Grace Chapel - San Diego

Join host Brian Hempel as he interviews Gathering member and CMA Missionary,  Liva Priedkalne as she shares her powerful journey from a troubled childhood in foster care to encountering the transformative love of Jesus. Now serving on the mission field in Bosnia, Liva's story is one of redemption, purpose, and the call to bring hope to others. Tune in to hear how God turned her pain into passion for the nations.

Join host Peter Varberg as he engages in an insightful conversation with Beto Olmos, a cherished member of the Gathering community recognized for his welcoming spirit as the leader of the hospitality team. In this captivating episode, Beto opens up about his transformative journey — from ascending the corporate ladder in the hospitality industry to embarking on a soul-stirring quest across the globe. Listen closely as he shares his deeply personal encounter with faith, embracing a new season of life guided by the teachings of Jesus and lessons learned from the IMPACT School of Discipleship.

Join host Peter Varberg as he interviews Jen Beitel, a Gathering member whose journey to ministry leadership is nothing short of inspiring. Jen shares her story of transformation and how she now leads a ministry focused on helping parents and their teenage children establish a biblical worldview. Tune in for insights on faith, growth, and purpose in this engaging episode.

Embark on an insightful journey as Scott Wessell, our IMPACT and Youth Pastor, opens up in an exclusive interview about the exciting developments within our new youth ministry at The Gathering. Immerse yourself in Scott's personal narrative as he unfolds the profound impact of youth ministry on his faith, offering a unique perspective influenced by his role as a father to a son in the same age group. Delve into the ministry's mission of guiding and empowering our youth "adults in training" to navigate life's challenging questions with confidence. Discover the ways in which you can actively impact this future generation.

Host Peter Varberg interview his father, Paul Varberg, a lifelong missionary in the Philippines who also grew up as a missionary kid there. Join us as Paul shares insight on what it's like to live a life overseas as a missionary and how to serve God within our own sphere of influence no matter where we are.

Daniel candidly shares his journey from battling alcoholism to discovering a renewed faith in Jesus. His missionary experiences in Israel and India, meeting his wife Yvette, and establishing a house church all lead to the transformational story behind the new church he's planting, Christ Collective Church.

Daniel candidly shares his journey from battling alcoholism to discovering a renewed faith in Jesus. His missionary experiences in Israel and India, meeting his wife Yvette, and establishing a house church all lead to the transformational story behind the new church he's planting, Christ Collective Church.

Host Peter Varberg interview his father, Paul Varberg, a lifelong missionary in the Philippines who also grew up as a missionary kid there. Join us as Paul shares insight on what it's like to live a life overseas as a missionary and how to serve God within our own sphere of influence no matter where we are.

Fritz shares his journey from growing up in Alabama, to joining the marines, how he met his wife, to his faith story of shifting his perspective from seeing Christianity as a list of things that he had to do, to a personal relationship with Jesus based on grace.

Join us as Charissa shares her inspiring journey from being a fitness coach and professional bodybuilder, to discovering Jesus and establishing a ministry centered on a Christ-driven approach to body image. Charissa's story reveals her profound journey of uncovering her true identity anchored in Christ and igniting a compelling call for others to embark on their own transformative journeys.

Join us on Sal's incredible journey from a challenging childhood, entrepreneurial middle school days, and single parenthood to finding love, faith, and a spiritual home at The Gathering. It's a story of divine pursuit and unwavering love from a steadfast, unfailing Father.

Join Alanna Sullivan as she interviews her very own mother in law, Deb Nore, as she shares her journey from her early days in the church, stepping away, years of soul-searching, battling an abusive relationship and illnesses, to starting fresh in San Diego during the covid pandemic. 

A conversation on joy, how to study the Bible, and accountability through community.

Welcome to the Gathering Podcast. Today we will be continuing our series on the Impact School of Discipleship as I interview one of Impact's teachers, Aeron Sullivan, about his class “Big Bible Overview.” 

