The flames seemed to climb higher and higher at the recent Dove Awards ceremony as the Grammy Award winning duo for KING & COUNTRY unveiled their latest radio single, “World on Fire”. As flames blazed 20 feet high on the stage, the performance served as a beacon that they were back and better than ever.

The performance marked the band’s first original song release in more than two years. Fresh from a year off from touring to get some much-needed rest and to regroup for the next phase of their music, “World on Fire” represents a rallying cry to live fully alive and to be on fire for God.

The single will serve as a precursor to their forthcoming 2026 album release, a recording designed to build upon the success of the 2024 hit feature film “Unsung Hero”, a biopic about how their family first came to America from Australia.

One half of for KING & COUNTRY, Luke Smallbone, says that the time off afforded them the chance to reflect upon where the last 15 years have taken them and to allow God to breathe new vision into their hearts. He believes that out of this refining process will come a renewed clarity to usher in a new era for them, one of passion and purpose.

Luke joins me to chat about why he and his brother, Joel Smallbone, decided to take some time off and how it has refocused them for what lies ahead. Listen as he shares about their new single, "World on Fire" and his hope that it will become an anthem for revival around the world.

Links from the Show

• for KING + COUNTRY - WORLD ON FIRE with Taylor Hill | Live At GMA Dove Awards 2025
• Luke Smallbone's first appearance on this podcast (Episode 85)

The old adage, “follow your dreams” is something that we have all heard but rarely do we ever hear about someone who actually arrived at their desired destination. Too many times, people get derailed in their pursuit due to seemingly insurmountable obstacles, unforeseen detours, or an eventual lack of interest. That’s why it is always so heartwarming to hear about that individual who actually made their dreams come true.

Take Texas-based steel industry executive Chris Whittington for example. As the owner and founder of a Houston-based steel company, Whittington has forged a highly respectable career in providing industrial grade metals to a region known for energy, aerospace, and manufacturing. But he had a passion beyond the industry he has so dutifully served for more than three decades.

Music.

Running parallel to his business pursuits, Whittington has served as a worship leader in local churches for many years, creating a natural venue for him to write and perform his own music. Over the last decade, he has released three solo albums including his latest, Bright Portal Remastered 2025 which is an updated version of his debut which was originally released in 2015.

Whittington joins us on the Crossmap Podcast to talk about the powerful influence that music has had on his spiritual life. Listen as he shares what God has taught him about the value of patience in balancing a successful career in business with a burgeoning passion writing, recording, and releasing music.

Here is a bold statement that is hard to comprehend and believe. Generation Z is being shaped more by TikTok than by Biblical truth. 


This begs the question, who exactly are today’s young adults and how do we reach them? A simple Google search of Gen Z pops up 1.3 billion hits in just a fraction of a second. However, there is very little clarity on what this young people group actually thinks, feels, and believes.


To better understand who these current 13- to 28-year-olds are, Summit Ministries, recognized as a leader in cultural engagement, has released a brand-new 40-page white paper resource called, “State of the Rising Generation Report”. Designed for parents, teachers, and pastors, this free report distills thousands of pages of research, expert interviews, and student groups into a clear, and easy to understand format.


Among the report’s key findings:

- The Identity Crisis: 58% of young adults say they have no clear direction in life.

- Mental Health Struggles: 72% of young women and 67% of young men say anxiety and depression are part of who they are.

- Smartphone vs. AI Generation: If Gen Z is the “smartphone generation,” Gen Alpha is the first “AI generation,” with profound implications for learning and relationships.


- Faith Deconstruction: While church attendance is declining, 90% of young adults express some form of spiritual belief, signaling fresh opportunities for engagement.


- Relationships in Crisis: From pornography to loneliness, isolation to family breakdown, technology and culture are reshaping how young adults view marriage, friendship and community.

Dr. Jeff Myers is one of America’s most respected voices on youth development and worldview. The author of 18 books, he is a frequent commentator on cultural confusion, moral clarity, and generational discipleship. It is his desire to equip parents and leaders with truth and context so they can spend more time connecting with the ones they love, all while guiding Generation Z to fulfill their God-given potential.


Dr. Myers joins me to chat about how the role of technology is quickly shaping Generation Z's worldview. Listen as he shares why it is so vitally important to address today's cultural and political confusion with a strong Biblical viewpoint, one that is clear and relatable to today's young adults.