Guest Voices Archives - Sattler College

Unlikely Friendships: The Story of Turtle Heart – Episode 020

Sattler College — Fri, 30 May 2025 23:33:54 +0000

Don’t miss a future episode. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! In President Johnson’s final podcast episode as president, he interviewed former Sattler student Lucinda Kinsinger. Luci shares how her love for writing—nurtured by a quiet childhood and a bold leap into blogging—led to the publication of two memoirs and two children’s books. She reflects on her time at Sattler College and the unexpected friendships that shaped her most, especially her relationship with an Ojibwe woman whose story inspired Turtle Heart. Now a stay-at-home mom, Luci speaks candidly about the challenges and joys of balancing motherhood with creativity, offering a moving testament to pursuing one’s calling, embracing each season, and forming deep connections across cultural lines. Learn more about studying at Sattler College. Mentioned in this episode: Chapters: 0:00 Introduction to Luci Kinsinger 2:13 Luci’s Writing Journey and Passion 5:38 Balancing Writing with Motherhood 9:54 Embracing Singleness Before Marriage 11:28 Impactful Friendships Across Cultures 21:27 Luci’s Books and Creative Works 23:21 Developing Unlikely Friendships Transcript This transcript has been auto generated and likely contains errors. Zack Johnson: 0:02 It is May 8th. It’s still May 8th, 2025. And I’m here with Luci Kinsinger, who actually was one of Sattler’s inaugural students. Can you remember, Can you believe it’s been like how long has it been, Luci? Luci Kinsinger: 0:20 Well, we’ve. You know, we had our 50 year anniversary, so it must have been like six years. Zack Johnson: 0:27 That’s right, that sounds about right, but I think Luci came to August in 2018, the fall of 2018, and spent two semesters here. And then, luci, where are you right now? Luci Kinsinger: 0:39 I’m in Oakland, Maryland. It’s like the little triangle on the very end of Maryland’s tale. Zack Johnson: 0:46 Well, first of all I’d love to hear about maybe rewinding a little bit when were you at when you decided to spend that year at Sattler and then how did things unfold in your life? And maybe just try to catch me up so I know sort of a timeline. And maybe just try to catch me up so I know sort of a timeline, and usually I love to ask people their general stories so that people know who you are before you came to Sattler and those kinds of things. Luci Kinsinger: 1:16 But I’d love to love to be filled in. So before I came to Sattler I was really just kind of hungry for some higher education. I always loved school and when I saw Sattler it kind of just hit something in me like this sounds really cool Going to this, going to Boston, interacting with professors that had been educated in places like Harvard and that had been educated in places like Harvard and the, especially the, the kind of niche worldview, not necessarily Anabaptist but yet having that early. Christian perspective. Zack Johnson: 1:59 Right, I was like I really, really liked it and and before. I think you’re still. Your claim to fame here, at least in my mind, is you’re the only student that’s maybe written a book before showing up as a student. And and I’d love to just talk a little bit about where did your, you know, where did you develop a habit or a passion to write and then we can follow up with at this stage in your life, how do you fit writing in with all the other things that you’re passionate about, and I’m sure your life has changed since you were here in Boston with that. Luci Kinsinger: 2:40 Yeah, it’s changed a lot. I’ve always loved. When I was a little girl, I loved reading. I would just, I spent my whole childhood just reading, reading, reading, and you know, I guess it’s kind of a natural. I was a shy person and so I would. I would vent by writing and I learned to love writing on that way. And then I started, I started a blog and it was very scary, publishing my first blog post and having people, actual people, read what you wrote. You know that was so terrifying. But then it was also really thrilling when you got good feedback. You know, people read this and they’re like I really like it, and so it was kind of intoxicating, I guess, and just, it was a way that I could. I still feel that way that I can express myself. Maybe parts of myself that I would not probably verbalize, I can express through writing, and so I just it’s just part of me, um, a creative part and an expressive part, that that is my art, I guess all right. Zack Johnson: 3:41 So since, since, uh, marrying and children, how do you fit writing and how do you keep that alive as a passion at this stage? And being a? I think you’re, I think I saw that you wrote yours you can say you’re a stay at home mom. I always, I always joke with my wife about better titles or alternative titles, but it’s a very important, one of the most important roles, so how do you fit it in now? Luci Kinsinger: 4:08 So I fit it in where and when I can. Sometimes it’s when I can’t sleep at night, sometimes it’s in the early morning, sometimes it’s over nap time, sometimes it’s with a child on my lap, just here and there. And it’s really hard now to find that quality time, that time where you can just focus and zone out. And I think the very best time that I actually get that is when Ivan has the children, for you know, maybe he’s working outside or something and they’re with daddy and then I. That’s the then. I love it. I come out of those times so happy because I actually got some some writing time, some real writing time, where you’re in a different world of your own. Zack Johnson: 4:49 I’ll make […]

