In this episode, Andrew and Dusty talk about rest — not the “hit snooze for the fourth time” kind, but the kind Jesus actually modeled. Turns out, even the Savior of the world took naps in boats, hung out on mountains, and somehow didn’t feel bad about it. Meanwhile, Dusty admits he’s mastered the art of “holy rest,” which suspiciously looks like watching RedZone Football all Sunday Afternoon. The guys debate whether mountain vacations or beach vacations are the superior way to recharge — but agree that both count as long as you’re not calling a Netflix marathon “quiet time.” So kick back, relax, and remember: get some rest… but maybe also mow your lawn at some point.  

In this episode, Andrew and Dusty dive into the fine art of filtering yourself — or in Andrew’s case, not filtering at all. Dusty calls it “being a jerk,” but Andrew prefers “being real.” Same thing, different branding. While Andrew’s out here saying what everyone’s thinking (and maybe shouldn’t), Dusty admits he’d rather send the joke privately — you know, just to the few people who won’t get offended and start a prayer chain about it. Together they unpack why Christians sometimes hold back, how we accidentally hurt each other by pretending we’ve got it all together, and why being honest might just be the most loving thing we can do… even if it makes the group chat awkward.

Dusty’s trip home turns into a Texas-size detour: multiple cancellations at DFW, a checked bag in limbo, and a last-minute plan to rideshare four hours to Tulsa with a total stranger in cowboy boots named Alfredo. Between airport chaos, hold music, and a lifted pickup with a mini-fridge in the back, Dusty realizes the wildest twist isn’t logistical—it’s spiritual. A guest challenge at church was fresh on his mind: share your story with someone this week. Dusty had the perfect open road, but somewhere between Fort Worth and Tulsa his new friend fell asleep, the small talk ran out, and the “Jesus conversation” never happened. So Dusty phones a friend—Rusty—for a second opinion. They unpack what went right (a soft heart, a crazy providential story, Alfredo’s number) and what stalled out (waiting for the “perfect” moment, letting fatigue and logistics win). Rusty offers practical, even playful ways to break the ice—from simple invitations to cheesy but effective conversation starters—and pushes Dusty to follow up with a text and an invite to church. Andrew, meanwhile, provides color commentary, crisis-management digs, and a reminder that most of us miss opportunities because we don’t plan for them. If you’ve ever wanted to share your faith but froze, this is your road-trip confessional: equal parts comedy of errors, practical evangelism coaching, and a nudge to try again. The story isn’t finished—and that’s the point.

Charlie Kirk’s name has been in the headlines for politics, but in this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Dusty and Andrew focus on something different—his faith. From his bold stance on the resurrection to his insistence that Jesus was at the center of every debate, Kirk’s impact went far beyond partisan lines. The guys talk through how his journey from setting up tents on college campuses to filling arenas reflected both his influence and his ability to bring conversations back to the gospel. That discussion leads into a bigger question: should pastors bring politics into the pulpit? Dusty and Andrew weigh the arguments around 501(c)(3) status, the tension between personal opinions and biblical truth, and whether preaching values is the same thing as preaching politics. Along the way, they admit their own disagreements, share stories from their church backgrounds, and ask what Sunday mornings are really meant for—worship or political persuasion. This episode isn’t about rehashing headlines. It’s about wrestling with faith, influence, and the responsibility of spiritual leaders in a divided culture.

The latest episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast starts off in typical fashion with hosts Andrew and Dusty playfully bickering about espresso machines and coffee preferences, but it quickly evolves into something much more substantial. What begins as a lighthearted discussion about modern music trends transforms into a profound exploration of faith, miracles, and the complicated questions that arise when God seems to answer some prayers but not others. Dusty kicks things off with an observation about how our culture has developed an incredibly short attention span, particularly through TikTok and social media. He points out how major news stories can dominate headlines for a day or two before completely disappearing when the next viral trend emerges. This cultural shift, he argues, has fundamentally changed not just how we consume information, but how artists create music. Enter Forrest Frank, a Christian artist who has seemingly cracked the code on reaching today's generation with his faith-based content. The hosts dive deep into Forrest Frank's musical strategy, and it's fascinating to hear them break it down. Nearly all of his songs clock in under three minutes, which might seem insignificant until you realize this is entirely intentional. Songs like "Your Ways Better" and "God's Got My Back" are specifically crafted with repetitive, catchy choruses that work perfectly for TikTok dances and viral content. Dusty explains how these aren't traditional storytelling songs like you might find in country music or classic rock – they're engineered for an audience that has maybe 30 seconds to capture before scrolling to the next video. It's actually pretty genius when you think about it, even if it represents a massive shift from how music used to be created. The conversation takes a dramatic turn when they start discussing Forrest Frank's recent skateboarding accident and subsequent recovery. The details are pretty harrowing – while skateboarding, he hit the corner of a sidewalk with tremendous force, resulting in what appeared to be a severe back fracture. The hosts describe seeing the actual footage of the accident, the X-rays showing the break, and heartbreaking videos of Forrest Frank in excruciating pain, needing help just to get into bed. This wasn't a minor injury that could be easily dismissed; this was serious, documented medical trauma. But here's where the story gets incredible. Exactly fourteen days after the accident, Forrest Frank woke up and began his normal morning routine. Without thinking about his injury, he picked up his child before suddenly realizing he had forgotten to put on his back brace. The shocking discovery? He felt absolutely no pain. He could twist, turn, lift, and move completely normally. When he went back for follow-up X-rays, they came back completely clear – as if the break had never happened. Andrew, who has a healthcare background, provides a really thoughtful medical analysis of what happened. He explains why this recovery is so remarkable from a scientific standpoint. Typically, when bones heal, you see calcium deposits on X-rays, and the process takes much longer, especially for someone who isn't a professional athlete. The combination of the incredibly fast timeline, complete pain relief, and clear X-rays without any signs of the previous fracture pushes this into what he calls miracle territory. While he acknowledges that rapid healing can theoretically happen naturally, he estimates the odds at about one in a billion. What makes this episode particularly compelling is how the hosts use Forrest Frank's story as a launching point for a broader discussion about miracles and faith. They identify three different types of miracles found in the Bible: faith-based healing, where God responds to someone's active faith; sovereign choice miracles, where God acts regardless of the person's faith or requests; and what they call circumstantial miracles, where God intervenes to protect or

