👏😎Hey there, Graceful Warriors!  Get ready to ignite your heart for Jesus with The Graceful Warrior Podcast! I’m Monica Hansen, joined by Pastor David Chotka, and today we’re diving into the loneliness epidemic with our energy filled guest, Pastor Jake Thurston from South Dakota. From cheesy Mount Rushmore photo ops to the deep need for spiritual connection, Jake drops wisdom bombs on why we’re wired for community. Expect laughs, relatable stories—pickleball, anyone? and practical tips to build your tribe. Subscribe on Thegracefulwarrior.com and Check out my Blog on todays episode https://thegracefulwarrior.com/spiritual-friendship-building-meaningful-connections-in-modern-life/ Grab your coffee and join the journey to conquer loneliness with God’s love and a good cornhole game! Alright Warriors, Here are 3 BIG Key Takeaways from Jakes Wisdom:❤️  Loneliness hits harder than smoking or obesity, but God’s design for community is the cure—spiritual friendships rooted in faith can heal your heart. It’s about quality, not quantity—swap screen time for face time with deep, intentional connections like cornhole nights or pickleball. Churches can be friendship hubs! Host fun, no-pressure events like pickleball or Christian movies  to spark ‘you too?’ moments. Let’s build our tribes God’s way! Guest Contact Info and Book Plug📚         Want more of Jake’s insights? Grab his book, ”You Need Friends: Reclaim Your God-Given Design for Community and Remedy Your Loneliness for Good” on Amazon. Visit YouNeedFriends.com for links, and resources, and to contact Jake directly. Let’s keep the conversation going!” Join us Warriors & Spread the Fire!  Connect with us on X (@GracefulPod) or Instagram (@David_Chotka) using #GracefulWarrior to share how you’re slaying loneliness with God’s friendship blueprint! Embrace the Warriors God designed for your spiritual journey.💪 Connect with Your Hosts!   Visit TheGracefulWarrior.com for Monica’s book, Captured By His Heart, and grab her FREE e-book Prophetic Vision when you subscribe to fuel your faith! 🛡️ Explore Spiritequip.com for Pastor David’s books, and courses to equip your spirit for the battlefield.⚔️ Support Life!  A special shout-out to our previous guest, Stuart Kellogg, the founder of ProLifeLeaders.net, offering resources and support for those choosing life for their baby. Visit ProLifeLeaders.net to learn more and join the mission to protect life! Help Us Spread the Gospel!  PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, and COMMENT to fuel our mission to share Jesus with all nations. Share this episode to ignite hearts worldwide!🌎 Join the Graceful Warrior Family: Over 2,000 Podbean followers and 3,900+ downloads strong! Let’s keep growing the tribe! Big Win: Ranked #2 Top-Rated Indie Christian Podcast on GoodPods in 2025!🎙️😮    - Never Miss an episode! Love these faith-filled conversations with Monica & Pastor David? Join our Graceful Warrior tribe! Subscribe, like, and turn on notifications on YouTube, Rumble, or your favorite podcast app like Podbean to never miss an episode!”🔔  Drop a comment below—how are you building your community? Don’t forget your Sword, Your Gonna need it. Have a Blessed Week.