The Harvest USA Podcast

Afleveringen

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  Today’s Youth Ministry Isn’t for the Faint-Hearted by John Freeman 11.08.2026 6min

  What do you do when someone attends your youth group who openly identifies as gay?What do you do when students and parents in your youth ministry have different opinions about sexuality and gender, especially when those opinions contradict the Bible?How do you create a culture in your youth group where young men and women who are struggling with sexual sin, same-sex attraction, or gender distress feel comfortable sharing those struggles with trusted disciplers and mentors?If a youth pastor isn’t prepared to address tough topics related to sexuality and gender, questions like this can throw his ministry into turmoil and confusion.Today’s episode from Harvest USA founder John Freeman offers a plea to youth pastors to take up the serious responsibility of equipping students, youth leaders, and parents how to understand biblical sexuality and compassionately minister to struggling youth.Read along: https://harvestusa.org/youth-ministry-isnt-for-the-faint-hearted/
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  How Can the Church Love People with Intersex Conditions? by Ellen Mary Dykas 07.08.2026 15min

  How can the church help people with intersex conditions?The sexuality conversation in the church often revolves around topics that are more mainstream than intersex conditions. Battling the pornography pandemic, holding fast to a biblical view of marriage and relationships, and raising kids in a tech- and AI-saturated society provide much to keep us busy. But we must study, learn how to walk alongside, and teach and disciple our people to think biblically and minister compassionately to people with intersex conditions too.Today’s episode from Ellen Mary Dykas helps churches care for and understand those with intersex conditions using the word of God as her guide. She defines why intersex conditions are different from cultural gender categories, shares why those with intersex conditions often experience suffering, and shares four steps to help churches expand their application of the gospel into the lives of families and individuals who need care.Understanding the medical condition is one thing; loving the person is another. If your church wants to grow in understanding and caring for those with intersex conditions, listen to this edition of The Harvest USA Podcast!Resources mentioned in today’s episode:Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Klinefelter and Other X and Y Chromosome Variations Program → https://www.chop.edu/centers-programs/klinefelter-and-other-x-and-y-chromosome-variations-programThe Gospel Coalition’s review of Intersex in Christ: Ambiguous Biology and the Gospel by Jennifer Anne Cox → https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/intersex-in-christ-ambiguous-biology-and-the-gospel/?queryID=d1e387c4ccb1e8eb2619f80dd67f3967The Gospel Coalition’s review of Beyond Male and Female? A Theological Account of Intersex Embodiment by Sam Aston: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/beyond-male-and-female-a-theological-account-of-intersex-embodiment/?queryID=d1e387c4ccb1e8eb2619f80dd67f3967You can read along here: https://harvestusa.org/how-can-the-church-love-people-with-intersex-conditions/
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  Your Dating Relationship and Your Sexual Past by Ellen Mary Dykas 04.08.2026 17min

  How do I share about my sexual past with my boyfriend or girlfriend?If you’re dating relationship is moving towards engagement and marriage, it’s critical that you have honest conversations about your sexual past with your significant other before it reaches that point. Marriage is a wonderful but serious commitment, one couple’s should make with true knowledge of one another’s character, strengths, weaknesses, walk with Christ, temptations, shortcomings and more.In today’s episode, Ellen Mary Dykas shares wisdom to help couples navigate these conversations. She affirms the difficulty of these conversations, why it’s important to have the conversation before engagement and formal pre-marital counseling, and the comforts available in Christ for couples courageously pursuing this path of honesty and vunerability.If you’re anxious about the how, what, when, and the how much of sharing the parts of your story that include sexual struggle and sin, this episode provides the Christ-centered comfort and wisdom you need to take this step.PurchaseYour Dating Relationship and Your Sexual Past by Ellen Mary Dykas → https://shop.harvestusa.org/products/your-dating-relationship-and-your-sexual-past-how-much-to-share-minibook
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  Parents, Watch Out for Bad Advice by Joan McConnell 31.07.2026 8min

  When it comes to sexuality and gender, advice for parents is plentiful. There is no shortage of voices telling parents how they should raise their kids or support their adult children regarding these topics.How can Christian parents discern whether such advice is good or bad.Today’s episode from Joan McConnell explores the following five diagnostic questions parents can apply to the advice they receive…Does the advice prioritize the child’s happiness as a goal?Does the advice regard the child’s feelings or choices as primary or directive?Does the advice minimize human fallenness?Doe the advice dilute the authority of Scripture?Does the advice minimize God?If you’re trying to raise kids who honor God with their sexuality or need help interacting with an adult child who embraces worldly categories for sex and gender, this episode will give you the tools you need to discern through the mountains of advice the culture and Christians are offering.Read along here: https://harvestusa.org/parents-watch-out-for-bad-advice/
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  My Husband Sinned Against Me—Why Do I Carry the Shame? by Ellen Mary Dykas 28.07.2026 9min

