“How did you go bankrupt?” one character asks another in Ernest Hemingway’s The Son Also Rises. “Two ways,” the other character responds. “Gradually and then suddenly.”

But as Mark Batterson points out in his new book, “That’s also how you get out of debt. That’s how you start a business, write a book, or run a marathon — and a thousand other things.”

“Regardless of craft or career, dreams don’t become reality overnight,” he writes. “Reverse engineer any success story, and I daresay it happened two ways — gradually then suddenly.”

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Mark Batterson about how to succeed in ministry, based on insights from his new book. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Mark Batterson is lead pastor at National Community Church in Washington, DC, and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. A New York Times-bestselling author, his newest book is Gradually Then Suddenly: How to Dream Bigger, Decide Better, and Leave a Lasting Legacy, published by Multnomah.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 13: Leadership is More Than Luck.

As the thirteenth general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Doug Clay reflects on the powerful legacy of twelve spiritual pioneers who came before him. Through personal stories, timeless principles, and the Spirit-led wisdom of these men, 13: Leadership is More Than Luck invites readers into a heritage of leadership that has shaped a Movement and impacted the world.

For more information about the 13: Leadership is More Than Luck, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

Which way are American young adults going when it comes to religion?

Pew Research Center’s Religious Landscape Survey reports that only 45% of Americans 18–29 years old identify as Christians, compared to 54% of those aged 30–49, 72% of 50–64, and 74% of 65+.

Barna Group’s State of the Church initiative reports that young adults are leading “a resurgence in church attendance.” Gen Z (born 1999–2015) and Millennials (born 1984–98) attend church 1.9 and 1.8 weekends a month, respectively. By contrast, Gen X (born 1965–83), Boomers (born 1946–64), and Elders (born pre-1946) attend 1.6, 1.4, and 1.4 weekends monthly, respectively.

So are American young adults secularizing or experiencing a revival? It’s impossible to say for sure. The only way for Christians to find out is to do the work of evangelism and discipleship.

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Josh Wellborn about ministry to the next generation of adults. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Josh Wellborn is director of the Assemblies of God’s Young Adults ministry and author of 30 Under 30.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 30 Under 30.

In 30 Under 30: Young Adults in Scripture Who Heard from God, you’ll meet 30 young adults from the Bible who had their own defining moments. Heroes or cautionary tales—they all had a choice. This isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a call to action. God still speaks, and if you’re willing to listen, He’s got something to say to you.

For more information about the 30 Under 30, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

The Preamble to the Assemblies of God “Statement of Fundamental Truth” says:

“The Bible is our all-sufficient rule for faith and practice. This Statement of Fundamental Truths is intended simply as a basis of fellowship among us …. The phraseology employed in this statement is not inspired or contended for, but the truth set forth is held to be essential to a full-gospel ministry. No claim is made that it contains all biblical truth, only that it covers our need as to these fundamental doctrines.”

This Preamble serves as the epigraph of Mike Ivaska’s new book, A Basis of Fellowship, which contains sermons he preached about the “Statement of Fundamental Truths” at Vachon Island Community Church in the Fall of 2024.

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Ivaska about why and how he preached those sermons, and why and how AG ministers should do something similar. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Mike Ivaska is pastor of Vashon Island Community Church in Washington state and an ordained Assemblies of God minister. He wrote “Preaching Doctrine” in the Summer 2025 issue of Influence magazine and is author of A Basis of Fellowship, published by Resource Publications.

—————

This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler.

The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler equips you with an understanding of the Holy Spirit's role in your life. As a resource for both laypeople and ministry leaders, it also imparts practical insight for anyone discipling others in receiving the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

For more information about The Holy Spirit in the Life of the Discipler visit MyHealthyChurch.com.

“Christians are called to be ‘in the world’ and ‘not of the world’,” says a new Assemblies of God position paper, citing John 17:11–16.

“We must embrace our identity as Christian citizens, as public witnesses, and as salt and light,” it continues, “Believers must also maintain their Christian character while engaging in politics. We prioritize our calling in Christ and do not condone the demonization of fellow citizens with whom we disagree. Such negative conduct can detract from the mission of Christ and the aligned Assemblies of God mission to evangelize, worship God, build disciples, and show compassion.”

In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Allen Tennison about “Christians and Citizenship,” a new position paper adopted by the General Presbytery of the Assemblies of God during its August 2025 meeting. I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

Allen Tennison is theological counsel of the General Council of the Assemblies of God and chair of its Commission on Doctrines and Practices.

—————

This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of 13: Leadership is More Than Luck.

As the thirteenth general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Doug Clay reflects on the powerful legacy of twelve spiritual pioneers who came before him. Through personal stories, timeless principles, and the Spirit-led wisdom of these men, 13: Leadership is More Than Luck invites readers into a heritage of leadership that has shaped a Movement and impacted the world.

For more information about the 13: Leadership is More Than Luck, visit MyHealthyChurch.com.