The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count

The Rob Skinner Podcast will inspire you to: • Live a no-regrets life • Make this life count • Multiply disciples, leaders, and churches

449. Before You Quit, Pray This With Me | Before You Quit #7 09/14/2026

449. Before You Quit, Pray This With Me | Before You Quit #7 Before You Quit, Pray This With Me | Before You Quit #7 What do you do when you're discouraged, overwhelmed and don't know what decision to make? Before you do anything else, turn toward God. In Day 7 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner pauses to do something simple: Pray with you. If you're considering walking away from church, struggling in your relationship with God or simply feeling overwhelmed by fear, anger, disappointment and uncertainty, this short episode is for you. When life doesn't turn out the way we hoped, our minds can become filled with questions. Should I stay? Should I leave? Should I make a change? What should I do next? Fear rises. Emotions take over. Peace disappears. That's why Rob turns to one of his favorite promises from God: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” — Isaiah 26:3 We can change our outward circumstances. We can change who we talk to. We can change where we worship. We can change our routines. But as the saying goes: “Wherever you go, there you are.” Changing our circumstances doesn't necessarily remove the hurt, anger, fear or disappointment we're carrying inside. But turning toward God rather than away from him offers a path toward peace. So before you make a major decision, take two minutes. Stop. Turn toward God. And pray with Rob: “God, I'm upset and I'm worried about a lot of things. I can't control the thoughts that are going through my head. I don't know what to do... I'm asking you for that perfect peace that you promise... Help me overcome my fear and unbelief. Help me make decisions that bring me closer to you.” If you're discouraged right now, you don't have to figure everything out today. Turn toward God before you turn away. Ask him for peace. Ask him for strength. Ask him for the grit to keep going. And before you quit, pray. This is Day 7 of Rob Skinner's Before You Quit series, based on his new book, Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done. Rob's goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42893350

448. Yesterday Is Not Prophecy: Don’t Limit What God Can Do 09/11/2026

448. Yesterday Is Not Prophecy: Don’t Limit What God Can Do Yesterday Is Not Prophecy: Don’t Limit What God Can Do Have you ever looked at an area of your life and thought: “This is never going to change”? Maybe you've been single longer than you expected. Maybe your marriage has been difficult for years. Maybe you've prayed for one of your children to come back to God and nothing seems to be happening. Maybe your finances are stuck. Your career isn't moving. Your ministry isn't growing. You haven't helped someone become a Christian in years. And after enough disappointment, it's easy to start turning your history into a prediction: “This is just the way it's going to be.” In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob looks at one of the strangest—and funniest—stories in the Old Testament: 2 Kings 7. The city of Samaria was starving. An enemy army had surrounded it. Food was gone. Prices were out of control. There was no visible way out. Then the prophet Elisha announced something outrageous: Within 24 hours, everything was going to change. One of the king's officers couldn't believe it. Even if God opened the floodgates of heaven, he argued, how could something like that possibly happen? From everything he could see, his conclusion made perfect sense. But he made one critical mistake: He left God out of his forecast. Then four starving men with leprosy walked toward the enemy camp expecting they might die—and discovered that God had already caused the entire enemy army to flee. Suddenly there was food. There was silver and gold. There were clothes and supplies. And within 24 hours, the famine was over. Exactly as God had said. Yesterday Is Not Prophecy We often do the same thing as that officer. We take our present circumstances. We combine them with our recent history. Then we project both indefinitely into the future. “I'm single now, so I'll probably always be single.” “My marriage hasn't changed, so it probably never will.” “My child walked away from God, and I don't think they're coming back.” “My ministry hasn't grown, so maybe it never will.” “I've always struggled financially. That's just who I am.” But your past is not prophecy. Your disappointments are real. Your current circumstances are real. But they do not necessarily tell you what God will do next. Rob shares two personal reminders of this. His son spent approximately ten years far away from God. There were times Rob couldn't imagine how that story would change. Then it did. His son returned to God and was baptized. Rob also remembers being single and thinking he had practically met every eligible Christian woman around him. Then Pam flew into town from Cairo, Egypt. Rob never saw that coming. They recently celebrated 36 years of marriage. Leave Room for Black Swans Rob also explores the idea of a “black swan”—an unexpected event that challenges everything we thought we knew. For centuries, Europeans assumed all swans were white because every swan they had ever seen was white. Then explorers arrived in Australia and discovered black swans. Their conclusion wasn't foolish. Their experience was incomplete. And so is ours. Just because you've never seen something happen doesn't mean it can't happen. Just because God hasn't worked in a particular way before doesn't mean he won't. Faith isn't pretending your problems aren't real. Faith doesn't guarantee that you'll get married this year, every illness will disappear, every financial problem will vanish or every child will immediately return to God. Faith says: “I don't know what God is going to do, but I refuse to limit God to what I can currently see.” So ask yourself: What have I quietly decided can't change? Your marriage? Your singleness? Your health? Your finances? Your career? Your ministry? Your relationship with your children? Your fruitfulness? Your spiritual life? Maybe it's time to pray again. Invite someone again. Study the Bible with someone again. Work on your marriage again. Reach out to your child again. Apply for the opportunity. Ask for advice. Try something new. Dream again. Don't confuse: “I don't know how” with: “It can't happen.” And especially don't confuse: “I can't” with: “God can't.” Take the next step and leave room for God to surprise you. Because sometimes the difference between famine and abundance is only 24 hours. Make this life count. 🙏 Support the Podcast If this episode challenged or encouraged you: Share it with someone you care about Buy and leave a review on one of my books on Donate . for more faith-building content /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42868195

