Podcasts about Shetler

This Mother's Day, Matt and Erin Shetler teach on a side of God's character the church has often been less comfortable with — the mother heart of God.Scripture doesn't just compare God to a father. Over and over, God reveals himself through maternal imagery: a nursing mother who cannot forget her child, a hen gathering her chicks under her wings, a love that screams "stop" and holds us close in the same breath.Walking through Genesis 1, Isaiah 49, and Matthew 23, Matt and Erin ask what changes when we let ourselves be held by the God who said, "I will not forget you."

We live in a world obsessed with winning arguments and protecting our peace. But Jesus calls us to something harder and better: making peace. In this week's message, we dig into what shalom actually means, why peacekeeping and peacemaking aren't the same thing, and what it looks like to go first — even when it costs you.

Sam Shetler Case: Missouri Amish ‘Counselor' Accused of Abuse, Forced Labor, and Fraud Tonight we're taking a hard look at the Missouri case involving Sam B. Shetler, an Amish retreat operator now facing a long list of serious criminal charges. According to court records and reporting, investigators say Shetler ran a retreat called Mercy and Truth in Cooper County, Missouri, where Amish and Mennonite residents were sent for counseling, therapy, or help — but prosecutors now allege that many were instead abused, manipulated, sexually exploited, and forced to work for free. Shetler has pleaded not guilty. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Your phone. Your inbox. Your to-do list. Your worries. Everything is competing for your attention — and most of the time, it's winning.In this message, Matt explores what Jesus meant when he said "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." An undivided heart isn't just a spiritual ideal — it's the thing that changes how you see everything. But in a world built to distract you, how do you actually get there?

The disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus. They watched him die. When the women came back saying he'd risen, they couldn't go there. Not again. The risk of hoping one more time—and being wrong again—felt too high.If you've been there, this Easter message is for you. Pastor Matt explores what it looks like to open the door to hope when everything in you says it's too dangerous. We'll dig into the real reasons the disciples doubted, why Peter chose to wonder, and what it means that Jesus meets us in our fear, our shame, and our hesitation.

Why does God seem so comfortable with people praising him? And why do so many of us struggle to do it? In this episode, Pastor Matt digs into Psalm 33 and explores what worship actually is — and why our desire to hold onto control might be what's getting in the way. Spoiler: we don't worship God because he needs it. We worship him because when we see who he really is, it's the only response that makes sense.

When life feels unstable, Psalm 46 reminds us of a powerful truth:Refuge isn't found in a life that never shakes— it's found in a God who never leaves.In this message, we explore how God meets us in the middle of chaos and how we can take simple, faithful steps forward—even when nothing feels certain.Note: A brief audio interruption occurred during the original recording. The missing section has been restored for this podcast version.

What kind of impact will your life leave behind?In this message from our Becoming a River Church series, we explore how God's life is meant to flow through us—not stop with us. Drawing from Matthew 28:16–20 and 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT), we look at Jesus' Great Commission and discover that He gave it to ordinary, imperfect people—some who were still doubting.The call to “make disciples” isn't about having all the answers or being spiritually impressive. It's about passing on what we've received. Just like a river brings life wherever it flows, God invites us to invest in others in simple, relational ways that multiply over time.If you've ever felt unqualified to share your faith, this message is for you. Jesus' promise still stands: “I am with you always.”Let's become a river—together.

Please join us as Pastor Matt discusses becoming a River Church

Please join us as Pastor Matt discusses becoming a River Church

Join us as Pastor Matt talks about a season of prayer and fasting

Join us as Pastor Matt wraps up our Advent Series

Please join us as Pastor Matt wraps up our series, Open Hands

Join us as Pastor Matt leads a panel with Catherine Golladay and Tom Wadsworth

Join us as Pastor Matt begins our new series, 'Open Hands'

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, 'Rooted'