  If your husband has sinned sexually, you might be surprised at how deeply you feel ashamed.Why does this happen?Ellen Mary Dykas shares why the intimacy of the marriage covenant, and the oneness of life between spouses, contributes to the powerful shame wives can feel in the aftermath of foundation shattering sin entering their marriage. She seeks to help wives understand shame, why they’re experiencing it, and why Jesus brings freedom from both shame and betrayal truama as a our compassionate Savior.Jesus knows what it’s like to experience the “dirtiness” of someone else’s sin. He can set you free from the shame your feeling.Read along with today’s episode here: https://harvestusa.org/my-husband-sinned-against-me-why-do-i-carry-the-shame/
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  Church Discipline: The Heart of Discipleship for Lost Sheep by Yohan Huh Prudente 24.07.2026 16min

  Church discipline is a painful subject. Yet it’s vital to the health of the church and the practice of discipleship. For the men and women who come to Harvest USA with sexual sin struggles, their experience with church discipline, or the lack of it, can be painful and complicated.In today’s episode, Yohan Huh Prudente appeals to church leaders to embrace the value and necessity of church discipline as part of their discipleship. He presents the historical reasons why church discipline should be regarded as an essential mark of the church and appeals to pastors and elders to know their sheep and practice church discipline in a spirit of love that reflects God the Father and Christ, the great Shepherd of His sheep.Read along: https://harvestusa.org/church-discipline-the-heart-of-discipleship-for-lost-sheep/
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  Christ Offers Life – Techniques Don’t by Mark Sanders 21.07.2026 7min

  What is the most important thing for me to do to overcome sexual sin?While techniques that reduce sexually sinful behaviors such internet filters, getting rid of your smartphone, or meticulously planning your day to avoid temptation are essential, if you’re a Christian, the answer is clear: abide in Jesus Christ.Today’s episode from Mark Sanders shows Christians struggling with sexual sin why the life Christ offers through the means of grace are essential to our growth in sexual integrity.Read along here: https://harvestusa.org/techniques-dont-offer-life-christ-does/
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  Are Women Happier Without Men? The Bible’s Solution to Heteropessimism by Caitlin McCaffrey 17.07.2026 14min

  Are women happier without men?For the modern woman, there are increasingly novel ways to describe attractions, but a relatively new one is the term “heteropessimism.”As the name suggests, heteropessimists have a pessimistic outlook on what they would call the unfortunate state of their heterosexual attractions. Attractions which condemn these women, in their view, to a destiny of disappointment and harm at the hands of the men with whom they must have romantic and sexual relationships.In today’s episode, Caitlin McCaffrey takes a look at the ways heteropessimism might be making it’s way into the church. She explores the roots of these ideas in the gender wars while pointing to the Bible’s solution to pessimism about members of the opposite gender.You can read along here: https://harvestusa.org/are-women-happier-without-men-the-bibles-solution-to-heteropessimism/
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  Understanding Asexuality Biblically: How to Help by Caitlin McCaffrey 14.07.2026 9min

  Asexuality, sometimes referred to as “ace”, is an increasingly popular identity marker that describes people who experience little or no sexual attraction to others. Within the context of a Christian worldview, where self-control over one’s sexual desire is a right aim, could it be a good thing for single men and women to identify as asexual?In today’s episode Caitlin McCaffrey helps pastors and church leaders think biblically about this question. She examines what the Bible has to say about identity and then offers a practical approach for church leaders to help men and women wrestling with whether or not to identify as asexual.You can read along here: https://harvestusa.org/understanding-asexuality-biblically-how-to-help/If you’re grappling with asexuality yourself, you can read Caitlin’s article on this topic titled “Am I Asexual?”: https://harvestusa.org/am-i-asexual-harvest-usa/
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  How to Resist Lust at the Beach: Pursue a Greater Pleasure by Keith Seary 10.07.2026 13min

