Podcasts about lead pastor

Does “what if” guide you? As we kickoff our new series, Unfiltered, we're meeting Joshua in the midst of his questions to talk about fear.  Let's tune in and listen.Connect with us: @ascentchurchvaConnect with our Lead Pastor: @pastor.tlaneIf you've just made a decision for Christ, we'd love to celebrate with you. Please connect with us through our A-Card here: https://www.liinks.co/ascentchurch

Brenton Fessler joins Dr. Sandie Morgan as they explore why teenagers aren't hiding their digital lives because they're rebellious—they're hiding because they don't feel safe talking, and what trusted adults do next can change everything. youtube.com/watch?v=-FroTs0kgXg&feature=youtu.be&themeRefresh=1   Brenton Fessler Brenton Fessler is the Lead Pastor of Refuge OC Church in Orange County, California, where he provides vision and leadership for a growing faith community with a strong emphasis on family, discipleship, and community responsibility. With a background in youth ministry and ministry education, Brenton brings deep experience working with adolescents, parents, and church leaders navigating the complexities of formation, trust, and safety in a digital age. In addition to his pastoral leadership, Brenton has taught ministry-related courses and mentored emerging youth pastors, equipping them to build relationally healthy, developmentally appropriate, and ethically grounded ministry environments. As a parent of teenagers himself, he offers a practical, lived perspective on the challenges families face around technology, online identity formation, and risk exposure. Brenton's work reflects a prevention-first, relational approach rooted in grace, accountability, and collaboration between parents, churches, and broader community systems. Key Points Youth pastors hold a unique position of trust with teenagers, making them critical partners in digital safety conversations, as students often confide in them before approaching parents about risky online behavior. The scaffolding metaphor illustrates healthy digital boundaries—parents and church leaders provide temporary support structures that can be removed as young people demonstrate increasing responsibility, rather than permanent fences. When a 14-year-old discloses risky online behavior, youth pastors should offer to walk alongside them in conversations with parents rather than protecting confidentiality at all costs, because these young people need adult guidance to navigate complex situations safely. Youth ministry should focus on spiritual formation and relationship building rather than behavior modification, creating environments where students feel safe to make mistakes and receive grace while learning to live righteously. Churches need to update child protection policies to include digital and virtual environments with the same rigor as physical spaces, including background checks that examine volunteers' online presence and social media activity. Youth pastors serve as cultural missionaries within church staffs, helping senior pastors understand emerging technologies, social media platforms, and the realities of youth culture that shape the next generation's spiritual development. The "talk tech every day" initiative from Ensure Justice emphasizes that digital safety conversations must be ongoing and integrated into daily family life, not reactive responses to scary news articles. Building cross-generational trust requires two-way mentoring where students teach adults about technology while adults provide wisdom and boundaries, creating healthy churches where both generations learn from each other. Resources Influence Magazine Winter 2025 Issue Episode 354: Love Bombs and Long Cons: Understanding Pig Butchering Scams Ensure Justice Conference Royal Family Kids Camp Refuge OC Church Transcript [00:00:00] Brenton Fessler: The youth pastor decided that the best way forward was to actually call her up on stage and have her publicly announce her pregnancy so he could shame her as if behavior modification was gonna be the true path to her healing. [00:00:15] But [00:00:15] Delaney: Teenagers aren't hiding their digital lives because they're rebellious. They're hiding because they don't feel safe talking. What trusted adults do next can change everything. In this episode,

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: 1 John 4:15-19 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on January 4, 2026

Speaker: Dr. Justin Nalls, Lead Pastor

Walk in the Word (Psalm 119:1) The DNA of a DiscipleJanuary 4th, 2026Jeff Bruce, Lead Pastor

Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: 1 John 4:15-19 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on January 4, 2026

Faith Baptist Church in Hamilton, NJ. Lance Walker is the Lead Pastor. Visit us at www.fbcchurch.org

