A pastor who becomes a mayor sounds like a headline, but Pastor Rob McCoy treats it like a calling problem: how do you love God, love people, and still tell the truth when the public square gets hostile? Tim Barton sits down with Rob for a candid first part of a three-part conversation, tracing Rob’s unlikely path from the business world into decades of pastoral ministry at Calvary Chapel Godspeak in Thousand Oaks, California, and then into elected office.

Along the way, we talk about expository teaching, the verse-by-verse approach that refuses to “proof text” Scripture, and why that kind of Bible teaching forms deeper disciples. Rob also challenges a pattern many listeners will recognize in the American church: we emphasize evangelism but often neglect discipleship, and we’re shocked when there’s little cultural change to show for it. He connects those ideas to American history, spiritual renewal, and what it means to build durable convictions in a generation under constant pressure.

We also get the behind-the-scenes story of Rob’s friendship with Charlie Kirk, why Charlie called Rob “my pastor,” and the moment Charlie finally agreed to preach in a church and surprised everyone, including himself. If you care about biblical citizenship, Christian engagement in politics, and building faith that holds up in real life, this conversation is for you.

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