The Overcomers with Matt Chandler

This is a sobering yet hope-filled episode. I sit down with Summer Vinson Berger and Adam Paa to discuss the pain, complexity, and redemptive potential of shepherding care in the local church. From owning massive failures in 2015 to building a robust, gospel-centered care framework at The Village Church, we discuss stories, strategies, and heartfelt convictions about what real, redemptive care looks like when the church chooses hum...

Today I unpack the gritty, grace-filled realities of planting churches with three faithful men—Ronnie, Travis, and Spencer—who are living it right now. We talk about the surprising slowness of fruit, the wounds of unmet expectations, and the refining power of suffering. We also celebrate the deep friendships, family sacrifices, and the sacred calling of building from scratch. Whether you’re dreaming of planting, deep in the trenche...

This episode is special to me. I sit down with two of my heroes in the faith—Ray Ortlund and Crawford Loritts. These men have been anchors for me in moments of doubt and discouragement, and I wanted to ask them the questions that most pastors eventually ask themselves: How do you stay faithful for the long haul? How do you finish well when so many don't? We talk about the rhythms that sustained them over decades, the call of mi...

In this episode, I sat down with three close friends—Zack Brown, Kasey Brown, and PJ Kratohvil—all veterans who served overseas in the Army and Marines. We unpack what life in the military gave them, what it took, and how faith became the thread that started to stitch them back together. From life growing up to the trauma of combat, and from isolation to post-traumatic growth, this conversation is raw, redemptive, and real. If you’...

In this episode, I sat down with Mason King and Nick Crawford—two of my fellow elders at The Village—to talk about plurality. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s biblical, and because it has been a safeguard in my ministry. Early on, I had all the power, all the control—and I knew it. It was efficient, it was fast, and it was dangerous. So we talk about why one-man leadership is a bad idea, what true elder plurality actually ...

Man, today’s episode is rich. I’m sitting down with Dr. Michelle Bowman—an educator, leader, and sister in Christ who has walked through the fire and come out on the other side with her joy still. Her story? It’s not the cleaned-up version. It’s real. Ten years of struggle, a marriage that ended in heartbreak, and a journey back into the family of faith, not with shame but with strength.

What you’ll hear in Michelle is the kind of r...

In this episode of The Overcomers, I sit down with Colleen Searcy and Ryan Wester for a really honest, meaningful conversation about calling, faith, and what it looks like to lead in the local church as a woman.

Colleen grew up in a home shaped by deep faith. Her grandfather didn’t just teach her the Apostles' Creed—he lived it. From early on, she was being discipled, not just taught. Her story is one of steady formation in the ...

In this episode of The Overcomers, I sit down with Danny Spencer, a long-time member of The Village Church, as he shares his powerful story of healing and hope. Raised in a home marked by addiction and loss, Danny carried deep wounds into adulthood—even as he built a successful banking career. Behind the scenes, alcohol was quietly undoing everything.

At his lowest point, Danny found his way into a 12-step meeting...

Leadership under pressure is no joke. Pastors Leonce Crump and Joby Martin open up about the weight of responsibility—when betrayal, exhaustion, and doubt threaten to take you out. Leonce shares about seasons of heartbreak that nearly broke him, and Joby talks about burnout, even in a thriving ministry. This isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about leaning into Jesus when you’re running on empty.

What keeps you in the fight? Joby...

Family life is messy—loud, exhausting, and often overwhelming. But the everyday moments—car rides, meals, bedtime—can be sacred opportunities to point our kids to Jesus.

This week on the Overcomers Podcast, I sit down with Adam Griffin, author and host of the Family Discipleship Podcast, to talk about leading our families in grace, not perfection. Adam shares his struggles with impatience and how embracing our weaknesses can deepen ...

Thanks for tuning in to another episode of The Overcomers. In this episode, I’m joined by Kim Zember, whose journey with Jesus shows the messy, beautiful reality of sanctification. Growing up in a Christian home in Southern California, Kim had some transformative encounters with Jesus, but her path hasn’t always been straightforward.

We dive into the challenges Kim faced growing up—especially her early view of God as this authoritat...

What if the key to true success is embracing your vulnerabilities? In today’s episode of the Overcomers Podcast, the tables turn—Lauren Chandler interviews me about a season of deep transformation. We’ll unpack my journey from external success in ministry to confronting the internal struggles I couldn’t ignore anymore. I was emotionally stuck, overwhelmed, and hiding behind humor and problem-solving. That’s when I decided to get he...

On this episode, I sit down with two of my closest friends, Josh and Trevor, to reflect on insights from a 90-year Harvard study on adult development, highlighting the essential role of deep, reliable friendships—what we refer to as a "King's Table" or "3 am friends." 

Throughout our discussion, we underscore the significance of vulnerability in building lasting male friendships. Intentionality and proximity are ...

As I wrap up this season, I want to neatly summarize what this season was about. Whether it was walking through the four Horseman of the apocalypse, interviews, question and answers, the whole point was to highlight how true overcoming is not tied to mere personal effort or any treasure of this world, but arises from deep, heartfelt worship, rooted in the confidence of Jesus' reign and rule. This worship brings strength, courag...

On this episode of The Overcomers I tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about suffering and God's love. Questions like why bad things happen to good people, why doesn't God answer prayer, and others. All with the aim of confronting the lies that will lead people to dark spaces with the truths of scripture.

My prayer is that through this series you will discover and be reminded of the hope and courage available...

It's possible to have everything this world has to offer and be starving — maybe not physically, but spiritually. In this episode of The Overcomers, I want to help you gain a deeper understanding of the profound symbolism of the black horse from Revelation 6 and its connection to spiritual famine.

Gary and Sandi Stevenson's marriage was built on shaky grounds from the start, marred by infidelity and addiction, which led to ...

This episode is a slight departure from my usual episode, but I had the profound opportunity to sit with Max Lucado, a man I have admired for many years, to discuss the layers of growth and grace that have marked his journey from a young man battling alcohol to the seasoned pastor he is today. In our candid conversation, you will get to see the heart of a spiritual leader who has walked through the fire of personal trials and emerg...

I've personally felt the heavy hand of illness and seen its shadow loom over those I care for. In this episode, we will examine what the Pale Horse represents and how we are to combat it. We will also take a look at what Revelation has to say about how illness and sickness affects the saints today. This conversation isn't just theological—it's personal. I share some of my own journey through sickness, and how I had to w...

In this episode, I want to orient our thinking around how we're going to experience the Black Horse and its Rider. Because if we're going to overcome the Black Horse, then we need to understand how the rider and the horse affect us and those around us.

This conversation isn't meant to be an intellectual exercise; it's a realistic look at the black rider's impact on our faith and walk with Christ.This episode is a...