Saying Yes

When people listen to the first episode of The Disruptive Disciple, they'll hear Brandon say something that made me smile because it’s completely true:

He never wanted a podcast.

This story didn’t begin with a podcast at all.

Years ago, Brandon started writing because he wanted to create a place where people could come as they are and discover Jesus. Before it was Pastor Brandon, the ministry lived under a safer, more anonymous name, because he never wanted it to be about him — and still doesn’t. It wasn’t about building a platform. It wasn’t about growing an audience. It was about creating a community where people could ask honest questions, wrestle with their faith, and know they were welcome.

As the ministry grew, I watched him lean into his background in marketing — not to promote himself, but to help more people find the message. At first, many of his posts were things he found online that reflected his beliefs. But little by little, he started writing more of his own posts. He added his perspective, his humor, and the gift I’d been fortunate enough to experience for years — his ability to explain complicated ideas in a way that simply makes sense. I remember thinking, “Now other people are finally getting to know the Brandon I’ve always known.”

Then something shifted.

I remember the nights he’d say, “I had to address what this person said on the news, because that’s not the heart of Jesus.” The topics became more controversial. There were times he knew exactly what the pushback would be before he ever hit “Publish.” Almost every evening, we’d head out for our three-mile walk around the neighborhood. That’s where I’d hear what was really on his heart. Sometimes it was excitement. Sometimes it was discouragement. Sometimes it was a post he wasn’t sure he should publish.

My response was usually, “No. I think you need to do this.”

Not because I wanted him to become more well-known, but because I’ve had a front-row seat to the man behind the ministry for many years. I’ve watched him listen to people with compassion. I've watched him explain difficult truths in ways that invite people into the conversation rather than push them away. I often describe him as a hammer with a velvet tip — honest without losing kindness.

One thing people may not realize is that Brandon genuinely welcomes respectful conversations. He doesn’t expect everyone to agree with him. He isn’t trying to win arguments. He wants people to ask questions, think deeply, and engage with one another in ways that reflect the heart of Jesus.

Somewhere along those three-mile walks, I realized God wasn’t just growing Brandon through all of this. He was growing me, too.

Watching him say yes — even when he didn’t want to — has inspired me more than he probably realizes.

It’s reminded me that God still calls ordinary people to uncomfortable things. Watching Brandon wrestle with those decisions made me realize how easy it is to admire obedience from a distance. It’s different when you live with it. Sometimes obedience looks exciting. Sometimes it looks like someone staring at a Facebook post for hours before finally hitting “Publish.” And sometimes it looks like deciding not to publish it at all.

For me, it’s been a reminder to ask a different question: Where is God asking me to trust Him, even when I can’t see where the path leads?

And honestly, our first handful of episodes — please don’t expect perfection. Don't even expect us to be good at this.

We are not professional podcasters. We are ordinary people learning as we go. Some of it may feel clunky at first. But I hope you hear the quiet thread running through it all: the simple, daily decision to keep saying yes to God, one step at a time.

That seems to be the story of so many people in Scripture. God doesn’t usually call people because they feel ready. He calls them, and then teaches them to trust Him along the way.

I'm grateful you've joined us on this journey. I have a feeling it’s going to be one of learning, laughter, honest conversations, and, above all, following Jesus together.