12.28.25 Matthew 6:33-34 "Word of the Year" Speaker: Dr. Owen Nease, Lead Pastor

Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor

December 28, 2025 Lead Pastor Jim Baney by Basic Truth Church, Cygnet, Oh

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

In this episode of Leaders in Living Rooms, Sean Morgan sits down with Jonathan Moynihan, Lead Pastor of Mosaic Christian Church in Baltimore, to explore a leadership journey shaped more by formation than ambition. Jonathan shares how what he once assumed was a call to church planting unexpectedly became a rapid succession into the lead pastor role—after years of hidden preparation, inner work, and confronting unhealthy ambition. Together, Sean and Jonathan unpack themes of calling versus opportunity, the dangers of tying worth to performance, and how silence, solitude, and failure became essential tools God used to form Jonathan into a healthier, more grounded leader. This honest conversation offers a rare look at the interior life of leadership, reminding pastors that God's primary work is often deeper than visible success. Welcome to Episode 149 of the Leaders in Living Rooms Podcast with Sean Morgan.

Pastor Ronnie shares the mission of Abba's House Ronnie Phillips is the Lead Pastor at Abba's House in Chattanooga, TN and founder of Ronnie Phillips Ministries International.   ronniephillips.org

Pastor Josh Hall is the Lead Pastor of Ocean Church, located in Estero, FL.Ocean Church exists to partner with the work of God in people's lives.To stay connected to Ocean Church:Website: https://bit.ly/2vx8M2oOcean Church Facebook: https://bit.ly/2IXUsTqOcean Church Instagram: https://bit.ly/2vx8x7u

Faith Baptist Church in Hamilton, NJ. Lance Walker is the Lead Pastor. Visit us at www.fbcchurch.org

Faith Baptist Church in Hamilton, NJ. Lance Walker is the Lead Pastor. Visit us at www.fbcchurch.org

Caleb Schafer, the Lead Pastor of Redeemer's Church, shares a message about the importance of prayer and fasting as we look forward to 2026.  Sunday December 28th, 2025 | 12.28.25 Category: Remembrance, Consecration, Connection,   

Speaker: Jeff Jones, Lead Pastor

It's easy to live life and not examine where you have been or where you're going. Taking time to reflect is one of the most powerful habits to develop. How do we look back at 2025? How do we prepare for 2026?Justin Kendrick is the Lead Pastor of Vox Church, which he founded in 2011 with a group of friends on the doorstep of Yale University. Since then, the church has grown to multiple locations across New England with the dream of seeing the least-churched region of the U.S. become the most spiritually vibrant place on earth. Justin is the author of the USA Today bestseller How to Quiet a Hurricane, as well as Bury Your Ordinary and The Sacred Us (David C Cook). In addition to hosting Justin Kendrick: The Devoted Life Podcast, he continues to create sermon material, small group studies, and video content weekly through Vox Church. Justin and his wife, Chrisy, live with their four children in the New Haven area. To learn more about Justin, visit JustinKendrick.com.

