In this episode, Jesse and Leah Roberts, the creative duo behind Poor Bishop Hooper, share with Pastor Paul Brandes their journey as artists, songwriters, and founders of a nonprofit ministry dedicated to Scripture-based music. They candidly discuss their calling, how their ministry evolved step-by-step, and give insights into their projects like Golgotha and Every Psalm.

3 Main Takeaways:

Faithfulness in Small Steps Leads to Impactful Ministry:

Jesse and Leah emphasize that their journey as musicians and ministry leaders was not the result of a grand, predetermined plan, but rather a series of faithful steps. By being obedient to God’s leading one step at a time, their work grew organically—from local church worship to founding a nonprofit, creating widely-used resources like Golgotha, and serving diverse communities, including prisons.

Truth and Beauty Powerfully Transcend Contexts:

The experience of bringing the Golgotha project into prisons was transformative, both for the artists and the inmates. Leah shared how presenting something rooted in both truth and beauty had a profound gospel impact in places marked by pain and deprivation, proving that spiritual art remains powerful regardless of environment—whether in a cathedral or a maximum security prison.

Christ Meets Us in Our Suffering and Darkness:

Drawing from their time immersed in the story of Christ’s suffering (through Golgotha) and their own personal hardships, Jesse and Leah encourage listeners that Jesus deeply understands our darkest, “Holy Saturday” seasons. The incarnation and crucifixion mean that Christ has entered into human suffering, providing comfort and solidarity for anyone experiencing pain, uncertainty, or waiting.

Resources:

Poor Bishop Hooper (Band/Ministry): https://www.poorbishophooper.com

Golgotha Project: https://www.poorbishophooper.com/golgotha

Every Psalm Project: https://www.poorbishophooper.com/everypsalm

Author William Quayle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Alfred_Quayle

Timestamps:

00:18 – Bill Gorman introduces the theme of following God in seasons of darkness and grief, previewing the depth of the episode.

02:49 – Paul Brandes asks Leah and Jesse to share how their calling as artists and creators developed, setting the stage for their story.

03:32 – Leah describes seeking God’s guidance after college, revealing her sense of vocation and trust in God’s provision.

06:13 – The origin story of Golgotha: how a pastor’s request and a 3-day retreat turned into writing all 14 songs for a Stations of the Cross musical experience.

08:18 – Jesse describes how Golgotha began spreading to different churches and communities, moving beyond its initial setting.

11:04 – Leah shares the pivotal moment when they decided to formalize their ministry as a nonprofit, focusing on underserved and unreached communities.

14:01 – Discussion about the heavy, contemplative nature of Golgotha and its focus on the “minor key” of Jesus’s suffering during Holy Week.

18:00 – The first time Golgotha was brought into a maximum-security prison, describing a powerful and unexpected response from inmates.

22:06 – Leah recounts how inmates donated to their ministry, powerfully illustrating the unity and generosity within the body of Christ.

27:26 – The hosts discuss being with God in “Holy Saturday” moments—suffering, waiting, and not yet seeing resurrection—and Leah shares a personal journey through family suffering and the presence of Christ in it.