IN THIS EPISODE

• Moving a family and lifestyle from Austin, TX to Denver, CO | 1:30
• What were Kip’s first steps into ministry, the origins of his walk with Christ, and his call to ministry | 2:04
• How did God start to work through you in ministry? | 6:19
• What lights a fire under you when someone is new to faith | 8:58
• Keeping your family on track and being the Spiritual Leader of the Household | 13:26
• Knowing who you are as an athlete, but residing in who you are in Christ | 16:27
• Navigating the torrent waters of fatherhood to the next generation | We’re called to obey | 21:17

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | ARE YOU LISTENING

If we aren’t connected to our Father, and we’re not excitedly awaiting His voice, we miss out on a lot. We’re disconnected and unfulfilled. Throughout the interview Kip talks about answering the call; committing his life to Christ, going to the Bible Studies and doing his devotionals in college, pouring into his friends in college to make sure they’re strong in their walks. When we are actively listening, praying, spending time in the Word, we can hear His voice more clearly and we’re able to answer the call. The call, whatever it may be. Make sure you are connected to your Father, and you’re listening for Him in the quiet places.

2 | WE DON’T GET TROPHIES IN HEAVEN

Kip has an incredible focus on ministry. When we stand before our Father in Heaven, He won’t be handing out participation trophies for our works here on Earth. He will want to know is, who did we bring with us. We have been commanded to go out into all the world and make disciples, and that’s where Mission Hills Church gets its vision from. We believe that we are to become like Jesus, help people become like Jesus, and to join Him on mission. When you are pouring into others and discipling them, and really helping them on their faith walk, we are assured that He will stay faithful in us.

3 | BE REAL > BE RIGHT

Kip does an awesome job giving us insight on what it’s like to raise kids in this current culture. He talks about the systems he puts in-place where his family is learning the Bible together. He sets up milestones for his kids to speak Biblical truth into their lives, that trumps whatever they may hear at school. He also really emphasizes that their True North comes from our Father. He is big on explaining why he and his wife are raising them to believe certain things, and walking them (sometimes tenderly, sometimes sternly) through that. As long as you are pointing your family towards the Bible as your only source of truth, then you are leading them in the correct direction. Kip says he doesn’t mind when his kids are upset with them because he is their dad, not their buddy. 

SHOW NOTES

Today marks the final episode in our Identity Series here on Uncharted. We hope that you have taken away some helpful navigational tools for your journey with Christ through this series. If you missed any of the episodes in this eleven-part series make sure you go back and check those out. Also, here in a few short weeks, we will be launching a new series all about a modern application of the Bible, subscribe today so you don’t miss out!

Today, we sit down with Kip Nanninga. Kip has had an incredible journey from someone whose entire identity was wrapped up in a sport that he played, a passion of his, to someone whose life is devoted to full-time ministry. Kip is a wonderful father, husband, mentor, disciple’r, and from the stories, we’ve heard here, quite the basketball player. Listen in as today as Neil and Kip discuss growing in your faith, choosing the correct paths along your journey, and the sweet sound of your Father’s voice as He calls you home.

You can also listen in on our Women’s Podcast Channel: Anchor + Waves, as we’re currently running a sister-program on that channel for female athletes also called Identity.

 IN THIS EPISODE

• From playing Linebacker and keeping an eye on the QB, to working at Kanakuk and keeping an eye on campers | 1:24
• Preparing to raise the next generation of Christ followers | 3:38
• The genesis of his relationship with our Father and how to navigate tragedy | 4:11
• The pursuit of a generational passion, passed on through legacy | 8:44
• How our passions and pursuits can cultivate our faith | 12:19
• What support for others can look like in times of darkness | 16:16
• A dysfunctional friendship turned into a Jesus loving support group | Pursue + Make Deep Relationships | 18:49

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | NAVIGATING TRAGEDY

Part 1 | By trusting in the promise that Jesus Christ is our savior, and that He is a caring and loving savior, we can hold steadfast to the promise of eternal life. Patrick talks about his realization that he needed a faith of his own, not one dictated by what his parents believed. And through pursuing a personal faith, he was able to hold on to Christ’s love in times of terror and tragedy. God worked through Patrick’s life and brought fruit forth from this place that felt so dark.

