In this episode, we sit down with several of our Step Up To Life champions from across Asia—pastors serving in Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Japan. Through a series of honest, hope-filled conversations, they share how they continue to press forward in ministry amid persecution and ongoing financial challenges, while faithfully bringing the gospel into prisons, their local communities, and school children. You’ll hear how they are using Step Up To Life as a simple, powerful tool to communicate the gospel more clearly and effectively within their own cultures and networks. As you listen, we invite you to join us in praying for a smooth, fruitful season of ministry as these leaders return home and multiply what God is doing through them.

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https://youtu.be/oFhq-9ucRSc?si=x7LMx8gNoxMIarNJ

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www.StepUpToLife.com

Modern psychology is often shaped by humanism and self-definition—frameworks that conflict with biblical anthropology. Many pastors sense that tension but feel unsure how to navigate it faithfully.

In this episode of Ministry Minded, Lincoln Murdoch and Nick Bank are joined by licensed therapist Joe Slabaugh of CityCare Counseling (Omaha, NE) for an honest, theologically serious conversation about Scripture, counseling, discernment, and the care of souls.

Joe draws from his background in ministry and clinical counseling to explain:

• Why the “Bible vs. counseling” tension persists in doctrinally serious churches
• How much of modern therapy is rooted in humanistic assumptions
• Why discernment—not rejection or uncritical acceptance—is the biblical path forward
• How the doctrine of common grace helps Christians evaluate counseling wisely
• The difference between distress, dysfunction, trauma, and ordinary pain
• Why shame is often the hidden root beneath anxiety, depression, and relational breakdown
• How confidentiality and structure make counseling distinct from casual pastoral conversations
• Why many pastors carry loneliness and emotional weight in silence
• What pastors and church leaders should actually look for when evaluating a counselor
• How Joe incorporates the Step Up To Life gospel framework in counseling when appropriate—without violating ethical or professional boundaries

This is not an argument for replacing Scripture with psychology.
It is a call to clearer theological thinking, wiser pastoral discernment, and more faithful care of human souls.

This episode is especially for:

• Pastors and elders who take the sufficiency of Scripture seriously
• Ministry leaders wary of secular ideologies
• Christians who care deeply about soul care, discipleship, and spiritual health
• Anyone trying to understand whether counseling can be approached biblically

You don’t need less conviction.
You need clearer discernment.

Guest: Joe Slabaugh, Licensed Therapist – CityCare Counseling
Featuring: Lincoln Murdoch, Executive Director – Step Up To Life
Host: Nick Bank, U.S. National Director – Step Up To Life

CityCare Counseling:
https://www.citycarecounseling.org/

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www.StepUpToLife.com

What started as gathering of believers has become a living picture of what God can do when generations say yes together. In this episode, C.J. Greiner and Nick Failla share the story behind an unexpected church gathering that began drawing Gen Z—and quickly revealed a deeper calling neither of them saw coming. What they thought was a moment turned into a mandate: to shepherd a community where older and younger believers walk side by side as one family.

C.J. and Nick unpack how God invited them into leading together, bridging generational gaps so that seasoned saints could step into their role as spiritual mothers and fathers, and younger believers could be formed, grounded, and sent. They challenge the modern idea of “revival culture,” explaining that revival isn’t about chasing the next emotional high, conference, or moment—but about cultivating Christian discipline, shared life, and faithfulness rooted in ancient community and the practices of the early church.

This conversation is a call back to something deeper:

• A church shaped by relationship, not hype
• Spiritual formation over spiritual consumption
• Intergenerational discipleship as God’s design
• Revival as a sustained way of life, not a fleeting experience

If you’re hungry for a faith that lasts, a church that feels like family, and a vision of revival grounded in history, humility, and holiness—this episode is for you.

Pastor C.J.'s Book: https://a.co/d/70HqU9Q

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www.StepUpToLife.com

In this conversation, Jimmy George — Executive Director of Fresh Start for All Nations — opens up about the deeply personal journey behind his ministry. Before he ever helped others walk in freedom, he had to confront a “missing piece” in his own sanctification.