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Faith, Media, and Mission: Balancing the Call – Episode 019

Sattler College — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 22:22:36 +0000

Don’t miss a future episode. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! In this episode, Daniel Willis shares his inspiring journey from a tumultuous past to a faith-driven life as a videographer and editor spreading the gospel. Join us as we delve into transformative journeys of faith, exploring the intersections of personal testimony, early Christian teachings, and the pursuit of authentic discipleship. Through an engaging conversation, we uncover the challenges and triumphs of living out the Sermon on the Mount in today’s world, offering insights and inspiration for those seeking to deepen their walk with Christ. Learn more about studying at Sattler College. Mentioned in this episode: Chapters: 0:00 – Discovering Faith and Mission Work8:33 – Seeking Truth Amid Denominational Differences17:12 – Exploring Early Christian Beliefs26:36 – Navigating Truth in Denominational Differences41:25 – Navigating Responsible Media Consumption53:24 – Reflective Questions on Faith and Service Transcript This transcript has been auto generated and likely contains errors. Zack Johnson: 0:00All right, it’s December 9th 2024. This is take three actually. Daniel Willis: 0:10Oh, don’t say that. Zack Johnson: 0:12No, I made a joke that we filmed earlier, or we recorded an hour long and then it didn’t get recorded. So we’re going to re-record. Yes, I’m here with Daniel Willis. Daniel, welcome to Boston. Hey, thanks, it’s weird to say that twice, so I’m. I’ll just start off by asking what is your current work and where can we, where can we find some of the work that you do? Daniel Willis: 0:36just to frame sort of who you are and what you’re doing currently yeah, I am a videographer and video editor and I edit for different YouTube channels, Including Sadler’s. Including Sadler that’s important, I’m just kidding. I used to do it for the followers the way they wanted it in-house, just because there’s people that wanted to do it. But for Strength to Strength Sound Faith, Sound Faith, Music, Hope for Wonder in Amish, All Nations, Bible Translators and a bunch of other YouTube channels on and off, like Kingdom Fellowship Weekends once a year. There’s certain things that are just a few times a year, but it was my passion because it helped. Things like that. Videos that I’ve seen online brought me to a more obedient faith Following Christ, following the Sermon on the Mount and having a brotherhood and not being a Lone Ranger. It was something that’s become very passionate to me and so, thankfully, God gave me the ability to make it a job where I can feed my family by editing for these different faithful churches. Zack Johnson: 1:37Yeah. So I’m really excited to have you here, because here we always record some things and they get sent off from the internet and I know that you’re doing a lot of it on the other end. But I’d love to launch with the typical what’s your condensed story? I know you could probably talk for a long time about your story. Some bits of your testimony, some of your passions will probably come out through that. Can you condense that? Daniel Willis: 2:02into a? Yeah, growing up I wasn’t in a normal christian family. My dad was an alcoholic, my brothers were into drugs and selling drugs. I got a felony when I was 13, started fight clubs, sent people to hospital, destroyed all kinds of properties did, did all kinds of bad things, including meant literally planning to kill someone, and didn’t do it, thankfully. And Christ got a hold of me through my football coach, invited me to go to a Starlight Crusade, a Baptist preaching event where they have all this entertainment for children and these bands. And then there’s this hellfire and brimstone sermon and I had just got a felony and knew that something was wrong and the pastor, it felt like, was describing me and all the sins and these things that I could be free from. And I honestly do believe that after that baptism, god was working with me and guiding me. Daniel Willis: 3:02I wasn’t perfect. I couldn’t read. I didn’t go to church afterwards. I didn’t have a Bible. I wasn’t capable of reading. I didn’t read very well at all, I should say my reading comprehension was very low. Daniel Willis: 3:14I was a bully. Then, after I became a Christian, I knew that I was supposed to abstain from sexual relations and not do drugs and I realized my bullying was not christ-like, and so I started bullying the bullies. And what, what did you call it last? Oh, vigilante, vigilante, yeah, what I did. And when it wasn’t good it seemed good. Daniel Willis: 3:38Until when I turned 16 and started going to church I realized a lot of the things that I thought were godly weren’t godly, and my life changed a lot at that point. But they realized I had struggled reading and they gave me an NLT and I told them I was struggling reading that. Then one of my elders gave me the Bible on CD or somehow I got a hold of it I’m pretty sure that’s how it was and then I just listened to it and listened to it and read and listened to it and it just became like my passion. It was like everything I want to do is consume the bible. Daniel Willis: 4:11I carried it around, uh, high school and I think everybody thought I was extremely weird because I went from this you know, jock, beating up people, to always talking about jesus and giving people hugs and telling them that we actually have to live for Christ. Then went to Johnson University, met my wife, was called into missions work and I had a triple major missions, bible and TESOL or ESL major. And then me and my wife. We got that because we were planning to go to China and I needed to know about missions and […]