447. Thinking About Leaving Church? Watch for These Warning Signs | Before You Quit #6 09/07/2026

447. Thinking About Leaving Church? Watch for These Warning Signs | Before You Quit #6 Thinking About Leaving Church? Watch for These Warning Signs | Before You Quit #6 Most Christians who walk away from God don't make one dramatic decision to quit. They drift. In Day 6 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner walks through the familiar pathway that can slowly lead a Christian out the door: Disappointment. Discouragement. Pulling back. Missing church. Avoiding conversations. Stopping time with God. Ghosting the people who love you. And eventually becoming spiritually empty. Rob points out that the warning signs often begin long before someone says, “I'm leaving.” Your giving may dry up. Church starts feeling painful or forced. Instead of worshiping, you become increasingly critical of the sermon, the music, the program and the people. Activities you once loved become easier to miss. Prayer loses its passion. Bible reading disappears. When someone asks how you're doing, your answers become: “I'm fine.” “Work has been busy.” “Things have been crazy.” And slowly, meaningful conversations become something to avoid. Then another dangerous pattern begins. When people reach out, you can become critical: “Where were they when I needed them?” But when they don't reach out: “See? Nobody really cares about me.” Either way, the church becomes the problem. Rob reminds us that there is no perfect church because every church is filled with imperfect, struggling people. A small church can be criticized for what it lacks. A large church can be criticized for being impersonal. And while many people who leave church insist that their relationship with God is still strong, Rob challenges us to examine honestly whether our love for God may also be growing cold. Jesus warned in Matthew 24:12–13: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.” If you recognize yourself anywhere along this path, don't ignore it. Identify where you are. Recognize the danger. And remember: It's not too late to rekindle the flame. You can turn around. You can reconnect. You can get back on the narrow road. If you're struggling in your faith, Rob would love to hear from you and encourage you. Email: This is Day 6 of Rob Skinner's Before You Quit series, based on his book . Rob's goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42787955

446. Going to NASCON? Listen to This First | From the Archives 09/01/2026

446. Going to NASCON? Listen to This First | From the Archives FROM THE ARCHIVES: With NASCON26 happening in Baltimore this weekend, we’re resurfacing one of Rob and Pam Skinner’s most practical episodes on how to make the most of a Christian conference. Originally recorded before the 2022 World Discipleship Summit, the principles are just as relevant for NASCON today. Going to NASCON26 in Baltimore this weekend? Listen to this before you go. We're bringing back this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast because the advice Pam and I shared about making the most of a conference may be more relevant than ever—especially for singles heading to NASCON26: Divine Design – Created for Purpose. A great Christian conference can encourage your faith, give you fresh vision, create lifelong friendships and introduce you to people who may change the direction of your life. But don't just show up and hope something happens. Prepare for it. In this episode, Pam and I talk about what you can do before and during a conference to get the most out of the experience. Before you go: Pray about what God wants you to learn and where you need to grow. Pray to make new friends. Contact people you'd like to spend time with before everyone's schedule fills up. Don't plan to spend the entire conference only with people from your home church. Prepare yourself spiritually. Get rested. And yes—look your best and make a great first impression. Once you're there: Be loving to the person standing in front of you. Smile. Introduce yourself. Get outside your comfort zone. Sit toward the front. Take notes. Thank the speakers and people serving. Use meals to build relationships instead of spending half your lunch trying to find the perfect restaurant. Remember people's names. Ask good questions. Listen more than you talk. Exchange contact information. And follow up with the people you meet. And if you're single... This could be a life-changing weekend. Pam and I share the story of two Christians who met at a conference—and eventually got married. Does that mean you're going to NASCON just to find a spouse? No. Go to learn. Go to grow. Go to deepen your relationship with God. Go to make friends. But also be open to what God may do. Be bold. Meet people. Don't spend the whole weekend surrounded by the same friends you traveled with. If someone says, “There's somebody I'd like you to meet,” be open. If you're on a date, don't spend the entire conversation talking about yourself. Ask questions. Be interested. Keep it light. Have fun. NASCON26's theme is Divine Design – Created for Purpose. Go into this weekend believing that God has a purpose for you right now. Ask him: “What do you want me to learn?” “Who do you want me to meet?” “Who can I encourage?” “How do you want me to grow?” Prepare for it. Get ready for it. And expect God to work. Have an incredible NASCON26—and make this life count. —Rob /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42634305

