Encounter Podcast

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We are humble believers in Jesus Christ setting out to encounter Christ, culture, and community in a long interview format. We pray and hope that you can grow along with us as we journey through interesting testimonies from our guests, difficult topics wi

Encounter Podcast


    • May 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 39m AVG DURATION
    • 135 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Encounter Podcast

    Episode #137- Encounter Group Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 99:38


    Joe, Cole, and Adam discuss what God has been teaching them through a book called, "The Gift of Being Yourself" by David Benner. The book focuses on knowing God deeply, knowing yourself deeply, and discarding our false selves. We reveal some personal insights and reflections about the book that have shaping how we live and read the Bibe.

    Episode #136- The Stages of Faith

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2025 103:18


    Based on the books The Critical Journey by Janet Hagberg and Robert A. Guelich, we discuss the stages of faith that each Christian goes through. This book was incredibly helpful to understand our personal walks with Christ, so we wanted to share it with you. Please listen, reflect, pray, and run the race that is set before us.

    jesus christ stages janet hagberg
    Episode #135- Worship Industry, Hats, and Huff

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 98:19


    When we can't get together as often as we like to record, we have too much to catch up to narrow it down to one topic. We evaluate the intentions of the worship music industry, discuss the boundaries of the liberties we have as Christians, and the development of Christian apologetics in the media.

    Episode #134- Youth With a Mission w/Melania Tomliln

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2025 90:33


    In this week's episode, we sit down with Melania Tomlin to discuss what God has been doing in her life. Melania is a passionate 19 year old that God called into overseas missions. She is now studying to be a pilot and praying about what God will do next.

    Episode #133- Church, Trees, and Trends

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 100:54


    In this week's episode, Joe, Cole, Adam was God has been teaching them. We cover the contrasting images in Revelation, the role of trees and plants in the Scriptures, Genesis, and national trends in Christianity. Thank you for listening!

    Episode #132- Biblical Community in Home Groups

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2024 96:34


    Welcome to Encounter. In this episode, Joe, Cole, and Adam talk through the Biblical precedent for Home Groups, the value of community, and what the dinner table of a Christian should look like. Thank you for listening!

    Episode #131- Missions and Meals

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 98:00


    Tonight, we sit down to discuss updates in our lives, the heart behind short term mission trips, and the importance of sharing meals with people (Christians and non-believers). Thank you for listening!

    Episode 130- Redeemed by Grace w/Pastor Joey Stoop

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2024 174:11


    Pastor Joey Stoop sits down with us and fills us in on his testimony, how God redeemed him, and how God continues to use him today.

    Episode #129- Practicing the Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 76:14


    On this week of Encounter, we talk through the concepts presenting in Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer.

    Episode #128- Types of Hearers

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 107:14


    This week, we look at the 3 main types of reception to Christ's proclamations in Matthew 11-13.

    Episode #127- Biblical Anger

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2024 125:16


    On this week's episode of Encounter, we explore what the Bible has to say about anger. What is it? Are there Biblical and practical uses for it? Is anger always a sin?

    Episode #126- Bible Summary Challenge

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2024 79:12


    We kick off this week's episode with our prepared 1 minute summaries of the Bible. After, we reflect on our choices and offer input how each other did. This was challenging but fun!

    Episode #126- The Mission & Nothing Else

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 10, 2024 61:43


    Based on a Scripture in Luke 9, we discuss what it means to be completely sold out for the mission of Christ.

    Episode #124- Encountering AI

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 63:21


    This is a sidestep from our normal episode, but we have an open discussion about artificial intelligence and its current and future role. As Christians, even if we don't have all of the answers, it is helpful to process through the changing culture around us through the lens of the Scripture with people that we trust. Is AI the best thing to ever happen, the worst, or somewhere in between?

    Episode #123- Matthew 11: Did John Doubt?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2024 70:26


    Welcome back! After a few weeks break, we are energized to be back and recording our study of the Word. In Matthew 11, we see John in prison asking a pretty important question about Jesus. What does this question reveal about John? How does this fit into the structure of Matthew and what God is revealing to us? Thank you for listening!

    Episode #122- The Toughest Parable

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 94:36


    We tackle the toughest parable live on the podcast. Luke 16 offers a few challenges that we work through as we try to model what healthy Bible Study looks like.

    Episode #121- What is the Church?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 73:30


    One of the most basic and yet essential questions that any Christian needs to ask is, "What is the Church?" In this episode, we look at the Church from a Biblical perspective and challenge some modern traditions that stray from Biblical ecclesiology. Thank you for listening!

    Episode #120- A History of Israel w/Pastor Chuck Thornley

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2024 119:08


    With our third Encounter with Pastor Chuck Thornley, we discuss the history of Israel and root our conversation in Scriptures that span the entire Bible. Thank you for listening!

