Hey friends — this episode dropped one day late, and honestly? That feels fitting. Because we’re talking about peace… and sometimes peace means slowing down.

This week on Anchored by the Sword, I’m joined by Tara Dew, author of Overflowing Peace: What God Says About a Peace-Filled Life.

Tara serves alongside her husband, the president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, where they help train men and women who are called to take the gospel to some of the most broken places in the world. She’s also a wife, a twin mom (yes — twins!), a Bible teacher, and now the author of a powerful new book walking slowly through Psalm 23.

In this conversation, we talk about:

• Her freedom story and meeting Jesus at a young age

• Being released from perfectionism and people-pleasing

• What Psalm 23 really means when you study it slowly

• Quiet waters in a loud, anxious world

• The valley of the shadow of death — and the promise that we walk through it

• The difference between noise, poison, and true Living Water

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like your mind never shuts off — this episode is for you.

Because peace isn’t the absence of struggle.

It’s the presence of the Shepherd.

Bio:

Tara Dew is a national speaker, author and Bible teacher. She has loved Jesus for as long as she can remember, trusting Him to be her Savior at the age of five years old at a Billy Graham Crusade. She felt called to ministry in the high school youth group, where she also met her husband, Jamie. Her primary ministry is to her family, as she is the mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins called “the Dew Krewe.”

Tara holds a Bachelors of Arts in Human Communication (2003) from Meredith College, a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning Elementary Education (2012) from Liberty University and a Doctorate in Education (2018) from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Tara's dissertation was entitled “Survive or Thrive: An Exploration of the Preparedness of Southern Baptist Pastors’ Wives.”

Tara is the president’s wife, serving the students, staff, and faculty of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She teaches as an adjunct professor in the Ministry to Women program. She also directs and teaches in Thrive: A Ministry Wives Certificate Program. She has authored two books, “Overflowing Peace,” releasing in 2026 and “Overflowing Joy,” released in February 2024. Tara also has an upcoming Lifeway Women’s Bible Study about the fruit of the Spirit releasing in May 2027.

Through all of the ministry opportunities, two of Tara's passions have remained the same: God’s Word and women.

Anchor Verses:

1 Timothy 4:12

John 15:5

Psalm 23

Connect with Tara:

Website: https://www.nobts.edu/president/about-tara-dew/default.html

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559548471008

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

This week’s episode is a reshare from October of 2023, chosen by Nikki Osborne, a member of the Anchored by the Sword Ministry Team—and I’m so grateful she picked this one.

This conversation is tender, honest, and deeply redemptive.

In this episode, I sit down with Inés Franklin, a teaching pastor at Mariners Church in Southern California. Inés is married to her husband Jim, a mama of five, a grandmother to ten, and a woman whose story is a living testimony that grace truly has the final word.

Inés didn’t come to faith early in life. She met Jesus at 40 years old—and her journey to that moment was marked by deep pain, complicated choices, and overwhelming shame.

She shares openly about:

• Growing up in Puerto Rico and the faith-filled prayers of her Abuelita

• Experiencing poverty, abandonment, and early shame

• Two abortions, two divorces, and the crushing weight of self-condemnation

• Walking through abuse, addiction in her family, and an affair that left her believing she was beyond redemption

• Walking into church carrying massive shame… and encountering Jesus in John 4—the story of the woman at the well

That moment marked the beginning of everything changing.

We talk deeply about the difference between conviction and shame, and how shame keeps us stuck—while Jesus calls us forward. Inés shares how God gently, patiently taught her to leave shame behind, including a powerful moment of physically releasing shame into the Sea of Galilee while studying the story of Peter.

She also shares how Colossians 1:28–29 became a life verse and calling—fueling her passion to proclaim Jesus, disciple others, and live fully surrendered.

Today, Inés leads Trochia Ministries, a ministry rooted in helping others walk faithfully with Jesus and experience healing along the way. She’s also the author of Uncharted, a book about letting go of control, releasing formulas, and trusting God on a journey that is anything but linear.

This episode is for the one who:

• Feels disqualified by their past

• Is buried under shame

• Wonders if they’ve gone too far

• Needs to hear that grace still applies

Friend—nothing is wasted.
Nothing is beyond redemption.
And Jesus is not afraid of your story.

