Raising Godly Girls

For many Christian women, vocational ministry is both a calling and a weight they carry daily. In this episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, host Melissa Bearden is joined by ministry leader, speaker, and author Melissa Mashburn for an honest and hope-filled conversation about sustaining ministry without succumbing to burnout or performance culture. 

 

Together, they explore the unique pressures faced by working women and moms in ministry settings, where faith, leadership, family, and expectations often collide. Drawing from New Testament Scripture, personal experience, and pastoral wisdom, Melissa Mashburn helps listeners reframe calling through the lens of faithfulness rather than productivity. 

 

This episode also speaks directly to parents who are raising girls in ministry environments. The conversation offers guidance on how to model healthy rhythms of work, rest, and obedience—so the next generation learns to pursue calling with joy, resilience, and trust in Christ, not exhaustion or striving. 

 

If you've ever felt stretched thin by Kingdom work or wondered how to balance ministry and family without losing your soul, this encouraging conversation will remind you that Jesus invites His servants not only to labor—but also to rest. 

 

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode: 

Philemon 1:1-3 


Colossians 3:23 


Colossians 2:8 


 

 

For more information on Melissa Mashburn's work, visit melissamashburn.com 

 


Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.    

 

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

In this heartfelt episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Bearden and Natalie Ambrose open an honest, encouraging conversation about what it means to walk in vocational ministry as a woman—especially in the midst of motherhood. Whether your work happens inside the home, within the Church, or out in the world, this episode reminds you that your calling is deeply seen, eternally significant, and worthy of intentional stewardship. 

Melissa shares her personal journey from serving in women's and children's ministry to stepping into a full-time vocational role—offering a powerful glimpse into how God often weaves together passion, gifting, and season to shape a calling. Together, Melissa and Natalie explore the evolving language around "career" versus "vocation," encouraging listeners to release identity tied to titles and instead embrace the sacred spaces God has entrusted to them. 

As the conversation unfolds, the realities of ministry life come into focus—its unpredictability, emotional weight, and the constant pull to give more. Through the Raising Godly Girls Minute, listeners are reminded that even Jesus modeled the necessity of stepping away to rest, pray, and reconnect with the Father. For the woman in ministry, Sabbath isn't optional—it's essential. 

This episode also offers practical, Biblical encouragement for maintaining joy and sustainability in your work. From rejecting the "just a mom" mindset to modeling integrity and dependence on Christ, Melissa and Natalie challenge working moms to reframe their daily efforts as acts of worship. And perhaps most importantly, they remind us that our daughters are watching—learning how to approach work, calling, and faith by the example we set. 

No matter your season, this conversation will meet you with grace, truth, and a renewed vision for what it means to serve the Lord through your work. 

Three Things to Remember: 

God uses us in every corner of His Kingdom—both inside and outside the home.  


Sabbath rest is not optional; it is essential for a sustainable life of ministry.  


Lasting joy in your work flows from a life of integrity and alignment with God's truth.  


Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: 

Psalm 77  


Romans 12:15  


Mark 2:27 


 Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.  


Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

What does it look like to faithfully navigate work, motherhood, and calling—all at the same time? 

In this honest and encouraging episode of Raising Godly Girls, co-hosts Melissa Bearden and Natalie Ambrose open the door to a conversation so many moms are living in real time: the journey of being a working mom. Whether you're in the home, in the office, working remotely, or juggling a side hustle, this episode meets you right where you are. 

Melissa and Natalie share their own stories—highlighting the ebb and flow of seasons, the factors that shape work decisions, and the reality that for many families today, motherhood and work are deeply intertwined. With over 24 million working mothers in the U.S., this isn't a fringe conversation—it's everyday life for a majority of families. 

But instead of debating whether moms should work, this episode focuses on something far more meaningful: how Christian moms can approach work with a Biblical Worldview. That means keeping priorities aligned, avoiding the trap of career as an idol or idleness as an escape, and inviting God into every decision along the way. 

In this week's Raising Godly Girls Minute, Patti Garibay speaks to the very real overwhelm modern parents face—and gently redirects hearts back to the Lord. When stress rises and culture offers quick fixes, Scripture reminds us that true peace is found in crying out to God and trusting Him as our steady foundation. And perhaps most importantly—our daughters are watching. They are learning how to respond to pressure, stress, and responsibility by observing us. 

You'll also hear practical encouragement for maintaining healthy rhythms as a working mom—from setting boundaries with work, to modeling diligence at home, to embracing Sabbath as a non-negotiable priority. This episode is filled with grace and truth for moms who are striving to honor God in both their calling and their caregiving. 

