Made to Advance with Brian Aulick

Jordan Humbarger and Roger Cruz are teaching pastors at Engedi Church in Holland, Michigan. They are back for another episode where they join Brian to talk about how Christians should engage with culture and politics while maintaining biblical truth, and why sharing truth with courage is the most loving thing we can do.

Dr. Derwin Gray is a former NFL defensive back, having played with both the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers for a total of six seasons. He is also the lead pastor of Transformation Church in South Carolina, which he co-founded with his wife Vicki in 2010. Derwin and Brian talk about the importance of multi-ethnic church communities and how we can share our faith naturally with a wo...

Ben Kasica is the former lead guitarist for the Christian rock group Skillet. In 2011 he left the band, following a path that led him to form Skies Fall, an entertainment-based agency and production company operating out of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Nashville. He and Brian talk about pursuing your passions with boldness, faith, and courage.

Roger Cruz and Jordan Humbarger are teaching pastors at Engedi Church in Holland, Michigan. The three of them talk about the spiritual battles we face, and how disciplines like Bible reading, prayer, and maintaining a good conscience are the protection we all need.

Stephen Brewster is the founder of The Harmony Group, a Nashville-based consultancy that helps manage and coach worship teams around the world. Stephen shares about his journey from working in the music industry, moving on to church leadership, and now putting it all together with THG.

Kevin Rodrigo is a former Navy SEAL and founding partner of Starfield Front, a venture capital firm focused on great American businesses. Kevin and Brian talk about the challenges of leaving military service and returning to civilian life, and how crucial it is to maintain relationships and find community. Kevin also shares about his experience volunteering with LifeCampUSA, an outdoor adventur...

Fred Stokes is a former NFL defensive end and Super Bowl XXVI champion with the then Washington Redskins (now Commanders). Fred is also founder and CEO of LINT Brother, a ministry focused on seeing men become emotionally free. He and Brian talk about the challenges of professional sports and God’s plan and provision for every setback.

Norm Wielsch served as a police officer in the San Francisco Bay Area for 26 years until a neuromuscular disease led him down a path of addiction, crime, and eventually prison. While incarcerated, Norm found his faith, earned several degrees, and even wrote books on recovery and healing. He and Brian discuss his unlikely path to brokenness and redemption.

Jess Ronne is a mother of eight, author, and founder & executive director of the Lucas Project, a non-profit organization supporting special needs families. She shares her family’s incredible story of courage, tragedy, faith, and endurance. Links & Episode Notes Jess Ronne (https://www.jessplusthemess.com/) The Lucas Project (https://thelucasproject.org/) Coffee with Caregivers (https://thelu...

Dr. Nijay Gupta is a New Testament scholar and author of twenty-five books, including Tell Her Story, Strange Religion, and The Affections of Christ Jesus. In this episode, Nijay and Brian talk about the true nature of discipleship and how love and service are at the heart of Christian maturity.

Jeff Manion is an author and teaching pastor at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jeff has served at the church for over 40 years, and he and Brian talk about slow and steady faithfulness and why it’s important to “love the process, not just the prize.”

Yarian Rosado is the Creative & Worship Pastor at Engedi Church in Holland, Michigan. Yarian shares about growing up in the church, his early entrepreneurial endeavors, and answering the call to join Engedi in 2021. He and Brian talk about Engedi’s songwriting culture (including a new album release!) and what it means to maintain a posture of humility, giving God the glory for all He’s done.

Noah Filipiak is a pastor and author of Beyond the Battle: A Man's Guide to His Identity in Christ in an Oversexualized World. He and Brian talk about the prevalence of sexual sin, namely pornography, in our society and even in the church. Noah shares how community is essential for recovery and how we can have hope through accountability and faith.

John Ortberg is a pastor, author, speaker, and now leads Become New, an online ministry for life change and spiritual community. He and Brian talk about how spiritual disciplines fuel personal growth and surrender to God.

Jason Romano is an author, speaker, former ESPN producer, and the host of the Sports Spectrum podcast. Jason shares how he landed his role with Mike & Mike and how opportunities like that show and his current role with Sports Spectrum have given him a platform to share his own faith and highlight the faith of professional athletes.

Kyle Zunker is a lawyer, endurance athlete, and author of the book Amazing Courage: Letters to My Father on Conquering Fear Through Faith. Kyle shares about his path from atheism to belief in God, all while winning battles over panic attacks, fear, and anxiety.

