Renovation of the heart

The Weight of Glory

The Confessions of St Augustine

Christine is the Author and developer of ReFraming the Prophetic, a biblical reflection course on the gift and purpose of the prophetic. She serves on the Int’l team for 24-7 Prayer and is the founder of Akouo Missions. 

In this conversation, we talk about Christine's life, faith, and the many tensions she carries in walking that out. We also talk about the prophetic. What it is, what it isn't and how to learn to hear the voice of God and partner with Him to serve His purposes in the earth. 

This is the third in a new Follower Podcast series called Saturate. Throughout the series I will be having conversations with people who are living out their faith in different spheres of society. We talk about their personal friendship with Jesus and about what they think it means to follow him in their Sphere in the wake of Covid 19. In this session I speak with Dean Cothill about the Sphere of media and communication.

The resources that Rebecca mentions in the chat can be found here:

His website

Carey Nieuwhof Podcast

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In this episode, Matthew uses the model of Awakening, purgation, Illumination, and union as offered in Robert Mulholland's Invitation to a Journey to discuss the process of moving from willfulness to willingness in our relationship with God. 

Find the book here.

In our desire to present a more balanced perspective on the current conflict happening in Israel and Palestine we wanted to speak to a Jew (As we did in the previous episode with Orna Grinman) and a Palestinian, which is what we have done in this episode.

Our guest for this conversation is Dr Salim Munayer.

Dr Munayer was born to a Christian Palestinian family in the city of Lydda where he interacted with the different Jewish, Muslim and Christian populations from a young age. From this diverse upbringing and after academic studies in theology, he founded Musalaha ('Reconciliation' in Arabic), an organisation promoting teaching, facilitation and reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians where he has served as director for over 30 years. 

Dr Munayer is also adjunct Professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Bethlehem Bible college and serves as the Regional Hub Coordinator of the Middle East and North Africa region for the Peace and Reconciliation Network (PRN) of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).

To say that this conversation was challenging would be an understatement. Dr Munayer sheds a stark but necessary light on both the historical context of the current conflict as well as the ideological and political influences that, in his words, are normalising a genocide in our time. 

This episode is longer than most of our conversations and is not easy listening, but it is important. We pray it helps you engage in this issue and the broader issues of reconciliation in a more meaningful way. 

For all of the resources mentioned by Dr Munayer you can go to his website here.

As always, If this episode was helpful for you, please leave a review, share it with your world and consider giving a once off or ongoing donation so that we can create more conversations like this by visiting www.wearefollower.com

This is the fifth in a Follower Podcast series called Saturate. Throughout the series I will be having conversations with people who are living out their faith in different spheres of society. We talk about their personal friendship with Jesus and about what they think it means to follow him in their Sphere in the wake of Covid 19. In this session I speak with Jonathan McCririe about the Sphere of family.

MOVE FROM CONTACT TO CONNECTION IN 3 STEPS:

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3. Sign up for "The Latest" here.

In this episode, we explore a second thought from Psalm 27:4. "One thing I desire, that will I seek after." 

I draw on some thoughts from C.S Lewis and Dallas Willard on the necessary hiddenness of God and discuss James K.A Smith's ideas on finding a Model and a method in our journey of seeking God. 

As always please subscribe, share and leave a review of this episode. It helps us get these ideas into the ears of those who need to hear them. 

Also, I would love to hear your questions around following Jesus in the world today and, where I am able, to offer some thoughts that might help you do just that. Please head over to www.mattlewis.co.za and send your questions through. 

In the episode, Matthew sits down with three people in the Follower community to discuss the call, the cost, and the gift of community in learning and practicing the way of Jesus. 

For more from Follower including a blog post that digs deeper into this idea you can visit www.wearefollower.com

Nkosinathi Mbuyazi is the leader of 24/7 Prayer South Africa. In this episode, we sit down to discuss his journey in prayer, hear his reflections on why we tend to find prayer challenging and consider how we might reach a younger generation. 

