Lighthouse Faith

Athletic victories can feel as close to heaven on earth as any human can be and still be alive. Yet a bitter loss can feel just as devastating—the quiet heartbreak of giving everything and still falling short.

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) exists to help competitors at every level, amateur to pro, anchor their identity not in championship rings or lucrative contracts, but in the enduring grace and love of Jesus Christ.

On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, FCA CEO Josh Gilreath joins us to share stories from behind the scenes at Wimbledon, the NBA, the NFL, and college campuses across the globe. He reveals how competitors pouring heart and soul into the game can discover an ultimate foundation—One who is higher than their ambitions and cares deeply for their souls.

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Father Jim Sichko isn't a bourbon drinker, but as a Kentucky native he made the unique and thoughtful choice to gift Pope Francis a bottle of his state's iconic bourbon. A viral photo of the moment led distilleries across the country to send him bottle after bottle for the Pontiff and in 2024, Pope Francis signed two rare bottles of ten-year-old Willett Bourbon—one of which is now up for auction athttps://www.unicornauctions.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23815781260&gbraid=0AAAAABOXcpY0ETd4tRFI226qOI6O6nM-cUnicorn Auctions to raise money for charity.

On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, Father Sichko—whom Dolly Parton once called "the best opening act ever"—and Unicorn Auctions CEO Phil Mikhaylov discuss how this signed bottle came to auction and inspired an explosion of simple acts of kindness.

Learn more about 60 Minutes for Jesus here!

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Pope Leo XIV is on the road to healing after his cancer surgery this week, but the sudden lung cancer diagnosis raises questions about the future of his papacy. Elected at just 69 in 2025, the first American Bishop of Rome was expected to have a much longer tenure than his predecessors. Fresh off a grueling pilgrimage to France and still scheduled for an 11-day trip to South America, does this show his resilience... or a sense of urgency before time runs out?

On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, papal biographer Elise Ann Allen shares her thoughts on the pope's first major health crisis. Having interviewed him for Pope Leo XIV: The Biography, Elise reveals what the man is like beyond the papal mystique—and looks back to Lourdes, France, where Pope Leo drank from the miraculous spring water at the Grotto of Massabielle, wondering what he knew about his health even then.

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“God's Word issues a stern warning that false teachers receive greater condemnation.” - Dr. Alex McFarland

Election Day is just a few weeks away and the Texas Senate Race between Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico is a key battleground race. While both candidates have sparked controversy, James Talarico's comment that “God is non-binary," remains a key soundbite. Gaining the attention of voters, fellow candidates, and most importantly the faith community.

Theologian and national speaker Dr. Alex McFarland heard Talarico's comments and immediately wanted to understand the theology behind his words. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Dr. Alex McFarland lays out the case for caring about Talarico’s soul, not his politics.

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Former radical Muslim Kamal Saleem and Messianic Jewish Rabbi Jonathan Cahn discuss how faith in Jesus Christ offers the ultimate reconciliation for the descendants of Ishmael and Isaac, transcending centuries of strife, political diplomacy, and recent Middle East conflict.

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University of Virginia Research Professor and Author Get Married: Why Americans Should Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families and Save Civilization, Brad Wilcox has researched two main arguments: children from stable two-parent homes excel in school, and parents who attend worship services regularly have stronger marriages. While schools often blame economic gaps or systemic issues for performance disparities, Brad argues it's time to factor family structure and marriage data into the equation.
On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, he offers a "just the facts" look at how family values drive success—and he knows what he's talking about!

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Best known for starring in Disney's live-action Aladdin (2019), Egyptian born Canadian actor Mena Massoud now takes on a biblical role as the Old Testament prophet Daniel. In the movie Daniel and the Fiery Furnace, Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego face King Nebuchadnezzar’s ultimatum: compromise their faith or be cast into a fiery furnace. On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, Mena discusses the film and how his Coptic Christian background helped him bring the biblical figure to life.