    Episode #119- Lust of the Eyes w/Matt Glancey

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2024 108:40


    In this week's episode, we address one of the most pertinent issues facing young men and women today: lust of the eyes/pornography. Through Matt Glancey's involvement with ProvenMen and his powerful testimony, we take an honest look at the slavery that this sin puts us in, the root of why it happens, its results, and how God is willing and ready to help us experience freedom in His name through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is a sensitive topic, so if you are near children while you are listening, please use caution. We believe that this episode is one of the most important ones that we have released yet. Please reach out if you would like prayer or assistance in overcoming an addiction and use the resources linked below. https://www.provenmen.org/ Finally Free- Book

    Episode #118- Church Personalities

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 91:47


    Aside from characterizing a church based on its Spiritual health, do churches have generalized personalities? Do churches draw in similar people from similar walks of life, or do churches create a subculture? Is this healthy? We work through these questions and much more on this week's episode of Encounter.

    Episode #117- False Assumption #3- Let Go and Let God

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 79:58


    In this week's episode, we explore the assumption that we should simply put our sanctification and "let go and let God." We challenge the notion that we don't take part in our growth towards being more Christ-like. Things get Biblical... and personal, so stay tuned as we Encounter Christ, Culture, and Community.

    Episode #116- Matthew 8-10: Sending Out The Disciples

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2024 111:09


    In this week's podcast, we take a holistic look at Matthew 8, 9, and 10. As we look at the context, style, and how Jesus is prepping his disciples to duplicate His ministry, we get a glimpse into what God was doing then and what He is doing today. Thank you for listening!

    Episode #115- Community vs Isolation: Root to Fruit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2024 71:15


    In this week's episode, we understand the root and fruit of community and isolation. There is an underlying reason and motivation for everything that we do. We look at Biblical examples of community and isolation and try to make sense of why we sometimes prefer isolation or community. Thank you for listening!

    Episode #114- Devotion vs Obligation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 22, 2024 65:15


    In this episode, we get to the heart of discipleship and service. Are you following Christ out of devotion or obligation? What is the relationship between these two and are they necessary correlates? With plenty of work to do in ministry, the believer must work to discern their motivations behind following Christ. Please like and subscribe!

    Episode #113- The Bible as an Onion w/Brady Montag

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2024 89:03


    In this episode, we encounter our recurring guest, Brady Montage, and go through Bible Study basics. We walk through 4 layers of studying the Bible and then choose 2 specific scriptures to study with those tools. We pray that this episode better equips you to know God more through the study of His Word.

    Episode #112- Sermon on the Mount

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2024 68:12


    In this episode, we Encounter Jesus at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7. Instead of verse-by-verse, we provide an overview to contextualize the sermon and then highlight some of the key Scriptures.

    Episode #111- Real Church w/Zach Green

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 30, 2023 118:21


    In this episode, we Encounter Christ, Culture, Community, and Pastor Zach Green from Living Stone Church. For his third appearance on the podcast, we discuss the development of Living Stone, what God is teaching us, and what the true definition of the Church is.

    Episode #110- The Role of Israel w/Pastor Jeff Brower

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 146:19


    In this week's episode of Encounter, we sit down with Paster Jeff Brower from Wellspring Church. We discuss Eschatology, the Role of Israel, and how to serve alongside people you may disagree with. This episode was one of our favorites, so we hope that you like it too!

    Episode #109- Can We Pray the Pain Away?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2023 89:36


    In this episode, we address False Assumption #2: If I'm Spiritual Enough, I Will Have No Pain or Sin. To do so, we look at the book of pain: Job. What is God revealing to us in the book of Job about Himself, us, and how we should appropriately respond to pain, suffering, and negative feelings. Join us as we Encounter Christ, Culture, and Community.

    Episode #108- Call Me Maybe

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023 79:03


    Welcome to the Encounter Podcast. What is the difference between an obsession, a desire, a calling, gifting, and a Spiritual gift? In an open format discussion, Joe, Cole and I dig into the nuances of each of these.

    Episode #107- Proactively Dependent w/Paul Kaiser

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2023 94:23


    In this episode, we have a Christ-centered conversation with Mr. Paul Kaiser. Paul is a disciple of Christ that served in the State Police, has been an elder for many years, and currently leads a SAFE team for Calvary Chapel Hammonton. We discuss his testimony, how to be proactive about safety while still being reliant on God, and we tap into some wisdom from someone who has been walking with the Lord.

    Episode #106- Matthew's Second Exodus

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2023 84:18


    As we dig into the first 3 chapters of Matthew, we look into how Matthew used the Exodus pattern to show Jesus as the new Moses. The Bible is the most incredible book ever recorded and the Holy Spirit's inspiration makes every individual piece fit together perfectly to tell the story of Jesus.

