Addiction can take a person further than they ever intended to go, but no chain is stronger than the power of Jesus Christ.

In Episode 4 of the One Accord Podcast, Bishop Luke Smith sits down with Zach Rickard and Mark Lehman for an honest and deeply personal conversation about addiction, relapse, recovery, repentance, and restoration.

This is not a discussion built around theory. Zach and Mark share their own testimonies of drug and alcohol addiction, incarceration, broken relationships, devastating consequences, and the moments when they finally realized something had to change.

They discuss the deeper wounds that can fuel addiction, including rejection, isolation, the need to feel loved and accepted, disappointment, shame, and the search for something to fill an emptiness that only God can truly satisfy.

The conversation also addresses an important reality for pastors and churches: transformation does not always happen overnight. People coming out of addiction may stumble, relapse, struggle with old thought patterns, or battle memories and temptations from their former lives. What they need is not condemnation, but biblical truth, accountability, genuine Christian community, and people willing to walk with them toward freedom.

In this episode:

• Zach shares how walking away from a promising gymnastics career eventually contributed to years of addiction and isolation.

• Mark recounts growing up surrounded by drugs, alcohol, and crime, becoming addicted at a very young age, and repeatedly finding himself incarcerated.

• They discuss their lowest moments and the consequences addiction brought into their lives and families.

• Zach explains why he chose a long-term Christian recovery program even when he was only months away from completing drug court.

• Mark shares how confronting the roots of his addiction and seeking both spiritual and practical help changed the trajectory of his life.

• The conversation explores relapse, shame, accountability, intrusive thoughts, and learning to take thoughts captive.

• Zach and Mark explain why a church must become a place where struggling people can tell the truth without fearing rejection.

• The episode closes with a powerful discussion about repentance, dying to self, and why the Christian walk requires daily surrender.

If you are coming out of addiction, ministering to someone who is struggling, pastoring people in recovery, or trying to understand how the church can better reach those caught in destructive cycles, this conversation is for you.

There is hope. There is restoration. And through Jesus Christ, chains can still be broken.

One Accord Podcast is hosted by Bishop Luke Smith, General Chairman of the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship (AWCF).

The podcast exists to strengthen Apostolic believers around the world through biblical conversations, leadership insights, and stories of faith that unite the Body of Christ.

🌐 Learn more about AWCF: awcf.org

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and help us encourage others by sharing this episode.

What is it really like to grow up as a pastor's kid?

In this heartfelt conversation, Bishop Luke Smith and First Lady Anna Smith open up about the unique blessings and challenges of being raised in ministry. Drawing from their experiences in two globally influential Apostolic families, they discuss the sacrifices, pressures, miracles, and lessons that shaped their lives, and ultimately strengthened their faith.

Together, they explore:

• Growing up in ministry under constant public scrutiny
• The unseen sacrifices made by pastors and their families
• Church hurt from a pastor's kid's perspective
• Discovering a personal relationship with God instead of borrowing your parents' faith
• Honoring your parents without losing your own identity
• Practical advice for pastors raising children in ministry today
• How prayer, forgiveness, and consistency create generational blessings

Whether you're a pastor, pastor's spouse, pastor's kid, ministry leader, or simply someone navigating faith and family, this conversation offers biblical wisdom, honest reflection, and hope for every generation.

"One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts." - Psalm 145:4

One Accord Podcast is hosted by Bishop Luke Smith, General Chairman of the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship (AWCF).

The podcast exists to strengthen Apostolic believers around the world through biblical conversations, leadership insights, and stories of faith that unite the Body of Christ.

🌐 Learn more about AWCF: awcf.org

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and help us encourage others by sharing this episode.

In Episode 2 of the One Accord Podcast, Bishop Luke Smith is joined by Dr. Andrew Robinson, Director of Education for the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship (AWCF) and founder of Christ Ministries School of Divinity (CMSD), for a timely conversation on one of the greatest needs in ministry today: leadership integrity.

Together, they discuss why character matters more than gifting, how integrity sustains long-term ministry, and the growing challenges leaders face in an age of social media, public scrutiny, and celebrity culture. Drawing from Scripture and decades of ministry experience, they explore the importance of accountability, humility, restoration, and protecting one's private walk with God.

Whether you are a pastor, ministry leader, or faithful believer, this episode offers practical wisdom for building a life that honors Christ beyond the platform.

In this episode:

• Why integrity is the foundation of spiritual leadership
• The difference between gifting and character
• How social media has changed ministry
• Celebrity culture and the dangers of self-promotion
• The importance of accountability and spiritual authority
• Biblical restoration after moral failure
• Rebuilding trust after brokenness
• Practical advice for young ministers
• A powerful prayer for leaders seeking restoration and strength

"People remember sermons for a season, but they remember character for a lifetime."

Learn more at awcf.org/OneAccord

One Accord Podcast is hosted by Bishop Luke Smith, General Chairman of the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship (AWCF).

The podcast exists to strengthen Apostolic believers around the world through biblical conversations, leadership insights, and stories of faith that unite the Body of Christ.

🌐 Learn more about AWCF: awcf.org

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts and help us encourage others by sharing this episode.