Strength to Strength offers resources that will strengthen your love-faith relationship with King Jesus and give you solid footing in a shaky world. <ul><li>VISION: Inspire flourishing communities of faithful Jesus-followers around the world.</li></ul> <ul><li>MISSION: Advance Jesus’ kingdom by assisting the church in earnestly contending for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints, through tackling thought-provoking topics, by stimulating candid discussions, and by sharing faith-building testimonies.</li></ul> <ul><li>ACTION: We do this by providing multimedia resources including podcasts, videos, and books, and by pointing people to local communities of believers.</li></ul> Our speakers and writers are supportive of a Christ-centered, kingdom-focused, Scripture-based way of life, specifically as modeled by the Anabaptist tradition. However, we will sell books not written by kingdom Christians when they are able to share a unique or challenging perspective. In engaging with any of our resources we encourage you to be a Berean.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/5/10/15/49e96696-db7a-4971-b7fa-0e6a5ac58ffa_ivating_life_in_those_around_you_by_beth_byler.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Beth Byler to discuss God’s design for women to be nurturing those around them.Do women naturally nurture? What is God’s call to us as women as we raise children, minister to our husbands, or reach outside our homes? How can we nurture each other as sisters? Can we nurture if we aren’t being nurtured? We want to raise children that are emotionally secure and well prepared to face life. We have a huge part to play in making that happen.How can we be used of God as women to nurture life and what is our calling in that?An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-nurturing-cultivating-life-in-those-around-you/

S2S Sisters: "God’s Design for Nurturing: Cultivating Life in Those Around You" by Beth Byler

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/5/8/11/23f64ba7-4081-4d89-8091-c067e63f04da_otten_foundation_of_the_gospel_by_shawn_miller.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Shawn Miller to discuss how the Gospel’s central tenant has been shaken, and how we can rebuild with a better understanding.To be a “kingdom person” means to be under the reign of God. Like earthly nations, Jesus’ kingdom has four components including a leader, constitution, domain, and citizens. However, in contrast to the nations of the world, Jesus’ kingdom is international. He came as a King with all the intended consequences of that terminology. His citizens are dispersed among all nations of the world.While this is the most common and important theme of Jesus’s teaching, it has been largely lost and forgotten. It is of utmost importance to return these foundational concepts and show the whole world what it would look like if we truly lived under the kingship of Jesus. Understanding the emphasis on the kingdom of God will change the way we think, live, and evangelize.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/communicating-the-forgotten-foundation-of-the-gospel/

"Communicating the Forgotten Foundation of the Gospel" by Shawn Miller

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/25/18/570e59f7-038f-49d8-b678-a57a47f3072a__design_for_masculinity___part_2_by_sam_baer.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Sam Baer to discuss this relevant topic to our time: the proper role of men as God intentioned from the Creation.For the second installment on God’s design for masculinity we take a look at who we are as leaders. All of us find ourselves in a leadership role whether it is in the church, home, or occupation. How do we respond when we run into problems with people? Let’s take an honest look at how we relate to those who are difficult to lead.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-masculinity-part-2/

S2S Event: "God’s Design for Masculinity – part 2" by Sam Baer

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/24/14/9baa6b35-e906-476a-9375-8fc193c05972__design_for_masculinity___part_1_by_sam_baer.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Sam Baer to discuss this relevant topic to our time: the proper role of men as God intentioned from the Creation.How does society view masculinity and how does that relate to God’s design? How much has society influenced the church in regards to masculinity?Join us as we discover God’s design in the scriptures for men. My goal in this talk is to show that only in Christ can a man be the man God created him to be.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-masculinity-part-1/Resource: <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/feature/strong-men-caring-women/" rel="nofollow">Strong Men, Caring Women</a> research articleThis is the first part of a two-part S2S Event called “God’s Design for Masculinity” to be held on April 20, 2024.Also, <a href="https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-masculinity-part-2/" rel="nofollow">see part 2</a> by Sam Baer.