445. Still Struggling With Sin? Something Isn’t Wrong With You | Before You Quit #5 08/31/2026

445. Still Struggling With Sin? Something Isn’t Wrong With You | Before You Quit #5 Still Struggling With Sin? Something Isn’t Wrong With You | Before You Quit #5 Have you ever looked at other Christians and wondered, “Why am I still struggling? Something must be wrong with me”? In Day 5 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner addresses the shame, comparison, and imposter syndrome that can make Christians feel as though they’re only pretending to have it together. Everyone else seems happy. Everyone else seems spiritual. Everyone else seems to be growing. Meanwhile, you’re still fighting a sin you thought you should have conquered years ago. Rob knows that feeling. In this deeply personal chapter, he shares about his own ongoing battle with sexual temptation and impurity. After years of feeling that he had those sins beaten, the rise of the internet, constant access to screens, and increasingly available temptation changed the battlefield. Eventually, Rob decided to install internet accountability software. But even doing something healthy brought another emotion: Shame. Why should he still need this? Shouldn’t he be beyond this by now? Drawing from Romans 7:19–24, Rob points to the Apostle Paul’s surprisingly candid description of his own internal battle: He wanted to do good, yet evil was still there. There was a war going on inside him. Paul’s struggle didn’t mean he was a fake Christian. It caused him to recognize how desperately he needed Christ. And Romans 8:1 provides the hope: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” In this episode, Rob talks about: Why struggling with sin can make Christians feel like imposters The danger of comparing your private struggles with someone else’s public appearance Rob’s own battle with sexual temptation and impurity Why he chose to use internet accountability software The shame we sometimes feel about needing guardrails Why baptism doesn’t mean the battle with sin disappears Paul’s struggle in Romans 7 Why weakness should push us toward Jesus rather than away from him Practical guardrails Rob uses in his own life Why he now puts his phone “to bed” at 9 p.m. The freedom of accepting that righteousness will remain a battle Why there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ If you’re tired of fighting the same battle, ashamed of needing help, comparing yourself with other Christians, or wondering whether your struggle means your faith isn’t real, Rob wants you to know: You are not alone. You don’t have to pretend. You don’t have to be ashamed that you need guardrails. And you don’t have to quit. Let the battle you’re fighting turn you toward Jesus for the grace, peace, and help you need. This is Day 5 of Rob Skinner’s Before You Quit series, based on his new book, Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done. If you know someone who has drifted away from church or is struggling in their faith, send them this episode or a copy of the book. Before You Quit is available on and at . Rob’s goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42613240

444. Give God One Night a Week—and Watch What Happens 08/28/2026

444. Give God One Night a Week—and Watch What Happens Give God One Night a Week—and Watch What Happens What if the biggest thing keeping you from making a difference for God isn’t a lack of talent, knowledge, or spirituality? What if you’re simply too busy? In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob offers one simple challenge: Leave one night open. Choose one night every week and dedicate it to investing spiritually in another person. Study the Bible with someone searching for God. Mentor a younger Christian. Encourage someone who is struggling. Follow up with a new Christian. Train a future leader. It doesn’t sound dramatic—but Rob has seen what happens when this simple decision is repeated week after week. After moving to Boston, Rob began studying the Bible with a young man named Wale. Wale became a Christian, but their time together didn’t stop after his baptism. They kept Tuesday nights open, sharing dinner, studying the Bible, talking about life, character, relationships, leadership, and his walk with God. Today, Wale is leading his own small group. Rob shares another example from years earlier. Every Tuesday night for approximately three years, Chris Schwarzenberger spent time with Rob and his family. Chris would later become an evangelist and continues serving in ministry today. Neither story started with a massive program. Tuesday night was simply available. Rob also looks at Jesus’ example in John 1. When two seekers wanted to know more about him, Jesus didn’t squeeze them into a 15-minute appointment. He invited them to come with him and gave them his time. Because relationships take time. Bible studies take time. Mentoring takes time. Leadership development takes time. You can’t microwave discipleship. Drawing from Mark 4, Rob also warns about the danger of allowing perfectly good things—work, family responsibilities, entertainment, travel, projects, and commitments—to fill our lives until there is no room left for the things that matter most. For leaders, Rob offers an especially practical challenge. Instead of simply asking people to “be more committed,” ask them: “What night is your kingdom night?” Imagine the compounding impact if an entire church made one evening each week available for helping someone else spiritually. One night becomes a changed life. A changed life becomes a leader. A leader begins investing in others. And eventually, one night can become a movement. Pull out your calendar. Choose your night. Protect it. Then pray one simple prayer: “God, give me somebody to invest in.” Your greatest contribution may not ultimately be your career, house, accomplishments, or bank account. It may be the people you loved, strengthened, encouraged, and helped find God. 🙏 Support the Podcast If this episode challenged or encouraged you: Share it with someone you care about Buy and leave a review on one of my books on Donate . for more faith-building content /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42570615

