In this episode of The Ministry Mix Podcast, Phil and Richard sit down with their friend Josh, pastor of Cross & Anchor Church in Detroit, to explore a story filled with calling, closed doors, disappointment, grit, and God’s surprising redirection.
Josh shares the compelling journey he and his wife walked—from serving in Montana, to believing God was calling them to plant a church in London, to being unexpectedly detained at Heathrow Airport, sent back to the U.S., and forced into a two-year season they never anticipated.

Through moments of shock, grief, confusion, and wrestling, Josh describes how God reshaped their hearts, refined their calling, and ultimately led them to Detroit. His story offers deep encouragement for pastors and ministry leaders who feel stuck, discouraged, or tempted to quit.

This is a raw, honest, hope-filled look at what it means to discern God’s will in uncertainty, endure the dark-room seasons of development, and keep moving forward when quitting feels easier.

Key Themes:

1. When Calling Collides with Reality
2. The “Dark Room” Season of Development
3. How Do You Know When to Push Through or Pivot?
4. Why You Shouldn’t Quit on Your Worst Day
5. God’s Provision on the Other Side of Obedience


Key Quotes:

“What you sow doesn’t come to life unless it dies.”
“Don’t quit. You can’t see the fulfillment of the dream if you quit.”
“God develops us in the dark room so we can carry what He gives us later.”
“Quit on Monday if you need to, but show back up on Tuesday.”

Who This Episode Is For:

Church planters navigating uncertainty
Pastors wrestling with discouragement
Leaders dealing with roadblocks or doubt
Anyone trying to discern the difference between perseverance and redirection
Ministry teams needing a reminder that God is faithful through “the in-between”

In this vulnerable and refreshing conversation, Phil and Richard sit down to talk about the surprising ministry impact of Richard’s poetry book Memento Mori. What began as private reflections written while facing cancer has become a ministry tool touching people who feel unseen, forgotten, or spiritually disconnected. This episode unpacks how creativity intersects with calling, how the Psalms teach us to process real emotion with God, and why the church must make space for honest faith rather than polished performance.

Whether you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or someone carrying private hurt, this episode invites you into the kind of raw, grace-filled reflection that leads to deeper discipleship and authentic connection.

• The unexpected origin of the book

• How poetry opened doors for ministry

• A powerful testimony from a poetry reading

• When Christianity becomes too polished

• Why the Psalms give us permission to be honest

• Creativity can be a ministry tool, even if it begins as personal processing.
• People hunger for spiritual spaces where honest struggle is welcomed, not hidden.
• Your deepest wounds can become bridges to someone else’s healing.
• Emotionally healthy discipleship requires teaching people how to bring their full selves to God.
• Authenticity—not polish—is often what opens the door for gospel conversations.

• Memento Mori – Richard’s poetry book (click for link)
• Connect with Ministry Mix on Instagram: @ministry.mix

In this episode of Ministry Mix, Phil and Richard sit down with Tony Hudson, a filmmaker and master storyteller.

Tony shares how learning to see people through the lens of love transforms not only how we tell stories, but how we do ministry. Tony reminds us that good storytelling isn’t about technique; it’s about paying attention, loving deeply, and letting God write the narrative.

This episode will encourage leaders, and creatives who feel stuck in the grind to rediscover the holy art of listening and to remember that stories are one of the most powerful ways to communicate the gospel.

Key Takeaways

• “You can’t tell someone’s story if you don’t like them.”
  Ministry begins with compassion. The best storytellers are the best listeners.
• “Every story can be boiled down to one sentence.”
  Simplify your message. Clarity leads to impact — whether you’re preaching, leading, or creating.
• “We’re not the storytellers — God is.”
  Our role is to hold the pen for a few pages, trusting the Author with the rest.
• “If your church really knew each other’s stories…”
  The result would be deeper worship, stronger community, and more empathy.

In This Conversation

• How storytelling builds empathy and connection in the church
• Why authenticity is more powerful than polish
• The difference between telling a story and telling your story
• Seeing pain through the lens of God’s goodness
• What happens when leaders start paying attention again

Quotes Worth Sharing

“Fall in love with the story you’re telling and the person you’re telling it about.”

“If everybody in the church knew each other’s stories, worship would blow the roof off the building.”