To find out more about 24/7 Prayer South Africa including how to register your church or community to host a week of prayer you can visit their website at www.24-7prayerafrica.com

The second in a four part series where we explore what the Gospel is and why it offers us hope even in the midst of difficult circumstance. In this sessions we discuss The Cross and why it is about so much more than we have made it. 

Welcome to the first in a series of raw, unedited episodes that we're calling The Rough Cuts. In this episode Matthew pulls up a chair in the garden as the sun sets over the Durban horizon and birds settle in for the night to share a few thoughts on approaching God as Our Father. 

Matthew references Tyler Staton's book; Praying Like Monks Living Like Fools in this episode. You can find it HERE

In this episode, we speak with Madz Deyzel of Edify about how we might live into greater wholeness this year. 

The conversation covers a lot of ground, but a common thread is ensuring that our identity is anchored in Jesus. 

As always, please like, share, subscribe, and leave a review.

If you would like to help us make more podcasts like this with a once-off or ongoing donation you can do so at www.wearefollower.com

In this episode, Matthew talks with Jolien Wolfsen about the power of scripture. Jolien is a missionary with YWAM Kona who, among other things, helps lead a school called Revival and Reformation. 

In this episode, we discuss the concepts of revival, awakening, personal reformation, and the gift of a biblical worldview for individuals, nations, and societies. 

If you're looking for a conversation to refresh your passion for the bible, this is it. 

Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a review. It helps us get this podcast in the ears of more people. 

If you were helped by this episode and would like to help us make and share more conversations like this you can give a once-off or ongoing donation on our website.

In this episode, I speak to Strahan Coleman of Commoners Communion about his journey through suffering and how he is finding Jesus in the midst of it all. 

You can find out more about Strahan here:

Commoners communion

Strahan Instagram

Commoners Instagram

This is the first in a two-part conversation with Craig Westhoff.

In this conversation, we hear Craig's story of growing up with a father who was once a Franciscan friar and a mother who was once in a catholic convent. We talk about Craig's journey through new-age spirituality to Christ, His own experience of clinical depression, and how God has used that to lead him into the work that he does with illuminated soul. 

Illuminated soul is a place where Craig offers spiritual direction & practical tools for emotional, mental, and spiritual health and well-being.

You can find out more about Craig's work on his website. 

www.illuminatedsoul.org

In the first part of this two-part conversation, we speak with Beth. Beth is a missionary in North Africa sharing the Gospel in unreached and closed Islamic regions. 

For her safety and the safety of her team, we can't use her real name or location, but we hope this conversation where she shares her story of surrender to Jesus through deep suffering will inspire you into a fully surrendered life of your own. 

This is the second in a new Follower Podcast series called Saturate. Throughout the series I will be having conversations with people who are living out their faith in different spheres of society. We talk about their personal friendship with Jesus and about what they think it means to follow him in their Sphere in the wake of Covid 19. In this session I speak with Rebecca Crook about the Sphere of Education.

The resources that Rebecca mentions in the chat can be found here:

The Metis Collective

Untamed: Glennon Doyle

Centre for Action and Contemplation

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In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Koons to discuss what it means to be missionally present in our lives and as a community. 

Lisa is the National Mission & Justice Director for 24-7 Prayer USA. She helps lead teams & launch initiatives that equip people to talk & walk with God & do good in the world. Lisa lives as an urban missionary mobilizing prayer, mission & justice, efforting the work of diversity, & is a spiritual director to faith leaders around the globe.

To find Lisa's book, Martyrs Wine, you can follow this link.

For more from the Follower podcast, blog or community visit www.wearefollower.com

In this session I speak with my friend Jonothan about the realities of weakness and vulnerability and how embracing them leads us to connection, communion and strength. I also share a story about having diarrhoea on a Himalayan mountain. 

For the full video of this episode subscribe to YouTube here.

In this episode I reflect on my time in a Himalayan village, and recognise that by creating space in our lives, we can turn the noise around us down and the voice of God up.

To subscribe to the full YouTube video you can follow this link.

This is the first episode in a three-part series on prayer. In this episode, Liam Byrnes introduces us to contemplative prayer. Among other things, Liam explores the prayer forms of Lectio Divina, Centering prayer, and imaginative prayer. 