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It is a family's worst nightmare. Devout Catholic parents are fighting in court to regain custody of their 17-year-old daughter, Sophie, and stop Massachusetts authorities from medically transitioning her with high-dose testosterone. In December 2024, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) removed the then 15-year-old from her home because her parents, Joseph and Arlene Kutzko, would not recognize their daughter as a boy due to their faith—an identity change they allege staff at Algonquin Regional High School initiated in secret. Although physical abuse claims against Joseph were deemed unfounded, a permanent restraining order was issued against the family, and DCF cut off contact after the Kutzkos would not call Sophie by a male name or pronouns.

Appearing on the Lighthouse Faith podcast alongside attorney Vernadette Broyles, the devastated parents exposed how DCF has housed their daughter in a boys' dormitory, stripped away her Catholic faith by denying her Sunday Mass, and put her on birth control and psychiatric drugs. As the family fights DCF's court attempt to administer testosterone and demands a full psychological evaluation for Sophie, Broyles is pushing Congress to ensure no loving parent's refusal to transition a child is ever branded as "child abuse."

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In 1985, when Kamal Saleem arrived in the United States, he intended to conquer the West in the name of radical Islam. What Kamal didn't intend was that a tragic accident and a divine encounter with Christian medical professionals would permanently alter the course of his life. "The love and sacrificial giving of these men," says Kamal, caused him "to cry out to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, acknowledging his need for the Savior".

Kamal Saleem, founder of Koome Ministries, talks about his belief in "the One True and Living God," Jesus, and introduces his book, Ishmael Redeemed: Called to the Kingdom. The book explores how the biblical divide between Ishmael and Isaac correlates directly with the religious divides in today's culture. Kamal explains that his objective is "to unveil the beautiful truth of God’s original plans for the tribes of Ishmael (the Muslim people) and expose the ugly truth concerning the true agenda of radical Islam".

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"Sometimes God takes an appointed time, an appointed moment to intervene in your life." — Daniel FazzinaSome miracles happen instantly; others are slow brewed over time. God works in both ways and every way in between, displaying His divine interventions in our world. Christian author and journalist Daniel Fazzina has spent years documenting the Lord's miracles, so the world knows there is a God who deeply loves and cares for us. Fazzina suggests we shouldn't just look for a repeat of the parting of the Red Sea—we should look for everyday miracles closer to home.

On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Fazzina discusses the audiobook release of Divine Intervention: 50 True Stories of God's Miracles Today and his upcoming event, "Power of Testimony," taking place on Long Island, NY, on September 12th. For Fazzina, finding miracles isn't the challenge. It's convincing people to open their minds to stories of unexplained healings, spiritual transformations, and even resurrection.

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Dr. Frank Turek holds many titles: he is a dynamic speaker, author, and notably, theological mentor to the late Charlie Kirk. In 2020, the Turning Point USA founder was full of passion for the Gospel, so he reached out to Dr. Turek after watching many of his videos on CrossExamined.org and from there the two developed a deep earthly and spiritual bond.

On this episode of Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Turek discusses his new book, The War on Reality: Recovering Truth In A World That Celebrates Lies. The book carries Charlie's legacy with a dedicated focus, "because so much of what he was doing was fighting for reality on the side of reality."

Pre-Order The War on Reality HERE!

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A company founded by a Korean War veteran in 1970 has spent decades reclaiming and redeeming lost luggage, repurposing discarded items for charity. It’s a real-world picture of Paul’s words in Romans 8:28: that God works all things together for good.

On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Lauren is joined by Mindi Cooke, VP of Business Development at Unclaimed Baggage. She shares what actually happens to your bags when they go missing, how less than one percent end up orphaned at their store in Scottsboro, Alabama, and how their Reclaimed for Good initiative is providing foster children and families in need with essential travel resources, affirming that nothing is ever truly lost or forgotten

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Dr Gary Chapman: Mastering The 5 Love Languages

Are we born with a love language, or does life shape how we feel loved?Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the bestselling books The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts and The Love Language That Matters Most: How to Speak Love (like The Five Love Languages), has spent decades exploring how we express and receive affection. On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Dr. Chapman dives into the subtle "dialects" within the 5 love languages, what he’s learned after decades of research, and how God uniquely speaks every love language to fill our tanks.

