Shows / Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
We believe that God is the author and sustainer of all life. We also know it can be hard to speak about the intrinsic value of life, health and the family when it feels like the world is trying to drown us out. We’re right here beside you. In this podcast of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life, Health and Family Ministries, we’re coming alongside one another as a community of Christ’s redeemed people. Together we’ll explore life, health and family issues in a way that honors our heavenly…
Episodes
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S14Ep7. Coffee Hour Crossover: Putting Love Into Practice, Part 3
We’ve talked about what it means to love our neighbors. Now, what does this actually look like in practice? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S14Ep6. Coffee Hour Crossover: Putting Love Into Practice, Part 2
We’ve talked about what it means to love our neighbors. Now, what does this actually look like in practice? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S14Ep5. Coffee Hour Crossover: Putting Love Into Practice, Part 1
We've talked about what it means to love our neighbors. Now, what does this actually look like in practice? In this crossover series with the Friends for Life…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S14Ep4. Coffee Hour Crossover: Hard Questions About Loving Our Neighbors
What are the hard questions that affect how we love our neighbors? In this crossover series with The Coffee Hour podcast, we’re exploring “loving your…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S14Ep3. Coffee Hour Crossover: Philosophy and Loving Our Neighbors
How does philosophy impact our understanding of God's command to love our neighbor? In this crossover series with the Coffee Hour podcast, we’re exploring…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S14Ep2. Coffee Hour Crossover: What is Mercy?
What does "mercy" mean? In this crossover series with The Coffee Hour podcast, we're exploring "loving your neighbor" from a variety of perspectives! In…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S14Ep1. Coffee Hour Crossover: What is Love? Who is My Neighbor?
What does it mean to love your neighbor? In this crossover series with The Coffee Hour podcast, we're exploring "loving your neighbor" from a variety of…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S13Ep6. How to Talk to Kids About Abortion | Deaconess Marissa Kroenke
A hallmark of childhood is asking a lot of questions. Kids will inevitably and eventually have questions about abortion. Deaconess Marissa Kroenke joins Steph…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S13Ep5. Care After an Abortion Decision | Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor
Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor joins Steph to talk about the compassion, mercy, and forgiveness that Christ has for couples who have had abortions and how the…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S13Ep4. Risk Factors for Abortion | Kari Smith
Kari Smith from Lutheran Family Service joins Steph to talk about the many factors that may put a woman at risk for considering abortion and how the church can…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S13Ep3. The True Cost of Mail-Order Abortion Pills | Dr. Donna Harrison
In this episode, OB/GYN and researcher, Dr. Donna Harrison, shares how easy access to abortion pills, via mail-order and reduced safety restrictions, has led…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S13Ep2. Looking at Abortion as an Issue of Vocation | Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Jr.
Dr. Gene Veith joins Steph to talk about family, vocation, and how abortion is a rejection of God’s gifts given in the family and within vocations. Resources…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S13Ep1. You Ask About...Abortion | Rev. Timothy Pauls
Rev. Timothy Pauls joins Steph to talk about LCMS views on pre-born life and the issue of abortion. How does the LCMS differ from some other Christian…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S12Ep4. Creed | Rev. Jesse Kueker
Pastor Jesse Kueker shares the story of his youngest son Creed, who received surgery in utero for a rare health condition. Creed’s life – both within the womb…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S12Ep3. Charles | Deac. Christianna Nemec
Deaconess Christianna joins Steph to talk about the prenatal diagnosis her son received while in the womb. Bio: Christianna Nemec is a child of God, a wife…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S12Ep2. Katherine | Rev. Daniel and Karen Kempin
Pastor Dan and Karen Kempin share about the life of their daughter Katherine, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 shortly after birth. Bio: Dan and Karen Kempin…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S12Ep1. Life-Altering Prenatal and Postnatal Diagnoses | Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor & Steph Neugebauer
Join Tiffany and Steph as they introduce Season 12 of Friends for Life – a season dedicated to talking about the incredible challenges and grief that families…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S11Ep6. Taking Offense | Cheryl Thompson
What happens to relationships when offenses are harbored and people become embittered? Licensed Professional Counselor Cheryl Thompson joins Andy and Steph to…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S11Ep5. Lack of Trust | Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford
People are becoming increasingly distrusting of others – even people in their own neighborhoods! Rev. Dr. Lucas Woodford joins Steph and Andy to talk about how…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S11Ep4. Guilt & Shame | Deaconess Michelle Downey
Deaconess Michelle Downey joins Steph and Andy to talk about the differences and similarities between guilt and shame, and how to respond to both when they…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S11Ep3. Isolation | Rev. Brian Davies
In an ever-increasingly digitized world, isolation from true community has become the reality of many. God has a better vision for His people – a way of life…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S11Ep2. Loneliness | Rev. Dr. David Petersen
Recent statistics make a shocking claim: 1 in 2 U.S. adults report loneliness! What’s the remedy to loneliness and how do the people of God respond? Rev. Dr…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S11Ep1. Relationship Challenges & Gospel Remedies | Rev. Andy Becker & Steph Neugebauer
Join Steph and Andy as they talk about the gift and complexity of relationships and share what you can look forward to in Season 11! Resources: Email us at…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S10Ep.7 Christ’s Life for All Life| Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison
Rev. Dr. Matthew Harrison, president of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, takes some time during the Gathering to talk about Christ’s life and Christian love…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S10Ep6. The Art of Being Pro-Life | Kristen Clapper
Kristen Clapper is a local of New Orleans and share her passion for life in a creative way at the 2025 Gathering. Resources: Email us at…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S10Ep5. Serving Your Local Pregnancy Center | Allison Daigle
Join Allison Daigle, CEO of Women’s New Life Clinic, as she discusses the clinic’s partnership with LCMS Life Ministry for the 2025 Gathering. Resources: Email…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S10Ep4. A Physician’s View on Life | Dr. Latoya Kuester, OB/GYN
Dr. Latoya Kuester is an OB/GYN in Jacksonville, FL, and she joined Friends for Life at the Gathering to talk about what life means to her as a physician…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S10Ep3 Pastoral Care Life Issues | Rev. Jonathan Petzold
Rev. Jonathan Petzold shares how he delivers Christ’s hope and forgiveness to his people as they face very real life issues. Resources: Email us at…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S10Ep2. A Youth’s Perspective | Jacob & Nora
Hear from a high school and university student about why LCMS Life Ministry is so important for youth! Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S10Ep1. Friends for Life at the LCMS Gathering | Grant Manor & Sam Freeman
Grant and Sam take the mic to New Orleans for the 2025 LCMS Youth Gathering! Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life Ministry: lcms.org/life…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S9Ep6. Men Matter in Family Ministry | Rev. Brandon Metcalf
Rev. Brandon Metcalf talks with Steph and Andy about his strategies for family ministry and why men play a vital role in the church and home. Bio: Brandon…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S9Ep5. Family is Foundational | Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann
Rev. Dr. Todd Biermann joins Andy and Steph to talk about why family is so important in Christian theology and gives us simple habits that can make families…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S9Ep4. Family Ministry & Intergenerational Community | Deborah Jurchen
In this episode, our guest Deb Jurchen talks about the importance of intergenerational connectedness as it relates to family ministry in churches and homes…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S9Ep3. Benchmarks of Faith | Mark Cook
Learn how recognizing milestones and benchmarks in the faith leads to healthy spiritual development for children and adults alike! Bio: Mark Cook is a graduate…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S9Ep2. What is Family Discipleship? | Rev. Dan Galchutt
Rev. Dan Galchutt talks about the privilege of parents to pass down the faith to their children, and how the setting of the home is a prime training ground for…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S9Ep1. LCMS Family Ministry | Rev. Andy Becker
In this episode, Steph welcomes the newest co-host to Friends for Life – Rev. Andy Becker – as he shares his role with LCMS Family Ministry and introduces…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S8Ep4. Restoring Families | Amanda Douglas & Rev. Dr. Stephen Krenz
Amanda and Pastor Krenz join Steph to talk about caring for mothers of children in foster care, and their goal to restore relationships between mothers and…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S8Ep3. Fostering & the Role of a CASA | Chalyce Deterding
Chalyce Deterding joins Steph to talk about the joys and challenges of being a foster parent, along with the unique role that she plays as a CASA. Resources…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S8Ep2. The State of Foster Care | Dr. Thomas Engel
Dr. Thomas Engel joins Steph to talk about the concerns of children in child dependency and how Christians can make a big impact in caring for these children…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S8Ep1. Why We Care About Foster Care| Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor & Steph