In this episode, Dusty becomes Andrew’s therapist as he vents about basically everything. The guys jump into a conversation that picks up from the last episode—this time digging into the idea of a whole church doing the same Bible study together. Andrew has... thoughts. Like, a lot of them. And Dusty? He mostly listens, throws in a few jokes, and keeps the mic from catching on fire. They talk about how their church is doing a 40-day reading plan through Matthew and Romans. The idea is that everyone’s on the same page—literally. If someone in accounting is reading the same thing as someone on the worship team, it makes spiritual conversations easier and less weird. You can be like, “Hey, what’d you learn today?” and it doesn’t feel awkward. But Andrew’s not totally sold. He’s got concerns about whether these group studies are Spirit-led or just pastor-led. He wonders if we’re really following God—or just doing what the church tells us. He brings up fasting, church schedules, leadership styles, and even his own issues with submitting to authority. It’s honest. It’s a little messy. It’s definitely real. Dusty pushes back a bit, reminding Andrew that submitting to leadership isn’t always bad. Sometimes you just do it. Even if you don’t feel it. Even if it feels like a fad. Because growth can still happen. And also... it’s just 40 days. They also talk about how church people are all at different spiritual levels. So one plan might feel too basic for some and too deep for others. But Dusty points out—it’s only 10 minutes a day. You can still go deeper on your own, and it might even open up chances for discipleship. By the end, Andrew admits it’s not really a leadership problem. It’s more of a “me” problem. He’s still doing the study, even though he doesn’t love it. And Dusty, well, he basically wins therapy today. If you've ever struggled with church plans, leadership, or just doing something you don’t feel like doing, this episode is for you. Also, if you're a tier 3 Christian subscriber... Andrew sees you.

In this engaging episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, hosts Dusty and Andrew dive deep into the transformative experience of youth church camp, exploring the spiritual highs, challenges, and lasting impact of these powerful ministry moments. Fresh off a week at youth camp, Dusty brings his slightly raspy voice and abundant enthusiasm as he shares firsthand accounts of what happened during their church's independent camp experience. Camp Experience and Structure The hosts discuss their church's decision to move away from the traditional Falls Creek camp experience, opting instead to rent out an entire camp facility for their youth ministry. This strategic choice allowed them greater flexibility, cost savings, and the ability to customize their program without being constrained by other camps' rules and schedules. Dusty explains how this approach enabled them to accommodate their growing youth group more effectively while maintaining their unique ministry style. The camp theme "Best is Yet to Come" takes on special significance as they reveal that their current youth pastor, Kyle Henderson, will be transitioning to lead pastor in September, adding an element of transition and anticipation to the week's activities. Daily Camp Structure and Spiritual Disciplines Dusty provides detailed insight into the camp's daily rhythm, which was intentionally designed to maximize spiritual growth and minimize distractions. The structured day began at 7:30 AM with loud music to wake everyone up, followed immediately by mandatory quiet time with God - a practice that set the spiritual tone for each day. This was followed by breakfast, morning worship, grade-specific small group breakouts (segregated by gender and grade level), lunch, and specialized afternoon breakout sessions. The afternoon sessions offered students choices based on their interests and calling, including sessions on ministry calling, Christian business leadership (led by Sarah from Boulder Coffee discussing the balance between service and sustainability), and worship leadership that emphasized leading people to Christ rather than just performing songs well. Musical Worship and Camp Songs The hosts discuss the camp's worship music, highlighting two significant songs that became anthems for the week. "Before and After" served as a powerful testimony song, particularly meaningful to Marin, a recent high school graduate developing as a worship leader. Despite losing her voice during camp, Marin's experience became a teaching moment about true worship leadership - focusing on leading people to encounter God rather than perfect vocal performance. "Hail Hill Lion of Judah" emerged as the high-energy, participatory song that got everyone moving and shouting. Dusty notes the challenge of translating these camp-specific songs to regular Sunday morning services, acknowledging that what works in the heightened atmosphere of camp may not translate directly to weekly worship experiences. Spiritual Moments and Conversion Experiences The conversation takes a thoughtful turn as they address the spiritual intensity of camp, including baptisms and rededications. However, they also tackle the concerning pattern they observed of students making repeated commitments - with one student reportedly getting "saved" five times and baptized multiple times during just this one camp week. This leads to a broader discussion about the effectiveness of emotional decision-making versus genuine life transformation. Andrew shares his frustration with what he perceives as circular movement rather than forward progress, questioning whether students are truly growing or simply repeating emotional experiences without substantial change. The hosts emphasize that their youth group "The Movement" should represent actual forward motion in spiritual growth, not repetitive cycles of the same decisions. The Reality of "Camp High" - Biblical and Practical Perspectives Perhaps the most substantial portion of th