Although he carried years of solid biblical training and pastoral experience, Jimmy realized that information alone wasn’t forming him into the kind of shepherd Christ was calling him to be. The Lord invited him to slow down, look honestly at his own hurts, and move from information to transformation. That required facing moments of woundedness, misunderstanding, disappointment, and pastoral pain — and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring healing where he had previously just pushed through.

In this episode, Jimmy unpacks what forgiveness truly is (and what it is not), how the gospel frees wounded hearts, and how leaders can walk in greater wholeness through the Fresh Start process. It’s a timely, hope-filled conversation for anyone longing to experience the deep, liberating work of Christ that restores the heart and renews the call.

www.FreshStartForAllNations.org

or Text: 'Fresh Start' to 55444

Get Dr. Bank's Book: 'Down Like Jesus: Navigating Pastoral Pain in the Footsteps of Christ' here: https://a.co/d/dVK5rWO

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www.StepUpToLife.com

Step Up To Life Champions Tim and Bente share how God brought them together unexpectedly in Sweden and called them to partner in making Christ known through the Step Up To Life method. Together, they train others to share the Gospel clearly—leading people from belief about Jesus to true saving faith in Him.

While Bente, a native of Norway, understood local customs, Tim’s humorous “Weekend Wings” grocery store moment became a memorable symbol of their cultural journey they had embarked upon.

Their story also honors the bold legacy of Norwegian missionaries, whose obedience continues to impact the world. Through Step Up To Life, Tim and Bente carry that mission forward, equipping believers to shine Christ’s light in fresh ways.

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www.StepUpToLife.com

Taylor Foster wasn’t looking for God.
A hard-charging, wild-living young man with Celtic warrior blood and a bullfighting streak, he chased everything the world offered—drinking, drugs, sex, adrenaline—but none of it filled the growing void inside. Raised around church but unchanged by it, Taylor ran hard in the opposite direction… until God caught him.

In this raw and redemptive episode, Taylor—now a Youth Pastor at LifeGate Church—sits down with Lincoln Murdoch and Nick Bank to share his story of wrestling with God, resisting His call, and how an unexpected conversation with Step Up To Life’s late founder, Elmer Murdoch, helped change everything.

Through Elmer’s simple challenge—“Let your sin drive you toward God, not away from Him”—Taylor began the journey from rebellion to repentance, and ultimately to Saving Faith.

Now he’s calling Gen Z to the same surrender that saved him.

www.LifeGateChurch.com

https://www.lifegate.church/team/taylor-foster-efb70

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www.StepUpToLife.com

Vaughn Perez, is the Student Ministry Director at CityLight Bennington Church in Nebraska. Vaughn wears many hats—he’s an assistant high school boys basketball coach, a substitute P.E. teacher at Bennington High School, a volunteer with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a Podcaster (Vaughn & Clay All Day) and a husband to Megan Perez, who serves on staff with CityLight Bennington in Finance & Administration.

Though Vaughn grew up around church, he was largely disinterested in a serious relationship with God—until a friend’s simple invitation to church led him to a life-changing encounter with Jesus. Now, with a heart to reach students from middle school through college, Vaughn uses the 5 Steps from Step Up To Life to help young people identify where they truly are in their spiritual journey and walk with them toward a clear, biblical understanding of saving faith in Christ.

Whether it’s on the court, in the classroom, or at youth group, Vaughn is equipping the next generation with Gospel clarity and compassion.

Vaughn's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/vaughn-and-clay-all-day/id1519035024

CityLight Bennington Website: https://www.citylightbennington.church/

Step Up To Life Website: www.StepUpToLife.com

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www.StepUpToLife.com

Paul Tan joins Lincoln and Nick via Zoom to share his powerful journey from drug smuggler to evangelist. After a close brush with death in Singapore and a life driven by money, Paul encountered the Gospel and never looked back. He left a thriving business to start a halfway house that cared for up to 100 ex-offenders at a time and later stepped into full-time ministry.

Now, as Step Up to Life’s Asia Director, Paul oversees Gospel efforts across Asia, coordinating with leaders like Jonathan Chua (Philippines), Saman Kumara (Sri Lanka), Chandra Tobin (Indonesia), Bishop Dr. Panda (India), and others to spread the Good News throughout the region.

http://cbisingapore.weebly.com/about-us.html

https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossroads-prison-ministries?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company

Support the show

www.StepUpToLife.com