Be Encouraged with Bishop Julius C. Trimble

• Peacemakers Needed: Responding to Gun Violence and Polarization with Hope

  In this deeply reflective episode of the To Be Encouraged Podcast, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble confront the urgent crisis of rising gun violence and political aggression in the United States. Together, they discuss the emotional, spiritual, and practical challenges facing communities, churches, and individuals as they seek hope and healing in troubled times.Below are three key takeaways from the conversation:1. Violence Is a Symptom of Deeper Isolation and Spiritual CrisisBishop Trimble and Rev. Dr. Miller delve into how gun violence is not just a political or legal issue, but a broader reflection of societal isolation, loneliness, and a spiritual void. Many perpetrators, especially young people, are searching for meaning and a sense of belonging—sometimes finding it in destructive places. The conversation highlights the importance of churches and communities reaching out to those who feel disconnected, breaking cycles of loneliness, and offering genuine relationships and support.2. Faith Calls Us to Be Peacemakers, Not Just ObserversDrawing on scripture and the teachings of theologians like Miroslav Volf, Bishop Trimble emphasizes that true Christian practice is not passive—it’s about “mending the world.” The episode challenges listeners to go beyond mere church attendance and actively “be the church” by living out Jesus’s call to be peacemakers in everyday life. This means denouncing violence, promoting mutual respect, building bridges across politics, race, and religion, and refusing to categorize others as enemies—even when differences exist.3. Hope and Change Require Active Engagement and LeadershipDespite grim statistics and pervasive rhetoric of retribution, both speakers find hope in people of faith who refuse to give in to despair. Bishop Trimble encourages “never to grow weary in well-doing” and calls for a renewed investment in mental health, respectful dialogue, and community action. Whether by checking in on isolated neighbors, advocating for nonviolent solutions, or promoting policies that respect the sacredness of life, listeners are reminded that healing and transformation are possible when individuals and institutions lead with love, courage, and compassion.Final Word:This episode is both a lament for the present and a call to action for a more peaceful, just, and connected future. As Bishop Trimble puts it, the “way of love and the way of peace is not a way of weakness, but a way of strength.” Listeners are invited to be agents of that strength in their own lives and communities.Subscribe to To Be Encouraged for more conversations that inspire hope and meaningful change.

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• Embracing Grace and Empathy: Leading with Love in Discouraging Times

  Show Notes: Episode 135 – Grace and Empathy: Expanding Compassion in Difficult TimesWelcome to another heartfelt episode of the “To Be Encouraged” podcast with Bishop Julius C. Trimble and Dr. Brad Miller. In this thought-provoking conversation, Bishop Trimble opens up about the recent loss of his mother and how this experience has deepened his reflections on grace, empathy, and the vital role of compassion in today’s world. Together, they explore the challenges of fostering unity and offer practical guidance for listeners eager to encourage and uplift those around them.Here are three key takeaways from today’s episode:1. Grace Is Meant to Be Expanded, Not HoardedBishop Trimble shares reflections on his mother’s legacy—a life spanning over a century marked by resilience and unconditional love. He emphasizes the importance of not only receiving God’s grace but also actively extending it to others. Too often, society restricts grace to those who are similar or familiar, shrinking the community of compassion. Both Dr. Miller and Bishop Trimble underscore that true grace is inclusive, and they challenge listeners to resist patterns of division and instead become "amplifiers of God’s grace.” As Bishop Trimble puts it, “God loves us—how come we can't find a way to really express that love to more people, if not all people?”2. Empathy, Sympathy, and the Power of ListeningThe discussion draws an important distinction between empathy (feeling with someone through shared experience) and sympathy (feeling for someone). Both are essential, but Bishop Trimble points out that real transformation often begins with genuine empathy—the sense of connection that comes from shared vulnerability. They also highlight the act of listening as a transformative, even radical, practice. “The act of listening is…an act of vulnerability,” Bishop Trimble reminds us, emphasizing that listening to another’s story is a first step in breaking cycles of hurt and misunderstanding.3. Leading with Compassion and Clear ValuesDrawing inspiration from Brene Brown’s “Dare to Lead,” Dr. Miller and Bishop Trimble discuss leadership as fundamentally rooted in service, trust, and vulnerability. Authentic leadership, they argue, comes from servant leadership and the courage to act out of one’s values. Gratitude, a clear sense of purpose, and prayer are practical ways to remain grounded and to lead by example. Bishop Trimble encourages listeners to “choose an attitude of gratitude,” practice the ministry of presence, and actively seek justice and peace in their communities.Tune in to hear how stories of personal loss, hope, and faith can inspire all of us to “encourage 2 million people” and be agents of grace in our world.

