Engaging Truth

In this episode of Engaging Truth, host Pastor Trey Sansom sits down with Pastor Jason Moreno of Christ Memorial Lutheran Church in Houston to talk about the thought of Jesus’ ministry that never leaves his mind: “Christ always includes me.” Pastor Moreno shares how seasons of not fitting the mold—career shifts, loss, divorce, doubt, and ministry challenges—became the very places where Jesus met him with personal love, not reluctant permission.

Together, Trey and Jason explore how our deepest identity isn’t what we’ve done or what others say, but what Jesus says: beloved child. You are not an...

Far more than a good human teacher, the Bible tells us that Christ Jesus is God, and He holds all things together. In a powerful presentation, the Rev. Steven Misch explains how the Christian faith is unique. We do not have to "do right" to be "right with God," rather, we are saved by faith in Jesus. Jesus alone is perfect. Through Jesus, we are made right with God the Father.

Standing in our place, Jesus took God the Father's divine judgment and wrath on the cross. Now covered by Christ's righteousness, we will be judged as "...

Rev. Joshua LeBorious, Sr. Pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Friendswood, TX, is an expert on “relational ministry”.

If this term is new to you, I encourage you to listen to the Engaging Truth program featuring Pastor Laborious as he explains how Jesus’ ministry was relational and encourages us to follow Jesus’ way of offering ministry. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

Explaining an aspect of Jesus that he appreciates so much is the Rev. Scott Heitshusen. Scott is the pastor of LifeBridge Community Church in Sealy, Texas (https://www.lifebridgesealy.com/). Hosting today’s conversation is Pastor John Cain.

One day from the pulpit at Joy Lutheran Church in Summerwood, Pastor Trey Sansom told his congregation, "Jesus is even better at forgiving than we are at sinning." One of his parishoners was so moved by the message that he committed to printing it on t-shirts to be given away.

Pastor Sansom joins host Bill Prewitt to discuss both the message and the movement on this week's episode of "Engaging Truth."

Pastor Robert Bailey has served in very large churches and most recently started a church between Houston and Galveston. With no permanent church building, Pastor Bailey has learned to be very creative.

For example, the “Questions and Pints” gathering engages new people in spiritual conversations while enjoying a beverage. Pastor Bailey has also connected with the community he serves while serving as a chaplain for the local police department.

As a second career pastor, Pastor Bailey brings a fresh perspective to the work of the Lord. Tune in and learn how the risen Christ is at w...

Late last year Rev. Matthew Brackman, pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Texas City, took on a new role as a dual-congregation pastor also serving Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Houston.

Join host Bill Prewitt as they discuss the challenges of being the spiritual leader of two congregations.

Join us for an insightful interview with LCMS Texas District President Jon Braunersreuther as he shares the latest updates on district ministries, exciting progress in church planting initiatives reaching new communities, practical ideas for congregational renewal and revitalization, and the current landscape of pastoral formation amid growing needs.

Anchoring it all in timeless hope, he'll reflect on the transformative power of Jesus' resurrection—proof of victory over death and the foundation of our faith. Pastor Josh Knippa hosts.

When eternal God was born into a human body that first Christmas (the Incarnation), the Word of God through whom all creation came into being, also became flesh. But why did He do it? God did it to personally deliver the divine blessings of forgiveness, eternal life and ultimately renewal.

Understanding the Bible in the way that is “true to the original” is teaching Scripture as it was understood by the apostles and transmitted to the early church. This is an incredibly important aspect of our Christianity and one that was shared by Athanasius (c. 296-373) as his...

Who is Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas, Easter, and all year-round?

From the creation of the universe through Him, to His birth into human flesh that first Christmas, to the end of time, Jesus is eternal God and has earned our place with Him for eternity.

Talking about the creation and Jesus’ incarnation into human flesh is the Rev. Brad Jurischk. He is the Senior Pastor of St. Timothy Lutheran Church, in NW Houston, Texas (www.STLHouston.org). Pastor John Cain hosts.

Christmas is coming and Pastor Jeff Doria, the Senior Pastor at St. Paul in Thorndale, Texas, assists us in preparing for the joy of Christ's birth.

Starting with John 1, Pastor Doria guides the audience through various ways they may prepare for Christmas at home, at school, in the youth group, and in the sanctuary. Along the way, participants learn about the church year, the season of Advent, and the "fleshiness" of the Christian faith as found in God-made-flesh in Jesus.

In addition, Pastor Doria leads us in differentiating between fun, fictional Christmas-y stories and the...

What does it mean that Jesus was born at Christmas? It means that the Eternal God chose to be born into human flesh to help us, entering our world at that one point in history to begin our restoration. Setting aside the glories of Heaven, Jesus was born to rescue us from sin, death and the devil. By His sinless death on the cross, and resurrection back to life again, Jesus earned our exemption from God the Father’s judgment on human sin and our ultimate place with Jesus in eternity.

Today’s guest is the Rev. Mich...

Pastor Stephen DeMik spent several years in the Cypress, Texas, area serving as an Associate Pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, then to launching Cypress Chapel in a local pub, while also joining the U.S. Navy Reserves as a military chaplain.

