Storm The Gates

Storm The Gates is the official podcast of the Mid-Texas Conference of the Global Methodist Church. Join us as we provide timely updates on events within the conference and shine a spotlight on the impactful work of God throughout the Global Methodist Church. Stay tuned for insightful discussions, inspiring stories, and deeper dives exploring why following Jesus changes everything. Subscribe now to stay connected and become part of this community that is growing in the heart of Texas to make disciples of Jesus who spread scriptural holiness to all people.

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Latest episodes

21 April 2025

Atacar El Porton with Rev. Ray Zirkel

One of the many God-ordained partnerships of the MidTexas Conference of the GMC is with the Evangelical Methodist Church of Costa Rica. One of the main instruments God used to establish this partnership and continues to use to sustain it is Ray Zirkel. Rev. Ray Zirkel has given over three decades of his life to being a pastor and missionary in Costa Rica. You will hear his testimony and discover ways you can get involved is assisting churches in Costa Rica share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ray, and his wife Lidia, also provide leadership for a school, seminary, and children's home in Costa Rica. Please consider how God may be leading you to serve this partnership. Below are links for more information on mission trips and the specific work of the Zirkel family. We've also included the email address for Lindy Thomas who can help answer any questions related to the MidTexas-Costa Rican partnership.

http://www.zirkelministrycostarica.com

https://midtexasgmc.org/costa-rica-partnership

lindythomas@midtexasgmc.org

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14 April 2025

Eat The Scroll with Dr. Todd Still and Dr. Rusty Freeman

Green and gold are flung afar on this episode of STG. The motto of Baylor University is Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana, Pro Mundo (For Church, For Texas, For the World). Dr. Still and Dr. Freeman highlight how Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University is preparing present and future generations for ministry. Dr. Todd Still has been the Dean of Truett Theological Seminary for 10 years now. Dr. Rusty Freeman is the Director of the Wesley House of Studies at Truett in a addition to serving as the Executive Director for Revive (revivetexas.org). Truett is located at the heart of MidTexas in Waco, TX, with extension sites in Houston and San Antonio. Anyone discerning a call to ministry will be given strong reasons why they should consider attending Truett Theological Seminary. www.baylor.edu/truett

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07 April 2025

Church Under A Mango Tree with Ryan Barnett, Matt Pennington, and Tynna Dixon

Don't miss the story about what happens underneath a mango tree. Friends of the podcast will recall Rev. Ryan Barnett. He's the Conference Operations Officer of the MidTexas Conference of the GMC. He is joined by friends Matt Pennington and Tynna Dixon, both of which are pastors in the MidTexas Conference of the GMC. Rev. Dr. Matt Pennington pastors the good people of First Methodist Church in Gonzales, TX, whereas Rev. Tynna Dixon pastors the good people of First Methodist Church in Waco, TX. This team recently went to Rwanda to minister, be ministered to, and support the newly established ministry partnership between both the MidTexas and Rwandan Conferences of the GMC. Stay tuned for for more information about the upcoming trip in the summer of 2025 to Rwanda!

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31 March 2025

All Dogs Go To Heaven with Katherine Reilly

It's a beautiful messy episode of STG today. Thank you for being patient with us. It's a little more raw than normal as Shea discusses saying goobye to one of the members of their family with four legs, Vera May. Katherine Reilly is the special guest. She is an MDiv student at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, in addition to pursuing ordination as a candidate for ministry in the Global Methodist Church. Katherine served on the MidTexas delegation team for the Convening Conference of the Global Methodist Church in Costa Rica back in September, 2024. She is a beacon of hope for the church going forward. Please glean all you can from her testimony. You can follow Katherine along with Bishop Carolyn Moore on The Art Of Holiness podcast. She is a recurring cohost there as well. She is anointed of the Lord and confident in her calling to lead the church and reach new generations for Jesus.

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24 March 2025

Protestantism Is A Strange Bird with Rev. Dr. Daniel Topalski

Back in Bulgaria, brother Daniel Topalski joins STG for a conversation about his life in ministry, including his roles in the GMC. The MidTexas and Bulgarian Conferences are partners in ministry along with Costa Rica and, now, Rwanda. Over the course of the next few weeks, we will feature key leaders and stories from our global partners in ministry. Rev. Dr. Topalski leads the Bulgarian Conference in the GMC and serves on the Connectional Council. STG is excited to have Jason Nix back hosting the podcast. He's got new dad written all over him. Lean in to be challenged by what Dr. Topalski is asking the church to do.

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17 March 2025

God Sized Goals with Rev. Bequi Flores

Pray first. Do the ministry. Develop God-sized goals with your leadership team. These simple words of instruction from Rev. Bequi Flores will help us all take faithful steps of obedience in reaching the diversity of people in our respective mission fields. Rev. Flores is the Lead Pastor of Karnes City Methodist Church in addition to being the Presiding Elder for Hispanic Churches in the MidTexas Conference of the Global Methodist Church. If you're interested in planting a Hispanic Church or you're already a member of one and would like to connect with the GMC, please reach out to Bequi here: bequiflores@midtexasgmc.org

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