If you found this episode helpful please like, share, and leave a review.

If you would like to help us keep creating content like this please consider becoming a financial supporter of the podcast with a once-off or monthly donation at www.wearefollower.com

In this episode, our very own Matthew Lewis runs us through an introduction to the prayer of Examen. In particular, he looks at this prayer form through a historical, biblical, and sociological lens to help us understand where it came from, how we can find scriptural validity for it, and why it's a valuable practice in our time.

As always, if you found this episode helpful please like, share, subscribe, and leave a review. If you would like to help us create more content like this with a once-off or ongoing donation you can do that by visiting www.wearefollower.com

The first session on a 4 part series exploring the message of the Gospel and how it brings us hope in the midst of even the hardest situations. In this episode we explore who Jesus The Christ was and why it matters more than we realise. 

In this episode, we sit down with Anneke Rabe and Nkosinathi Mbuyazi to kick off a series on reconciliation called One Heart. 

In conjunction with a 50-day prayer guide that 24/7 Prayer has put together, you can look forward to several conversations over the next few weeks exploring the call to reconciliation for those of us who follow Jesus.

You can learn more about 24/7 prayer and sign up for the 50-day prayer journey to receive your free prayer guide by clicking here. 

In this episode, we speak with Christine Westhoff of 24/7 Prayer about her book on reframing the prophetic. 

Christine helps us understand everything from what the Prophetic is from a Biblical perspective, to why it is one of the key issues facing The Church at this time. 

You can find the book and the course at www.reframingtheprophetic.com

If you found this conversation helpful, please like, share, subscribe, and leave a review. 

If you want to support this work financially so we can produce more conversations like this, you can visit www.wearefollower.com to give a once-off or ongoing donation. 

In this session I speak with my friend Lara about her decision to become a missionary in Germany, about the cost of that calling, and about why she chose it anyway. We also reflect on our time in Cambodia and all that we learned from that phenomenal community. 

To subscribe to the full video sessions you can follow this link.

In this episode, Matthew offers a few unedited thoughts on what we mean when we pray for God's Kingdom to come. In particular, he considers the Kingdom of God and how it comes to our lives. 

You might like to watch the following teaching from Dallas Willard for more on this topic. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mY1gTqTUVQ

In this session I speak with my friend Kees-Jan Leegwater about the supernatural nature of God. We share some of our stories from our time in Nepal and discuss the importance of "Letting God out" of the box of our own understanding. 

To subscribe to the full video session you can follow this link.

In this episode, Matthew shares a few thoughts on temptation inviting us out of any condemnation we might carry in our weakness and encouraging us to build our lives on scripture as a pre-emtive way of resisting temptation. 

I first came across Andy through his music, most recently I've been deeply encouraged by his writing. After one particularly poignant post, I reached out to him and asked if he would join me for a conversation on the podcast. He agreed, and this is what came out. 

Who is Andy? In his own words...

"I am a man in my late forties. I have been married to my wife for 27 years. All my children are beautiful and smart. I have one grandchild and he is the joy of my life. I work as a pastor in a small church which I really love. I also write and sing songs and travel around occasionally to do that in front of people. When I enter my fifties my plan is to start taking art classes because I want to devote the last quarter of my life (75-100) to be a great visual artist working mostly in abstraction. I have a deep love for Christ and for His Church."

If this conversation helps you as it helped me you can find more from Andy on his website @andysquyres.com

In this episode, Langa Mbonambi of the We Will Worship movement speaks to us about the Passover meal, how Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of this ancient practice, and how remembrance is so crucial to a life of obedience. 

Langa Mbonambi is a founder and member of the We Will Worship movement.

You might be familiar with We Will Worship through songs like Malibongwe, Come Holy Spirit, and more. What you might not know is that Langa is also a husband and father to 4 children, a pastor, a teacher, and a businessman running a clothing label called Sinkwa Sethu.

In this episode, we hear Langa's story. What it was like growing up in the back end of Apartheid through the tensions of township life and private school education. His experience as a model in the fashion industry. His journey to a place of hopelessness and the God who met him there. We speak about worship, church, family, and what it means to be set apart as a people devoted to Jesus at this time in our world. 