In this heartwarming and humorous episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, hosts Dusty and Andrew take listeners on an entertaining journey through Christian culture of the late 90s and early 2000s. What starts as a response to a listener email from their hometown becomes a delightful exploration of shared memories, awkward teenage moments, and the evolution of church youth culture. It Started with an Email The episode begins with the hosts sharing an unexpected email from Kerri, a listener who discovered their podcast on Amazon Prime Music and recognized them from their shared hometown of Aurora. This serendipitous connection leads to Dusty recounting a deeply embarrassing "core memory" from his youth - an awkwardly phrased question to Kerri's chicken farmer father that has apparently become family legend. The story perfectly encapsulates Dusty's self-aware humor about his social awkwardness, as he admits to accidentally insulting people without realizing it. WWJD and the Christian Accessory Phenomenon The conversation naturally transitions into a nostalgic discussion about the iconic "What Would Jesus Do" (WWJD) bracelets that dominated Christian culture in the late 90s and early 2000s. The hosts humorously theorize about why these bracelets disappeared, with Andrew jokingly suggesting "we all just now realized what Jesus would do, so we didn't have to keep asking." They explore whether these trends might cycle back like fashion trends, comparing them to bell-bottoms. The discussion expands to include other Christian acronyms and sayings from their youth, including "WAJD" (Walk As Jesus Did) from their former pastor Rusty, and "FROG" (Fully Rely On God). They playfully suggest these four-letter Christian acronyms might have been alternatives to actual four-letter words, imagining someone stubbing their toe and exclaiming "What Would Jesus Do!" Fashion and Style of Christian Youth Culture The hosts dive deep into the fashion trends that defined their Christian teenage years. They reminisce about wooden cross necklaces, nail jewelry twisted into cross shapes, and the practice of shaving religious symbols into their hair. Andrew shares a particularly amusing story about asking Pastor Rusty to shave a cross in his head, which ended up looking more like a plus sign, earning him the reputation as "a positive dude around school." Dusty shares a more recent and touching story about shaving a fish symbol in his hair when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, incorporating both the Christian fish symbol and a breast cancer ribbon before dyeing it pink. This moment shows how these symbolic gestures evolved from teenage fashion statements to meaningful expressions of faith and support. The Evolution of See You at the Pole One of the most thoughtful segments addresses the changes in "See You at the Pole," the annual prayer event at school flagpoles. The hosts contrast their authentic, student-led experiences with what they perceive as the more commercialized, production-heavy versions that developed over time. They express concern about how the original grassroots, student-driven nature of the event was lost when churches began organizing elaborate productions around it, complete with song leaders and structured programs. This discussion reveals their deeper understanding of how institutionalization can sometimes diminish the authentic spiritual impact of organic movements. They emphasize how powerful it was when students gathered on their own initiative, without pastoral oversight or structured programming. Church Architecture and Youth Ministry Philosophy The conversation takes an interesting turn into church facility design and youth ministry philosophy. They discuss the trend of separate youth buildings that was popular during their teenage years, complete with superior sound systems, game rooms, and coffee house atmospheres. Dusty fondly remembers their church's coffee house venue and the ability to shut down entir

Welcome back to another episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, where faith meets funny and Bible studies become comedy gold! This week, Dusty and Andrew dive headfirst into their church's 40-day devotional journey through the book of Matthew, and let's just say it's been... an experience. Dusty opens the episode with possibly the most humble-brag spiritual story ever told. After struggling with consistent quiet time (while his wife crushes it daily), he wakes up to find a Post-it note on his desk that says "Me first" - obviously from the Lord himself. Or was it from "the Lord" (aka his wife, who he's nicknamed after the Holy Spirit because they say suspiciously similar things)? Either way, Dusty's convinced he's operating on a special blue Post-it note level of divine communication. Biblical Deep Dives (Sort Of): Matthew 1: They tackle the lineage chapter that everyone skips, discovering that Jesus's family tree includes some pretty questionable characters (looking at you, Rahab from their infamous "Swipe Left" episode) Matthew 2: The wise men weren't at the manger (plot twist!), and King Herod's baby-murdering rampage leads to some surprisingly deep insights about what people do when they're protecting their territory Matthew 3: John the Baptist gets rebranded as "John the Non-Denom" based on his decidedly non-traditional Baptist lifestyle of eating bugs and wearing camel hair Matthew 4: Jesus's 40-day wilderness fast becomes a lesson in proper ministry preparation, plus the guys realize Jesus started his ministry at 29 (younger than both of them, which hits different) Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount becomes a discussion about "over-giving" and why both hosts refuse to sign up for church volunteer opportunities (they're too important to be scheduled in advance, obviously) Between the laughs, there are actually some solid insights about God using imperfect people, the importance of fasting before major decisions, not banking on your parents' faith, and the radical concept of over-blessing people who might not deserve it. This episode perfectly captures what the Bible Belt Bros do best - finding the humor in trying to be good Christians while being completely honest about their struggles, pride, and the weird dynamics of church culture. From Post-it note prophecies to refusing to sign up for volunteer opportunities, they're keeping it real about what it actually looks like to do life in the church. Whether you're crushing your daily devotions or struggling to make it past day 5, this episode will have you laughing, thinking, and maybe feeling a little better about your own messy faith journey. Plus, you'll learn why you should never skip the genealogy chapters and why John the Baptist was definitely more non-denominational than Southern Baptist. Perfect for: Anyone who's ever felt spiritually inadequate, wondered about the weird stories in the Bible, or needed a good laugh about church life. Also perfect for people  

Welcome to the warm, carpet-stained pews of Christian comedy. If you’ve ever been to church and left with more emotional bruises than a youth group dodgeball game, this one’s for you. This is the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, where today we talk about something spiritual, something sacred, and something that’s honestly kind of annoying—church hurt. That glorious blend of disappointment, weird rules, and that one guy who took your seat for the last time.

