Coming Out Christian | Season 3, Episode 2

Guest: Rev. Tim Kobler

What do tattoos, beekeeping, and campus ministry have in common? More than you might think — and the Rev. Tim Kobler is here to connect the dots.

Tim is the Director of the Wesley Foundation at the University of Michigan, where he has served since 2018. With 33 years in full-time ministry and 24 years focused specifically on campus ministry, Tim brings a wealth of experience supporting young people as they navigate faith, identity, and community in higher education.

In this episode, hosts Siobhan Boyd-Nelson and Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp sit down with Tim to explore what faith looks like on college campuses today — and the conversation goes places you might not expect. Tim shares about Sacred Ink, his traveling photo exhibition that explores the intersection of spirituality and tattoo art, inviting people to consider how we quite literally wear our sacred stories on our bodies. He also talks about his 26 years as a beekeeper and what tending hives has taught him about life and faith.

This one is wide-ranging, warm, and full of surprises — a perfect listen for a long commute or a quiet afternoon.

📲 Follow the podcast: @comingoutchristian_podcast

🌈 Follow LOVEboldly: @loveboldly

🐝 Follow Tim: @timkobler

🖼️ Explore Sacred Ink: sacredink.art

Season 3, Episode 1 Guest: Karen Hewitt

What happens when a pastor's kid raised in the Pentecostal church begins to ask bigger questions about faith, identity, belonging, and what it means to truly be seen?

Karen Hewitt is a catalyst for connection, belonging, and transformation, centering Black and queer wisdom in their work as a leadership developer, culture builder, community organizer, and multidisciplinary artist. They are the Founder of K Hewitt Consulting and The Culture of You, Co-Founder of The Ohio REST Collective, and an executive leader in the nonprofit space — and as it turns out, a comedian with a passion for performance.

In this episode, hosts Siobhan Boyd-Nelson and Rev. Dr. Ben Huelskamp sit down with Karen to explore their journey from Pentecostal PK to someone who has expansively explored a range of spiritual practices. The conversation is rich, wide-ranging, and deeply human — touching on the power of storytelling, the wisdom found in unexpected places, and what it looks like to build communities where people genuinely feel safe, valued, and seen.

Bring your whole self to this one. You won't regret it.

You can find Karen on social media at

• Instagram - @thecultureofyou
• Facebook - K Hewitt Consulting
• TikTok - @KarenMarie2121
• YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@cultureofyou8728

Remember to like, follow, and checkout LOVEboldly and Coming Out Christian:

• Instagram - @comingoutchristian_podcast @loveboldly
• www.loveboldly.org

Season 2, Episode 16 - "My Savage(-ish) Year." For the last two episodes of Season 2, Siobhan and Ben take turns interviewing each other as "special guests." In this episode, Ben discusses his background in the Roman Catholic church and his journey to ministry, ordained and otherwise, in advocacy and pastoral settings.

The LOVEboldly Devotion for 2026 is available now at https://www.loveboldly.net/devotional.

Enjoying "Coming Out Christian?" Remember to make your end-of-the-year gifts to LOVEboldly before December 31. Seeing this in 2026 or beyond? You can still support LOVEboldly by visiting www.loveboldly.net/donate.

Season 2, Episode 16 - "My Savage(-ish) Year." For the last two episodes of Season 2, Siobhan and Ben take turns interviewing each other as "special guests." In this episode, Siobhan discusses her faith, her call to ministry, the anchor points in her life, and some of her beliefs which might surprise you.

The LOVEboldly Devotion for 2026 is available now at https://www.loveboldly.net/devotional.

Enjoying "Coming Out Christian?" Remember to make your end-of-the-year gifts to LOVEboldly before December 31. Seeing this in 2026 or beyond? You can still support LOVEboldly by visiting www.loveboldly.net/donate.

Season 2, Episode 15 - "I'm Affirming Because of the Bible" On this episode, Siobhan and Ben welcome the Rev. Brian Steele, LOVEboldly Board Member, Fellow Program alum, and the Senior Pastor at First United Methodist Church of Farmington (Farmington, MI).

Enjoying "Coming Out Christian?" Then donate to LOVEboldly at www.loveboldly.net/donate.

Season 2, Episode 14 - "We All Need to Join the Dance." On this episode, Siobhan and Ben welcome the Rev. Dr. Marian Stewart, one of the founders of and activists behind Springfield Neighbors United.

You can learn more about Rev. Dr. Marian's work with Springfield Neighbors United by contacting springfieldneighborsunited@gmail.com.

Enjoying "Coming Out Christian?" Then donate to LOVEboldly at www.loveboldly.net/donate.

Season 2, Episode 13 - "Google Search: What are Liberal Christians?" On this episode, Siobhan and Ben welcome Kevin Marsh, MDiv, Director of Youth Ministry at Westerville Community United Church of Christ (WCUCC) in Westerville, OH.

You can find Kevin on Instagram @kevin_g_s_marsh

Enjoying "Coming Out Christian?" Then donate to LOVEboldly at www.loveboldly.net/donate.

Season 2, Episode 12 - "Deconstruction" On this episode, Siobhan and Ben welcome the Rev. Dr. Mashaun D. Simon, the author of Faith Deconstruction For Dummies, Board Chair of HOME Outreach, Inc., and the former pastor of House of Mercy Everlasting (HOME).

You can find Mashaun online at https://mashaundsimon.com/ and on social media:

• Instagram - @mashaundsimon
• Facebook - Mashaun D Simon

Enjoying "Coming Out Christian?" Then donate to LOVEboldly at www.loveboldly.net/donate.