In this powerful episode of the Together in Battle podcast, Cody Persell sits down with Steve Highlander to address a pressing issue in the modern church: the absence of deliverance ministry from most local congregations.
Steve Highlander has spent decades in ministry and has witnessed firsthand how the Western church has largely abandoned the practice of casting out demons and ministering freedom to the oppressed. During their conversation, he shares candid observations about why so many pastors feel ill-equipped when confronted with spiritual bondage in their congregations.
One of the central themes Steve raises is the gap in seminary and Bible school training. Most pastoral education programs focus heavily on theology, counseling techniques, and organizational leadership, but rarely address the practical realities of spiritual warfare. When a church member comes forward struggling with demonic oppression, many pastors simply do not know what to do. Steve emphasizes that this is not a failure of character but a failure of preparation.
The conversation then turns to practical steps for establishing deliverance ministry within a local church context. Steve outlines several key principles. First, senior leadership must be on board. Deliverance ministry cannot operate in the shadows or as a rogue element; it needs the covering and support of church leadership. Second, training is essential. Churches should invest in teaching their teams the biblical foundations of spiritual warfare, including the authority of the believer, the finished work of the cross, and the role of the Holy Spirit.
Steve also stresses the importance of creating a safe and compassionate environment. People seeking deliverance are often vulnerable, carrying deep wounds alongside spiritual oppression. The ministry team must be people of prayer, discretion, and genuine love. He warns against sensationalism and spectacle, noting that effective deliverance is rooted in the quiet authority of Christ rather than dramatic displays.
Cody and Steve discuss the scriptural mandate for this work, pointing to passages such as Mark 16:17, where Jesus declares that believers will cast out demons in His name, and Luke 4:18, where Jesus announces His mission to set captives free. These are not optional additions to the gospel but central to the ministry of Jesus that He passed on to His church.
The episode closes with encouragement for pastors and church leaders who feel called to step into this arena. Steve reminds listeners that God does not call the equipped; He equips the called. Starting small, seeking mentorship, and leaning into Scripture and prayer are the first steps toward building a thriving deliverance ministry in any local church.