443. When Church Doesn’t Feel Safe Anymore | Before You Quit #3 08/24/2026

443. When Church Doesn’t Feel Safe Anymore | Before You Quit #3 When Church Doesn’t Feel Safe Anymore | Before You Quit #3 What happens when the place that once felt like family no longer feels safe? In Day 3 of Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob Skinner addresses one of the most painful reasons Christians consider walking away: church hurt. Church can be a place of incredible friendship, growth, healing, and spiritual transformation. But churches are also filled with imperfect people. Conflict happens. Gossip spreads. Leaders disappoint us. People become controlling. Hypocrisy gets exposed. Relationships break down. And sometimes the people we trusted most are the people who hurt us. Rob shares honestly about seasons when he felt spiritually empty and frustrated by what he experienced as excessive demands and micromanagement in the church. He also recounts being falsely accused by another Christian of inappropriate behavior after a photo of Rob baptizing someone in a hot tub was twisted into something entirely different. The accusation was proven false, but the damage had already been done. For the first time, Rob found himself struggling with feelings of hatred toward another Christian. Drawing from Galatians 5:19–21, Rob points out something that can easily be overlooked: when Paul describes the “acts of the flesh,” he doesn't only mention sexual immorality and impurity. He also names hatred, discord, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy. These are sins that can happen inside a church community—and they can deeply damage the faith of the people on the receiving end. If you've been hurt, offended, betrayed, gossiped about, disappointed by leadership, or simply reached the point where church no longer feels like the family you thought it was going to be, this episode is for you. Rob isn't asking you to pretend the hurt didn't happen. He's asking you to hang on. You are not the first Christian to experience church hurt, and you can make it through this season without giving up your relationship with God. This episode is part of Rob Skinner's Before You Quit series, based on his new book, . If someone came to mind while you were listening, send them this episode. It may be exactly what they need to hear today. Before You Quit is available in paperback and Kindle on . Rob's goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42531555

442. You Got Advice—So Why Was It Still a Bad Decision? 08/21/2026

442. You Got Advice—So Why Was It Still a Bad Decision? You Got Advice—So Why Was It Still a Bad Decision? Can you seek advice and still make a terrible decision? Absolutely. In 1 Kings 12, two new kings—Rehoboam and Jeroboam—face some of the biggest decisions of their lives. Both seek advice. Both listen to advisors. And both make disastrous choices that affect generations. The problem wasn’t simply whether they asked for advice. The deeper question was: What were they looking for when they asked? Wisdom—or approval? God’s direction—or validation for something they had already decided? In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob explores the stories of Rehoboam and Jeroboam and shares five practical principles for making better decisions at the major crossroads of life. Rehoboam received wise counsel from experienced leaders who encouraged him to serve the people. But when he didn’t like their answer, he found younger advisors who told him what he wanted to hear. One pride-driven decision helped split the kingdom of Israel. Jeroboam made a different mistake. God had already promised to establish his kingdom if he remained faithful. But fear took over. Instead of asking whether his plan honored God, he sought advice about how to execute a decision he had already made—leading to the golden calves at Bethel and Dan and generations of idolatry. One of the most important lessons is simple: Something can work and still be wrong. Effectiveness is not the same thing as faithfulness. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why asking for advice is only the beginning How Rehoboam confused advice with approval Why the advice you don’t want to hear may be the advice you need How Jeroboam used good strategy to accomplish the wrong goal Why fear can disguise itself as wisdom How greed can sound like “good stewardship” Why your heart cannot always be trusted How a small number of major decisions determine much of your life Why you should seek several perspectives on important decisions How to choose advisors whose lives you actually respect Why, when both choices are good, choosing growth can be a helpful principle How Rob and Pam chose church planting in Tucson over financial opportunity in Oregon Why it’s never too late to admit you were wrong and change direction Rob closes with five principles for better decisions: Seek advice. Ask more than one person. Ask people whose lives you respect and would want to imitate. When both choices are good, consider choosing the path that produces greater spiritual growth. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to change your mind. Before your next major decision, ask yourself: Am I really looking for wisdom—or am I looking for permission? Sometimes the advice you least want to hear is exactly the advice you need. Learn more about Rob’s books and the podcast at . You can also support the program . /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42483055

441. When God Doesn’t Answer the Way You Prayed | Before You Quit #2 08/17/2026

441. When God Doesn’t Answer the Way You Prayed | Before You Quit #2 When God Doesn’t Answer the Way You Prayed | Before You Quit #2 When you’ve prayed, sacrificed, and trusted God for years—and the answer still doesn’t come—what happens to your faith? In Day 2 of Rob Skinner’s new book, Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done, Rob shares one of the most personal and painful stories in the book. After becoming a Christian, Rob prayed intensely for his parents to come to faith. He hoped his father would turn to God before dying of pancreatic cancer. Years later, Rob moved his wife and three children to Ashland, Oregon, gave up a paid ministry position, started a church in his living room, began a new career, and endured significant financial loss during the Great Recession—all while hoping his mother would eventually respond to the gospel. She never did. On her deathbed, she told him to stop praying for her. That loss opened what Rob describes as a hole in his soul. He had prayed. He had sacrificed. He had rearranged his life. And somewhere along the way, he began believing that God owed him the outcome he wanted. In this deeply personal episode, Rob talks about quiet disappointment with God, unanswered prayer, grief, delayed hope, and what happens when our expectations of God collide with His sovereignty. You’ll hear about: Rob’s years of praying for his parents His father’s death and the hoped-for “thief on the cross” moment that never came Why Rob moved his family back to southern Oregon Starting a church while supporting his family through real estate Losing retirement savings and property during the Great Recession His mother’s resistance to Christianity The spiritual collapse Rob felt after her death Why he began feeling that God “owed” him Romans 9 and the difficult lesson of trusting the Potter How to continue loving God when His silence hurts Why disappointment doesn’t have to become distance If you’re carrying unanswered prayers, disappointment with God, grief, or the feeling that your sacrifice should have produced a different outcome, this episode is for you. You may not have the answer you wanted. But you do not have to walk away. Keep going. Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done is available on and through . If you know someone who is struggling with disappointment toward God or considering leaving the faith, send them this episode. Rob’s goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42444925

