The Next Step Podcast
Season 9: Following Jesus at T-RKD
Episode 01 (48 min)
Date: 23 April 2026
Guest: Chelsea Chapin and Jess Knoll, Trinity, Arcadia, t-rkd.org
Also available on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Pandora, Vurbl, and Amazon Music.
Season 9 of the Next Step Podcast features stories and people from the ministry of Trinity Lutheran Church in Arcadia, Michigan. We’ll help you delight in taking a small next step, following Jesus, as we explore tools and attitudes that cultivate discipleship.
Episode 01 features a conversation with Chelsea Chapin and Jess Knoll, staff members at Trinity, Arcadia. This episode is hosted by Rev. Dr. Justin Rossow, founder of Next Step Press and Pastor at Trinity since April 1, 2025.
After a brief introduction, you’ll hear Justin talk to Jess and Chelsea about the presentations they prepared for the Best Practices in Ministry conference back in February. Best Practices is a free conference to encourage and support lay leaders and staff who share the Gospel of Jesus.
Jess Knoll, Ministry Assistant and Church Secretary at Trinity, shares some of what she experienced going through a cancer journey as a young mom and church worker. She shares some of the postures she noticed in her community and how those intentional postures helped her and her family navigate a challenging time.
Chelsea Chapin, Trinity’s Community Connections Coordinator, gives us an overview of her presentation on the language of “running and experiment” and how that way of framing change helps move ministry forward.
Together, the three friends and fellow staff members reflect on where Jesus is speaking into their lives right now and what response the Spirit is shaping in them as they each take a small next step on the journey of faith.
If you would like to visit Trinity, Arcadia this summer, you can find them at t-rkd.org.
If you would like more resources on walking with people in challenging times, you can check out Kate Bowler’s “What Not to Say” resources.
If you are looking for a good book, this episode mentioned three of them: Dare to Lead by Brené Brown; Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved) by Kate Bowler; and Getting Through What You are Going Through by Tanner Olson.
The intro and outro music is available from the Michigan District of the LCMS at www.thehymnalproject.com. Used by permission.
This episode of the Next Step Podcast was supported in part by the generosity of Next Step Patrons. To see different options for support, including monthly and annual options, visit https://www.patreon.com/findmynextstep, or email justin@findmynextstep.org to make a one-time gift.
Thank you to all of our Patrons! Patrons make it possible.
We help you take a next step.