What if that longing in your soul is actually a desire for more of God?

As I prepare for an adventure I’ve wanted to take for years—a trip to Israel—I’ve been thinking about what it means to recognize a pull from God and have the courage to say yes, even when we don’t know exactly where that yes will lead.

In this episode, I share some of the practical preparations I’ve made for traveling to Israel, but more importantly, I share what God has been teaching me about fear, wisdom, discernment, and trust.

We don’t have to know the whole path before we take the next step. Sometimes we simply need the courage to say yes—and the faith to trust God with what comes next.

What might God be calling you to?

Listen in, and then ask Him that question for yourself.

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!

Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.

Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com!

Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona.

How do we talk to teens and young adults about Jesus when they may feel abandoned, anxious, or distrustful of institutions—including the church?

In this episode of the Courageous Retirement Christian podcast, Vona Johnson talks with longtime youth pastor and current pastor Brenda Seefeldt about why older adults may have more influence with young people than they realize. After decades of working with teens, Brenda believes they need safe, trusting relationships far more than another program.

Brenda shares practical ways parents, grandparents, and “substitute grandparents” can build trust and create opportunities for honest conversations about faith. They talk about listening without panic, using simple questions as a “pebble in the shoe” that gets young people thinking, remembering that God is not fragile, and asking the Holy Spirit to guide our conversations. Brenda also explains how a sincere apology can lower defenses and actually increase our credibility.

You’ll hear practical ideas for starting conversations with teens, connecting with them as mentors, and helping them become part of the larger church community—not simply creating programs for them. Most of all, Brenda offers encouragement to see young people differently and make brave moves when the opportunity to point them toward Jesus comes.

Brenda also shares resources and coaching for churches and families at Bravester.com.

In this episode:
00:00 Concern for Young Hearts
00:50 Meet Brenda Seefeldt
01:55 Decades of Youth Ministry
04:02 You Still Have Cred
04:43 Gen Z Complaints List
05:42 Abandoned by Screens
06:48 Perspective Calms Anxiety
09:41 Trust People, Not Church
11:24 Start With Safety
12:13 God Is Not Fragile
15:06 Apology Builds Credibility
17:56 Time Is Running Out
18:47 Authentic Faith Talks
19:22 Religion vs. Relationship
20:04 God Meets Us
20:52 Icebreakers With Teens
22:49 One Kid Matters
24:32 Mentors Beyond Church
25:30 Teachers on Mission
29:05 See Teens Differently
31:08 Coaching Churches
32:48 Bravester Resources
34:34 Make Brave Moves
36:16 Final Encouragement

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!

Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.

Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com!

Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona.

Have you ever wondered if you took the wrong fork in the road?

Maybe you made a decision that seemed right at the time, but now you’re wondering if you misunderstood what God was calling you to do. Or maybe you’re facing a change and wondering whether changing direction means you failed.

In this episode, Vona gets a little personal about some of the questions she’s wrestling with right now—including what her coaching season may have been for, what she wants to make room for in this next season, and whether the path God has been leading her along may be changing direction.

Sometimes courage means moving forward. Sometimes it means being still. And sometimes it means letting go of something that is good because Jesus may be leading us toward something different.

What if you didn’t take the wrong fork after all?

What if that road was exactly where you needed to be for a season—and now Jesus is leading you somewhere you never expected to go?

Perhaps living your MORE isn’t always about adding something new. Sometimes it means opening our hands and trusting Jesus enough to let go of the good to make room for whatever He has next.

Because a change in direction is simply obedience.

I'd love to hear from you! Send me a text message!

Check out my YouTube Channel where I post the videos of my interview shows.

Learn more about the show, author Vona Johnson, and more at vonajohnson.com!

Schedule a free 15 minute Your Path to More call with Vona.