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Exploring the Holiness Movement – Episode 018

Sattler College — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 21:45:43 +0000

Don’t miss a future episode. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! Wallace Thornton Jr., a minister and independent scholar with deep expertise in the Holiness movement, shares his journey through over 30 years of ministry, which includes teaching church history across three colleges, pastoring, and writing extensively on the Holiness movement. Known for his works like Radical Righteousness and When the Fire Fell, he offers unique insights into the origins and spread of this movement, tracing its influence across denominations and even continents. Wallace explains key themes of the Holiness tradition, including the concept of a second work of grace, entire sanctification, and how it has impacted church communities globally. Mr. Thornton also discusses the movement’s evolution, exploring “radical Holiness” and how the movement’s flexibility allowed it to reach places like Russia, Japan, and Papua New Guinea. This conversation is a journey through history, touching on the theological roots of the Holiness movement, its global expansion, and its impact on Christian thought. Tune in to discover a fresh perspective on faith and the power of historical influence in shaping beliefs and practices. Learn more about studying Biblical and Religious Studies at Sattler. Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction and Background1:03 – What is the Holiness Movement? 3:39 – Origins and Key Figures in the Movement 7:40 – Influence of Phoebe Palmer and the 19th Century Holiness Revival 12:30 – Key Distinctions of Holiness Beliefs 19:10 – Practical Takeaways from Holiness History 26:30 – Stewardship and Accountability in Christian Life 33:00 – Reflections on Spiritual Mentorship and Community Transcript This transcript has been auto generated and likely contains errors. Zack Johnson: 0:04 it is october 15th, 2024 and I’m here with wallace thornton jr. Is that right? All right, I just met your son named will and it’s named after you, but you run by wallace yes well, I’m gonna. Zack Johnson: 0:19 I’m gonna start by just reading a bio about you and then we’ll jump right in and you feel free to correct me, or I. Zack Johnson: 0:26 I think this was written by your, by you, so it’s it’ll be hard to go wrong. So wallace thornton jr is a minister, an independent scholar, who holds degrees from the university of kentucky, god’s bible school and college and cincinnati bible seminary. His ministry of over 30 years has included teaching church history at three colleges, speaking at numerous conferences and preaching in over a dozen denominations, including a 10-year pastorate and, when the Fire Fell, articles in the Wesleyan Theological Journal and World Christianity and the Fourfold Gospel and contributions to counterpoint dialogue with jury on the holiness movement. He’s also served as associate editor of the third edition of the Historical Dictionary of the Holiness Movement. So I feel like the word that’s repeated most in your bio is holiness movement. So I can’t wait to get into that with you and I just want to say