The BEMA Podcast — Episode 487: Sitting Shiva for Josh Bossé

Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Brent Billings
Main Focus: Sharing the news of co-host Josh Bossé’s passing, invitations for communal mourning, and reflections on Josh’s life and legacy

Episode Overview

This special episode departs from the podcast’s usual deeply contextual Biblical analysis to formally announce the passing of beloved co-host, campus minister, and friend Josh Bossé. Brent Billings speaks directly and vulnerably to the BEMA community, providing updates, remembrances, and an invitation to collectively mourn through the tradition of Sitting Shiva. The episode also outlines both practical support options for Josh’s family and the path forward for both the BEMA team and listeners in this season of loss.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Announcement and Remembrance of Josh Bossé

• Brent opens with a somber message, informing listeners of Josh’s passing on Friday, November 28th, 2025, following his battle with lymphoma.
• Listeners are reminded of previous updates about Josh’s health struggles, including his liver transplant in 2022 and his cancer journey (see episode 465).

Memorable Moment

“He ushered in Sabbath with his final breaths and Sabbath ushered him home... For those who know and have heard Josh's passion and love for the Sabbath, you will know how deeply moving this image is.”
— Brent Billings (01:30)

• Brent shares Josh’s own words from episode 405 about the power and pervasiveness of Shabbat, reinforcing the poignancy of Josh’s passing on a Friday evening.

“Once you fall in love with Shabbat, once you see what's really there, you can find it wherever. You can find a way to get there, to connect with it, to practice it. The spirit makes all kinds of ways.”
— (Quoting Josh Bossé, episode 405) (02:35)

• Brent emphasizes Josh’s impact: His compassionate presence, not just his words, left a lasting mark.

Community Invitations: Reflection and Support

• A series of invitations to the BEMA community:
  • Read Josh’s Journey: Access the family’s full health update history on CaringBridge (requires free signup).
  • Support the Family: A GoFundMe is available for direct financial support of Josh’s wife Sophia and their 18-month-old son, Ronan.
  • Ongoing Support: BEMA and Impact Campus Ministries are working to provide transitional financial help to Josh’s family.

Observing Mourning: Sitting Shiva

• The entire BEMA organization is entering a period of sitting Shiva (a traditional Jewish seven-day mourning period), suspending public communications, newsletters, and podcasts as a sign of respect and to create space for collective grief.

“We are creating space for grieving, mourning and reflection, avoiding the urge to distract ourselves with productivity and fill the space with empty words that lack the gravity and honor of a life remembered.”
— Brent Billings (06:26)

• After Shiva, the team will continue a more subdued period of mourning for another 33 days, gradually returning to regular communications while maintaining a somber, reflective tone.

• Listeners are explicitly encouraged to pray for the BEMA and Impact teams, students Josh served, and especially for Sophia and Ronan.

Remembering Josh’s Ministry and Legacy

• Josh was pivotal not only in co-hosting and shaping the podcast’s direction but also in building a flourishing virtual campus ministry devoted to spiritual formation (“olam”—‘eternity; the age to come’).
• Even amidst failing health, Josh never ceased to show profound care for his students, leading, teaching, and shepherding with “poetic passion, grace, and humility.”
• Plans are underway to sustain and grow Josh’s ministry, by hiring additional staff and ensuring his vision continues.

“These dreams had Josh’s fingerprints and boisterous heart all over them.”
— Brent Billings (10:50)

Reflections on Grief and Moving Forward

• Brent candidly acknowledges the tension of fundraising and year-end communications amid mourning, explaining that earlier fundraising messages were pre-scheduled.

• Reminder: Community support is essential for BEMA’s ongoing ministry, including study materials, gatherings, and the practical ability to mourn together.

• Brent closes by expressing personal honor in continuing Josh’s legacy, moved by Josh’s perseverance and dedication to his students in the hardest seasons.

“Nobody would have blamed him if he had ducked out of more of those things. But he cared so deeply for his students and so I am honored to be a part of helping continue that legacy…”
— Brent Billings (14:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On grief and the significance of Sabbath:
  “He ushered in Sabbath with his final breaths and Sabbath ushered him home.” (01:28)

• Josh’s teaching on the persistence of Shabbat:
  “Once you fall in love with Shabbat ... you can find a way to get there, to connect with it, to practice it. The spirit makes all kinds of ways.” (quoted at 02:35)

• On creating space for mourning:
  “Avoiding the urge to distract ourselves with productivity and fill the space with empty words that lack the gravity and honor of a life remembered.” (06:26)

• On Josh's enduring impact:
  “These dreams had Josh’s fingerprints and boisterous heart all over them.” (10:50)

• On Josh’s care for his students, even in illness:
  “Nobody would have blamed him if he had ducked out of more of those things. But he cared so deeply for his students ...” (14:31)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:28 — Brent announces Josh’s passing and the significance of the timing.
• 01:30–03:00 — Reflection on Josh’s love for Sabbath and a key quote from episode 405.
• 03:10–06:26 — Community invitations: CaringBridge, GoFundMe, sitting Shiva explained.
• 06:30–10:20 — Organizational plans for mourning and continuation of ministry.
• 10:21–12:20 — Honoring Josh’s legacy in campus ministry and the importance of ongoing support.
• 12:21–15:40 — Personal reflections on Josh’s character, closing invitations for support, and gratitude.

Resources Mentioned (See Show Notes)

• CaringBridge for Josh’s journey
• GoFundMe for Sophia and Ronan
• Information on the Jewish tradition of Sitting Shiva
• Further episode(s) with Josh already recorded to come

Final Thoughts

This episode is a heartfelt communal lament and a testament to Josh Bossé’s enduring influence on BEMA, his students, and the wide listening community. Brent guides listeners through both grief and gratitude—honoring Josh’s faith, his teaching spirit, and his sacrificial love. Listeners are invited to join the BEMA team in mourning, memory, and continued support, as they collectively navigate life without Josh while seeking to embody all that he gave.

End of Summary