Footage from the first In This Together interview

We’re serious about producing In This Together!

Want proof? Last week we captured our first In This Together interview.

The interviewee? Pastor Jonathan Holmes, a counseling pastor at Parkside Church in Chagrin Falls, OH. As I’ve mentioned, Jonathan is the author of the book The Company We Keep: In Search of Biblical Friendship.

Jonathan is good friends with our senior writer and content developer, Dr. Jeff Forrey. (And now you know what it takes to be featured in one of these videos. But enough already about the underbelly of Christian publishing …)

Jonathan is also a close friend of Brad Hambrick’s. If Brad’s name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s a frequent contributor to CareLeader.org and has also appeared in our GriefShare and DivorceCare programs. Anyway, those relationships explain why you’ll see shots of Jeff and Brad in this clip.

We recorded the interview at a local restaurant called Farm Table, which is less than three miles from our ministry headquarters. So that was convenient (and lunch was great). But most importantly, the interview went well. Jonathan shared thoughtful insights on biblical friendship, and our new camera worked well, too (except for a few minor glitches).

Our next interview? It’s scheduled for May 1—more on that later. In the meantime, check out the video. And below are a few photos from the shoot.

Sam Hodges

Managing Editor

Sam leads the CareLeader team. As a seminary-trained, ordained pastor, Sam knows firsthand a pastor’s desire to provide effective care to hurting people in the church and community. He directs and oversees CareLeader’s content, making sure the articles and videos equip pastors with information and ideas that are strategic, do-able, and consistent with Christ-centered, biblical care principles.

Sam also leads Church Initiative’s editorial team and has written and produced a number of Church Initiative’s video-based small group curriculums. They include GriefShare second and third editions (2006, 2014), DivorceCare third edition (2012), and Single & Parenting (2011). Sam is also coauthor of Grieving with Hope: Finding Comfort as You Journey Through Loss.

Sam graduated from Howard University with a bachelor of arts in communications. After that he received a master of divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Christian education. Sam has also served on staff as a discipleship pastor at Infinity Church in Laurel, MD.