Kevin and Riley draw a sobering parallel between the "midnight of heathenism" faced by 19th-century missionary John Patton and the spiritual darkness of the modern abortion industry. They discuss the shift from abortion as a "tragic choice" to its celebration as a "sincerely held religious belief" and "secular sacrament."

The episode features an interview with Scott Hord, a former pastor now serving full-time on the sidewalk. Scott shares incredible stories of Gospel transformation, from life-threatening encounters to mothers choosing life after a five-minute conversation.

Kevin discusses John Patton’s mission to the New Hebrides. The hosts explore how modern society hasn't "outgrown" historic savagery but has simply relocated it to sterile rooms.

• Religious Abortion: Analyzing Indiana rulings claiming abortion as "religious freedom."
• Proverbs 24:11: The mandate to rescue those staggering toward slaughter.

Kevin and Riley discuss the importance of multi-generational faithfulness and a surprising family connection.

• Neutrality is a Myth: Why "natural law" fails without a biblical standard.
• Image of God: The theological foundation for protecting life.
• The Mennonite Game: A lighthearted interlude discovering that Kevin and Riley share a great-grandfather.
• Legacy: Cultivating faithfulness that lasts a hundred years.

Scott Hord shares his experience in the ministry of rescue.

• The Father’s Voice: Why a compassionate male presence is vital for women in crisis.
• 795 Rescues: The stories behind the confirmed lives saved through his ministry.
• Ministry Framework: Scott’s "Quadrant" for spiritual health: King, Warrior, Friend, and Servant.
• Transformation: How "Kevin" went from threatening Scott to building crosses for new mothers.
• Action: Moving the church from the sidelines to the sidewalk.

• Scott Hord Ministries: scotthord.com
• End Abortion Now: endabortionnow.com (Jeff Durbin)
• The White Rose Resistance: thewhiterose.life (Seth Gruber)
• Love Life: lovelife.org
• Operation Save America: operationsaveamerica.org

"The midnight of heathenism isn’t a relic of history—it’s our current climate." — Kevin Minnett

"I don’t wear sunglasses. I want them to see the compassion in my eyes." — Scott Hord

How are you planting "gardens" in the hard places of your community? Join the conversation on our social media.

#GardensInBabylon #ProLife #GospelHope #FaithfulInTheFight

How do we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? In this deep and delightful episode of Gardens in Babylon, Kevin and Riley sit down with Dale and Lisa Jost, parents of 11 and grandparents of 34. From their homestead in Southern Alberta, the Josts have built a multi-generational heritage rooted in music, fruitfulness, and the "long game" of faithfulness.

We explore the reality of raising a "statistically anomalous" large family in a culture that often views children as a burden. Dale and Lisa share how family worship and singing became their armor and their weapon—helping their children grow into productive, creative adults who are now passing the baton to the next generation.

In this episode, we cover:

• Worship as Warfare: Why the song of the Lord is a tool for the wilderness, not just a luxury for the church building.
• The Singing Family: How to teach your kids harmony (literally and spiritually) to create a bond that survives "Babylon."
• Raising Productive Arrows: How the Josts encouraged entrepreneurship and individual giftings in their 11 children.
• Finding Spouses in Exile: Honest advice for parents in isolated communities on trusting God's providence for their children’s futures.
• The "Compost" of Repentance: Why your past failures, when repented of, become the richest soil for your family’s future growth.

• 00:00 Worship as Warfare: Why King Jehoshaphat sent singers into battle.
• 02:48 The Family Altar at the Kitchen Table: Lessons from missionary John Patton.
• 10:31 The Van-Trapped Family Singers: Memorable (and hilarious) stories from the touring life.
• 12:57 The Family Economy: Why "Canaan" is built through inventiveness and hard work.
• 19:30 Spiritual Impact of Music: Why the Word of Christ must dwell in us through song.
• 30:09 Countercultural Fruitfulness: Raising 11 kids in a "below-replacement" culture.
• 41:17 First Steps for Frazzled Dads: How to start the journey of generational faithfulness today.

