Ben is joined by Jordan Stanfill, CEO of Housing Opportunities, to discuss the housing crisis happening in our communities across the country. Jordan shares about the huge impact they are making to provide sustainable and dignified housing for those who are experiencing economic hardships. Ben shares about the reality that as Christians we are called to seek justice and mercy, and part of that call is advocating and supporting equitable and sustainable living for all.

Housing Opportunities is one Real Life Community Church's community partnerships as part of our desire to be "for the region" here in NW Indiana.

Damaris joins Ben and Rich to talk about the impact that Nazarene Compassionate Ministries makes around the world. She shares her own ministry journey, and tells of the amazing ways that the church collectively responds when a crisis hits a community. Throughout this episode, it is clear that God is continuing to love and care for His creation through His church. The question is, will we join in on this joyful work?

Rich and Ben are joined by Pastor Greg Arthur from Duneland Community Church to discuss the work he is involved in where they have found a creative way to provide those who have been trafficked and exploited with sustainable economic opportunities. They opportunities not only pull them out of harm but give them a new foundation of stability and freedom. They go on to discuss the impact that this ministry involvement has made on Greg, and how it has given him a new lens for us to see humanity through when it comes to our view of oppression, redemption, and the Kingdom of God.

for more information about this ministry, go to freethegirls.org or freethegirls.coffee

Rich and Ben are joined by Shaunna Finley, who has committed her life to advocating for schools and children across the country, to discuss the challenges our schools are facing today. She shares from her own personal experiences and from the perspective she has gained over her years in the school system.

They talk about the real life hurdles that students are facing today, and how the church can make a helpful difference through listening, advocacy, and by simply building relationships with children and families in its own communities.

Ben talks with Mark Quinn, who spent years in full-time ministry but has transitioned into a new role at Heart 2 Heart which provides intermittent care and structure for children who struggle with developmental/emotional disabilities, in a safe and loving environment.

They share their own personal stories about how mental health challenges and neurodiversity has affected their life and ministry in the church. This is a great conversation about how the church should see people wherever they are on the mental/emotional spectrum and support them instead of creating molds for them to fit in or strategies to try to "fix" them.

Ben and Rich invite Amy Jo Fox from Hands of Hope to share her story and to educate us about the challenges that children and families in the foster care system are facing, and how the Church can surround these families with the support they need to flourish. This conversation continues our desire to learn from, relate to, and love all of our neighbors, and this week we focus on foster care and how it truly takes a village (or a church) to raise and support a healthy family.

Pastor Dexter Harris joins Rich and Ben for the first interview on the Reallife Roundtable. Dexter shares his story and valuable perspective as a pastor in Gary, Indiana. He shares many insights on how the way we see ourselves and the false narratives we carry about people in our proximity (people with different backgrounds and cultures) distorts how we view our call to love our neighbors. They discuss the importance of not being the center of our own worlds, and how we should look to Jesus' example for how we are to see, understand, and serve the people around us.

Rich and Ben discuss their thoughts on Weddings which leads to a conversation about what it means to be the "bride of Christ." They go back and forth about the significance of wedding vows, and how this idea translates to our statements of faith. Our vows need to be lived out in order to have a healthy and fruitful relationships. Rich shares about an article he found that explains how individualism can cause Christians to become like flowering fruit trees that don't bear fruit.