Ever stood in front of your closet and realized you weren’t just picking an outfit—you were trying to protect yourself from criticism?

In this episode of the Ministry Wives podcast, host Amy Petersen talks with author and Bible teacher Caroline Saunders and fellow pastor’s wife Catherine Renfro about the pressure many ministry wives feel to look and act a certain way. Drawing from Caroline’s book But What Do I Wear? The Biblical Story of Clothing, they talk honestly about the “cookie-cutter ministry wife” image, the motives hiding behind our wardrobe choices, and how the Bible’s story of a God who covers His people frees us from legalism, comparison, and the need to impress.

What You'll Learn in This Episode with Caroline Saunders:

• What the “cookie-cutter ministry wife” looks like—and where those expectations are really coming from
• Why the Bible’s story of clothing is about the God who covers, not just women who cover up
• How remembering we’re clothed in Christ changes the way we see ourselves and others
• How to talk with your kids about why we dress the way we do, beyond “because I said so”
• And more!

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• But What Do I Wear? The Biblical Story of Clothing by Caroline Saunders
• Check out Amy’s Easter hat!
• NAMB Women’s Evangelism
• Planting Wives Resources
• Want to give a shout-out to a ministry wife in your life? Tell us about her by emailing us at resources@namb.net.

CONNECT

Connect with Caroline
Facebook // Instagram // Website

Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast

Connect with Catherine
Facebook // Instagram

Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram // Email

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The people around us often see us as strong, put-together, and endlessly available—but what happens when the walls come down, and we admit we're struggling to find real friendship?

In this episode, host Amy Petersen talks with Carolyn Fountain, the newly elected president of national WMU, and fellow ministry wife Rivers Partin about a question many ministry wives quietly carry: Can a ministry wife have real, close friends? Drawing from Carolyn’s decades of ministry alongside her husband through church planting, pastoral ministry, and missions, they talk honestly about the isolation that can creep in even when you’re surrounded by people, the walls we build for self-protection, and what it looks like to risk vulnerability again.

What You'll Learn in This Episode with Carolyn Fountain:

• Why ministry life can feel so isolating
• The difference between being known and telling someone everything
• Why your friendships do not all have to carry the same weight or fill the same role
• How Matthew 28:20 reframes loneliness through the promise of God's constant presence
• And more!

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• National Women’s Missionary Union
• Planting Wives Resources
• Want to give a shout-out to a ministry wife in your life? Tell us about her by emailing us at resources@namb.net.

CONNECT
Connect with Carolyn
Facebook
Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast
Connect with Rivers
Facebook // Instagram
Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram // Email

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The needs around us are real, and they often belong to people we genuinely love. But does recognizing a need mean God is asking us to meet it?

In this episode, host Amy Petersen talks with Amanda Hadden and fellow ministry wife Rivers Partin about what to do when everyone seems to need something from you. Drawing from Amanda’s years of ministry among the Oglala Lakota people in South Dakota, they talk honestly about limited capacity, discerning your “best yes,” and learning to trust God with the needs you cannot meet.

They also share practical ways to say no graciously, warning signs that you may have taken on too much, and why faithfulness at home matters just as much as the ministry others can see.

If you feel pulled in ten different directions, this episode is a reminder that you can love people deeply without carrying everything. God sees you, knows your limits, and will help steady your feet.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode with Amanda Hadden:

• Why recognizing a need does not necessarily mean you are the one to meet it
• How to discern your “best yes” in your current season
• Practical, gracious ways to communicate that you do not have the capacity
• Warning signs that you may have taken on too much
• How Romans 12:1 reframes both visible ministry and unseen faithfulness as worship
• Why overwhelm may be an invitation to stop and depend on God again
• And more!

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• Chanku Waste Ranch (Amanda’s Ministry Center): Website | Facebook | Instagram
• Want to serve alongside Chanku Waste Ranch? Explore mission trip opportunities.
• Planting Wives Resources
• Want to give a shout-out to a ministry wife in your life? Tell us about her at resources@namb.net.

CONNECT

Connect with Amanda
Facebook // Instagram // Podcast
Connect with Amy
Facebook // Instagram // Website
Connect with Rivers
Facebook // Instagram
Connect with NAMB
Facebook // Instagram // Email

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.