In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Chase Davis, Lead Pastor of The Well Church, to discuss Christian identity in America, revelations from JD Vance's America Fest speech, and why evangelical leadership cannot compromise on critical race theory, DEI, and traditional family values.   Chase Davis (M.Div, Th.M, Denver Seminary) is Lead Pastor of Ministry of The Well Church in Boulder, Colorado. Chase is married to Kim and they have two sons. He is the author of Trinitarian Formation: A Theology of Discipleship in Light of the Father, Son, and Spirit (2021). He also hosts the podcast Full Proof Theology. You can find more of Chase's writing at jchasedavis.com.   Learn more about Chase Davis: https://x.com/jchasedavis https://www.jchasedavis.com/   ––––––   Follow Center for Baptist Leadership across Social Media: X / Twitter – https://twitter.com/BaptistLeaders Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-For-Baptist-Leadership/61556762144277/ Rumble – https://rumble.com/c/c-6157089 YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@CenterforBaptistLeadership Website – https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/   To book William for media appearances or speaking engagements, please contact him at media@centerfor­baptistleadership.org.   Follow Us on Twitter: William Wolfe - https://twitter.com/William_E_Wolfe Richard Henry - https://twitter.com/RThenry83   Renew the SBC from within and defend the SBC from those who seek its destruction, donate today: https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/donate/   The Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast is powered by American Reformer, recorded remotely in the United States by William Wolfe, and edited by Jared Cummings.   Subscribe to the Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast: Distribute our RSS Feed – https://centerforbaptistleadership.podbean.com/ Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-for-baptist-leadership/id1743074575 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0npXohTYKWYmWLsHkalF9t Amazon Music // Audible – https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9ababbdd-6c6b-4ab9-b21a-eed951e1e67b BoomPlay – https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/96624 CastboxFM – https://castbox.fm/channel/id6132313 CastroFM – https://castro.fm/podcast/67110759-1bb9-4fd9-abcb-34113d42e945 CurioCaster – https://curiocaster.com/podcast/pi6894445 Fountain – https://fountain.fm/show/IURohE0rZPJr5h81wxbX Goodpods – https://goodpods.com/podcasts/center-for-baptist-leadership-565673 iHeartRadio – https://iheart.com/podcast/170321203 iVoox – https://www.ivoox.com/en/podcast-center-for-baptist-leadership_sq_f12419733_1.html Listen Notes – https://lnns.co/2Br0hw7p5R4 MoonFM – https://moon.fm/itunes/1743074575 PlayerFM – https://player.fm/series/3570081 PocketCasts – https://play.pocketcasts.com/podcasts/ddd92230-e3ff-013c-e7de-02cacb2c6223 PodcastAddict – https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/center-for-baptist-leadership/5090794 Podchaser – https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-center-for-baptist-leaders-5696654 PodcastRepublic – https://www.podcastrepublic.net/podcast/1743074575 TrueFans – https://truefans.fm/center-for-baptist-leadership YouTube Podcasts – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFMvfuzJKMICA7wi3CXvQxdNtA_lqDFV

Pastor Josh Hall is the Lead Pastor of Ocean Church, located in Estero, FL.Ocean Church exists to partner with the work of God in people's lives.To stay connected to Ocean Church:Website: https://bit.ly/2vx8M2oOcean Church Facebook: https://bit.ly/2IXUsTqOcean Church Instagram: https://bit.ly/2vx8x7u

How did God speak to you today?Pastor Paul Mints | 12.24.25Support the show

Christmas Eve is a time filled with beauty, tradition, and reflection, but it can also be a season where pain, loss, and unanswered questions feel heavier than ever. In this powerful Christmas Eve message, Pastor Aaron Pennington invites us to slow down and ask the question at the heart of the Christmas story: What Child Is This?As part of our Songs of Christmas series, this sermon explores the story and meaning behind the beloved carol What Child Is This? Pastor Aaron walks through the origins of the song, the pain that shaped it, and how its message still speaks hope into our lives today. This message reminds us that Jesus did not arrive in comfort and perfection, but stepped into a messy, broken world to bring light, life, and healing.Whether Christmas is joyful or heavy for you, this message is an invitation to experience Jesus not as a tradition, but as the Savior who meets us in our cold and dark moments. Through Scripture, personal story, and the truth of the Gospel, Pastor Aaron shares how Jesus is God with us, Emmanuel, and how His life, death, and resurrection offer forgiveness, restoration, and new life for anyone who believes.If you are new to church, returning after a long time, or simply searching for hope this Christmas season, we are honored you are here. Trace Church exists to help people encounter Jesus and discover the abundant life He offers.Thank you for celebrating Christmas Eve with us.If this message encouraged you, consider subscribing to our channel and sharing it with someone who may need hope this Christmas.We would also love to invite you to join us in person or online as we continue into the new year. We will be back in person on January 4 as we begin a new teaching series called Uprooted, focused on removing what holds us back from the life Jesus came to give.

