Jacob's Well Church

On Christmas Eve, we remember that God did not come with power or spectacle, but with a heartbeat. In the quiet vulnerability of a tiny heart, Jesus chose less so we could receive true peace—with God, within ourselves, and with one another.

What is worship really for? How slowing down, honoring tradition, and embracing humility can re-center us on Christ.

Christmas Communion invites us to step off the Christmas crazy train and slow down long enough to be fully present with Jesus. Rather than learning something new, this message creates space to remember—through quiet, scripture, ancient prayers, and communion—the God who chose less so we could have what matters most. In stillness and gratitude, we rediscover the simplicity, intimacy, and hope found in Christ's birth, life, death, and promised return.

This was a super fun conversation on the mystery of the Trinity, the miracle of the incarnation, and the joy Jesus experienced in the people around him. 

In this message, we're invited to slow down, be fully present, and discover how joy shows up when we stop living in the past or the future and actually show up where we are. Because it turns out, joy doesn't live in excess—it lives in presence.

Pastor Brian helps us take an honest look at the frenzy that December so easily becomes—and how often busyness steals the very peace, joy, and presence our souls are craving. What if the life we actually want is on the other side of slowing down? Come explore the invitation Jesus gives us to step off the “busyness crazy train” and rediscover a pace that leads to calm, clarity, and spiritual life this Christmas season.

Christmas can feel like a crazy train—packed schedules, pressure to create perfect moments, overspending, and a pace that leaves us exhausted by January 2nd wondering, "What just happened?" What if the thing we're actually longing for this season isn't more… but less? If you've ever wished you could do this season differently, listen now, and get off the Christmas Crazy Train!

The Wisdom of God leads us to a more robust understanding of atonement. 

Discover why seeing Jesus as the embodiment of God's wisdom can reshape how you make decisions, handle relationships, and navigate real life. If you've ever wondered whether there's a smarter, steadier way to live, this message points to the One who shows us how—inviting us to learn His way, live His way, and experience the difference it makes.

This week features a very thoughtful question from one of our listeners. Lots to unpack on this one. 

In this message, we explore what Proverbs teaches about true wealth—how wisdom reshapes the way we see money, purpose, contentment, and the kind of life that really lasts. Come see how a wiser path can bring clarity, freedom, and a deeper sense of meaning.

This week is an interesting conversation about Empathy and Compassion. 

Walking with the wise leads to wisdom. The people we walk with don't just shape us—we shape them. In this message, we'll explore how to intentionally walk with those around us in ways that lead to deeper wisdom, healthier relationships, and lives that reflect the heart of God.

In order to experience real love in any of our relationships, it must be accompanied by ________. Listen now!

In this message from Proverbs, we explore how wisdom in parenting begins with respect—formed through humility, discipline, and centering our lives on God.

We are all influenced by the world around us and the constant competition for our attention by the voices of Wisdom and Folly. 

Who are you listening to? In this message, we meet Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly in Proverbs and discover how the voices we follow shape our path toward life—or away from it.

This week is a romp through history as we trace our understanding of philosophy and wisdom literature.

What is wisdom? Is it just what you know, or how you live? From Socrates to Solomon to Jesus' words that “wisdom is known by her children,” Proverbs trains us in real-world discernment for the choices that shape our relationships, work, and home. This message opens the door to discovering what true wisdom looks like—and where it begins.

We just had a massive ministry weekend at Jacob's Well, and it deserves a conversation of gratitude to our King. 

What if right and wrong are nothing more than personal opinions—does the Christian story still hold up? Guest speaker Greg Koukl from Stand to Reason examines where moral relativism fails and shares a clear, loving strategy for responding to the accusation of intolerance.

Special Guest Brian Faught (Executive Pastor) talks to us about the need to get in the game, and a conversation about opposites. 

The church can be both breathtakingly beautiful and painfully imperfect. It's a place where grace and brokenness meet, where real people walk out their faith together in all its messiness and complexity. In this final message of the series, Pastor Brian explores what it means to become a “Churchless Christian,” why that path leaves us vulnerable, and how God's vision for His people calls us into something far deeper and more powerful than going it alone.