  Have you ever fought to resist lust at the beach?The beach sounds like the perfect place to let our shoulders down and enjoy needed rest, but for Christians battling lust, the beach looks more like a war zone than a vacation. It requires discernment, alertness, self-control, and ruthless intentionality with our eyes and hearts to honor Christ at the beach.Today’s episode from Keith Seary helps you plan for a Christ-honoring beach trip. He offers heart searching reflections and practical exercises you can implement to prepare well. If you follow these instructions, your next trip could be marked by gratitude, holiness, and joy rather than sin, lust, and envy.You can read along with today’s episode here: https://harvestusa.org/how-to-resist-lust-at-the-beach-pursue-a-greater-pleasure/
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  Your Body Is Not for Sale: Helping Young Men Resist Self-Objectification by Stephen Moss 03.07.2026 14min

  Men are racing to objectify themselves.Whether they’re looking for affirmation, clout, sexual gratification, or an extra buck, young men see the opportunity to objectify themselves on social media or platforms like OnlyFans as too good to pass up.Today’s episode from Stephen Moss calls young men to understand the purpose and dignity of their bodies. After exploring the temptations of our cultural moment and the spiritual roots that drive it, Stephen calls young men to consider Christ’s purpose for their bodies and the wonder that Christ’s shed his precious blood to redeem their whole person, soul and body.You can read along as you listen here: https://harvestusa.org/your-body-is-not-for-sale-helping-young-men-resist-self-objectification/
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  What Should You Look for in a Local Church? by Mark Sanders 30.06.2026 11min

  Harvest USA is a unique place. The topics of discussion, the raw honesty of sharing, and the incredible sense of safety are not always what people experience walking into their local churches.If you’re struggling with sexual sin and looking to join a local church, what should you look for?Today’s episode from Mark Sanders offers five points to consider as you evaluate churches for their approach to caring for, discipling, and helping people struggling with sexual sin. No church is perfect, and any helpful discipleship in these areas will require initiative on our part, but churches that are faithfully displaying the qualities shared in today's episode can be great options to join as you pursue sexual integrity.You can read along as you listen to today’s episode here: https://harvestusa.org/what-should-you-look-for-in-a-local-church/
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  Talking with Your Kids About Gender Issues (Part 2) by Ellen Mary Dykas 26.06.2026 32min

  How do I talk to my kids about gender issues?On today’s episode of the podcast, we’re sharing session six of our video course titled “Parenting Boys and Girls in a Gender Confused World”.This course was designed to help parents like you disciple your children to think biblically about gender and grow in their ability to understand and courageously defend the goodness of our Creator’s intent.In today’s session, Ellen Mary Dykas continues her discussion about how to talk to your kids about gender issues. She shares how to speak about gender in light of the Bible's story of fall, redemption, and future glory, then concludes the session with a few ideas for preparing your kids to stand firm on God’s truth when they are opposed, made fun of, or forced to make costly choices because of the biblical foundation your family is standing on.You can watch the entire course for free by registering at https://harvestusa.org/courses/parenting-boys-and-girls-in-a-gender-confused-world/
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  Talking with Your Kids About Gender Issues (Part 1) by Ellen Mary Dykas 23.06.2026 29min

  How do I talk to my kids about gender issues?On today’s episode of the podcast, we’re sharing session five of our video course titled “Parenting Boys and Girls in a Gender Confused World”.This course was designed to help parents like you disciple your children to think biblically about gender and grow in their ability to understand and courageously defend the goodness of our Creator’s intent.In today’s session, Ellen Mary Dykas shares a practical guide for having conversations with your kids about gender, gender struggles, and what the Bible has to say about our gender. First she shares the different kinds of conversations you should have with your children, then she zooms in to share what you should specifically focus on in these conversations.If you want to equip yourself with biblical wisdom for parenting your kids in a gender confused world, register for the full course at https://harvestusa.org/courses/parenting-boys-and-girls-in-a-gender-confused-world/
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  The Transgender Trend: Is It Over? by Mark Sanders 19.06.2026 12min

  On October 14, 2025, Matt Walsh posted on X, “Transgenderism is effectively over. We destroyed it. Clearest and most decisive cultural win that conservatives have ever achieved.” But does the data really show that young people are rapidly abandoning these labels and identities?On today’s episode Harvest USA President Mark Sanders takes a closer look at the cultural moment. He challenges us to look past cultural narratives to remember the suffering our brothers and sisters with loved ones embracing transgender identities are facing. Finally, he calls the church to stand fearlessly for God’s truth without losing our zeal to reach the lost, knowing that whatever opposition we face, we’ve been given a kingdom that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28).Read along: https://harvestusa.org/the-transgender-trend-is-it-over/
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  How Confessing Sexual Sin Can Help Save Your Marriage by Mark Sanders 16.06.2026 11min

