Creating The Future with Brent Simpson

They Can Be Wrong Without Being Racist: Why We Should Stop Labeling Everyone We Disagree With

In this episode of 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, I sit down with Pastor Vago Lightbourne from The Truth Center Church in Brandon, Florida for a timely and honest conversation.
We’re tackling a cultural issue that has become increasingly common—and increasingly confusing: the overuse of the word “racism.”
Somewhere along the way, disagreement started getting labeled as hatred. But is that accurate? And more importantly, is it helpful?In this conversation, we unpack the difference between being wrong and being racist, why labeling people too quickly shuts down meaningful dialogue, and how we as Christians can lead the way in truth, grace, and discernment.
This isn’t about ignoring real racism—it exists, and it matters. But it is about having the wisdom to recognize that not every disagreement is rooted in a sinful heart. We also explore how to have difficult conversations without demonizing people, how to examine our own hearts honestly, and how to reflect Christ in a culture that often jumps to conclusions.
This episode will challenge you to think deeper, speak wiser, and lead better conversations in your world.
✨ Connect with Vago Lightbourne:💬 All Social Media: @VagoLight🌐 https://www.mytcc.us
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com💬 MyAriseChurch.com
🎙️You can listen to the podcast here:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

Have You Heard This Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus? | Part 2

The case for the resurrection of Jesus isn’t just historical — it’s personal. And in Part 2, Dr. Brent Simpson brings it all the way home.
 
In Part 1, we built the foundation — the empty tomb, the minimal facts, and why every alternative theory falls apart under honest scrutiny. Now in Part 2, we go deeper. We look at the eyewitnesses. We examine what psychology and neuroscience say about the hallucination theory. We track the sociological explosion of the early church. And we walk through the cumulative verdict — fact by fact — until the conclusion becomes almost impossible to avoid.
 
If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start there. Then come back here.
 
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER
Why the eyewitness testimony in 1 Corinthians 15 is considered by scholars — including skeptical ones — to be among the earliest and most reliable records in all of ancient history
The striking detail about women being the first witnesses to the resurrection — and why that detail alone is one of the strongest markers of authentic reporting
The before-and-after transformation of the disciples: from terrified and hiding behind locked doors to boldly preaching in the same city where Jesus was executed — and what psychology says about that shift
How the disciples died — Peter, James, Thomas, Andrew, and more — and why their martyrdom is considered the strongest evidence of sincere belief
The sociological case: how the early church grew at 40% per decade in the very city of the crucifixion, and why sociologist Rodney Stark says it defies conventional explanation
Why the hallucination theory doesn’t just fail theologically — it fails scientifically. Clinical psychologist Gary Collins and neurologist Dr. Oliver Sacks explain why
The cumulative verdict — eight confirmed facts laid side by side, and what the most reasonable conclusion actually is
What Harvard Law co-founder Simon Greenleaf concluded when he applied legal evidentiary standards to the resurrection accounts
The pastoral turn: what the resurrection means for death, forgiveness, transformation — and for you personally
Stay connected and keep building:
💬  All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson
🌐  BrentSimpson.com
🏡  MyAriseChurch.com

Have You Heard this Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus? | Part 1

What if the resurrection of Jesus isn’t just something you believe by faith — but something you can investigate with evidence?
In Part 1 of this special Easter conversation, Dr. Brent Simpson makes the historical case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not a church talk. Not a feel-good Easter message. A real, evidence-based conversation that takes the question seriously — and follows the facts wherever they lead.
Whether you’re a lifelong believer who’s never dug into the evidence, a skeptic who thinks faith and reason don’t mix, or someone who’s just asking honest questions — this episode was made for you.
Because at the end of the day, Christianity doesn’t ask you to check your brain at the door. It points to a historical event and says: go check.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER
Why the resurrection is the hinge everything in Christianity swings on — and what the Apostle Paul said about it that should make every Christian stop and think
The Minimal Facts Approach — the historical method used by scholars across the theological spectrum, including skeptics, to examine the resurrection
What Roman historian Tacitus and Jewish historian Josephus — neither of them Christians — said about Jesus’s death
The stunning medical evidence from the Journal of the American Medical Association confirming what happened at the crucifixion
Why the empty tomb is one of the most accepted facts in ancient history — even among non-Christian scholars
The significance of more than 500 eyewitnesses — and why Paul’s challenge to go verify them is not the move of someone making things up
The conversion of Paul and James — two of the strongest skeptics in the story — and what could possibly explain it
Why the Swoon Theory and the Stolen Body Theory both collapse under honest scrutiny
S. Lewis’s famous Lord, Liar, or Lunatic argument — and why there’s no comfortable middle ground
CONNECT WITH ME:
💬  All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson
🌐  BrentSimpson.com
🏡  MyAriseChurch.com
🎙️  Listen to Creating the Future on Podbean and everywhere podcasts are found:
Podbean: https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