S2S Event: “God’s Design for Masculinity – part 1” by Sam Baer

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/12/18/312d9953-5cba-4be4-9b65-7dcba7678897_sts_books_interview.mp3

Gary Miller. How can we make this world a better place? We watch with dismay as ungodly leaders are elected and evil advances. What can we do to bring change? What did Jesus do—and what did He refuse to do? Are there opportunities that we, like Jesus, should refuse?﻿https://strengthtostrength.org/what-jesus-refused-to-do/

S2S Book Interview: “What Jesus Refused to Do” by Gary Miller

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/12/18/0f233825-e5fb-4c60-b461-0d49f754e586_lder_women_teaching_the_younger_by_anita_yoder.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Anita Yoder to discuss mentoring – an underappreciated opportunity for the older to disciple the younger.“Could I have your recipe?” Women ask each other this all the time. We are good at sharing tips about laundry and cooking. What if we could be just as eager to learn and share on a deeper level–“recipes” of prayer, relationships, and knowing God’s character? What have you learned from others, and how could you in turn give others what you’ve been given? Let’s explore the possibilities!An interactive question-and-answer period follows.Recommended book: <a href="https://christianlearning.org/product/life-is-for-living/" rel="nofollow">“Life is for Living”</a> by Anita Yoderhttps://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-mentoring-a-simple-term-for-older-women-teaching-the-younger/

S2S Sisters: "God’s Design for Mentoring: A Simple Term for Older Women Teaching the Younger" by Anita Yoder

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/4/11/20/49a8bd6b-1be5-46a5-bb47-c44ee04e032c__3_by_david_miller__bryant_martin__gary_miller.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed four brothers to discuss what their lives look like being a disciple of Jesus. They will share with us ways to pray and partner with them in their work.The unsung heros of Jesus’ kingdom are the faithful disciples who serve their Lord without fanfare or applause.Whether you are a warrior in secret prayer, a widow who casts in the last two mites, or a worker advancing the bleeding edge of the kingdom, you can rest assured that deeds of service do not escape the eye of our benevolent King.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.Strength to Strength will typically host two Talks a year to spotlight Kingdom initiatives that can be an inspiration to others in the greater community of Jesus’ followers. If you know of a project that you would like to see spotlighted please <a href="https://strengthtostrength.org/connect/" rel="nofollow">contact us</a> here.﻿https://strengthtostrength.org/walk-the-talk-spotlight-on-kingdom-work-part-3/

"Walk the Talk: Spotlight on Kingdom Work" – part 3 by four brothers

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/28/22/86cbc98d-bf3c-45ad-b40f-ab8471e4dcf9_n_for_community___part_2_by_merle_burkholder.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Merle Burkholder to discuss how mankind best thrives in community with others.God has designed us as social beings. We are relational and function not only as part of families, but also as part of a community. God’s design for community helps us to care for one another and represent the Kingdom of God to a world that has lost its way. In these talks we will look at God’s design for community and how we can use community to bring healing to a broken world.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-community-part-2/

S2S Event: “God’s Design for Community – part 2” by Merle Burkholder

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/28/22/f2e5f0ef-08b7-4f20-ac4d-544acfabca0b_n_for_community___part_1_by_merle_burkholder.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Merle Burkholder to discuss how mankind best thrives in community with others.God has designed us as social beings. We are relational and function not only as part of families, but also as part of a community. God’s design for community helps us to care for one another and represent the Kingdom of God to a world that has lost its way. In these talks we will look at God’s design for community and how we can use community to bring healing to a broken world.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-community-part-1/

S2S Event: “God’s Design for Community – part 1” by Merle Burkholder

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/14/14/684b1516-b098-429f-94a1-9dca8e459bc8_tables_in_the_wilderness.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Bryant Martin to share about practical ways to reach the hearts and minds of those we are called to serve. Have you ever experienced a “table in the wilderness”? Have you ever created a “table in the wilderness” experience for someone? We live in a “wilderness.” As our world descends into chaos, we have a powerful opportunity to be “servers of tables.” As many people retreat and defend, Jesus followers step forward and serve. But what does that look like? Join us on for a talk on subject that I believe is close to the heart of our King and our Father in heaven. “Our primary task is not so much to give answers to impossible philosophical questions as to bring signs of God’s new world to birth.” -N.T. Wright An interactive question-and-answer period follows.

