Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble

In this uplifting episode of To Be Encouraged, Reverend Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble tackle the question: Is hope in short supply? In a world increasingly marked by uncertainty and discouragement, they explore the essential role of hope and its power to transform not just individual lives but entire communities. Drawing from their faith, personal stories, and even Hollywood, the hosts deliver practical insights and encouragement for listeners grappling with despair or looking to rekindle their own hope.
Three Key Takeaways
1. Hope Is More Essential Than We Realize
Reverend Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble discuss how hope is just as vital for survival as food, water, and air. Drawing on historical examples—such as survivors of concentration camps and catastrophes—they argue that when people lose hope, they often lose the will to live. Bishop Julius C. Trimble references theologian Jürgen Moltmann’s “theology of hope,” reminding us that hope is not passive anticipation but active faith in the future, both for ultimate fulfillment and for real, tangible improvement in the present. (03:03)
2. Hope Is Built Together—in Community
Building and maintaining community is central to manifesting hope. Bishop Julius C. Trimble shares insights from tragedies such as the 1995 Chicago heatwave, where isolation led to unnecessary loss of life (07:02). Both hosts emphasize that engaging in good works, checking on others, and fostering genuine relationships are ways to keep hope alive, especially during difficult times. The local church and other organizations can play a critical role as “ambassadors of hope,” making a real difference by reaching out to the lonely and discouraged. (08:24)
3. Encouragement and Faith Are Sources of Enduring Hope
The episode ends with encouragement from both scripture and popular culture. Quoting The Shawshank Redemption, Bishop Julius C. Trimble reminds listeners: “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things. And no good thing ever dies.” (12:43) He shares his mission: to encourage all people with the love of Christ to rise to their highest potential, emphasizing that hope, grounded in God’s love and justice, empowers us to face difficulties and support each other.
Want more encouragement?
Explore over 100 episodes and join the mailing list at tobeencouraged.com.

In this profound episode of To Be and Encouraged, Reverend Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Bishop Julius C. Trimble for an urgent and heartfelt conversation about the crisis facing children both in the United States and around the globe. This episode addresses how systemic issues, policy changes, and neglect can have dire consequences—especially for the most vulnerable in society: our children. Grounded in faith and practical compassion, the discussion calls listeners to respond to this crisis at both local and global levels.
Three Key Takeaways
1. The Crisis is Real and Immediate
The conversation begins with a sobering look at the alarming rates of childhood hunger, malnutrition, and lack of access to basic needs. Since July 2025, over 1.5 million children in the US have lost food assistance due to policy changes; in several states, 46% of children previously enrolled in government-supported food aid have been cut off 01:13. Around the world, conflicts and disasters in places like Gaza, Ukraine, South Sudan, and Haiti have put millions of children at risk. These are not distant problems—they are present, urgent, and, as pointed out, "preventable suffering" 11:29.
2. Budgets Reveal Our True Priorities
Both speakers highlight the moral dimension of how societies and churches spend their resources. "Budgets are moral documents" they assert, and should reflect a commitment to the well-being of children, not just in words but in funding, action, and advocacy 14:00. The episode contrasts the billions spent on political advertising with the comparatively minor sums dedicated to fighting child hunger and supporting humanitarian causes 12:35. Local churches are encouraged to do "moral audits" of their own budgets to ensure they’re addressing immediate needs and living their values 16:01.
3. Action Must Be Both Local and Global—and Rooted in Faith
Listeners are called to be advocates for children, recognizing that proximity to the problem builds both awareness and motivation 04:38. Churches are encouraged to partner with local schools, daycare centers, and community organizations, and to support global efforts through reputable organizations like UMCOR. The episode powerfully ties these actions to the teachings of Jesus, emphasizing the biblical mandate to "let the children come," and the responsibility to bless, protect, and serve all children 07:18. The discussion closes with a moving story about the power of truly blessing children, a reminder that both prayer and tangible acts of care matter deeply 23:14.
For more episodes and transcript details, visit tobeencouraged.com and join the conversation about building a more compassionate and just world for children everywhere.

Show Notes: To Be and Encouraged
Hosts: Bishop Julius C. Trimble
Episode Summary
In this powerful and timely episode, Reverend Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble reflect on justice, faith, and the true meaning of loving one’s neighbor as America marks its 250th anniversary. The conversation dives deep into how the teachings of Jesus and core biblical principles intersect with current societal debates, ideas of Christian nationalism, and our understanding of Constitutional values. With real-world examples, historical insights, and a call to action, the hosts challenge listeners to move beyond empty rhetoric and embody love and justice in both church and society.
Three Takeaways
1. True Love is Tied to Justice and Action
Reverend Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble emphasize that biblical love isn’t passive. Quoting Romans 12 and the teachings of Jesus, they discuss how love equips us to “overcome evil with good” 00:17. It’s not enough to merely declare love or pass resolutions—the hosts highlight tangible actions, such as feeding the hungry, caring for orphans and strangers, and confronting systemic injustice 07:12. These are repeated themes from Jesus’ ministry and the prophets, and the hosts stress that faith communities must make these commands central, not peripheral.
2. Scripture and Constitution: Context Matters
The conversation draws connections between Scripture and America’s founding documents, reminding listeners that neither the Constitution nor the Declaration of Independence explicitly enshrines Christianity or a particular religion 11:28, 13:00. Bishop Julius C. Trimble cautions against lifting texts out of context to serve political agendas. Instead, he encourages a genuine engagement with the spirit of both our religious and civic traditions—a commitment to human dignity, mutual support, and the shared good, not exclusion or suspicion 12:10.
3. Being the Church Means Transforming the World
One of the episode’s central points is the distinction between simply attending church and being the church. Transformation comes not from rituals, but from active, just, and loving participation in the world 22:05. Bishop Julius C. Trimble invokes the Social Principles of the United Methodist Church and shares optimism about younger generations who respond to a gospel of love and justice. As the hosts celebrate the nation’s anniversary, they urge listeners to reject divisiveness and fear of “the other,” embracing instead a “generous and expansive understanding of neighbor” 06:00.
Key Quote:
“We cannot transform the world simply by going to church, but we can transform the world by being the church.” 22:05
Join Reverend Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble as they continue to offer encouraging words of faith, justice, and hope on “To Be Encouraged.”

