The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

When God disrupts what’s familiar, He’s often inviting us into deeper trust.In this episode of The Walk, Kurtis Parks sits down with Jeff Deyo to talk about calling, pain, faithfulness, and what it really means to shepherd people—not just lead platforms.
In this conversation, you’ll hear Jeff and Kurtis talk about:
Why pastoring is less about performance and more about guiding people to God

How pain and disappointment often precede clarity in our calling

What it looks like to be “comfortable in the uncomfortable” as a follower of Jesus

Why the church doesn’t need more spectators—it needs more shepherded disciples

The difference between feeding sheep and teaching them how to graze

Staying rooted when it would be easier to walk away

Guest Bio
Jeff Deyo is the lead pastor of Trinity Church Waxahachie in Waxahachie, Texas, near Dallas. He is an author, speaker, leadership coach, and longtime worship leader best known as the former lead singer of the Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning band Sonicflood. Jeff has written and recorded over 75 songs, authored several books on worship and leadership, and served for 14 years as a professor at North Central University in Minneapolis. Today, Jeff’s heart is centered on pastoring people into deeper intimacy with God, raising up disciples, and helping leaders live rooted, Spirit-led lives.
Pull Quote
“The only place God wants you to be comfortable is in the uncomfortable—because that’s where faith actually grows.”
Helpful Links
https://www.jeffdeyo.comhttps://www.instagram.com/jeffdeyo
Sponsor: Planning Center
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software that helps churches plan services, schedule volunteers, and stay organized so ministry can thrive.Try it free today at:https://planningcenter.com
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In a divided and distracted age, what does it really mean for the Church to be the hope of the world? In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Kurtis Parks sits down with theologian, worship pastor, and author Steven Félix-Jäger to rediscover the Church’s calling to live as a people of Jubilee.
Episode 160Hosted by Kurtis Parks
Steven invites us to zoom out—beyond our local context, beyond our political moment—and see the global, Spirit-filled movement of God through His Church.
In This Episode, We Talk About:
What Scripture really says about the Church as the “hope of the world”

The biblical meaning of Jubilee—and how it shapes Christian generosity

Why being rooted in a local church still matters in a post-2020 world

The danger of interpreting ancient Scripture through a narrow modern lens

How worship unites the global Church across cultures and denominations

Writing songs from the real stories happening in your congregation

Major on the majors: how to lead worship with theological clarity and unity

About Steven Félix-Jäger
Steven Félix-Jäger is Associate Professor of Theology & Worship, Chair of Worship & Media, and Director of Academic Research at Life Pacific University in Southern California. A theologian, exhibiting artist, songwriter, and producer, he is the author or co-author of eight books exploring worship, aesthetics, theology, and culture.
Born on the mission field in Schillingsfürst, Germany to a Puerto Rican and German family, Steven brings a deeply global perspective to his work in the Church. He serves as a worship pastor at Pasadena Foursquare Church and lives in Southern California with his wife Connie, daughter Mila, and their dog Biggie.
His latest book, How to Worship for All Its Worth: A Guide for Pastors, Worship Leaders, and Students, is available now.
Helpful Links
How to Worship for All Its Worth (Book):https://www.amazon.com/How-Worship-All-Its-Worth/dp/0310172667
Life Pacific University:https://lifepacific.edu
Pasadena Foursquare Church:https://pasadenafoursquare.com
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software built to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized without the chaos.
Whether you're leading worship, managing teams, or planning Sunday morning, Planning Center keeps everything in one place so you can focus on ministry.
Try it free today by clicking here.
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of The Walk, Kurtis Parks sits down with pastor-turned-maker Derek Welborn to tell a story that starts with loss, wrestles through identity, and unfolds into unexpected calling. What began as a painful journey through alopecia became the soil God used to birth Saints Western—and a deeper trust in His timing.
Episode 159Host: Kurtis Parks
In This Episode, You’ll Hear:
How losing his hair forced Derek to confront identity, fear, and faith