"Tables in the Wilderness" by Bryant Martin

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/3/8/21/5e27f438-2bda-401f-a3f5-a9b5c9fd6c29_ds_on_the_story_you_re_in_by_rachelle_wenger.mp3

Strength to Strength Sisters welcomed Rachelle Wenger to discuss why understanding your identity is essential to understanding your life.Everyone has a story they live in—a narrative of where this universe came from, where it’s going, and how I fit in. The Bible’s long, tightly-woven story from Genesis to Revelation (which I believe is the true one, for reasons we don’t have time to go into in this talk) is more and more astounding the more I understand it. I am one of the (minor) characters in this story. You are too. And the hero of the story is God.Unless we deeply engage with this story and see the Hero accurately, we end up living by one of the competing (false!) stories. I want to retell a bit of this story and highlight how, in my life and the lives of people around me, the story we live in makes all the difference.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/knowing-the-hero/

S2S Sisters: "Knowing the Hero: Why Your Whole Life Depends on the Story You’re In" by Rachelle Wenger

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/29/15/2e302478-5f00-4c90-9a86-238fc549fe80_design_for_the_home___marriage_by_john_byler.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed John Byler to encourage healthy dynamics in husband/wife relationships.God created marriage to be wonderful and beautiful. However, many people’s experience in marriage is sadly disappointing. Is there a way to experience what God originally intended?An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-the-home-marriage/

"God’s Design for the Home – Marriage" by John Byler

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/29/14/0084ca59-0a84-4685-b4be-9ef40de511e3_or_the_home___raising_children_by_john_byler.mp3

This is the first part of a two-part S2S Event called “God’s Design for the Home” to be held on February 24, 2024. Also, see part 2 <a href="https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-the-home-marriage/" rel="nofollow">“God’s Design for the Home – Marriage”</a> by John Byler.Strength to Strength welcomed John Byler to encourage healthy dynamics in raising our children into the fear of God.Our children are faced with a world of challenges. Let’s take a look at our heavenly Father to understand how we can best prepare our children for life.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-the-home-raising-children/

"God’s Design for the Home – Raising Children" by John Byler

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/16/13/5961527e-b989-4f03-90e2-09c2ca949364_om_promises_to_israel_fulfilled_by_paul_garber.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Paul Garber to unpack how the long awaited prophecies have been fulfilled in the Messiah’s kingdom.“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Those were the words of Jesus of Nazareth as he began his public ministry two thousand years ago. Could this humble man from the backwaters of Galilee really be the long awaited Messianic King who was to restore Israel and inaugurate a time of universal peace and justice?How was this reign of God going to come to pass, by military might and power as the Jews expected? Or by laying down his life for his enemies and calling his followers to do the same?An interactive question-and-answer period follows.<blockquote>Jesus, not Jerusalem, would now become the central place within God’s purpose, the place around which God’s true people would be gathered.</blockquote><blockquote>Peter Walker</blockquote> https://strengthtostrength.org/thy-kingdom-come-kingdom-promises-to-israel-fulfilled/

"Thy Kingdom Come: Kingdom Promises to Israel Fulfilled" by Paul Garber

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/13/22/818cc991-8aa9-492c-908d-6b83092af9b7_me_-_kingdom_promises_to_israel_by_paul_garber.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Paul Garber to share about how the Messianic anticipation raised by the prophets shaped Israel.Since the glory days of Israel’s greatest kings, David and Solomon, many prophets foretold a time when one of David’s descendants would rise to power and establish and restore God’s kingdom like never before. This descendant of David would be called the Messiah, the anointed King of Israel. His reign would be marked by universal peace and righteousness.The prophet Daniel in particular gave prophecies that had to happen within a specific window of time. And time was running out. Where was the promised Messiah?As the Romans swept through and conquered their ancient homeland, anticipation grew among the Jews. Was this the time when the Messiah would appear as the prophets predicted?An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/thy-kingdom-come-kingdom-promises-to-israel/

