Father On Purpose Podcast

What do youth sports reveal about us as dads? More than we might want to admit. In this conversation with Townsend Church Pastor and Upward Sports League Director Tim Sparrow, Kent and Lawson dig into the highs and lows of parenting on the sidelines. From yellow cards to halftime prayers, Tim shares how sports can be more than competition—they can be a training ground for humility, discipleship, and Christ-like leadership.

We touch...

What happens when an NFL coach and lifelong disciple-maker sits down to talk about fatherhood, faith, and identity? In this conversation with Sherman Smith (former coach of the Seahawks and Titans), Kent and Lawson answer that question and uncover powerful lessons every dad needs to hear. Sherman shares how hiding God’s Word in his heart has shaped his life, why identity in Christ is the foundation for everything we do, and how our...

Dad, have you ever wondered what happens when you get your identity right? And what’s at stake when you get it wrong? In this final part of our 3-week series on identity, we dig into the outcomes of discovering our biblical identity. Jesus says we’re the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13), the light of the world (Matthew 5:14), and the branches connected to the Vine (John 15:5). When you know who you are in Christ, your whole life fl...

Dad, who do you say you are? We live in a world that hands out labels like candy—your job, your personality type, your hobbies, your past. Some of those things matter, but not all of them belong in your identity bucket. In this episode, the second of a three part series on (you guessed it) IDENTITY, Kent and Lawson unpack the “I Am” statements of Jesus, explore what’s true only of Him, what’s true only of us, and what’s true of us ...

When it comes to your identity, do you ever feel the pull to let culture, career, or even past mistakes define who you are? The stakes are high, and not just for you, but for your kids too. This episode will begin a three-part series on Identity, and for today, we’ll start with the foundations we look to on our journey to find out what our identity truly is.

Together we’ll walk through six guiding principles, things like why the ...

"My greatest lesson in my entire life was that I'm not in control." Wise words from our wonderful guest today, Scott MacLellan. Do you ever feel the pressure to try and be your kids' savior? Like you're responsible for all of their choices, no matter how good or bad they might be? Scott learned the hard way that there's only one person that can fill that role, and it's not you and me. It's only Jesus. Today, Scott shows us what it ...

"You want your kids to see you as a safe space." That's just one of the gold nuggets you'll get from today's guest, Dr. Kim Kimberling. Dr. Kim is a treasure trove of wisdom, and we have the chance to soak some of that up in today's episode. Ever wondered how to parent kids in a culture ruled by social media and cancel culture, what it means to be intentional as a dad, or how to practically cultivate grace in your home? We get into...

If you knew the answer to every question you ever asked, would you still ask them? Probably not. However, we can learn from the model of Jesus who had at least some of (if not all) the answers to every question he ever asked...and yet he still asked them. Why? We believe that at least part of that answer is because Scripture teaches that the heart of the wise is a curious heart (Proverbs 18:15, 20:5).

Asking questions does more t...

What does it really mean to be a biblical father? Not just a moral, modern, or “cool” dad, but one who shapes his kids’ hearts for the Lord. In this episode, we break fatherhood down into three essential ingredients—straight from Scripture—so you can parent with purpose. Whether you’re a brand-new dad or a seasoned veteran, you’ll find biblical encouragement, practical wisdom, and even some laughter along the way.

Think of this e...

Dad, have you paused lately to think about who has helped you become the father, husband, and man you are today? Chances are, you didn't get here alone. We're all products of past generosity. This episode is all about recognizing and appreciating those who've supported us behind the scenes. We want to celebrate the people who rarely get the spotlight but who play essential roles in our lives and stories. Namely, today we want to ho...

If you're anything like us, your answer to the title question might sound something like "well it depends...in what area?" What if we're asking the wrong question altogether? Our culture constantly pushes us to measure success in terms of work accomplishments, financial milestones, or social recognition. It's tempting to think of our life as an aggregate GPA, where we might be failing in one area, but hey, at least we're doing okay...

Do you ever feel like everything depends on you? Providing for the family. Holding it all together. Making sure the house doesn’t fall apart—figuratively and literally. This mindset can feel noble, but it often leads to stress, anxiety, or pride.

In this episode, we unpack Psalm 127 and Hebrews 3 to remind ourselves what it means to let God take the lead. He is the true Builder, and when we try to take that role from Him, we end up...

Ever feel like your past is holding you back as a dad? You’re not alone—and you’re not disqualified. This week, we sit down with a very special guest and new friend of the show, Sammy Perez. He's a husband, father of four, and national voice for second chances through his work at Prison Fellowship. Sammy’s story is raw and real. From time behind bars to meeting Jesus in a prison cell and even finding his own father figure, his test...

today's episode, we have the pleasure of talking with pastor Aaron Harvie. Aaron is the senior pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. Prior to his role there, he served as a Church Planting Mobilizer with the North American Mission Board and taught at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has an extensive background in pastoring and planting churches in Kentucky and Philadelphia. Aaron and Allison have 5 child...

It started as a simple family phrase: "Look for the overlooked." However, Lawson's daughter Olivia flipped this on its head, encouraging her students to ask if maybe one of the people you're overlooking is yourself—or even a version of yourself you've neglected for too long. In this episode, we unpack what it means to notice the unseen, and not just in the people around us, but in the parts of ourselves we’ve pushed aside. What hav...

Faithful. Gentle. Loving. Godly. Patient. These are the kinds of words we hope our kids would use to describe us. But if they were being totally honest, what’s the one word they'd actually write down? Would it be something we’re proud of—or something that hits a little too close to home, like angry, stressed, or even absent? In this episode, Kent and Lawson walk through a simple but eye-opening exercise that reveals how our day-to-...

Happy Father's Day!

To celebrate with you, we decided to compile a "best of" podcast episode from this past year. This will give you something to do on this special day, since you definitely don't have anything better to do...right? It's like an annual recap. Take a trip down memory lane with us to some of our favorite highlights from our past year of podcasting. Thank you for being along for the ride. As always, remember: you are ...

In today's episode, we have the privilege of sharing our conversation with pastor and author Mark Batterson. Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the author of 24 books including the New York Times bestselling The Circle Maker as well as In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, and, most recently, A Million Little Miracles...

Today's episode is a little different than normal. We need your help. As many of us know, the world is suffering from a fatherlessness crisis. Homes without dads abound, and with that reality comes many consequences. We want to stop that. However, the first step towards winning a battle is always realizing that you're in one. That's why we're releasing the State Of Biblical Fatherhood report. With over 6,000 survey responses, this ...