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The president of the largest Christian broadcasters association is calling attention to a spiritual battle he believes is raging in our world today. We're all part of this battle whether or not we realize it or believe it. This battle is not being waged in tiny, dark corners, it is front and center: in our schools, in our halls of government, in our courts, and across our media.

On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, Troy Miller, President and CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB), shares his belief that we are in a global battle for the Judeo-Christian worldview. And just like the Bible warns, we are wrestling not against flesh and blood, "but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)

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Twenty years before 1776, American exceptionalism began with a colonial population that read the Bible and understood their rights came from God, not King George III. Author Eric Metaxas calls this spiritual awakening the "Revolution before the Revolution."

On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Metaxas discusses his new book, Revolution: The Birth of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World. He explores how this biblical worldview laid America's foundation and why Britain failed to see it coming. Plus, he critiques the rise of American socialism and NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

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True peace with Iran may not come from diplomacy, but from a spiritual transformation. On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Hormoz Shariat, founder of Iran Alive Ministries, discusses the biblical prophecy that God will "set [His] throne in Elam," an area entirely within modern-day Iran.

Dr. Shariat shares his profound personal journey: once a young student shouting "Death to America" during the Islamic Revolution, he later converted to Christianity while studying in the U.S. After his brother was arrested and executed by the Iranian regime, Dr. Shariat channeled his grief and newfound faith into a lifelong mission to spread the Gospel to the Iranian people.

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Musician and Pastor Tauren Wells has a passion for teaching people about the joys of knowing and serving Jesus Christ. Once known as part of the praise team for Pastor Joel Osteen at Lakewood Church in Houston, Wells now co-pastors his own ministry, Church of Whitestone in Austin, Texas, with his wife, Lorna.

On this encore episode of Lighthouse Faith, Pastor Wells shares how his book, "Joy Bomb: Unleash Jesus's Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life," is a testament to "God's unchanging character and boundless love for us."

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As America celebrates its 250th year, Lauren takes a look back at a classic episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast with prolific author and pastor, Robert J. Morgan.

In 2020, Pastor Morgan published the timeless book, 100 Bible Verses That Made America, which serves as a powerful reminder that the Bible is woven in and through America's conception, birth, and journey. The history spans centuries, starting in the 1500s with the arrival of Spanish missionaries to the New World. Among them was Antonio de Montesinos, who boldly quoted Matthew 3:3 to those treating native inhabitants cruelly, asserting that they, too, were made in God’s image. Pastor Morgan also reminds us in the prologue that America’s first president, George Washington, kissed the sacred Scriptures at his inauguration. Between these two monumental moments are 98 more defining chapters in American history where the Bible was invoked as a source of strength, compassion, mercy, and light.

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Executive Director of the Providence Forum, Dr. Jerry Newcombe, says America is at a crossroads and wants to encourage Americans to unleash their inner patriot.

He believes it's time for us to learn the basics of what made America great: a foundational belief in God. As written in the Declaration of Independence, we are "endowed by our Creator..."

On this episode of the Lighthouse Faith podcast, Dr. Newcombe gives a spirited interview, pushing back against the forces trying to dismantle American values. The Providence Forum exists to "preserve, defend and advance the Judeo-Christian values of our nation's founding." Leading up to America's 250th birthday, Dr. Newcombe is here to remind all of us exactly where our thanks is due.

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Little Patriots are not born; they are made. Believing that younger generations are being taught to loathe America's founding ideals, Dr. Ben Carson is working to undo the harm. Through his American Cornerstone Institute, the former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and renowned neurosurgeon aims to restore faith, family devotion, and patriotism to the forefront of education.

On this episode of Lighthouse Faith, Dr. Carson discusses his organization's new animated movie, Star Spangled Adventure, designed to teach children the vital history missing from modern classrooms. He also shares the powerful story of his own upbringing by a single mother with a third-grade education. Through her sacrifice and prayers for wisdom, she raised a rocket scientist and a brain surgeon—a true "only in America" success story.

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