Pastor Demik currently serves as co-pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Lubbock. Join us as we hear of Pastor DeMik's interesting and varied career serving the people of God. Bill Prewitt hosts.

God is all-knowing, but we have our limits. God has partially revealed Himself to us through His Word (the Bible). We know that Christians live under His forgiveness, earned by Jesus. But, what can we know about His plan for the Church on earth, its structure and its pastors?

The Rev. Dr. John Davis is First Vice President of the Texas District, in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (txlcms.org); and he is the senior pastor of Memorial Lutheran Church of Katy, Texas (mlckaty.com). In a wide-ranging interview, he talks about God's omniscient (all-knowing) nature, and...

Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel shares his extensive research on the anniversary of the Nicene Creed turning 1700 years old this year.

In 325 AD, Emperor Constantine called together a universal church council in order to unify the whole church around the biblical truth about the person of Jesus Christ. While the theology stated in this Creed is currently confessed by billions of souls, this interview focuses on the leadership God raised up as the church united around the identity of Jesus Christ. May the one, holy, Christian, and apostolic church continue to be so led. Pastor Joshua Knippa hosts.<...

In 1906, the American journalist Alfred Henry Lewis stated, "There are only nine meals between mankind and anarchy." In this season of Thanksgiving, we don’t always recognize the many things we have to be thankful for, even for the safety of our food and the wide availability of products on store shelves.

Today we are talking with Gary Huddleston, a Christian executive, chair for the board of a Dallas Christian radio station, who had a forty-five-year career with Kroger Corporation as a store manager. In this position he was also involved in labor relations, human resources management, pu...

Why does the church need pastors? How does the church prepare pastors?

In the Bible, the office of shepherd, or pastor, is not only described, but is prescribed for the church. Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Boyle (Ph.D., University of Michigan), the Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana, introduces the listeners to what the pastoral office is and how pastoral formation is undertaken in the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod.

Professor Boyle connects the family life of the pastor with the pastoral calling to shepherd souls. In addition to...

Sola scriptura, sola gratia and sola fide, that is, scripture alone, by grace alone, through faith alone. Join host Pastor David Schultz as he welcomes the Rev. Dr. Laurence White to the Engaging Truth microphone to offer comment on the basis of Luther's efforts to reform the church.

Modern day sexual morals (or lack thereof) are vigorously debated inside and outside the church today. God selected a wife for the prophet Hosea. Her name was Gomer. Gomer’s sexual expression would fit in well with today’s hyper-sexual culture. Yet, despite Gomer’s numerous flings, Hosea repeatedly received her back as his wife. In this interview, Professor Kevin Golden, Concordia Seminary, explains the marital dynamics between Hosea and Gomer and how this unusual marital union came to communicate God’s great love for all sinful people. With Dr. Golden as an expert guide, this Old Testament prophet speaks p...

Interested in missions? Then this interview is for you. Lutheran Women in Mission, also known as the Lutheran Women's Missionary League (LWML), is a leader in the world-wide mission to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sally Krueger serves in part of this mission field as the President of the Texas District chapter of LWML. Listeners will learn how the risen and reigning Christ miraculously turns pocket change into millions of dollars of effective evangelism ministry. In addition to supporting worldwide missions, the women of the LWML also lead outreach efforts in the mission field where they live...

Faith draws us to eternity, while rehabilitation is one of its fruits today. . . A wonderful benefit to every citizen is that true moral rehabilitation is happening in many prisons. Real rehabilitation is happening with inmates, prior to their release, all working to keep us safer. One couple, Grove and Dr. Brenna Norwood, have made it their lives' work to help establish and raise support for two accredited Colleges, awarding the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Applied Ministry. As a result of this education, trained inmates have become ministers to their fellow incarcerated in 55 prisons, while more will graduate...

Faith draws us to eternity, while rehabilitation is one of its fruits today. . . A wonderful benefit to every citizen is that of true moral rehabilitation is happening in many prisons. Real rehabilitation is happening with inmates, prior to their release, all working to keep us safer. One couple, Grove and Dr. Brenna Norwood, have made it their lives' work to help establish and raise support for two accredited Colleges, awarding the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Applied Ministry. As a result of this education, trained inmates have become ministers to their fellow incarcerated in 55 prisons, while more will...

The only thing Las Vegas and Liberia seem to have in common is that the names for both places begin with the letter “L.” By the hand of the risen Lord Jesus, while living in the Las Vegas area, Linda Kurtz was introduced to a person from Liberia. Stories of wars and the results of such wars were shared. The Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of His people and a mission to Liberia was started. Now over 15 years later, Hope and Care Ministries offers a full spectrum of Christ-centered services to orphans, to widows, to single mothers, and to t...

Culture is all around us, and much of what we see in it runs contrary to the good, the true, and the beautiful. This week we talk to Dr. Benjamin Quinn of the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. We discuss a range of topics, including how Christians can approach culture with wisdom and do kingdom work in each of our contexts. Rev. Josh Knippa hosts.