Bio:

Inés Franklin completed a Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and is the founder of Trochia Ministries, whose missions is to provide Christian discipleship. She serves as a teaching pastor at Mariners Church in Southern California. She and her husband, James Franklin, live in Irvine, California.

Anchor Verses:

Colossians 1: 28-29

Acts 1:8

John 21: 15-18

Connect with Inés:

Website: https://www.inesfranklin.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/inesfranklin

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ines.franklin

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ines.franklin

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!

Welcome back to Anchored by the Sword Podcast 🤍

Today I’m so excited for you to meet my friend Pamela Mutz—author of Richer by the Dozen and founder of the ministry Dozen Mom (dozenmom.com). Her story is one of surrender, faith, motherhood, heartbreak, healing, and the goodness of God woven through every season.

Pam grew up in Colorado with a heart that always leaned toward God. But it wasn’t until a trip to Israel during college—standing in the places where Scripture came alive—that her faith shifted from warm and passive to fully surrendered. She rededicated her life to Christ in the Jordan River and began walking out a deeper relationship with Him.

From there, God led her into ministry, into marriage (even when she didn’t think that was her plan), and into motherhood—that included 12 children. He gave her a life she never imagined, but one she has learned to trust God with every step of the way.

In this episode we talk about:

• Surrendering your plans for God’s plans
• Trusting God with your future—even when it looks nothing like you imagined
• Identity in Christ, especially in seasons where you feel unseen or unsure
• The beauty and challenge of motherhood at every stage
• Moving, transitions, and trusting God in new seasons
• Ministry, calling, and obedience

And we also walk through one of the most tender parts of Pam’s story—the loss of her baby son, Jonathan. She shares how God met her in that grief, how forgiveness and healing came, and how even in the deepest pain, the Lord was still faithful and present.

Her story is a living testimony that God’s plans are often different than ours—but always better than we could imagine.

Pam’s book, Richer by the Dozen: What We Gained When We Let Go, shares stories from each of her children and their journey of surrender, loss, growth, and faith. It’s a beautiful picture of what happens when we release control and trust God with everything—our dreams, our families, our future, and even our pain.

If you’re in a season of transition…
If you’re holding tightly to something you’re afraid to release…
If you’re wondering what God is doing in your story…

This conversation is for you.

Bio:

Pamela Mutz has never learned the meaning of

"bored." A Colorado native, Indiana Hoosier, and Florida Gator, she loves the outdoors, spontaneity, and time spent with Jesus. She is the proud Mama of seven boys and five girls (yup, twelve kiddos!) and "Zaza" to thirty-nine grandkids and counting.

Though she, too, faces dust bunnies, a baby belly, and little time for creativity, she is passionate about encouraging women to move past what's comfortable and discover God's unique adventure for their lives-especially in the mundane.

For nearly three decades, she and her husband, Bill, have spoken at FamilyLife's Weekend to Remember marriage conferences. She also serves on the boards of Deeper Walk International and Florida Children's Museum.

Anchor Verse:

Jeremiah 29:11

Connect with Pam:

Website: https://www.dozenmom.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dozenmom

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

📝 Show Notes

This week is extra special because it’s the fifth week of our reshare series— first week of episodes handpicked by the Anchored by the Sword ministry team.

And this one?
Chosen by Christa Crookston 🤍

We’re going all the way back… nearly five years ago to Episode 10 of this podcast—when we first hit double digits and had no idea all that God would do through these conversations.

And y’all… this one still ministers just as deeply today.

In this episode, I sit down with Monique—wife, mama of three, business owner of Royal Touch Spa, and a woman who has walked through pain, healing, surrender, and freedom with Jesus.

Monique shares her story of:

• Growing up in a single-parent home with addiction present

• Not knowing her father and navigating deep identity wounds

• Becoming a teen mom and walking through heartbreak and confusion

• Searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places

• Hitting a point of spiritual dryness and desperation

• Rededicating her life to Christ and learning to trust Him fully

We also talk about:

• Marriage, purity, and rebuilding a relationship God’s way

• Learning to trust God in seasons of financial strain, exhaustion, and motherhood

• The power of godly community and accountability

• What it means to stop striving and finally rest in God’s grace

One of the most powerful threads throughout this episode is trust.

