128: Find What You Can Do

Part 1 of the 3-Part Series Everyone Can Do Something 

Leading up to Christmas and the end of the year, hosts Jim Brangenberg and Bruce Bruinsma inspire retirees to embrace the season with purpose and love. Reflecting on the Christmas spirit, they ask: What can you uniquely do to make a difference this year? 

We’re reminded that even small, neighborly gestures can bring immense joy as the duo discusses practical ways to bless others, from making a thoughtful phone call to helping foster children gain a sense of belonging. Find a need and fill it—whether through time, resources, or simply a listening ear. Bruce is a big advocate of Wraparound Grandparenting, where retirees support foster and adoptive families with love and stability. The message is clear: while we all have different abilities, everyone can bring hope to someone else’s life, which is what the Church is called to do! 

Above all, the episode emphasizes loving your neighbor, not just at Christmas but all year long. Whether you’re retired, working, or somewhere in between, there’s a unique way for you to spread joy. After all, the heart of the season is living out Christ’s love.

www.RetirementReformation.org

SHOW GUESTS: Bruce Bruinsma

Ministry: Retirement Reformation

127: A Retirement with Impact

Part 3 of the 3-Part Series Kingdom Impact as a Senior 

Wrap up this series exploring the vital role of retired believers in making a Kingdom impact. It emphasizes that retirees can still play a significant role in the church and broader community, actively using their time, life experience, and spiritual wisdom. Retirement Reformation founder Bruce Bruinsma encourages retirees to seek out churches that value multigenerational connections and to engage in activities that foster mentorship with younger individuals, noting the need for mentorship across all age groups. 

Guest Joel Werdell, from the Christian Association of Youth Mentoring (CAYM), shares his passion for connecting youth with caring adults. He describes a “crisis” in communities where young people lack supportive adults outside their families and echoes the call on retirees to provide guidance and connection to future generations. Bruce and Jim also discuss the challenges retirees might face, especially spiritual resistance, when living out their faith actively. Despite these obstacles, Bruce shares how caregiving for his wife has deepened their relationship, teaching him to serve with love and patience. Through stories and encouragement, the episode highlights purposeful living and the lasting impact retirees can have on their families, churches, and communities.

www.RetirementReformation.org

SHOW GUESTS: Joel Werdell

Ministry: Christian Association of Youth Mentoring

126: You’re an Influencer

Part 2 of the 3-Part Series Kingdom Impact as a Senior 

In this episode of iRetire4Him, Jim Brangenberg and Bruce Bruinsma challenge retirees to find purpose in their retirement years by serving and encourage listeners to stay engaged, using their wisdom and experience to mentor and impact their communities. 

The show also features Mark Andrews, who shares his experience starting Adoptive Family Resources at age 60, proving it's never too late to find Kingdom purpose. Mark describes how this work fulfills him, comparing it to a snowball gaining momentum. Despite challenges, Mark believes every small act of service makes a big difference. 

Bruce and Jim discuss practical ways for retirees to influence culture, whether it’s volunteering, mentoring, or simply showing Christ’s love to others. They also highlight the power of prayer and intercession for those who may be less active physically but still want to impact the Kingdom. Making impact through service is possible for every senior!

www.RetirementReformation.org

SHOW GUESTS: Mark Andrews

Ministry: Adoptive Family Resources

125: Your Untapped Potential

Part 1 of the 3-Part Series Kingdom Impact as a Senior 

In this episode of iRetire4Him, Jim Brangenberg and Bruce Bruinsma discuss the untapped potential of retirees to make a Kingdom impact. Bruce highlights that many retirees feel they’ve outlived their ability to contribute because they haven’t realized their role in God’s ongoing plan. The conversation emphasizes moving from passive to proactive engagement in God’s work, with Bruce explaining that Kingdom impact means actively extending God's reign through our lives. He contrasts activity, such as hobbies, with proactivity, which is intentional and purpose driven. 

They also discuss Bruce’s book Living the Fruitful Life, which explores how bearing spiritual fruit leads to Kingdom impact. Bruce shares four key ways retirees can bring about Kingdom impact: living a Christlike life, loving and serving others, advancing God's mission, and faithfulness and obedience. John Avant, this episode’s special guest, shares his story of starting a new ministry at 65, focusing on supporting missionaries and college revival. His testimony reinforces the idea that retirement is not an end, but a new chapter for Kingdom work, where retirees can be freer than ever to follow God’s calling.

www.RetirementReformation.org

SHOW GUESTS: John Avant

Ministry: Passion Promise

124: From Genocide to Good News

Part 3 of the 3-Part Series Operation Christmas Child for Retirees 

We hope you’ve been finding this series about Operation Christmas Child as impactful as we have! This final series episode features Alex Nsengimana, whose life was transformed when he received a shoebox full of goodies – his very first gift. Alex, originally from Rwanda, shares his harrowing story of surviving the 1994 genocide, during which he lost close family members. As a child, Alex experienced profound despair until he received that Operation Christmas Child shoebox at an orphanage. This simple act of kindness sparked hope and planted a seed of faith in Alex’s life. 

