The Walk: A Devotional Podcast from Worship Leader Magazine

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.

In this episode of The Walk, host Kurtis Parks sits down with Dove Award–winning worship leader and songwriter Meredith Andrews for an honest conversation about rejection, rest, identity, and learning to live at the walking pace of Jesus.
From her home near Nashville, Tennessee, Meredith shares how seasons of burnout and hiddenness revealed deeper wounds shaped by rejection—and how God met her with healing, rest, and a re-anchored identity in Christ. This episode speaks directly to worship leaders, creatives, and anyone feeling the pressure to stay productive while their soul is tired.
Episode Topics
How rejection quietly shapes identity in ministry

Learning to rest without guilt or fear

Why hidden seasons often bring the deepest healing

Living from God instead of constantly living for God

Untangling calling from productivity and platform

Featured Guest
Meredith Andrews is a Dove Award–winning worship leader, songwriter, author, and speaker based in the Nashville, Tennessee area. She is known for songs sung by churches across the U.S., including Open Up the Heavens, Spirit of the Living God, Not For a Moment, Lamb of God, and Faith and Wonder. Meredith previously served with Vertical Worship and Long Hollow Church and regularly leads worship at women’s and worship leader gatherings nationwide.
She released her first mini-book, Healing the Wound of Rejection, in September 2025. Her upcoming live album, Live From Liberty University (with Liberty Worship Collective), releases April 3, 2026, with the single Prevail releasing February 6, 2026.
Quote from the Episode
“What I thought was rejection, God showed me was actually His protection.”
Links & Resources
Meredith Andrews Website:https://meredithandrews.com
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/meremusic
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MeredithAndrews
Book – Healing the Wound of Rejection:(Available wherever books are sold)
Upcoming Album – Live From Liberty University (Liberty Worship Collective):Releases April 3, 2026
Single – Prevail (with Liberty Worship Collective):Releases February 6, 2026
Sponsor
This episode is brought to you by Planning Center, the all-in-one software to help your church plan services, schedule volunteers, and stay organized.
Try it free:https://planningcenter.com/?utm_source=thewalk&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode156
Listen & Subscribe
Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com
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Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts
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What does it look like to come full circle after 30 years in ministry and music? In this raw and inspiring episode of The Walk, Grammy-winning artist Mac Powell shares what it's like reuniting with Third Day for a 30th Anniversary Tour, the sacred weight of worship, and the surprising joy of rest after decades on the road. From the depth of stage memories to the fire that fuels his calling, Mac invites listeners into a legacy of faith, friendship, and spiritual renewal.
Guest Bio Mac Powell is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and worship leader best known as the frontman of the iconic band Third Day. Founded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1991, Third Day became one of the most influential live acts in Contemporary Christian Music, selling over 10 million albums, earning 31 No. 1 hits, and performing on major national platforms like The Tonight Show, 60 Minutes, and the cover of Billboard. In recent years, Mac has led worship at his home church and toured as a solo artist while preparing for Third Day’s highly anticipated 30th Anniversary Tour. With a passion for connecting deeply through music, Mac continues to inspire audiences across generations.
Episode Highlights
Why Mac stepped back from church worship leading and what he learned in the stillness

How the band prepared for the 30th Anniversary Tour after a 7-year hiatus

Which Third Day songs made the cut—and the surprising reason why

The spiritual depth of the Come Together and Worship Tour with Michael W. Smith and Max Lucado

What fuels Mac's joy and calling after decades in music ministry

Featured Quote "It would be hard to continue if it weren't fun. But every night feels different because we know God has specific people there for a reason."
Thanks to our sponsor!
This episode of The Walk is made possible by Planning Center—the all-in-one platform to help you organize, coordinate, and communicate with your church teams. Click here to learn more.

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