When is it Gossip? So apparently, 10,000 Southern Baptists walked into a convention center, and it wasn't the setup to a joke. It was the setup to cancel everything fun in my life. I'm talking about the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting, where they decided to target—and I quote—"pornography, sports betting, and same-sex marriage, as well as willful childlessness." Now, I get the first one. I understand the marriage thing. But sports betting? Really? You're coming for my FanDuel account? And "willful childlessness"? What's next, are they going to start monitoring who's using birth control? Are they going to have a fertility committee? "Excuse me, Brother Johnson, we noticed you only have two kids. Care to explain?" The Great Fantasy Football Controversy Here's where it gets personal. I'm sitting there listening to this news, and all I can think about is my church fantasy football league. Because apparently, according to these Southern Baptist overlords, I can't have a prize at the end of the season. No money involved. Just pure, competitive sadness. You know what happens when you play fantasy football with no money on the line? People quit. They just stop. Week 6 rolls around, their team is 1-5, and they're like, "Well, I'm done setting my lineup." Meanwhile, you're stuck with some guy who's been starting players on bye weeks for the last month because he checked out mentally sometime around Halloween. I've tried those church leagues with no money. It's like watching paint dry, except the paint is more exciting because at least it's making progress. These people will draft a team, lose three games, and then disappear faster than the church donuts after Sunday service. "Put ten dollars on it for a full season, guys. Come on." But no, apparently that's gambling now. That's the devil's work. Next thing you know, they'll be telling us we can't flip coins to see who pays for lunch because that's "games of chance." Welcome to Oklahoma, Where Everything Fun Is Illegal Living in Oklahoma, this hits different. We finally got some legal gambling options—you can play FanDuel, you can do prop betting on sites like PrizePicks. You pick two or three players, choose over or under on their stats, and if you're right, your five dollars can multiply. But here's the thing about these bets: they're really hard to win. Somebody's always going to get hurt. Somebody's going to have a bad game. Somebody's going to get in foul trouble. Just the other day, some guy placed a seven-game parlay and got all the way to the Thunder game. He was projected to win $238,000 off a ten-dollar bet. The Thunder lost with three seconds left on the clock. That's not gambling addiction—that's just Oklahoma sports breaking your heart in the most expensive way possible. The Baseball Betting Disaster I'll be honest with you: I used to bet on baseball, and it was the most frustrating experience of my life. Think about it—the best players in the league are batting .300. That means they fail seven out of ten times. And these are the good players. You'll bet on a team for a doubleheader, thinking, "They're going to win today." They lose the first game, then they win the second game 10-0, and you're sitting there like, "What did you not just do that the first game when I had money on it?" Baseball betting taught me that sports betting is just paying money to be disappointed in new and creative ways. It's like marriage, but with worse odds. The Gossip Problem (AKA The Real Issue) But here's the thing that really got me thinking. While the Southern Baptist Convention is worried about my five-dollar fantasy football bets, they're completely missing the real problem in our churches: gossip. Our pastor Michael preached on gossip recently, and honestly, it was one of his best sermons. Not because he wasn't preaching at me for once—though that was refreshing—but because he hit on something that actually matters. You know what gossip is? It's talking about someon

Do Christians Actually Need Daily Quiet Time? Let me start with a confession: I tried to become a millionaire at QuickTrip this morning. Not through some elaborate business scheme or scratch-off lottery tickets, but through the tried-and-true method of spilling scalding coffee on my crotch and suing for damages. Turns out QuickTrip has gotten smart about their McDonald's-style hot coffee lawsuits. They've apparently just turned down the temperature so when their coffee inevitably shoots out of the spout directly into your lap, you don't actually get burned. Smart business move. Terrible for my get-rich-quick scheme. This minor disappointment happened on my way to grab coffee because I'd run out of espresso at home. My wife and I have this auto-ship thing for coffee, but we're always pushing it back because we think we're not drinking it fast enough. Classic overestimation of our own self-control. It's like when you buy a gym membership in January and then push back your first workout until February... then March... then next January. But here's the thing – even without coffee, even after failing at accidental lawsuit fortune, I still had to face the day. And that meant confronting a question that's been bouncing around Christian circles for decades: Do I really need to do a daily quiet time? The Quiet Time Identity Crisis First, let's establish what we're talking about here. A quiet time, for the uninitiated, is that sacred Christian ritual where you're supposed to read your Bible, pray, journal, and sit in contemplative silence while God presumably downloads wisdom directly into your brain like some kind of spiritual Wi-Fi connection. It's the Christian equivalent of kale smoothies – everyone knows they should be doing it, most people aren't, and the ones who are won't stop talking about it. I've been doing a version of this for seven and a half years now, thanks to a men's group from church. We dissolved the group six months ago, but for seven straight years, we'd message each other every morning with a simple "done" after completing whatever Bible study we were working through. Usually five to ten-minute lessons – we're not talking about seminary-level theological deep dives here. But here's where it gets weird: I've been doing my quiet time in the bathroom. On the toilet, specifically. I used to use an actual paper Bible, but then I realized that was probably disgusting, so now I just use my phone and a Bible app. Not sponsored, by the way, though if Life Church wants to cut me a check for the endorsement, I'm available. This bathroom setup has worked for me because it's consistent. I wake up, I go to the bathroom, I read. It's part of my morning routine like brushing my teeth or wondering why I stayed up so late watching YouTube videos about conspiracy theories involving birds (different story for another time). But lately, I've been wondering: Am I doing this because it's genuinely helping my spiritual life, or am I just checking a box? Is this relationship-building with God, or is it just ritual at this point? The Pride Problem Here's the uncomfortable truth: A lot of my quiet time motivation comes from pride. For seven years, I couldn't let the men's group down by not texting "done." Even now, months after the group dissolved, I still feel this compulsion to maintain the streak. It's like those people who refuse to break their Wordle streak even though they've stopped enjoying the game. There's also the modeling aspect. We're told as Christians that we should be examples to others, especially to our families. Our pastor makes sure to do his quiet time in a visible place so his family can see him prioritizing God. Meanwhile, I'm in the bathroom with my phone. Not exactly the inspiring spiritual leadership moment you'd see on a church brochure. My wife knows I do it, but my daughter doesn't. Though to be fair, explaining to a kid that Daddy has special God time in the bathroom might create more questions than