440. The Decisions That Keep You Faithful: 6 Christians Share What Changed Everything 08/14/2026

440. The Decisions That Keep You Faithful: 6 Christians Share What Changed Everything The Decisions That Keep You Faithful: 6 Christians Share What Changed Everything What decisions help a Christian stay faithful—not just for a few months or years, but for a lifetime? In this special live edition of the Rob Skinner Podcast, recorded during the Downtown Boston Midweek service, Rob sits down with six disciples at very different stages of their spiritual journeys. Some have followed Jesus for less than a year. Others have been faithful for more than four decades. Rob asks each person one question: What one decision changed the trajectory of your spiritual life? Their answers are different, but remarkably practical. You'll hear about choosing your environment carefully, building a lifelong habit of prayer and Bible study, allowing Scripture to continually correct you, replacing complaining with action, choosing contentment, taking responsibility for your own discipleship, and surrounding yourself with people who will continually carry you back to Jesus. In this episode, you'll hear: Why the people and environments surrounding you can either strengthen or weaken your faith How consistency with God can carry you through decades of change and hardship The importance of finding "anchor scriptures" you return to during difficult seasons Why complaining rarely changes anything—and what to do instead The difference between being discontent and becoming chronically malcontent Why you shouldn't wait for someone else to take responsibility for your spiritual growth The importance of finding mentors who will challenge and inspire you Why every Christian needs "mat carriers" who keep bringing them back to Jesus How bitterness, grief, loss, and hope deferred can challenge long-term faithfulness Why God's power has already given us what we need to live a godly life Romans 12:2 reminds us that transformation begins with the renewing of our minds. Revival isn't reserved for a select few. It happens one life—and often one decision—at a time. As you listen to these stories, ask yourself: What decision is God calling me to make today? If this episode encourages you, share it with someone who needs hope or encouragement to keep growing. Rob's goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. Learn more at . /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42434060

439. I Almost Quit: When You Haven’t Lost Your Faith, But You’ve Lost Your Joy 08/10/2026

439. I Almost Quit: When You Haven’t Lost Your Faith, But You’ve Lost Your Joy I Almost Quit: When You Haven’t Lost Your Faith, But You’ve Lost Your Joy - Before You Quit #1 What do you do when you still believe in God—but you don't feel the joy you once had? You haven't necessarily lost your faith. You still care. You may still attend church, pray, and try to do what's right. But something inside feels different. The fire isn't there anymore. In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob begins reading from his new book, , a collection of short letters written for Christians who are discouraged, exhausted, hurt, drifting, or wondering whether they can keep going. After nearly 40 years as a Christian, missionary, church planter, and minister, Rob has watched too many sincere Christians quietly walk away. Some were leaders. Some were new Christians. Others had faithfully followed God for decades. And Rob has experienced those moments himself. In this first reading, Rob shares a vulnerable season early in his Christian life when he sat in church, looked around at everyone worshiping, and realized: "I didn't want to be there anymore." He hadn't stopped believing in God. He had lost his joy. Drawing from Hebrews 10:35, Rob offers encouragement for anyone who feels spiritually empty, alienated, disappointed, or simply tired. In this episode: • Why sincere Christians sometimes feel like quitting • The difference between losing your faith and losing your joy • Why spiritual discouragement doesn't mean something is fundamentally wrong with you • How church hurt, spiritual failure, recurring sin, disappointment, and exhaustion can slowly wear down your faith • Why many Christians don't leave suddenly—they drift quietly • Rob's personal story of reaching a point where he didn't want to be at church anymore • Why you don't need to solve your entire spiritual life today • The importance of staying one more day • The promise of Hebrews 10:35: "Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." If you're hanging on by a thread, you don't have to figure everything out today. Stay in the fight. Stay in the faith. Stay near Jesus. One day at a time. And if someone you love is discouraged or thinking about walking away from God, share this episode with them. This is the beginning of an ongoing series from Rob's new book, Before You Quit: Hope for the Christian Who Feels Done. Over the coming weeks, Rob will continue reading through the book and offering hope to Christians who need a reason to stay. Learn more about Rob and his books at RobSkinner.com. Rob's goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42373850