so. I made connections with you through David Eicher, who basically heard when you were coming to Boston and said you have to get him in here. You’ve had a profound impact on his life, so thank you so much for joining me. Wallace Thornton, Jr.: 1:39 Well, it’s a privilege to be here and it was a privilege to have David Eichler as a student several years ago More years than I’d like to think about but he was a wonderful representation of the Anabaptist tradition in a Holiness Movement setting and we developed a great friendship. Zack Johnson: 2:00 Glad to be here and we developed a great friendship. Wallace Thornton, Jr.: 2:02 Glad to be here. Zack Johnson: 2:03 Well, yeah, so I thought I would just ask you is there anything that you think I should know about you that didn’t come out in your bio? I know? Wallace Thornton, Jr.: 2:19 we’ve been chatting or that might be relevant to anybody who just heard your bio and might be listening to what you’re about to say. Well, it might seem from the bio that I’m singularly focused on studying the Holoness movement and I’m very dedicated to that. But I do have wide interest and actually, as I mentioned before the podcast, I began college as a chemistry major at Berea College in Kentucky which, interestingly enough, I discovered after I was a student there discovered after I was a student there had roots connected with the Holiness Movement through Charles Finney in Oberlin, and John G Fee, who started Berea, was actually a student at Oberlin and actually wrote a book on Christian perfection. So it has amazed me how far the Holiness Movement has had connections, especially through movements like abolition and temperance. Zack Johnson: 3:14 Well, why don’t we just start with what the Holiness Movement is as a very basic way to start, and then we can talk about what you’ve written and what you’re passionate about? Wallace Thornton, Jr.: 3:30 What is the Holiness Movement to somebody who’s never heard about it? All right, well, it’s interesting that you were asked, because roughly 200 years ago uh, several scholars would say is when the holiness movement began with the publication of a little book called the Christian Manual by Timothy Merritt. Now, timothy Merritt was a Methodist minister. I don’t think he realized at the time how revolutionary the little booklet that he was putting together would be, like many works of God, like Luther with his 95 Theses, not realizing how that would totally revolutionize Christianity in Europe. Wallace Thornton, Jr.: 4:12 What Merritt did was he took excerpts from John Wesley, from John Fletcher and from some other early Methodists, like Joseph Sutcliffe, and put them together in a little guide to help people achieve Christian perfection, viewed basically as synonymous with entire sanctification, a second work of grace. And that really, I guess, if you have to get at the heart of what the Holiness Movement represents, it is a desire for perfect love, christian perfection, entire sanctification, a second work of grace, distinct from […]

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Navigating the World of Christian Denominations – Episode 017

Sattler College — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 13:00:24 +0000

