Ken and Deb Mornings

Optimism for gospel impact burgeoned in1991 when the Russian government invited the Christian Bridge mission to explore bringing Christian faith and morality to Russia. Author Philip Yancey was in that delegation that traveled to Russia with Mission Eurasia founders Peter and Anita Deyneka to respond to this remarkable open-door window. Fast forward to 2024 and we wonder, “What went wrong?” Philip Yancey and John Bernbaum, who founded and led the Russian-American Christian University, examine the brief span from 1991 to 2000 when Westerners and Christians were welcome in Russia and explore what went wrong in their new book. Philip Yancey explores this question offering historical and spiritual perspectives to what is happening in Russia and Ukraine and how we can support our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it like to follow Jesus in some of the most dangerous and difficult places for Christians around the world? Every other Wednesday we hear those stories from the persecuted Church with Todd Nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs. Join this segment with Todd to get caught up on the latest news from the persecuted church and learn about a special day coming up at the end of this month to remember those who have given their lives for the cause of Christ. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Middle School is hard enough without adding a move to a town with a population near nothing. That is the setting for Ben Washington Is.. Newbie On the Block,  a new Moody Books fiction release for your middle schooler. Author Jasmine Mullen will join Seth and Deb to introduce us to this new story highlighting themes of friendship, faith, and finding God in the hard spaces of life. We'll round out the conversation by talking a bit about Jasmine's musical heritage and band!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is the number of young people choosing to marry going down? What can be done to encourage young couples to marry? Pastor Ed Hedding has the answer from God's Word as he unpacks why marriage works in this prepared devotional teaching. Take time to be encouraged and excited about God's blueprint for marriage and family!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has the contemporary church misrepresented the person and work of Jesus? If so, how? Christian journalist, researcher, and ministry leader Rick Lawrence explores ways the church has edited Jesus to fit the culture, and in doing so, reducing the real Jesus. If you are longing for the church to be relevant again, this critical examination will point out a few ways that Jesus and His message have been diluted and robbed of its transformative power. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating wedding season can prove challenging when you're a single wanting to be married, newly divorced, or a recent widow.  How do you express genuine joy for the new couple while processing grief, hurt, or disappointment? Lisa Anderson, Director of Young Adults and Boundless at Focus on the Family, joins Seth and Deb to help singles prepare for wedding season. Lisa will also give tips on how we can best support our single friends. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you win, do I lose? Our guest this morning turns that sports mindset on its head in a fictional story that teaches us life strategies to win in relationships! Business owner and author Brian Slipka began his life re-evaluation following a question his father asked him on his deathbed. Learn how responding to this question resulted in Brian creating a framework of life strategies built on trust and serving others by listening to this conversation on Mornings with Seth and Deb!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to the American Bible Society's latest research, the youngest adults in our society are showing signs of interest in the Bible. This is an encouraging trend and so how do we foster and grow this desire with the teens in our influence? Next-Gen Pastor Dr. Ken Castor is part of a new Bible project that adds dynamic features that help readers understand the gospel, how to love their neighbor, and how to build healthy habits. Take a look with us into the Make a Difference Youth Bible and discover how this new project may be an answer to the teen in your life that is wanting to understand and apply God's Word in their life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is God's purpose for every guy? How is this lived out today? Do you need to be a hunter, ride motorcycles, grill, or fish to be a "real" man? Brant Hansen says he is a self-described nerd who plays the flute and calls all men, with all kinds of interests and backgrounds, to be the man God created them to be. Brant will describe some of the decisions a man needs to make that will set them apart from others and set them on the path to becoming a man of God. This is not about being the stereotypically manly man, but this is a call to be man after God's own heart!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you know that men die of suicide at a rate four times higher than women?  What are some possible reasons behind this sobering statistic? Focus on the Family counselor Rob Jackson joins Seth and Deb during this Men’s Mental Health Month to tackle this issue. Rob offers hope and help for supporting the man in your life who may be struggling.  