Raising Godly Girls

In a culture increasingly defined by division, how can Christian parents teach their daughters to think biblically about race, identity, justice, and unity? On this episode of Raising Godly Girls, Patti Garibay welcomes public theologian, author, speaker, and seminary professor Dr. Krista Bontrager for an honest and hope-filled conversation about raising girls who can engage difficult cultural conversations with both truth and grace.
With conversations about race and identity reaching girls at younger ages—and often through frameworks centered on division, group identity, and power—many Christian parents feel unsure about how to respond. Krista helps parents distinguish between race and culture, understand humanity through the lens of Scripture, and recognize how the Gospel reshapes the way Christians understand identity, belonging, and unity. Together, Patti and Krista explore how parents can have age-appropriate conversations about racism and injustice without surrendering Biblical truth or allowing cultural ideologies to become the foundation of their daughters' worldview.
This conversation also equips parents to help their girls navigate tribal thinking, difficult conversations at school and online, and a world that often encourages people to find their deepest identity in group belonging. Rather than retreating from these challenging topics, parents can teach their daughters to engage them with discernment, confidence, compassion, and a firm understanding of who they are in Christ. Krista reminds families that the Gospel is the ultimate equalizer—and that Christian unity is rooted not in cultural agreement, but in the truth that we are one body in Christ.
If you want to raise a daughter who can pursue unity without compromising Biblical truth, this episode offers practical encouragement and Gospel-centered clarity for the journey. Discover how to move beyond cultural talking points and equip your girl to see herself, others, and a divided world through the transforming lens of Scripture.
 
Scriptures Referenced:
· 1 Corinthians 8:6
· Ephesians 4:4–5
Learn more about Krista Bontrager's work at centerforbiblicalunity.com . Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.

What does it look like to pursue Biblical unity in a world that seems to reward outrage, polarization, and constant disagreement? And how can Christian parents teach their daughters when to stand firm on essential Biblical truth—and when to graciously let something go? 

On this episode of Raising Godly Girls, Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden take a "flip the script" approach to conflict, exploring what it means for Christians to make the Gospel their common ground. From church disagreements and theological debates to friendship conflicts between girls, they unpack the difference between healthy, Scripture-grounded discussion and the kind of strife that slowly pulls believers apart. The goal isn't to avoid every conflict, but to learn how to navigate disagreement with truth, wisdom, humility, and love. 

Rachael and Melissa also explore how the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit gives Christians a beautiful picture of what unity can look like among God's people. They challenge parents to help their girls focus first on what unifies them with others rather than immediately spotlighting their differences. Through the Raising Godly Girls Minute, parents will also discover a simple but powerful strategy for helping girls navigate friendship conflict: learning to consider the other person's perspective. Understanding someone else's point of view doesn't mean abandoning Biblical convictions—it can help our girls become wiser, more gracious, and more Christlike in the way they respond. 

As Rachael and Melissa bring the conversation into everyday family life, they remind parents that we may not be able to control another person's words, choices, or reactions—but we can take responsibility for our own hearts, words, actions, and responses. With Scripture as our common ground, Christian families can model a different way of handling disagreement and show girls that Biblical unity doesn't require uniformity. It requires a shared commitment to Christ and a willingness to pursue peace "so far as it depends on you." Tune in and discover how your family can help bring Biblical unity into friendships, churches, families, and a divided world.  

Three Things to Consider: 

God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit commune as One, so we should too. 


Focus on what unifies us as the Church rather than what divides us. 


As Christians, let the Bible be our common ground. 


 

Scriptures Referenced: 

Deuteronomy 6:4 


1 Corinthians 8:6 


Colossians 4:6 


Romans 12:18 


 

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.  Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

In a culture that rewards outrage, celebrates division, and often encourages people to cancel rather than reconcile, how can Christian families teach girls to pursue Biblical unity? While conflict is inevitable, the Gospel offers a better way—one marked by grace, humility, truth, and the unshakable bond believers share in Christ. 