Is your home just a "rain shelter," or is it a productive nursery for the Kingdom of God? In this episode, Kevin and Riley are joined by Eric Anderson, a pastor and "jack-of-all-trades" from Minnesota, to discuss the theology of the Cosmic Household.

Eric shares how his family of nine has moved away from the "therapeutic victim culture" of modern society and toward a robust, productive family economy involving Jersey cows, sourdough side-hustles, and a healthy dose of midwestern thrift.

• The Gardener Father: Exploring J.H. Merle d’Aubigny’s vision of the home as a nursery and the father as a "husbandman."
• Gardening in Babylon: Why we need to stop being "armchair prophets" at coffee shops and start cultivating character in our own backyards.
• The Theology of Thrift: How the Andersons support a large family on a pastor's salary without debt.
• Jersey Cows & Sourdough: Why reorienting the home toward production changes the spiritual temperature of the family.
• Character Excellence: Why homeschool kids with a work ethic stand out to secular coaches and employers.
• Protecting the Marriage: Practical rhythms for sanity, including "unhurried walks" and family rest hours.

• Book: The Household and the War for the Cosmos by C.R. Wiley.
• Historical Text: Family Worship by J.H. Merle d’Aubigny.
• Acronym: Eric’s "THRIFT" framework for family economy. (But we need to get Eric back on the work through this further.)

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"The home is not just a place to train your kids as an alternative to government education... it is a place where economy happens" — Eric Anderson

Reformed theology, Christian parenting, homeschooling, family economy, homesteading, thrift, C.R. Wiley, Merle d'Aubigny, 1689 Baptist, multi-generational faithfulness, Christian household.

Takeaways

• Family worship as a powerful means of preparation
• The impact of family structure on character formation Family and household vision
• Thrift and productivity
• Community involvement
• Raising children with purpose

Chapters

• 00:00 The Importance of Family Worship
• 08:01 The Anderson Family Routine
• 37:15 Theological Framework for Family and Work
• 43:40 Thrift and Productivity
• 01:05:39 Raising Children with Purpose

Key Topics: Christian Parenting, Family Discipleship, Raising 9 Kids, Homesteading, Character Training for Teens.

Can a faithful family thrive in a "Babylonian" culture? In this debut episode of Gardens in Babylon, pastors Kevin Minnett and Riley Toews explore the biblical foundations for family worship and family discipleship. Whether you are looking for a kids faith podcast or resources for leading your teenagers, this episode reveals why the solution to cultural decay starts at the supper table, not in the senate.

Kevin and Riley discuss the "family altar," the historical faithfulness of the Puritans, and how to view your home as a "mini-economy" of the Kingdom of God.

What we cover in this episode:

• The "Family Altar": Why consistent worship in the home is the heartbeat of a resilient family.
• Work as Worship: Reclaiming the biblical word Avoda to bridge the gap between the sacred and the secular.
• Raising Godly Kids in Hard Places: Practical ways to use Deuteronomy 6 rhythms in a modern, busy household.
• Prioritizing the Home: How to audit your schedule to ensure your christian family goals come first.

• 00:00 The Call to Faithful Households: Lessons from the 1689 London Baptist Confession.
• 06:33 The Integration of Work and Worship: Why mothering and homesteading are "Kingdom Work."
• 10:45 The "Dad Joke" Face-off: Humor, heritage, and the importance of joy.
• 32:43 Identifying Priorities: Setting deliberate goals for family discipleship.
• 39:00 Cultivating Faithful Families: Building a legacy that outlasts empires.

• A Theology of the Family – Edited by Scott Brown & Jeff Pollard
• Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life – David L. Bahnsen
• Family Driven Faith – Voddie Baucham
• Family Life – Kevin Swanson
• Family Worship – Donald Whitney