001 | Worship Foundations with Abe Figueroa

Released: November 1, 2026
Host: James Hammond
Guest: Abe Figueroa
Recorded: October 13, 2026

Episode Summary
Speaker, writer, and teacher Abe Figueroa joins James to lay the worship foundations for the season: what worship is, why it matters, and how beauty, truth, and holiness take shape in ordinary life.

What You’ll Hear
• What worship is, and why it matters — laying the foundations for the season
• Beauty, truth, and holiness in ordinary life
• Contemplative attention in Christian theology, lived experience, and imagination

About Abe Figueroa
Abe Figueroa is a speaker, writer, and teacher whose work brings contemplative attention to Christian theology, lived experience, and imagination. He serves as Director of Advocacy & Education at Charis Counseling Associates, where he works to make professional Christian counseling accessible to all. He previously served as a lead pastor for a decade. He holds a Master of Education from Portland State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Multnomah University.

Guest Links
• Website: https://www.abefigueroa.com/
• Charis Counseling Associates: https://www.chariscounseling.com/abe-figueroa

Resources & Links
Be on the show — Submit your music or suggest a guest: preciousgempodcast@gmail.com
Linktree (all the podcast links): https://linktr.ee/preciousgempodcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/precious_gem_podcast/
If this episode encouraged you, subscribe and leave a review — it helps more worship songwriters find the show.
The Precious Gem Worship Music Podcast is a platform and resource for Christian worship songwriters.

Follow the Precious Gem Worship Music Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

About Your Host

James Hammond is a worship songwriter and the host of the Precious Gem Worship Music Podcast. With a heart for psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, James created this show to give worship writers a platform to share their music and the stories behind it.

Resources & Links

Be on the show — Submit your music or suggest a guest: preciousgempodcast@gmail.com

Linktree (all the podcast links): https://linktr.ee/preciousgempodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/precious_gem_podcast/

If this episode encouraged you, subscribe and leave a review — it helps more worship songwriters find the show. New episodes release every Sunday.

The Precious Gem Worship Music Podcast is a platform and resource for Christian worship songwriters. Hosted by James Hammond, worship writers share their music and stories behind the songs.