Summer Church Attendance You know it's summer when your youth pastor starts doing mental math every Wednesday night, trying to figure out why attendance dropped from 75 kids to, like, 12. And somehow those 12 kids are all the ones whose parents make them come no matter what—the homeschooled kids who wear polo shirts tucked into khakis and know every verse to "How Great Thou Art" by heart. Welcome to what churches across America like to call "the summer slump," which sounds way more official than "everyone decided the lake is more important than Jesus for three months straight." The Great Vanishing Act Let me paint you a picture. School lets out, and suddenly church attendance starts looking like a game of musical chairs where half the chairs just walked away. We're talking about what the Bible Bros Podcast guys call "the VVV's of summer"—Vacations, VBS, and Vanishing volunteers. Though honestly, that third V could just as easily stand for "Very convenient excuses." It's fascinating how creative people get with their summer church avoidance. You've got your classic "we're traveling" folks, which is legitimate until you realize their "travel" is to the lake that's literally 10 minutes from the church. Then there are the parents who suddenly discover their kid is the next Derek Jeter and has to play in every single baseball tournament within a three-state radius. Funny how little Timmy wasn't quite so athletically gifted during the winter worship services. But here's what really gets me—and this is straight from the mouths of youth pastors who've seen it all—sometimes people will say they can't make it to church because of their kid's tournament, but they'll "watch online instead." Then Sunday comes around, and you can literally see on Facebook that they're not online either. The church streaming platform has a participant list, Karen. We can see you're not there. You're probably at Cracker Barrel talking about how the sermon "just hits different" when you're eating biscuits and gravy. Mission Trips: The Good, The Bad, and The Zip Lines Now, not every reason for missing church is bogus. Take mission trips, for instance. Some churches do these incredible, life-changing experiences where you're actually ministering 24/7. The guys on the podcast talked about trips to Peru where they were doing street theater, going door to door, buying out entire bakeries to give away free bread while telling people about the Bread of Life. That's the real deal right there. But then you've got the other kind of mission trips—the ones that sound more like summer camp with a sprinkle of Jesus dust on top. "Yeah, we're gonna do VBS for two hours, then we're going zip-lining. Tomorrow we'll have a Bible study, then it's go-kart time!" Look, I'm not saying fun is bad. But somewhere along the way, "mission trip" started meaning "vacation with a tax write-off." When your mission trip itinerary looks like a Disney World FastPass schedule, maybe we need to have a conversation about priorities. The funniest part is how these things have evolved over the years. Used to be, mission trips meant sleeping on the floor in buildings with dead rats, outdoor showers with those solar water bags hanging in the sun, and PVC pipe plumbing that may or may not actually work. Now it's like, "We're staying at the Hampton Inn because the kids need their rest for tomorrow's ministry... and jet skiing." The Lake People Phenomenon Can we talk about lake people for a second? Because if your church is anywhere near a body of water larger than a puddle, you know exactly what I'm talking about. These are the folks who treat their boat like it's their church pew from June through August. One of the podcast hosts actually became a Christian because of lake people, in the most backward way possible. His friend invited him to the lake, he said he had to go to church first, and the guy was like, "Well, that sounds lame, but I really want to go to the lake, so... fine." Boom. L

