Breakpoint Podcast Summary

Episode: Formed and Called to Serve the Kingdom of Christ
Date: March 20, 2026
Host: Colson Center — Pete Mara (sitting in for John Stonestreet and Maria Baer)

Episode Overview

This episode of Breakpoint centers on practical Christian living amidst today's cultural confusion. Instead of exploring only "what's wrong with the world," the conversation pivots to "what can Christians do about it?" The focal point is the Colson Fellows Program, a year-long discipleship initiative designed to ground believers in a comprehensive Christian worldview and equip them to serve the Kingdom where they are—at work, at home, and in their communities.

Through in-depth discussion with alumni Terry Ferton (academic administrator), Steve Lindsay (vocational discipleship leader), and Alex Vargas (attorney), and later insights from Michael Craven (Dean of the Fellows Program), the episode unpacks how thoughtful formation enables Christians to meet contemporary challenges with hope, clarity, and conviction.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why the Colson Fellows Program?

[00:28 – 07:16]

• Urgency in Today's Culture:
  Wars, gender topics, sanctity of life, and more—everyday issues pressing Christians to respond thoughtfully.
• Personal Journeys
  • Terry Ferton: Sought worldview clarity as ideas foreign to biblical truth crept into education and church life.

    "I just felt alone as a thinker and as a Christian. And I'm like, where are my people?" (03:27, Terry)

  • Alex Vargas: Wanted to connect Breakpoint’s teaching to communal practice and found local cohort community highly energizing.

    "You think sometimes you're the only Christian where your church is the only church... but when you go to a cohort... it's really encouraging." (05:03)

  • Steve Lindsay: Desired integration of faith and vocation; saw the program as a launchpad for deeper impact in the workplace and broader life.

    "I always wanted to know that the engineering work that I did counted for the kingdom of God." (05:32)

2. Community and Fellowship: Power of the Cohort

[09:37 – 12:32]

• Monthly Local Meetings:
  Lively discussions, prayer, and accountability foster a rare unity among Christians with diverse backgrounds.

  "Not a lot of Christians want to read and think deeply like this... It's a different breed." (10:48, Terry)

• Lifelong Connections:
  Friendships often outlast the year-long cohort experience and lead to enduring networks of encouragement and ministry.

  “Some people were like me and I’m still friends with them and some were not like me. But I love that because it reflects the body of Christ.” (10:14, Alex)

3. Transformation Through Formation, Not Just Information

[13:38 – 20:23]

• Personal Ministry Projects:
  Fellows complete an action plan applying the biblical worldview in real life—work, home, church, or broader culture.

  "It wasn’t just a download of information, but it was personal application for what our lives were going to be like." (13:38, Steve)

• Deepening Church Impact:
  Graduates report renewed ability to help churches pursue holistic discipleship and purpose-driven ministry.

  “The opportunities to help the church shift towards more holistic ministry and ask the deeper questions… have just been a super blessing.” (15:27, Steve)

• Home and Family Transformation:
  (Especially for parents and homeschoolers) The program equips participants to foster virtue and gospel-centered living in their children.

  "It really helps me to talk to my kids about what it means to be educated... to understand the world that God has created and in doing so, becoming more like him." (19:26, Alex)

4. Facing Barriers & Encouragement to Participate

[20:37 – 27:11]

• Time & Academic Hesitations:
  All panelists stress that the program requires commitment, but the benefits far outweigh the cost.

  "The enemy doesn’t want you to do it… You find a way, you make a way, because it’s important to you." (22:31, Terry)

• Ripple Effect:
  One person’s formation leads to impact on families, schools, churches, and neighborhoods.

  "I can’t imagine the impact of one person going through the program who impacts some, who impacts others." (22:31, Terry)

• Universal Applicability:
  The program is accessible for every Christian, from young parents to busy professionals.