This episode is for the woman who:

• Feels tired

• Feels like she’s carrying too much

• Feels like she has to do everything on her own

It’s a reminder that you don’t have to do this alone.

That God will fill in the gaps.

And that freedom comes when we surrender and trust Him.

If you’re new here—this is one of the foundational conversations that shaped the heart of this podcast.

If you’ve been here from the beginning—this one will feel like coming home.

Bio:

Monique Parish is a wife to Carlos, mom to Jamari, Landon, and Mia, a Christ follower and Business owner of The Royal Touch Spa here in Canton, OH. She has such a fierceness when it comes to her love of the Lord, which was birthed out of some really hard places and situations.

Anchor Verses:

Isaiah 58:11

Proverbs 3:5-6

Connect with Monique:

Business Website: Link iconwww.massagebook.com/biz/Theroyaltouchspa

Business IG: https://www.instagram.com/theroyaltouchspa/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/monique_parish/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/monique.parish/

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!

Today on Anchored By the Sword Podcast, I’m honored to welcome my friend Nikita Koloff—and y’all, this conversation is powerful, redemptive, and deeply encouraging.

I first met Nikita back in 2022 at the NRB Convention in Nashville, and it feels wild how fast the years fly by. What hasn’t changed is the impact of his testimony and the way God has completely transformed his life.

Nikita grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, raised by a single mom after his father left when he was just three years old. He went on to become a standout football player, earning academic All-American honors, before stepping into the world of professional wrestling—where many know him as “The Russian Nightmare.” He had a wildly successful career, retiring early at just 33 years old… but success didn’t equal fulfillment.

In this episode, Nikita shares:

• How fame and success still left him empty
• The divine appointment that led him to church on October 17, 1993
• Surrendering his life to Christ at the altar—and never being the same
• Learning to serve through missions and discipleship
• Launching Koloff for Christ Ministries and preaching in over 1,500 churches
• Ministering in 36 countries and to crowds of over 70,000 people
• His heart for men’s ministry, discipleship, and calling men higher

One of the most moving parts of this conversation is Nikita’s story of redemption and reconciliation with his father. After decades of distance, God restored their relationship—to the point where his father eventually said, “I love you, son,” for the first time at age 84. Nikita was with him when he went home to be with the Lord, and his father’s final words to him were once again, “I love you, son.” Only God can write stories like that.

Nikita also shares the verse that continues to anchor his life and ministry:

Colossians 1:10 — a prayer to live a life worthy of the Lord, please Him in every way, bear fruit, and grow in the knowledge of God.

This episode is a reminder that:

• Success without Christ will always fall short
• God is working behind the scenes long before we say “yes”
• Redemption is never too late
• Saying yes to Jesus can change generations

Whether you’re a wrestling fan, a leader, a parent, or someone searching for purpose—this conversation will meet you right where you are.

🎧 Don’t miss this one.

Bio:

Nikita Koloff known to the wrestling world as "The Russian Nightmare" is an eight-time wrestling champion and has thrilled fans around the world as one of the top stars in the ring winning numerous regional, national, and world titles including the World Tv, World TagTeam, World 6-Man, United States and National Heavyweight Championships.

He is a best-selling author, international speaker and host of the radio show/podcasts “It’s Time…To Man Up” & Q&A w/Koloff on Truth Radio Network.

Through Koloff for Christ Ministries, Nikita has currently traveled to 36 countries, all 50 states, preached in over 1500 churches touching the hearts of all ages through his preaching as he brings the message of faith and salvation to those looking for hope and peace in their lives.

In addition, for the last 20 years he has been focused on ministering to the hearts of men of all ages through ManUp breakfasts, dinners, conferences and ManCamps.

Anchor Verses:

Colossians 1:10

Connect with Nikita and ManCamp

Website: https://www.koloff.net

ManCamp: https://mancamp.info

IG: https://www.instagram.com/nikitakoloff1

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

Today I’m resharing Season 4, Episode 34, which is in the top 10 downloaded podcast episodes ever, is a conversation that feels just as important now as it did when it first aired—maybe even more so.