The path that God chooses to work through is not always the one we would expect. 

You'll be surprised at the Holy Spirit's power—It's still moving today, just as in the book of Acts. This message unpacks the Great Commission and the legacy of a church devoted to Scripture, fellowship, prayer, and witness. You'll be invited to pray for three people by name, tell your story, and join the mission God is already blessing in the Chippewa Valley.

This week is all about the Local Church and the foundational documents that define our covenant with one another. 

Loneliness is an epidemic, stealing our health and hope—but God made us for community. In this message, we confront the myth of a “churchless Christian," and rediscover the beauty of covenant: a local, transparent, mission-focused church where we love, serve, forgive, and grow together.

As we kick off our new series, “Why Church?,” we dive into the complex reality of church hurt and our calling to love and fight for the Bride of Christ.

What do we do with our anger, grief, and disappointment when the church itself becomes the source of hurt? In this message, we face the reality of “church hurt” head-on and wrestle with how Jesus invites us to respond differently. Instead of letting pain harden us, we're called to channel anger into compassion, hate into love, and to rediscover the hope of Christ's promise: the church is still His, and He is still redeeming it. This is a message for anyone who has ever felt wounded by God's people yet longs to see the healing only He can bring.

The book of Obadiah is easy to overlook, but this week we dive into the hidden power and wisdom within the shortest book of the Old Testament. 

What does true love for our country really mean—holding onto pride, or humbly living out God's call? This week we'll look at an ancient warning that challenges us to rethink patriotism and discover where our ultimate allegiance belongs.

This week is all about celebrating the powerful ways that God is working in the next generation. Featuring special guest Grace Subiaga. 

Every family tells a story. Some chapters are marked by love and faith, others by pain and brokenness. From the book of Zephaniah, we see how one generation's choices shape the next—and how cycles can be broken when someone chooses a different path. What legacy of faith will you leave behind?

Is the story of Jonah all about the big fish—or is it really about something more? In this message, we see a man clinging to anger while God patiently invites him to let go. And just like Jonah, we can hold onto control or resentment, instead of letting our compassionate Father rewrite our story through repentance.

Is rebuilding just about fixing what's broken, or is it about reordering our lives around what truly matters?

Ever feel like you're busy building a good life, yet still come up empty? Haggai shows us how even good things—family, success, comfort—can get out of order and leave us dry. In this message, Pastor Ryan invites us to realign our loves with God and discover the life and peace only He can bring.

This week Joshua is joined by Formation Pastor Ryan Robinson and Next Gen Pastor Grace Subiaga as we discuss Pastor Paul's powerful sermon on the book of Amos.

Have you ever felt everything in life was right on track and how it should be—only to find out it's definitely NOT? In week two of Fall Fast, Fall Forward, the book of Amos reveals how God's plumb line exposes the flaws that we can't see, calling us to repentance, truth, and restoration in Christ.

Hey everyone! It's Pastor Paul and Pastor Joshua, and we're back—kicking off Season 5 of The School of Unlearning with fresh energy, plenty of laughs, and a whole lot of vision for what's ahead at Jacob's Well Church in 2025–2026.In this episode, we share a behind-the-scenes look at the exciting ministry year ahead as our church steps into a powerful season of growth and transformation.Oh—and we have exciting news! Over the summer, The School of Unlearning was recognized by MillionPodcasts.com as one of the Top 90 Lent Podcasts on the Web. Check out our super cool trophy! We're honored to be included on this list, but most of all, we're grateful for every one of you who listens, shares, and UNLEARNS with us!It's going to be a great year—so let's GO!

Rediscover the power of repentance—not as a heavy burden, but as a skill that leads to deep transformation. Our lives are shaped by the stories we tell ourselves, and too often those stories keep us stuck. But God, in His mercy, calls us to return—to rethink, to realign, and to experience healing, renewal, and joy.

