Pursuing Life

Have you ever wanted to share your faith, but weren’t sure where to start? At some point, many of us wonder: What do I even say? What if I don’t have all the answers? And how do I talk about Jesus without sounding awkward or pushy?Maybe you worry about saying the wrong thing. Maybe you’ve had conversations that didn’t go the way you hoped. Or maybe you genuinely want the people around you to know Jesus—you’re simply trying to figure out how to talk about Him naturally in everyday life.If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to share your faith, you’re not alone.In this episode of Asking for a Friend, Pastor of Young Adult Ministries, Adam Derus, and Director of Student Ministries, Alex Vocature, tackle the practical question, “How do I share my faith?” They discuss common fears around evangelism, how to start meaningful spiritual conversations, and simple ways to point people to Jesus in your everyday relationships.

God’s sovereignty is a foundational part of the Christian faith—but it can also raise honest questions. At some point, many of us wonder: If God is in control of everything… do my prayers even matter?Maybe you’ve been told that God has a plan for all things, and it leaves you wondering what role your prayers actually play. Maybe you’ve prayed for something specific and didn’t see the outcome you hoped for. Or maybe you’re trying to make sense of how God’s will and your requests fit together.If you’ve ever questioned the purpose of prayer, you’re not alone.In this episode of Asking for a Friend, Pastor George May and Middle School Director, Joshua Brussel, dive into the tension between God’s sovereignty and human prayer—what Scripture reveals, how prayer shapes our relationship with God, and why it still matters, even when the answers aren’t what we expect.

Hearing God’s voice is something we all long for—but what about the seasons when He seems quiet? What if it doesn’t always feel clear or consistent? At some point, many of us find ourselves asking: Why does God feel silent sometimes? Is He really, or am I just not hearing Him? Maybe you’ve been praying and don’t sense any response. Maybe you’re waiting for direction, clarity, or comfort—and nothing seems to come. Or maybe you’re unsure what His voice is supposed to sound like in the first place.In this episode of Asking for a Friend, Worship Associate, Jason Smith, and Director of Women’s Ministries and Guest Services, Liz Rodriguez, explore how to navigate seasons when God feels quiet, what Scripture says about God’s presence, and how to remain anchored in faith even when you’re not hearing what you hoped for.

Growth is a core part of the Christian life—but it doesn’t always feel like progress. At some point, many of us find ourselves asking: Why do I feel stuck in my faith? Shouldn’t I be further along by now?Maybe you’ve been following Jesus for years but feel like you’re in the same place. Maybe certain struggles keep resurfacing, or your spiritual rhythms feel inconsistent. Or maybe you’re quietly comparing your journey to others and wondering what you’re missing.If you’ve ever felt stalled or discouraged in your faith, you’re not alone.In this episode, Pastor David Harrop and Director of Child Discipleship, Kathy Noel, talk honestly about what it means to feel stuck—why it happens, how to recognize growth you might be overlooking, and how to keep moving forward with grace, even when progress feels slow.

The Bible is central to the Christian faith—and it can also raise big questions. At some point, many of us wonder: Can the Bible be trusted?Maybe you’ve heard it taught your whole life. Maybe you’ve encountered contradictions or difficult passages. Or maybe you’re wondering how an ancient text can still speak with authority today.If you’ve ever had doubts about the Bible, you’re not alone.In this episode, Pastor of Equipping Steve Kilgore and Director of Women’s Ministries and Guest Services, Liz Rodriguez, explore the trustworthiness of the Bible—where it came from, how it’s been passed down, and what it looks like to engage it honestly, even with real questions.

Doubt isn’t something we talk about much—but it’s something most of us feel. Whether your faith feels steady or uncertain, you may have found yourself asking: Is doubt a sin?Maybe you’ve been told that real faith leaves no room for uncertainty. Or maybe you’re trying to figure out if doubt is something to suppress—or something God can actually use.If you’ve ever felt that tension, you’re not alone.In this episode, our Pastoral Counseling Associate, Chris Torchia, and Adult Connect & Women’s Associate, Tammy McDaniel, lean into the reality of doubt—what it is, why it shows up, the questions about whether it’s something to fear or a doorway to deeper faith… even if you’re just asking for a friend.

Some questions sit just under the surface—easy to ignore, but hard to shake. Whether you’ve followed Jesus for years or you’re unsure what you believe, you may have wondered: Can God really be trusted?Maybe you’ve experienced disappointment and aren’t sure what to do with it. Maybe parts of your story make it hard to believe God is good. Or maybe you’re still trying to figure out if faith is built on something solid—or just wishful thinking.If you’ve ever felt that tension, you’re in good company.In this episode, Young Adult Associate, Joel Martin, and Laura Aines, Worship Administrative Assistant, lean into the struggle of trust—what it means, why it’s difficult, and the question of whether God is actually worthy of it… even if you’re just asking for a friend.

Sometimes the most important questions are the ones we’re afraid to ask. Whether you consider yourself a Christian or you’re skeptical about faith, you’ve probably wondered: Is Jesus really the only way to heaven? Or maybe you’ve heard about this “sin problem,” but you’re not convinced there’s actually a solution. Or maybe you struggle to believe that a good God would exclude good people from eternity.If you’ve ever wrestled with these questions, you’re not alone. In this episode, Senior Pastor, Beau Eckert, and Pastor of Worship Ministries, Dave Ross, bring honesty, clarity, and hope to one of the most common—and uncomfortable—questions… even if you’re just asking for a friend. 

Christmas may be over, but why we celebrate is true all year! We read about the heavenly host joining the angels to rejoice as they announce the coming of the Messiah. But do we stop long enough to consider what it really means when they declare “peace on earth”? Today, Pastor Dave Ross joins us to explain why this is one of his favorite parts of the Christmas story… and the reason might just surprise you!Read Luke 2

When we encounter genealogies in the Bible, it’s easy to glaze over long columns of difficult-to-pronounce names. But today, Pastor David Harrop is explaining why the genealogy of Jesus brings so much depth to the Christmas story that we might just miss if we pass it by. Read Matthew 1