Don’t miss a future episode. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts! In this episode, Joshua Lindsey, creator of the YouTube channel Ready to Harvest, shares his journey from Bible college to becoming a prominent voice in the study of Christian denominations. Joshua explains how he maintains a neutral point of view when covering various denominations and dives into the research process behind his in-depth videos. He also discusses the ethics of creating Christian content on YouTube, the challenges of balancing faith and fact, and offers advice for navigating the diverse world of Christian denominations. Learn more about studying Biblical and Religious Studies at Sattler. Mentioned: Mentioned in this episode: Chapters: 0:00 – Introduction and Welcome 0:19 – Joshua’s Background and Educational Journey 3:40 – Creating Neutral Content on Christian Denominations 10:05 – Researching Christian Denominations for YouTube 18:30 – Ethics of Creating Christian Content on YouTube 25:20 – Popular Videos and Viewer Feedback 33:00 – Navigating Denominations and Church Splits 40:15 – Advice for Christians in Divided Denominations 47:30 – Closing Thoughts and Origami Fun Fact Transcript This transcript has been auto generated and likely contains errors. Zack Johnson (Host) 00:03All right, it is October 9th, and I’m here with Joshua Lindsey from North Dakota or Minnesota. Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 00:10Yeah, both. I mean, I go to work in North Dakota but live in Minnesota, so I’m a bit of both. Zack Johnson (Host) 00:15Great. Well, Joshua, I love to usually just read a bio, but I couldn’t find a succinct bio for you online. So I’m just going to let you give us a five-minute introduction about who you are, where you come from, and some of your passions, just so people know who you are. Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 00:30I should probably do a better job at that at some point. One reason you might not have found that is because my channel, Ready to Harvest, which I’ll talk about, is from a neutral point of view. I try not to talk too much about myself, as I’m just the person providing the information. But to give a little more about who I am, I was born in Washington State, and I’ve been around quite a bit, mostly in the Midwest since then. 01:00In 2011, I came to Fargo, North Dakota, to go to Bible college. After graduating in 2015, I joined the staff at Master’s Baptist College in Fargo, where I teach classes, manage a Christian radio station (88.7 FM), and do IT work for the church and college. One of my tasks was to teach a one-week class on Christian denominations, and that led me to start making videos. I put those videos online, and that really set things off. Today, one of the primary things I do is make YouTube videos about Christian denominations. Most people know me through YouTube rather than my work at church. Zack Johnson (Host) 02:02Okay, and you mentioned Ready to Harvest. Can you tell me more about that? I know there’s a website and a YouTube channel. What is Ready to Harvest? Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 02:13Ready to Harvest is primarily a YouTube channel. I did create a website where people can support the channel, watch videos without ads, and access transcripts of my videos. I make transcripts with footnotes, and those are all available on the website. However, most people encounter me through YouTube, where I make videos on Christian denominations. 02:36Some videos focus on a single denomination, which is something I enjoy, such as studying the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod or the Anglican Church in North America. I approach everything from a neutral point of view, aiming to provide a fair and accurate representation. For example, I had a pastor from one denomination tell me he was going to use my video to introduce new staff members to what their denomination is all about. 03:32On alternating weeks, I might compare denominations or cover real-time issues, like the United Methodist Church split, which I’ve followed closely. There’s so much to talk about, and at the level of granularity I go into, I don’t think anyone else is doing quite the same thing. My audience includes ministers, but surprisingly, many viewers are just interested in denominations, maybe because they’ve attended a few different churches in their lives. Zack Johnson (Host) 05:19How do you research for your videos? Is it primarily internet-based? Do you conduct live interviews? Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 05:26It’s mostly internet-based, and I try to use primary sources whenever possible. I avoid things like the Handbook of Christian Denominations, because denominations can change quickly, and those sources can get outdated. My first stop is to look at a denomination’s statement of faith or confessions. If I can’t find information on a certain issue, like tithing or divorce, I dig deeper, sometimes even purchasing e-books or subscribing to apps. 07:06I’ve read through decades of denominational magazines, resolutions, and even done targeted Google searches on local congregations to get answers. It can be complex, but it’s also fun—a bit like detective work. Zack Johnson (Host) 07:34Do you handle all the editing yourself? Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 07:40Yes, it’s a one-man operation. I handle everything, from research to scriptwriting, graphics, recording, and editing. I often make several scripts before going back to work on the graphics and final production. It takes a lot of time, but I go through my videos multiple times before they’re ready to be published. 09:19And I always recommend anyone making content online to watch their video all the way through before publishing. There are always little issues that come up. Zack Johnson (Host) 10:23What are some of your most popular videos? Joshua Lindsey (Guest) 10:30My most popular video right now is called Eastern Christianity vs. Western Christianity. I thought it would be an interesting topic, and it covers Catholic vs. Orthodox, as well as Protestantism. 11:15I also have a popular video on the United Methodist split and a comparison of Lutherans, Baptists, and Methodists. A surprise hit was Episcopal vs. Anglican, which took off, even though the two groups […]

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