Building Boldly: Kingdom Work, Adoption & the Power of Unity with Kerri Holmes

The Nitty Gritty Podcast with Kerri Holmes**Join us as Danielle and Schell sit down with Kerri Holmes to explore her journey in kingdom-building through church leadership, marriage, and adoption. Discover how faith-inspired leadership cultivates community and empowers women to walk boldly in their calling.

In this episode:

• Kerri shares her story of leading Titus Women’s Ministry for over five years and expanding community circles for deeper connection

• The significance of biblical mentorship, with emphasis on Titus 2:3-5, in fostering godly living and family leadership

• Practical insights on developing leaders, managing growth, and creating safe, supportive environments

• The impact of prayer and obedience in experiencing God's unexpected blessings, including the adoption of Ella from Russia

• The role of unity—spiritually, within marriages, and in church ministries—in advancing God's kingdom

• Kerri’s heart for marriage ministry and her partnership with her husband Adam in supporting families

• Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:58, Romans 14:17, John 17:23 in building unity and perseverance in faith

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Kerri Holmes

01:19 - Kerri’s journey with Titus Women’s Ministry

02:42 - Organizing ministry for kingdom impact

03:10 - Personal background and family life

04:05 - How Titus shaped Kerri’s faith

05:31 - Pandemic pivot and new directions in ministry

06:51 - Obedience and new visions for community

08:09 - Childhood favorite movies and kingdom themes

09:03 - The Sound of Music and its significance

11:25 - Defining kingdom building: Love God and love others

12:47 - Practical ways Carrie lives out kingdom principles

13:12 - The story of adopting Ella and God’s timing

15:23 - Faith in God’s provision through

EP 43: Navigating Authentic Faith and Healthy Relationships: A Follow-up Conversation on Forgiveness, Boundaries, and Discernment

In this episode, Schell and Danielle follow up their previous conversation from EP 41 and explore the challenges and truths of living out faith in everyday relationships. They discuss the importance of forgiveness, setting healthy boundaries, and seeking divine discernment to love others well—especially amidst hurt, disappointment, and offense.

Key Topics

The role of intentional friendships in spiritual growth

Forgiveness as a divine obedience, not just a feeling

How offenses, disappointments, and boundaries influence relationships

The significance of discernment in love and conflict resolution

Practical ways to evaluate motives and align actions with scripture

The process of repentance and healing through prayer

The biblical foundation for love that has backbone, not wimpy acceptance

Recognizing when to seek wise counsel vs. going directly to God

The power of praying for even those who have hurt us

How Jesus' sacrifice and authority over Satan empower our forgiveness and freedom

Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction to the importance of authentic faith in relationships

02:01 - The significance of forgiveness in healing and relationships

04:22 - Creating healthy boundaries without losing love

05:47 - The impact of offense and disappointment in our walk with Jesus

08:08 - Handling offense through scripture and Holy Spirit guidance

10:42 - How forgiveness cleans wounds and grants freedom

12:27 - The importance of spiritual maturity in managing offense and boundaries

14:03 - Indicators of whether we're seeking revenge or God's way

15:56 - Recognizing emotional currents that lead us away from peace

17:13 - Addressing past wounds and their influence on present relationships

20:22 - The dangers of non-confrontation and passivity

22:34 - Showing grace while protecting yourself in relationships

25:18 - Praying for discernment and God’s heart in friendships

28:10 - Loving even enemies as a divine indicator of God's love in us

30:56 - The importance of praying for those who hurt us

34:11 - Our authority over Satan through Jesus' sacrifice and love

36:33 - Operating in love with divine discernment over reactiveness

39:08 - Boundaries with love and God's firm love as an example

42:22 - The critical role of forgiveness in avoiding dependence and codependency

45:52 - The process of genuine repentance and heart transformation

48:11 - The visual of releasing burdens through honest prayer and surrender

52:18 - Invitation to go to the "secret place" with Jesus for transformation

53:12 - Closing thoughts and encouragement to walk in love, wisdom, and forgiveness

Resources & Links

Soul Care by Dr. Rob Reimer

Hebrews 4:12

Luke 17:1-4

Philippians 4:8 "think about such things"

Matthew 16:19 Keys the kingdom

Connect with Danielle: @danielle.kazarian

Connect with Schell: @flirtingwithmyhusband

Note: This episode emphasizes that living out faith involves intentional boundaries, forgiveness, and discernment—balancing truth and love rooted in God’s Word. It encourages believers to seek divine guidance in every interaction and to walk in freedom through Jesus’ authority.

Ep 42: Finding the Gold in People- Jennifer Jones on forging faith through fire, breaking ministry idolatry, and helping believers run in their calling

In this episode of the Nitty Gritty, Danielle and Shell sit down with Jennifer Jones — ministry leader, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Illuminate Global Ministry — for a rich, Spirit-filled conversation about what it truly means to build God's kingdom from the inside out.