Because at the end of the day, your work matters—but so does the way you live your faith out loud in front of your girl. 

 

Three Things to Remember: 

Invite the whole family into the decision of work for mom—it impacts everyone, and shared understanding builds unity.  


Keeping Sabbath is a priority—rest is not optional; it's God's design for your well-being.  


Be a tour guide for your daughter—help her understand how faith and work intersect in your everyday life.  


 

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: 

Psalm 77  


Proverbs 14:1  


Exodus 20:8–11 



 Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.  Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

In this special Saturday episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, we pause to celebrate Christian motherhood in all its forms—the visible and the unseen, the joyful and the sacrificial, the seasons of waiting and the moments of fulfillment. Host Rachael Culpepper is joined by beloved Christian artist, author, and mom Rebecca St. James for a conversation that honors the sacred calling of mothers and the God who faithfully meets them in every chapter. 

 

Rebecca reflects on how her journey of faith has evolved through marriage and motherhood, sharing how God has shaped her heart through seasons of obedience, surrender, and trust. Drawing from her new book, Lasting Ever: Faith, Music, Family, and Being Found by True Love, co-authored with her husband Cubbie Fink, Rebecca offers encouragement to moms who may feel stretched thin or wonder if their quiet faithfulness truly matters. 

 

The conversation also celebrates the intergenerational impact of Christian witness—from Rebecca's early years in music ministry to her recent time with AHG Girl Members and families at the American Heritage Girls 30th Anniversary Convention. Together, Rachael and Rebecca reflect on the beauty of raising girls rooted in Biblical truth in a culture that often challenges faith and conviction. 

 

This episode is a gentle reminder that God is at work in every role a mother carries—whether nurturing children at home, mentoring girls in her community, or quietly praying behind the scenes. If you're longing for reassurance that your obedience and love are bearing fruit, this conversation will speak hope into your heart. 

 

Pull up a chair, take a deep breath, and join us for this encouraging Saturday reflection on faith, family, and the lasting work God is doing through Christian mothers. 

 

Scriptures Referenced in this Episode: 

 

Hebrews 11 


Isaiah 61:3 


2 Corinthians 12:9-11 


John 16:33 


Isaiah 53:2-3 


Philippians 4:8 


Titus 2:3 


 

 

To learn more about Rebecca's new book, Lasting Ever, or her ongoing ministry, be sure to visit rebeccastjames.com 


 

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools.    

  

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.

Mother's Day is here—and while it's a time to celebrate, many moms are quietly carrying more than anyone realizes. 

In this special Mother's Day week episode of the Raising Godly Girls Podcast, Rachael Culpepper and Melissa Bearden speak directly to the heart of the modern Christian mom—the one juggling the mental load, navigating loneliness, and wondering if she's the only one feeling overwhelmed. 

With research showing that many mothers today feel more isolated than expected, this episode offers a refreshing and faith-filled reset. Because the truth is, mama—you were never meant to do this alone. 

In this week's Raising Godly Girls Minute, Patti Garibay sheds light on the invisible weight moms carry every single day—from thousands of decisions to constant interruptions. And yet, even in the midst of it all, God's design for motherhood includes support, boundaries, and the freedom to ask for help. 

Then, in a powerful and memorable turn, Melissa introduces the "We Do Not Care Congregation for Christian Mamas"—a bold, truth-filled reminder that it's time to put the enemy on notice. No more silent shame. No more comparison traps. No more carrying chaos alone. Instead, this episode calls moms back to a place of identity, peace, contentment, and community rooted in Christ. 

You'll walk away encouraged to release unrealistic expectations, embrace God's provision, and lean into the people He's placed around you. Because when moms are supported, families flourish—and girls grow up seeing what it looks like to live with faith, freedom, and joy. 

This Mother's Day, give yourself the gift of truth: you are seen, you are supported, and you are never alone. 

 

Four Things to Remember: 

We're not sitting in silent shame anymore. You are redeemed, renewed, and called to walk in freedom.  


Chaos doesn't get the last word. God orders your steps and offers peace in the midst of the noise.  


You already have what you need. Contentment grows when you trust God's provision over comparison.  


Ask for help—without hesitation. From the Lord and from others—because motherhood was never meant to be done alone. 


 

Scriptures Referenced in This Episode: 

Romans 12:1–2  



Isaiah 26:3  


Psalm 23:1–3 


 

Visit raisinggodlygirls.com for more encouragement and faith-based parenting tools. 

Learn how to find or start an American Heritage Girls Troop in your community at americanheritagegirls.org.