Swiping Through Scripture — One Bible Character at a Time When Bible Study Meets a Dating App Welcome to the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, where theology meets swipe culture — kind of. In this episode, Andrew and Dusty channel their inner youth group energy and decide to play a little game: swiping left or right on Bible characters. Yes, it’s as ridiculous and wonderful as it sounds. If you're new here, this isn't your grandma’s Bible study. This is a Christian Comedy Podcast made for the guys in the back row of church — the ones who definitely don’t have a WWJD bracelet but still know what Jesus would do... because they probably made a meme about it. If you're looking for a Christian Podcast for Men that's not all protein powder, prayer circles, and yelling — you've found it. Let the Swiping Begin The episode kicks off with some classic confusion. Andrew opens the podcast solo, claiming to be alone — until Dusty shows up like a sitcom character entering stage left. Immediately, we’re off-script, talking about chairs and dogs, and whether Andrew needs either of them. Spoiler: he does not. But eventually, they land the plane: today’s episode is about swiping left or right on Bible characters. Not romantically. This isn’t Christian Mingle. It’s more like: “Would we be friends with this guy?” Defining the Game The rules are simple: Swipe right = You’d let them in your life. Friends. Bros. Small group material. Swipe left = Hard pass. Let them go be someone else’s burden. As Dusty clarifies: “Not to sleep with them… we’re both married.” This is not about biblical compatibility. It’s about vibes. And maybe a little theology. But mostly vibes. Andrew, the self-proclaimed introvert, threatens to swipe left on everyone and delete the app entirely. Relatable. First Up: Adam Adam. The OG human. Made from dust. Given the Garden of Eden and told not to eat one fruit — and, well, here we are. His resume: Made in God’s image. Given dominion over the Earth. Took a nap and woke up with a wife. Walked closely with God. Sounds like a solid dude… except for the whole "plunge humanity into sin" thing. But hey, nobody’s perfect. Andrew reads the description like a dating profile: “Innocent. Works with his hands. Loves animals. Bit of a fruit issue.” Dusty, channeling every youth pastor ever, considers it: "If you’re looking for a godly man to be your best friend..." So... swipe right? Swipe left? They never fully commit. Which, honestly, is very on brand for this show. The Vibe of the Episode What makes this episode peak Christian Comedy Podcast isn’t the theological depth — though Adam’s backstory does get some airtime — it’s the tone. Dusty’s goofy. Andrew’s dry. Together, they somehow make ancient Bible figures feel like candidates on a reality show. And they do it without ever actually getting to another character. That’s right. One episode. One guy. Adam. And still 30 minutes of content. This is a Christian Podcast for Men who can’t commit to a Bible reading plan but can commit to laughing about it. And honestly? That’s a ministry. Swipe Carefully While the episode starts with the promise of a whole list of Bible characters, it very quickly becomes a character study of Adam, some dog commentary, and a lot of side trails. And that’s what makes this podcast work. It’s not polished. It’s not prepped. It’s two dudes riffing about scripture like they’re on a coffee break at a men’s retreat. If you’re the type of guy who’s tried to lead a Bible study with memes, or if your theology degree came from YouTube comments — the Bible Belt Bros are your people. This episode isn’t deep. But it’s honest. It’s funny. And it’s exactly what the Christian Comedy Podcast world needed — a swipe mechanic for Bible characters. So if you’re tired of serious sermons and just want a laugh, maybe even at the expense of Adam — grab your metaphorical phone and swipe right on this show.  

What do zookeeping, spiritual gift tests, and wildly questionable discernment scores have in common? This episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, that’s what. Join Andrew and Dusty as they tackle deep theological mysteries like “Did Jesus stand on soapboxes?” and “Can ‘Helps’ actually be a spiritual gift, or is that just Christian for ‘people pleaser’?” It’s equal parts hilarious roast and accidental insight—plus, Andrew might be changing careers to feed giraffes.  Andrew and Dusty begin with a signature tangent: Andrew has a new life plan. He’s applying to be a zookeeper. This revelation comes out of nowhere and isn't revisited with any serious theological backing—Andrew just thinks it’d be fun to work with animals and carry a stick around. It’s an entertaining cold open that sets the tone for the rest of the episode: part hilarious detour, part unfiltered theological musing. From there, Andrew jumps into his soapbox of the week, questioning whether Jesus ever got on a soapbox himself. This thought led him down a short-lived research rabbit hole where he promptly forgot all the facts he found. The core of the soapbox was a reflection on how little of Jesus’ words are actually recorded in the Bible. Andrew estimated that the average person speaks around 16,000 words a day, and with only 37,000 to 57,000 of Jesus’ words recorded, we may only have about two and a half days’ worth of His teachings. This realization leads the hosts to muse about the massive gaps between what Jesus did and what was documented. That theological pondering quickly transitions into the main topic: spiritual gifts and personality tests. Andrew recently took an online spiritual gifts test and shares the results. His highest-ranking gift is "Helps," while scoring zero in "Discernment." Dusty immediately challenges both the legitimacy of the test and the results. His response to "Helps" being a spiritual gift is sarcastic and dismissive: "That’s not a gift, that’s being a good person." The conversation turns into a comedic breakdown of the spiritual gifts Andrew allegedly has. Dusty goes down the list from the test and calls out each one, essentially rejecting them as false based on his own observations. Andrew’s attempts to defend his gifts are countered by Dusty’s suspicion that Andrew just clicked random answers to finish the test quickly. The comedic tension lies in Dusty’s confidence that he knows Andrew better than the test does—and his high score in "Discernment" is his excuse for not believing a word of it. Andrew tries to explain that the value of these tests lies in helping people understand where they fit within the church. He reflects on the fivefold ministry—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—and how different gifts align with different roles. He acknowledges that he’s probably more of a behind-the-scenes support person, not someone who should be leading from the front. Despite the jokes, there’s a sincere moment where Andrew explains how understanding his gifts gave him confidence in knowing he doesn’t have to perform upfront to serve. This leads to a brief mention of how churches often misuse or overemphasize certain gifts while undervaluing others like Helps. Dusty, however, maintains a skeptical tone throughout, poking fun at the idea that clicking through multiple-choice questions can reveal deep spiritual truths. He particularly critiques the "Discernment" category, arguing that someone without it could still use a "gift of Helps" in all the wrong ways—"like helping a guy rob a bank." The episode never fully lands on whether spiritual gift tests are helpful, accurate, or biblical, but the guys do land on one thing: they’re entertaining. Andrew’s earnest attempt to understand his calling and Dusty’s relentless commentary make for a dynamic mix of introspection and comic relief. As the episode wraps, the spiritual gift discussion takes a backseat to more sarcasm and lighthearted back-and-forth. Andrew contin