Join Steph and Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor as they introduce this season’s topic surrounding foster care and talk about why Christians have a special care for…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S7Ep3. Human Trafficking: A Survivor’s Story | Keeya Vawar
Keeya Vawar shares her story of struggle and survival, as she herself was a victim of human trafficking. Bio: Keeya Vawar is an author, keynote speaker, and…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S7Ep2. The Church’s Care for Victims of Human Trafficking | Rev. Scott Heitshusen
Rev. Scott Heitshusen joins Steph to raise awareness of human trafficking and offer suggestions for how the Church can get involved in caring for victims. Bio…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S7Ep1. What is Human Trafficking? | Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor & Steph Neugebauer
Join hosts Tiffany and Steph as they introduce our topic for Season 7 and help clarify the definition of human trafficking. Resources: For more information on…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S6Ep5. Protecting the Christian Conscience in the Civic Realm | Rev. Dr. Christopher Thoma
What is meant by Separation of Church and State? How does the First Amendment protect the Christian conscience? How can we defend religious liberties in the…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S6Ep4. Tips for Talking to Kids About the Election | Rev. Noah & Becky Rogness
Rev. Noah and Becky Rogness join Steph to talk about how parents, teachers, and youth workers can talk to kids about the election, encourage civic involvement…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S6Ep3. Civil Christians: How Christians Can Shape Society | Tim Goeglein
Why should Christians be involved in government? How has the interaction between Christians in the civic realm changed over the years? Join Steph and guest Tim…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S6Ep2. Beyond the Polls: Christians in the Civic Realm | Rev. Graham Glover
Join Steph and guest Rev. Graham Glover as they talk about the role of Christians in the civic realm, Christians and voting, and how Christians can influence…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S6Ep1. Left-Hand Christians | Deaconess Dr. Tiffany Manor & Stephanie Neugebauer
Steph and Tiffany introduce Season 6: Christians in the Civic Realm. Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S5Ep6. Mental Health First Aid | Kelly Menke
You’ve heard it’s a good idea to have a first aid kit close at hand. But what about a Mental Health First Aid kit? Kelly Menke joins Tiffany and Steph to talk…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S5Ep5. Can Unforgiveness Affect Mental Health? | Rev. Dr. Mark Rockenbach
Is there a link between forgiveness and mental well-being? Join Steph and Dr. Mark Rockenbach for a discussion about how forgiveness affects mental health and…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S5Ep4. Mental Health & Our Youth | Julianna Shults
Steph is joined by guest Julianna Shults to give a “state of the union” on the mental health of our young people. Bio: Julianna Shults is a DCE serving as…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S5Ep.3 Building Resilient Minds | Dr. Belinda Karge & Dr. Kara Bratton
Dr. Karge and Dr. Bratton join Steph to talk about building mental resiliency in ourselves and in our young people. Bio: Dr. Belinda Karge devotes her career…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S5Ep2. 10 Top Tips to Improve Mental Health | Sarah Gulseth
Join Steph and Sarah Gulseth as they talk about some very practical ways we can care for our own mental health. Bio: Sarah Gulseth currently works for KFUO…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S5Ep1. The Church Cares about Mental Health
How do Christians approach the topic of mental health? Why should Christians care about their own mental health, as well as the mental health of those around…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S4Ep3. Beyond Human: Thinking About Biotechnology | Rev. Dr. Trevor Sutton
Neural implants, eyeglasses, heart transplants: what do these all have in common? Join Steph and guest Trevor Sutton as they discuss emerging advances in the…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S4Ep2. How Is Tech Affecting Us? | Rev. Dr. Rick Serina
What are the effects of modern-day technology on our relationships, our church, our selves? How can we help guide the next generation in using technology…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S4Ep1. Technology & Christian Responsibility | Rev. Tim Bayer
Join Steph and Rev. Tim Bayer as they talk about the fundamentals of technology – what it is, what it’s for, and how Christians can use technology responsibly…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S3Ep8. The Important Place of Elders within the Family | Rev. Dr. Geoffrey Robinson
Amidst a culture that disdains aging, how can the Christian family embrace the Scriptural call to honor the older generations and revere their wisdom? How can…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S3Ep.7 Single ≠ Invisible | Rachel Morton
Where’s the place for singles when it seems the church is filled with families? How do single adults fit in to the larger family of faith? Join Steph and guest…
- Friends For Life — LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries
S3Ep6. Pro Tips for Parenting | Rev. Dr. Randy Schroeder
Parenting is hard...ever wish you had a guidebook for it? Dr. Randy Schroeder joins us to share the top takeaways from his book, Simple Habits for Effective…