Creating The Future with Brent Simpson

Answering Your Mentorship Questions | A Conversation w/ Pastor Joshua Jordan

In this episode, Dr. Brent sits down with Pastor Joshua Jordan — someone he has personally mentored for several years and who now serves on staff at Arise Church. What started as a simple Q&A on social media turned into a flood of mentorship-related questions, so today we tackle them head-on.
This is a practical, honest conversation about mentoring, calling, spiritual growth, and what it takes to develop into the leader God has created you to be.
 
What We Cover in This Episode
How to Choose the Right Mentor
What to look for, what to avoid, and how to recognize someone who can genuinely help form your character and calling.
Mentor vs. Spiritual Father
We tackle the difference between receiving wisdom from a mentor and receiving identity, covering, and formation from a spiritual father/mother — and why both can matter.
How to Approach a Mentor
Practical steps for starting the conversation, honoring the relationship, and positioning yourself to grow.
Discerning God’s Voice vs. Personal Ambition
How to tell when a desire is from God, when it’s flesh, and how mentors help you untangle the difference.
Growing Into a Calling that Feels “Too Big”
What to do when God speaks identity over you that doesn’t match how you currently see yourself — and how mentors guide you into confidence, maturity, and Christlike character.
Developing in the Five-Fold When You Lack a Mentor or Covering
Can you grow without a person directly discipling you? Yes. Is there a healthier way? Absolutely. We talk through both.
Can a Mentor Help You Grow in Spiritual Gifts (Like Prophecy)?
How to develop gifts responsibly, biblically, and in community — and what healthy vs. unhealthy guidance looks like.
 
Why This Conversation Matters
We’re living in a generation hungry for guidance, identity, clarity, and discipleship.Mentorship isn’t a luxury — it’s a biblical model of spiritual formation.
This conversation gives you tools to:
Find a mentor
Become a mentor
Discern God’s calling
Grow in your spiritual gifts
Develop into the leader God intended
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or you’re already guiding others, this episode will help you grow with wisdom, humility, and confidence.
 
Connect with Pastor Joshua Jordan
@joshuajjordan
 
Connect with Dr. Brent
💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com🎙️ Listen to the Podcast Anywhere:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

5 Steps to Forgiveness Every Christian Needs to Know with Pastor Ada Simpson

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Dr. Brent is joined by his wife, Pastor Ada Simpson — who leads all prayer and inner healing ministries at Arise Church. Together, they unpack how forgiveness brings freedom, restores peace, and breaks the spiritual cycles that keep people stuck.
Ada shares from years of praying with people, leading freedom sessions, and seeing firsthand how the Holy Spirit heals hearts that choose the hard but holy path of forgiveness. This episode is practical, honest, biblical, and full of hope.
 
We walk through five essential steps to living in forgiveness:
 
Remember How Much You’ve Been Forgiven
Forgiveness starts at the foot of the cross. If Jesus has forgiven us of so much, how can we withhold forgiveness from others? Remembering God’s mercy softens the hardest places of our hearts. (Matthew 18:32–35; Ephesians 4:32)
Choose to Release the Offense to God
Forgiveness is first a choice, not a feeling. We “let go” of the debt and entrust justice to God. Freedom begins when you stop holding the person hostage in your heart. (Colossians 3:13; Romans 12:19)
Pray for the Person Who Wronged You
Jesus told us to pray for our enemies. Prayer may not instantly change emotions, but it opens the door for God to change your heart posture and bring healing. (Matthew 5:44)
Bless Instead of Repay
Blessing someone doesn’t excuse their sin — it simply prevents you from becoming like them. Responding with goodness breaks the cycle of darkness and aligns you with the Kingdom. (Romans 12:20–21; 1 Peter 3:9)
Walk Out Forgiveness Daily
Forgiveness is often a journey. When old memories resurface, release them again. Jesus’ “seventy times seven” teaches us that forgiveness is a lifestyle of refusing bitterness and allowing the Holy Spirit to restore peace. (Matthew 18:21–22)
 
If you’ve been struggling with anger, offense, or hurt — this episode will help you breathe again. Freedom is possible, and forgiveness is the doorway.
 