After weeks of guest overload, this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast finally brings Dusty and Andrew back together, unfiltered and unaccompanied—basically a bro version of couples therapy, if therapy involved mall stories, public education law, and sarcastic jabs about the King James Bible. The conversation opens like most deep theological discussions do—at the mall. Turns out both guys used to work there. Andrew was Dusty’s boss. (Let that sink in. Andrew, the man currently co-hosting a podcast in what we assume is a spare bedroom, once supervised someone else’s paycheck.) They recall working at a watch store, greeting mall walkers at ungodly hours, and the time Dusty got his gas siphoned right out of his truck. Because nothing says “servant leadership” like buying your own gas back. Also, Scheels. Apparently it’s the only reason anyone goes to the mall anymore—unless your kids want to ride a carousel. Which brings us to the first theological point: kids ruin everything. Even your hatred for malls. Promises, Politics, and Prayer Time So Texas introduced something called “Promise Month,” and if you're thinking it has anything to do with abstinence, purity rings, or teenage awkwardness, you're not alone. That was the assumption too. But no, “Promise Month” is a Christian-themed state proposal meant to highlight America’s biblical roots—with an extra helping of “mandated prayer and Bible time in schools.” Because if there’s anything kids love more than algebra, it’s Old Testament genealogy during fourth period. It was proposed in April. Announced in May. Which is like throwing a surprise birthday party a month late and expecting people to still bring presents. Oklahoma’s Mandatory Bible & the King James Confusion Meanwhile in Oklahoma, the state superintendent rolled out a plan requiring every student from grades 5 through 12 to be equipped with a King James Bible. That’s right—the version where even the verbs are confused. It’s not so much the Bible requirement that raised eyebrows, but the very specific demand for that translation. As Dusty put it, “We don’t need all those 'thee’s' and 'thou’s' confusing a bunch of fifth graders.” Honestly, trying to decipher King James in middle school is like making a toddler learn to type on a typewriter. What followed was a comedic deep-dive into all the Bible versions that could (or absolutely should not) be used in classrooms, including the Message Bible, children’s Bibles, and the somewhat mythical "Gangsta Bible"—which we’re 85% sure started as a meme and ended up in a dorm room somewhere. Religious Freedom, First Amendments, and Forced Morality The guys don’t shy away from the meat of the issue: Should religious content be forced in public schools? Andrew, ever the realist, points out that forcing biblical teaching through legislation rarely works. It's like trying to make someone fall in love with your grandma’s casserole recipe—it doesn't matter how many times you make it, they’re still gonna complain about the mushrooms. Dusty argues that teaching the Bible as historical text (rather than spiritual doctrine) makes sense, the same way we discuss Gandhi, Buddha, or even Elvis (we assume) in world history. It’s context. Not conversion. That’s the line the hosts keep coming back to—Christianity, at its best, invites rather than mandates. Alabama: Ten Commandments and Ten More Arguments Just when you think things couldn’t get more theologically spicy, Alabama comes through with Ten Commandments in classrooms and a full-on Pride flag ban. Because if there’s one thing that really gets kids interested in moral values, it’s wall décor. Dusty and Andrew play devil’s advocate here (ironically). If you’re going to allow Christian symbols in public spaces, shouldn’t other religions get equal footing? Do we need a wall of competing sacred texts in every classroom like some kind of spiritual debate team? The most repeated line in this episode might be: “We force feed everyth

In this special episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Andrew and Dusty sit down with their long-time pastor and mentor, Rusty Gunn, for an honest conversation about leadership, calling, and transition. For the past 16 years, Rusty has faithfully led Church That Matters, shaping its culture, guiding its mission, and investing deeply in the lives of those around him. Now, as he prepares to step into a new role as SEND Network’s Church Planting Director for Oklahoma, Rusty reflects on the journey that brought him here and the next season ahead. Together, we explore what it means to hand off leadership well, the importance of a strong local church presence, and how that ties into a broader vision for church planting and apostolic mission work. Rusty shares candid thoughts on balancing ministry and family, the emotional weight of transition, and the lasting impact of a church that stays rooted while reaching outward. We close with reflections on church culture, leadership dynamics, and the future of Church That Matters as it continues to grow and evolve. This conversation is a meaningful look at legacy, leadership, and the ongoing mission of the church.