  "Everybody can do it. Any Christian has the mind of Christ… it’s just one year of your life that really transforms the rest of your life." (24:47, Alex)

5. Program Philosophy — Why Explosive Growth?

[27:47 – 44:02]
With Michael Craven (Dean of the Fellows Program)

• Cultural Confusion Demands Clarity:
  The old consensus has “unraveled at a speed that is just almost incomprehensible.” (27:47, Michael)
  Christians often feel ill-equipped for these times—hence the demand for serious, formational training.
• Formed by the Grand Story:
  Modern churches focus too narrowly on “fall and redemption.” The program introduces the full sweep—creation, fall, redemption, restoration—forming a robust, mission-shaped identity.

  "When they discover that larger story, there’s a paradigm shift—they move from seeing themselves at the center of the story…to seeing God at the center." (30:40)

• Equip for Faithful Presence:
  The program aims to answer four framing questions:
  1. What is good that I can promote?
  2. What is evil I must stand against?
  3. What is missing that I can provide?
  4. What is broken that God may use me to restore? (32:41–35:15)

6. Formational, Not Performative

[37:58 – 40:50]

• No Academic Gatekeeping:
  Designed to be intellectually accessible—ranging from GED-holders to PhDs—without pressure of academic tests/papers.

  "We want to make this program as welcoming to everybody." (37:58, Michael)

• Peer Learning in Community:
  Monthly processing with diverse Christians builds both confidence and community.

  "You’re going to hear lucid explanations from someone that help you, who may feel in over your head… and they grow in confidence." (37:58)

7. Time Management and Life Integration

[41:13 – 43:07]

• Realistic Commitment:
  Six to eight hours per week, often substituting for other activities (TV, less productive pastimes, etc.).

  "I’ve seen a mother of seven children who homeschools all seven complete this program successfully." (41:13)

• Urgency for This Moment:
  The church cannot afford to delay; this is a pivotal cultural season.

  "If the Church of Jesus Christ does not take these times seriously... what the world needs now more than ever is to hear from the Church..." (42:16)

• Accessible Application:
  Easy to apply online; leaders guide and encourage rather than pressure.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Terry Ferton:

  "Where are my people?...I just felt like alone as a thinker and as a Christian." (03:27)

• Steve Lindsay:

  "I always wanted to know that the engineering work I did counted for the Kingdom of God. I knew cognitively it was supposed to—practically, what did that mean?" (05:32)

• Alex Vargas:

  "You start thinking that way in everything that you do…The work you put into it is definitely worth it because it will change your life." (24:47)

• Michael Craven:

  "Christians often spend a great deal of time complaining about the darkness of the culture, but we rarely stop to ask why the light has grown dim." (29:04) "The darkness has grown because the light has dimmed." (29:22) "We see every flavor, every tribe, every kind of Christian...They are deeply and rightly disturbed about our culture...trying to figure out: Is there a way for them to live faithfully in this cultural moment?" (30:40)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:28] — Introduction to the Colson Fellows Program
• [01:38] — Terry Ferton’s background and call to deeper worldview formation
• [05:03] — Alex Vargas on the importance of local Christian community
• [06:44] — Steve Lindsay discusses integrating faith and vocation
• [09:37] — The role and richness of the cohort experience
• [13:38] — Applying the program beyond academics: projects and legacy
• [15:27] — Church life transformation
• [19:26] — Alex on passing on worldview to children
• [22:31] — Facing and overcoming reluctance or barriers to joining the program
• [24:47] — Alex: "Do it. It’s life changing.”
• [27:47] — Michael Craven on why the program is growing and needed now
• [32:41] — The four guiding questions for cultural engagement
• [37:58] — Formational vs performative education and the program’s accessibility
• [41:13] — Time commitment: practical encouragement for busy lives
• [42:16] — The seriousness of the cultural moment and the church’s call to hope
• [43:10] — How to easily join a cohort

Closing Tone

The conversation is warm, earnest, and hopeful while candid about the seriousness of the present cultural challenges. Panelists express gratitude, humility, and a sense of joyful commission into God’s ongoing work.

Final Takeaway

The Colson Fellows Program emerges from this episode not as an intellectual exercise or another busywork commitment, but as an urgently-needed, accessible, and life-transforming journey. It provides Christians—ordinary and extraordinary alike—formation in a rich biblical worldview, a supportive community, and practical tools to serve the Kingdom with wisdom and faithfulness right where they are.

For more information or to apply, visit colsonfellows.org.