The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

What do you do when you're exhausted, discouraged, and ready to quit?
In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, the brothers of Consumed By Fire share the deeply personal story behind some of the hardest seasons of their lives—and how God met them in the middle of it.
Known for hit songs like "First Things First" and "Walk With Jesus," Caleb, Jordan, and Josh Ward open up about growing up in ministry, carrying on a family legacy of faith, life on the road, and the reality of burnout. They share how their father's years-long health battle forced them to confront exhaustion, disappointment, and questions about whether they could keep going.
But this conversation isn't ultimately about burnout.
It's about faith.
It's about learning to trust God when you're tired, letting go of control, and discovering that God's calling doesn't disappear when life gets difficult.
You'll also hear the story behind the band's name, why Scripture remains central to their songwriting, what they've learned from decades of ministry together as brothers, and the heart behind their upcoming album, Whole Wide World.
If you've ever felt weary, overwhelmed, or tempted to walk away from something God called you to, this episode will remind you that God's faithfulness is often most visible when your strength is gone.
Guest Bio
Consumed By Fire is a Christian rock band made up of brothers Caleb Ward, Jordan Ward, and Josh Ward. Signed to Red Street Records, the group is known for hit songs including "First Things First" and "Walk With Jesus." Raised in a ministry family, the brothers have spent decades sharing the Gospel through music, performing more than 2,000 concerts across North America while carrying forward a legacy of faith, missions, and ministry. Their new album, Whole Wide World, releases June 12.
Episode Highlights
• The story behind the band's name and the Scripture that inspired it
• How their father's health battle changed their perspective on faith and ministry
• What to do when you're spiritually and emotionally exhausted
• Why God's calling remains even when you feel like quitting
• The importance of Scripture, community, and daily spiritual formation
• Lessons learned from over 2,000 concerts and decades on the road
• The heart behind their upcoming album, Whole Wide World
Pull Quote
"There have been moments where we said, 'We're done.' I'm just grateful that God never said He was done."
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software that helps churches schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Learn more at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
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Watch the full episode on Worship Leader Media's YouTube channel.
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What if worship was never just about music?
In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Alexandra Osteen of Lakewood Music shares an honest conversation about worship, calling, healing, church community, and the faithfulness of God across generations.
As the Worship Director at Lakewood Church and part of the leadership behind Lakewood Music’s newest album House of Worship, Alexandra opens up about growing up in ministry, discovering her own personal faith, and learning to say yes to God’s calling—even when it felt intimidating.
She also shares the powerful story behind the song Made You Well, inspired by scriptures on healing that her grandmother held onto after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis decades ago. What began as declarations of faith eventually became part of her testimony of miraculous healing—and now a song being sung by the Church.
From songwriting and collaboration to the role worship plays in shaping hearts, this conversation is a reminder that God is still faithful, still moving, and still drawing people close through worship.
Guest Bio
Alexandra Osteen is the Worship Director at Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, and a leader with Lakewood Music. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Alexandra has spent years leading worship and writing songs that point people toward the hope and faithfulness of God. She has been featured with Lakewood Music since its debut album Live in the Wonderful and continues to help lead worship for one of the largest and most influential churches in America.
Episode Highlights
When faith becomes personalAlexandra shares the moment she stopped living off her family’s faith and personally said yes to God’s calling.
Why worship is more than music“God inhabits the praises of His people.” Alexandra explains why worship creates space for people to encounter God.
The healing story behind “Made You Well”How her grandmother’s miraculous healing shaped one of the album’s most personal songs.
How Lakewood Music writes songs for the ChurchWhy their focus is creating worship music rooted deeply in Scripture and hope.
The role of community in spiritual growthWhy youth ministry and church community played such a critical role in Alexandra’s faith journey.
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it free today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if praise was never meant to be a warm-up for worship?
In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Alexander Pappas—founding member of Hillsong Young & Free and writer of songs like Alive, Wake, Real Love, and Echo—shares a passionate and deeply personal conversation about worship, grace, repentance, and the transformational power of praise.
After years of leading worship around the world, Alexander opens up about the tension between confidence and humility, conviction and shame, and why praise is more than fast songs and high energy—it’s a spiritual posture that changes us from the inside out.
He also shares the heart behind his new EP Sunday, the stories that shaped songs like It Is So Sweet, and why worship gatherings should equip believers for the other six days of the week.
This conversation will challenge the way you think about worship—and remind you why praise still matters.
