We’re excited to share this conversation with Brooke Howe, co-founder and executive director of Cooper House Indiana, and Jennifer Johnson, house manager for the Allen County home. Together, they unpack a different vision for foster care visitation, one rooted in dignity, hospitality, and hope. Through welcoming spaces where families can reconnect around kitchen tables, in living rooms, and through everyday moments, Cooper House seeks to model the love of Jesus and reflect His heart for children and families in crisis. Instead of cold offices and sterile rooms, parents are given space to practice real parenting during supervised visits in an environment that feels like home.

In this episode, Brooke shares how saying yes to foster care changed her perspective on birth families and revealed the deep need for support, compassion, and relationship-centered care. Jennifer offers a look at the day-to-day impact happening in Fort Wayne and Allen County as Cooper House partners with visit providers and caseworkers to create meaningful moments for families in crisis.

You’ll also hear the heart behind the four words that guide everything they do: seen, heard, chosen, loved. Whether reunification or adoption is the outcome, Cooper House is committed to walking with families through some of their hardest seasons with the love of Jesus and steady presence.

If you care about foster care, family restoration, and practical ways to bring hope in Indiana communities, this conversation will encourage and challenge you.

Learn more about The Cooper House – Allen County

On this episode, we sit down with Rudy Mahara to talk about biblical generosity that goes deeper than dollars and gets practical about how givers, churches, and nonprofits can move together for real Kingdom impact in Fort Wayne. Rudy shares his story, why collaboration matters, and how microchurch and faith-driven work can reach people who would never walk into a sanctuary.

We sit down with YMCA association chaplain, Tim Hallman, to trace his journey from two decades in pastoral ministry to building a chaplaincy that thrives on presence, not programs. Tim opens the door on what the “C” in YMCA really means today—rooted in George Williams’s 1844 vision of caring friendship on a factory floor—and how that legacy shows up in Fort Wayne through everyday listening, prayerful support, and a welcome space for all.

The conversation widens to a global lens as Tim shares friendships with YMCAs in Jerusalem, Jericho, Gaza, and Nazareth. When war broke out during a planned visit, his team became chaplains to stranded travelers—no quick fixes, just a steady presence, quiet prayer, and the safe space of the Y. Coming home sharpened his conviction that grief can deepen love, and that proximity changes lives. We close by inviting churches and neighbors into concrete next steps—from worshiping in branch spaces to volunteering as chaplains to joining the Good Friday breakfast—as Fort Wayne moves toward a top 10 healthy city vision that treats body, mind, and spirit as one.

This is an encouraging, intimate, and honest conversation that you don't want to miss!

What if the moment that nearly broke you became the turning point that clarified your calling? We open our sixth season with a candid, hope-charged conversation about rescue, refuge, and the quiet courage it takes to be still long enough to hear God’s next step. Joined by New Hope Girls’ U.S. director, Jeri Purdy, and board member Rob Wallstrom, we trace a story that moves from personal surrender to national transformation in the Dominican Republic.

Jeri shares how stepping away from a beloved role led to a hard reset—complete with failed plans, forced stillness, and a rebuilt rhythm of prayer and Scripture. Rob adds the lens of Hesed, the Hebrew picture of covenant love, and shows how that theology becomes practice: immediate care for girls in crisis and the deeper work of restoration that rewrites identity.

Together, we explore how New Hope Girls serves children as young as two, walks with them through education and adulthood, pays a living wage to women artisans, and keeps families close with on-site daycare. The mission reaches weekly into the barrio to serve 300 girls and, remarkably, now partners with the DR government to help reform national rescue and protection protocols with a Christ-centered, trauma-informed approach.

Along the way, we talk about discerning God’s will without needing the next 45 steps, why stillness is not weakness, and how closeness to a good God births patient, bold leadership. If your heart beats for justice, adoption, anti-trafficking, or faith that actually changes lives, this story will stay with you.

Be part of the movement: pray for caregivers and girls, support artisans by shopping their work, or become a monthly hope champion. If something stirred you, rewind, write it down, and ask, “Lord, what are you saying to me?” Then subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the hope.

What if the help we offer keeps people from healing? That question sits at the heart of our conversation with James Scott of Our Neutral Voices, a South Side entrepreneur turned community builder whose life bridges poverty, perseverance, and purpose. James opens up about growing up with a single mom, running a neighborhood telecom store that doubled as a listening post, and discovering that the most powerful gift isn’t a handout but a path forward.

We dig into why “toxic giving” stalls progress and how equipping changes everything. James lays out ONV’s five pillars—spirituality and health, education and performing arts, financial literacy and economic development, and sports—and shows how this web supports entire households, not just individuals. He describes late‑night moments with a bass or lead guitar, where prayer and music steady his resolve, and explains why obedience to calling beats comfort every time.

Collaboration is the engine behind the impact. James shares how ONV convened 28 organizations into a coalition built on simple MOUs, transparent roles, and shared wins. We talk frankly about the toughest barrier of all: internal strife, jealousy, and donor competition that fracture trust from the inside. The counter is humility, consistency, and clear values—God first, do what you say, and let people see the work. James also previews Escaping From The System, a practical curriculum that helps families use safety nets wisely and then exit them with dignity.

If you’ve felt the nudge to start but waited for perfect timing, James’s message is for you: begin today. Take one step toward the barrier—learn, ask, visit, budget, practice—and watch momentum build. If this story moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway so more neighbors can find it.

https://www.ourneutralvoices.org/

In this powerful and emotional episode, we sit down with Brandon Bower, Executive Director of The Lighthouse, to hear his personal story and calling to Christ-centered recovery. Brandon shares his heart for biblically based counseling and the transformative power of discipleship, mentorship, and authentic community.

We also explore the holistic ministry of The Lighthouse — from recovery and treatment programs to Friday night chapel and meals, community groups, a food pantry, and a thrift store — all rooted in walking alongside people with dignity, hope, and the love of Jesus. This episode is filled with testimony, encouragement, and a clear invitation to remain faithful to your calling while loving your community with humility and transformation in mind.

In this episode of the Love Fort Wayne Podcast, we sit down with Austin Bradmueller, Executive Director of Christian Community Health Care, to explore what it means to lead with the heart of a shepherd. Austin shares how his calling to care for others extends far beyond meeting physical health needs — it’s about bringing the hope of the Gospel to every patient and family, both in word and action.

Together, we dive into the story and mission of Christian Community Health Care, that provides free medical care while pointing people to Christ. Austin also reflects on his own journey of leadership — how this season came to be, what it means to stay rooted in faith, and how he continues to be shaped by mentors and fellow leaders who walk alongside him.

Whether you’re passionate about faith-driven leadership, community care, or holistic ministry, this conversation will encourage and challenge you to see leadership as service and every act of care as a reflection of Christ’s love.

Learn more or get involved by visiting Christian Community Health Care’s website.