Gregg DeMey, Lead Pastor

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

ABOUT SILVERDALE BAPTIST CHURCH Silverdale exists to lead people into an authentic relationship with Christ so they will worship God, grow in their faith, and serve the Lord in our community and world. Silverdale's Lead Pastor is Tony Walliser. FIND US ONLINE Website http://silverdalebc.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/silverdalebcInstagram https://www.instagram.com/silverdalebcFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/silverdalebc

In today's episode of the Center for Baptist Leadership podcast, William Wolfe sits down with Lewis Richerson, Lead Pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, to unpack his recent interview with the New York Times on biblical justice and immigration.   Pastor Lewis came to Woodlawn in May 2012. He previously served at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in various capacities from 2005-2012 where he also received his Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages (M.Div.) and Doctorate of Philosophy in Preaching (Ph.D.) degrees. Lewis began his pastoral ministry in 1999, while a senior in high school, as an interim pastor in rural Rapides Parish, Louisiana. That experience, along with his other ministry experiences (he served churches in Louisiana and Texas) have given him a passion for people and the Word of God. In addition to leading in the local church, Pastor Lewis has been instrumental in launching a ministry in India that includes an accredited Bible college and seminary, church planting efforts all over India, an orphan ministry, and pastor training.    Learn more about Lewis Richerson's work: https://www.wbcbr.org/contributor/lewis-richerson https://twitter.com/LewisRicherson   ––––––   Follow Center for Baptist Leadership across Social Media: X / Twitter – https://twitter.com/BaptistLeaders Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/people/Center-For-Baptist-Leadership/61556762144277/ Rumble – https://rumble.com/c/c-6157089 YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@CenterforBaptistLeadership Website – https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/   To book William for media appearances or speaking engagements, please contact him at media@centerfor­baptistleadership.org.   Follow Us on Twitter: William Wolfe - https://twitter.com/William_E_Wolfe Richard Henry - https://twitter.com/RThenry83   Renew the SBC from within and defend the SBC from those who seek its destruction, donate today: https://centerforbaptistleadership.org/donate/   The Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast is powered by American Reformer, recorded remotely in the United States by William Wolfe, and edited by Jared Cummings.   Subscribe to the Center for Baptist Leadership Podcast: Distribute our RSS Feed – https://centerforbaptistleadership.podbean.com/ Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/center-for-baptist-leadership/id1743074575 Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0npXohTYKWYmWLsHkalF9t Amazon Music // Audible – https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9ababbdd-6c6b-4ab9-b21a-eed951e1e67b BoomPlay – https://www.boomplaymusic.com/podcasts/96624 CastboxFM – https://castbox.fm/channel/id6132313 CastroFM – https://castro.fm/podcast/67110759-1bb9-4fd9-abcb-34113d42e945 CurioCaster – https://curiocaster.com/podcast/pi6894445 Fountain – https://fountain.fm/show/IURohE0rZPJr5h81wxbX Goodpods – https://goodpods.com/podcasts/center-for-baptist-leadership-565673 iHeartRadio – https://iheart.com/podcast/170321203 iVoox – https://www.ivoox.com/en/podcast-center-for-baptist-leadership_sq_f12419733_1.html Listen Notes – https://lnns.co/2Br0hw7p5R4 MoonFM – https://moon.fm/itunes/1743074575 PlayerFM – https://player.fm/series/3570081 PocketCasts – https://play.pocketcasts.com/podcasts/ddd92230-e3ff-013c-e7de-02cacb2c6223 PodcastAddict – https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/center-for-baptist-leadership/5090794 Podchaser – https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-center-for-baptist-leaders-5696654 PodcastRepublic – https://www.podcastrepublic.net/podcast/1743074575 TrueFans – https://truefans.fm/center-for-baptist-leadership YouTube Podcasts – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFMvfuzJKMICA7wi3CXvQxdNtA_lqDFV

Speaker - Ray KollbockerLead Pastor

Speaker - Ray KollbockerLead Pastor

Caleb Schafer, the Lead Pastor of Redeemer's Church, shares a special Christmas Eve message.  Sunday December 23rd, 2025 | 12.23.25 Category: Signs, Messiah, Salvation