This episode is a reminder for anyone who has ever believed the lie that they need to clean themselves up before coming to God.

In this conversation, Gail Schaar shares her story with honesty, humor, and so much grace. She’s a barista at Starbucks who believes coffee is often the doorway to deeper conversations and real relationships. She’s a wife, a mom of two little girls, and a woman who came to faith later in life after years of what she calls a “bob-and-weave” relationship with God—aware of Him, but not fully surrendered.

We talk about:

• ​Feeling “too messy” for church
• ​How God meets us right in the middle of our junk
• ​Addiction, unhealthy coping, and surrendering control
• ​Why God does the cleaning—not us
• ​The beauty of authentic church community
• ​Letting God peel back layers one at a time

One of the most powerful moments in this episode is when she shares how she finally told God the truth: “I don’t want to change this. If You want it gone, You’re going to have to do it.” And God did—changing her desires in a way only He can.

This episode carries a message I never get tired of saying:

You are not too dirty for God.You are not too broken for church.And you don’t have to fix yourself before coming to Him.

🤍 A 2025 Update

Since this episode first aired, this sweet friend is now walking through a breast cancer battle in 2025. And once again, her life is a testimony—not of perfection, but of deep trust.

She is being carried by the same God who met her in addiction, in shame, in surrender—and now meets her in treatment, fear, courage, and hope. Please join me in praying for healing, strength, peace, and overwhelming reminders of God’s nearness.

This reshare is for the one who feels disqualified.It’s for the one who thinks they’ve gone too far.It’s for the one who needs to hear—again—that God is not afraid of your mess.

🎧 Listen with an open heart.

Original Notes:

Two weeks ago, I had Zach Schaar on the podcast and this week, his beautiful wife, Gail is joining me! I have been anxiously awaiting to have this conversation with her! She is a powerhouse with a soft side towards dolphins:)

Bio:

Gail Schaar is a wife and mother of two girls. She enjoys her job serving coffee as a barista. Gail became a Christian at 28 years old at a church near Nashville, TN. She loves watching God use her unsavory past as way to relate to and reach people in her daily life. She currently lives in Canton, OH with her husband, little girls, and Cockapoo. Her loves are coffee, Pilates, bargains, reading the Old Testament, and delicious food. You can follow her ministry at YAHWEH’s Trainwreck on Facebook.

Gail's Anchor Verses:

Jeremiah 29:11; 32:17

Revelation 22

Support Now: https://www.supportnow.org/gail-schaar

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

In today’s episode of Anchored By the Sword Podcast, I’m joined by actress, producer, and storyteller Ginger Cressman—and y’all, this conversation is powerful, honest, and so timely.

Ginger grew up in a Christian home in Tennessee, the daughter of a pastor, deeply rooted in faith from a young age. But like so many of us, her story didn’t stay neat and tidy. When her mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Ginger began to wrestle with grief, anxiety, depression, and eventually walked away from God—while still talking to Him the entire time.

She shares vulnerably about:

• Walking away from her faith and hitting rock bottom
• Anxiety, depression, and not wanting to be alive anymore
• A loving father who prayed her out of the pit
• Rediscovering God’s goodness in the middle of brokenness
• Learning that God never let go—even when she tried to run

Ginger also shares the verse that continues to anchor her, written in her mother’s handwriting:

Deuteronomy 31:8 — “The Lord goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

From teaching to acting, Ginger’s journey into film unfolded step by step—often with fear, doubt, and a lot of prayer. And now, she’s stepping into one of the most challenging roles of her life as the lead in an upcoming film called The Hidden. The Hidden is a raw, honest, documentary-style film centered around women trapped in prostitution, addiction, and exploitation—and the ministries reaching into those dark places with hope, dignity, and truth. The heart behind this project is simple but bold: shine light into places most people would rather ignore.

This film isn’t meant to be soft or comfortable—it’s meant to be real. It’s designed as a tool for outreach, healing, and conversation. Ginger and her team plan to make the film widely accessible, including releasing it for free, so it can be used by ministries, churches, and individuals who want to help.

