The Orchard Podcast

Hosted by Mike and Michelle Tessendorf & Brian LaMew

Business Religion Spirituality Christianity Education

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May 2026

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About the show

The Orchard Podcast is a resource of Orchard: Africa that helps you make a positive and sustainable impact in the places of greatest need in our world. This podcast is designed for church leaders, mission directors and anyone wanting to be involved in global compassion. Learn from Mike and Michelle Tessendorf the founders of Orchard: Africa who bring over three decades of valuable experience in equipping the church to care for the vulnerable. They are joined by Brian LaMew who has served in senior leadership roles in growing churches for the last 20 years.

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60 recent

June 16, 202630 min

Episode 62: When My Path Looks Different

It is easy to compare our journey to someone else's and assume their path is better. But comparison rarely gives us the full picture. In this episode, we explore how envy, judgment, and comparison distort our perspective, causing us to overlook both the challenges others carry and the gifts God has placed in our own lives. Drawing from Jesus' words to Peter in John 21, we consider what it means to stop asking, "What about them?" and instead faithfully follow Christ on the path He has given us.

May 19, 202632 min

Episode 61: The Sacredness of the Ordinary

In this episode, we talk about how God often does His deepest work through small moments in everyday life. Waking up in the morning, conversations over a cup of coffee, waiting in the line at the grocery store, having a meeting at work, or saying a simple prayer before bed, may just be the most important moments of our day.If you’ve ever felt like your life is too ordinary to matter, this episode is a reminder that God is present in the unnoticed moments. Discover how small things done with love and faithfulness can lead to a rich and meaningful life.

April 15, 202631 min

Episode 60: God's original plan for our lives

In this 60th episode of the Orchard Podcast, we explore what it truly means to live your best life through the lens of faith and purpose. Drawing from the story of Esther, we reflect on the powerful truth that each of us is here “for such a time as this.”This conversation unpacks the idea that our lives are not accidental, but part of God’s greater plan, one that unfolds not only in big, defining moments, but also in the everyday choices we make. From small acts of faithfulness to courageous steps into the unknown, we discuss how purpose is often revealed in the ordinary rhythms of life.If you’ve ever wondered why you’re here, how to discern your purpose, or how to live meaningfully in uncertain times, this episode offers both perspective and encouragement. You’ll be reminded that God is at work in every season and that your life matters, now and into eternity.

March 25, 202635 min

Episode 59: We were made to be original

Everyone faces moments where fitting in feels easier than standing out.In this episode, we explore the tension between the ways we often look the same and the truth that God made each person with intention and uniqueness.This conversation is a reminder that living your best life is not about being a copy of someone else, but about becoming who you were created to be.

February 28, 202634 min

Episode 58: The next step feels scary — Now what?

Everyone faces moments when the future feels uncertain.Maybe you’re in one right now.Joshua was too. And what he heard in that moment has encouraged generations of ordinary people trying to live brave lives.In this episode, we unpack what courage really is and why it may not look the way you imagine.

January 21, 202635 min

Episode 57: Learning to delight in God this year (and why it changes everything)

What if the best way to begin the new year isn’t by rushing into resolutions, but by slowing down long enough to rediscover delight in God? In this episode, we explore how real and lasting change flows not from trying harder, but from learning to enjoy God more deeply. We talk about how Scripture, prayer, and quiet attentiveness to God’s gentle nudges shape us from the inside out. If you want this year to be different in more than just your habits, it may begin with delighting in the One who is already delighting in you.

December 9, 202528 min

Episode 56: God is already making a way for you

What if God’s will isn’t a mystery to solve but a source of comfort knowing God has a plan for us? In this conclusion to our series, we look at the famous promise of Jeremiah 29:11 in its original context and discover a God who plans with intention, compassion, and foresight. Just as a loving host prepares for a guest, God prepares for our arrival into every new season. If you want to understand His will, begin with His heart. This episode invites you into the comfort of a God who is planning good for you—even when life feels uncertain.

November 20, 202531 min

Episode 55: Permission Granted--Living into God's Permissive Will for Your Life

Hebrews 6:3 opens a doorway into one of the most fascinating questions of faith: What does God permit—and why? In this episode, we talk about the surprising goodness in God’s permission. From growth and maturity to daily choices and opportunities, God is constantly allowing things that shape who we become. This is a hopeful, practical look at how God’s “permission” is often His way of saying, “Go ahead. Grow. Step in. Live.”

October 13, 202533 min

Episode 54: "God, why are you taking so long?"

When life feels stalled and God seems silent, it’s easy to wonder if He’s forgotten you. Hebrews 10:36 reminds us that “you need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” In this episode, we talk about waiting well. Join us as we discuss how to endure when prayers seem unanswered, how to trust that God is at work beneath the surface, and how hidden growth can lead to unexpected fruitfulness.

September 22, 202536 min

Episode 53: Putting your body to work for God's will

God never meant for our bodies to sit idle or just be driven by passing desires. In 1 Peter 4:2, we’re called to spend the rest of our earthly lives putting our bodies to work for the will of God. In this episode we unpack a practical theology of the body—how to see your muscles, habits, and even that extra pound or two you are trying to lose as part of God’s mission. We will talk about what it means to let Christ be the boss of your body and to use every day and every breath for what truly matters.