Upward Focus

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Mike Sternad and Anthony Rea discuss topics on faith, life, society, etc with a heart to examine challenging issues using a biblical perspective.

Mike Sternad & Anthony Rea


    • Jun 9, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 35m AVG DURATION
    • 19 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Upward Focus

    The Role of the Assistant Pastor

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2021 45:18


    Mike and Anthony talk to Paul Hammontree and try to break the record for how many times the word 'pastor' is said in 45 minutes as they discuss topics like duties, functions, pitfalls, and relationships related to Assistant Pastors from various perspectives.

    Leaving a Major Denomination, Cancer, and Suffering - Paul Hammontree

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 48:41


    Anthony interviews Paul Hammontree on leaving the Lutheran church, planting a church in Louisiana, his cancer battle and why God allows His saints to suffer. https://www.calvarybr.orghttps://mountainlife.church

    A Retrospective with Gayle Erwin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2020 34:01


    Mike interviews Gayle Erwin, author of The Jesus Style. Gayle shares first hand experiences that have marked his life and ministry as a servant ranging from his youth in Mississippi to serving God's people in Africa. https://www.servant.org

    Anxiety and Depression - Jaime Solis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 14:37


    Mike interviews Jaime Solis on the common conditions of anxiety and depression and discusses how those are often overlooked or misunderstood in the church.

    Calvary Chapel in the Deep South - Sandy Adams

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2020 58:46


    Pastor Sandy Adams of Calvary Chapel Stone Mountain, GA discusses his experiences over four decades of pastoring a non-denominational Church in the Bible Belt. Topics include the challenges found in the early days of ministry, advice to church planters, racial reconciliation, and lasting excitement for ministry. https://calvarycsm.com

    Considering Contentment with Jeff Gipe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2020 30:25


    Mike Sternad interviews Pastor Jeff Gipe on the issue of contentment answering questions concerning the the cause and cure of discontentment in our lives. https://www.jeffegipe.comhttps://newcreationhb.comAmazon link to Jeff's book: https://tinyurl.com/yanfhwbk

    Let no man despise thy youth - Manolo Matos

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 68:39


    At 22 years old Manolo Matos was asked to assume the Senior Pastor role of Calvary Lima, Peru - an already 12 year old church with around 600 people. Anthony interviews Manolo to get his first hand account of that transition, the challenges, what he has learned through the years, and identity in Christ. https://calvarylima.com

    Raising Up Leaders, Intellectual Honesty and Theology - Pilgrim Benham

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2020 70:19


    Mike and Anthony discuss raising up the next generation of servant leaders, theology, and intellectual honesty, with Pastor Pilgrim Benham from Shoreline Church in Bradenton, FL. www.thisisshoreline.com

    Season 2 Intro

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2020 4:50


    Mike and Anthony talk about what is to come for Season 2 of the Upward Focus Podcast.

    When You Start a Church

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2019 14:21


    The collaboration that started it all! Recorded at the 2018 Calvary Chapel Deep South Pastors' Conference, Mike and Anthony share their early thoughts and experiences on church planting in the Deep South.

    The Gender Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2019 27:35


    The guys discuss the touchy and polarizing subject of gender and gender fluidity.

    Truth, Love and Theology

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2019 41:15


    The guys discuss Theology - what is it? who cares? who wants to talk about Theology anyway? Also, the balance between truth and love and the benefit of personal theological study.

    What's up with church?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2019 63:45


    The guys discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly of church and also confront questions like: Do I have to go to church? What should church look like? Should church smell good?

    Acts of Worship

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2019 29:27


    Mike and Anthony discuss worship as a lifestyle, what that looks like as well as some hang ups and pitfalls for the worshipper.

    Let's Rock and Roll

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2019 27:37


    Mike and Anthony discuss the concept of worship, smoke machines, and what makes a good worship leader.

    What's up with Denominations?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2019 37:32


    Mike & Anthony discuss the origin, pros, cons and issues surrounding Christian denominations. They also answer the question, "Is Calvary Chapel a denomination?"

    Is the Bible relevant?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2019 29:50


    Mike & Anthony discuss whether or not an ancient collection of books is still relevant today.

    Working our way to heaven

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2019 18:46


    Discussing the fabricated clash between two complementary ideas - grace and works, and how they fit in with the culture of the Deep South.

    The Intro Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 5, 2019 16:37


    Mike Sternad from Calvary Chapel Mobile and Anthony Rea from Living Water Christian Fellowship share their thoughts, ideas, and experience working on the Upward Focus Podcast.

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