What Does a Christ-Centered Community Look Like?

A Christ-centered community isn’t just a group of people who like the same worship music or attend the same Bible study. It’s built on truth, encouragement, accountability, and sacrificial love. Join me today as we talk through building the community you want to live with.

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Hey friend! Unfortunately, Madi is out sick this week, so the Community Formation episode she originally scheduled will be postponed. But for now, enjoy the official trailer for Season 3: Your Dwelling Place!

This season, we’re exploring the different rooms of a house as symbols of community—what it looks like, why it matters, and how we build it.

Be sure to tune in next week as Madi dives into Christ-centered community formation and shares what’s ahead for Unpolished Faith this year!

Hello friends! Welcome to 2025 at Unpolished Faith. It’s a new year, and while the world is shouting “New Year, New Me,” I’m leaning into something different—rest and renewal. Over the holidays, for the first time in a long time, I actually slowed down. And in that stillness, I realized something: God does His best work when we stop striving.

This year, I’m not chasing a new version of myself—I’m committing to a deeper, more rested, more surrendered version. Maybe that’s what you need too.

And speaking of fresh starts, Season 3 is almost here! Next week, I’ll drop the official trailer, and trust me, you don’t want to miss it. We’re talking about the kind of community that helps you build a life that lasts.

Unpolished Faith and Madi Franquiz will be on a break from December 25th through the New Year. Madi will be back with regularly scheduled content for Season 3 on February 6th at 5:00 am. Keep in touch with Unpolished Faith on Instagram!

As part of our 12 Days of Unpolished Christmas Theology Three-Part Deep Dive, (say that 3 times fast), we are having a conversation with my mentor Chrissie Dunham. God’s redemptive plan for humanity only began at Christmas. It was always leading to Calvary.

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Download this FREE devotional from Madi: 12 Days of Unpolished Christmas

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Listen to Ep. 3 When God Feels Far: Navigating Spiritually Dry Seasons

Around this time of year, we sing songs about the Messiah and celebrate the baby born to save us all. But do we truly understand the depth of what "Messiah" means? In Hebrew, "Messiah" translates to Mashiach (מָשִׁיחַ), meaning "anointed one." It signifies someone consecrated with holy oil, chosen by God for a unique purpose. In Jewish tradition, the Messiah refers to a future king from the lineage of David who will deliver Israel and restore its glory.

As part of our Christmas Theology Three-Part Deep Dive, we are having a conversation with Israel Lambert. The meaning of Messiah reflects a hope that points to the richness of God’s redemptive plan for humanity. This plan began long before the manger in Bethlehem and stretches into eternity, reminding us of the profound story woven throughout Scripture.

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Download this FREE devotional from Madi: 12 Days of Unpolished Christmas

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Add this song to your Christmas playlist: Messiah by Francesca Battistelli

Reminder: IF you have not downloaded yours, remember this is a FREE resource I created that goes along with the conversations we have this season. It is in each episode’s podcast description.

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Hi friend! Welcome to the first day of our three-part Christmas Theology deep dive (say that three times fast). We kicked off this season with Dale Partridge, who reminded us of the 4,000 years of history where people longed for Christmas—but God was not silent during those years. Through His prophets, He delivered over 300 prophecies and promises, all pointing to the King who would come. From Genesis to Malachi, these promises told of the Messiah who would fulfill them all, proving He is the King who was promised.

On the show today we have Dr. Brent Thomason, here to help us see Christ throughout the Old Testament. Dr. Thomason is the Dean of the Graduate School of Ministry and a Professor of Biblical Studies at Dallas Baptist University, where I’ve had the privilege of taking his Hermeneutics class this semester. Dr. Thomason’s journey with Scripture is rooted in an impressive background. With four degrees from three different countries—including Belgium and the U.K.—and years spent living and ministering overseas, Dr. Thomason brings a unique perspective to biblical studies.

Whether you’ve studied these Scriptures a hundred times or this is your first deep dive, I promise this conversation will leave you in awe of God’s perfect plan from the beginning to the end.

Thank you for downloading and sharing with your friends :)

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Download the FREE 12 Days of Unpolished Christmas Devotional

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Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

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This Christmas season, Unpolished Faith is focusing on the heart of generosity by partnering with All God’s Children International, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children around the world. Their mission is to provide holistic care for orphans, unite children with loving families, and support families and communities to prevent children from being orphaned in the first place.

Learn more about how you can support All God’s Children International at https://www.allgodschildren.org/donate and be a part of transforming lives this Christmas.