Welcome to the Gathering Podcast. This podcast is all about you experiencing the abundant life that Jesus promised. We do this through stories, teachings, and testimonies about God's unyielding faithfulness. Today we are introducing a new series focused on the Impact School of Discipleship. We'll be interviewing different teachers to let you crash their class and also take away some of the nuggets. We hope you'll be inspired to take your spiritual life to the next level and help you understand a bit more about what happens upstairs at our church.Today, we will be interviewing the Impact School of Discipleship Director, Scott Wessell, about one of the most popular classes at Impact called “Design”  which helps students to figure out their purpose and calling.

Welcome to the gathering podcast; this podcast is all about helping you experience the abundant life that Jesus promised. We do this through stories, teachings, and testimonies about God's unyielding faithfulness. As you probably could tell, the podcast team is taking a break for the summer, but we have a special episode we wanted to release leading up to Impact's upcoming vision week. Today Peter Varberg interviews several current students and alums from Impact who reflect on their experience with the program. They talk about the highs and lows of Impact and offer some encouragement for those considering joining the program.  Whether or not you are sold on Impact, I would encourage you to attend Impact's vision week, which runs from August 30th to September 2nd, 9-1 every day. You'll have a chance to mingle with new and old students, learn more about the program, participate in some great worship, hear powerful testimonies, and listen to insightful and inspiring teachings. We hope to see you there. 

Today Peter Varberg interviews Ivan Ortega. You have seen Ivan around on any given Sunday, but if you haven't had a chance to get to know him, he has a fascinating story and powerful testimony. Today Ivan dives deep into faith, autism, and the redemptive power of Jesus. We also have a special guest join Ivan, Linda Martin, President of a ministry called Miracle 139. Miracle 139 focuses on helping children worldwide with disabilities, especially Autism Spectrum Disorder.

This week your host, Alanna Sullivan, interviews Kelsie Kinden. Kelsie formerly served in the US Navy and has her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Many of you probably know Kelsie, and if you haven't met her, I am sure you would recognize her as she has been attending The Gathering from the beginning. Today though, we hear Kelsie's vulnerable testimony about her journey through mental health. Alanna explores some heavy topics with Kelsie from abuse as a child throughout her adulthood. Most importantly, she shares her testimony about how God has been a redeemer in her life and how Kelsie has experienced God's protection time and time again. 

You have probably seen him on drums almost every week in worship, and you even see him up front leading worship from time to time. But do you know Scott Bergen's story? Well today Peter Varberg dives into Scott's testimony with Scott to discover how he met the Lord, where his love of music comes from, and for the heart and vision God has given Scott to best impact the Kingdom on his behalf. 

Through the end of this season, we will hear testimonies from our congregation members, young, old, and everywhere in between. At the beginning of this series, Peter Varberg gave a short introduction on how to give your testimony. We aren't just sharing the power of others' testimonies through this series but also trying to help equip you to share the power of yours. Today, we have a follow-on conversation with Mary Ann Mariani. Mary Ann has 20 years of experience as a Public Speaking Coach, working with companies such as HGTV, The Food Network, and Johnson & Johnson. Mary Ann also founded her public speaking ministry, Kingdom Presenters, in 2008, aimed at equipping Christian-based individuals and companies to communicate their message better and further their work for the Kingdom. She has worked with The Barnabas Group, Y-Malawi, Campus Crusade for Christ, and many other churches and non-profit groups.  Today she walks us through a process for framing our testimony and shares a version of her testimony. 

Welcome to the gathering podcast. Last week we heard an interview between host Peter Varberg and one of our members David Alvarado. It was a vulnerable conversation around addiction and, most importantly, the victory over sin achieved through Jesus. This week, we hear from Shelley, whose walk, while coinciding with Dave in over 30 years of marriage, has her own powerful testimony of places of healing and the mighty redemption Jesus brings in areas of forgiveness, relationships, and especially marriage.

This week Peter Varberg had the opportunity to interview David and Shelly Alvarado. David and Shelly have been married for over 30 years, so their testimonies are very tied together. However, they both have their unique walks with the Lord, so we'll be hearing from them individually. This first week, we hear from Dave, whose testimony echoes the many who have had to walk through addiction with the Lord but can thankfully claim victory today with Jesus.