🔥 5 Reasons Christian Couples Have MORE & Better Sex

🔥 5 Reasons Christian Couples Have MORE & Better Sex
Creating the Future with Dr. Brent SimpsonWhere we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.
In this honest and eye-opening episode, Dr. Brent Simpson sits down with Pastor Jonny Turpin to tackle a topic that often gets whispered about in church—but deserves clarity, confidence, and truth:
Why do Christian couples often report having more sex and better sex than their peers?
Backed by research, Scripture, and real-life wisdom, this conversation reframes sexual intimacy not as something shameful—but as something designed, protected, and blessed by God within marriage.
This episode is for:
Married couples who want to grow closer
Engaged or dating couples preparing for marriage
Singles who want a healthy, biblical vision for intimacy
Anyone curious whether faith helps or hurts intimacy (spoiler: it helps)
💡 The 5 Reasons We Discuss
1️⃣ More Intimacy (Not Just Sex)Christian marriage emphasizes whole-person intimacy—spiritual, emotional, and physical. You can have sex without intimacy, and intimacy without sex, but healthy marriages pursue both.
2️⃣ Less Porn, More TrustWhen couples follow God’s design, there’s less secrecy and fewer substitutes—leading to greater trust and freedom in intimacy.
3️⃣ Less InfidelityShared faith builds accountability, commitment, and covenant thinking—reducing betrayal and strengthening security.
4️⃣ A Greater Sense of ServiceChristian love shifts intimacy from selfishness to service—moving from “What do I want?” to “How can I love and please my spouse?”
5️⃣ It’s God’s WillSexual intimacy in marriage isn’t tolerated by God—it’s designed by Him. God wants married couples to enjoy one another fully and faithfully.
 
📊 What the Research Shows
Sociologist Brad Wilcox (University of Virginia) notes:
“Husbands and wives who share a common faith report more sex and greater sexual satisfaction than their peers… For most husbands and wives, more faith equals better sex.”— State of Our Unions Survey 2022
He also found that shared faith is linked to:
Greater sexual fidelity
Higher relationship quality
Happier wives
More stable marriages
Faith doesn’t repress intimacy—it strengthens it.
This episode reframes sex through a biblical lens—not with guilt or awkwardness, but with honesty, hope, and wisdom. God’s design doesn’t limit pleasure; it protects and multiplies it.
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com
🎙️ Listen to the podcast on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are found:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

The foods you MUST EAT at the Florida Strawberry Festival this year

🍓 Let’s talk about Dr. Brent’s Florida Strawberry Festival Favorite Food Alongside Pastor Jonny Turpin
The Florida Strawberry Festival is officially open—and what better way to kick it off than talking about the food everyone comes for?
In this lighthearted and local episode, Dr. Brent Simpson sits down with Pastor Jonny Turpin to talk about their favorite places and must-eat foods at the Florida Strawberry Festival. From classic staples to can’t-miss treats, we share what we look forward to every single year and why these spots have become traditions for so many families.
Whether you’re heading to the festival today or planning your visit later this week, this episode will help you eat wisely and joyfully.
🍰 A Few of the Festival Favorites We Talk About
The legendary strawberry shortcake from Transforming Life Church
The always-worth-the-wait corn dogs from Smitty’s Corn Dogs
The famous, melt-in-your-mouth donuts from Peachy’s Donuts
Along the way, we talk about:
Lots of other amazing foods we recommend
Local Plant City things to do.
This episode is part nostalgia, part local love, and part food-driven joy—perfect for listening on the way to Plant City or while standing in line for your next snack.
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com
🎙️ Listen to the podcast on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are found:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

This is the Fuel For Revival! A Powerful Conversation with David Bradshaw of Awaken the Dawn

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 this powerful episode, Dr. Brent sits down with David Bradshaw, founder of Awaken the Dawn, to unpack one of the most compelling modern prayer and worship movements in America.
David shares the unlikely and faith-filled story behind how Awaken the Dawn was birthed, including the early steps of obedience that led to the first historic gatherings on the National Mall. What began as a simple “yes” to God became a national moment marked by worship, prayer, humility, and the tangible presence of God.
This conversation goes beyond events and into the heart of revival—why God’s presence must always be paramount, how humility protects leaders from drifting into performance, and why God so often chooses what looks foolish in the eyes of the world to accomplish His greatest purposes.
We also dive into Communion America, a movement filled with jaw-dropping testimonies and undeniable God stories, reminding us that unity, repentance, and simple obedience still move heaven today.
Whether you’re a pastor, leader, intercessor, or believer hungry for more of God, this episode will stir your faith and challenge how you think about ministry, success, and revival.
 
