Words of Life: Weekly Christian Podcast with Testimonies & Teachings from the Salvation Army

How can ordinary people make an extraordinary difference? This week on Words of Life, we conclude our Biblical Justice series by looking beyond the problems and toward the people. Over the past several weeks, we've explored mental health, refugees, human trafficking, correctional ministries, poverty, and homelessness through conversations with ministry leaders serving on the front lines. While each issue is unique, one truth has echoed throughout every episode: People need people. In this final conversation, our panel discusses the vital role the Church can play in breaking cycles of poverty, restoring dignity, and building authentic community. Whether it's mentoring someone, teaching practical life skills, serving families living in extended-stay hotels, connecting individuals with local resources, or simply sharing a meal together, every act of compassion points people toward the love of Christ. You'll also hear inspiring stories of everyday believers making an eternal impact, including teenagers who sacrificed their own Christmas gifts to bless women experiencing homelessness, and churches creating spaces where people find belonging instead of isolation. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

As another school year begins, many families are experiencing a mix of excitement, nerves, and uncertainty. How can parents help their children navigate the challenges of a new year while staying grounded in their faith? In this special Words of Life panel discussion, we're joined by parents, a veteran high school teacher, and a licensed mental health counselor who share practical encouragement for every stage of the school journey. Our panel includes Heather Hanton, Melissa Powell, Daynes Crouch and Matt Crouch. Together, they discuss what children and parents are really feeling, how students have changed over the years, and simple ways families can intentionally prepare their hearts for the year ahead. https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if helping someone isn't enough? What if God calls us to walk alongside them instead? This week on Words of Life, we continue our Biblical Justice series by exploring one of today's most pressing issues: poverty and homelessness. Millions of individuals and families across the United States face housing insecurity, financial hardship, mental health challenges, and generational poverty. But these struggles rarely stem from one cause. They're often the result of multiple crises intersecting at once. In this thoughtful roundtable discussion, our ministry leaders unpack the realities behind poverty, challenge common misconceptions about homelessness, and explore how the Church can move beyond temporary charity toward lasting transformation. Together, they discuss The Salvation Army's Pathway of Hope initiative, a holistic ministry designed to help families break cycles of poverty through case management, church community, and strategic partnerships. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does true belonging look like? This week on Words of Life, we pause our Biblical Justice roundtable series to share a deeply moving testimony from Hannah Boyd, a young woman whose life has been marked by extraordinary challenges, unwavering faith, and contagious joy. After suffering a traumatic brain injury as an infant, doctors believed Hannah would never walk, talk, or live independently. Yet God had other plans. In this heartfelt conversation with Major Anne Westmoreland, Hannah shares how God carried her through childhood, a devastating mental health crisis, and years of feeling overlooked by churches. She also explains how finding The Salvation Army gave her something she'd been longing for all her life: a place where she wasn't defined by her wheelchair, but loved simply as Hannah. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Human trafficking generates hundreds of billions of dollars in illegal profits every year, making it one of the largest criminal industries in the world. But behind every statistic is a real person, a real story, and a real need for hope. In this episode of Words of Life, our Biblical Justice Roundtable takes an honest look at human trafficking, exploitation, modern slavery, and the work being done to prevent trafficking and support survivors. Joining the conversation are ministry leaders who have spent years working directly with vulnerable populations, survivor advocacy programs, anti-trafficking initiatives, and prevention efforts. Together, they explore what human trafficking actually is, common misconceptions about trafficking, how traffickers groom and exploit vulnerable individuals, and why trafficking often remains hidden in plain sight. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What would it take for you to leave everything behind? In this episode of Words of Life, our Biblical Justice Roundtable turns its attention to refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced families. Through powerful personal stories and biblical reflection, Major Sandra Pawar helps us move beyond headlines and stereotypes to better understand the realities that force millions of people around the world to flee their homes. Wars, persecution, violence, religious oppression, and humanitarian crises have caused countless families to leave behind their communities, careers, possessions, and loved ones in search of safety. Yet refugees are often misunderstood, politicized, or reduced to statistics rather than seen as individuals made in the image of God. