Going the M.I.L.E.

Episode 5 - Rev. Byron Harris on Becoming Whole

In this fifth episode of Going the MILE: Stories of Calling and Ministry in the Greater Northwest, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth speaks with Rev. Byron Harris, pastor of Vancouver Heights United Methodist Church. Byron shares how his call to ministry grew from childhood roots in the church, through seasons of struggle and self-discovery, into a life devoted to truth-telling and liberation.
His story embodies the heart of Going the Mile. Ministry that Matters emerges when honesty meets healing. Itineration and Location remind us that God’s grace reaches every place we stand. Lay Ministry Enhancement and Eliminating Racism come alive in Byron’s commitment to wholeness, justice, and the full inclusion of all God’s people.
Byron’s journey reminds us that authenticity is sacred and that God’s call always includes the whole of who we are.
For more information, feedback, or guest ideas, please reach out to: communications@greaternw.org

Episode 4 - Caesar Marciales on Teaching, Coaching, and Mentoring

In this fourth episode of Going the MILE: Stories of Calling and Ministry in the Greater Northwest, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth speaks with Caesar Marciales, a teacher, coach, mentor, and commissioned home missioner from Palmer, Alaska. Caesar shares how his call unfolded through sports, teaching, and the life-changing presence of safe and trustworthy adults.
His story connects deeply with the vision of the MILE. Ministry that Matters takes shape when students and athletes are seen for who they are and encouraged to grow. Itineration and Location remind us that classrooms, soccer fields, and community spaces are holy ground. Lay Ministry Enhancement comes alive in Caesar’s role as a home missioner, serving God’s people outside the walls of the church. Eliminating Racism is reflected in his hope for every young person to know their worth and find safe places of belonging.
For more information, feedback, or guest ideas, please reach out to: communications@greaternw.org

Episode 3 - Anna Hoesly on Ministry and Community

In this third episode of Going the MILE: Stories of Calling and Ministry in the Greater Northwest, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth welcomes Anna Hoesly, pastor and director of Storyline Community. Anna shares how her call took shape outside traditional church walls, rooted instead in the lives of neighbors and the wisdom of voices often left at the margins.
Her story embodies the spirit of the MILE vision. Ministry that Matters takes form when faith and neighborhood life grow together. Itineration and Location remind us that God is found at the crossroads where people meet and needs are made visible. Lay Ministry Enhancement is seen as leaders rise from within the community itself. Eliminating Racism is woven into the practice of creating space where every voice is heard and honored.
Anna reflects on what it means to pass the torch of leadership and to trust that what a community needs is already present in its soil. Her journey invites us to see calling as rooted, relational, and alive in everyday places. Going the MILE is about living with purpose, listening deeply, and leading with love.
To learn more about Storyline community visit https://www.storylinecommunitypdx.org/
For more information, feedback, or guest ideas, please reach out to: communications@greaternw.org
 

Episode 2 - Sally Vonner on Clarity and Call

In this second episode of Going the MILE: Stories of Calling and Ministry in the Greater Northwest, Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth welcomes Sally Vonner, General Secretary and CEO of United Women in Faith. Sally shares how she first experienced her call, why she chose not to pursue ordination, and how she now lives out her vocation as a lay leader shaping ministry on a global scale.
Her story reflects the heart of the MILE vision. Ministry that Matters means trusting God’s leading even when the path is not what you expect. Itineration and Location remind us that God calls us in every setting of life. Lay Ministry Enhancement affirms the vital role of laity in shaping the church’s witness. Eliminating Racism is woven into the justice commitments that Sally and United Women in Faith have carried for generations.
Join us as Sally reflects on clarity, persistence, and faith that endures across seasons. Going the MILE is not just about telling stories. It is about walking with purpose, listening deeply, and leading with love.
 
For more information, feedback, or guest ideas, please reach out to: communications@greaternw.org

Episode 1 – EJ Ragual on Youth, Calling, and Curiosity

Welcome to Going the MILE: Stories of Calling and Ministry in the Greater Northwest Area, hosted by Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth. This new podcast invites us to walk the M.I.L.E. together, which stands for Ministry that Matters, Itineration and Location, Lay Ministry Enhancement, and Eliminating Racism.
In this first episode, Bishop Cedrick sits down with EJ Ragual, a young leader from Kent, Washington, whose call to youth ministry began at Christmas Institute. EJ’s story shows how God’s call is discovered in community, affirmed by others, and sustained through curiosity and courage.
Going the MILE is an invitation to live with purpose, listen deeply, and lead with love. Join us and be inspired to discover how your story matters in God’s ongoing work.
For more information, feedback, or guest ideas please reach out to: communications@greaternw.org