Today, Craig and LaDonna Smith start a new and fascinating series with Pastor Joel Van Hoogen of Boise, ID. Joel also leads and international equipping ministry called Church Partnership Evangelism, Inc. He is author of a book titled, Saving Evangelicals, which is an interesting look into the issue of our personal salvation. Van Hoogen suggests that not all people who think they are believers in Christ are actually saved, an important concept that has good strong biblical support (Matthew 7:21-23). In this multiple episode series, the Smiths delve into the topic deeper with Pastor Joel as he explains how we all can do a self-examination to see if we are truly in the faith. Don't miss one single episode of this powerful and important visit with Rev. Van Hoogen. It's all about the assurance of our salvation, and Joel states that there are six prominent parts or experiences we. have with God in the salvation process. Joel quotes 2 Corinthians 13:5, where it says, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test, as the biblical basis for this self-examination or test. You can access the book at Amazon.com in both print and e-book formats. Dig into this important issue with the Smiths on this and upcoming episodes of Indigenous Faith.

In this, the final episode of our series with Ken and Becky Berge, their family opens the program by sharing the title song of one of their CD's called Trusting You. It so beautifully sets the stage as the theme of this whole series, and especially this final episode. Craig asks Ken and Becky to share the lessons God has taught them through their many years in gospel music, and in particular how they transitioned in the changing seasons of life when their performance ministry ended with the marriages of their daughters and sons-in-law and the godly beginnings of a new generation, who, by the way, continue in their own music as family units and occasionally share their songs at the annual Lake Itasca Family Music Festival. The broadcast is brought to a close by two songs, one from Craig and LaDonna and the other a fitting Acapella rendition of The Berge Family singing the old classic chorus, Thank You, Lord. Yes, both the Smiths and Berge's give thanks to the Lord for how He has and continues to use them to spread the gospel through song, teaching, preaching, and godly living in these last days. We hope you've enjoyed all the episodes in this moving series, and especially, the addition of the family's recordings of the songs that are near and dear to their hearts. Remind others that they can listen to every episode in the series by simply going to tribalrescue.com and clicking on the archived programs just below the play button on the Smith's homepage. Craig and LaDonna look forward to upcoming episodes with new interviews, insights, and teaching in the days, weeks, months, and years to come! God bless you, dear listener and may your faith, be it Indigenous or not, continue to grow in the knowledge of grace and truth! See you next week for another edition of Indigenous Faith!

After another foot-tapping bluegrass song from The Berge Family, Ken and Becky continue to unpackage the wonderful journey the Lord took them through in their family's popular bluegrass music ministry. But the list gets serious fast as Craig and LaDonna asks them about a very serious crossroads that many families face when the children who are part of the music team grow and blossom into young adults and as one popular song says, Love is in the air....! How does a family deal with what inevitably happens when marriages take place and the old way of doing things meets this major decision making time. Do we continue singing, which we enjoy so much and God seems to be blessing it so well, or do we have to change, or even close down this wonderful chapter in our lives because the lead singer and instrumentalist now has a family of their own? Ken and Becky shared how they transitioned into a new chapter of powerful ministry and influence by launching a family music festival that in the 18th year of it, in 2024, drew close to 3,500 attendees and has launched a number of family music ministry teams who carry on the legacy of The Berge Family! We're taking about the annual Lake Itasca Family Music Festival which is in walking distance to the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River. The dates for 2025 are Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3. You can learn more about it and see this year's lineup of head line groups at familybluegrass.com. What an inspiration this family is in their ongoing ministry through the festival. Maybe a northern Minnesota vacation might be in your plans once you hear today's exciting episode, bookmarked by a song from both the Berge and Smith Family ministry teams. Be blessed and see you next week for our final visit with The Berge Family.