Part 2 | By inviting mentors into his life, he was able to gain wisdom and knowledge from men that had been there before, they had seen hurt, trusted in our Savior, and come out the other side. By placing yourself amongst disciple-makers and mentors, throughout your life, you will experience growth and discipline that you wouldn’t otherwise. By building up and leaning into these spiritual disciplines, we are honoring our Creator.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. | Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

2 | CULTIVATING YOUR FAITH

Part 1 | Patrick does a really good job of breaking this takeaway down into two parts. The first one is that in order to cultivate our faith, our relationship with our Father, you need to be plugged into ministry. He talks about, while he was in college, getting FCA started at his campus. He attributes this to the foundation of his growth through the accountability and community that was developed through that.

Part 2 | You really need to meditate on His word, day and night. A lot of your growth will come from community, but through the spiritual disciple of spending time in the word. In Scripture it promises us that when we spend time in the word, it will puncture into our bones like a sword. When we are familiar with His Word, and can go to that as our answer and call back to any situation in our lives, we are living in step with what He asks of us. The point isn’t the amount of time you spend in the Word, but the quality of time you’re in there, with your Father, creating that depth of a relationship. 

But whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers. | Proverbs 1:2-3 (NIV)

SHOW NOTES

Welcome back, Uncharted listeners, to Episode 10 in our Identity Series. Today, we have an old friend of Tyler’s on the podcast, Patrick Cone. Patrick is a former collegiate football player at Stetson University in Florida. Patrick now works our in Missouri at the Kanakuk Camps and is a strong follower of our Father. Patrick has an incredible walk with the lord and we can’t wait to bring you this conversation between him and Tyler. Listen in today as the guys discuss what it looks like to own your faith, the developments he’s had in his life and his faith journey and just what it truly means to lean into the Father through the toughest times.

You can also listen in on our Women’s Podcast Channel: Anchor + Waves, as we’re currently running a sister-program on that channel for female athletes also called Identity.

IN THIS EPISODE

• A journey to Christ through athletics and an Anatomy Class | 1:23
• Motivational factors and verses for for training (of any kind) in life | 6:09
• What the training regiment of a Cross Fit Games Champion looks like | Recovery is key | 9:19
• What is your feedback device for balance in your life | 14:23
• Still making sure to connect, one on one, with God in your every day life | 20:11
• Being able to compete and enjoy fitness withy our family | 27:01
• Not only focusing on our physical connection to God, but also connecting intellectually with our Creator | 29:07

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | YOU CAN’T EARN YOUR WAY TO GOD

Most of the teaching and religions in the world teach that being a good person is first and foremost at the top of the list to get you into heaven, or into the afterlife. But that’s not what Jesus teaches us. Salvation isn’t based on if we’re good or not but on Jesus’s goodness. If we confess that Jesus is Lord, and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. This salvation in Christ is a precious gift, and, like all true gifts, it is unearned. The message of the gospel is that we can never be good enough to get to heaven. We must recognize that we are sinners who fall short of God’s glory, and we must obey the command to repent of our sins and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Christ alone was a “good person”—good enough to earn heaven—and He gives His righteousness to those who believe in His name.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. | Ephesians 2:8,9 (NIV)

2 | Recovery with Training

Dave talks about how he was overtraining going into the first few years of his Cross Fit Games competition. He didn’t have balance in his life and he wasn’t allowing time for recovery in his training schedule, and for that, he suffered defeat. For which there is incredible parallel in ministry where we can see with burnout in pastors and missionaries. God encourages us to step back, reset, take in rest, and get ready for what He’s calling us to next. The recovery and rest are equally as important to your training, job, calling, walk with Christ, as it to push forward for him. Make sure that you are taking in seasons of rest, and that your prayer life is rich and deep, as this helps us reset for where/what He is setting us up for next in the advancement of His Kingdom. 

3 | God Created and Designed Our Bodies

God designed us. We were made in His image. That means we were designed to worship and connect with Him, but it also means that there is intentionality in how our cardiovascular system is set up. It means there is meaning and purpose behind our HTP cycles. So, when we don’t exercise, and when we take our creation for granted we’re ignoring a huge part of what God has given us. Why would God create and design muscles to grow if that wasn’t their intention? We are designed to benefit from resistance training, and God designed us that way! This design process, and the intentionality behind our physiology, direct correlates to us appreciating this amazing gift that He gas given us. This doesn’t mean, to be in the gym taking selfies, that’s self-focused. But it’s a lifestyle appreciation of this incredible gift that God has given us, to honor him. 