✨Connect with David Bradshaw: www.awakenthedawn.com
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:You can listen on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are found:👉 https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

Revival Lessons from Brownsville, Leonard Ravenhill, and David Wilkerson | An Interview with Dr. Michael Brown

In this powerful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Brent sits down with Dr. Michael Brown to talk honestly and deeply about revival—what it is, what it isn’t, and why the church must learn to discern it wisely.
Dr. Brown shares firsthand stories from the Brownsville Revival, offering rare insight into what God was genuinely doing during that historic move, as well as the challenges, criticisms, and long-term fruit that followed. Rather than nostalgia or hype, this conversation focuses on spiritual discernment, biblical grounding, and lasting transformation.
We also hear personal, behind-the-scenes stories from Dr. Brown’s time with two giants of the modern prayer and revival movement—Leonard Ravenhill and David Wilkerson. These moments reveal the weight, cost, humility, and prayer life that marked true revival leaders—far beyond public platforms and emotional moments.
This is a sobering, encouraging, and deeply pastoral conversation for anyone hungry for a genuine move of God—and wise enough to want it rooted in truth.
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brown: www.TheLineofFire.org
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:You can listen on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are found:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/

Breaking the 200 Barrier, Church Leadership Systems, and Revival with Pastor Mike Santiago

Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpsonwhere we dive into stories, truths, and deep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.
In this episode, Dr. Brent sits down with Mike Santiago, lead pastor of Focus Church and one of the most respected voices in modern church planting and leadership.
Pastor Mike has trained hundreds of church planters across the United States, helping leaders build healthy systems, sustainable growth models, and Spirit-led cultures that last. He is also a revivalist who travels extensively, carrying a deep burden for the move of God in this generation.
This conversation goes deep into what actually builds strong churches—not just hype, but structure, leadership clarity, and spiritual depth.
In this episode, we talk about:
What effective church leadership looks like in today’s rapidly changing culture
Why systems don’t replace the Spirit—but actually help steward revival
Common mistakes churches make that keep them stuck under 200 in attendance
Practical shifts that help churches break the 200 barrier and continue growing
The balance between numerical growth and spiritual health
How pastors can lead with both faith and foresight
What the future of the church may look like in the next decade
Why revival and leadership development must go hand in hand
This is a must-listen conversation for pastors, church planters, staff leaders, and anyone passionate about the future of the local church. It’s honest, practical, and deeply hopeful.
💬 Learn more about Focus Church: https://www.focus.church/
🌐 Connect with Pastor Mike Santiago: @MikeSantiago on Instagram
🎙️ You can listen to the podcast on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are found:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com

This Feels Different: Revival, Prophetic Insight, and the Voice of God with Evangelist Pat Schatzline

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 this powerful episode of Creating the Future, Dr. Brent Simpson sits down with Evangelist Pat Schatzline for a timely and Spirit-filled conversation about hearing the voice of God, the revival stirring around the world, and prophetic insight into what God is doing—and about to do—next.
Together, they explore what it means to discern God’s voice in a noisy world, how genuine revival is marked, and why this current moment feels different from past spiritual movements. Pat shares insights from what he’s seeing globally, along with encouragement and caution for leaders, churches, and believers navigating a growing hunger for God.
This conversation will challenge, inspire, and sharpen your spiritual discernment as we talk about revival that doesn’t just stir emotions—but transforms lives.
In this episode, we cover:
How believers can clearly hear and discern the voice of God
The difference between emotional hype and authentic revival
What’s happening in revivals around the world right now
The role of spiritual leadership in sustaining a move of God
Prophetic insight into the future of revival and awakening
How to stay grounded, humble, and obedient during times of spiritual momentum
About Evangelist Pat Schatzline
Pat Schatzline is a respected evangelist and prophetic voice who has traveled extensively, ministering in churches, conferences, and revival settings across the globe. His passion is to see people awakened to God’s presence, truth, and purpose in this generation.
✨ Connect with Pat Schatzline at http://www.patschatzline.com/
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent:💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson🌐 BrentSimpson.com🏡 MyAriseChurch.com
🎙️ Listen to the audio podcast on Podbean or anywhere podcasts are found:https://creatingthefuture.podbean.com/
🙏 If this episode encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who’s hungry for revival and clarity in hearing God’s voice.

Revival Is Coming: What It Is, Who God Will Use, and How We Prepare

Creating the Future with Dr. Brent Simpson — where we dive into stories, truths, anddeep questions that help shape our faith, our families, and our future.In this solo episode, Dr. Brent unpacks one of the most important spiritual conversations of our time — revival.
 
This is not just a look back at historical awakenings… it’s a call to recognize what Godis doing right now and how we must respond.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
🔥 What revival really isRevival is not just emotional services, packed altars, or loud worship. Revival is Godawakening hearts — starting with individuals — and then spreading into families,churches, cities, and nations.
🔥 Gen Z’s role in the coming revivalWhy this generation is uniquely positioned for spiritual awakening.Why hunger, honesty, and authenticity are marking Gen Z.And why God often chooses the young to carry fresh fire.
🔥 How we prepare for revivalRevival doesn’t start in crowds — it starts in consecration.We talk about personal hunger, spiritual alignment, humility, prayer, repentance,holiness, and obedience as the real preparation for what God wants to do next.Dr. Brent also challenges listeners to stop merely talking about revival and startpositioning themselves for it.
This episode is for anyone who believes God is not finished with this generation…For anyone who senses a holy stirring… And for anyone who wants to be part of what God is about to do. If you’ve been praying for revival — this episode will help you understand how revivalactually begins.
Watch the Great Awakenings Revival at Arise Church here:https://www.youtube.com/@myarisechurch
 
✨ Connect with Dr. Brent
💬 All Social Media: @DrBrentSimpson
🌐 BrentSimpson.com💬 MyAriseChurch.com
📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share this episode with someone who ishungry for God’s move.