Jennifer shares her remarkable story: born a miracle child against impossible medical odds, raised in an abusive home, battling depression and suicidal ideation from childhood, and ultimately encountering the Lord at 21. Through decades of inner healing, deliverance, prophetic refinement, and deep intimacy with the Father, she has been forged into a passionate champion of people and their God-given identities.

This episode covers a lot of ground, including:

• What kingdom building actually looks like — it starts with discipleship, prayer, and speaking to the core of people's identity, not their mistakes. Jennifer talks about the difference between building a platform and building people.

• Ministry idolatry and how it keeps believers small, insecure, and dependent on the wrong things. Jennifer vulnerably shares a season where the glory lifted because she had unknowingly stepped into receiving glory that belonged to God.

• Prophetic witchcraft and soul ties — what they are, how to recognize them, and how they can trap people's destinies. Danielle brings in scriptural grounding from Joel 2 and Philippians 2:2.

• The marketplace calling — why the church building is not the only place God uses his people, and why the 10% Levitical model means 90% were out in the world serving God through their everyday lives and gifts.

• Practical tools for hearing God's voice — Jennifer shares how she started with simple yes-or-no journaling questions, building confidence in her ability to hear the Holy Spirit over time.

• The beauty of being moldable — why mistaking God's process for failure is one of the biggest traps believers face, and how to stay flexible when the outcome doesn't look like what you imagined.

Scriptures referenced:

• Mark 12- What's the most important thing?
• 1 Corinthians 13-Identity
• John 17:20–24- Holy Spirit prays for us
• Joel 2:28 - Jesus' prayer for us
• Philippians 2:2
• Revelation 4 - Overcoming

Connect with Jennifer Jones: Illuminate, Purpose Coaching, Renewed Soul

Life Purpose Coaching

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube:

TIK TOK

Title: Ep 41: Building the Kingdom through Friendship: A Journey of Faith, Love, and Discipline

In this episode of the Nitty Gritty podcast, Danielle and Schell explore what it means to build genuine friendships rooted in biblical principles and how these relationships reflect God's kingdom on earth. They share personal stories, spiritual insights, and practical steps toward cultivating friendships that foster growth, trust, and kingdom impact.

Main Topics Covered:

• The biblical foundation of friendship and how Jesus says, "I have called you friends" (John 15:9-17).
• Traits of a good friend: relationship with Jesus, follow-through, trustworthiness, and intentionality.
• The importance of vulnerability and building bridges, not barriers, in relationships.
• Discernment versus judgment: understanding spiritual wisdom in friendships.
• The role of prayer, silence, and God's character in guiding our friendships and kingdom building.
• Recognizing snakes (deception) and protecting the unity in the body of Christ (2 Corinthians 13:14).
• Reflection on God's character—redeemer, healer—and how it was displayed last year.
• Practical ways to remember names, notes, and details to love others well.
• The concept of kingdom building as a life shared brick by brick, storing treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
• The importance of community, shared mission, and living out God's will on earth (Matthew 6:10, Luke 17:21).

Key Scriptures:

• John 15:9-17
• 2 Timothy 4

Connect with Danielle & Schell:

Danielle - flirtingwithmyhusband

Schell - danielle.kazarian | www.daniellekazarian.com

Timestamp Highlights:
00:00 - Welcome back: Season 5 and our focus on Kingdom building
02:19 - The biblical view of friendship through Jesus' example
04:35 - Building bridges, removing barriers in relationships
12:58 - Experiencing God's character traits in our lives (redeemer, healer)
15:56 - Walking through seasons of hard truth and growth
20:38 - The significance of unity and kingdom work in everyday life
25:11 - Learning God's discernment amidst deception and spiritual battles
33:48 - Loving through correction and walking in mercy
37:14 - Scriptural encouragement: Peace as a rule in our hearts (Colossians 3:15)
42:47 - Living out kingdom principles in our homes and communities
45:43 - Understanding the kingdom as a realm of God's authority and how we participate
48:39 - Storing treasures in heaven and living with eternity in mind (Matthew 6:19-21)
54:55 - The importance of testing everything against God's Word—and trusting the Spirit of truth

Additional Notes:
This episode emphasizes that kingdom building begins in our friendships, in our homes, and through our continuous walk with Jesus. Remember, the Holy Spirit guides discernment, and God's peace should rule our hearts in every interaction. Building authentic, kingdom-oriented relationships requires intentionality, prayer, vulnerability, and a focus on eternal treasures.

