A Personal Word About Walking Truth Out
Howdy, my beloved.
That’s not just a friendly Texas hello—it’s a tribute. If you’ve ever listened to Thru the Bible with Dr. J. Vernon McGee, you’ve heard him use those words time and again. “My beloved.” It wasn’t sentimental fluff. It was Scripture-soaked affection. A way of reminding listeners, “You matter—to me, and more importantly, to God.”
So I say it now with that same affection: howdy, my beloved. I’m glad you’re here.
And since you’re here, I want to share a story. Not a doctrinal deep dive or a structured lesson—just a simple, personal account of how this ministry got its name… and why it matters so much to me.
It Started with a Radio—and a Man Named McGee
About 30 years ago, when our family lived in Ohio, I stumbled across Thru the Bible. It was old-school even then—AM radio, gravelly voice, five-year journey through Scripture. But something about it caught me.
Maybe it was the way Dr. McGee taught—plainspoken but profound. Maybe it was his voice—like a grandfather reading the Word over a campfire. Or maybe it was his relentless insistence that God’s Word was for everyone—not just scholars or seminary grads, but truck drivers, nurses, and tired parents with a Bible and a desire to learn.
One phrase he said over and over again always stuck with me:
“The gospel walked in shoe leather in the first century—and it worked.”
That image… the gospel in shoe leather. It wasn’t a sermon. It was a life. A faith with feet on it. Real. Rough-edged. Obedient.
Truth that got up off the shelf and went walking.
I didn’t know it then, but that phrase would end up shaping everything I do in ministry.
Somewhere Along the Way… Texas Happened
Now here’s where the story gets a little funny.
Somehow—by God’s providence and maybe a little bit of His humor—our family ended up in Texas. And not just anywhere in Texas, but in College Station, nestled along the Brazos River.
I didn’t think much of it at first. But then I remembered something: Dr. McGee used to talk about the Brazos River on his broadcasts. Turns out he spent part of his life near here. Just upstream, in a sense.
And I couldn’t help but smile.
Thirty years after first climbing aboard the Bible Bus in Ohio, here I was—living just downriver from the man who introduced me to the phrase shoe leather gospel. Now raising a family, teaching the Bible, and trying to walk it out one day at a time.
God is funny that way.
What Shoe Leather Gospel Means to Me
When it came time to name this ministry, I didn’t have to overthink it.
Shoe Leather Gospel is exactly what I want my kids to remember—and what I want to leave behind:
That the Bible isn’t just true. It’s walkable.
That theology doesn’t stop at the study desk—it moves through your marriage, your Monday mornings, your messes, and your mission.
That the gospel is not just good news to hear—it’s good news to live.
Dr. McGee once described the Book of Romans as a letter that moves “from the head to the feet”—doctrine in the first half, duty in the second. Or as he put it:
“Here the gospel walks in shoe leather—and that is where I like it to walk.”
That’s the kind of ministry I want to build. Not flashy. Not polished. Just faithful.
The Mission (and the Map)
Our mission is simple—and maybe a little odd in a culture obsessed with platforms and algorithms:
Teach the Gospel. Die. Be forgotten.
To the glory of God alone.
This ministry isn’t a brand. It’s a trail.
And I’d love to walk it with you.
Here’s how we’re doing that:
🥾 Journey Thru the Bible
Our Monday–Friday podcast walks through the Bible chronologically over five years. We slow down. We trace the storyline. We follow the thread of Christ. And we invite listeners to meet the Living Word through the written Word—one chapter at a time.
👣 Footsteps of the Messiah
Every Saturday, we explore biblical prophecy from a pre-tribulational, premillennial lens. This series walks through the future with theological precision and pastoral hope, helping believers prepare for the return of Christ.
🚶♂️ Walking with God
On Sundays, we turn our attention to the daily walk—how theology shapes your decisions, discipleship, and worldview in today’s world. This is where the gospel hits the pavement of everyday life.
A Legacy—and an Invitation
This ministry started as a legacy project for my kids. Something they could return to long after I’m gone.
But it’s grown into more than that.
Now it’s a space for you—whether you’re a new believer trying to make sense of Scripture, or a seasoned saint wanting to walk more closely with God.
If you’ve ever opened your Bible and whispered, “Lord, help me understand…”—you’re not alone.
Let’s take this journey together.
We’re not looking for shortcuts.
We’re looking for substance.
We’re not rushing through chapters.
We’re walking with Christ.
And as we walk, let’s remember the gospel still works when it’s lived out in shoe leather.
So lace up, beloved.
Let’s keep walking.