What shapes a pastor’s heart for people? In this episode of afterWord, Pastor Kent Dresdow sits down with Jeremy Pray and longtime NCT guest Kevin Carson—pastor of Sonrise Baptist Church in Ozark, Missouri, and incoming Executive Director of the Biblical Counseling Coalition—to trace the Lord’s providence through Kevin’s life and ministry.

From growing up in a pastor’s home to planting and pastoring in the heartland, Kevin shares how the loss of his first child and the mentorship of early biblical counseling leaders deepened his compassion and dependence on Christ (2 Cor. 1:3–4; James 1:2–4). Together they reflect on decades of ministry, the growth of biblical counseling, and why church-based, Word-saturated care remains essential for the health of Christ’s people.

Whether you’re a pastor, counselor, or believer who wants to care well for others, this conversation will encourage you to trust God’s purposes in suffering and to serve with Christlike wisdom and grace.

Hosts: Pastor Kent Dresdow and Pastor Jeremy Pray
Guest: Pastor Kevin Carson (Sonrise Baptist Church, Ozark, MO; Biblical Counseling Coalition)

Themes: biblical counseling · pastoral ministry · suffering and comfort · compassion · faith in trials · church leadership