SHOW NOTES

We’re glad to have you back for another episode in our Identity series here on Uncharted. Today, we have a really amazing guest. This man embodies what it looks like to be a warrior in his sport as well as someone who puts on the Battle Armor of God every day. Dave Hippensteel is a Cross Fit Games Champion (60+ ’16, ’17, ’18) as well as a loving husband and father.

Listen in today as Neil and Dave talk about what it looks like to train and be prepared for where the Lord calls you, keeping your mind and body ready as well as just a really cool look into the life of a true Man of God. You don’t want to miss this one. And if you’re looking for another fun episode, his daughter (Heather Hippensteel) is on our Women’s Podcast, Anchor + Waves this week for their Identity series.

*And if you’re looking for another fun episode, his daughter (Heather Hippensteel) is on our Women’s Podcast, Anchor + Waves, this week.

You can also listen in on our Women’s Podcast Channel: Anchor + Waves, as we’re currently running a sister-program on that channel for female athletes also called Identity.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Has it always been baseball? How can an interest shape you upbringing | 1:11
• Transitioning from a hobby to a main focus | 5:04
• Stepping up into a leadership role when you have direction | 7:31
• Becoming a community leader and owning the role that He’s placed you in | 14:44
• Getting ready to instill Christ-like characteristics in the next generation | 16:46
• Owning your leadership and where you’ve been called | 21:12

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | STEP UP WHEN YOU’RE CALLED

Often times we’re called up to lead in unexpected ways or in uncertain circumstances. But be encouraged! God is constantly working in our lives to prepare us for these moments. He’s constantly teaching us skills we need, surrounding us with people that can support us, and building up our character to lead well. We are here to expand His Kingdom here on Earth and it’s incredible that we get to be a part of that. The good news is, throughout the Bible, there are tons of heroes (Daniel, Mark, Moses, etc.) that God calls into a place of leadership, and some of them didn’t feel ready either. Step up in faith, and God will lead.

2 | RAISING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHRIST FOLLOWERS

Colton is in a really fun position where, like many of our listeners (I’m sure), he’s an expecting father. Now, he and his wife are not going to learn the gender of the child beforehand, because they’re solely concerned about raising a Christ-follower. And that’s it! As an expecting parent their goals are to teach their child about The Gospel and who Jesus is. There is a myriad of other life skills that they will be teaching their child, but they realize that it’s not their child; it’s going to be a child of God. And their one goal is to raise another warrior for the Kingdom. 

Jesus is exactly who He says He is, and I want Him to rule my life. | Colton Duffy

SHOW NOTES

We’re glad to have you back for another episode of our Identity series here on Uncharted. Today we have an awesome friend of the show on to talk about stepping into fatherhood, leading in your community, and what it’s like to hang up your spikes.

Colton Duffy is a Colorado State University graduate down in the Denver area whom Colin played ball with for his last year in college. Colton has an amazing perspective on what it looks like to own your faith while leading by example. Tune in this week as we walk through what it looks like to be a strongly rooted man of faith.

You can also listen in on our Women’s Podcast Channel: Anchor + Waves, as we’re currently running a sister-program on that channel for female athletes also called Identity.

IN THIS EPISODE

• How the great outdoors can shape your walk an your journey | 3:44
• 3 Sisters + Camp Kanakuk | 8:44
• How the Word can help you identify and conquer fears | 12:14
• An intense experience that ended up shaping a relationship | 16:22
• Insight into relating to different people, family members, situations | 20:04
• We are where we spend time | Camping out in the Scriptures | 23:19
• Using Scripture to go about life and raise a family | 25:46

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | YOU ARE A UNIQUE CREATION

God has designed you with intentionality and purpose. He wove you together in your Mother’s womb and He knows every hair on your head; He knows you better than you do! Will grew up searching for an identity and trying to identify what masculinity meant to him. The beautiful thing about that is, we’re found in Christ. Culture will tell us we have to act a certain way, participate in certain things, and look a right way. But He doesn’t care about any of that. He has designed us to love and be loved, and that’s what He cares about. There’s no need to put this undue pressure on yourself to reach cultural norms. Embrace who you are, who God designed you to be.