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• Living Peace and Love: Bishop Trimble’s Mother's Wisdom for a Divided Nation

  Welcome to another powerful episode of To Be Encouraged with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller and Bishop Julius C. Trimble. In this deeply personal and socially relevant conversation, Bishop Trimble shares insights shaped by current national events and the enduring legacy of his late mother, whose life spanned an incredible 102 years.The discussion opens with an unflinching look at the recent militarization of Washington, D.C., following President Trump’s decision to place National Guard troops and federal authorities throughout the city. Bishop Trimble, who spends part of his year in D.C. due to his work with the General Board of Church and Society, describes the palpable tension and concern among residents. He highlights the unique, often overlooked challenges of D.C. “taxation without representation” and the effect such federal moves have on the community's sense of autonomy and safety. Both Brad and Bishop Trimble critique this approach as performative and an erosion of what Trimble calls “democratic compassion,” pushing instead for investment in social services, mental health, and community policing.As the episode turns from public events to the personal, Bishop Trimble remembers his mother, Mary Belle Pryor Trimble, and the simplicity and power of her guiding words: “peace and love.” These were not idle platitudes; they were principles she embodied throughout her life and taught to her family, her church, and her countless students. Her regular encouragement to “put on the whole armor of God” from Ephesians 6 provided her family with the spiritual tools to persist and seek justice and compassion amidst adversity.Key Takeaways:Compassion Over Control: The episode challenges the logic and humanity of militarized responses to social issues, urging instead for approaches rooted in compassion, evidence-based data, and support for those most in need.Faith in Action: Both Bishop Trimble and his mother exemplify “active peace and love,” making it clear that following Christ means more than “thoughts and prayers”—it means engaging in the hard work of justice, generosity, and inclusion.Legacy as Action: Listeners are encouraged to reflect on the legacies they build each day through choices, echoing the wisdom that our impact is not in what we accumulate, but in the love and peace we extend to others.Resilience in Troubled Times: The conversation shows how grounding oneself in faith and positive example can sustain courage and hope in seasons of unrest, loss, or discouragement.This episode is a heartfelt call to action—reminding us that, especially in discouraging times, peace and love are not passive ideals but active, impactful commitments.

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• Standing in the Gap: Churches, Budgets, and the Moral Mandate to Care for Children

  Welcome to another episode of “To Be Encouraged,” hosted by, Bishop Julius C. Trimble. In this deeply thoughtful conversation, Bishop Trimble and co host Rev. Dr. Brad Miller delve into the current realities facing the United States and the world in the wake of proposed federal budget cuts and their far-reaching implications, especially for children and vulnerable communities.The episode opens with Bishop Trimble’s heartfelt concern over the budget reconciliation process in the U.S. government, illuminating how seemingly procedural legislative decisions directly impact the lives of millions. He breaks down the complexities of how budgets are passed and the ramifications of using reconciliation—a process requiring only a simple majority in the Senate—to expedite significant budget changes with potentially minimal debate. Bishop Trimble emphasizes the risk: billions of dollars in cuts—not only affecting children in the U.S., but also the nation's humanitarian reach across the globe.Listeners are guided through the sobering realities facing low-income families: reductions in SNAP benefits, Medicaid, free school meals, educational support for children with disabilities, and vital health services. Bishop Trimble warns that cuts to these “safety net” programs will place even greater pressure on already-stretched faith-based food pantries and community programs, urging churches to prepare for increased demand in the months ahead.Despite the gravity of the issues, the conversation remains anchored in hope and a call to action. Both leaders discuss the moral responsibility of faith communities, particularly the importance of advocating not just for charity, but for policy and systemic change. Bishop Trimble encourages pastors to preach boldly about these issues, reminding us that budgets are moral documents that reveal societal priorities—be they in government, families, or the church.Here are a few key takeaways from the episode:Budget Cuts Have Human Faces: Proposed reductions to critical social programs are not abstract—they touch children, working families, and the most vulnerable both domestically and globally.Faith Communities Are Needed More Than Ever: As federal and state safety nets shrink, churches and nonprofits will increasingly become frontline responders providing food, education, and support.Advocacy and Action Go Hand-in-Hand: Beyond providing services, Bishop Trimble calls on congregations to raise their voices, participate in public witness, and contact legislators to pursue compassionate, fair policies.Budgets Reflect Values: We are reminded that where we invest—whether in weapons or children’s health—reveals our true priorities as a society.Hope Is an Active Verb: Grounded in scripture and faith, the episode affirms that even in difficult times, hope compels us to act for the common good and the flourishing of all God’s children.Tune in for a candid yet inspiring discussion that equips listeners to move from concern to constructive engagement, making a difference for neighbors near and far.

