Today's Conversation

What happens when the Holy Spirit moves in our communities?Doug Beacham, a longtime leader in the Pentecostal tradition,reflects on the Holy Spirit’s ongoing work through holiness, sanctification and renewal. Pointing to moments like the Azusa Street Revival and the Memphis Miracle, he highlights how the Spirit brings spiritual renewal, fosters racial unity and expands the Church’s mission. Together, NAE President Walter Kim and Doug Beacham, presiding bishop of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church (IPHC), also explore the ongoing need for reconciliation and unity within the Body of Christ. In this conversation, you’ll hear: What defines Pentecostal holiness traditions; How Pentecostalism brings both intentionality and intensity to faith; Why the American church continues to struggle with division; and How true revival not only stirs hearts but reshapes communities. This episode invites Christians to remember that true hope endures even in a divided culture, calling us to live with patience, faith and confidence that the Holy Spirit is still at work. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast? Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family. Resources Full conversation with Doug Beacham on YouTube For further study see Isaiah 53, Acts, Romans 5–6, 1 Corinthians 12, 2 Corinthians 3:17–18 Books written by Doug Beacham “Black and White Race in American Denominations,” by A.G. Miller in Evangelicals magazine Prayer, Repentance & Hope for America, NAE podcast with Lisa Fields Theology of Race, NAE podcast with Walter Kim Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Cahoots Communications.

What shapes your identity more — your faith or your politics? In this episode, sociologist George Yancey explores how Americansengage in public life today and why that engagement often feels louder, sharper and more polarized than in previous decades. George Yancey, professor of sociology at Baylor University, distinguishes public engagement from political engagement, noting that evangelicals have long contributed to the common good through volunteering, giving, mentoring and building institutions, even if those efforts receive less attention than politics. Together, NAE President Walter Kim and George Yancey examine how recent cultural and political dynamics have amplified partisan voices and intensified the pressures shaping Christian public witness.They also point toward a better way forward: a kingdom-centered identity marked by humility, curiosityand a deeper sense of belonging in Christ. You‘ll hear: How today’s tensions are less about “Christian nationalism” and more about identity politics on both the right and left; Why political tribalism is so powerful in this moment; and How the Church can offer deeper belonging and a more faithful witness. As polarization grows, this episode invites Christians to re-center their identity — and engage public life with truth, love and concern for every neighbor. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast? Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family. Resources Full conversation with George Yancey on YouTube For further study see Jeremiah 17:9, Luke 10, John 4, Galatians 3 “It’s Not ‘Christian Nationalism.’ It’s Conservative Identity Politics.” by George Yancey in Christianity Today Books written by George Yancey What Is Christian Nationalism Anyway?, episode of NAE Difficult Conversations podcast Nationalism vs. Patriotism: What’s the Difference?, NAE podcast with Paul Miller “How to Live Well With Enemies,” by Luke Bretherton in Evangelicals magazine “A Christian’s Place in Political Parties,” Q&A with Cherie Harder in Evangelicals magazine Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.

Faith has shaped our nation’s moral imagination in profound and sometimes complicated ways. Christians are called to reflect honestly on both the Church’s failures and the broken places in our own lives. Christian apologist Lisa Fields explores how prayer and lament help believers engage these realities, particularly as we mark our nation’s 250th anniversary. Lisa Fields is a speaker, author and film producer whose work sits at the intersection of faith, history and culture. Her documentaries include Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom, created with Our Daily Bread and featured on PBS, and Unspoken, which explores the Christian heritage of Africa and people of African descent. You will hear Walter and Lisa discuss: How prayer, lament and repentance have shaped key moments in America’s spiritual and moral history; How these practices help believers confront painful truths and form a faithful moral conscience; and How younger believers’ questions about race, justice and history invite honest, gospel-rooted engagement. This conversation invites us to embody an incarnational witness of humility, healing and peace as we discern where God is calling us toward deeper integrity and gospel-shaped hope in our communities. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast? Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family. Resources: Full conversation with Lisa Fields on YouTube For further study, see Jeremiah 29, Hebrew 13:3, 1 Peter 3, Romans 2 Lisa Fields’ books Jude 3 Project Unspoken Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom From Deconstruction to Reconstruction, NAE podcast with Lisa Fields Christianity and the Making of Early America, NAE podcast with Dr. Mark Noll

America’s founders crafted a bold and countercultural vision of religious freedom. In this conversation, NAE President Walter Kim and religious freedom expert Tim Schultz explore why those ideas were so revolutionary then — and what they demand of us now as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Tim Schultz has helped shape more than 20 state religious freedom laws and is a trusted bipartisan advisor in Washington, D.C. He offers practical guidance for strengthening civic virtue, promoting healthy pluralism, and safeguarding the future of religious freedom in America. You’ll also hear Walter and Tim discuss: How Christians throughout history have defended freedom for others; How Scripture — from Eden to the prodigal son — forms a vision of non–coercive faith; Why parental rights, gender policy debates and civic virtue are reshaping the religious freedom landscape; and What ordinary believers can do to strengthen religious freedom and civic life. This conversation encourages believers to step into this moment with humility, courage and neighbor–love— championing a religious freedom that reflects the heart of God. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast? Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family. Resources Full conversation with Tim Schultz on YouTube For further study, see Genesis 2–3, Matthew 19:16–22, Luke 15:11–32, Romans 1:24–28, Philemon 1st Amendment Partnership Protecting Religious Freedom and Liberty of Conscience, section of NAE’s “For the Health of the Nation” For the Health of the Nation, RightNow Media + NAE small group curriculum Christianity and the Making of Early America, NAE podcast with Dr. Mark Noll Today’s Conversation is brought to you by Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Company.

What began as a series of revival movements seeking to renew stagnant expressions of Christianity eventually gave rise to American evangelicalism. As historian Aaron Griffith notes, these renewal efforts not only shaped many evangelical denominations of the 18th and 19th centuries but continue to define evangelical identity today. In this episode of Today’s Conversation podcast, Aaron Griffith and NAE President Walter Kim explore how historical forces and social dynamics influenced denominational development, public life and the Church’s witness. You'll also hear Walter and Aaron discuss: How a common thread of renewal shaped America’s evangelical story; The varied expressions of revival across regions and theological traditions; The significant influence of race and class on American evangelicalism and its public witness; and How remembering our denominational roots can help us discern where God may be calling the Church to renewal today. Listen in for a compelling, historically grounded reflection on how God has worked through revival, complexity and diversity to shape the faith of our nation. Subscribe today wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you like the podcast? Give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and leave us a review. This is the best way for others to discover these conversations. If you listen on Spotify, give us a follow and hit the notification bell to be sure you never miss an episode. And don’t forget to pass your favorite episodes along to colleagues, friends and family. Resources For further study, see 1 Corinthians 12 and Zechariah 4 “God's Law and Order: The Politics of Punishment in Evangelical America” by Dr. Aaron Griffith “The Civil War as a Theological Crisis” by Dr. Mark Noll NAE Denominational & Network Diagram Christianity and the Making of Early America, NAE podcast with Dr. Mark Noll Evangelicals — Shared Faith in Broad Diversity, NAE statement What Is An Evangelical?, NAE webpage