In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden explore what true Christian unity looks like and why it's essential for today's girls. Together, they unpack the difference between standing firm on foundational Biblical truth and holding personal preferences with open hands. They also discuss how parents can model healthy conflict resolution, help daughters navigate difficult friendships, and cultivate hearts that seek peace instead of polarization. 

As girls learn to anchor their identity in Christ rather than opinions or social approval, they become women who can extend grace, bear with one another in love, and reflect the character of Jesus in every relationship. This encouraging conversation reminds families that unity doesn't require uniformity—it begins with the Gospel and grows as believers choose humility, forgiveness, and love. 

 

Two Things to Consider: 

Help your daughter build her identity on the unchanging love of Christ rather than shifting opinions or preferences. 


Encourage an "extra grace required" mindset, reminding your daughter that healthy friendships and Christian community are strengthened through patience, forgiveness, and love. 


 

Scriptures Referenced: 

Romans 8:31–39 


Galatians 6:2 


Romans 12:9–10 


1 Corinthians 1:20–25 


James 1:19 


Galatians 5:22–23 


 


Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.  Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

What if something as simple as a shoebox could change a life forever? 

In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Patti Garibay shares a powerful and inspiring conversation with Izabella McMillon, whose life was transformed after receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox as a young girl growing up in Romania. What began as a simple gift became a doorway to the Gospel—and ultimately, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. 

Together, Patti and Izabella explore how God uses even the smallest acts of obedience to accomplish His greater purposes around the world. From limited access to the Gospel in certain countries to the challenges children face in places where Christianity is not widely accepted, this episode helps families better understand the global need—and the incredible opportunity to respond. 

You'll also hear how American Heritage Girls is making an impact, with Troops packing over 27,000 shoeboxes in 2025 alone. This conversation offers practical and creative ways for families to participate in Operation Christmas Child, while helping girls develop compassion, generosity, and a heart for missions. 

Whether you're packing your first shoebox or continuing a family tradition, this episode will remind you that God sees every act of kindness—and He can use it to change a life for eternity. 

Because when we give with love, we're not just sending a gift—we're sharing the hope of the Gospel. 

 

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: 

Matthew 28:19–20  


Mark 16:15  


2 Corinthians 9:7  


Proverbs 22:9  


Isaiah 6:8  


Romans 10:14–15 


 

To learn watch Izabella's Full Circle Story, click HERE. 


To participate in the AHG-OCC Shoebox Challenge, click HERE.  

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.       

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Serving others doesn't have to feel like another item on the family to-do list—it can become one of your family's greatest joys. When parents intentionally create opportunities to serve together, they're not only meeting practical needs, they're also building lasting memories, strengthening family bonds, and teaching daughters what it looks like to live with the heart of Christ. 

In this episode of Raising Godly Girls, co-hosts Rachael Culpepper and Natalie Ambrose explore how families can make service a joyful rhythm of everyday life. From hilarious stories of family service projects to practical ideas for engaging children of every age, this conversation encourages parents to see service not as an obligation, but as an act of worship that brings people together and points others to Jesus. 

Together, Rachael and Natalie share simple ways to cultivate a servant-hearted family culture, including beginning every service opportunity with prayer, keeping the focus on loving God and loving others, and embracing laughter along the way. They also discuss the lasting impact that serving side by side can have on a girl's confidence, compassion, and lifelong faith. 

Whether your family is volunteering at church, serving neighbors, partnering with a local ministry, or participating in American Heritage Girls' National Day of Service, this episode will inspire you to discover that some of life's sweetest memories are made when your family says "yes" to serving together. 

 

Three Things to Consider: 

Begin your family's service opportunities with prayer and praise, inviting God to shape your hearts before you begin serving. 


Keep the purpose of every act of service centered on loving God and loving others, even when the work becomes challenging. 


Create joyful memories by making service a shared family adventure where laughter, teamwork, and Christlike love go hand in hand. 


 

Scriptures Referenced: 

Matthew 6:3–4 


Matthew 5:16 


Matthew 22:37–39 


Matthew 25:31–40 


 


Explore more resources to raise girls rooted in Christ at raisinggodlygirls.com.    

To find or start an AHG Troop in your area, visit americanheritagegirls.org.