As always, I hope these thoughts help you follow Jesus well. 

To find out more about Langa and We Will Worship you can visit the sites linked above or check out @wwwmovement on Instagram

Madz Deyzel is the founder of an organization called Edify that seeks to partner with local churches in order to offer hope to communities struggling with mental health needs. 

Madz has an BA Hons degree in Theology & Counselling through Brunel University UK & London School of Theology

In this conversation, we speak about her own story of healing and how that has led her to the work she does now. We also talk about the importance of knowing our identity in Christ and living in the truth of who God says we are. 

I found Madz to be inspiring not only in the depth of her insight but in the passion with which she communicates.

You can find Madz' book and all her other resources on her website www.edify-buildingthesoul.com

In this episode, Matthew introduces the communion focus in light of the Acts 2:42 community. He also gives a high-altitude overview of some of the stories that communion points us toward in the bible. 

In this episode, we sit down with Michael Stewart Robb to discuss his thoughts on Dallas Willard, his work with the Sanctus Institute in developing a culture of Spiritual Formation in Europe, and his latest documentary; Alone Together. It is a film that documents a retreat he facilitated which he is now using to start a conversation around formation in communities that need it. 

You can learn more about Mike, including where to get his book on The Gospel according to Dallas Willard, and how to host a screening of his documentary in your community by visiting The Sanctus Institute.

This is the second in a two-part conversation with Craig Westhoff.

In this episode, we talk about our transcendent need for God, moving from binary judgmentalism to compassionate co-investigation with Christ, and the importance of removing ourselves from the center of our stories. 

If you would like to hear more from Craig and explore the work he does with Illuminated soul you can visit him on his website. 

www.illuminatedsoul.org

In this episode, we have a conversation with Trevor Hudson about the care of the soul. 

Among other things, we speak about what the soul is, what some of the threats to the health of our souls are, and how we might shape our lives to cultivate a healthy soul. 

As always, please like, share, subscribe, and leave a review to help get this podcast in other people's ears. 

If you found this conversation helpful and would like to help us make more podcasts like this, you can give a once-off or ongoing donation at www.wearefollower.com

In this episode, we sit down with Chloe Snyder, a missionary with YWAM Durban, to discuss her insights and perspectives from completing a Masters in Reconciliation with The University of Winchester in England. 

If you're interested in some of the deeper invitations around the idea of reconciliation, or if you struggle with an internal conflict of your own, then I trust that this conversation will be a gift to you as it was to me. 

As always, please subscribe, review and share this episode with the people in your world if you found the conversation helpful. And, if you want to help us have more conversations like this you can support The Follower Podcast with a once-off or ongoing donation and www.wearefollower.com. 

In this episode Matthew continues our journey through the Lord's prayer by  sharing a few thoughts on what it means for us to pray for our daily bread. 

If this episode is helpful for you please share it with your world and leave review, it helps us get the podcast into the ears of more people. 

In this episode I continue our journey through the ten mountains I faced during my mission trip to East Asia by speaking about choosing conviction over compromise.

For the full video version of this episode follow this link. VIDEO

In this conversation, Pete talks about how choosing unsuccess might be the best path to human flourishing. He shares his own story and the struggles that inspired this idea. In addition, he invites us to consider an alternative way of ordering our lives that looks less like the messages filling billboards and magazines and more like the one of scripture. 

As always, please like, share, subscribe, and leave a review if you found this conversation helpful. You can also give a once-off donation or become a monthly supporter by visiting www.wearefollower.com to make more episodes like this possible. 

To find Pete's book as well as a video course to compliment your reading visit the 24/7 prayer website. 

In this session I have a conversation with my friend Louise Dixon about the challenges of disillusionment and disappointment, and the power of simple faithfulness to see God move powerfully in His world. 

To subscribe to the full video version follow this link.

In this episode, I speak with long-time friend Xavier Moran about his journey through personal reformation and the challenges and joys of caring for his mother in her time of need. 

For more of Xavier's work and to listen to his podcast you can visit his website here.