To Be and Do with Bishop Julius C. Trimble
In this thought-provoking episode, Bishop Julius C. Trimble joins Reverend Dr. Brad Miller to reflect on the 250th anniversary of the United States—an occasion inviting both celebration and critical reflection. Recorded in July 2026, the conversation spans the progress and persistent challenges facing America, especially those concerning justice, inclusivity, and the nation’s evolving identity.
The episode begins with personal updates, as Bishop Julius C. Trimble shares summer moments with his family in Virginia, all while recognizing the cyclical nature of weather complaints—a small but telling metaphor for broader social patterns. The dialogue quickly shifts to weightier topics, invoking the words of Frederick Douglass to remind listeners that anniversaries like July 4th can be complicated, especially in a nation whose legacy includes both remarkable growth and ongoing struggle for equity 01:36.
A central thread is the juxtaposition of America’s immense wealth—over 41% of the world’s millionaires reside here—and the alarming rates of food insecurity and incarceration 02:26. Bishop Julius C. Trimble highlights the paradox of a nation able to feed the world while a significant number of its children go hungry, and the troubling reality that over five million people are entangled in the criminal justice system 04:52. He credits the country’s commitment to public education and the hospital system, much of which was built by faith communities, as a sign of progress 05:38.
Amid such tensions, the conversation turns to hope: young people engaged in justice work, activists invested in environmental causes, and citizens eager to vote and enact change offer inspiration 06:09. Yet, Bishop Julius C. Trimble remains candid about ongoing struggles with racial fear, immigration debates, and the resurgence of white nationalist groups—exemplified by the Patriot Front’s masked July 4th march on the National Mall 12:15. Diversity, he insists, is woven into the fabric of America, and attempts to erase or ignore it not only resist reality but impoverish national life 15:04.
Takeaway Points
Progress and Pain Coexist: America's milestone anniversaries are best marked by honest assessment—acknowledging advancements in education and democracy while confronting inequalities in food security and incarceration 01:36 04:52.
Diversity is Destiny: Attempts to suppress or deny the nation's growing multiracial and multicultural character are both futile and contrary to American ideals 15:04.
Hope is Active: Change comes through the efforts of engaged citizens, especially young people, advocating for justice, creation care, and participation in the democratic process 06:09.
Justice Requires Honesty: Facing uncomfortable truths about race, immigration, and wealth distribution is essential for building a "more perfect union" 08:03 09:24.
The Role of Faith Communities: Churches remain vital in shaping public values and supporting those marginalized by systems of injustice, particularly in prison outreach and social services 04:52.

Listeners are invited to wrestle with these complexities, embracing both the hope and the challenge of loving a nation still striving to be its best.

Episode Summary
In this compelling episode of To Be Encouraged, Reverend Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble tackle the topic of Christian response to war, political rhetoric, and the importance of peacemaking in turbulent times. The conversation is sparked by recent events involving military action in Iran, polarizing political language, and public controversy around the blending of faith and power. Drawing on scripture, Methodist tradition, and ecumenical perspectives, the hosts call listeners to deeper reflection and courageous action in advocating for peace.
Three Takeaways
1. Identity as Children of God Transcends Division
Reverend Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble stress that every person has sacred worth as a child of God 01:49. This foundational belief shapes an inclusive worldview that rejects the diminishing of any group’s humanity and underpins the Christian call to be peacemakers rather than participants in cycles of violence 02:46.
2. The Church’s Prophetic Call: Peacemaking Over Political Alignment
The episode critiques both the language of political leaders and the tendency to conflate national power with divine endorsement, particularly when biblical imagery and authority are wielded to justify war 06:43. Quoting Galatians and Methodist teaching, Bishop Julius C. Trimble insists the church must “deplore war in all forms of violent conflict” and instead urge peaceful resolutions 06:28. The hosts challenge Christian nationalism and urge a return to biblical principles, not political expedience 18:36.
3. Practical Steps: Advocacy, Encouragement, and Raising Expectations
Listeners are encouraged to advocate for national priorities that reflect Christ’s teachings—redirecting resources from weapons to humanitarian efforts 19:23. Bishop Julius C. Trimble calls for personal agency in encouragement and peacemaking, citing 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build up each other” 22:12. Small acts of kindness and public advocacy are both seen as vital Christian responses amid conflict.
Keywords & Themes
Christian peacemaking
Sacred worth
Just war theory
Political rhetoric & faith
Methodist teaching
Advocacy for peace
National priorities

For more inspiring conversations and resources, visit tobeencouraged.com.