2 | WE’RE MEANT TO ADAPT

God doesn’t want us to stay in our comfort zones. He hasn’t promised us an easy or a quiet life. That’s not to say he’s intentionally making things difficult for us, but there is no growth without a little bit of discomfort. God places us in all kinds of situations that are for our benefit, regardless of how we feel internally about it. He wants us to adapt, grow, and become more like Him. Think about the different relationships you’ve built in your life and the opportunities you have to build others with those around you now. Don’t limit yourself to what feels safe and secure. Embrace the unknown and the uncomfortable because He has promised He will bring us through it.

SHOW NOTES

Welcome to another episode in our Identity series here on Uncharted. Today we have a very special guest, our very own Marriage Pastor from Mission Hills, Will Cunningham. Will is a true modern-day renaissance man in every sense.

He is a gifted storyteller, a well-read Christian student, a loving father, grandfather, and husband as well as a brilliant camp counselor, among many other things. Listen in today as Tyler and Neil dive into Will’s upbringing in the Ozarks, his love for the great outdoors, and his unique perspective on mentorship and discipleship.

You can also listen in on our Women’s Podcast Channel: Anchor + Waves, as we’re currently running a sister-program on that channel for female athletes also called Identity.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Rocky Mountain National Park was the gateway to see God’s creativity and uniqueness through His creation and His people all over the world | 3:10
• Bridging the gap between the church world and the outdoors through mentorship | 6:00
• As a couple, he and his wife have learned patience and understanding to be able to work through conflict, serve the Lord all over the world, and be an example for college students  | 13:10
• Rock climbing has a lot of parallels to life and relationships  | 15:17
• Seeing the big picture when we can’t even see the next foothold | 17:30
• Our dependence is not on what we can control | 20:20
• The difference between core beliefs and biblical culture | 21:00
• Desire to come alongside college students in their transition period, and newfound responsibility and freedom they have to make their own decisions. They learn what a relationship outside of the digital looks like, and how that can affect their relationship with Jesus | 22:28
• Our heart is to prepare students for a lifetime of ministry, to be equipped and confident in their own faith | 26:38

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | MENTORSHIP TO DISCIPLESHIP

Mentorship and Discipleship have been key in Brad’s faith journey. He has had many mentors since high school helping him define who he is and the bigger picture beyond self-gratification and the outside world. As a college student, he knew he wanted to prioritize his faith, so he joined a college ministry called Campus Crusades, now known as Cru. As Brad finished college, he knew he wanted to be able to combine the love of the outdoors and his faith at the same time. Through mentorship from other climbers with Cru, he is able to learn the techniques and skills for the outdoors while also growing mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

2 | THE UNCONVENTIONAL WAY

Rock Climbing has a lot of parallels to life and relationships. It’s been fun to pursue the sport as a couple. We really have to have clear communication, trust one another as you are belaying, it’s a bonding experience over this shared, risky adventure together. One of Brad’s favorite stories is of the paraplegic man who can’t get into the temple through the front door or even through the window to see Jesus. So, they climb onto the roof and lower him down so that he can be in front of Jesus. It’s a really unconventional way to get someone who desperately needs healing to the healer. In a lot of ways, this is how we can get students to say yes and see the example through our actions who Jesus is. It’s kind of unconventional, but really impactful.

3 | OUR DEPENDENCE IS NOT ON WHAT WE CAN CONTROL

We push our students out of their comfort zone when we go on international trips. Many have never traveled before, and many have never done backpacking or rock climbing. So, we really push them to get to a point where they realize their dependence can’t be on what they can control; they have to depend on Jesus for their comfort and their security, because at the end of the day, that’s all we really have. There is a lot of value in understanding another culture, understanding many people live different from each other. These trips teach our students that there is a difference between core beliefs and biblical culture. There are many ways to worship the Lord, just because they are different doesn’t mean it is wrong, we learn to have grace for each other when we understand this.

SHOW NOTES

Welcome back for another inspiring episode of Uncharted. We continue our identity series with Brad Thoms. Brad grew up in Estes Park, Colorado and found his love of the outdoors through month-long summer camps as a kid. Today, he and his wife work with college students as outdoor guides in backpacking and rock climbing through Cru, a ministry for college students.

In this episode you will learn the importance of mentorship and the impact it has at all stages of life. Brad shares his passion of sharing the gospel in unconventional ways through rock climbing and backpacking.

You can also listen in on our Women’s Podcast Channel: Anchor + Waves, as we’re currently running a sister-program on that channel for female athletes also called Identity.  Also, as a bonus, Brad’s Wife, Sarah, is on this week’s episode for Anchor + Waves!