In this episode of the Witnessing Christ Podcast, four evangelist interns — Noah, Aaron, Caleb, and Ethan — join the conversation to unpack Keep Showing Up: A Utah Pastor’s Journey by Pastor Scott McKinney, who faithfully served over 30 years at Center Point Church in Orem, Utah.

Together with host Pastor Mark Parsons, the interns explore what it means to serve in the heart of Mormon country and how McKinney’s story reveals the challenges, joys, and gospel-centered perseverance required in ministry. They discuss:

• How McKinney’s personal story and early experiences shaped his heart for outreach in LDS communities.
• The shift from a“fortress mentality” to a mission-driven mindset focused on loving people as God does.
• The struggle between measuring ministry “success” by numbers versus faithfulness to the gospel.
• Why less is more—and how “Jesus is enough” counters the gospel of “more” found in Mormon culture.
• Key lessons for future pastors on building relationships, showing empathy, and keeping the main thing the main thing.

Filled with thoughtful reflections and practical takeaways, this episode encourages all Christians—not just future pastors—to “keep showing up” with the love of Christ, even in challenging ministry environments.

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Witnessing Christ Podcast: Grand Junction Temple Experience

Each time a new Latter-day Saint temple opens, Christians have a unique opportunity to understand Mormon beliefs better and lovingly point people to the true temple—Christ himself.

In this episode, Pastor Mark Parsons and our evangelist interns share their experience touring the Grand Junction Temple during its open house and leading a Build Bridges, Not Barriers witnessing conference. Together, they discuss what they saw, the conversations they had, and how these experiences shaped their hearts for the lost.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• What temple open houses reveal about the LDS view of worthiness, family, and eternal life
• Simple, respectful ways to start gospel conversations in LDS settings
• Why witnessing isn’t about winning arguments—but planting seeds and trusting the Holy Spirit

Whether you’ve never stepped inside an LDS temple or you regularly talk with Mormon friends, this episode will encourage you to approach every interaction with compassion, confidence, and Christ at the center.

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In this episode of Witnessing Christ, host Pastor Mark Parsons welcomes this year’s four evangelist interns—Ethan, Noah, Caleb, and Aaron—for a special discussion on the October General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Each intern brings firsthand insights from watching or attending local sessions, reflecting on the experience through the lens of gospel-centered outreach.

Introducing the Interns

Listeners meet the 2024–25 intern cohort: Ethan, a soon-to-be Lutheran pastor from Minnesota; Caleb, an avid outdoorsman from an Air Force family; Noah, a second-year seminarian newly married to his high school sweetheart; and Aaron, the group’s youngest member and duck boat driver from Wisconsin Dells. Each shares their background and passion for outreach.

Initial Impressions of General Conference

The interns discuss the atmosphere of the LDS General Conference—its polished formality and emotional weight following the recent death of President Russell M. Nelson. Dallin Oaks presided, reaffirming the 1995 Family: A Proclamation to the World, which reemphasized traditional LDS views on marriage, gender, and eternal family structures.
Several interns note the grandeur and emotional tone yet describe a recurring sense of emptiness—a focus on effort and presentation without the assurance of grace.

Highlights from Individual Talks

Each intern unpacks a specific conference message:

• Aaron reviews Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s Do Your Part with All Your Heart, noting the stress-inducing message of wholehearted effort. The team contrasts this with biblical assurance that Jesus did His part completely.
• Caleb examines Gary Stevenson’s Blessed Are the Peacemakers, which focuses on harmony in families. He observes that true peace begins with reconciliation to God through Christ, not merely human effort.
• Ethan explores Chad H. Webb’s That All May Be Edified, which emphasizes learning through obedience. He notes the talk’s subtle shift from gospel promise to personal performance, redefining grace as something accessed through covenant keeping.
• Noah analyzes Michael Cziesla's Simplicity in Christ, which promises peace through continual diligence. He contrasts this with the true simplicity of the gospel—that Christ has done everything necessary for eternal life with God.

Pastor Parsons and the interns reflect that across the talks, Christ was often mentioned but rarely proclaimed as the one who accomplished redemption fully. Instead, obedience and covenant-keeping were emphasized as the means to access grace.

Pastor Parsons also highlights two significant LDS updates:

1. A pause on new temple announcements
2. A reported surge in conversions

Witnessing Reflections

The conversation closes with key takeaways for Christian witnesses:

• Ask Mormons open-ended questions about what Jesus has done for them and what they base their faith on—their testimony or Christ’s finished work.
• Listen with curiosity and compassion, creating a safe space for doubts and reflection.
• Point conversations from human effort toward divine grace, emphasizing reconciliation through Jesus alone.