Over the next four months, we will hear testimonies from many of our congregation members, young, old, and everywhere in between.This week we hear from Charlotte Gore. She has a fascinating and challenging growing-up story. Charlotte also has a remarkable testimony around God's provision throughout her life, which has not been an easy road. We are confident you'll get to know Charlotte better by hearing her story, and as always, see that our God is indeed a faithful God looking out for his children. 

All testimonies are powerful and God-honoring, but sometimes we can use a little extra help expressing them. Over the last two weeks, we've heard powerful and vulnerable testimonies from Lisa Pigeon and Ted Son. And for the rest of the season, we'll be continuing to feature testimonies from the congregation members of the gathering. Maybe even including yours. Today, we're doing something a little different. Peter Varberg will walk through a 30-minute training on how to share your testimony. Hopefully, this will help give you some confidence to share about God's faithfulness in your life. And if you feel like God is prompting you to share more widely, you can reach out to Peter Alannah or me. And we can talk about getting you on this podcast in this series. 

Last week we kicked off with Lisa Pigeon, a must-listen if you haven't heard. It's a story of betrayal and healing. Today we hear from Ted Son, who has found himself on the other side of a betrayal, but the Lord's faithfulness is no less present and no less powerful. Our host Peter Varberg explores the topic of personal addiction with Ted, an issue that we often keep quiet on, but one that almost every person has experienced or has a closed loved one that has wrestled through it. This is one of the most honest and vulnerable conversations we have ever had on this podcast, and I want to commend Ted on his courage to have this conversation. I hope you enjoy the conversation and can see just how profoundly the Lord is working in Ted's life and our church through testimonies like this.

Over the next four months, The Gathering Church Podcast will be exploring testimonies from a number of our congregation members, young, old, and everywhere in between. We are kicking off what will become our most extended series yet, with Lisa Pigeon. Lisa is someone you have definitely interacted with at Church, whether it's a Serve Sunday or at our welcome table on a worship Sunday. If you have ever interacted with Lisa, you probably experienced her as friendly, inviting, and warm. While you may have met Lisa, you may not know Lisa, so today, you get a front-row seat to Lisa's testimony about the power of God to transform her life. You'll hear about some of the darkest moments of life, which also happens to be where Jesus shines most brightly. 

This February, we are exploring an often forgotten people group within churches, especially smaller churches, and that's singles.Over the last two weeks, one of our Hosts (and eligible bachelor, Peter Varberg) interviewed other singles on what it's like to be single and advice and wisdom on navigating it. In today's episode, I had an opportunity to interview Peter on his journey through singlehood and what lessons God has taught him along the way. This is a rich and vulnerable conversation, and it's a great one to round off this month's topic of singlehood.Yesterday was Valentine's day; make sure you message one of your single friends that you love them.

Welcome to this week's episode of the Gathering podcast. This podcast is all about helping you experience the abundant life that Jesus promised. This February, we are exploring an often forgotten people group within churches, especially smaller churches, and that's singles.Last week we heard Peter Varberg interview author and host of the Heart of Dating Podcast, a podcast focused on helping empower Christian singles navigating dating in today's world. We shift gears this week and hear a powerful testimony and conversation with our very own Janet Baker. Janet lived most of her life single most of her life, until marrying Greg. You can listen to that love story on our podcast from this Valentine's Month series last year. The link is in the show notes.In this episode, Janet shares the struggles of being single, especially for so long, and offers a wealth of wisdom to those single today. This is a must-listen for anyone single, knows a single, or knows and loves Janet.

It is February, and Valentine's day is just around the corner. We wanted to focus on relationships this month, but we are doing something a little different in 2022. We are talking about singlehood and the various joys and challenges of being single. Today, Peter Varberg interviews Best Selling Author, Coach, Speaker, and fellow single Kait Warman, the Heart of Dating Podcast host. Kait and Peter dive into Kait's story a little bit and get some practical advice for those who are single and perhaps struggling through singlehood. This is a great crash course in what it's like to be single if its been a while for you, and without a doubt, you are in a community with singles. We hope this is insightful, maybe even educational, but definitely encouraging for those who are single. 

