In today’s culture, men are told to be ashamed of being men — of strength, of leadership, of wanting to provide and protect. So they shrink. They hide. They perform instead of being real. And when a bad choice brings shame, the temptation is to keep making the same choices. But you don’t have to. You can choose differently. You can make better choices. This episode is about coming out of hiding. Facing the shame honestly, and finding the courage to be the man God actually called you to be — not the one the culture demands.

When the fight gets ugly, the easy move is curling up in the corner and sicking your thumb. We talk about praying like it actually hits the enemy, holding your ground when giving up feels smarter, and calling out worship leaders, team members, and pastors who treat church like a ladder instead of a calling -- hopping from one platform to the next instead of standing where God planted them.

In Episode 9 of Faith to Stand, we dive into spiritual warfare with the message that showing up is half the battle. We explore how simply showing up, especially when life feels overwhelming, is a powerful act of resistance. Whether you’re on the worship team or just navigating your own struggles, showing up lets you join forces with your brothers and sisters to stand strong together. Tune in to discover why your presence matters more than you might think.

Join us on Faith to Stand as we sit down with Dennis and Lulu Massawe. They share their incredible journey growing up in Tanzania, moving to America, and building their life together. From their love story to the ministry they’re passionate about, they open up about faith, culture, and God’s faithfulness. Plus, you won’t want to miss their miracle fish story – it sounds fishy, but it’s a powerful testimony of God’s provision!

From our first musical sparks to opening our own music school, we share how music’s been our lifelong passion. We’ll talk about being intentional with what you listen to, because those lyrics can affect your emotions, your mental health, and even lead to depression if you’re always feeding yourself downer music. Then we let loose singing the Hee Haw classic, "Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me.”

We sit down with our friends Gayle and Fino Garcia as he shares the heartbreaking loss of his siblings in a fire at just nine years old. They open up about healing, reconnecting years later, their second-chance love story, and how God is using their pain to serve and help others.

Check out Gayle's books at Gaylegarcia.org Also make sure to check out Gayle and her son Josh’s powerful story on our website. Gayle opens up about the heartbreak of watching Josh battle addiction and cycle in and out of jail. She shares what it was really like as a mother — the fear, the prayers, the sleepless nights, and the hope that never quit.”

https://www.withthesehands.org/faithtostandconference

“Conjuring? In this episode, we explore the crucial difference between truly inviting the Holy Spirit and trying to conjure up a spiritual experience by simply copying what we’ve seen others do. We talk about why vain repetitions and manufactured moments fall flat, and how a genuine invitation opens the door to something real and powerful.”

In Episode Four, we sit down with our cousins Mark and Lori Carouthers — longtime music pastors who spent years traveling, leading worship, and eventually planting a church. They share the highs and lows of full-time ministry, what it’s like when it feels like you’re “too old” for today’s youth-driven worship culture, and how they’ve stayed faithful through every season. It’s honest, encouraging, and full of wisdom for anyone serving in ministry.