In this episode, I ask the critical question; "Is Jesus beautiful to you?" Not just true, or good, not the right thing to do... Is he beautiful? From here, I discuss the importance of moving away from a spirituality of fleeting glances to focussed gazing on the beauty of God. 

Resources referenced in the podcast can be found here:

Beauty will save the world. 

The weight of glory.

In this episode, we discuss the first Follower value of being Jesus centered. Using Matthew 16:13-20 we look at what it means to live into the revelation of who Jesus is in the midst of a contested and confused culture.

If this episode served you well please consider leaving a review and sharing it with your world.

For more from Follower you can visit www.wearefollower.com  

This is the first episode in a new series on the Follower Podcast called We Are Follower. 

In this series, we will explore why Follower exists, what a community of learning and practice in the way of Jesus is, and who God has called us to be in His big story as we follow Him to the depths of his heart and the ends of the earth. 

In this episode Matthew explores the parable of the hidden treasure to paint a picture of the why behind the what of the follower community. 

For more information on Follower visit www.wearefollower.com

The first episode in a series called Return. In this series, I'll be sharing from the heart about what God has been stirring in me over the past season. This episode in particular focuses on the invitation that is available to us in the turmoil of what 2020 and 2021 have been. In simple terms, it is a call to repentance. May God meet you as you listen. 

Future episodes will have a segment of the podcast dedicated to answering your questions. Please send us any questions you may have by following the link at www.mattlewis.co.za

In this session I share my reflections around what it means to go with God. Choosing surrender at the mountain of control I ask three questions as it relates to our role in mission and ministry.

Do they really need to know?

Do I really need to go?

What difference will it really make?

Watch the video version of this session here. 

In this episode, we wrap up the "Death in the family series" by speaking about the new purpose we have because of the Gospel. Far from trying to get us into heaven, we find that Jesus intends to get heaven into us, and indeed, pour it out through us. 

In this final episode of recapping the DTS lecture phase, I talk about evangelism and why, even in a culture that tries to convince us of the contrary, we still have a faith worth sharing.  

In this episode, we talk about the realities of spiritual warfare and how we can position ourselves as followers of Jesus to live into God's vision of our full humanity. 

In this episode, I speak with Dan Baumann about his journey of following Jesus. It's a story that includes all kinds of twists and turns including a time of imprisonment in an Iranian jail. But of all that Dan has been through, there is one thing he would want you to know, that God is really, really, really, really good. When we lose ourselves in the overwhelming goodness of God our response is a natural result of joyful, powerful overflow. Dan's story and insight is something you don't want to miss. I hope that as you listen to it, the same joy that fills Dan's life stirs in your heart. 

You can find out more about Dan and even get hold of his books on his website. www.danbaumann.com

In the episode, we speak about the Holy Spirit, Tohuvavohu, and wasting time with Jesus. It's a good one. Leave comments, ask questions, share, like, follow, review. Do all the things:)

In this episode we talk about the character and nature of God as revealed in the big story of God from Genesis all the way through to Revelation. 

The first episode in a new series called "Journey to The Heart". Reflections on my journey to Germany and beyond as I seek God to take me deeper into his heart and lead into a clearer revelation of my own. 

In this episode, I speak with Tom and Donna Cole about my experience of inner healing through their ministry Pure Heart. They also share their own stories of healing and together we discuss everything from true masculinity to true femininity and how we follow Jesus in all of it. 

If you want to connect with Tom and Donna or get hold of their book and other resources you can do that at www.pureheart.rest

The music in the background at the end of the podcast is a song called Resurrecting by Emily Cole, their daughter. You can get a hold of her music at the following link. Emily Cole Music

In this episode we look at the importance of sincerity in our view of God if we are hoping to withstand the weight of his truth. In particular, we look at the gift of doubt, the difference between knowledge and knowing and the importance of right beginnings. 

In this episode, I talk about our worldview and why it matters. We consider the fact that every worldview seeks to answer questions of Ontology, Epistemology, Axiology, and Teleology. I offer my perspective as to why a biblical worldview provides answers to these questions that best correspond with reality as it is.