Speaker: Jeff Jones, Lead Pastor

Christmas is a magical, busy season of joy and celebration. It's so easy to get caught up in all the festivities and excitement that we don't pause long enough to consider what the Christmas story is actually about.  Because if you look closely, the story of Christ's birth challenges our assumptions about power, generosity, status, and what it actually means to reflect the heart of God.  The nativity isn't merely a sentimental moment; it is God intentionally choosing the margins, stepping into human vulnerability, and redefining what greatness looks like.  And if we let it, that truth forces us to ask harder questions about the way we show up for others, especially the overlooked, the lonely, and the forgotten. The first Christmas wasn't designed around abundance, convenience, or comfort. It unfolded in obscurity, among shepherds no one valued, in a manger no one wanted, to a young woman no one expected.  And the people who recognized Jesus first weren't the powerful. They were the poor, the humble, the ones most longing for God to break into their story.  Christmas, then, isn't about what we receive; it's about what we can give. How do we let the generosity of God shape the generosity we extend? Beyond celebrating Emmanuel, how do we embody Emmanuel for others?  In this episode, I'm joined by Rev. Dr. Emily Gierer, a pastor, educator, and spiritual leader who has spent nearly two decades guiding students, families, and faith communities.  Together, we explore why the true meaning of Christmas has far less to do with tradition…and far more to do with transformation.   Things You'll Learn In This Episode  God's Upside-Down Kingdom God chooses shepherds, not kings, to receive the first announcement of Christ's birth. What does that tell us about the kind of people God notices first? Generosity Was Never Meant to Be Comfortable The incarnation is the ultimate act of sacrificial giving. How does Jesus' costly example redefine the way we think about giving our time, resources, and talents? Why Loneliness Intensifies During Christmas "God with us" is not poetic language; it's God stepping into human fear, abandonment, and suffering. What would it look like to embody that same presence for someone who feels unseen this season? How to Teach Children a Different Kind of Christmas Kids are shaped more by what we model than what we say. How do families train children to value compassion over accumulation in a culture obsessed with getting?   About the Guest Rev. Dr. Emily Gierer serves as the co-Lead Pastor of St. Timothy's Church in Storrs, Connecticut, where she guides worship, preaches regularly, disciples students, and develops spiritual formation initiatives. With a Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut, a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Emily has almost two decades of pastoral leadership and campus ministry experience at the University of Connecticut. In addition to her pastoral work, Emily teaches in the English Department at the University of Connecticut, offering courses in American literature, women's literature, and Biblical literature.  Together with Dr. Jana Holiday, she will also launch and co-lead Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's new Doctor of Ministry track, Women in Leadership, beginning in July 2027. Emily and her husband, Vince, live and minister in Connecticut with their two young daughters. Ways to give this Christmas  https://www.st-timothys-storrs.org/  https://www.gordonconwell.edu/doctor-ministry/tracks/  https://worldrelief.org/gift-guide/  https://www.compassion.com/catalog/   About Your Host Hosted by Dr. Deepa Grandon, MD, MBA, a triple board-certified physician with over 23 years of experience working as a Physician Consultant for influential organizations worldwide. Dr. Grandon is the founder of Transformational Life Consulting (TLC) and an outspoken faith-based leader in evidence-based lifestyle medicine.   Disclaimer  ​​TLC is presenting this podcast as a form of information sharing only. It is not medical advice or intended to replace the judgment of a licensed physician. TLC is not responsible for any claims related to procedures, professionals, products, or methods discussed in the podcast, and it does not approve or endorse any products, professionals, services, or methods that might be referenced.   Podcast CTA Check out this episode on our website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify, and don't forget to leave a review if you like what you heard. Your review feeds the algorithm, so our show reaches more people. Thank you! 