"Thy Kingdom Come: Kingdom Promises to Israel" by Paul Garber

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/2/10/1/60d3e2cb-6034-4bc8-8a29-58db6b486087_luable__gifted__feminine__meek_by_mariel_frost.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Mariel Frost to discuss God’s design of womanhood.This talk is specifically for sisters only. Thanks!Whether you’re single or married, a mature Christian, or new to the faith, you probably have questions about what it means to be a woman. Throughout the ages, Satan has been equally satisfied with two opposite tactics concerning women. On the one hand, he has promoted the abasement of women. He wants them used, oppressed, and subservient. He wants them resigned, discouraged, and powerless. On the other hand, he has also encouraged the exaltation of women. He wants them to be independent, brash, argumentative, and discontent. Either way, Satan wins.But what does God want? What is God’s design for womanhood? Let’s explore what the Bible tells us…and what it does not. Let’s look at what a woman is… and what she is not.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/gods-design-for-womanhood-valuable-gifted-feminine-meek/

S2S Sisters: "God’s Design for Womanhood: Valuable, Gifted, Feminine, Meek" by Mariel Frost Frost

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/24/15/eed577ba-224c-4160-a56f-97b4c806c440_2024-01-24_church_index_interview.mp3

In this interview, Strength to Strength (Sam Baer and Bryant Martin) interview representatives of Church Index (Darvin Martin and David Miller). Church Index is a ministry with a vision for linking people in search of a church to a supportive community of believers and for facilitating connections with churches that are more isolated. There are many ministries, churches, and individuals who receive continuous requests from people who are looking for a church that is faithful to the teachings of Jesus. Our mission is to create and maintain a public database of Anabaptist and similar churches from around the world who strive to live out the teachings of the New Testament and who recognize other churches with similar faith and practice, as being part of the church of Jesus. The Church Index website is created with a map, some location information, and a way to contact the churches that people may wish to visit (when you get a chance, visit <a href="https://churchindex.org/" rel="nofollow">https://churchindex.org/</a> and make sure your church information is correct and offer us any suggestions for making the site better). Additionally, Church Index provides churches and organizations with a web code that they may wish to embed on their website. Church Index‘s mission, in their own words: <blockquote>Today’s online church environment cannot adequately provide what Jesus desires for us to experience in fellowship and community with His family on earth. It is for that reason we desire to see people engaged with a local fellowship; we designed this website to help the church accomplish this purpose.</blockquote><blockquote> </blockquote><blockquote>Our mission is to create and maintain a public database of Anabaptist and similar churches from around the world who strive to live out the teachings of the New Testament. We endeavor to take the teachings of the New Testament seriously, intending to live and teach the doctrine and sound faith that was delivered to the apostles, as described in the New Testament. In general, we believe that churches today should believe and practice what was commonly believed and practiced by the New Testament church. To that end, Church Index humbly offers this database of churches.</blockquote> You may access Church Index within Strength to Strength on our <a href="https://strengthtostrength.org/find-a-church/" rel="nofollow">Find a Church page</a>, or at <a href="https://churchindex.org/" rel="nofollow">https://churchindex.org/</a>. The initial cost for launching this website for the first year is around $15,000. After the first year, we expect the costs for keeping this database maintained, to decrease to approximately $8,000 per year. This service is made financially possible by freewill contributions to cover the expenses. Would you or someone you know be willing to help us cover these costs? Please consider making an online contribution at <a href="https://churchindex.org/contribute/" rel="nofollow">https://churchindex.org/contribute/</a>, or by mailing a check payable to “Church Index” to: <blockquote>Church Index</blockquote><blockquote>1017 Houserville Road</blockquote><blockquote>State College, PA 16801</blockquote> Church Index administrative team: Glenn Martin, Darvin Martin, Ernest Eby, and David Miller.

