Ep. 169: James Barnett on trusting God’s plan in transition.
How do you know when God is calling you into something bigger than your own plans?
In this powerful episode of The Mercy Cast, James Barnett shares the remarkable story of leaving a successful business career to become CEO of Come and See, the nonprofit ministry committed to translating The Chosen into 600 languages and making the story of Jesus accessible to billions of people around the world.
James opens up about navigating uncertainty, trusting God's timing, and learning to surrender control—even when the path ahead doesn't make sense. From leading DaySpring to helping one of the most impactful Christian media projects in history reach every nation, this conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone facing a season of transition.
Whether you're wrestling with your calling, leading through change, or looking for encouragement in your faith journey, this episode will remind you that God often writes the best stories through unexpected detours.
In This Episode
James Barnett's transition from business leadership to global ministry
The mission behind Come and See
Why The Chosen is being translated into 600 languages
How storytelling is transforming modern evangelism
Trusting God's plan when life feels uncertain
Living with "open hands" instead of tightly held plans
Why perseverance matters during seasons of waiting
Lessons on leadership, faith, and obedience
The power of community and spiritual mentorship
Encouragement for anyone questioning God's direction
Memorable Takeaways
"Don't give up on God—even when you can't see what He's doing."
"God's plan is often better than the one we would have written ourselves."
"The greatest stories are the ones where God gets the glory."
Who This Episode Is For
If you're interested in:
Christian leadership
Faith and purpose
The Chosen
Christian podcasts
Evangelism and missions
Spiritual growth
Leadership transitions
Trusting God through uncertainty
Gospel-centered storytelling
...this conversation is for you.
Don't Miss These Moments
James' unexpected journey from DaySpring to Come and See
The vision to reach billions through The Chosen
Why uncertainty is often where faith grows the most
How God redirects careers for Kingdom impact
Practical encouragement for anyone in a season of waiting
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Faith grows when we trust God's plan more than our own.
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About James Barnett
James Barnett serves as the CEO of Come and See, the global nonprofit dedicated to making The Chosen available in 600 languages so every person can experience the life of Jesus through authentic storytelling. His leadership combines decades of business experience with a deep passion for sharing the Gospel around the world. Read Blue Skies.
Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you!
Email us at info@mercycast.com.
For more conversations like this one, check out my book, Vulnerable: Rethinking Human Trafficking.