Connect with Dr. Brent
💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com🎙️ Listen to the Podcast Anywhere:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

Christian Persecution in Nigeria Explained with Dr. Henry Oloruntobo

In this gripping and eye-opening episode, Dr. Brent is joined by Nigerian pastor and leader Dr. Henry Oloruntobo to talk about the growing wave of persecution facing Christians across Nigeria. Few places on earth are more dangerous for believers — and few stories are more important for the global church to hear.
Dr. Henry shares firsthand experiences, the spiritual climate on the ground, and the incredible resilience of believers who continue to gather, worship, and preach the gospel despite extreme violence and daily threats.
 
Why Nigeria Matters
Nigeria is currently considered the most lethal place in the world to be a Christian.According to the latest persecution data:
More Christians are killed in Nigeria than in all other countries combined.
The global estimate is around 12 Christians killed every day, with a staggering percentage occurring in Nigeria.
More than 380 million Christians worldwide face persecution or discrimination — and Nigeria is at the center of the crisis.
Attacks on churches, pastors, villages, and Christian homes number in the thousands each year.
The violence is fueled by extremist groups, political instability, tribal conflict, and targeted religious hatred.
This episode confronts the heartbreaking reality — and the incredible hope — of Nigeria’s suffering but steadfast church.
 
What We Discuss in This Episode
The current conditions for believers in Nigeria
What life looks like for pastors, families, and churches in areas targeted by extremists.
Why persecution is intensifying
How radical groups, political dynamics, and spiritual forces are contributing to escalating violence.
Stories of courage, survival, and faith
Dr. Henry shares powerful real-life moments where God’s presence met believers in their darkest hours.
How the global church should respond
We talk about prayer, advocacy, support, and standing with our brothers and sisters as Hebrews 13:3 commands:
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison.” (NIV)
A biblical lens on persecution
Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 12:26 (“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it”) remind us that their suffering is our suffering — because the church is one body.
 
A Call to Pray and Stand With the Persecuted Church
This episode ends with a challenge:The believers of Nigeria are not statistics — they are family.
As the church in Acts showed us, the global body of Christ is called to respond with:
Prayer
Support
Solidarity
Courage
Love
Their faith under fire should awaken ours.
You can connect with Dr. Henry at The Redeemed Christian Church of God – Good Seed Assembly.
Giving to help the persecuted church can be done through Arise Church’s “Legacy” fund.
Connect with Dr. Brent
💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com🎙️ Listen to the Podcast Anywhere:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

4 Steps to Not Being Triggered This Holiday Season with Dr. Kimberly Boone

Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson — where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.
 
4 Steps to Not Being Triggered This Thanksgiving & Holiday Seasonwith Dr. Kimberly F. Boone
This conversation is a life-giving, wise, and hope-filled guide to navigating the holidays with peace. Dr. Kimberly Boone joins Dr. Brent to help you prepare your heart, manage emotional triggers, and enter the holidays from a place of freedom instead of frustration.
Dr. Kimberly Boone is a Doctor of Christian Counseling in Clinical Psychology, a Certified Life Coach, and a woman known for her contagious joy, her prophetic encouragement, and her passion to see God’s people walk in freedom. She helps people break the lies that keep them bound and step confidently into their Christ-given identity.
 
In this episode, we talk about four powerful steps that can transform your Thanksgiving and your entire holiday season:
Know Yourself and Accept Your Needs
Understanding your emotional boundaries, capacity, and limits brings peace. Kimberly explains why self-awareness is a spiritual discipline — and how honoring your needs is not selfish, but wise.
Acknowledge Any Trauma
Holidays can surface old wounds. Kimberly walks us through the importance of naming pain, validating your story, and letting God heal what has previously been ignored or minimized.
Recognize the Triggers
Before the turkey hits the table, identify the patterns, people, environments, or conversations that tend to activate you — and learn how to disarm them with wisdom and grace.
Be Kind to Your Heart
This season, tenderness is not weakness. Kimberly shares how to partner with the Holy Spirit to walk in compassion toward yourself, slow down your internal reactions, and remain grounded in God’s love.
 
If you want to walk into Thanksgiving whole, grounded, and ready to respond instead of react — this episode is for you.
Connect with Dr. Kimberly Boone
🌐 Website: MyLifeRestoredCounseling.com and myarisecoach.com📱 Social Media: @MyLifeRestoredCounseling📚 Books by Dr. Kimberly Boone
 
Connect with Dr. Brent
💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com🎙️ Listen to the Podcast Anywhere:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

5 Steps to Keeping Peace With Your Family This Thanksgiving (and the Holiday season)

This week on Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson, I’m joined by family and marriage therapist Kingsley Grant — Who also serves as a keynote speaker, licensed psychotherapist, and leadership communication strategist — to talk about something we all need during the holidays:
👉 How to keep peace with your family at Thanksgiving — without losing your mind or your witness.
Kingsley has spent decades coaching leaders and families on emotional intelligence and conflict navigation. His insights are practical, biblical, and incredibly freeing.
 