How did God speak to you today?Support the show

12.7.25 Believe: The Gospel of John John 19:1-15 "Life in the Garden" Speaker: Dr. Owen Nease, Lead Pastor

12.21.25 Believe: The Gospel of John John 19:31-42 "Previews of Light" Speaker: Dr. Owen Nease, Lead Pastor

Welcome to Behold the King: Christmas with Ascent. Today as we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we challenge you to see the story of Christmas and the ultimate gift in a new way. Let's tune in and listen.Connect with us: @ascentchurchvaConnect with our Lead Pastor: @pastor.tlaneIf you've just made a decision for Christ, we'd love to celebrate with you. Please connect with us through our A-Card here: https://www.liinks.co/ascentchurch 

Speaker: Dr. Justin Nalls, Lead Pastor

In the spirit of celebrating my first Christmas as a Christian, this week is the perfect time to share a delightful conversation I had with Chris Legg. As both a licensed professional counselor and the lead pastor of a church, Chris has a rare combination of expertise he describes as being "a bit of a unicorn." Chris is also the founding owner and clinical director of Alethia Family Counseling Center, which now operates six locations across Texas with thirty therapists on staff.We explore the intersection of faith and psychology, discussing how secular therapy approaches to self-esteem fall short without a spiritual foundation. Chris challenges the contemporary affirmation-based therapy model, arguing that true humility comes from an accurate understanding of who we are in light of who God says we are. We discuss the persistent human tendency toward self-deception, examining why building identity solely on ourselves is fundamentally delusional—and what happens when we recognize ourselves as treasure through God's eyes instead.Our conversation ventures into controversial territory, including the relationship between Christianity and psychedelics, where Chris explains his measured "five out of ten" stance. He shares clinical examples of clients whose severe addictions were transformed through professional psychedelic-assisted treatment, while also emphasizing the need for Christian voices to remain engaged in this conversation rather than retreating into reflexive rejection. We discuss the theology of the Father, father wounds, and how childhood experiences shape our intuition of God. We examine prayer through the lens of the persistent widow and the friend at midnight, exploring what it means to approach God boldly as his children rather than with practiced piety. Chris shares insights on marriage, sacrifice, and how his son co-authored their book "Sex and Marriage" after witnessing the congruence between his father's theology and his treatment of his mother. Finally, we touch on near-death experiences, spiritual integration, and the beautiful, ongoing process of faith deconstruction and reconstruction that characterizes a lifetime of spiritual growth.Pastor Chris Legg, LPCs, and his wife Ginger have been living out the parable of God's love for His people since 1993 and have been blessed with five great kids. He is the Lead Pastor at South Spring Baptist Church in Tyler, TX and is also the founding owner and clinical director of Alethia Family Counseling Center, which offers training, counseling, speaking and business consulting in several locations in Texas. He and his son, Mark, are the authors of the book Sex and Marriage, which is intended to restore to marriages the power God intended. He also writes on Substack and hosts the Reconstructed Faith podcast.Books Mentioned in This Episode:Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan ManningAbba's Child by Brennan ManningLion and Lamb by Brennan ManningImagine Heaven by John BurkeImagine the God of Heaven by John BurkeThe Great Divorce by C.S. LewisNarnia Series by C.S. LewisSex and Marriage by Chris Legg and Mark LeggBreaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza[00:00:00] Start[00:01:09] Meet Chris Legg: Pastor and Therapist[00:11:54] The Father Wound and Our Intuition of God[00:18:45] Bold Prayer: Keep Hounding God[00:32:35] The Problem with Self-Esteem[00:40:00] Affirmation-Only Therapy Will Be Replaced by AI[00:43:15] Psychedelics and Christianity[01:05:00] Paul on Intention and What's Truly Forbidden[01:16:10] Chris's Vulnerability on Lifelong Addiction[01:32:30] Chris's Book: Sex and MarriageROGD REPAIR Course + Community gives concerned parents instant access to over 120 lessons providing the psychological insights and communication tools you need to get through to your kid. Now featuring 24/7 personalized AI support implementing the tools with RepairBot! Use code SOMETHERAPIST2025 to take 50% off your first month.PODCOURSES: use code SOMETHERAPIST at LisaMustard.com/PodCoursesTALK TO ME: book a meeting.PRODUCTION: Looking for your own podcast producer? Visit PodsByNick.com and mention my podcast for 20% off your initial services.SUPPORT THE SHOW: subscribe, like, comment, & share or donate.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order.MUSIC: Thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude & permission.ALL OTHER LINKS HERE. To support this show, please leave a rating & review on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe, like, comment & share via my YouTube channel. Or recommend this to a friend!Learn more about Do No Harm.Take $200 off your EightSleep Pod Pro Cover with code SOMETHERAPIST at EightSleep.com.Take 20% off all superfood beverages with code SOMETHERAPIST at Organifi.Check out my shop for book recommendations + wellness products.Show notes & transcript provided with the help of SwellAI.Special thanks to Joey Pecoraro for our theme song, “Half Awake,” used with gratitude and permission.Watch NO WAY BACK: The Reality of Gender-Affirming Care (our medical ethics documentary, formerly known as Affirmation Generation). Stream the film or purchase a DVD. Use code SOMETHERAPIST to take 20% off your order. Follow us on X @2022affirmation or Instagram at @a...