438. The Biggest Obstacle to Your Spiritual Growth (It's Probably Not What You Think) 08/07/2026

437. Don’t Die in the Desert: How to Live the Life God Intended 07/31/2026

437. Don’t Die in the Desert: How to Live the Life God Intended Don’t Die in the Desert: How to Live the Life God Intended Have you ever wondered whether you are settling for less than the life God intended for you? The Israelites witnessed miracles, crossed the Red Sea, ate manna from heaven, and experienced God’s power firsthand. Yet almost an entire generation died in the wilderness because fear kept them from stepping into God’s promises. In this episode, adapted from a lesson Rob taught at a ministry training retreat in Spokane, Washington, Rob explores the life of Caleb and asks a challenging question: What if the greatest danger is not failure—but living safely? While most of his generation wandered in circles, Caleb remained faithful, courageous, mission-focused, and ready for his next adventure. At 85 years old, he was still dreaming, still fighting, and still asking God for more: “Now give me this hill country.” Rob shares seven principles for becoming a faithful adventurer—someone willing to go anywhere, do anything, and trust God enough to receive the life He intended. In this episode, you’ll discover: • Why it is possible to be forgiven and still miss much of God’s purpose for your life • What Caleb saw that the other spies could not see • Why faith does not deny reality—it adds God to the equation • The power of following God wholeheartedly • How Rob and Pam learned to keep saying yes to new adventures • Why courage means taking action even when you feel afraid • How to recognize and resist a “shadow mission” • Why your career, education, and money are tools—not your ultimate mission • The importance of staying physically and spiritually strong • Why many people regret playing it safe more than taking meaningful risks • Practical principles for reading, learning, saving, growing, and overcoming failure • How to finish life with purpose instead of regret The tragedy of Israel’s story was not a lack of opportunity. They saw the same land, heard the same promises, and witnessed the same miracles as Caleb. Fear simply made their decisions. Don’t allow fear to make decisions that faith should make. Keep dreaming. Keep growing. Keep saying yes to God. And when your opportunity comes, have the faith to say: “Now give me this hill country.” Find Rob’s books, podcast resources, and ways to support the ministry at . To help support the program, visit . Rob’s goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42271905

436. Stop Waiting for "The One": How Fear Is Keeping You Single 07/24/2026

436. Stop Waiting for "The One": How Fear Is Keeping You Single Stop Waiting for "The One": How Fear Is Keeping You Single Are you waiting for certainty before you're willing to put yourself out there? Do you want to get married someday, but fear rejection, making the wrong choice, getting hurt, or simply never finding the right person? In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob tackles one of the greatest obstacles facing Christian singles today: fear. After teaching a lesson on dating to approximately 200 young adults and married Christians in Boston, Rob noticed a common theme. Many people aren't struggling because they don't want to get married or because they never meet anyone. They're struggling because they're afraid to take the first step. Rob explains why God's answer to uncertainty isn't certainty—it's faith. Drawing from Ecclesiastes 11:6 and other biblical principles, Rob challenges singles to "sow their seed," take healthy relational risks, become the kind of person they hope to marry, and trust God with the outcome. In this episode, you'll discover: • Why fear may be a bigger dating obstacle than lack of opportunity • Why God doesn't ask you to know the future before taking action • The biblical principle of "sowing your seed" • Why a first date doesn't need to feel like a marriage proposal • How to become the kind of person you hope to marry • Why choosing someone who strengthens your faith matters • Rob's thoughts on Christian online dating • How Rob prayed for nine months before meeting Pam • Why taking care of yourself physically and emotionally matters • How to date without putting unnecessary pressure on every interaction • Why purity protects trust and strengthens your future marriage • Why friendship is more important than chemistry alone • How to replace the search for certainty with courage Rob also shares the story of his own journey toward marriage. After a relationship he thought would lead to marriage ended, he spent months praying and surrendering his future to God. Nine months later, Pam flew into Berkeley from Cairo, Egypt—and a little over a year later, they were married. The message is simple: Stop asking God for certainty. Start asking Him for courage. Walk forward. Trust Him. Sow your seed. Become someone worth marrying. Protect your purity. Build friendships. Pray faithfully. Then leave tomorrow where it has always belonged—in the hands of God. Learn more about Rob, his books, and the Rob Skinner Podcast at . Rob's goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/42200270

435. Walk Where Jesus Walked: The Holy Land Tour That Will Transform Your Faith 06/30/2026

434. Before You Fast: 10 Ways to Experience Breakthrough with God 06/26/2026

433. From Olympic Dreams to Church Growth in Spain: How Jeff Arias Learned to Trust God 06/24/2026

433. From Olympic Dreams to Church Growth in Spain: How Jeff Arias Learned to Trust God From Olympic Dreams to Church Growth in Spain: How Jeff Arias Learned to Trust God What does it look like to spend decades building a successful career and then use everything you've learned to advance God's Kingdom? In this episode, Rob sits down with Jeff Arias, a bivocational minister serving in Madrid, Spain. Jeff shares his remarkable journey—from growing up in Virginia, chasing Olympic skiing dreams in Colorado, becoming a disciple in 1986, building a successful business career, and eventually helping lead churches across Spain and Portugal. Jeff opens up about being fired from the ministry as a young man, rebuilding his life through perseverance and humility, working with Fisher-Price and Swimways, selling a successful company, and ultimately stepping into a self-supported ministry role in Europe. The conversation explores faith, business, leadership, retirement, greed, fasting, discipleship, and how Christians can make their lives count no matter their stage of life. In this episode you'll learn: • How Jeff became a Christian while attending the University of Colorado • The surprising acts of service that changed his heart • Lessons learned after being fired from ministry • How he built a successful business career • Why self-supported ministry is becoming increasingly important • The challenges and opportunities of ministry in Spain • How churches are growing across the Iberian Peninsula • Why fasting remains a powerful spiritual discipline • Practical advice for Christians preparing for retirement • How to keep your faith strong while building a career Whether you're a ministry leader, entrepreneur, retiree, or someone simply trying to stay faithful through different seasons of life, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. Resources: Join the Fast for Revival: Books by Rob Skinner: Connect with Rob: My goal is to inspire you to live a no-regrets life, make this life count, and multiply disciples, leaders, and churches. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/41790055