    Episode #105- Are Christians Needy?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 83:08


    In this episode, we discuss whether or not it is selfish to have your needs met as a Christian. We know that God tells us to prioritize God and our neighbors, but also that we cannot do so effectively if we are not physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually healthy. This conversation goes deep and challenges the way we look at service to the local body.

    Episode #104- Where the World Beats the Church

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 2, 2023 66:53


    In this week's episode, we pinpoint a few areas that Biblical truths are being better lived out by the World than the truth. Thank you for listening!

    Episode #103- Intro to Matthew

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2023 83:44


    As part of Encounter, we are going to take a closer look at Matthew as we tackle topics, have guests on, and study Scripture. Today, we get an overview of what God was doing in Matthew as well as some basic hermeneutics that can help us along the way.

    Episode #102- Like a Tidal Wave w/Rico Esteves

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2023 115:11


    We are joined by Rico Esteves to discuss his testimony, how to stay centered on Christ in a high stress job like police-work, and the good, the bad, and the ugly that we have seen in the Church over the past 30 years. Good insight, real laughs, and great stories. Tune in and don't forget to like, favorite, and subscribe to this podcast.

    Episode #101- Addiction, Cancer, Redemption w/Pastor Chuck MIller

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2023 98:12


    Pastor Chuck is a powerful force for God that leads the Shall Never Thirst Ministries. His testimony is an emotional roller coaster that deals with series and sensitive issues like assault, cancer, addiction, and broken families. In the midst of each of these, God was calling Him and patiently waiting to finish his testimony and receive the glory for Pastor Chuck's redemption.

    Episode #100- Celebration and Reflection

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2023 73:44


    We can't believe this ministry has been active for almost 3 years and 100 episodes. God has taught us so many lessons through his Word and through the fellowship with each other and our guests. If you have been traveling this journey with us, please let us know how you have been blessed!

    Episode #99- Conviction or Shame?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2023 87:27


    In this episode, the Encounter guys look at key Scriptures through the lens of conviction and shame.

    Episode #98- Is Forgiveness Optional?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2023 66:07


    In this week's episode, we look at forgiveness through the lens of the Scripture. What the Bible say about our need to forgive? Does it always lead to reconciliation? Are there circumstances where we shouldn't forgive?

    Episode #97- Apologetics and Their Purpose w/David Scott

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2023 89:52


    This week, we sit down with our good friend David Scott to discuss the purpose of Apologetics, the Biblical basis for it, and work through some of the toughest objections to the faith.

    Episode #96- The Worst of Church (And Our Reactions)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2023 78:24


    When the Word is secondary, and the Church strives for money, attention, and cultural relevance, you get cringey mayhem. In this episode, we take a look at viral clips of what happens when church goes wrong. Have some fun and laughs and then hug your pastor for preaching good doctrine from the Good Book.

    Episode #95- Hiding Behind Christian T-Shirts w/Paul Cowley

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 133:46


    In a followup episode to #94, we go straight to the source. An Encounter alumni revisits to give a global perspective on the faith. How has our culture changed? How can we best spread the gospel in our changing culture?

    Episode #94- Are We Doing This Right?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2023 69:30


    Tonight, based on a sermon that we listened to recently, we work through these questions. Is the Church sharing the gospel in the most effective way possible? What could we do better to remove barriers to our mission?

    Episode #93- Rapid Fire Questions

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2023 64:19


    On the fly, Joe and I take rapid fire questions. Join us!

    Episode #92- Can We Pray w/o Ceasing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 70:30


    In this week's episode, we delve into Paul's command to "pray without ceasing." What does this mean? Is this possible? What is the context of this scripture? We talk about this and more, thank you for joining us!

    Episode #91- Starbucks, Target, Persecution

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 76:40


    Do we accurately use the word "persecution" in light of how the Bible details Christian persecution? In this episode, we have a special guest for the introduction and we seek to answer this question.

    Episode #90- Job, Giving, Stephen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2023 96:40


    If you are looking to Encounter Gospel fluent conversations about the Bible, look no further. This week, we look at Job and Stephen and how their amazing testimonies display God's character in persecution and suffering.

    Episode #89- Christian Celebrity Culture

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2023 75:56


    This week, we discuss the fascination that Christian's have with Christian celebrities, the paradox of the Rich Young Ruler, and how "giving everything" can look different for every Disciple of Christ. Thank you for listening!

    Episode #88- Raw Question, Less Raw Answers w/ Dom Giacolone

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 113:57


    Welcome! We sit down with Dom Giacolone to discuss some of the faith's largest questions.

    Episode #87- The Spirit is Here

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 121:12


    Finally! Acts 2. The Holy Spirit is poured out at Pentacost. Join us as we study the Scripture. Encounter Christ, Culture, and Community.

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