You're listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for October 23, 2025. 0:30 We're sounding the alarm on China's sex warfare—a covert campaign of espionage waged through seduction, manipulation, and social media. According to new intelligence reports, the Chinese Communist Party, often in coordination with Russian operatives, is exploiting professional networks like LinkedIn to target American engineers, defense contractors, and innovators. 9:30 Plus, we cover the Top 3 Things You Need to Know. Democrats blocked bills today that would pay US Military members and other government employees who have been affected by the Democrat government shutdown. New York Mayor Eric Adams is endorsing former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo to be the next mayor of the nation's largest city. An Illegal alien driving an 18 wheeler is being accused of killing three people. 12:30 Get Brain Reward from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 13:30 Socialist Zoran Mamdani is leading the New York City mayor race. But how can an anti-semitic Hamas sympathizer be winning in a city with the largest Jewish population outside of Israel? And should Curtis Sliwa stay in the race despite the polls? 17:00 We got a question in for our American Mamas — Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson. They tackle a viral comment from former White House press secretary Jen Psaki, who claimed that Usha Vance—the wife of Vice President J.D. Vance—is a “prisoner who needs to be saved.” The mamas don’t hold back, calling Psaki’s remark ridiculous, bitter, and proof of lingering “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” If you'd like to ask our American Mamas a question, go to our website, AmericanGroundRadio.com/mamas and click on the Ask the Mamas button. 23:00 In a moment that no one saw coming, Bernie Sanders just sounded more like Donald Trump than a democratic socialist. The self-proclaimed “godfather of the modern left”—who once hailed open borders as a moral imperative—has now admitted that Trump handled immigration better than Joe Biden. 25:00 We welcome back Ben Schettler, founder of the Center for Truth in Love, who’s taken his message of faith and reason into some of America’s most hostile environments.Following in the footsteps of the late Charlie Kirk, Shetler has been setting up open-forum booths on college campuses and in major cities—only to be met with anger, chaos, and even violence. We discuss the disturbing new normal in public discourse, where faith and facts are drowned out by emotion and intimidation. Shetler reveals evidence of paid agitators and pre-printed protest signs, raising serious questions about who’s funding the outrage. 32:30 Get Prodovite from Victory Nutrition International for 20% off. Go to vni.life/agr and use the promo code AGR20. 33:30 We break down the radical sanctuary policies threatening to turn New York City into a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens. From the ICE arrests in Chinatown to Zohran Mamdani’s calls to defund the NYPD, we're seeing the growing chaos of a system that protects offenders over citizens. 36:30 Plus, King Charles III met with Pope Leo XIV in Rome—marking the first meeting between the heads of the Church of England and the Catholic Church in nearly five centuries, and that's a Bright Spot. a closer look at this extraordinary encounter, tracing it back to Henry VIII’s break from Rome and the centuries-long divide that followed. What does this moment of unity mean for Christianity today? Is it merely symbolic, or a genuine step toward reconciliation between two of the world’s largest Christian traditions? 40:30 The NBA finds itself caught in a scandal that could shake professional sports to its core. The Department of Justice says team organizations had no direct involvement—but coaches and players are now under fire for allegedly sharing insider information tied to illegal gambling rings involving the Lakers, Hornets, Trailblazers, and Raptors. Trust is the lifeblood of professional sports. Once the trust is gone... the game is gone. The NBA needs to put it's foot down and say, "Whoa." Follow us: americangroundradio.com Facebook: facebook.com / AmericanGroundRadio Instagram: instagram.com/americangroundradio Links: Democrats block bill to pay military, essential workers during shutdown Adams backs Cuomo in race to succeed him as NYC mayor Illegal Trucker Accused Of Killing Three Was Given Commercial Driver’s License By California 10-year-old runs miles to remember fallen Kansas officers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Join us as Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, "Rooted"

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Please join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Join us as Pastor Matt continues our series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Join us as Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, "Hunger and Thirst"

Pastor Matt continues our series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Matt continues our new series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Matt continues our sermon series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Matt kicks off our new series, "Jesus is Greater"

Pastor Matt continues our series Unsung Women of the Bible with Phoebe.

Pastor Matt kicks off our new series Unsung Women of the Bible with Deborah

Pastor Matt kicks off our new series about joy.

Pastor Matt preaches the Gospel for our Easter Sunday celebration.

Pastor Matt finishes our teaching series on the Seven Deadly Sins & their requisite virtues on a bold topic: gluttony.  Check it out.

Pastor Matt preaches about anger, and stays calm the whole time.  Check it out.

Pastor Matt kicks off our brand new series, "Vice & Virtue."

Jennifer Shetler never imagined that a routine run would lead her from the role of a healthcare professional to that of a heart patient. Yet, an unexpected bout of chest pain during her daily jog turned her world upside down, prompting her to reassess her perceptions of health. Join us as Jennifer shares her deeply personal journey through the complexities of cardiac care, from initial missteps in diagnosis to the eventual discovery of a myocardial bridge. Her story emphasizes the unpredictable nature of heart conditions, particularly for athletes, and sheds light on the unique ways these issues present in women. As we navigate Jen's experiences, we highlight the critical steps in diagnosing and managing cardiac conditions, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive testing. Her narrative underscores the challenges faced when outward appearances of health mask underlying problems, and how persistence in seeking advanced imaging can be life-saving. She candidly shares her decision-making process surrounding surgical options, the role of community support, and her reliance on a network of friends and run club members in overcoming her health crisis. The episode also explores the emotional and physical journey of recovery following cardiac surgery. Jennifer offers insights into building a strong support system and the power of patient advocacy in securing necessary care. Through her story, listeners are reminded of the importance of listening to their bodies and advocating for themselves within the healthcare system. Jennifer's transformation from heart nurse to heart patient serves as a poignant reminder of the value of resilience, knowledge, and community in navigating life's unexpected trials. Her trust in care is clearly demonstrated knowing the track record of a cardio thoracic surgeon known for his skill in bypasses, not unroofing procedures. This should be a valuable understanding as it opens the door for so many more opportunities to be "unroofed" knowing the necessary content  is available to teach and support a qualified surgeon to perform the sugery he or she has likely already experienced.