In today’s episode, Elder Sam Stanley, one of our remarkable young service missionaries, sits down with Bishop Kirk Halbison. You’ll hear about his childhood split between the Gila River Indian Community and a small northern Arizona town, his memories of a close-knit family full of cousins, camping trips, and good-natured pranks, and the lessons of sacrifice, patience, and faith learned from both his hardworking mother and his gentle, steady father.

Bishop Halbison opens up about the values he hopes to be remembered for—loving his family deeply, being a true friend, and keeping his relationship with the Savior at the center of his life. Along the way, you’ll laugh at stories about “Air Jordans” that weren’t quite what he expected, shocking Christmas lights in more ways than one, and epic orange fights in the Arizona sun.

It’s a warm, personal conversation that reminds us that joy in the Lord’s service often comes from the everyday experiences that shape our character.

In this episode of Joy in His Service, President Aaron Hale engages in a heartfelt conversation with Charlie Bevilacqua, a member of the stake council. Charlie shares his remarkable journey of faith, transitioning from Catholicism to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and highlights the importance of service in building community. He discusses his unique food ministry, the significance of ministering to families, and the transformative power of the temple. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassion, unity, and the role of service in discipleship, particularly in engaging young people.

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to Curtis Farnsworth, a man whose life story reads like a testament to faith, perseverance, and the power of showing up.

Curtis grew up in the Mormon colonies of Northern Mexico - Colonia Juárez to be exact - where his great-grandfather had settled in the late 1800s. Picture this: a fourth-generation kid running through apple orchards, riding horses, and living what he calls "every young boy's dream" in the countryside. But Curtis's journey took him far from those peach trees and cattle ranches.

After serving a mission in Guadalajara, Mexico, and earning his accounting degree at BYU, Curtis became what he jokingly calls "the proverbial menace to society" - not getting married until he was 31. But when he met Denise, herself 27, everything changed. Today, they've built something beautiful: three children who all live within their famous "20-minute rule" of mom and dad, eight grandchildren ranging from ages 8 down to 0, and a thriving CPA practice that Curtis is passing on to his son.

But what makes Curtis's story truly compelling isn't just his professional success or his picture-perfect family Christmas cards. It's his approach to ministry and leadership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a recently released Elders Quorum President and former bishop, Curtis has learned that sometimes the most profound principle in ministry is simply this: "Half the battle is showing up."

Today, we're going to dive into Curtis's philosophy of ministering, his insights on building strong quorum culture, and why he believes that you never know when someone is ready to come back to church.

Today I'm excited to share a conversation with Jody Corbett, a remarkable woman whose life beautifully weaves together faith, family, and professional service.

Jody grew up in St. George, Utah, surrounded by an incredible extended family of 59 first cousins - a testament to the strong pioneer heritage that shaped her early years. After earning her English degree from BYU, she ventured to the Arizona desert for law school at the University of Arizona, where she not only earned her law degree but also met her future husband.

For over two decades, Jody has built an impressive legal career specializing in government liability defense, representing the City of Phoenix in cases ranging from everyday slip-and-falls to complex police litigation. Three years ago, she transitioned from private practice to serve as an Assistant City Attorney, where she continues to advocate for one of the nation's largest cities while helping shape policy to prevent future legal challenges.

But what makes Jody's story particularly compelling is how her analytical, evidence-based legal training has intersected with her journey of faith. As a mother of four and current Relief Society President, she's learned to balance her natural inclination to seek empirical proof with the need for spiritual faith - a tension that has ultimately strengthened both her professional confidence and her testimony.

In our conversation today, Jody opens up about her testimony's foundation, the parallels between being an advocate in court and Christ's role as our advocate, and the profound lessons she's learning about ministering and building community in her current calling. She also shares a powerful message about faith, family challenges, and the Savior's constant invitation to find our way back to Him.

Today we’re joined by a remarkable woman whose life is a powerful example of quiet discipleship and bold action. Nicole Earl is the Stake Relief Society President and the cofounder of Gathering Humanity, a grassroots nonprofit that has helped transform the refugee resettlement experience here in Arizona. Since 2016, she and her team of volunteers have turned empty apartments into homes, one welcome basket at a time. Nicole and her husband Josh have four sons, have lived abroad in Israel, served several years in the San Tan Branch, and are now part of the Layton Lakes 3rd Ward.

Today’s guest is someone who brings both spiritual and physical healing into the lives of those around him. Dr. Travis Mowery is a licensed naturopathic physician in Arizona and Utah, a certified Vitalist, and a passionate educator about the principles of health, the outdoors, and spirituality. He’s also a devoted husband, an Eagle Scout, a member of our Stake High Council, and our Stake Young Men’s President. Travis and his wife Allison have been married for 14 years, and today, we’re excited to learn from his journey, his faith, and his insights into healing—both inside and out.

Today on Joy in His Service, I’m joined by Bishop Brian Critchfield of the Grove 3rd Ward. Bishop Critchfield is married to his sweetheart Angie, and together they have five wonderful children. He's been serving as bishop for just over a year, and in this episode, we’ll talk about what it’s been like to step into that role, what he's learned so far, and how the Lord is shaping him through this calling.

Outside of his Church service, Bishop Critchfield is a global speaker, author, professor, and consultant in the world of marketing and strategy. Over the last 25 years, he’s launched more than 100 products, worked with companies from startups to Fortune 500 giants like Toyota, Microsoft, and HP, and helped pioneer the field of social media marketing in the Northwest.

He’s taught seminars across the globe—from South Africa to Malaysia—and is currently a university faculty member here in Arizona, where he teaches graduate-level courses and develops marketing curriculum. He’s also a certified FranklinCovey facilitator and a strong believer in leadership, effectiveness, and purpose-driven communication.

In this conversation, we’ll get to know Bishop Critchfield—his background, his testimony, his journey to the gospel, and his vision for the ward he serves. I’m excited for you to hear his story. Let’s get started.