NEW Church Finder: Interview with Church Index

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/17/2/6373062f-4a3e-4e28-8ccc-6d794522349a_y_kingdom_come_-_who_is_israel_by_paul_garber..mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed Paul Garber to think through the identity of the nation of Israel as the prophets conceptualized it in the Old Testament.Throughout the Old Testament we read of a unique and special nation called Israel. God had a special relationship with this nation and even called them the apple of His eye. With the nation of Israel, God made special promises of land and prosperity if they continued faithful in His covenants. First with God’s covenant with their forefather Abraham, and secondly with God’s covenant given on Mt. Sinai to Moses, the nation’s founding prophet.Reading about the special place that this nation has in God’s heart, we need to ask the questions: Who is Israel? What defined Israel as a nation in the Old Testament? And, what defines Israel as a nation today?An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/thy-kingdom-come-who-is-israel/

“Thy Kingdom Come: Who Is Israel?” by Paul Garber

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/16/21/2dc3882f-8883-4ebf-a731-4a35480b3a1d_gdom_vision_for_the_world__by_john_d._martin.mp3

Strength to Strength welcomed John D. Martin to discuss his favorite topic, the Kingdom of God.God’s kingdom here on earth is to be a colony of heaven that demonstrates how God intends the whole world to be. However, as humans there are times that we fail in being ambassadors that represent our nation well. After laying the groundwork for this marvelous kingdom, John will then look at three challenges we face in making this a credible present reality: two kingdom confusion, two kingdom clarification, and two kingdom caution.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.Credit: In this Talk, John D. Martin shares the “Eight Powerful Effects of the Kingdom” by John Piper.https://strengthtostrength.org/thy-kingdom-come-gods-kingdom-vision-for-the-world/

“Thy Kingdom Come: God’s Kingdom Vision for the World” by John D. Martin

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/11/2/a403ef33-c804-4529-9119-d01440aff785__response_to_human_trafficking__by_rosa_nolt.mp3

Strength to Strength Sisters welcomes Rosa Nolt to share on the difference between service and sensationalism and its impacts on ministry.What is the difference between service and sensationalism and how do they impact ministry? Are some avenues of serving more glamorous than others?Rosa will be sharing some about her experiences in Thailand and working with women at risk. She will also share about the transition she went through in serving overseas on the mission field to becoming a wife and mother and finding new avenues of serving. She’ll talk some about human trafficking and how we can be aware of our surroundings and aid in prevention, even as we go about our everyday lives.We’ll zero in on what it looks like to minister with a servant’s heart in whatever role we find ourselves in right now, and on remaining faithful even when serving doesn’t look or feel as glamorous as we had hoped or envisioned.An interactive question-and-answer period follows.https://strengthtostrength.org/service-versus-sensationalism-our-response-to-human-trafficking/

S2S Sisters: “Service Versus Sensationalism: Our Response to Human Trafficking” by Rosa Nolt

"Blessed is the man whose strength is in You, whose heart is set on pilgrimage… They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion" (Psalm 84:5, 7).

*Strength to Strength* offers resources that will strengthen your love-faith relationship with King Jesus and give you solid footing in a shaky world.

* VISION: Inspire flourishing communities of faithful Jesus-followers around the world.

* MISSION: Advance Jesus’ kingdom by assisting the church in earnestly contending for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints, through tackling thought-provoking topics, by stimulating candid discussions, and by sharing faith-building testimonies.

* ACTION: We do this by providing multimedia resources including podcasts, videos, and books, and by pointing people to local communities of believers.

Our speakers and writers are supportive of a Christ-centered, kingdom-focused, Scripture-based way of life, specifically as modeled by the Anabaptist tradition. However, we will sell books not written by kingdom Christians when they are able to share a unique or challenging perspective. In engaging with any of our resources we encourage you to be a Berean.