If God is sovereign—fully in control of all things—why pray? Does prayer actually change anything, or is it just about changing us? In this episode, Parker and Hope sit down with Scott O’Malley from 12 Stones Counseling to wrestle with one of the most honest questions in the Christian life.
Drawing from Paul Miller’s A Praying Life, they unpack how God’s sovereignty doesn’t make prayer pointless—it makes it powerful. Through real conversation and practical insight, they explore how prayer invites us into relationship, not performance; how our requests matter even in God’s perfect plan; and how dependence, not control, is where faith truly grows.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your prayers really make a difference, this episode will help you rediscover a God who listens, responds, and draws near when His children talk to Him.
In this inspiring episode of the God First Podcast, Parker and Hope Perrien sit down with Mark Whitacre of Coca-Cola Consolidated, the nation’s largest Coca-Cola bottler, to explore what it means to live out faith in the workplace.
Coca-Cola Consolidated’s mission begins with a bold declaration — “to honor God in all we do.” Mark unpacks how that mission shapes leadership, culture, and decision-making inside a major corporation, and how faith can transform not only individuals but entire workplaces.
Together, we wrestle with the provocative question: Is business just business, or is God at work in every part of our lives? This conversation will encourage you to see your work as more than a paycheck — it’s a calling. Whether you’re leading a team, growing a business, or showing up faithfully in your role, you’ll be inspired to invite God into every part of your work life.
Pride isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes it shows up quietly—in a critical spirit, in being easily offended, or in always needing affirmation. But Scripture calls us to something better: humility that reflects Christ.
In this episode of the God First Podcast, Parker and Hope sit down with counselor Scott O’Malley to uncover:
If you’ve ever wondered how to recognize pride in your own life and take real steps toward Christlike humility, this conversation will encourage and challenge you.
What Is Pride?
Pride is often called the root of all sin—yet it’s one of the hardest to recognize in ourselves. In this episode, we explore the deceptiveness of pride and ask the tough questions: If pride blinds us, how can we even know we’re proud? How dangerous is pride, really? And how do we pursue humility without falling into the trap of being proud of our own growth?
We take an honest look at why humility is one of the most elusive virtues, how pride subtly creeps into our thoughts and actions, and what Scripture and experience reveal about cultivating a humble heart. Whether you’re wrestling with pride or simply hungry for deeper self-awareness, this episode offers a challenging but grace-filled conversation on the war within.
Sharing the gospel can feel intimidating. What if they ask a question I can’t answer? What if it gets awkward? What if I say the wrong thing? In this episode of the God First podcast, I sit down with Dr. Eric Russ, Pastor of Evangelism at Christ Covenant Church in Matthews, NC, to get real about the fears and barriers that keep us silent—and the simple truths that can set us free to speak boldly.
We unpack practical ways to talk about Jesus in everyday moments, how to rely on the Holy Spirit instead of a script, and why you don’t need to have all the answers to be faithful. Whether you’re new to sharing your faith or want to grow in confidence, this conversation will encourage and equip you to step out and point others to Christ.