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• Finding Hope and Joy in Easter: Encouragement for a Discouraged World

  “A Fresh Start: Easter Hope in a Discouraged World”In this inspiring Holy Week edition of To Be Encouraged, host Rev. Dr. Brad Miller is joined by Bishop Julius C. Trimble as they reflect on the meaning of Easter amid the realities of suffering, discouragement, and longing for hope. Together, they offer heartfelt stories, theological insights, and practical encouragement—reminding listeners that resurrection hope is not only for a single day, but it’s a gift to live out daily.Easter Memories and Intergenerational HopeBishop Trimble opens with cherished childhood memories of Palm Sunday and Easter—a season marked by worship, gathering, and for children, the excitement of palm branches and Easter egg hunts. Yet, as he shares, the deeper significance of Holy Week emerges as one grows in faith: it’s a journey that doesn’t shy away from suffering, but one that ultimately celebrates the defeat of death and sin through Christ’s resurrection. The Bishop notes how crucial it is to nurture “intergenerational, unbounded, sustainable hope,” especially given present-day anxieties that affect all ages.Living the Roller Coaster: Suffering, Despair, and ResurrectionThe episode explores the roller coaster of emotions that defines Passion Week—moving from defeat and despair to the exhilarating promise of new life. Bishop Trimble reminds us that Easter is not just a historical event, but a “part of the antidote” for the valleys of despair so many experience today. He points to the necessity of amplifying God’s love beyond the church walls—bringing hope to those who struggle to “see the light of Easter joy.”Jubilee, Fresh Starts, and ForgivenessUnpacking the biblical concept of the Year of Jubilee, the conversation highlights God’s vision for justice, forgiveness, and communal renewal. In an age of division and hoarding, Easter’s “fresh start” offers a powerful metaphor—one that invites us to forgive, extend generosity, and begin anew. Bishop Trimble shares that Easter is about “turning the page,” waking up to gratitude, and living into the new possibilities that resurrection opens for individuals and communities alike.Stories of ResurrectionBoth host and guest share personal stories—moments when, through illness or the ministry of presence, they experienced God’s peace and turnaround even in the darkest times. These stories underscore the truth that God often “shows up in a big way” when we least expect it, offering peace (shalom) and the assurance that we are never abandoned.Key Takeaways:Easter is a season of hope, even amid real suffering. The resurrection isn’t just an ancient story—it’s a present reality offering sustenance on life’s hardest days.God’s love compels us to be bearers of hope and agents of renewal—extending forgiveness, embracing the marginalized, and seeking fresh starts for all.Peace and joy are Easter gifts. In every fearful or uncertain hallway of life, Christ meets us with the gift of shalom.Resurrection means the defeat of sin, despair, and death. We can live with gratitude, confidence, and the expectation of joy, no matter our circumstances.Join the mission to encourage millions! Listen, share, and leave a review at toBeEncouraged.com—and remember: God loves you, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

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