What if the place you were trying to leave was the very place God was calling you to help transform? In this episode of the Rise Up Podcast, Jason and Nate sit down with Kristen Friend, Executive Director of Ministry at Rise, to talk about how a casual stop at Stomping Grounds turned into a Spirit-led redirection, a family mission, and a life fully poured out for the gospel in Gresham. Kristen shares the honest story of coming from a deeply rooted church community on the west side, sensing the Holy Spirit in an ordinary coffee shop, and stepping into a tiny young church that her husband knew was “it” before she did. She also opens up about the family vision that once pulled them toward Wyoming, the season away that exposed deeper fears, and the moment God made it clear that the place they were looking for was heaven—not a perfect place on earth. Then the conversation moves into mission, legacy, and what it means to build a church for generations you may never meet. Kristen reflects on raising a family on mission, why ministry joy outweighs ministry difficulty, and how the Pacific Northwest has forged a unique unity among churches that know the gospel is too urgent for petty division. If you’ve ever wrestled with discontent, wondered whether you’re in the right place, or needed fresh courage to take the next faithful step, this episode will help you lift your eyes and see the bigger story God is writing. Challenge: Are you chasing the perfect place, the perfect life, or the perfect circumstances? Ask God to show you where He has already planted you—and what it would look like to stop searching for heaven somewhere else and start bringing its hope right where you are.

Episode 05 — Rewriting the Story of the Next Generation

What if the future of your city is being shaped right now—in a kids hallway, in a classroom, in the quiet courage of a leader who almost said no? In this episode of the Rise Up Podcast, Jason sits down with Kids Ministry Director Marisa Brown (with Jordan jumping in) to explore the calling, cost, and conviction behind next-gen ministry at Rise.

Marisa shares how her family first came to Rise in a season of heartbreak, loneliness, and loss—and how an unexpected encounter with the Holy Spirit met her before she even had language for it. From feeling overwhelmed by “church culture” to stepping into serving, then leadership, you’ll hear how God often builds calling the same way He builds faith: invitation after invitation, one brave yes at a time.

This conversation goes deeper than “kids ministry strategies.” It’s about legacy. It’s about rewriting generational stories. Marisa opens up about a messy upbringing and the few stable adults who changed everything—fueling her burden to know kids by name, to love them well, and to become the kind of steady presence that can reshape a life. And in one of the most practical takeaways of the series, she distills the “secret sauce” of next-gen ministry into a single word: connection—because kids don’t just learn Jesus through information, they trust Him through relationships.

Challenge: Who was the steady presence God used in your story—and who might He be calling you to become for someone else? Spend time with Jesus, listen for the quiet invitation, and take the brave next step—because what feels small today could become someone’s foundation tomorrow.

Episode 04 —The Soundtrack to Your Calling: How Faithfulness Shapes Eternal Impact

What does it look like to say “yes” to Jesus when the work is unglamorous, the timeline is unclear, and the fruit is still invisible? In this episode, Nate and Jason sit down with Tyler Nobes—founding member of Rise and creator of Church Lobby Music—to trace the unlikely chain of events that led from a random café sale to a church plant, from freezing garage rehearsals to the soundtrack now serving churches far beyond Gresham. Tyler shares behind-the-scenes stories from the early Rise days: the grind of set-up/tear-down, the “foxhole” bonds that form real buy-in, and how God uses ordinary sacrifice to forge uncommon community.

Then the conversation turns to Tyler’s newest “assignment”: building a legit, church-safe music platform after discovering the hard way that Spotify isn’t licensed for public church use. You’ll hear how Church Lobby Music was born out of a real ministry need—creating instrumental, conversation-friendly atmosphere without lyric controversies or livestream takedowns—and why Tyler believes God often reveals calling through a string of connected obediences. This episode is for anyone wondering if their unseen service matters, if their current job is “wasted,” or if their next step is too small to count.

Challenge: Identify your next right step—one “yes” you’ve been postponing because it feels inconvenient or insignificant. Take it this week. The Kingdom is often built in the places you’d least want to volunteer.