This week we hear from Lisa Thompson and Lisa Pigeon, who lead our serve first Sundays.In this conversation, Alanna Sullivan covers a lot of ground with Lisa and Lisa. They talk about the history and genesis of serving first at the gathering and why service is important to cultivate in a church.They also beautifully recap the serve-first projects from 2021, some of the behind-the-scenes fruit from those projects. Lastly, they give us a preview of what to expect in 2022 and a call to all of us to get involved. 

This week we join Host Alanna Sullivan in a conversation with Becky Friberg and Danielle Bergen around Kids and Youth Ministry. They share about their love for children and kids' discipleship but don't shy away from their tasting and struggles through the ups and downs of ministry and life. They share their heart for the ministry and what we are trying to achieve through kids and youth at the gathering, and they talk a bit about how you can get involved. You don't want to miss this super vulnerable and inspiring conversation.

The Gathering Podcast will be focusing on ministry leaders from the church this month. The first is Jared Nepute, The Gathering's Worship Leader. Jared shares a little about his testimony, how he got into music, and by extension worship. He also shares some plans he has this year to help develop a Heart of Worship within the congregation. 

In the 1980s, the founder of Horizon Christian Fellowship here in San Diego decided to expand the mission of the fellowship and start a discipleship school focused on making missionaries to help reach the world lost. That man was Mike Macintosh, and he invited our very now Pastor, George, into the program in the late 80's. That program was called HSE, and it was influential in George becoming a missionary. After a decade plus of missions work, George was then invited to take oner the program as director. This episode is all about the Genesis of HSE, how it let to Impact 195, and how that is leading to Impact today. Lately, the episode explores what the new Impact program will look like, who it is for, and how you can get involved. This is the final episode in our 100 days to Impact series. 

We hope to see you this Friday for our Christmas Eve Service starting at 4PM at The Gathering Church at Grace Chapel.We will finish our our 100 days to Impact Series with George Clerie next Tuesday. 

This week on the Gathering Church Podcast we continue our journey of 100 days to impact by exploring stories and testimonies from those who attended and who served at HSE and Impact195. Today our host Peter Varberg interviews Co-Host, Alanna Sullivan, and The Gathering's Podcast Editor, Aeron Sullivan. In 2016 Alanna and Aeron's world was rocked when they came to faith, found God, and were led to Impact. The title of this Podcast says it all. We hope you enjoy part II of II.

This week on the Gathering Church Podcast we continue our journey of 100 days to impact by exploring stories and testimonies from those who attended and who served at HSE and Impact195. Today our host Peter Varberg interviews Co-Host, Alanna Sullivan, and The Gathering's Podcast Editor, Aeron Sullivan. In 2016 Alanna and Aeron's world was rocked when they came to faith, found God, and were led to Impact. The title of this Podcast says it all. We hope you enjoy part I of II.

Today our host Peter Varberg interviews Nick Yates. Nick has an amazing energy I think you'll enjoy, and an even more amazing journey and testimony, being part of the one and only class to participate in Horizon School of Evangelism and Impact 195. You'll hear about Nick serving in many capacities from missionary to college pastor, as well as the high's and lows that have come with his walk with Jesus.Ultimately, Nick offers some insight from the vantage point of someone who is now in marketplace ministry about how identity and purpose transcend the ministerial or pastoral titles we sometimes wear as we partner with God in his Kingdom. 

Jen Law helped found a non-profit called Hopestart with Frederick Clerie. If you have been around Impact or The Gathering, you have probably heard about Hopestart. Today, our host Alanna Sullivan interviews Jen Law about how the Lord used Impact to lead her to Hopestart, its impact on the children and families of Haiti, and finally, how you can partner with Hopestart. It is also a wonderful testimony to how the network of relationships created at Impact has helped build Hopestart.