In this episode, we break down:
✅ The 5 Steps to Getting Along With Your Family This Thanksgiving
Don’t Expect Thanksgiving to Be a Hallmark Movie“As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18→ Peace starts with realistic expectations.
Know What Triggers You — and Have a Plan“A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise person quietly holds them back.” — Proverbs 29:11→ Awareness prevents blow-ups.
Don’t Take the Bait — No Matter How Tempting It Is“A gentle answer turns away wrath.” — Proverbs 15:1→ Emotional maturity is spiritual maturity.
Focus on the Good Stuff and Leave the Rest Behind“Give thanks in all circumstances.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18→ Gratitude shifts atmosphere.
Leave With Lots of Love, Less of Leftovers“Above all, clothe yourselves with love…” — Colossians 3:14→ Love is the lasting impression.
💡 Closing Thought
“Peace at Thanksgiving doesn’t mean everyone behaves — it means you choose to stay steady when they don’t.” You can’t control the room, but you can control your response — and that’s where peace begins.
 
🔗 Connect with Kingsley Grant
Social Media: @Kingsleygrant
Website
The Joyful Wife: 7 Connection Skills To Better Understand Your Husband
Other Titles by Kingsley
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent
All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpsonWebsite: https://BrentSimpson.comArise Church: https://MyAriseChurch.com🎙️ Podcast (audio): https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

Blessing Our Children — How to Pray Identity, Purpose, and God’s Favor Over the Next Generation

Welcome to Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson, where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.
This week, I’m joined by Pastor Jose Medina from Arise Español for a heartfelt and practical conversation on how to speak a blessing over your children.
If you’ve ever wondered what a biblical blessing looks like today—or how to tangibly pass faith, identity, and confidence to your children—this episode gives you a simple, Spirit-filled framework.
What We Cover
Why every child needs a spoken blessing, not just silent love• The biblical pattern from the Father blessing Jesus• When and how to establish moments of blessing in your home• A clear 5-part structure for a powerful blessing prayer• Practical language, Scriptures, and examples• How blessing calls greatness out and prepares children for their future
The 5 Ingredients of a Blessing
Identity — Name who they are and whose they are
Scripture — Speak God's truth over their life
Affirmation — Recognize character, gifts, and growth
Commissioning — Call them forward into purpose and maturity
Love & Affection — Seal it with connection, delight, and commitment
The Pattern God Gave Us
When the Father blessed Jesus, He spoke:• Identity — “You are my Son”• Affection — “Whom I love”• Affirmation — “With You I am well pleased”
That divine pattern still shapes sons and daughters today.
✨ Example Blessing (Age 13 Rite of Passage)
Father God, thank You for the gift of my son/daughter, [Name]. Today I affirm who You’ve made them to be. As Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52), I pray the same for [Name]. I bless you with courage to make wise choices, strength to resist temptation, and confidence in your identity as a child of God. You are my beloved son/daughter, and I am proud of you. May you know that you are never alone—for God is with you and I am with you.
Feel free to use this language and make it your own.
 
Connect with Jose Medina
Instagram: @josianmedinaa
Arise Español: https://myarisechurch.com/espanol
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent
💬 Social: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com
🎙️ Podcast Audio: https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

7 Questions for Reinventing Yourself for Life’s Next Season

In today’s episode, Dr. Brent guides you through a sacred self-inventory — not around your goals, but your identity with the help of Pastor Keren Emmauel (Arise Church’s Riverview Location Pastor). This episode is for anyone sensing a holy restlessness… that the season you’re in may be expiring, and something new is trying to be born.
Using framework insights from Halftime by Bob Buford and The Second Half by Patrick Morley, Dr. Brent unpacks 7 catalytic questions that will help you clarify who you are becoming… before life decides it for you.
 
  7 Questions from Today’s Episode:
Who do I actually want — or need — to become in this next season of life?
What parts of my current identity need to die so something better can live?
What would obedience or faithfulness look like in this season?
What grace is lifting — and where do I already sense new grace appearing?
What pace is God calling me to run — compared to past seasons?
What would be the bold move? What would be the wise move? What is the holy move?
What specific goals should I now create, based on the answers above?
 
Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
📚 Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob Bufordhttps://www.amazon.com/Halftime-Moving-Success-Significance/dp/031034375X
📚 The Second Half: Real Stories, Real Men, Real Faith by Patrick Morleyhttps://www.amazon.com/Second-Half-Real-Stories-Faith/dp/0310284290
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com🎙️ Listen on Podbean or any podcast platform:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/
 

Raising Sons into Men: Why Your Children Need a Rite of Passage

Welcome to Creating The Future with Dr. Brent Simpson where we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.In today’s episode I open up about the intentional rites of passage I created for my sons — including the moment I took one of them to Washington, D.C., laid hands on him, and called him into manhood.
We explore:·Why nearly every culture in history created rites of passage — and why the modern West is an exception·The devastating effects of that vacuum (prolonged adolescence, identity confusion, reckless risk-taking)·The one core question every boy is asking: Do I have what it takes? — and why that question must be answered by a father·Biblical and historic roots of initiation and blessing (Bar Mitzvahs, Maasai warriors, Quinceañeras, baptism as a rite of passage)·Neuroscience meets discipleship — why meaningful, emotional, set-apart experiences become permanently imprinted·The 6 elements of a powerful rite of passage every father can create at any age·Why fathers must speak identity and affirmation — or culture will do it for them·A call to action for every dad, mentor, or leader listening
This may be one of the most important conversations I’ve ever initiated — because if we do not initiate the young, they will burn down the village to feel the heat.✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com💬 MyAriseChurch.com Listen to the Podcast Anywhere: https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

What Every Parent Should Know Before You Give Your Child a Phone… Listen to This

📖 Episode Description:Smartphones are everywhere, and for today’s youth, they can be both a tool and a trap. In this special conversation, I sit down with Pastor Jeff Allen (Arise Brandon Location Pastor) and Arise Youth Leader Jiovanni Cintron to talk about everything parents should know before giving their child a phone.
Together we unpack:
When is the right age to give a child their first phone.
The apps every parent needs to install to help guard against online predators and pornography.
The warning signs that your child may be engaging with inappropriate content.
How phones affect mental health, identity, and relationships in teenagers.
Practical steps for building trust, accountability, and boundaries around technology.
How parents can lead—not just restrict—so kids see phones as a tool, not a trap.
This episode is filled with wisdom, practical tools, and candid conversation to help you parent with confidence in the digital age.
 
👤 About the Guests
Pastor Jeff Allen: A leader with many years of experience around equipping families and students to navigate culture with wisdom and faith.
Jiovanni Cintron: Arise Youth Leader, speaking from real-life experience working with teens in today’s smartphone-driven world.
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com🎙️ Listen to the Podcast Audio: Podbean

Christopher Columbus: Hero, Villain, or Misunderstood? A Conversation with Rafael Ortiz

📖 Episode Description:Few names in history spark as much debate as Christopher Columbus. For some, he’s a bold explorer who changed the course of history. For others, he represents oppression, cruelty, and colonization. But what’s the truth?
In this special Columbus Day conversation, I sit down with Rafael Ortiz—author of Christopher Columbus The Hero and Christopher Columbus The Hero 2—to dig into the history, controversy, and modern revisionism surrounding Columbus.
Together, we explore:
Why Columbus has become one of the most polarizing figures in modern culture.
The strongest accusations against him—and how historical sources actually measure up.
What primary records (like journals and legal documents) reveal about his leadership.
How 15th-century context changes the way we interpret his actions today.
Why Columbus statues, holidays, and education have become cultural battlegrounds.
What lessons we can draw from history about how to handle controversial figures today.
Whether you’ve grown up celebrating Columbus Day or questioning it, this episode will challenge assumptions and invite you to see the story through a fresh lens.
 
👤 Guest Bio – Rafael OrtizRafael Ortiz is a researcher and author committed to re-examining the life and legacy of Christopher Columbus. His books, including Christopher Columbus The Hero and its sequel, tackle the accusations that have fueled modern debates, using primary sources and historical analysis to paint a fuller picture of the explorer’s life.
📚 Find Rafael’s books on Columbus here: https://www.christophercolumbusthehero.com/p/books-written-or-published-by-rafael.html
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com🎙️ Listen to the Podcast Audio: Podbean