Arise with Christ Podcast

In a Worldwide Devotional to Young Adults, President Camille N. Johnson said, "God has prepared a way for healthy living for everyone on this planet, if we are willing to employ our gifts and talents for this good, remain worthy to receive revelation, and prudently use the earth's abundant resources to care for one another."

We can be confident that God will help us know how to care for one another. In that same message, President Johnson taught that we have stewardship for one another. She mentioned the parable of the talents from Matthew chapter 25 as a reminder of how we can use our gifts to help and serve others. 

Our guest for this episode is an excellent example of applying those principles. Carrie Kirk has sought to serve and stretch to help others through humanitarian work. As you listen to this episode, we hope you recognize how you use your gifts and talents to bless others.

Carrie Kirk is a devoted wife and mother of five children. Carrie holds a Master's degree in Instructional Technology from Utah State University. Carrie served a Russian-speaking mission in the Baltics, which sparked her lifelong dedication to helping others. She and her family have volunteered annually in Guatemala and Uganda for the past eight years, showing their desire to help underserved communities and their commitment to humanitarian work. Professionally, Carrie currently works as a part-time coordinator for humanitarian trips to Africa through an organization called Family Humanitarian. An adventurer at heart, Carrie loves travel, making new friends, and striving to make the world a better place. You can learn more about Family Humanitarian at FamilyHumanitarian.org.

Our guest for this episode is Mike Madsen. Mike works in the Priesthood and Family Department for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of his responsibilities is working as part of a team to create the Come, Follow Me curriculum.   

In this episode, Mike shares how, as a young missionary, he received the Light of Jesus Christ and how, throughout his life, he has sought to share that Light. After graduating from BYU, Mike Madsen dedicated 13 years to teaching Seminary and Institute for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Mike's work for the Church extended to creating various print and web products, including Come, Follow Me and other curriculum initiatives, videos, websites, and mobile applications. He led the effort in creating worldwide broadcasts, such as "Face to Face" and "Friend to Friend," and developed programs focused on new convert retention and member missionary work. 

Mike has established the Doctrina Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on providing literacy education to children in West Africa and Papua New Guinea. 

Mike is known for his love of challenges, particularly those requiring creative solutions. His personal motto is, "I will either find a way or make one." His greatest accomplishment, however, is maintaining a loving relationship with his wife and six children. He also enjoys public speaking, cultivating close friendships, hiking mountains with his dog Piper, and almost any outdoor sport. 

Please note that while Mike is an employee of the Church, he does not speak for the Church in this interview.

In his talk "A Plea to My Sisters, President Russell M. Nelson" said, "We need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant keepers and who express their beliefs with confidence and charity. We need women who have the courage and vision of our Mother Eve."

Our guest for this episode is Brenda Webb. When we asked Brenda to be on the podcast, we discovered that we share an affinity for the word "arise." Brenda uses ARISE as an acronym for her thoughts on overcoming fear through Jesus Christ. In this conversation, she shares some insights from her experiences in this effort.

Brenda grew up on the beautiful East Coast and later attended Rick's College in Idaho. After serving on a mission in Brazil, she graduated from BYU with a bachelor's degree in Portuguese and Communications. There, she met her husband, and together, they have four children, two daughters-in-law, and one grandchild whom they all adore and cherish.

Brenda enjoys hiking and being outdoors. She also possesses a creative spirit that includes cooking and sewing. She has cultivated her creativity through writing and sharing new ideas. Brenda treasures her time in the temple as a patron and an ordinance worker. The gospel of Jesus Christ brings her immense joy.