Podcast Episode 13 with Jill Marie Chambers

The transcript is from a podcast episode of Bibles and Bullhorns, hosted by Jonathan Morris and Jon Neifert. Their guest, Jill Marie Chambers, is a canine facilitator with Canines for Christ, an organization that uses therapy dogs for evangelism.

Key Points:
Guest Introduction:
Jill Marie Chambers shares her work with Canines for Christ, using her therapy dog, Cookie, to help share the gospel in creative and approachable ways.

Unique Evangelism Approach:

• Jill uses a therapy vest with pockets to hold Bible tracts, which people take while interacting with Cookie.
• Cookie serves as an icebreaker, making it easier to engage people and share the gospel.

Impact of Therapy Dogs:

• Therapy dogs help soften people’s hearts, making them more receptive to conversations about faith.
• Jill recounted stories of people overcoming their fear of dogs and being more open to receiving gospel tracts or prayer.

Inspiration and Stories:

• Jill shares anecdotes about children and adults connecting with Cookie, sometimes overcoming fears or emotional barriers.
• Her approach helps her manage performance anxiety while sharing the gospel.

Getting Started:

• Jill advises finding a dog that enjoys connecting with people and getting them well-trained.
• Canines for Christ is active in multiple countries and offers a supportive community for members.

Broader Evangelism Strategies:

• The discussion also highlights the importance of using creative tools, like humor or animals, to open doors for gospel conversations.
• Emphasis on making evangelism approachable, enjoyable, and effective for both the evangelist and the audience.
• The episode concludes with encouragement for listeners to use their unique talents and resources, like pets, to share the gospel in their communities.