This episode is about:

• God meeting us in the pit
• Using our gifts for Kingdom purpose
• Loving people in hard places without condemnation
• Being the hands and feet of Jesus

Ginger closes with this encouragement:
“Don’t give up. Don’t let others—or yourself—get in your way. Forgive yourself. Let go. Keep going.”

🎧 You don’t want to miss this one.

Bio:

Ginger Cressman is a professional actress and model located in the United States. She has been cast in lead and supporting roles in the film industry as well as commercials. She has also has experience in producing and casting feature films. She has a heart for helping others on their journey into acting.

Anchor Verse:

Deuteronomy 31:8

Connect with Ginger:

Website: www.imdb.me/gingercressman

FB: www.facebook.com/therealgingercressman

IG: www.instagram.com/gingercressman

Crowdfunding for The Hidden:

https://www.givesendgo.com/thehidden?fbclid=IwdGRjcAPXT35leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeah_p3LkE8-k4qSaJRHWxh6VLb_okZlxoidYa2Zv0GgA_iPpcMXZiIul8WHQ_aem_gwLv6KpPtkElhFj6Wqna6w

***We love hearing from you! Your reviews help our podcast community and keep these important conversations going. If this episode inspired you, challenged you, or gave you a fresh perspective, we’d be so grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a review. Just head to Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen and share your thoughts—it’s a simple way to make a big impact!***

This week, I’m resharing one of the most powerful and necessary conversations we’ve ever had on Anchored By the Sword Podcast.

When I met Kelly Lester at the NRB Convention in March of 2022, I knew immediately I wanted her on the show—but I had no idea just how deep, painful, and redemptive her story truly was.

Kelly shares her journey with incredible honesty: growing up in the church while carrying deep shame, being sexually abused as a child, raped as a teenager, experiencing multiple abortions, and eventually working inside the very abortion clinic where she had her first abortion at just 15 years old.

This episode doesn’t shy away from hard truths. Kelly walks us through:

• Her personal abortion story and the trauma that followed

• What really happens behind the scenes inside abortion clinics

• The manipulation and silence women experience during and after abortions

• How shame kept her trapped—and how God met her there

• Why abortion is never just a “simple choice”

• How God can redeem even the most broken stories

Kelly now serves as a client advocate with LoveLine Ministries, Director of Outreach for And Then There Were None and Pro-Love Ministries, helping women who are coming out of abortion clinics and walking them toward healing, freedom, and hope. Her story is a living testimony that no one is too far gone for God.

This reshare feels especially important right now. These conversations matter—because they lead to conversations we have to be willing to have.

⚠️ Content Note: This episode covers sensitive topics including abortion, sexual abuse, violence, and trauma. Please listen with care.

🎧 This is a hard episode—but it’s a hope-filled one.

Bio:Kelly’s story is one that covers so many difficult and painful topics in our world today. Child molestation, raped as a teen, several abortions, drug dealing, eating disorders, homosexuality, pornography, prostitution, and even working in the clinic where she had her first abortion. But beauty triumphs from the ashes, and Kelly is a testament to how God can clean all the dirty parts of a painful life story and make it brand new.Now a wife and mother of six children, Kelly loves to share her story to give hope to the most desperate situations proving that God can save anybody. She is currently a client advocate for LoveLine Ministries, Director of Outreach for And Then There Were None and Pro-Love Ministries, and a board member for Village Ansanm: Living Stones Ministries.Anchor Verse:Isaiah 61Esther 4:14Connect with Kelly:Email: kelly@prolove.comFB: https://www.facebook.com/kellylesterforlife/Speaker Page: https://www.ambassadorspeakers.com/speakers/unique/kelly-lesterAnd Then There Were None: https://abortionworker.comPro-Life Ministries: https://loveline.comWe Discussed:Unplanned Movie: https://www.unplannedfilm.com****This podcast is a proud member of the Spark Network! It is a network of Christian podcasts that cover so many different topics! Head over to: https://www.sparkmedia.ventures/spark-network#/ to find more amazing podcasts!!****