What if waiting for love isn’t about pause, but about becoming? We sit with Pastor Bri DuPree, leader, mentor, and inspiring single woman in ministry, to explore how faith meets desire, how community heals loneliness, and how to prepare for marriage without losing yourself along the way.

Bri shares her path from psychology student to pastor and reframes “kingdom work” as simple, daily acts of presence: listening well, asking better questions, and dignifying people in ordinary moments. We press into the hardest parts of singleness, end‑of‑day loneliness and the ache for true companionship and talk about practical steps to build healthy friendships, create robust community, and grow emotional intelligence. Bree challenges churches to move beyond clichés, equipping singles with tools for real life, including candid conversations about sexual desire that remove shame and point toward wisdom.

Together we dismantle the myth that there’s only one person for you and replace it with a grounded vision of compatibility, shared values, and timing. We dive into non‑negotiables, why “you complete me” sets couples up to fail, and how to wait actively by cultivating hobbies, purpose, and spiritual depth. Bree’s theology of suffering brings hope after heartbreak: if God collects every tear, nothing is wasted. The invitation is clear, become whole, so you can love from abundance, not desperation.

If you’re navigating singleness with faith, longing, and a desire to do the inner work, this conversation offers clarity and comfort in equal measure. Listen, share with a friend who needs encouragement, and subscribe for more honest, hope‑filled talks on love, faith, and relationships. We’d love to hear your biggest takeaway from this week's episode!

Follow Bri's Church Here: https://www.instagram.com/theembracecollective_/?hl=en

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What if the cure for loneliness isn’t more scrolling, but a bigger story and a closer community? We welcomed Pastor Bob Martin from College Park Church to talk candidly about a decade of singleness, the unexpected grace of a pre-breakup, and the slow, steady practices that turn waiting into deep formation. Bob unpacks the “already and not yet” reality of the Kingdom, why embodied church life matters in an AI-saturated age, and how simple invitations can change a spiritual trajectory.

We explore the most common pain point singles face, loneliness and the constellation of cures that actually help: gathered worship that widens your horizon, small groups where prayer is real, weekly rhythms that tame hurry, and a counterintuitive practice of solitude that lets God speak identity into the quiet. Bob reframes dating as service, not self-fulfillment, and challenges men and women alike to leave people better than they found them. He also dismantles a few myths: singleness is not a single story, there’s no “just do this” fix, and marriage isn’t a higher tier of holiness. Scripture dignifies both callings and roots intimacy in a family of faith.

If you’re preparing for marriage, Bob’s counsel is disarming and practical: YOU bring YOU into the covenant. Start practicing the lifestyle of Jesus NOW, patience, humility, and faithful presence, so the front door of your wedding day opens into a home shaped by Christ’s character. We close with resources for finding community and next steps you can take this week: invite a friend to church, commit to one act of service, and set aside an hour of quiet time with God.

Enjoy the conversation? Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who needs hope, and leave a review to help others find their way to a stronger community and a deeper love.

Bob's Church: https://www.yourchurch.com/

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What if worship is the on-ramp to real relationship change? Renee welcomes Pastor Freddy Wachter, a Worship Pastor at Desert Song Community Church in Redmond, OR. He believes music can prepare hearts more effectively than any announcement or program. From his adoption story to his call into ministry, Freddy shares how worship functions as a spiritual weapon, turning a Sunday setlist into a doorway for healing, conviction, and hope.

We dig into the complex world of Christian singleness and dating with unfiltered honesty. Are churches unintentionally sidelining singles? Freddy argues for a radical shift: let singles lead singles, stop siloing them with awkward mixers, and integrate them into the life of the church with respect and real roles. We tackle codependency with clear, compassionate boundaries, why grace without truth enables, and truth without grace harms and how healing past wounds keeps them from hijacking future relationships. The goal isn’t a perfect story; it’s a healthy one.

Then we take on dating culture head-on: the buffet mindset from apps, myths from rom-coms, and the fallout from shame-based purity narratives. We propose a better path—root your choices in Christ, define a short list of non-negotiables, and balance spiritual alignment with practical competence like communication, budgeting, and service. Pursuit still matters, modeled in Song of Solomon’s respectful passion. Give second dates when possible, invest real time, and let character deepen attraction. For women, look for a man who actively participates in a local church and serves. For men, seek a woman who knows her value and respects yours. Healing, worship, and wise choices beat hype every time.

If this conversation helped you rethink love, singleness, or ministry, subscribe, share with a friend who needs it. Got a question or topic you want us to tackle next? Send it our way, we’re listening.

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