Brendon Coe is a hip hop artist and music producer who’s collaborated with big names like NF and Dwayne “The Rock“ Johnson. In this conversation, he and Brian talk about overcoming personal struggles like addiction and an absent parent. Brendon also shares about his creative path and dreams for the future.

Austin Hatch is a motivational speaker and author of the G.R.I.T. framework for thriving in the midst of adversity. Austin survived two plane crashes, but tragically lost his parents and his siblings. He and Brian talk about how anyone could possibly recover from such loss and how Austin has pursued big dreams with integrity and faith.

Jeff Disher is an engineer and founder & chairman of DISHER, an engineering design and product development company in Zeeland, Michigan. Jeff and Brian talk about the risk his family took starting the company in 2000 and how focusing on people over profits may have paved the pathway to success.

Larry Osborne is the teaching pastor and Kingdom Ambassador at North Coast Church in San Diego, California. He’s written a number of books, many focused on encouraging the next generation of pastors and other spiritual leaders. Larry and Brian talk about the importance of community and relational health, as well as church growth and revival following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tommee Profitt is a prolific music producer and songwriter who has collaborated with major artists like NF and Josh Groban, composes TV and movie music that’s been streamed billions of times, and even wrote a Christmas album with an epic live performance that has become an annual tradition at the Grand Ole Opry. Tommee and Brian talk about his creative process and how his faith informs all that...

Juanita Bocanegra is the 58th District Court Judge in Ottawa County, Michigan. Juanita shares about her journey growing up as the child of migrant farm workers to becoming the first in her extended family to graduate from high school. She and Brian also talk about the gift of education and what it means to balance work and family life.

Scott Baker is the President and CEO of National Nail, a building materials manufacturer and distributor with headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In this episode, he and Brian talk about what it means to integrate faith into the workplace and how doing so has helped transform National Nail into a global manufacturer.

Purdue University grad Mike Luepke has been in the fitness industry for nearly 20 years and runs a gym called Valeo / Training with his wife, Jessica. Mike has also faced significant visual impairment after being diagnosed with Stargardt Disease. He and Brian talk about the importance of gratitude, even in the midst of significant challenges and limitations.

Jay Riemersma is a former NFL tight end, having played for both the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He now serves as the Executive Director of Gateway Mission, a non-profit which serves the homeless and hurting in Holland, Michigan. Jay and Brian talk about his path from college & professional football to a second career in ministry.

Kirstin Field is an entrepreneur and founder of Kids Crafts, an online retailer of craft kits themed around the stories of mighty women. Kirsten and Brian talk about the path to relaunching her business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and how faith often means taking a step forward even when the outcome is uncertain.

What will we see when we die? John Burke is the founder and former lead pastor of Gateway Church in Austin, Texas. He’s also an author who has researched over 1,000 near-death experiences. He and Brian talk about the reality of heaven and what it looks like to live with a true vision of eternity in mind.

Ricky Dickson is the former president and CEO of Blue Bell Creameries and author of the new book “One Scoop at a Time.” Ricky shares many lessons from his time in leadership, as well as how we can listen to God’s voice to better understand his dreams and plans for our lives.

Dr. Jeremy Williams is a plastic surgeon from Lone Tree, Colorado, who has a passion for medical missions work and the outdoors. He and Brian talk about using our talents and gifts to serve a higher purpose, and how his own path has led him around the world — literally.

Jerome Vierling is lead pastor and founder of City Life Church in Lansing, Michigan. Also a hip hop artist, Jerome shares how he’s integrated his creative passions with faithful leadership. He emphasizes the importance of staying true to yourself and being close to God and others.

Naeem Fazal is the founding and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. In this conversation he shares about a supernatural encounter with Jesus at 18 years old that led him to leave his Muslim faith behind, become a Christian, and eventually start Mosaic Church.

Lungz Makaula is the Founder and Lead Pastor of SOZO City Church in Chicago, Illinois. He shares his global journey from growing up in South Africa to Hillsong Australia and then on to the United States, emphasizing that each of life’s decisions is a step, not the final destination.

Dennis Neckel, production manager at the Gateway Center of the Holland Rescue Mission, shares his journey from prison to leadership, highlighting all the people who took a risk on him and his transformation from brokenness to new life.

Katherine Wolf survived a massive stroke at age 26, and in this episode she shares her inspiring story of suffering, faith, and hope. Katherine tells the story of Hope Heals, the non-profit organization she started with husband Jay in the aftermath of her health scare, and she also dispels the myth that joy can only be found in a pain-free life.