Title: "Season 5"- Walking in Faith: Embracing Hardships, Discernment, and Kingdom Building

Join Schell and Danielle as they share their reflections on walking with Jesus through life's ups and downs. They discuss personal growth, spiritual discernment, and the importance of kingdom-minded friendships, especially in challenging seasons.In this episode:

• Recap of the podcast's season five start and the significance of intentionality
• The reality of life's messiness and embracing honest conversations about hardship
• How hard seasons reveal God's glory and character traits like redemption and healing
• Reflecting on God's faithfulness in past seasons and lessons learned
• The importance of pausing, looking back, and journaling spiritual milestones
• Understanding God's character through personal experience and scripture
• Discernment: distinguishing God's voice from deception with wisdom and Holy Spirit guidance
• Practical insights into kingdom building, both spiritually and in everyday relationships
• The significance of peace, unity, and trusting God's authority over the enemy

Encouragement to point everything back to Jesus and rely on His Word for discernment

Quotable Moments: “When we’re operating in God’s peace—that’s when the Kingdom work happens”-Danielle

• scripture: “... Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]...” ‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭19‬-‭20‬ ‭AMP‬‬

“Let peace be the rule.”—Schell’s sister via Schell

• scripture: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Scripture references"

• ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬
• ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

Timestamps:
00:00 - Season five kickoff and podcast update
02:19 - Honest conversations on walking with Jesus through messiness
04:08 - Recognizing God's glory in hardship moments
08:46 - Reflecting on God's work in past seasons
12:58 - Experiencing God's character traits like redeemer and healer
15:52 - Family seasons, God’s faithfulness, and healing
21:35 - Learning from God's silent presence and trusting Him
26:24 - Wisdom vs. discernment and walking in the Spirit
30:58 - Recognizing deception and cultivating spiritual discernment
34:13 - Peace as the rule in discernment and spiritual battles
37:08 - Walking out kingdom building here on earth
41:12 - Daily renewal and waking up with God's movement in mind
44:29 - The kingdom as building brick-by-brick and trusting God's authority
48:23 - Living with eternity in mind and eternal rewards
50:10 - Closing prayer and blessing for listeners

Connect with Schell & Danielle:

• Schell - ⁠flirtingwithmyhusband⁠
• Danielle - ⁠danielle.kazarian⁠ | ⁠daniellekazarian.com⁠

For further encouragement:
Remember, our insights are rooted in God's Word. Always align what you hear here with Scripture, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for discernment and Kingdom work.

In The Nitty Gritty Ep 39: A Conversation on Cultivation, Schell & Danielle follow up episode 38 with a practical conversation on how to cultivate healthy soil in our lives and others.

In this episode you will:

-Be encouraged with healthy communication tips.

-Explore and learn how to listen to God’s voice.

-Differentiate between talents/skills and gifts.

-Ask: Am I listening to God?

-Learn tools to recall God’s words and promises.

-Surrender the outcome of life to God.

Practical communication tools and tips for how to:

• bring our whole self
• engage in authentic conversation
• confidently share appropriate details and emotions
• operate in maturity and wisdom
• Process with Jesus

Scripture:

Psalm 142:1-7 Cry out to God

Joshua 1:8 Meditate day and night

Psalm 37:3-7 Rely on the Lord

1 Corinthians 3:6-11 We plant seeds, God causes the growth

Matthew 22:37-40 Love God, love others

Psalm 139:14 Uniquely wonderfully made

Proverbs 19:21-23 Many are a man’s plans

Proverbs 3:5&6 Trust in the Lord

Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 57:2 God has a plan and a purpose

Deuteronomy 5:33, Proverbs 4:14-16, 27; Jeremiah 6:16 Do not swerve to the right or the left

Joshua 1:8 meditate on God’s Word

Proverbs 3:3-6, Deuteronomy 6:8-9 write God’s word down

Romans 8:13 Death to “flesh”

Ephesians 1:22-23 put all things under God

Deuteronomy 28:4 obedience makes the blessing flourish

Hebrews 12:10-15 discipline heals us

Ephesians 6 child and parent instructions

1 Corinthians 3:23 obedience

Psalm 1:2-3 deeply rooted

John 15:5 He is the vine

We’re not responsible for others’ growth or what they do with their gifts; however, the following are ways we can plant seeds, and be good stewards:

• Prayer
• Exhortation
• Volunteering time
• Seeing the person at the grocery store

Reference with topic- our role in others’ pain: Reconciling Yourself to the Fact of Sin- My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, June 24

Quote: “Security and confidence comes from knowing who God is and who He says we are…but there’s more…”

Key Scripture:

“For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:10-15 NASB1995

Definitions:Cultivate- to prepare and use (Oxford dictionary)Sanctification- process of being transformed, washed, cleansed, and set apart for God’s purposes. (paraphrased from various scripture and commentary)

Practical reflection questions:

1. What are some lies I have believed about myself?
2. What are truths from God’s Word that inform who I really am?
3. What is a fear or obstacle getting in the way of me using my gifts?
4. Do I see my kids’/closest people’s gifts? What are they? How can I help cultivate them?
5. In what area do I want to grow?
6. What do I need tilled from the rocky soil in my life?
7. God what do you want me to know about this topic?