If you have concerns about your or a loved one’s mental health, this conversation offers a resource for the next steps and a brighter tomorrow.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is God laying on the hearts of our local Pastors to share with our community? Every week it's our privilege to hear from local pastors and ministry leaders and receive a word from God's Word for our day. This week, Doug Rowland from Rock Island Bible Church shares spiritual lessons from a recent trip to Guatemala and some needed perspective shifts that serve as a faith correction.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can we learn about our Heavenly Father from the Lord's Prayer? Bible Teacher Becky Harling introduces us to the deep theology of the Lord's prayer and the invitation to relationship contained in this pattern of prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray. As we head toward a weekend celebrating fatherhood, be comforted by what Jesus taught us about our Abba Father.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The struggle is real in knowing how to handle those instincts that are part of our DNA. In this conversation, Chase Replogle teaches us about the 5 Masculine Instincts unpacking the experience of men in the Bible and how men today can learn from their example. Learn how to employ these instincts in a way that helps you become a better man!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Close to 60 percent of couples say that they have experienced a marriage crisis that has mental illness as a major factor. What is the best way to support your spouse who is dealing with depression, suicidal tendencies, anxiety, and PTSD? Is it wise to wait to address mental health struggles? Licensed marriage and family therapist on staff at Focus on the Family Dr. Joannie DeBrito talks with us about these questions and provides helpful information and tools to address and overcome these challenges in this segment on Mornings with Seth and Deb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over 17 million children in our culture live without a biological, step, or adoptive father in the home. What role does the Church have in addressing and filling this need? John Smithbaker seeks to engage the Church through his Fathers in the Field program. This is a ministry that seeks to stand in the gap for fatherlessness through a one-on-one mentorship program. John joins Seth and Deb to celebrate dads and encourage churches to step in and step up in the lives of young men to fill this vital role. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do the recent guilty verdicts mean for former President Trump? Will his legal troubles affect his run for the presidency? Dr. Mark Caleb Smith joins Seth and Deb to talk about the trial and how, as Christians, we should be processing these guilty verdicts and what they reveal about the candidates and the current political climate. How do the decisions in this case provide lessons for us on the meaning of justice and the state of our justice in the US? Be listening for this Christian Perspective on the news on Thursday's Mornings with Seth and Deb. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is your love language? How does God speak your love language? As we approach Father's Day you may be feeling as if you never had a father who truly knew you and knew how to speak love into your life. The good news is that we have a Heavenly Father who knew us from our very beginning and also knows how to best communicate love to us. Dr. Gary Chapman joins Seth and Deb to show us how God speaks our love language and how to recognize His overtures of love to us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Where are some of the most difficult and dangerous places to be a Christian? Every other week on Mornings with Seth and Deb we visit with Todd Nettleton from Voice of the Martyrs who fills us in on the latest stories of persecution from brothers and sisters in Christ. In this conversation, Todd updates us on Susanna Koh's ongoing trial in Malaysia, discusses the results of India's elections, and we'll hear a report on what kind of persecution Christians in Vietnam are facing. Listen in for specific ways to pray and to hear the amazing ways God is working through His people. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has God ever called you to move on to a new ministry, a new job opportunity? What was it like to go through that process and how have you seen God work the move out for His glory and your good? Seth and Deb talk to former Moody Radio Quad Cities Station Manager Jason Crosby about a new beginning in his life and how he has experienced God's leading to his new ministry assignment! Listen for Jason's "move on" story and call in to share your story on Wednesday's Mornings with Seth and Deb!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do the Hebrew names of God help us to know God better and to draw nearer to Him? Melissa Briggs is an experienced Hebrew Teacher who regularly joins Seth and Deb to share the riches of the Hebrew language. In this conversation, she'll explain 5 Hebrew names of God. Explore the powerful meanings of God as our Rock, Shepherd, Provider, The Lord Who Provides, The Lord Our Righteousness, and Jealous God with Hebrew Teacher Melissa Briggs on Mornings with Seth and Deb!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.