How do you explain something important, in a way that people will remember? You tell a true story, like Jesus did! The Rev. Nate Jore spent 17 years as a missionary in Uganda, Africa. In Africa he practiced retelling the Good News of Jesus Christ using help from the Orality Institute (oralityinstitute.org). And you can too! Rev. John Cain hosts.

How can we help the Hill Country? This week, we talk to Julie Tucker, the Texas District Emergency Management Director. Julie updates us on the status of flood recovery in the Kerrville, Texas, area and in other parts of the state. We discuss ways to help and how we can find hope in the midst of the storm. Pastor Josh Knippa hosts.

Join host Bill Prewitt as he welcomes Pastor Eric Hiner, 4th Vice President of the

Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, to discuss his dual roles

within the district. Pastor Hiner serves both as Sr. Pastor of a vibrant

congregation in Lubbock, TX, as well as one of the district’s active

administrators.

The news talks about immigration enforcement efforts, trade, deportation, smuggling and wall building. What newsworthy things is God doing in the midst of these other movements? The Rev. Nathan Wendorf lives and works there, on the border, as the Sr. Pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harlingen, Texas, and he is the 3rd Vice President of the Texas District of the LCMS. He tells us "Jesus is moving" to start new churches, multi-cultural congregations, and evangelism training to equip others to share the "Good News", that Jesus has earned our forgiveness and eternal life. Pastor John Cain hosts.

Colonel Michael Fossum served his country as an Air Force test pilot, a NASA astronaut, and now as COO of Texas A&M - Galveston. In this interview, the Colonel describes how he endured through numerous challenges by keeping his Christian calling as his foremost mission. We also discuss how STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and the Christian faith are a good match both personally and professionally. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

Part Two of a two-part presentation by LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison on the national state of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod presented. at the triennial Convention of the Texas District of the LCMS held in June at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.

Life is good because it is a gift from God. This sentence is lived out daily by Rev. Dr. Aric Fenske, Executive Director of Lutherans for Life, as well as by the many Christians who are involved in this powerful ministry. In this interview, we discuss the large spectrum of contemporary issues which Lutherans for Life addresses. Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel hosts.

Part One of a two-part presentation by LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison on the national state of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod presented. at the triennial Convention of the Texas District of the LCMS held in June at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.

Highlights from the Opening Worship Service at the triennial Convention of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod held in June at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, TX.

Listen as host Bill Prewitt welcomes Pastor Dave Welch, the founder and CEO of the U.S. Pastor Council, as he describes his organization's AMERICA plan to help pastors energize their congregations to carry the Gospel beyond the church doors and take an active Christian role in civic affairs. uspastorcouncil

Why do we want to slay the dragon and rescue the princess? The video game industry accounts for more revenue than movies and television COMBINED. What is it about these stories that so captures our imaginations? This week we talk to Michael Morejon of gamingandgod.com and trace biblical themes and threads through some of today’s most popular video games. Pastor Josh Knippa hosts.

Join host Bill Prewitt as we continue our tribute to father/son pastoral pairs with an interview featuring the Rev. Tim Dinger, Pastor Emeritus at Peace Lutheran Church in Groves, TX, and his son Andrew, currently serving as lead pastor at Timothy Lutheran Church in St. Louis, MO. As a young boy watching his father serve in East Texas, Andrew was first headed to Lamar University in Beaumont, TX, where he studied mathematics, but he later attended Concordia Texas and then pursued his Divinity degree at Concordia Seminary.

A pastor’s son will sometimes follow in his dad’s footsteps. The Reverends William Knippa and son Michael are examples of multiple generations in ministry. Michael knew from an early age that he wanted to be a pastor someday. From early life and knowing God’s direction, to father and son collaborating professionally, theirs is a family in ministry. Michael currently serves as Associate Pastor at Redeemer Lutheran in Austin, Texas. Pastor John Cain hosts. www.redeemer.net

Rev. Dr. Mark Drengler and Rev. Micah Drengler have a lot in common: they are both pastors in the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), they both serve in the parish ministry, they both earned a M.Div. from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO, and Mark is the father of Micah. While that is quite a list, Pastor Drengler and Pastor Drengler share that they are the most recent pastors in a legacy of pastors that now extends to six generations. The LCMS' program, Set Apart to Serve, will be discussed along with other resources that are available to...

We live in times of increasing spiritual opportunity. Following COVID lock-downs, many people are searching for joyful expressions of community and Biblical faith in Christ. We welcome back for a conversation the Rev. Michael Newman, President of the Texas District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). Newman notes that there is a “pent-up” demand for new congregations. The LCMS has about 400 congregations in Texas alone. In the Texas LCMS, no new congregations were formed during the COVID difficulties, but more than 40 have been formed since! Joy can be a spiritual gift from God (Galatians 5:22), and we are seeing that...

Guest Pastor Richard Mittwede serves through The University Lutheran Church, ministering in a context shaped by intense academics, complex social dynamics, and a fast-paced urban environment. He highlights the church’s role as a sanctuary and discusses the unique challenges of campus ministry. Listeners are encouraged to think of university students they know and connect them with Pastor Mittwede or other campus pastors to help fulfill Jesus’ mission. The conversation is hosted by Rev. Dr. Douglas Krengel.