Through years of struggle and questions about God’s love and justice, Alex eventually found healing and forgiveness. He recounts the miracles of how God protected him during the genocide, leading to his acceptance of Jesus Christ. Today, Alex serves as a spokesperson for Operation Christmas Child, sharing his story to inspire others to contribute to this life-changing mission. He wants to encourage YOU, retiree, to bring this special project to your home, neighborhood, church, or community! 

www.RetirementReformation.org 

SHOW GUESTS: Alex Nsengimana

Ministry: Samaritan’s Purse

123: Let’s Get Packing!

Part 2 of the 3-Part Series Operation Christmas Child for Retirees 

Welcome back the Brumbelows as the iRetire4Him Podcast focuses on the impactful work of Samaritan's Purse and their Operation Christmas Child program. Mark and Cherry share their incredible journey of leading a 55-member Texas church to pack over 100,000 shoeboxes for children worldwide over the last several years.  

Cherry reveals how getting involved with Operation Christmas Child after becoming an empty nester gave her a renewed sense of purpose and has profoundly impacted her family and community. This ministry isn't just for the "chronologically superior" but is a family affair that engages all generations. No matter your age, you can make a significant impact! Maybe Operation Christmas Child is where God is leading you next as you walk through retirement. Find out how you can get involved on the Samaritan’s Purse website.  

www.RetirementReformation.org

SHOW GUESTS: Mark & Cherry Brumbelow

Ministry: Samaritan’s Purse

122: Pursue Purpose this Christmas

Part 1 of the 3-Part Series Operation Christmas Child for Retirees 

In this special series of the iRetire4Him Podcast, co-hosts Bruce and Jim, and guests Mark and Cherry Brumbelow, want to present you with an excellent idea to add more purpose to your Christmas preparations. They explore the life-changing impact of Operation Christmas Child, a project by Samaritan’s Purse. The Brumbelows share their journey into this ministry, inspired by Mark's mother, who instilled in them a passion for spreading joy and the Gospel through the simple shoebox gifts. 

Operation Christmas Child has become a powerful way for the Brumbelows to find purpose in their later years, and it might just be a project that God is calling you to, too. It connects people of all ages in a shared mission of love and service. Why not bring it to your church and/or community? Check out the Samaritan’s Purse website for details on how to get involved. We’ll leave you with a powerful statement Mark made concerning his retirement years: 

“I don't want to be just involved in good stuff. I want to be involved in the best possible stuff when He comes back.” 

www.RetirementReformation.org

SHOW GUESTS: Mark & Cherry Brumbelow

Ministry: Samaritan’s Purse

121: Hope for Tomorrow

Even in retirement, our calling from God remains active, providing purpose and direction. What about the days when we feel hopeless? Bruce explains that hope for tomorrow gives us the confidence and energy to face each day, no matter the challenges. He shares personal experiences, highlighting how faith and the guidance of the Holy Spirit provide reassurance in uncertain times.  

Jim and Bruce also touch on the struggles retirees face, such as waning hope due to life's difficulties, and how surrounding oneself with hopeful, faith-filled people can rekindle that hope. The episode concludes with Bruce sharing a personal story about how hope is keeping his family motivated for an upcoming trip to Ireland, illustrating the practical impact of holding onto hope in our daily lives. 

Doug Hunter – an unretired retiree – joins in the second segment to provide exemplary hope to retirement-aged listeners. You can enjoy your retirement to the fullest when you’re asking God “what’s next?” as you journey along life’s way. Tune in for a 30-minute dose of HOPE! 

www.RetirementReformation.org

MID-SEGMENT GUESTS: Doug Hunter

Ministry: Pinnacle Forum

120: Dealing with Your Kids’ Transitions

Part 3 of the 3-Part Series Transitions 

This episode highlights personal experiences, noting the impact adult children's transitions can have on retirees. Bruce stresses the importance of prayer, support, and the complexities of modern family dynamics. Jim recounts his own challenges, including caring for a granddaughter after his son's health issues and his parents moving to stay close. 

Mike Henry of Follower of One joins the show to discuss his ministry and to encourage retirees to integrate faith into everyday life. He explains the five habits for living out faith: pray, appreciate others, know what you believe, serve others, and speak for yourself. Although focused on workplace missions, anyone can take part in Follower of One’s Marketplace Mission Trips for spiritual growth and community support. 

Wrapping up, Bruce emphasizes the significance of being a trustworthy and loving presence in the lives of grandchildren, especially amidst family upheaval. We’re reminded that we can find purpose in the transitions as long as we depend on God, finding strength and guidance in Him.  

www.RetirementReformation.org

MID-SEGMENT GUESTS: Mike Henry

Ministry: Follower of One

119: How Health Affects Our Retirement

Part 2 of the 3-Part Series Transitions 

Let’s keep examining the transitions retirees face and more specifically those related to health changes. Bruce shares a personal story about his wife Judy's recent health concerns and how they’re coping with this unexpected crisis. It highlights the importance of recognizing and preparing for transitions, especially during our retirement years. 

Dr. Jim Harris joins the second segment to share his journey of rediscovering purpose in his “4th quarter.” Despite being 71, Jim continues to pursue his calling, writing books and hosting a TV podcast, all with the motive of teaching others to discern God's voice. He encourages seniors to utilize their experiences to mentor younger generations.  

Changes are guaranteed to come, but how you deal with them will make all the difference! Keep listening to the iRetire4Him Podcast for practical and spiritual help, and check out the resources at www.RetirementReformation.org

MID-SEGMENT GUESTS: Dr. Jim Harris

Ministry: drjimharris.com