Episodes

  • S10 Ep 4 | Charles Plummer

    S10 Ep 4 | Charles Plummer
    Apr 1 2025
    In this podcast interview, host Dr. Matt Davis and Dr. Charles Plummer, Maranatha’s Human Resources director, discover they share common experiences of bagging groceries and playing trombone, albeit their trombone explorations ended differently. Trombone performance and music were Dr. Plummer’s profession and passion. With a doctorate in musical arts in pedagogy and literature, he taught, played professionally, composed, and arranged music. Likewise, music was the reason he joined the U.S. Army as an older-than-average recruit—so much older, in fact, that he was called “Private Grandpa.” Drs. Davis and Plummer discuss music’s message and how it moves us; how the Lord opens and closes “doors,” which He did for Dr. Plummer through an injury that ultimately landed him in human resources and then at MBU; and how he now applies his “Great Commandment” mission in his new position.
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    47 mins
  • S10 Ep 3 | Carl Herbster

    S10 Ep 3 | Carl Herbster
    Mar 25 2025
    Advancing as a manager with Martin Marietta Corporation after college, Dr. Carl Herbster became convicted of the need to invest his life in something of greater eternal merit. His mission became “to serve God and to help other people serve God.” Dr. Herbster and host Dr. Matt Davis review the varied ministries Dr. Herbster’s mission has included—from early days leading a fledgling Christian school, to the multi-faceted ministry of a pastor. Dr. Herbster explains the influential relationship he forged with former Attorney General John Ashcroft which ultimately led to establishment of his current ministry on Capitol Hill, AdvanceUSA. In conclusion, they examine present political developments related to Christian education and the need for a new generation to champion the cause, to say, as Dr. Davis quoted, “Here am I; send me”—a stance integral to Maranatha’s goals.
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    1 hr
  • S10 Ep 2 | Sam Brock

    S10 Ep 2 | Sam Brock
    Mar 18 2025
    Having defined his mission in an earlier podcast, Mr. Sam Brock, Executive director of Ironwood Christian Camp, returns with host Dr. Matt Davis to analyze parachurch ministries and their partnership with independent local churches. They clearly acknowledge the primacy of the church in God’s plan and the role of parachurch organizations to serve the church, but note the challenges that can threaten affiliations. Dr. Davis outlines levels of relationships, and Mr. Brock asserts the importance of maintaining “a constituency of One.” They examine the nuances of context, the reality of “communication lag,” the merits of traditions or lack thereof, and the inherent need for and inevitability of change and its effects. Dr. Davis encapsulates the podcast’s purpose saying that others need to see how ministry leaders “grapple” with these complexities and the intense accountability they feel to make right decisions.
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    51 mins
  • S10 Ep 1 | Janet Tschida

    S10 Ep 1 | Janet Tschida
    Mar 11 2025
    MBU associate professor Janet Tschida, regales host Dr. Matt Davis with the story of her delayed music education and the setback that threatened it. She explains her mission saying, “I remember in college thinking … what does God want me to do … where … and with whom … I was missing the fundamental question … who does God want me to be.” Having established her God-intended identity, she says her mission is “to encourage those in my circle of influence to do the same,” a sphere which now includes interns and students. Discussing benefits of music, Dr. Davis expressed appreciation for perspectives his sons gained in the music prep program, which “set the stage … to say, ‘Whatever, God, you’ve given me, that’s something I can use in ministry,’” which Dr. Davis asserts in conclusion, “is a very Maranatha thing.”
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    47 mins
  • S9 Ep 11 | Dan Bjokne

    S9 Ep 11 | Dan Bjokne
    Feb 4 2025
    Dan Bjokne joined MBU as Director of Development in May 2024. In this lively interview, he explains to host Dr. Matt Davis how he can trace God’s hand in his life, from his first job in a reconditioned container factory to his “reconditioned” (reborn) soul as a public-school teacher, to his repurposed life serving in multiple ministries. Referencing Exodus 17, Dan describes his mission by saying, “I just want to be Aaron. I just want to be Hur. I just want to hold up … heavy hands.” When asked how that Old Testament picture drives him in leadership today, he quickly outlines a leader’s need “to walk humbly,” to realize “it’s not all about me,” and to acknowledge that “God can get this done without me.” He quotes a definition for servanthood he once heard: Taking the lead in going to the back of the line—a philosophy that echoes Maranatha’s mission of servant leadership.
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    54 mins
  • S9 E10 | David Oliver

    S9 E10 | David Oliver
    Dec 24 2024
    The scenario presented in this episode of On Mission is the following: a teen boy with no Christian background is saved while reading a gospel tract, immediately seeks a Bible-preaching church, and eventually becomes a preacher. Who would write that narrative? Only God. And that is guest Dr. Oliver’s story. Dr. Oliver, a pastor and Maranatha’s new board chair, discusses with host Dr. Matt Davis his mission to preach. They explore what preaching is and isn’t, its essential components, how it parallels authoritative legal constructions, and the effects it should elicit. David’s quest to engage another generation in selfless ministry (which he pursues through mentoring summer interns) is also Maranatha’s mission—a mission he is responsible to protect as a board member. Noting his own legal profession and his guest’s pastoral ministry, Dr. Davis pointed out that God has a calling for each one of us, whether it is nursing or education or business and humanities. The degrees that MBU offers, those the world thinks of as secular, they are ministry degrees when used for God’s glory.
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    47 mins
  • S9 Ep 9 | Paul Brown

    S9 Ep 9 | Paul Brown
    Dec 17 2024
    Are you a high school student worried about what to do next? Take heart. In this podcast episode Paul Brown explains steps the Lord used to guide him to an answer to that dilemma, an answer that surprised him, one that would take him from a business major in a community college to a physical education major in a small Christian college and then to his current position as Maranatha’s athletics director and women’s basketball coach. After high school, Paul’s goal was to become an accountant, work a few months during tax season, and then enjoy leisure sports. Now his mission is to use the tools of athletics to help others conform to Christ’s image. He and host Dr. Davis discuss how his program of accountability, communication, and relationships helps set Maranatha apart. For instance, Dr. Davis cites a tragic situation in which a visiting team … Oh, it’s truly a heartwarming story—so please listen!
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    51 mins
  • S9 E8 | Aria Saunders

    S9 E8 | Aria Saunders
    Dec 10 2024
    Sometimes personal needs direct career choices, as MBU Assistant Professor Aria Saunders explains in this podcast episode. Aria pursued a master’s degree in science and biomedical engineering with an emphasis in assistive technologies and served as research coordinator in a lab specializing in developing medical equipment for people with disabilities. She focused her research primarily on type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease which she personally controls with technology. “I think,” she comments, “some of the best scientific discoveries are from people who have personal vested interests in finding better solutions.” Aria and host Dr. Davis compare their experiences on secular campuses, expressing surprise at tolerance of unbelieving classmates and of their curiosity toward Bible-believers. They also discuss isolation resulting from faith that contradicts campus philosophy and lifestyle. "Let your light so shine before men, “Aria recites as her life’s mission, “that others may see your good works and glorify your Father which is heaven”—an apropos goal for someone seeking to help others with medical assistance and now, as an instructor, equipping students to do the same.
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    43 mins