  Confessing sexual sin in a marriage is a frightening prospect for many spouses, and therefore, most avoid it. Yet, an ongoing commitment to confessing sexual sin to your spouse can help save your marriage.To give you a healthy approach to confessing your sins, Mark Sanders offers a framework we call “The 24-Hour Rule” in today’s episode. He describes how, when, and what you should share with your spouse, how to avoid unnecessary standards of confession, and why keeping your sin hidden can do far more damage to your relationship than bringing it into the light.If you’re struggling with sexual sin and not sure what or how you should confess to your spouse, this episode if for you.Read along: https://harvestusa.org/how-confessing-sexual-sin-can-help-save-your-marriage/
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  Parenting Boys and Girls in a Gender Confused World: Standing Firm on a Biblical Foundation by Ellen Dykas 12.06.2026 27min

  Do you find it challenging to help your kids understand the Bible’s teaching about gender and sexuality? Especially when your kids peers, teachers, guidance school counselors, along with online conversations, media, and more promote ideas about our bodies, identity, personhood, sex, or gender that don’t line up with biblical faith?On today’s episode of the podcast, we’re sharing session one of our video course titled “Parenting Boys and Girls in a Gender Confused World”.This course was designed to help parents like you disciple your children to think biblically about gender and grow in their ability to understand and courageously defend the goodness of our Creator’s intent.This session from Ellen Mary Dykas helps us the biblical roots of our current cultural moment. She walks us through several theological truths that give us a biblical perspective on how our secular culture’s ideas about sexuality, gender, and identity came to be, while encouraging us to stand firm in God’s eternal truth.Click here to register for free and watch the entire series: https://harvestusa.org/courses/parenting-boys-and-girls-in-a-gender-confused-world/
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  Wisdom to Address Difficult Questions After Your Husband’s Sexual Betrayal by Caitlin McCaffrey 09.06.2026 28min

  Can I share my husband’s sexual sin struggle and our marriage situation with others?Should I pursue separation or divorce?How do I rebuild trust in my husband after his sin?These are some of the questions that commonly swirl around in the heart of a wife after her husband’s sexual sin has come into the light. Since painful betrayal also brings shame and confusion along with it, most wives wrestle with these questions in isolation, not knowing if there’s anybody they can talk about these things with.On today’s episode of The Harvest USA Podcast we’re pleased to share a session titled Difficult Questions Facing Wives: Principles for the Journey Ahead from our free video series Hope in Your Heartbreak: First Steps for Sexually Betrayed Wives.In this session, Women’s Ministry Director Caitlin McCaffrey shares some of the common questions you might be asking if you’re facing sexual betrayal. She then offer five wisdom principles to help you start addressing these questions as you walk the road towards hope.We hope you find clarity hope, and strength for the journey as you listen to today’s episode.You can watch the entire six session series for free at https://harvestusa.org/courses/hope-in-your-heartbreak/
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  Prayer: Finding Peace by Joan McConnell 05.06.2026 9min

  Where can I find peace when my son or daughter has come out as LGBTQ+?Many Christian parents in this situation wrestle with a torrent of emotions and questions. In such tumultuous waters, peace might feel impossible, especially when there’s no obvious path to “fixing” the situation ourselves.Yet the Bible offers an alternative path to peace. The tried and true habit of prayer before the face of God.Today’s episode from Joan McConnell explores why prayer is powerful to producing peace in the heart of a believer, even when their circumstances don’t change. She shares why prayer matters so much to God, what He is seeking to teach us through prayer, and how prayer not only produces peace, but also strength and comfort in the believer’s continued walk with the Lord.If you’re feeling anything but peace in your situation, this article will comfort, challenge, and encourage you.Read along → https://harvestusa.org/prayer-finding-peace/
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  The Pain of Repentance Can Lead You to Jesus by Ellen Mary Dykas 02.06.2026 8min

  Repentance and obedience is beautiful in God’s sight, but it’s often painful.You broke up with your unbelieving boyfriend or pressed pause on an unhealthy relationship.You confessed your porn addiction to your boss, and now you’re out of a job.You admitted your emotional affair, and not only is your spouse a tornado of emotions, but you’re in excruciating sadness from cutting ties with your “secret person.”Today’s episode from Ellen Mary Dykas offers comfort and hope for those feeling the pain of their repentance, reminding them that though God’s pruning mercy is pain, it leads to growth and good in our lives.Read along → https://harvestusa.org/the-pain-of-repentance-can-lead-you-to-jesus/