What happens when the “youth guy” suddenly finds himself stepping into the lead pastor role? On this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Henderson from Church That Matters. Kyle shares the unexpected journey that’s leading him from youth ministry (and whatever else needed doing) to becoming the Lead Pastor this September. We dig into what that shift looks like, the excitement and challenges ahead, and how God sometimes calls you into roles you didn’t even apply for. This episode is packed with leadership insights, fun stories, and a sneak peek at what’s coming for Church That Matters. Whether you’re in ministry, thinking about leadership transitions, or just here for the Bros banter, this convo with Kyle is one you don’t want to miss. When You’re the Last to Know You’re the Pastor Some people feel called to be a Lead Pastor. Others get called into the office and find out they already are one. That was basically Kyle Henderson’s story on this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Christian Comedy Podcast. A longtime youth pastor, volunteer wrangler, and guy-who-fixes-everything, Kyle didn’t so much apply to be the new Lead Pastor at Church That Matters — he kind of tripped into it. No Resume, No Tryout, Just… “Hey, You’re Next” It started like most things in church leadership: casually. A conversation at a staff retreat. Someone asked, “Who do you think would be a good Lead Pastor if something ever happened?” Kyle threw out a name or two. Then the Lead Pastor looked him in the eye and said, “What if it’s you?” Cue awkward laughter. Cue silence. Cue every youth pastor's worst nightmare: responsibility. Kyle wasn’t gunning for it. He wasn’t dropping hints. But apparently everyone else around him had already seen it. The only person not in the loop… was Kyle. “I’m Just the Youth Guy” There’s something beautifully ironic about youth pastors. They’re often treated like they’re in the minors, like their job is some kind of ministry spring training. But they’re also the ones cleaning up messes, managing chaos, mentoring students, fixing tech, and running services when the real adults are out of town. Kyle was that guy. He did all the things. The late nights. The camps. The sermons. The leadership development. The emergency plumbing issues. He wasn’t climbing a ladder. He was just doing what needed to be done. And then suddenly, someone handed him the ladder and said, "You’re at the top now." The Calling Nobody Wants (But Everybody Sees) There’s something kind of biblical about this. Moses didn’t want the job. Neither did Jonah. Or Paul. Or honestly, most people God used. The ones who aren’t chasing the spotlight are usually the ones most ready for it. Not because they have the best ideas, but because they’ve learned how to serve without needing credit. Kyle didn’t say yes right away. He wrestled with it. Felt the weight of it. Wondered if he could do it. That’s how you know someone’s probably ready: they’re scared. Spiritual PTSD from Youth Ministry Kyle’s years in youth ministry were preparation. Not on purpose. More like spiritual bootcamp with dodgeballs. He learned to improvise. To build teams. To pray through crises. To disciple students. To host events with zero budget and leftover pizza. That kind of ministry doesn’t give you a stage. It gives you scars. But it also gives you a deep sense of how people actually grow — not in the hype, but in the hard stuff. And when the Lead Pastor seat opened up, Kyle wasn’t the obvious choice because of charisma. He was the right choice because of consistency. Leadership Without the Ego Trip What makes Kyle different is he’s not trying to be a CEO pastor. He’s not coming in with a 42-page vision plan or rebranding the church overnight. He’s not here to be famous. He’s here to be faithful. His biggest fear? Not preaching. Not meetings. Not the pressure. His fear is letting people down. Missing what God is saying. Getting caught up in noise and forgetting why he’s

This week on the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Dusty and Andrew welcome a special guest whose resume includes both pulpits and punchlines — comedian and former preacher Jeremy Alder. From awkward church giveaways to parallel thinking in comedy, this episode blends hilarious storytelling with deep reflections on faith, creativity, and cringe-worthy church culture. The episode opens with a bang — quite literally — as Jeremy learns about Dusty and Andrew's church events that include shotgun giveaways and bacon-themed men’s ministries. If that sounds wild to you, buckle up. It only gets better (or weirder). The guys dive into their own church experiences, where sermons get recycled like old youth group T-shirts and pastors sometimes unintentionally moonlight as stand-up comics. Jeremy brings a unique perspective as someone who once preached weekly and now headlines comedy shows. He discusses how difficult it is to write fresh content — whether it’s a sermon or a comedy set — and gives credit to pastors who have to deliver new material week after week. The trio explore the fine line between originality and influence, and how the internet has made it nearly impossible for comics and pastors alike to avoid being accused of plagiarism, even when it’s just parallel thinking. Throughout the episode, they unpack: Why sermon recycling is the church’s version of a "greatest hits" tour How Jeremy’s journey from youth pastor to stand-up comic shaped his voice and storytelling style Why pastors and comedians both get called out for plagiarism (but only one gets cancelled) What it means to bring vulnerability and real-life baggage into faith communities — without the fake Sunday morning filter The awkward overlap between gun culture and church culture, and why Jeremy thinks it doesn’t always align with the gospel (and why that probably won’t go over well in Oklahoma) From hilarious stories about bombing at casinos to thoughtful discussions about faith, fallibility, and finding your voice, this episode proves that deep conversations don’t have to be boring — and funny people can still love Jesus. Jeremy also shares details about his new comedy album “Almost a Grown Man”, currently streaming on Spotify, Apple, and everywhere else fine comedy is sold (or streamed for free). If you're tired of church podcasts that feel like lectures or stand-up that lacks soul, this episode hits the sweet spot. Follow Jeremy and stay up to date on upcoming shows! https://www.jeremyalder.com/ https://www.instagram.com/jeremy.alder/ https://twitter.com/JeremyAlder https://www.facebook.com/jeremyaldercomedy/      

In this episode of the Bible Belt Bros Podcast, Dusty and Andrew dive into a topic that hits a little too close to home—volunteer burnout in the church. We’re not just talking about the “I need a nap” kind of burnout—we mean the “Why did I say yes to this...again?” kind. 😅 We’ve all seen it (or been it)—that faithful volunteer who’s running slides, leading worship, brewing the coffee, and fixing the WiFi router—all before the pastor finishes his first cup of coffee. But here’s the kicker: sometimes leaders are unintentionally the biggest culprits, calling on the same willing souls again and again—even on their so-called “day off”. So in true Bible Belt Bros fashion, we tackle this serious subject with a healthy dose of pet peeves, real talk, and plenty of laughs. We challenge pastors and church leaders: Be better shepherds. Don’t just work your sheep to the bone—protect them from themselves and their inability to say no. (Yeah, we went there.) We also share personal stories, a few confessions, and throw down the gauntlet for churches to take ownership of burnout. Don’t just blame the volunteer for “overcommitting.” Maybe… just maybe… we all need to rethink the system. 🔥 What You’ll Get: Tips on how leaders can spot burnout before it starts Why “no” is a holy word A few pet peeves (because we couldn't resist) Encouragement for both volunteers and leaders to do ministry in a healthier way Whether you’re a pastor, a serial volunteer, or someone who’s just here for the funny rants, this one’s for you. Press play, have a laugh, and let’s make church life better—one “no” at a time.