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In this opening episode of Season 5, Thomas Clark lays a foundation that quietly reshapes everything we believe about discipleship, mission, and the Church. On a “capital C” level, the Church of Jesus Christ does not have a mission—God has a mission, and the Church exists because of it. Thomas explains why phrases like “the church has a mission” or “we need to do more mission” can unintentionally make mission feel optional—like a department, a program, or an outreach night—when in reality mission flows from the very nature of God. Introducing the missio Dei (the mission of God), he walks listeners through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, restoration, and new creation, showing that God’s ongoing work is to restore humanity back into His shalom (peace) through Jesus Christ.

Thomas then connects this to the sending nature of God: God sends Abram, Moses, Isaiah, and ultimately sends His Son. God doesn’t send ideas—He sends people. Jesus is the ultimate “sent One,” and in John 20:21 Jesus makes it clear that as the Father sent Him, He now sends His followers. This episode challenges listeners to stop thinking of mission as something we initiate or “take God” to, and instead to become discerners—joining God where He is already moving in everyday places. The episode ends with a tension-building question and an “I will” challenge to help listeners take a concrete next step toward living as sent disciples in their neighborhoods, workplaces, and third places.

Please consider following this podcast so that you do not miss an episode. Also, please support the work we are doing with either a monthly or yearly subscription. Subscribers will receive early access to episodes along with other perks.

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Take Off is a disciple-making podcast designed to equip everyday followers of Jesus to live missionally where they live, work, learn, and play. Supporters help sustain this work and receive short bonus reflections each week that go deeper into the themes of the episode—offering additional insight, pastoral encouragement, and formation-focused teaching. Supporting is not about buying content, but partnering in the slow, faithful work of making disciples who make disciples.

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"You may retire from employment, but you never retire from discipleship."

In the conclusion of this two-part conversation, Thomas Clark and Ruth Price dive deep into the "Third Place"—those community hangouts like gardens, town halls, and local festivals where social momentum is built. Ruth shares her incredible journey of becoming "the church" at the Harambee Community Garden and beyond, proving that making disciples is about being present where life is already happening.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Power of the Third Place: How a community garden or a local jazz show becomes a sanctuary for God’s peace.
• The B.L.E.S.S. Rhythms in Action: A practical look at how Ruth uses prayer, listening, eating, serving, and story-sharing to bridge the gap between neighbors.
• Assessment vs. Assumption: How to move past "guessing" what a community needs by using surveys, Google forms, and active listening at police district meetings.
• Overcoming Ethnocentrism: A candid, "funny" story from Ruth about a 200-year-old tree and the conscious choice to value a neighbor’s perspective over her own opinions.

Movement thinking requires us to see that Christ is present 24/7. Whether Ruth is talking to a neighbor about a memorial or serving refreshments at a garden, she is "invading the world" with the shalom of God. This episode will challenge you to look for the "hidden gems" in your own community and ask: How can I be the presence of Jesus here?

The B.L.E.S.S. Rhythms

1. B - Be in Prayer
2. L - Listen with Intentionality
3. E - Eat a Meal
4. S - Serve and Be Served
5. S - Share a Story about Christ

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• Subscribe: Join the movement! Subscribe on your favorite platform to get notified every time a new episode drops.
• Support & Access: For just $3/month, gain early access to episodes and join our Exclusive Monthly Live Q&A with Bishop Thomas Clark and guests.
• Your Challenge: How can you show up and address a specific need in your community this week?
• Your "I Will" Statement: "I will [Fill in the blank]." Share your commitment with someone who can hold you accountable!

Please consider following this podcast so that you do not miss an episode. Also, please support the work we are doing with either a monthly or yearly subscription. Subscribers will receive early access to episodes along with other perks.

Support the show

Take Off is a disciple-making podcast designed to equip everyday followers of Jesus to live missionally where they live, work, learn, and play. Supporters help sustain this work and receive short bonus reflections each week that go deeper into the themes of the episode—offering additional insight, pastoral encouragement, and formation-focused teaching. Supporting is not about buying content, but partnering in the slow, faithful work of making disciples who make disciples.

https://www.facebook.com/bishopthomas.clark/

https://www.youtube.com/@taclark4

https://www.taclark4ministries.com/

https://x.com/TAClark4

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In the world of disciple-making, "watching" is a bad word. We don't watch—we engage.

In this episode of this powerful series, Thomas Clark sits down with his long-time friend and "mission partner," Ruth Price. At 77 years young, Ruth is a living testimony that God’s call on your life doesn't have a retirement date. Operating out of the historical Austin neighborhood in Chicago, Ruth shares how she transitioned from simply being a resident to becoming a missional, incarnational presence on her block.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Incarnational Impulse: What it means to be "enfleshed" with Christ in your first place—the neighborhood where you live.
• Breaking the "Castle" Mentality: Moving from seeing our homes as private fortresses to viewing them as outposts for the Kingdom.
• Technology as a Tool for Peace: How Ruth uses email and social media to connect over 80 neighbors, proving that tech is only as "good" or "evil" as the purpose behind it.
• Earning the Right to be Heard: The journey of inviting people into your life until they trust you enough to invite you into theirs.

Every problem is a discipleship problem, and Christ transforms culture through His followers. Are you ready to stop waving from your car and start doing a "deep dive" into the lives of the people around you?

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• Subscribe: Never miss an episode! Hit that subscribe button to stay updated on the latest in movement thinking.
• Join the Inner Circle: Support the podcast for as little as $3/month to get early access to episodes and an exclusive invite to our monthly Live Q&A with Thomas Clark.
• Your "I Will" Statement: Based on today’s conversation, what is one specific action you will take this week to bring peace to your neighborhood? Who will you share it with?

Let’s Take Off!

Please consider following this podcast so that you do not miss an episode. Also, please support the work we are doing with either a monthly or yearly subscription. Subscribers will receive early access to episodes along with other perks.

Support the show

Take Off is a disciple-making podcast designed to equip everyday followers of Jesus to live missionally where they live, work, learn, and play. Supporters help sustain this work and receive short bonus reflections each week that go deeper into the themes of the episode—offering additional insight, pastoral encouragement, and formation-focused teaching. Supporting is not about buying content, but partnering in the slow, faithful work of making disciples who make disciples.

https://www.facebook.com/bishopthomas.clark/

https://www.youtube.com/@taclark4

https://www.taclark4ministries.com/

https://x.com/TAClark4