432. 85 Years Old and Still Preaching: Why Al Baird Refuses to Retire 06/17/2026

431. 85 Years Old and Still Asking God for More: The Caleb Spirit 06/08/2026

430. They Sold Everything to Move to Albania for God 06/01/2026

429. Don’t Waste Your Summer Spiritually 05/29/2026

428. Why Holy Discontent May Be the Beginning of Revival 05/28/2026

427. How House Churches Are Spreading Across India | Faith, Prayer & Church Growth 05/25/2026

427. How House Churches Are Spreading Across India | Faith, Prayer & Church Growth 📄 How House Churches Are Spreading Across India | Faith, Prayer & Church Growth What is God doing in India right now? In this inspiring interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with Abraham and Evangeline Juliet from Bangalore, India, to discuss how disciples, leaders, and churches are multiplying across one of the largest nations in the world. With over 30 years of ministry experience, Abraham and Evangeline share powerful insights into prayer, house churches, leadership, evangelism, and creating environments where spiritual growth can flourish organically. In this episode: What’s happening in the church in Bangalore How a church of 1,500 disciples stays unified Why growth begins with creating a “growth environment” The role of prayer and fasting in church health The rise of organic church planting in India Why house churches are spreading rapidly How kingdom kids are impacting the next generation The vision to establish house churches throughout Karnataka by 2030 Why leaders don’t always need to be the visionary How flexibility and faith are shaping the future of missions This conversation is full of wisdom, humility, and practical ideas for churches around the world. 🔑 Key Takeaways Healthy churches create environments for growth Prayer and fasting are foundational for revival House churches build family and mission together Organic church planting is accelerating in India Leadership works best when dreams are shared across the church Every disciple can participate in the mission 💬 Memorable Quotes “We want to focus on creating a growth environment.” “The growth of the church is in the DNA of every disciple.” “I can be a cheerleader for many faith dreamers.” “We don’t want to plant churches — we want to plant house churches.” “Unless the Lord favors it, it’s not going to happen.” /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/41386310

426. Revival Starts With Repentance | Preparing for the Worldwide Fast for Revival 05/22/2026

425. How the Tampa Church Grew for 10 Straight Years | Darren Overstreet on Leadership & Revival 05/22/2026

424. Can AI Help Advance the Gospel? | Nick Galang on Ministry, Technology & Church Growth 05/20/2026

424. Can AI Help Advance the Gospel? | Nick Galang on Ministry, Technology & Church Growth 📄 Can AI Help Advance the Gospel? | Nick Galang on Ministry, Technology & Church Growth Can AI actually help advance the gospel? In this thought-provoking interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with entrepreneur and ministry leader Nick Galang to discuss the future of AI, technology, church growth, and bivocational ministry. Nick shares why he believes Christians should not fear AI, but instead thoughtfully explore how it can be used to strengthen churches, support ministers, teach sound doctrine, and reach more people with the gospel. This conversation dives into: How AI can support ministry and church planting Why social media is already impacting church growth The importance of leveraging modern tools wisely How AI can assist creativity and innovation Building resources that teach sound doctrine The future of bivocational ministry Why experimentation and faith-driven innovation matter Nick also discusses how emerging technology is lowering barriers for creativity and entrepreneurship, making it possible for ordinary disciples to build tools, resources, and businesses that can support ministry and expand God’s Kingdom. This episode is ideal for: Church leaders Entrepreneurs Creatives Ministry staff Church planters Christians curious about AI and technology 🔑 Key Takeaways AI is a tool — the issue is how we use it Churches should thoughtfully engage emerging technology Social media is already helping churches grow AI can support creativity, learning, and ministry Bivocational ministry will likely continue growing Christians have opportunities to shape technology for good 💬 Memorable Quotes “AI is neither evil nor good. It’s how we choose to wield it.” “The ideas and the options are literally unlimited.” “The important thing is to experiment and explore — not be scared.” “Why can’t we leverage what God has allowed to happen for His glory?” /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/41343580