Why unanswered prayers can still become sacred turning points

The role community plays when God invites us to step out in faith

How Saints Western was born from pain, craftsmanship, and obedience

What it looks like to follow God when the next step feels unclear

Guest Bio
Derek Welborn lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife Jill and their daughters, Jaymes and Gray. After 15 years in full-time ministry, Derek stepped into a new season when a battle with severe alopecia disrupted everything he thought he knew about calling and identity. What began as a deeply personal loss became the birthplace of Saints Western, a brand rooted in craftsmanship, legacy, and faith. Today, Derek continues to tell redemptive stories—through community, creativity, and a life surrendered to God’s leading.
Pull Quote
“WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE END OF MY STORY WAS ACTUALLY THE PLACE GOD STARTED WRITING A NEW ONE.”
Helpful Links
https://www.saintswestern.comhttps://www.instagram.com/derekwelbornhttps://www.instagram.com/saintswestern
Sponsor — Planning Center
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center, the all-in-one software built to help churches stay organized and care for people well. From scheduling volunteers to planning services, Planning Center frees church leaders to focus on ministry instead of logistics.Try it free today at:https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=thewalk&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode159
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Sometimes faith isn’t about finding answers. Sometimes it’s about waking up again—and choosing to join Jesus right where you are. In this episode of The Walk, host Kurtis Parks sits down with singer-songwriter Tim Timmons for a conversation that is honest, challenging, and deeply hope-filled.
Episode 158Host: Kurtis Parks
Episode Highlights
How a terminal cancer diagnosis at 25 reshaped Tim’s faith and view of God

Why Tim says he stopped “working for Jesus” and started learning how to join Him

What worship looks like when it’s about attention, not performance

How grief and gratitude can live side by side without canceling each other out

The story behind Even If, I Can Only Imagine 2, and Tim’s new book Waking Up Again

Why the Church isn’t something you attend—but a people sent to bless the world

Guest Bio
Tim Timmons is a Nashville, Tennessee–based singer-songwriter, worship leader, and author who has spent more than two decades in ministry. Diagnosed with incurable cancer at age 25 and given five years to live, Tim is now more than 24 years into that journey. He is the co-writer of MercyMe’s Grammy-nominated hit “Even If,” the subject of the upcoming film I Can Only Imagine 2, and the author of Waking Up Again: A Journey of Grief and Gratitude. Through music, storytelling, and daily practices of faith, Tim helps people discover the real life found with Jesus—one day at a time.
Pull Quote
“I quit working for Jesus—and started learning how to join Him.”
Helpful Links
Official Movie Site: https://icanonlyimagine.com/Movie Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4M6Vi4Uc04Publicity Materials: https://www.lionsgatepublicity.com/theatrical/i-can-only-imagine-2Tim Timmons / Integrity Music: https://integritymusic.com/10000 Minutes: https://10000minutes.org/
Sponsor: Planning Center
This episode of The Walk is brought to you by Planning Center—the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay connected throughout the week. If you’re leading people—not just gatherings—Planning Center helps remove friction so you can focus on what matters most.
Try it free today at:https://planningcenter.com/?utm_source=worshipleadermag&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=worshipleadermagazine
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it look like to walk faithfully with Jesus through success, suffering, creativity, and calling? In this episode of The Walk, Trip Lee opens up about discipleship, worship, and learning to boast in the Lord in every season of life.
Guest BioTrip Lee is a Dove and Stellar Award–winning Christian artist, pastor, and author based in Atlanta, Georgia. A foundational voice in Christian Hip Hop for nearly two decades, Trip has released eight solo albums, authored The Good Life and Rise, and pastored in both Dallas and Atlanta. After reigniting his musical momentum with The Epilogue, Trip is launching BRAG Worship in early 2026—an expression rooted in helping the Church boast in the Lord through culturally expansive, theologically rich worship music.
Episode Highlights
How meeting Jesus at 14 reshaped Trip’s music, ambition, and identity

Why discipleship, rebuke, and real community were essential to his growth

How worship songs function as discipleship, not just emotional moments

The heart behind BRAG Worship and writing songs for the gathered Church

Why lament, honesty, and joy all belong in Christian worship

Pull Quote“Worship songs shouldn’t be divorced from real life. I want people to be honest about how hard life is—and still boast in God.”
Helpful Links
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/triplee/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triplee116

Website: https://builttobrag.com/

Sponsor — Planning CenterThis episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Check it out today:👉 PLANNING CENTER
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.