This podcast includes the weekly lessons and teaching of Praise Assembly in Newark, Delaware. For more information, please visit us at praisede.org
Pastor Hans reminded us that Jesus does not want His followers drifting through life spiritually dull. In Mark 7 He challenged the Pharisees and His own disciples not to trade God's truth for empty tradition. What about us? Are we sharp to sin, to the condition of our hearts, and to where our lives are headed, or are we slipping into dullness? This message will push you to sharpen your faith where it matters most.
On our 40th anniversary as a church, we were honored to welcome Rev. Bryan Koch as our guest speaker. Bryan served over 30 years as Lead Pastor of GT Church in Reading, PA, and now ministers with Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge. A former pro baseball player, his life was forever changed by injury and loss, yet his faith remained strong. His testimony reminded us that “if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”
Why does Jesus often become clearest in the middle of the storm? This week, Pastor Hans continued our Gospel of Mark series with a message from chapter 6 that reminds us of a hard but hopeful truth. The disciples had just seen Jesus multiply loaves and fish for thousands, yet when the storm came, their hearts were still hard. It wasn't until He climbed into their boat and calmed the wind that they began to see Him for who He really was. If you've ever wondered why your faith feels sharper in seasons of fear, struggle, or desperation, this message will help you recognize the moments when Jesus steps into your storm, and shows Himself as God.
Today was a historic day at Praise Assembly as Rev. Robert Wise installed Pastor Hans as our new lead pastor. Rev. Wise has served the church faithfully for over 40 years, pastoring in New Jersey and Massachusetts and later leading nearly 200 churches as Superintendent of the Southern New England District of the Assemblies of God. His wisdom, experience, and heart for the church were evident as he ministered on The Role and Ministry of the Pastor. This service wasn't just about titles or positions, it was about God's calling, the shepherding of His people, and the future He is unfolding for our church family.
It can feel like evil wins far too often. Tragedies fill the headlines, injustice goes unpunished, and God's people sometimes suffer in ways that make no sense. Mark 6 records one of those moments: the brutal death of John the Baptist. In this message, Pastor Hans wrestled with the tension of a world where evil seems to have its moment. But what looks like defeat may actually be God setting the stage for something greater. If you've ever asked, “Where is God when the world feels out of control?” this word will help you see that His purposes never fail, even when darkness seems to.
Some strategies change battles, but Jesus shared a strategy that can change lives. In Mark 6, Pastor Hans walked us through how Jesus prepared His disciples to carry the message of the Kingdom. He sent them out together, taught them to depend fully on God, and showed them how to respond when rejection came. This isn't just history. It's a call for us today to embrace the same priorities, even when following Christ means discomfort, dependence, or being misunderstood.
Ever felt dismissed, overlooked, or doubted by the people closest to you? This Sunday, Pastor Hans opened Mark 6 with a message that may be uncomfortably familiar. Just like Jesus was rejected in His own hometown, we too can struggle to shine for Christ among family, friends, and those who think they already “know” us. If you've ever wrestled with being taken lightly—or wondered how to keep living boldly for Jesus when those closest to you don't believe—this is a message you can't afford to miss.
This Sunday, Pastor Hans brought a gripping message from Mark 5 that forces us to wrestle with a sobering question: when Jesus disrupts our lives, will we send Him away… or be sent out by Him? In the dramatic account of the demon-possessed man set free, we see two radically different responses—an entire region pleading for Jesus to leave, and one transformed man eager to follow Him. Pastor Hans unpacked why some reject the very One who brings hope, and why others can't help but tell everyone what He's done. It's a call to examine our hearts, our priorities, and our willingness to obey—even when following Him costs us something we thought we couldn't give up.
This week, Pastor Hans continued his impactful journey through the Gospel of Mark with a message that brought clarity and conviction about how the Kingdom of God really works. While many expect the Kingdom to be flashy or forceful, Jesus paints a different picture—one rooted in responsibility, growth, and trust. Pastor Hans spoke directly to the tension we all feel: what's our part, and what's God's? From hearing the Word, to stewarding what's been planted, to trusting that God brings the increase, this message calls us to step up in obedience and step back in surrender. Responsibility might not be popular, but it's powerful when it's Kingdom-centered.
This week, Pastor Hans continued his deep dive into the Gospel of Mark with a powerful message on the condition of the human heart—and how it determines the course of your life. From hard hearts to half hearts, shallow soil to fertile ground, Jesus' parable of the sower hits closer to home than we'd like to admit. But here's the hope: if the soil changes, your story can too. Pastor Hans calls us to examine our own hearts and respond to God's Word with bold, life-altering obedience.
What if Jesus told you your family wasn't your family? This morning, Pastor Hans delivered a bold, heartfelt message that cuts through comfort and speaks straight to the soul. Continuing his powerful series on the Gospel of Mark, he challenged us to consider what happens when love for family comes into conflict with our devotion to Christ. It was more than a sermon—it was a moment of ministry, calling us to realign our hearts, reorder our priorities, and make Jesus Lord over everything. Watch now and ask yourself: who (or what) comes first in your life?
Pastor Hans ministered this morning
Pastor Hans ministered this morning
Pastor Hans ministered this morning
Pastor Petrucci ministered this morning
Pastor Hans ministered this morning
Pastor Petrucci ministered this morning
Pastor Petrucci ministered this morning
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