Connections Pastor Whitney Berthiaume wraps up our Surprised by Joy series with a powerful and personal message titled “He Calls Me Redeemed.” Drawing from her own story and the words of Paul in Philippians, Whitney reminds us that even in our most broken moments, God is near—calling us by a new name, offering healing, and inviting us into joy. If you've ever questioned your worth or wondered if your past disqualifies you, this message is for you.

In this message, Worship Leader Grace Holthe shares how true internal peace comes not from getting what we want, but from surrendering what we hold most tightly. Through Philippians, Grace invites us to open our hands, trust God's timing, and discover the lasting joy that comes from knowing Jesus is already more than enough.Ask ChatGPT

When life gets hard, it's easy to stall out at base camp and wonder why the view isn't what we expected. In this message, Tim Huebner explores what it means to press on—not just to survive the climb, but to actively pursue a deeper, daily walk with Jesus. Drawing from Philippians 3 and a brutal backpacking trip in the Smokies, Tim contrasts the achievement-driven mindset of our culture with Paul's joy-filled pursuit of Christ. Whether you're stuck, striving, or just starting out, this message invites you to take your next step—because the journey with Jesus is worth every step.

What does it mean to have joy even when life hurts? In this honest and heartfelt message, Michael Bohrer reflects on suffering—from sports heartbreaks and personal setbacks to deep grief and loss—and how the Apostle Paul's words in Philippians offer a surprising invitation: to find joy not after suffering, but within it. Through personal stories, biblical truth, and a reminder that we're not meant to walk alone, Michael points us to a kind of joy the world can't steal—a joy rooted in Jesus, forged in hardship, and shared through community.

Where do we place our confidence—our effort, our energy, our hope? In this message, Ciera Wessels, Executive Admin unpacks a bold warning from Paul in Philippians 3 and invites us to trade in our striving for true security found in Jesus. Whether you're a recovering perfectionist, a rule-follower, or just someone who's tired of trying to be enough, this message offers a freeing reminder: we don't have to earn it. We simply get to receive it—and discover joy on the other side.

Have you ever had a before-and-after moment that changed everything? In this message, we explore how the gospel first arrived in Europe through a group of unlikely people—a businesswoman, a slave girl, and a Roman jailer—and how their encounters with Jesus sparked a church in Philippi. As we begin our journey through Philippians, we're invited to know Christ in a deeper, more personal way—beyond information and into transformation. Discover how knowing Jesus reshapes our mindset, reframes our stories, and grows joy in every circumstance.

Our world is in desperate need of good, strong men—men of character and courage who grow, lead, and serve like Christ. Whether you're a dad, a mentor, or just trying to figure it out, you're called to rise up. This is a message about legacy, responsibility, and the kind of strength that makes a difference.

It creeps in quietly—sometimes while sitting in your favorite chair, sometimes when scrolling past someone else's life. Coveting may not seem as dangerous as other sins, but it can poison your heart, relationships, and even your view of God. In this message, we'll unpack how this subtle yet toxic mindset of comparison, entitlement, and envy can steal your joy and contentment—and discover how Christ offers us a better way to live with freedom and gratitude.

What does it really mean to be a safe person? In this message Pastor Paul takes a deeper look at the commands not to steal or bear false witness—revealing how these aren't just rules, but relational foundations built on trust, truth, and integrity. When we live in reality and walk in honesty, we stop taking from others and start building something better together.

Pastor Paul invites us to see the Ten Commandments not just as a list of rules, but as a call to become people who honor life and reflect God's heart in our relationships. Jesus moves the conversation from behavior to the heart—showing us that contempt, lust, and dehumanization are as destructive to our souls as outward actions. As we remember the value of every person made in God's image, we'll explore how true life is found in giving life, protecting dignity, and choosing love over contempt, even in the most difficult relationships.

In a world that never stops pushing, many of us find ourselves constantly exhausted—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. But God offers us something radically different: the gift of rest. In this message, we explore the Sabbath not as a rule to follow, but as a rhythm of grace—a sacred space for renewal, trust, and joy. Come find freedom in the kind of rest that restores your soul.