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Mental health struggles affect people from every walk of life, including pastors, ministry leaders, and faithful followers of Christ. Yet many Christians still wrestle with the misconception that strong faith should eliminate emotional pain, anxiety, depression, trauma, or suffering. In this episode of Words of Life, our Biblical Justice Roundtable continues with an honest and hope-filled conversation about mental health, shame, vulnerability, counseling, and the vital role the Church can play in creating safe places for healing. Host Chris Benjamin is joined by Dr. Ian Mudge, Major Sandra Pawar, Hilary DeJarnett, and Sheena Evans as they explore why so many people hide their struggles, how shame thrives in isolation, and why healing often begins when we share our stories within trusted community. DIAL 988 for the emotional crisis line The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does Biblical Justice really mean? How should followers of Jesus respond to some of the most difficult challenges facing our communities today? In this special roundtable episode of Words of Life, host Chris Benjamin is joined by Dr. Ian Mudge, Major Sandra Pawar, Hilary DeJarnett, and Sheena Evans. Together, they begin a thoughtful series exploring topics such as mental health, addiction recovery, homelessness, poverty, refugee care, human trafficking, trauma-informed ministry, and Christian compassion. Rather than approaching these issues through politics or opinion, this conversation focuses on Scripture and God's heart for people. Our guests share their personal faith journeys, ministry experiences, and the calling that led them to serve those facing some of life's greatest challenges. The Salvation Army Pathway of Hope Pathway of Hope Freedom Collective Anti-human trafficking Anti-Human Trafficking Resources National Human Trafficking Hotline 888-373-7888 Therapist Finder Recommended Reading: Biblical Justice The Good News About Injustice – Gary Haugen Generous Justice – Timothy Keller Poverty & Pathway of Hope Bridges Out of Poverty – Ruby K. Payne, Philip DeVol, and Terie Dreussi Smith When Helping Hurts – Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert Human Trafficking Girls Like Us – Rachel Lloyd The Locust Effect – Gary Haugen & Victor Boutros Ending Slavery – Kevin Bales Mental Health, Trauma & Recovery The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk Refugees & Welcoming the Stranger More Than Just a Refugee – Sandra Pawar Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it cost to care for others in the middle of crisis? In this powerful episode of Words of Life, we hear from Bobbi Geery of The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services as he shares the unseen emotional, physical, and spiritual weight carried by disaster relief workers. As our upcoming Biblical Justice roundtable series approaches, this conversation sets the stage by asking an important question: Who cares for the caretakers? Bobbi gives listeners a behind the scenes look at disaster response operations during major hurricanes and emergencies, coordinating personnel, deploying canteens, troubleshooting nonstop crises, and supporting teams working around the clock. But beyond the logistics, this episode explores the human side of disaster ministry: exhaustion, adrenaline, decision fatigue, missed family moments, and the emotional toll of constantly serving others in times of devastation. If you would like to learn more about The Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services, check out these previous Words of Life episodes: The History of Disaster Response Recent Disaster Responses How Does The Salvation Army Respond to a Disaster? Survivors and Recovery https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when the Church chooses to see people not by their worst mistake, but through the lens of grace? In this episode of Words of Life, we continue our conversation with Barry Brown, Divisional Director of Correctional Ministries for Texas with The Salvation Army. Barry challenges common misconceptions surrounding incarceration and shares how authentic Christian presence can bring hope, dignity, and transformation to people both inside correctional facilities and beyond. Barry speaks candidly about the assumptions many people make about incarcerated individuals, that everyone is beyond redemption, guilty without question, or spiritually disconnected. Through years of ministry experience, he offers a different perspective rooted in compassion, humility, and the Gospel. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Misconceptions we often have about incarcerated individuals Why “guilt by association” and quick judgment can be dangerous The growing impact of digital discipleship and prison outreach through the Edovo platform How Words of Life and Salvation Army resources are reaching people inside correctional facilities Powerful stories of transformation through consistent Bible reading and pastoral care One of the most moving moments in this conversation is Barry’s story of a man on death row whose simple act of reading Scripture with another inmate created a ripple effect of faith and discipleship that continues years later, even leading to Bible study conversations over the phone with his elderly mother. This episode is a reminder that no life is beyond God’s reach and no person is without value. Whether someone is incarcerated, serving as correctional staff, or trying to rebuild life after prison, the Church has an opportunity to reflect the love and hope of Christ. https://salvationarmysoundcast.org/wordsoflife Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.