423. Why This Church Keeps Growing Year After Year | Kai Foster 05/18/2026

423. Why This Church Keeps Growing Year After Year | Kai Foster Why This Church Keeps Growing Year After Year | Kai Foster Why do some churches steadily grow while others plateau? In this insightful interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with Kai Foster, who leads the growing church in Reno, Nevada alongside his wife BJ. Over the past decade, the Reno church has experienced consistent growth — nearly doubling in size. In this conversation, Kai shares several practical and spiritual principles that have helped create a culture of connection, unity, and spiritual depth within the church. One of the biggest keys? Intentional fellowship. Kai explains how creating structured time for meaningful conversations during worship services and midweek meetings has helped disciples build authentic relationships that go beyond surface-level interactions. He also shares why his church still uses printed sermon outlines and devotionals every week — and why “ink and paper still have power” in a world dominated by screens. This episode is filled with practical ideas for: Building stronger church community Increasing unity and connection Creating spiritually engaging church environments Helping people feel known and connected Encouraging deeper conversations Supporting long-term church growth Whether you lead a church, small group, ministry, or simply want stronger Christian community, this conversation is packed with wisdom and encouragement. Key Takeaways Church growth often begins with deeper connection Intentional fellowship creates stronger disciples Structured conversations build unity Printed spiritual content increases retention and engagement Healthy churches create environments where people feel known Fellowship must go beyond surface-level interactions Memorable Quotes “Connectivity is the greatest challenge for suburban Christians.” “Ink and paper still have power.” “You can’t obey the second greatest command if you’re not connected.” “People are accustomed to deeper conversations.” Topics Covered Church growth Christian fellowship Leadership development Healthy church culture Midweek ministry Discipleship Spiritual community Church connection Faith and retention Reno church growth /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/41304400

422. How God Is Opening Doors for Revival in India | Shaijus Philip 05/15/2026

422. How God Is Opening Doors for Revival in India | Shaijus Philip How God Is Opening Doors for Revival in India | Shaijus Philip What happens when ordinary disciples pray for God to open doors? In this inspiring interview from the Healthy Church Growth Conference in Boston, Rob Skinner sits down with Shaijus Philip from India to talk about church planting, raising up new leaders, and how God is moving powerfully through faith, prayer, and sacrifice. Shaijus shares how the School of Mission has trained dozens of new ministry leaders, the exciting “30 Districts by 2030” evangelistic initiative in India, and the miraculous story of how a wealthy landowner opened his property for a new church planting effort. This episode is packed with: Inspiring stories of faith and perseverance Church planting vision across India Leadership development through the School of Mission Stories of miraculous open doors Lessons about following the Spirit instead of human strategy The power of unity, sacrifice, and evangelism Rob also reflects on the persecution Shaijus endured decades earlier while helping plant churches in India — and the incredible fruit that has come from decades of faithful service. If you need renewed faith for ministry, missions, or evangelism, this conversation will encourage you deeply. Key Takeaways God often opens doors in unexpected ways Prayer and fasting still move mountains Young leaders can be inspired into ministry Church planting requires faith and patience Unity across social and economic lines is powerful The Holy Spirit often leads better than human strategy Memorable Quotes “When the Spirit opens the door, amazing things happen.” “People from every caste and background were treated equally.” “We prayed for the Spirit to open doors.” “Whoever has more will be given.” Topics Covered Church planting in India School of Mission training Evangelism initiatives Leadership development Ministry in Kerala Missions and discipleship Persecution and perseverance Healthy church growth Faith and revival /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/41287645

421. How a Church of 20 Grew Into a Thriving Ministry in Savannah | Bob Shanks 05/13/2026

420. How a Plateaued Church Started Growing Again After COVID 05/11/2026

420. How a Plateaued Church Started Growing Again After COVID 📝 How a Plateaued Church Started Growing Again After COVID (Boston Interview #5) In this episode of the Rob Skinner Podcast, Rob sits down with James Rosenquist, who leads a church in Pittsburgh that has recently begun growing again after years of plateau and decline. James shares an honest and vulnerable look at what it was like taking over church leadership during COVID, watching attendance shrink, experimenting with new ideas, and wrestling with discouragement. But instead of quitting, something shifted. This conversation is a powerful reminder that growth often begins not with better programs—but with deeper maturity, stronger leadership, perseverance, and renewed dependence on God. 🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode What it feels like to lead during a season of decline Why “humanistic leadership” eventually runs out of steam The spiritual lesson James learned during sabbatical Why maturity and equipping leaders became the new focus The surprising power of consistency over flashy strategies How alumni and outside support helped reignite momentum Why church growth often starts with changing the leader first 💡 Key Takeaway Sometimes breakthrough doesn’t come from a brand-new strategy. 👉 It comes from becoming a different person in the same situation. James shares how learning that “God is the reward” changed the way he viewed ministry, success, and leadership. 🌱 A Story of Hope for Church Leaders Many churches experienced setbacks after COVID. This episode offers encouragement for leaders who: Feel discouraged Feel stuck Are trying hard but not seeing immediate results Growth may take longer than expected. But perseverance, prayer, and equipping others still matter. 🔥 Encouraging Signs of Renewal After years of struggle: The church is growing again New baptisms are happening Former campus students have moved back to help strengthen the church New Bible studies are beginning through evangelism efforts And perhaps most importantly: 👉 Hope has returned. 🔗 Next Steps Subscribe for more leadership interviews from around the world Share this episode with a church leader who needs encouragement Join Rob’s weekly newsletter at 📌 Series Note This episode is part of a special series of short interviews from the Boston Church Builders Conference, featuring leaders focused on healthy church growth and revival. /episode/index/show/robskinner/id/41241980

The Rob Skinner Podcast: Helping You Make This Life Count

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