Michael Easley inContext

Grandparenting isn’t just a season of life — it’s a calling. In this powerful episode, Dr. Michael Easley sits down with Dr. Larry Fowler from the Legacy Coalition to explore how Scripture calls grandparents to disciple their grandchildren and leave a legacy of faith.Learn how to build spiritual connections with your grandkids, even when distance, age, or family tension makes it difficult. Discover how to balance truth and grace, respect your adult children’s boundaries, and model godly living that draws future generations toward Christ. Topics Covered:00:00 – Why Grandparents Matter Spiritually06:45 – The Biblical Command for Grandparenting (Deut. 4:9)12:00 – How Churches Can Equip Grandparents15:30 – Overbearing vs. Distant Grandparents19:00 – When Adult Children Aren’t Believers23:00 – Prayer and Influence When Words Aren’t Welcome27:30 – Building Lasting Faith Legacies Links Mentioned The Legacy Coalition Legacy Grandparenting Summit 2026 Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel. For more inContext interviews, click here.

What does it mean to be a godly man today? In this episode of Michael Easley inContext, Dr. Michael Easley sits down with Dr. Robert Brent, author of Recapturing Godly Masculinity, to discuss the crisis of manhood in our culture and how Scripture calls men to a better standard. Together, they explore: -Why culture confuses dominance with leadership -How humility and responsibility shape godly strength -The role of mentorship, purity, and accountability -What Christlike leadership looks like at home and in the church Join the conversation: What’s one way you’ve seen biblical manhood modeled well? Comment below — we’d love to hear your thoughts. Resources Mentioned: Recapturing Godly Masculinity by Dr. Robert Brent Chapters 00:00 – Intro 01:12 – Why Masculinity Is in Crisis 05:43 – What Is Godly Manhood? 12:20 – Strength Under Control: The Example of Christ 18:56 – The Role of Mentorship and Accountability 25:15 – Raising Sons to Be Men of God 32:48 – Purity, Boundaries, and Integrity 38:20 – Final Encouragements from Dr. Brent Follow on Instagram and Facebook Click here for more information on Dr. Michael Easley and Ask Dr. E

Summary: In this episode, Dr. Easley sits down with Sean Dunn, founder of GroundWire, an innovative ministry reaching young people where they already are—online. With decades of experience in youth ministry, Sean shares how God shifted his focus from platform ministry to personal evangelism that points people to Jesus, not a personality. His mission stems from a prayer he first wrote in his Bible at 14: “Contend for a generation.”  Together, Michael and Sean discuss how today’s younger generations—particularly Gen Z—are both deeply anxious and spiritually open, though often disconnected from traditional church structures. Sean unpacks practical ways to engage them with empathy and authenticity, using the simple yet powerful acronym LETS: Listen, Empathize, Transition, Share. He also challenges believers to rethink evangelism through Jesus’ words in Matthew 9: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” The conversation calls every listener to see the current culture not as hopeless, but as ripe for harvest—and to pray earnestly for God to send workers into the field. Takeaways: Sean Dunn founded GroundWire to reach young people for Christ through digital evangelism. Today’s youth are spiritually open but disconnected from traditional church methods. The “apathiest” generation believes in God but ignores Him. Authentic care and kindness open doors for gospel conversations. Jesus’ command in Matthew 9 calls believers to pray for and become workers in the harvest. Effective evangelism begins with listening and empathy, not arguments or authority. Links Mentioned Contending For The Rising Generation by Sean Dunn Groundwire Ministries Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel. For more inContext interviews, click here.

Summary In this episode, Dr. Easley reconnects with longtime friend and fellow Dallas Theological Seminary alumnus Greg Hatteberg to reflect on a lifetime of faithfulness—through ministry, marriage, and the mentorship of godly leaders. Hattenberg shares how his grandfather’s quiet devotion to Scripture laid the foundation for his own walk with Christ, eventually leading him to Moody and then to Dallas Seminary. There, he and Michael sat under professors like Howard Hendricks and J. Dwight Pentecost, whose lives modeled the truth they taught.  Their conversation weaves together memories of those formative years with reflections on enduring faith amid hardship—especially Greg’s story of loving and caring for his late wife Lisa through her decades-long battle with multiple sclerosis. Her faith and joy in suffering continue to shape his ministry and outlook today. Together, they explore how theological education has expanded from classroom walls to a global platform, yet the heartbeat remains unchanged: to know Christ and serve Him faithfully. Hatteberg’s message to leaders and believers alike is simple: don’t quit; stay the course; finish well. Takeaways Faith’s roots often begin in quiet family devotion and Scripture study. Lifelong ministry is sustained by endurance and faithfulness, not ease. True theological education shapes both heart and mind for a lifetime. Greg’s marriage to Lisa reflected Christlike perseverance through suffering. The methods of teaching evolve, but God’s Word remains unchanged. Every believer is called to finish their ministry with endurance and hope. This episode is for anyone who longs for a faith that lasts. Whether you’re a pastor, seminary student, or believer walking through hardship, endurance, integrity, and love for God’s Word are what sustain a lifetime of ministry. Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel. For more inContext interviews, click here.

Summary In this episode, Dr. Michael Easley welcomes best-selling author and leadership coach Patrick Lencioni for a candid conversation about the intersection of faith, humility, and leadership. Patrick shares how spiritual maturity and self-awareness shape the way leaders serve others, especially in ministry and organizational life. He and Michael discuss how pride and insecurity often hide behind titles or success—and how true leadership begins with embracing our dependence on Christ. Patrick reflects on his personal journey of learning to lead through weakness, not image, and explains why the healthiest teams are built on honesty and vulnerability, not performance. Together, they unpack the dangers of ego-driven ministry and the freedom that comes when leaders prioritize humility, obedience, and joy in the Lord over outcomes. This conversation challenges every listener—pastor, leader, or parent—to evaluate what drives their influence. Through laughter, honesty, and deep biblical truth, Patrick and Michael remind us that leadership in the kingdom of God is not about control or recognition—it’s about service and surrender. Takeaways True leadership begins with humility, not authority. Pride and insecurity often disguise themselves as confidence. The healthiest teams are marked by honesty and vulnerability. Spiritual maturity means serving from dependence on Christ, not self. Leaders must resist the temptation to measure worth by results. God calls us to lead through obedience and joy, not image or control. LINKS MENTIONED: The Table Group Pat’s books Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel. For more inContext interviews, click here.