Christians are supposed to be known by their love for others—but the needs of the world around you can feel overwhelming. Where do you even begin? Is this kind of sacrificial love attainable? And what do you do with the guilty feeling that you're "not doing enough"?
As a team of therapists and pastors who are dedicated to meeting the needs of others, we understand how burdensome (and at times confusing) this calling feels. So we designed a series to help you think biblically about what "loving your neighbor as yourself" looks like in practical terms.
We addressed questions like:
Who is my neighbor?
How can I love my neighbor purposefully?
Can loving people well really bring about lasting transformation?
Who are the most vulnerable in my community?
What organizations are loving others well and how can I help too?
We hope this series sets you free to love others in new ways and opens your eyes to God's work happening around you. Loving others intentionally can have a powerful impact on you and those around you!
Who is Your Neighbor?
Do you feel overwhelmed by the needs of those around you and struggle with guilt that you’re not doing enough to help? In a world filled with suffering, brokenness, and heartache, Christians are called to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). But how is love defined, and who qualifies as your neighbor?
In this episode, hosts John and Shay are joined by their friend and fellow pastor Nathan Tiemeyer to tackle the question: Who is your neighbor and how are you called to love them?
Loving Your Neighbor on Purpose
Listen in as Austin sits down with Chris and Elizabeth McKinney to hear about their passionate desire to connect with people in their Columbia, Missouri neighborhood. They’ll describe the way God turned their ministry—which started as a small fish fry—into a podcast, two books, and ongoing training for others who are interested in connecting, growing, reaching, and serving their own communities for Christ.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
Placed for a Purpose: A Simple and Sustainable Vision for Loving Your Next-Door Neighbors by Chris and Elizabeth McKinney
Neighborhoods Reimagined: How the Beatitudes Inspire Our Call to Be Good Neighbors by Chris and Elizabeth McKinney
Transforming Your Neighborhood with Love
Listen in as Lynn sits down with Jane Williams and Caroline Roush of Love Columbia to hear about how the ministry grew from a simple gesture of offering to pray for neighbors to a vibrant hub that offers a wide range of services to the community.
You’ll be encouraged to hear how God can use our greatest limitations and wounds to bear fruit, grow empathy, and draw others closer to Him.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
Love Columbia - Learn how you can serve, donate, and support the ministry
Follow Love Columbia on Facebook
Protecting and Choosing Life
What if the key to loving your neighbor lies in meeting them with grace and compassion in their most vulnerable moments, no matter their choices?
Listen in as Austin interviews Cassidy Teter and Molly Cover from My Life Clinic in Columbia, Missouri, hear about their compassionate approach to supporting women facing unexpected or unsupported pregnancies.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
My Life Clinic - Learn how to get involved, attend events, become a supporter
Follow My Life Clinic on Facebook
Caring for Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice
Listen is as Shay interviews Megan Sievers, Executive Director of Welcome Home Community for Veterans. You’ll learn about the complex challenges that veterans face and how community helps them rebuild. And you’ll realize that loving veterans is a way to love your neighbor as yourself.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
Welcome Home - Join the battle to end veteran homelessness
Rock Bridge Lions Club Annual Charity Picnic - September 15, 2025
10th Annual Welcome Home Casino Night - November 7th, 2025
Breaking the Cycle of Sex Trafficking in Your Community
It’s tempting to think that there is no human trafficking going on in your own neighborhood, but the sad truth is, it happens every major city in the US. What role can you play, if any, in breaking this terrible cycle?
Listen in as Austin interviews Julie Meranda and Lauren Gray of Magnolia Ministry, as they share stories of hope, ways you can help, and what God is doing to restore hurting women and those around them.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
Magnolia Ministry – Help women find freedom, safety, and wholeness
Donate to Magnolia Ministry - A donation of any size is greatly appreciated
Magnolia’s Amazon Wish List - Give a gift to a hurting woman in Jesus’ name
Follow Magnolia: Anti-Trafficking on Facebook
Looking to volunteer, or have questions about the ministry? Email Julie at jmeranda@themagnoliaministry.org
Serving Your City One Person at a Time
In this episode, Shay sits down with Shelly Mayer, Care Ministry Director at The Crossing, to talk about ForColumbia, the incredible one-day serving event that unites churches all over the city of Columbia, MO, as they work side-by-side to live out the gospel and serve the community.
As you listen, you’ll be challenged to link arms with others on the same mission, and work to change your city, one person and one day at a time.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
ForColumbia - Serving the City, Loving Our Neighbors
Looking for a place to serve? The Crossing has all kinds of Care Serving Teams
Looking for support? The Crossing has Care Groups that meet every need
Welcoming a Child Who Needs a Home
In this episode of our ongoing series, John sits down with special guest Kari Hopkins, Chief Operating Officer of Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries in Columbia, Missouri, to learn how they restore childhoods for kids in foster care by providing stable, loving homes.
As you listen, you’ll be challenged to ask yourself whether or not God is calling you to be a foster family to a child in need of safety and security – and love.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
Visit Coyote Hill Foster Care Ministries to learn how love can transform a child’s life
Follow Coyote Hill on Facebook
“Everyone Deserves a Second Chance” with Dan Hanneken
In the final episode of this series, Shay talks with Dan Hanneken about his remarkable journey from addiction and jail time, to a life-changing encounter with God in a prison cell, to a calling to serve those who are recently released from prison.
Based on his own experience, Dan founded In2Action to provide men with the life skills, support, and training they need to connect with others and contribute to the community. As you listen to Dan’s story of transformed lives, you’ll realize that God’s grace offers a second chance for anyone willing to change.
Interested in learning more? Check out these resources:
In2Action: Where Community Matters - Transitional support, housing, and recovery services to people recently released from prison in the Columbia, MO area
ROC - Reentry Community Center - Tangible resources to help with reentry and recovery, including job readiness training, transportation services, and counseling