Brendan McClenahan on loneliness, connection, and creation care.

The work seems small: hands in the dirt, neighbors gathered, scraps transformed into new life. But this care needs more than good intentions—it needs presence and staying power. In this episode of The MercyCast, Brendan McClanahan, Church Engagement Manager at Plant With Purpose, discusses creation care as living discipleship—not just environmentalism. His words challenged how I view mentoring, community, and even the earth. Brendan starts not with programs, but with people, identity, and the conviction that God restores all things and invites us in. Through stories of composting, shared meals, and daily faithfulness, we explore how creation care heals land, relationships, and the Church. This is not theory—it is gospel with dirt under its nails. Key Takeaways Discipleship is more than an idea; it is practiced tangibly with our hands, with our neighbors, and with the land. Creation care restores more than the environment. Tending the earth also means tending what is broken, whether systems, communities, or hearts. Community takes shape through practices like composting, shared meals, and being present with others. These foster a sense of belonging and enable personal change. The gospel reconnects what’s fractured. God’s mission is restoring all creation—including our relationships with one another and the world. The life you long for lies beyond discomfort. Invitation, vulnerability, and presence may cost you, but they lead to Jesus’s abundance. Call to Action If you feel disconnected—from God, others, or yourself—start small. Invite someone over, take a walk, or share a meal. Notice the ground beneath your feet. Want to go deeper? Explore Tend by Plant With Purpose and practice a faith that stays. The work may look small. But this is where restoration begins. Learn more about Brendan’s work with Tend. Follow Tend on Facebook and Instagram You can follow MercyCast on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You can follow Raleigh on Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for listening. We want to hear from you! Email us at info@mercycast.com. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-mercycast/exclusive-content