Learn More about AGGI Here: https://vimeo.com/990219414/9a981e326d?share=copy

Hello friend! Welcome back to another episode of our Unpolished Christmas mini-series. Today’s conversation is all about generosity and meaningful giving, and I’m thrilled to welcome Kristy Graham to the show! Kristy is the host of the On the Ground with Samaritan's Purse podcast, a wife, a mom, and a passionate advocate for serving others in Jesus’ name.

As we dive into the heart of the Christmas season, Kristy and I explore what it means to give gifts that truly last. From acts of service to intentional charity, we’re focusing on generosity as it’s modeled by God through Christ—who gave us the ultimate gift of Himself.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

✨ How God’s generosity through Christ transforms how we give.

✨ Why intentional, meaningful giving matters—beyond the material.

✨ Practical ways to incorporate acts of service and charity this Christmas.

✨ Ideas for creating gifts with eternal impact—both big and small.

✨ How to cultivate a spirit of generosity within your family and community.

The Christmas season can often revolve around stuff—the perfect presents wrapped in shiny paper. But when we look at the Christmas story, we see the ultimate example of generosity: God giving us His Son, Jesus, to bring hope, salvation, and everlasting life. As followers of Christ, we have the opportunity to reflect that same spirit of giving in ways that point back to Him.

Kristy shares beautiful, practical ideas for giving with intention this season—whether it’s through acts of kindness, serving others, or supporting organizations that make an eternal impact. Together, we unpack how to shift our mindset from consumerism to Christ-centered generosity.

Show Links:

✨ Download this FREE devotional from Madi: 12 Days of Unpolished Christmas

✨ Learn more about Samaritan's Purse and ways to give: samaritanspurse.org

✨ Follow Unpolished Faith on Instagram

✨ Watch this episode on YouTube

✨ Connect with Kristy Graham on On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse.

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This Christmas season, Unpolished Faith is focusing on the heart of generosity by partnering with All God’s Children International, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children around the world. Their mission is to provide holistic care for orphans, unite children with loving families, and support families and communities to prevent children from being orphaned in the first place.

Learn more about how you can support All God’s Children International at https://www.allgodschildren.org/donate and be a part of transforming lives this Christmas.

Learn More about AGGI Here: https://vimeo.com/990219414/9a981e326d?share=copy

Hello friend! Welcome back to another episode of our Unpolished Christmas mini-series. Today is extra special because we have our very first international guest joining us on Unpolished Faith! Carolyn Lacey, all the way from Worcester, England, is a writer, speaker, pastor’s wife, and Bible teacher. She serves part-time at her church as a women’s worker, regularly teaching the Bible at women’s events and conferences. Carolyn is also a mum to two grown-up children and a passionate advocate for ordinary, life-giving hospitality.

In this episode, we’re talking all about hospitality—what it means to open our hearts and homes to others during the Christmas season, and how we can follow Jesus’ example of extraordinary welcome in ordinary ways. Carolyn reminds us that hospitality isn’t about perfection or impressing others; it’s about making people feel seen, loved, and valued—just as Jesus does for us.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

✨ How Jesus models true hospitality and invites everyone to His table.

✨ Why hospitality is about presence, not perfection.

✨ Practical ways to practice simple, meaningful hospitality this Christmas.

✨ Encouragement for those who feel overwhelmed, unqualified, or limited.

✨ How small, ordinary acts of kindness can have an eternal impact.

The Christmas story itself is one of welcome—of God making a way for us to belong through the birth of Jesus. As followers of Christ, we are invited to extend that same heart of hospitality to those around us, even in small, simple ways. Whether it’s inviting a neighbor over for coffee, creating a space for a friend to feel safe, or simply showing up with a generous spirit, Christmas is the perfect time to embody the extraordinary welcome of Jesus.

Let this episode encourage you to set aside the pressure for Pinterest-perfect hospitality and instead embrace the beauty of making room for others in your ordinary, imperfect life. 🎄

Show Links:

Download this FREE devotional from Madi: 12 Days of Unpolished Christmas

Connect with Madi

Follow Unpolished Faith

Watch this episode on YouTube

Connect with Carolyn Lacey

Get Carolyn's Book: Extraordinary Hospitality (For Ordinary People)

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This Christmas season, Unpolished Faith is focusing on the heart of generosity by partnering with All God’s Children International, an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable children around the world. Their mission is to provide holistic care for orphans, unite children with loving families, and support families and communities to prevent children from being orphaned in the first place.

Learn more about how you can support All God’s Children International at https://www.allgodschildren.org/donate and be a part of transforming lives this...