Gary Thomas is a renowned author with a passion for helping people grow closer to Jesus and others, having written over 20 books. In this episode, he and Brian discuss books like “Sacred Marriage” and “When to Walk Away,“ which emphasizes the importance of recognizing toxic relationships and the biblical basis for simply walking away.

Online entrepreneur and group fitness expert Lindsey Bomgren joins to talk about Nourish Move Love, her website offering free workouts for busy women. She and Brian talk about the importance of approaching work from a place of rest and faith, aiming to inspire others, and building a strong Nourish Move Love community. Lindsey also shares her team’s approach to content creation and optimizing fo...

Justin Mack is the missions pastor from River Valley Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He and Brian talk about the path to founding Project42, an organization dedicated to reaching people who’ve never heard the good news of Jesus. Justin shares about the faith and finances it took to start Project42, as well as practical ideas for managing big things as a family.

Frank Weisser, former Blue Angel and Navy combat pilot who flew stunts for Top Gun Maverick, joins Brian in the studio for this bonus episode. They talk about focusing on what matters most, developing trust and valuing different perspectives on a team, and finding purpose and direction for each phase of life.

From the Engedi Church Men’s Conference in February 2024: U.S. Navy Blue Angel and Top Gun: Maverick stunt pilot Frank Weisser joins Brian to share his story. From perilous flights over Afghanistan to flying with Tom Cruise, Frank shares his wisdom on faith, failure, and fighting through adversity.

Shaun Page shares his journey from beating leukemia to becoming a Chick-fil-A owner-operator in Holland, Michigan. He talks about the entrepreneurial aspects of running a Chick-fil-A and what it’s like to partner with the Chick-fil-A corporate team. Shaun discusses the significance of building and leading a team, solving problems, and the secrets to Chick-fil-A’s strong company culture.

Church planter, lead pastor, author, and entrepreneur Troy Evans joins to discuss his background, including his childhood in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and his journey in ministry. Troy emphasizes the importance of church multiplication and encourages young leaders to take steps towards planting churches in urban contexts.

Pastor and Winning at Home founder Dan Seaborn joins to share about his long history of ministry, his growth in faithfulness, and his emphasis on finding value and identity in Jesus rather than performance. Dan also encourages us about the importance of slowing down, listening, and making Jesus the central focus in life for true contentment and satisfaction.

Biblical scholar, author, and podcaster Preston Sprinkle joins to discuss how to engage in difficult conversations with charity and grace, especially in the context of challenging issues like faith, sexuality, and gender. Did we mention it’s an election year?

Chuck Surack, founder of Sweetwater Sound, shares his journey of music, entrepreneurship, and leadership, emphasizing the importance of serving people well and persevering through challenges. From a VW bus to one million square feet, God has used Chuck and his family to impact so many in Fort Wayne and beyond.

Dr. Bill Mounce is a professor and best-selling author of the book Basics of Biblical Greek. He shares his journey as both scholar and entrepreneur, including the genesis of BiblicalTraining.org. Bill and Brian discuss Biblical foundations, interpreting Scripture, and how we can go deeper in the Bible to advance our faith.

Gladys Cruz immigrated from Mexico to Michigan as a young girl, leaving behind a challenging present for an equally challenging future. In this episode Gladys shared about starting her own luxury balloon art business, her struggle with depression & anxiety, the importance of seeking help, and her hopes and dreams for the future.

Josh Shockey is the founding pastor of Motor City Church in Detroit, Michigan. He and Brian discuss Josh’s background, including his Texas roots and God’s call to leave everything, move to Detroit, and plant a church. They also talk about the challenges and faith-stretching moments Josh faced along the way.

Dr. Nijay Gupta is a New Testament scholar and author of twenty-five books, including Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. On this episode Nijay shares his path to vocational scholarship, navigating imposter syndrome, battles with health issues, and the benefits of working with a spiritual director.

Matt Scogin’s path to the presidency at Hope College was anything but conventional, having spent time in both Washington, D.C. and on Wall Street before arriving back on campus in Holland, Michigan in 2019. Possibly even more unconventional is how he’s leaning on the power of the Gospel to face higher education’s biggest challenges head on. In this episode, Matt shares his story and how he seek...

Rob Ketterling is a founding pastor of River Valley Church, a large church with multiple campuses in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He and Brian talk about River Valley’s origins and deep heart for the nations. Rob also shares his thoughts on leading well, living with abundance, and leaving a legacy.