We're going back into the archives! In this episode of the KidzMatter Podcast, filmed at the 2024 KidzMatter Conference, host Jordan Davis interviews Pastor Nate Nupanga from Mercy Road Church. Nate has a unique perspective from his current seat as a lead pastor, but also from his previous roles in other ministry areas within the local church. As they'll share in this conversation, Jordan and Nate both have a passion for helping KidMin leaders thrive alongside their senior leaders, and the principles they share provide practical handholds to help them do so. Remember this: when your pastor wins, so do you. Let's start 2026 with a posture of honor towards our senior leaders!Looking to register for the 2026 KidzMatter Conference? We'd love to have you - visit https://www.thekidzmatterconference.com/ today!

Message 4 in the series "The Heart of Christmas" Ronnie Phillips is the Lead Pastor at Abba's House in Chattanooga, TN and founder of Ronnie Phillips Ministries International.   ronniephillips.org

Pastor Josh Hall is the Lead Pastor of Ocean Church, located in Estero, FL.Ocean Church exists to partner with the work of God in people's lives.To stay connected to Ocean Church:Website: https://bit.ly/2vx8M2oOcean Church Facebook: https://bit.ly/2IXUsTqOcean Church Instagram: https://bit.ly/2vx8x7u

In this message, Pastor Chris Donald shares why Immanuel, God with us is the greatest gift of radical love. Using Matthew 1:18–25, he reminds us that Christmas is about God coming near and removing all distance between Himself and humanity. Pastor Chris explores what is found within this gift, Jesus as the Light of the World, the Wonderful Counselor, and the Prince of Peace, while calling listeners to return to daily dependence on Christ and rediscover the truth that Jesus is enough. The vision of Mercy Culture is to take people from corporate encounters with God to daily personal encounters with God. At Mercy Culture, one of our unique characteristics is that we are a presence driven church. We are not built around any person or ministry. We are built around the presence of God. Each week, you will hear a teaching from our Lead Pastors, Les and Nikki Cody or another leader in our community. To learn more about Mercy Culture, visit https://mercyculturewaco.com

Register for the Exiles in Babylon conference! April 30-May 2, 2026. https://www.theologyintheraw.com/exiles26Baptism, Communion, Corporate Worship and Singing.... do these ancient rituals matter today? Do I need to physically go to church for this stuff, or can I just go pray at a park? What's the point of these rituals if we're saved by faith and not by works? Dr. Isaac Serrano serves as Lead Pastor of South Valley Community Church in CA. He also is an adjunct professor at Western Seminary and on the leadership team for the Regeneration Project. He's also the author of the recently released book published by InterVarsity Press, called: “When Life Feels Empty: 7 Ancient Practices to Cultivate Meaning” (InterVarsity)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.