Sandra shares from personal experience as both a sister and mother of individuals with disabilities, and she casts a compelling vision for churches to become accessible and inclusive to people of all ability levels.
They explore the theological foundations for understanding disability, the relational and spiritual impacts of accessibility, and practical ways churches of any size can serve individuals and families affected by disability.
Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or church member, this conversation will challenge and equip you to take steps toward a more inclusive and grace-filled church culture.
Theology of Disability: the Image of God & the Mission of the Church – with Sandra Peoples –
Theology for the People
In this episode, Nick Cady is joined by Sandra Peoples — a disability ministry consultant, author, and pastor's wife — to discuss her new book: Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their FamiliesSandra shares from personal experience as both a sister and mother of individuals with disabilities, and she casts a compelling vision for churches to become accessible and inclusive to people of all ability levels.They explore the theological foundations for understanding disability, the relational and spiritual impacts of accessibility, and practical ways churches of any size can serve individuals and families affected by disability. Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, or church member, this conversation will challenge and equip you to take steps toward a more inclusive and grace-filled church culture.👉 Learn more about Sandra’s work and resources at sandrapeoples.comFind articles and more content at TheologyforthePeople.com
I have recently started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:
In this episode of the Theology for the People Podcast, I speak with Dr. Drew Martin, professor of theology and church history at Covenant Theological Seminary about the life and teachings of Francis Grimké: a Presbyterian minister who was born enslaved.
Drew shares about his own pastoral journey, planting a church in Charlotte and then transitioning to academia, and why he wrote his new book on Francis Grimké — an influential but often overlooked church leader and early civil rights advocate.
Drew shares about Grimké’s life: born into slavery, educated at Princeton, and pastoring 15th Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, for nearly 50 years. Drew explains Grimké’s passion for preaching the gospel and fighting racial prejudice, his wisdom in holding together faith and social action without confusing them, and what the church today can learn from Grimké’s example.
If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to subscribe and share this episode with friends who want to deepen their understanding of faithful ministry, church history, and engaging society with gospel clarity.
Gospel Faithfulness & Social Engagement: The Life and Teaching of Francis Grimké – with Dr. Drew Martin –
Theology for the People
In this episode of Theology for the People, Nick talks with Dr. Drew Martin, professor of theology and church history at Covenant Theological Seminary. Drew shares about his pastoral journey, his transition to academia, and why he wrote his new book on Francis Grimké — an influential but often overlooked African American Presbyterian pastor, church leader, and early civil rights advocate.They discuss Grimké’s life: born into slavery, educated at Princeton, and pastoring 15th Street Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, for nearly 50 years. Drew explains Grimké’s passion for preaching the gospel and fighting racial prejudice, his wisdom in holding together faith and social action without confusing them, and what the church today can learn from Grimké’s example.📖 Get Drew’s book: Francis Grimké on the Christian Life (Crossway’s Theologians on the Christian Life Series)🔗 Connect with Drew at Covenant Theological Seminary.If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to subscribe and share this episode with friends who want to deepen their understanding of faithful ministry, church history, and engaging society with gospel clarity.Visit theologyforthepeople.com for articles and additional content.
I have recently started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:
Matt shares about his ministry journey, why Tim Keller’s legacy is still so valuable for the church today, and what he discovered while sifting through Keller’s sermons, books, and endnotes. They discuss Keller’s approach to contextualization, evangelism, friendship, and what it means to taste and see that the Lord is good.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Keller’s work or just curious about his influence, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for how the gospel changes everything.
Show Notes:
Matt’s background in missions and church planting
Responding to recent critiques of Keller’s ministry
How Keller’s focus on gospel clarity shaped his preaching
What surprised Matt most in Keller’s work
Lessons for pastors, leaders, and everyday believers
In this episode host Nick Cady talks with Matt Smethurst about his new book Tim Keller on the Christian Life. Matt shares about his ministry journey, why Tim Keller’s legacy is still so valuable for the church today, and what he discovered while sifting through Keller’s sermons, books, and endnotes. They discuss Keller’s approach to contextualization, evangelism, friendship, and what it means to taste and see that the Lord is good. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Keller’s work or just curious about his influence, this conversation will deepen your appreciation for how the gospel changes everything.Show Notes:Matt’s background in missions and church plantingResponding to recent critiques of Keller’s ministryHow Keller’s focus on gospel clarity shaped his preachingWhat surprised Matt most in Keller’s workLessons for pastors, leaders, and everyday believers📚 Check out Matt’s books:Tim Keller on the Christian LifeBefore You Open Your BibleBefore You Share Your FaithDeacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the ChurchVisit theologyforthepeople.com for articles and more content.
I have recently started posting more on the Theology for the People YouTube channel. You can watch this interview on video here:
Did you know that children in the foster system form an at-risk people group within our own communities?
In almost every case, the reason these children end up in foster care is because of an unsuitable home environment, which may involve violence, neglect, drugs, crime, etc. These environments not only result in trauma, but they also tend to result in or be associated with poverty. Many foster care situations are kinship care, which means the child is cared for by a relative, which can create a financial burden.
Poverty has a profound impact on a child’s mental and physical well-being. Children living in poverty have higher rates of absenteeism from school. Students who come from low income families are six times more likely to drop out of high school. Adults without a high school diploma are 4 times more likely to be unemployed and live in poverty, which means raising their children in poverty, perpetuating a cycle of poverty which may persist for generations: poverty affects education which affects poverty. (source 1, source 2)
One of the ways we can help kids break out of this cycle of poverty is by encouraging them to stay in school – and one of the ways we can do that is by helping them have the things they need to be confident and excited about going to school, so they can succeed!
Our church, White Fields Community Church, has a history of ministering to children in the foster system, and six years ago we began a new ministry: Project Back to School.
We are working with Weld County Department of Human Services, and this year they have identified over 100 at-risk kids who need help with school supplies, clothes, and shoes. They have provided us with a list of needed items, which we will share with those who sign up to help.
We are trusting that God will raise up people to bless these families in the name of Jesus. It’s a way for us to love not only in words and in speech, but in action as well (1 John 3:18).
We are taking sign-ups starting Sunday, July 6 and are asking for items to be returned by Sunday, July 27.
How to Get Involved and Make a Difference
1. Sign up in-person
If you live in or near Longmont, visit White Fields Church on a Sunday morning this July and sign up to sponsor one or more children.
2. Sign up online
If you can’t make it on a Sunday morning, but are still local and could drop off items to us for delivery, leave a comment below, or contact the church here.
3. Contribute Financially
All monies that come in designated for Project Back to School will go directly towards buying school supplies for at risk children. You can make a tax-deductible donation on our church’s website here: www.whitefieldschurch.com/give (choose Project Back to School on the drop-down menu).
Join us in praying for these kids, and that God uses this initiative to bless them!
Theology for the People 