Today our host Alanna Sullivan interviews Renee Keven on her experience with Impact over 10 years ago. No journey with the Lord is direct, and Renee vulnerably shares her very real story that shows us that Impact continues to make an impression on the lives of graduates well after they graduate.Special Announcement: The Gathering Church is hiring two full-time positions. The first is for a Communications Manager who will be responsible for all outgoing and internal communications at The Gathering. Think of it as a hybrid position (50% Marketing & 50% Volunteer Coordination).The second is for a Impact Manager who will be responsible for driving operations and pastoral care at Impact School of Discipleship Launching in January.

We are on the journey of 100 days to impact by exploring stories and testimonies from those who attended and who served HSE and Impact195. Today, our Host Peter Varberg dives into Greg & Janet Baker's story of how they ended up at Impact, the impact it had on them, and how it even helped lead to their love story. Special Announcement: The Gathering Church is hiring two full-time positions. The first is for a Communications Manager who will be responsible for all outgoing and internal communications at The Gathering. Think of it as a hybrid position (50% Marketing & 50% Volunteer Coordination).The second is for a Impact Manager who will be responsible for driving operations and pastoral care at Impact School of Discipleship Launching in January.

Scott and Dina were both catapulted into their life with Jesus through Horizon School of Evangelism (HSE), and then were brought into the ministry that came out of HSE, Impact 195. Hear the story of Impact, and more about what Impact offered its students. The Gathering is looking to launch a discipleship school, like Impact, later this year, and this gives you a foretaste of what may be to come!

Impact school of ministry relaunches in less than 100 days. And we're doing 100 days of testimonies and stories around impact leading up to its launch at the end of January. Today we hear from one of the original impact team members, Cisco. Cisco talks to Peter Varberg about joining Horizon School of Evangelism, and then going on to help found Impact, and then later Impacto, a discipleship school modeled after Impact, but planted as a mission down in Oaxaca, Mexico. This is an inspiring journey of faith, trust, obedience, and abundant life. 

In this episode, Alanna Sullivan completes her interview with Becky & Peter Friberg. we hear the happy ending to the epic story of Becky & Peter's wild ride through the season around Impact. They also share a little about Impact who it might be valuable for, and what kind of fruit you can expect from attending.

Over the next 100 days we will be exploring amazing testimonies from graduates of Impact as we prepare for Impact to launch in January, 2022. The first testimony we explore is a powerful one. Alanna Sullivan interviews Becky and Peter Friberg on their individual experiences in Impact, and how it worked in their lives together. Becky attended first, followed by Peter, but Impact was intertwined in their collective story of redemption and restoration. 

Peter Varberg interviews Willie Briscoe, Founder and Director of Hope Leadership Academy. Willie Briscoe had first-hand experience of growing up without a father in the home and desired to fill that gap in homes across San Diego County. HLA is a year-round comprehensive youth ministry that seeks to ensure that youth from fatherless homes in underserved communities receive support, guidance, and a plan to break the cycles of divorce, poverty, and hopelessness.HLA will be the focus of the October Serve First Sunday at The Gathering. Learn more at HLA.Org 

What's up with rest and sabbath? Is this just about Netflix and chill, or is there something more? Why did God place keeping the Sabbath holy next akin to not murdering people in the Ten Commandments? In this episode of The gathering Podcast we explore the discipline of Sabbath and will help you discover why rest is such a big deal to God.

When Covid first hit in 2020 community was virtually torn out from underneath people. Peter Varberg interviews four unique members of his own Home Gathering Community that reflect on this time and use it was a way to  explore the concept of community: its value, it's fruit, and the discipline it takes to foster it.

Hear from two conversations on the spiritual discipline of Journaling.Peter & George discuss the basics journaling, and how it can be used as a practice on its own or to reinforce other spiritual disciplines.Second, you will hear a conversation between Alanna and Brittany Pendleton (Formerly Atterbery) on how to combine journaling with creative arts to accelerate the process of hearing from God.

This week we launch Season 2 of The Gathering Podcast. Peter Varberg interviews Michelle Madden, a chaplain from the Rock Church who specializes in Suicide Prevention and Suicide Loss. This is a powerful and extremely helpful episode for anyone in God's family who may encounter someone contemplating suicide, or walking with someone close to another who is.This is in preparation for the Serve First Sunday this week, the Mental Health Resource Fair.