Guest Bio
Alexander Pappas is a world-renowned worship leader, songwriter, and founding member of the twice GRAMMY-nominated band Hillsong Young & Free. He is best known for writing songs including Alive, Wake, Real Love, Echo (Elevation Worship), and A Great Awakening. Alexander currently lives in Los Angeles and also serves as a contributor with Lakewood Music. His latest EP, Sunday, explores worship not just as a church experience, but as a lifestyle lived throughout the week.
Episode Highlights
Why praise is more than emotional hypeAlexander explains how praise shifts our hearts into agreement with God’s truth
The difference between conviction and shameHow grace changes the way believers process failure and growth
Why worship should prepare you for Monday—not just SundayThe deeper heart behind his new EP Sunday
The danger of treating praise like a warm-upWhy fast songs still matter in modern worship culture
How songs shape spiritual formation“Music connects our emotions to our intellect.”
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Church hurt is real.But what if we’ve misunderstood where the hurt actually comes from?
In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, Cliff Preston shares one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about pain, ministry, mental health, and why community still matters even after disappointment.
Growing up as the son of a pastor in broken church environments, Cliff experienced firsthand the tension, division, and emotional fallout that ministry can bring. But instead of walking away from the Church, he chose to stay—and help people heal.
From leading worship and touring with The Band Table to launching Christ-centered counseling clinics across the country, Cliff opens up about why people need both truth and compassion, why mental health matters in the Church, and how God can resurrect things you thought were over.
This episode is raw, hopeful, and deeply needed for anyone carrying disappointment, burnout, or questions about faith and community.
Guest Bio
Cliff Preston is a pastor, worship leader, songwriter, and entrepreneur from Smackover, Arkansas. For more than 20 years, he has traveled the country leading worship, writing songs, and speaking about faith and mental health. Cliff has written songs recorded by artists including Newsong, JJ Weeks, and Carrollton, and has shared stages with MercyMe, Jeremy Camp, and Natalie Grant. He is also the founder of Christ-centered counseling clinics inspired by the legacy of his late father, professional counselor and pastor Dr. David Preston. Cliff currently partners with People & Songs and serves with The Band Table.
Episode Highlights
“The church didn’t hurt you—people did”Cliff shares a perspective on church hurt shaped by personal pain and redemption
Why mental health and faith belong togetherHow Cliff’s counseling clinics are helping churches care for hurting people
The songwriting retreat that changed everythingHow a call from Jenny Riddle resurrected a season Cliff thought was over
What real ministry looks like“Anybody can play a guitar and sing a song—ministry happens face to face.”
Why community is essential for pastors and leadersThe role friendship and vulnerability play in lasting ministry
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it free today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What do you do when God keeps stirring something in your heart—but none of it makes logical sense?
In this episode of The Walk: Faith in the Real World, rising Christian pop artist Meeks Carter shares the incredible story behind his journey from pest control and finance… to signing with Red Street Records and stepping into a calling he couldn’t ignore.
But this conversation isn’t really about a record deal.
It’s about obedience.
It’s about trusting God before you have guarantees.Following Him before you see the outcome.And learning how to steward the gifts He’s placed inside you—even when no one else sees them yet.
From building a makeshift studio in his garage after long workdays to moving his family to Nashville with no promises on the table, Meeks opens up about faith, purpose, comparison, creativity, and what it means to simply keep saying “yes” to God.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between responsibility and calling, this episode will remind you that God often reveals the next step before He reveals the whole plan.
Guest Bio
Meeks Carter is a Christian pop artist signed to Red Street Records. Originally from Yakima, Washington, Meeks grew up as a pastor’s kid before attending Highlands College in Birmingham, Alabama. After years working outside of ministry in pest control and finance, Meeks and his family followed God’s leading to Nashville, Tennessee—where he signed with Red Street Records exactly 90 days after relocating. His debut single, “Wonder,” introduces listeners to his fresh pop sound and heart for helping people encounter Jesus through honest, hope-filled music.
Episode Highlights
What happens when God calls you before the plan makes senseMeeks shares the faith journey that led his family to Nashville with no guarantees
Why your calling isn’t your job titleUnderstanding purpose beyond platforms, careers, or recognition
Stewarding the gift before the opportunity comesBuilding songs in a garage studio while working long days in pest control
How comparison kills callingWhy your assignment from God doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s
Why Meeks writes music for the spiritually curiousReaching people who are asking questions about God but don’t know where to start
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center: the all-in-one software to help your church schedule volunteers, plan services, and stay organized. Try it today at https://www.planningcenter.com/?utm_source=wlm&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=thewalk
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.